Anglo - Kuki War 1917 -1919

Sominthang Doungel
Contd from previous issue
“Kache langin Jang huivan kamaovin,
Kahung lang in mun nelkhaije.
Tonglam eidot mantin pibang  kimma
Laija vakul va ge bang in kanem e”
Meaning :
“While leaving I was overwhelmed with sadness, on my return all my people awaited me waving like a bamboos in the groove. Seeing all the people who welcome me, I’m filled with joy and I felt as light as a feather of “Vakul” ( a type of bird)
“Namtin khel in kumkho sot hen,
kalkai jing lalna gam lei mun a
Thonglhung kitene
Pupa jilsa kalen chom
Solang nguisa
Solna gamleo gamva jing thou kit hen”.
Meaning :
“I was imprisoned unlike the other for  a longer time. I am now back to my own land.
The drums made by my forefathers remained silent so long.
May the joy of life return  to our land again,
And  may the birds sing once againg”.
REASONS  FOR THE DEFEAT OF THE KUKIS:
1.     The British received uninterrupted supply of rations whereas, the Kukis had to depend solely on their agricultural land. The Kukis ran short of food grains when the war  extended beyond two cropping reasons.
2.    The Kukis were not well equipped with weapons. Besides the war was fought in Kukis’ soil.
3.    The combined forces of British India and British Burma were too strong for the Kukis who settled in villages.
4.    Some Kukis who had been converted to Christianity sided the Britishers and acted as informers which greatly reduced the strength of the Kuki forces.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE ANGLO KUKI WAR: The war led to the division of the main Kuki territories between India and Burma (Myanmar). The territories of the Kukis were  divided into different administrative units. Their superiority among the hill tribes were terminated and they were reduced to weak people. Many innocent Kukis who were kept in various concentration camp were subjected to inhuman treatment. Even women and children were used as labour force. They  were made to work in constructing the road connecting Imphal and Tamu, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Churachandpur.
To be contd