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'''THE LUSHAI EXPEDITION '''
1871-1872
BY
R.G. WOOD..."

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This article is an extract from 

'''THE LUSHAI EXPEDITION ''' 
1871-1872 

BY 
R.G. WOODTHORPE. 
LIEUT. ROYAL ENGINEERS. 

LONDON: 
HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS, 
13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 

1873. 
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[[Category:India|M ]]
[[Category:Places|M ]]
=Gnurshailon=
Since this time nothing seems to have
occurred till January, 1862, when three
villages were plundered and burnt in the neigh-
bourhood of Adumpur, and evidence went to
show that the leader in this outrage was
Gnurshailon, son of Lalchokla, who had married
a sister of Sukpilal.

No steps were taken by Government till 1864,
when four captives made their escape from
Cachar, and from their statements it appeared
that Sukpilal, and two other Poitoo chiefs,
Rungboom and Lalltolien, were also implicated,
and that many of the captives were living at
that time in the villages of these chiefs.

The local authorities desired an Expedition
to be sent against them, but it was feared that this
might bring down the Kookies on the tea-gardens,
which are rapidly spreading south, and, before
attempting force, Captain Stewart, the Deputy
Commissioner was desired to open negotiations
with Sukpilal to induce him to give up the
captives in his possession.

The latter sent his muntri to Captain Stewart.
He admitted his guilt in the Adumpur matter,
but said that some of the captives had been sold
to the Pois, a powerful tribe to the south-east
of Sukpilal's territory.

Captain Stewart required the chief to come to
him, bringing with him the captives, and swear
friendship, on doing which he would receive fifty
rupees a month, subject to a small annual tribute
of certain specified articles.

The muntri said that Sukpilal's son should go
in, as the chief was too ill to move, and agreed
to the other conditions.

About the same time Captain Stewart. con-
cluded a similar treaty with Voupilal, son of Mora,
who had Succeeded his father as chief of the
Kholal villages, whither the latter had removed
after the destruction of his village by Colonel
Lister in 1850.

A new rajah had in the meantime assumed
the reigns of government in Tipperah, and to
strengthen his position he offered to do all in
his power to seize Gnurshailon and Sukpilal.
His offer was, however, refused, as the negotia-
tion with the latter seemed to promise fairly.

In December, 1865, however, it was reported
that Sukpilal had not given up the captives, and
no satisfactory reason being given for this non-
compliance with the terms of his agreement, an
Expedition was organised to compel their re-
lease.

The rainy season setting in before it could
start, the operations were postponed. During
the rains. Captain Stewart was employed in in-
quiring into the accessibility and position of Suk-
pilal's villages. He considered that no approach
could be made from the Chittagong side (this has
since been proved to be a mistaken notion),
and that at least four hundred men should be sent
from Cachar. The idea of an Expedition was
then abandoned.

Shortly after Sukpilal opened negotiations again,
by sending in the annual presents, but no captives;
but after much trouble four were at length sent in.
Gnurshailon, it was said, through whom Sukpilal
obtained muskets from Tipperah, prevented his
sending in the others. Many of the captives
were said to be married to Lushais, and unwilling
to leave them. There was probably some truth
in this statement, as we shall see from an incident
which occurred during the late Expedition.

Towards the close of 1868, attacks were made
on some Naga villages in Munipur, and Rung-
boom's villages in Hill Tipperah. In the
latter Sukpilal was supposed to be concerned;
and at the same time the tea-gardens in South
Cachar were threatened.

On the 10th January, 1869, the Lushais, under
a chief named Lalroom, Youpilal's brother-in-
law, burnt the tea-garden of Nowarbund and
killed some of the coolies, and another party
under Deouti, on the 14th, attacked the Monir-
khal garden, where there was a stockade and a
police-guard; he succeeded in destroying the
buildings and plundering the garden.
==Plan Of Operations==
Early in February an attack was made on
the Kala Naga stockade by Lushais, under
Lenkom. . The stockade was taken, and a
Munipur officer and some Sepoys killed.

Voupilal and Sukpilal were suspected from
the first, though the actual raiders were not
discovered till afterwards, and an attempt was
made to punish them.

A large Expedition was set on foot, consist-
ing of two forces of Military and Police, one
intended to proceed up the Sonai to punish
Voupilal, the other to reach Sukpilal by the
Dullesur River. The Rajah of Munipur was also
to have co-operated from his side.

These plans were altered considerably, and
the Expedition was unsuccessful. The plan of
operations to be carried out was this : — Simul-
taneously with the advance of the columns
from Cacbar, one composed principally of police
under Mr. Baker, Deputy Inspector- General,
was to march on Sukpilal from Koilashur
through Rungboom's villages.

The Cachar column, under General Nuthall,
which proceeded up the Dullesur, was obliged
by rain, to turn back, before reaching the
enemy's country, having only proceeded three
marches from the furthest tea-garden.

