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Papers by Doungul Letkhojam Haokip

The Anglo-Kuki War, 1917–1919, 2018

Routledge eBooks, Mar 23, 2023

Ancient Asia, 2021

The southern part of Manipur bordering Myanmar reveals petroglyphs and represents an ideal region... more The southern part of Manipur bordering Myanmar reveals petroglyphs and represents an ideal region for studying archaeological remains and human artistry heritage. This paper is an introduction to three petroglyphic rock art assemblages located in the Indo-Myanmar frontier. Comparisoned with dated archaeological materials of adjoining areas, the engraved figures ranges from prehistoric arts to the pre-colonial era of the region. The engraved figures are thematically organized, and contextualized within the subject matter. It argues that the engraved figures like beads, gongs, ponies, and guns are evidence to trade relations with the rest of the world since time immemorial. The motifs were analysed using select colonial ethnographic works, oral literature, folklores, tales current in and around the Indo-Burma frontiers.

Ancient Asia is a peer-reviewed open access journal published by Ubiquity Press., 2021

Routledge Taylor and Francis group London, 2018

This chapter examines the conduct of war by the Kukis in their fight against the British (1917-19... more This chapter examines the conduct of war by the Kukis in their fight against the British (1917-1919) and argues that their tactics were confined to guerrilla warfare or 'hit and run tactics', deception, ambuscading and forage, and explored the application of technology such as fortification of villages, constructions of stockades or breastwork, stone traps or chutes, panjies and leather cannons, at different strategic points along the routes leading to villages and the forest camps. They made gunpowder from the excreta of human and birds and laid firearms as traps, which proved that Kukis were very intelligent. This chapter is an exploratory study on the war rites and the various signs and symbols: Sajamlhah (sending off piece of meat), sending bullets to disloyal members as stern warning to betrayer, beads that signify obedience and cooperation, sword as a notification and command from the rajas for urgent meeting, the use of gong as signals for retreat from the battlefields for security reasons and thingkho-le-malcahpom (charred wood tied with red chilli) as a warning system for possible wars. Also, a command to fight the British from their respective areas was critically examined from their traditional practices and cultural perspectives.

Against the Empire Polity, Economy and Culture during the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-1919, 2021

This chapter studies the logistics – manpower, materials such as food, armament, ammunition and t... more This chapter studies the logistics – manpower, materials such as food, armament, ammunition and the service rendered to the combat forces during the Anglo-Kuki War of 1917–1919 and explores the influences of the landscape over the logistics or war theatre arrangements. The lack of war provisions, food and modern armament and ammunition on the part of the Kuki during the war was heightened by the British economic blockade. The rugged hills, ridges and absence of roads and communication on the one hand and lack of geographical knowledge on the part of the British had derailed the operation against the Kuki during the first phase December 1917–March 1918. The shifts in the logistics of the British in tune with the landscape and war provisions enabled them to occupy all the strategic points throughout the length and breadth of the war zone and had directed, shaped and influenced the war theatre manoeuvre to achieve a ‘critical logistics target’ or ‘economic blockade’. This chapter explores the war provisions and argues that the shifts in logistics schemes uprooted the food supply of the Kuki and that hunger was more savage than weapons in putting off the war flame.

Tribal Studies in India, 2019

This chapter gives an idea of the notion of the tribe; group formation within a tribe and asserti... more This chapter gives an idea of the notion of the tribe; group formation within a tribe and assertion of identity with Kuki-Chin ethnic group as case study. The Kuki-Chin group which evolved into different identical subgroups in a process of fission over time developed their dialects and Bible was translated into different Kuki-Chin dialects, thereby acting as a disintegrating agent. In unequivocal terms, the chapter holds Bible translation into the dialect of individual subgroups responsible for reinforcing the subgroup divisions within the Kuki-Chin group. Thus, the chapter traces contemporary ethnic issues in Kuki-Chin group to the historical event of Bible translation during colonial period. The chapter argues that the Bible translation into different dialects reinforced the variations and resulted in the assertion of micro group identity on the basis of such variations. The chapter further describes the adverse impact of this translation on tradition in general and on traditional calendar in particular.

Books by Doungul Letkhojam Haokip

Manohar Publishers & Distributors, 2023

Edward Burnett Tylor defines 'religion' as supernatural. In this article, supernatural is divided... more Edward Burnett Tylor defines 'religion' as supernatural. In this article, supernatural is divided into religion and superstition. Ceremonies to invoke Chung Pathen (God above) whose gender remain undefined could be termed religious and other beliefs associated with magical charms could be plainly termed as related to the supernatural or superstition (Gangte 1993). Witchcraft locally called kaose or kao by the Kuki, constituted one of the supernatural beliefs of the Kuki. Lhomi, (tigerman), demons, ghosts, or Thilha, the departed soul of human were also believed to be supernatural. The Kuki believed that there were human beings that possess the evil eye or spirits that could enter the human body and cause illnesses or suffering to the extent of death. Unlike other supernaturalism, witchcraft is a secret culture whose existence can be traced to times immemorial. But in the absence of contemporary records, it is difficult to give it a time bracket regarding its origin, even today.

Routledge India, 2020

This book explores the Kuki uprising against the British Empire during the First World War in the... more This book explores the Kuki uprising against the British Empire during the First World War in the northeast frontier of India (then the Assam–Burma frontier). It sheds light on how the three-year war (1917–1919), spanning over 6,000 square miles, is crucial to understanding present-day Northeast India.

Companion to the seminal The Anglo-Kuki War, 1917–1919, the chapters in this volume:

• Examine several aspects of the Anglo-Kuki War, which had far-reaching consequences for the indigenous Kuki population, including economy, politics, identity, indigenous culture and belief systems, and traditional institutions during and after the First World War itself;

• Highlight finer themes such as the role of the chiefs and war councils, symbols of communication, indigenous interpretation of the war, remembrance, and other policies which continued to confront the Kuki communities;

• Interrogate themes of colonial geopolitics, colonialism and the missionaries, state making, and the frontier dimensions of the First World War.

Moving away from colonial ethnographies, the volume taps on a variety of sources – from civilisational discourse to indigenous readings of the war, from tour diaries to oral accounts – meshing together the primitive with the modern, the tribal and the settled. This book will be of great interest to scholars and researchers of South and Southeast Asian Studies, area studies, modern history, military and strategic studies, insurgency and counterinsurgency studies, tribal warfare, and politics.

Conference Presentations by Doungul Letkhojam Haokip

SAMPRITI Vol. VI, Issue-I,, 2020

This examines Thingkho le Malchapom, a bunch of charred wood, capsicum or King Chilli, panjies, b... more This examines Thingkho le Malchapom, a bunch of charred wood, capsicum or King Chilli, panjies, beads and bullets tied together that conveyed message to the people. These symbolic messages help them in mobilization and fighting British from different localities and jurisdiction simultaneously. The Kukis simultaneous action against the British at their own chiefdoms and locality that spread out across the present Naga Hills, Upper Burma, Chin Hills, and the entire Manipur Hills covering 6000-7000 square miles, during the winter of 1917-1919 has put several colonial officers’ in dilemma. Re-interpretation of it shows that the symbolic message was more than a bunch of letters: notice, orders,
and prayers.
Key word: King Chilli, Charred wood, bullets, Gongs, Swords and Beads