The need for another Nupi Lan
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Free Thinker
The arrival of Her Excellency Droupati Murmu ji the Hon President of Bharat to commemorate the Nupi Lan (women's war/ rebellion) reminded the whole country that Manipur had two Nupi Lans . One in the year 1904 and the second one in 1939. The cause of both the resistance movements was the same according to my reading; the cause was the Colonial exploitation of the natives.
The first women's rebellion or resistance or war against the colonial master took place in the year 1904. Actually they came out to save their male folks from colonial exploitation i.e. by invoking forced labour. Earlier there was a tradition of volunteering service for the King by the adult male members of the society - on rotation or by a roster system prepared by the local headman or royal representative. This service was primarily meant for war - as they were to be used as militias - second line of defense, just after the standing army.This system discontinued after the Anglo- Manipuri war of 1891.
However the remnants of the feudal nobility might have brought to the knowledge of the Colonial master that there was a corvee like system in Manipur ; that system can still be used for the Administration. Then the Britishers led by the then Political Agent Shri Maxwell tried to reintroduce it . If it were re-enforced in normal circumstances the ( Lal Lup kaba) forced labour system could have been continued smoothly. But the way it was reintroduced in a rude and blunt way - sparked the First Nupi Lan. In fact it was re-introduced with an order saying that the two bungalows burnt should be reconstructed by the Lal Lup men by bringing teak wood from Kabaw valley (Burma).
Construction of those two bungalows was not a problem but bringing teak wood from Burma was the real challenge. It was indeed a very harsh order passed by the Colonizers. In defense of their male members, the women folk rose to revolt against the impractical cruel order. Thousands of women gathered in and around the Residence of the Political Agent. While dispersing them many women got injured and a few of them were also detained. Brave Manipuri mothers did not surrender and their relentless struggle forced the Colonizers to withdraw the order.
Again in the year in 1939 the British Raj along with the local lords and some businessmen took a decision of exporting rice from Manipur as part of the British war preparation for the Second World War which was already started on 1 September1939.It was perhaps an innocuous decision without assessing the possible outcome.In the beginning the pinch of rice shortage in Manipur was not felt . But within a few months people were unable to get rice in the market ; rice was unavailable in the local bazaars. Even in Khwairamband Keithel scarcity of rice was felt. Even after a good harvest people could not imagine such a scarcity ; they smelt a rat and ultimately came to know about the reason that is rampant rice export triggered a famine like situation.Finally women came out on the streets and rushed to the Durbar Hall to stop the export of rice outside Manipur. There was some scuffle between the unarmed women folk and armed security forces.
A few women had become martyrs, hundreds got injured and many arrested. Finally with the advice of the Durbar the rice export was banned by Shri Grimson , the then Political Agent of Manipur.
The courage and spirit of Manipuri women is incredible. Whenever there is a problem in the Manipuri society they come out and try to deal with the situation. In the 80's and 90's there were humongous problems of drug addiction and alcoholism in every nook and corner of the State. Those days our mothers came out in every locality to check such menace ; their intervention was very effective. Some may criticize them as vigilante groups taking laws in their hands and behaving like law enforcing agencies. Despite such allegations nobody can deny the fact that they brought about positive challenges in the society. Their contribution in fighting the social evils can't be challenged.
Today the real challenge in front of us is that we have become too ethnic oriented. In the State there are 34 ethnic groups .Some are small and some are quite large.The problem is not that but the real issue is the ethnic parochial mindset and narrow minded activities. The ethnic centric politics and thoughts can play havoc. Of course such approaches have already caused enough bloodshed and innumerable damages.
Manipur has become increasingly fragmented on communal and ethnic lines. For me, such a situation has arisen due to self centred politics and non stop power struggle. Yes of course Meitei political hegemony and social dominance could have been a contributory factor culminating such an unhealthy atmosphere.
The level of ethnic enmity and rivalries have been augmented by external forces ( visible or invisible). The age-old communal and ethnic harmony in the State is being challenged and distorted by agents and forces which have no tangible connection with our wellbeing.
The basic issue in front of us today is - how to revive and reignite the age old tradition of harmony and art of living together. Most of the ethnic groups in the State hate Meitei hegemony - socially and politically. But one must understand that other ethnic groups are doing much better bureaucratically and business-wise. Despite all these manifestations - myriad differences we have to live together. The ultimate truism is that there is no way out except to stay together.
Our Women folks can wage a war against the divisive forces, spread of ethnic hatred, communal voices, thoughts and actions of ethnic enmity. They must now play an active role to roll out the road map for peace and harmony in the State. Unarmed women folk in every village both in the hills and valley spreading the spirit of solidarity should be the harbingers of the normalization process.
The hardliners' hearts can be won only by the mothers, not by any forces. Third Nupi Lan should be for the ethnic unity in the State. As long as our mothers stand for the unity and integrity of the State no one can dare to break us.
Frankly speaking we can't rely on our men who remain crazy after 3 things (Sobha De 's 3 motivations of men).