Mr. Baker, whose orders were to effect a
junction with the Dullesur column at Sukpilal's
villages if possible, or if not to return by
the shortest route to Sylhet, marched from
Koilashur towards the middle of February.
Notwithstanding the failure of the Tipperah
Rajah's Minister to assist him with carriage
and food, in accordance with the orders re-
ceived from the Rajah, notwithstanding also
the heavy rains which delayed him several
days, Mr. Baker succeeded in reaching the
Lushai villages.

On the way there, he passed the place
where Rungboom's people had been treacher-
ously killed by Lushais in December, and saw
eleven skeletons in one spot. Rungboom him-
self had escaped, but was pursued by the
Lushais, who burnt his villages. They were
repulsed by the police of the Adumpur
guard, and compelled to retire, having killed
about eighty or ninety persons.
==Mr. Baker's column==

On the 17th March, Mr. Baker's column
arrived in sight of the Lushai villages, and
there being no signs of the approach of that
under General Nuthall, he determined, after
consultation with his officers, to hold on for
another day, and in the meantime to make a
reconnaissance, to try to pick up some food,
there being none then in camp.

A brush with Lushais took place, and our
men returned to camp in the evening. It
being evident that the Dullesur column had not
advanced for some reason or other, and that
with the small force at his disposal, he could
not hope to cope successfully with the whole
tribe, Mr. Baker determined to fall back on
the Depot in rear, and the retreat com-
menced the next day.

On the 2l8t, a telegram from Cachar informed
him that General Nuthall and his column were
back in Cachar, so there was nothing to do
but to return with all speed to Sylhet.

Mr. Baker describes the country passed
through by his column, thus : —

" The country traversed by us was alto-
gether hilly, we passed no morasses, and ex-
cepting the forest lying between the Karruntah
range and the banks of the Deo, the country
was found to be high, dry, and free from
malaria at this season.

'' Small streams were met with at the bases
of all the higher hills, and occasionally springs
on the hill-sides not far from the tops of
the ridges. The rivers crossed, the Munneo,
Deo, Pakwa, &c., were from twenty to thirty
yards wide, and about two or three feet
deep, having firm sandy beds, easily forded;
but in the rainy season they must become
exceedingly deep and rapid streams.

‘Judging by their high steep banks, they are
liable to great rises and sudden falls, and
they are much blocked up with fallen timbers*
On some of the ranges are sites of old Kookie
villages, now overgrown with high grass, but
there are still some fine trees left, among
them a few lemon.
==Appearance Of The Country==

‘Game seemed to be abundant along the
course of the rivers. Elephants are extremely
numerous in these valleys, and there are
deer, wild hogs, porcupines, and in the
Langai valley rhinoceros are said to be found.

" The principal ranges of hills run north
and south, but between these the smaller
ranges are innumerable ; in fact, the entire
country is a jumble of hills. The main fea-
tures are, therefore, mountain ranges of one
thousand to two thousand feet in height, at
intervals of ten or twelve miles, trending
north and south ; of confused lines of hills
and spurs running down to the bottom of
these intervening spaces; and lastly of deep
and narrow streams flowing along the lowest
levels from north to south, over sandy or
rooky beds, and in very winding courses,
often under high and precipitous banks. This
very well describes the character also of the
country south and west of Tipai Mukh."

Mr. Baker submitted among others the follow-
ing suggestions as the results of his experience,
and as likely to be useful in the case of a
future expedition. Several of these were adopted,
and it would have been better if some of the
others had also been followed.
" In expeditions of this nature the carriage of
supplies and the clearing of a sufficiently con-
venient path, are of course, the chief points to
be alluded to. I believe the Lushais will fight
on their own ground, and in their own desultory
manner .... I would recommend —

" For carriage :

" Boats to the furthest point they can go up in
November and December, afterwards coolies and
elephants.

"To open roads :

'A company of pioneers, and attached to them
a body of one hundred Kookie jungle-cutters.

" Half a battery of mountain guns, carried on
mules in preference to elephants, would prove
serviceable, and would save time and reduce the
casualties in taking defended stockades.

"Every man in the force should be supplied
with a kookrie, a dao, a water-bottle, and
havresack capable of containing his ‘shalee,.’
‘ lotah,' and some food.
==Mr. Edgar==

"Coolies properly organised and officered
would prove more reliable than elephants, but a
score or two of the latter would be useful. No
tents should be allowed for either men or
officers and their personal baggage reduced to a
minimum.

‘The columns prepared in good time, say in
November, should move steadily, if slowly,
making the marches as little trying as pos-
sible."

The portion of the force which went up the
Sonai with Mr. Edgar got to one of Vou-
pilal's villages, the headman of which, with
his mother, went, and offered to make sub-
mission, declaring that Voupilal, who had
lately died, had taken no part in the raid
on Munipur, which had been made by Poiboi
alone. They gave Mr. Edgar very accurate in-
formation about the other raids, and promised
to do what they could to induce the Eastern
chiefs to come to terms. The force then re-
turned to Cachar.

The Munipur Contingent was prevented by
stress of weather from doing anything, and thus
ended this Expedition, from which such great
results had been anticipated.

In the next raids, which took place in the cold
weather following, some new Lushai chiefs ap-
peared, and it will be necessary just to look
back for a little at the changes which had taken
place among the principal families.

