Anglo - Kuki War 1917 -1919

The concentration camps were unhygienic and the innocent Kuki inmates suffered from diseases like malaria, Cholera, small pox etc. resulting in the  death of many Kuki inmates. Horrendous torture of inmates, beating, rape, starvation and other forms of abuse occurred daily and many died as a result of physical violence and hunger.
Even after the war the British soldiers continued to raid big villages of Kukis in successive manner. This led to disintegration of all big settlements into smaller, weaker and scattered  villages.
The Anglo- Kuki war that lasted for almost three years also led to the disruption of Jhum cultivation as a consequences of which famine occurred. People had to subsist on whatever edible things found in the forest like raw leaves, fruits, etc. for their survival.
The war shattered the Kuki society. Even their identity as a Kuki was at stakes because there was no pride in being a Kuki and the society was sickeningly mired in stagnation.
The Kukis were ignored by the government authorities and even the neighbouring tribes belittled them. The Kacha Nagas of Manipur not only distorted historical facts but also maligned them in every ways.
The Anglo-Kuki war of 1917 – 1919 was too severe that it affected different parts  in major degrees. The war claimed many lives and left many homeless.
Livestock were killed, crops were destroyed. More than eighty six villages were raged to the  ground, fifteen villages were deserted forever.
Under the direction of the government of British India, two provincial government i.e., Assam and Burma with five thousand four hundred British military comprising 2400 from India and 3000 from Burma Riflemen in all under the command of Brigadier – General C.E.K. Macquoid fought stiff battle against the Kuki warriors. About 1600 muskets were confiscated, hundreds of leather cannon (Pumpi) and several thousand pounds of gun powder were destroyed.
The Anglo – Kuki war was the most memorable moment in the history of the Kukis. Time can never erase the valour  and gallantry of our forefathers who fought to defend our freedom and our land!