The arrival of Her Excellency Droupati Murmu ji the Hon President of Bharat to commemorate the Nupi Lan (women's war/ rebellion) reminded the whole country that Manipur had two Nupi Lans . One in the year 1904 and the second one in 1939. The cause of both the resistance movements was the same according to my reading; the cause was the Colonial exploitation of the natives.
The first women's rebellion or resistance or war against the colonial master took place in the year 1904. Actually they came out to save their male folks from colonial exploitation i.e. by invoking forced labour. Earlier there was a tradition of volunteering service for the King by the adult male members of the society - on rotation or by a roster system prepared by the local headman or royal representative. This service was primarily meant for war - as they were to be used as militias - second line of defense, just after the standing army.This system discontinued after the Anglo- Manipuri war of 1891.
However the remnants of the feudal nobility might have brought to the knowledge of the Colonial master that there was a corvee like system in Manipur ; that system can still be used for the Administration. Then the Britishers led by the then Political Agent Shri Maxwell tried to reintroduce it . If it were re-enforced in normal circumstances the ( Lal Lup kaba) forced labour system could have been continued smoothly. But the way it was reintroduced in a rude and blunt way - sparked the First Nupi Lan. In fact it was re-introduced with an order saying that the two bungalows burnt should be reconstructed by the Lal Lup men by bringing teak wood from Kabaw valley (Burma).
Construction of those two bungalows was not a problem but bringing teak wood from Burma was the real challenge. It was indeed a very harsh order passed by the Colonizers. In defense of their male members, the women folk rose to revolt against the impractical cruel order. Thousands of women gathered in and around the Residence of the Political Agent. While dispersing them many women got injured and a few of them were also detained. Brave Manipuri mothers did not surrender and their relentless struggle forced the Colonizers to withdraw the order.
Again in the year in 1939 the British Raj along with the local lords and some businessmen took a decision of exporting rice from Manipur as part of the British war preparation for the Second World War which was already started on 1 September1939.It was perhaps an innocuous decision without assessing the possible outcome.In the beginning the pinch of rice shortage in Manipur was not felt . But within a few months people were unable to get rice in the market ; rice was unavailable in the local bazaars. Even in Khwairamband Keithel scarcity of rice was felt. Even after a good harvest people could not imagine such a scarcity ; they smelt a rat and ultimately came to know about the reason that is rampant rice export triggered a famine like situation.Finally women came out on the streets and rushed to the Durbar Hall to stop the export of rice outside Manipur. There was some scuffle between the unarmed women folk and armed security forces.
A few women had become martyrs, hundreds got injured and many arrested. Finally with the advice of the Durbar the rice export was banned by Shri Grimson , the then Political Agent of Manipur.
The courage and spirit of Manipuri women is incredible. Whenever there is a problem in the Manipuri society they come out and try to deal with the situation. In the 80's and 90's there were humongous problems of drug addiction and alcoholism in every nook and corner of the State. Those days our mothers came out in every locality to check such menace ; their intervention was very effective. Some may criticize them as vigilante groups taking laws in their hands and behaving like law enforcing agencies. Despite such allegations nobody can deny the fact that they brought about positive challenges in the society. Their contribution in fighting the social evils can't be challenged.
Today the real challenge in front of us is that we have become too ethnic oriented. In the State there are 34 ethnic groups .Some are small and some are quite large.The problem is not that but the real issue is the ethnic parochial mindset and narrow minded activities. The ethnic centric politics and thoughts can play havoc. Of course such approaches have already caused enough bloodshed and innumerable damages.
Manipur has become increasingly fragmented on communal and ethnic lines. For me, such a situation has arisen due to self centred politics and non stop power struggle. Yes of course Meitei political hegemony and social dominance could have been a contributory factor culminating such an unhealthy atmosphere.
The level of ethnic enmity and rivalries have been augmented by external forces ( visible or invisible). The age-old communal and ethnic harmony in the State is being challenged and distorted by agents and forces which have no tangible connection with our wellbeing.
The basic issue in front of us today is - how to revive and reignite the age old tradition of harmony and art of living together. Most of the ethnic groups in the State hate Meitei hegemony - socially and politically. But one must understand that other ethnic groups are doing much better bureaucratically and business-wise. Despite all these manifestations - myriad differences we have to live together. The ultimate truism is that there is no way out except to stay together.
Our Women folks can wage a war against the divisive forces, spread of ethnic hatred, communal voices, thoughts and actions of ethnic enmity. They must now play an active role to roll out the road map for peace and harmony in the State. Unarmed women folk in every village both in the hills and valley spreading the spirit of solidarity should be the harbingers of the normalization process.
The hardliners' hearts can be won only by the mothers, not by any forces. Third Nupi Lan should be for the ethnic unity in the State. As long as our mothers stand for the unity and integrity of the State no one can dare to break us.
Frankly speaking we can't rely on our men who remain crazy after 3 things (Sobha De 's 3 motivations of men).