Voupilal had died in 1869, and his people are
divided in their allegiance between his mother
and his widow. The former lives at Dollong,
the latter on Vanbong Hill, whither the vil-
lagers removed from Kholel on the death of
Voupilal. The widow claims the regency on behalf
of her infant son Lalhi. Khalkom, Sukpilal's
son, has moved his village across the Sonai to
the ridge on which Dollong is situated, and
supports the mother against the widow, who is
assisted by her brother Poiboi.

Lalsavoong having made himself master of
the Chumfai valley and neighbourhood, died
about 1849, leaving three sons who became
powerful chiefs, of these vonolel proved himself
the most powerful and ablest of all the Lushais ;
and in his constant struggles with neighbouring
tribes, was generally successful.
==Sukpilal==
He fought with the Pois and carried off large
numbers, whom he settled in separate villages,
or among his own people. He pursued the same
policy with the Soktes, a powerful tribe in the
East, under Kamlion, the chief of Molbhem.
He was succeeded on his death a few years ago
by his young son Lalboora.

Another son of Lalsavoong was Lalpoong,
who had become head of the villages of Chelam
and the others now belonging to Poiboi, his
son, who is still a mere boy.

In December, 1870, Mr. Edgar went down to
see Sukpilal, and settled finally the boundary
fixed provisionally the year before. After seeing
this chief, Mr. Edgar had great difficulty in
returning, being without provisions, and re-
ceiving no tidings as to the boats which were
to have been sent down the Sonai, he was
obliged to encamp for some time, while he sent
men to get information as to his supplies, and
the temper of the neighbouring Lushais. Suk-
pilal's people treated him well, taking him such
provisions as they could, till the arrival of a
small party of the 44th, under Captain Lightfoot,
enabled him to return to Cachar.

During his stay in the country, he received
tidings of intended raids on Cachar, which at
the time he did not believe, though he sent a
messenger into the station to give warning;
shortly afterwards, he heard that raids had
actually Been made in various parts of the dis-
trict, about the middle of January. These raids
were as follows.

The manager of the tea-garden at Monierkhal,
had received warning of a raid, and had removed
his coolies ; but he with the guard of thirty-seven
soldiers and police, and two other Europeans,
remained in the stockade. They were reinforced
by Mr. Daly, a police-officer, from Cachar, and
about forty soldiers.

The Lushais, under Lalboora, however, be-
sieged the stockade for two days, keeping up
a very heavy fire. Mr. Daly twice made sorties,
but each time was driven back with loss : the
Lushais rushing on the slain and plundering
their bodies. The Lushais are supposed to have
lost fifty men during this attack.

At the same time Lalboora's cousin, Tang-
dong, had made an attempt to reach Nowar-
bund, but losing his way came out on the
==Mary Winchester==
Nudigram road, where they fell in with a
guard of eight soldiers and a constable. The
Sepoys behaved gallantly, but were overpowered,
six being killed, and one wounded. They are said
to have killed twenty-five of the enemy before being
overcome. Tangdong, on his return to his village,
found that it had been attacked in his absence and
destroyed by a large party of Soktes under Kam-
how, and his wife and a large number of his peo-
ple carried off as captives. In these two affairs
the Lushais got possession of thirteen muskets
from the dead police and Sepoys, which caused
them great exultation.

In South Hylakandy attacks had also been
made on the gardens of Alexandrapur, Jhalua
Chura, and Cantley Chura, by the Howlongs
from the South, assisted by the Lyloos. At
Alexandrapur, early in the morning, the Lushais
emerged suddenly on the garden from the sur-
rounding jungle, taking the people so much by
surprise that no attempt at defence could be
made. Mr. Winchester, who, with his daughter,
was on a visit to a friend at this garden, and
some coolies, were killed at once, the manager
of the garden effecting his escape, and little
Mary Winchester and several others being
carried off as prisoners.

At the other gardens they were not so suc-
cessful, the occupants having time to arm them-
selves before the Lushais appeared, and the
latter were repulsed with ease in each attack,
and forced to retire altogether. It was against
these Howlongs and Lyloos that the opera-
tions of the right column, under General Brown-
low, were directed, and from whom they '
succeeded eventually in obtaining the release
of Mary Winchester.

While returning from Lushai land Mr. Edgar
received a visit from Khalkom, Sukpilal’s son, who
promised to assist us if an Expedition was under-
taken against the Eastern Lushais, and stated
that a path from Tipai Mukh, which might be
made passable for elephants, led directly into
their country.

Mr. Edgar recommended that, if an expe-
dition was sent against Lalboora, Tipai Mukh
should be adopted as the starting point, being
nearer that chief's villages than any other place
accessible by water.

Mizoram,1872: Gnurshailon - Revision history

Pdewan: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"| This article is an extract from '''THE LUSHAI EXPEDITION ''' 1871-1872 BY R.G. WOOD..."

Pdewan: Created page with "{| class="wikitable" |- |colspan="0"|
This article is an extract from
'''THE LUSHAI EXPEDITION '''
1871-1872
BY
R.G. WOOD..."