Heibormi Sungoh pays a tribute to Kiri Daloi Dhar on his 150th death anniversary
KIRI DALOI Dhar was the king of a small state in Jaintia Hill’s Shangpung Elaka who fought bravely against the British on 5 February 1862 in Shangpung village. It was a local avatar of Sepoy Mutiny (1857).
Kiri Daloi – it means raja – was born in 1823 at Shangpung. He was popularly known as Kiri Chaliang, as his neck is slightly tilted towards the left. He was a passionate preserver of cultural heritage, promoted peace and unity among the people. He was selected as a Malihangot (leader of sangots, the followers of Daloi) in the traditional institution.
After the death of Riang Daloi Shylla, the Waheh Khad ar nor (elder representatives from each clan) selected Kiri as the Daloi of Elaka Shangpung for the smooth running of the kingdom. The traditional system of selection of a Daloi is called Thmat-thohkhyndaw, which means selection of any important person by using a very long chanting and finally the smashing of and egg and reading the signs from the yolk. Daloi married the beautify Chyndon Papang as per the traditional rite commonly known as Bia Lampah.
Kiri Daloi confidently ascended the throne in 1852 at age 29, ably dispensing his responsibilities. He motivated his people to rise against the British for several reasons. Some of them included the British attack on Jaintia culture such as obstructing Behdienkhlam and Pastieh festivals and burning of bodies. Imposition of tax on the Jaintias was also a major reason.
The people of Jowai, active against the British, motivated Kiri Daloi to rebel. In 1861 during Kupli Puja festival, he organized a meeting of the neighbouring Daloi at iawmuchai (Shanpung market). In the meeting were the dalois of Elaka Mynsoo, Elaka Raliang and Elaka Nangphyllud besides the elders of Khonchnong village led by Long Suiai.
A general meeting followed in January 1862 at Syntu Ksiar in which Kiang Nangbah was unanimously elected leader of the Jaintia force against the British and Kiri Daloi made the spokesperson of Jaintia Dorbar. The Jaintia people subsequently attacked Jowai Thana and killed many British soldiers. This war is called Thma Jaintia in local Pnar language.
Kiri Daloi’s wife narrated to Lakhma Sungoh, my grandmother, how two weeks after the general meeting the British invaded the Shangpung area. The invaders were led by Lieutenant Richardson while Kiri Daloi led the locals who valiantly fought the firearms-wielding British with their bows, arrows and traditional guns.
As soon as Kiri Daloi received the message about the enemy invasion, he met his wife and three-month-old son Kyrsiang Papang before going to the battlefield. But his wife was not at home. His sister in law, Syiang Papang told him that she had gone out to meet him and exhort his soldiers. Kiri Daloi handed over all his treasures to his sister in law but she didn’t pass them on to his wife as asked.
The battlefield was on the bank of river Umiurem flowing through Shangpung village and joining Kupli River at Testar. Kiri Daloi was shot dead in the late evening. His death demoralized his soldiers and they retreated. The British troops carried Kiri Daloi’s body to the upper side of Umiurem and buried him there. The place has since been known as Kaiksang.
Shangpung village was burnt down. Some old and sick people were burnt alive, trapped as they were in their houses. The villagers along with Kiri Daloi’s family members were chased out and they fled to the southern part of the village known as Thlumynchong and Chahong.
But the warriors of Shangpung came out of hiding at night and launched a guerrilla attack on the British in their camp at Kdohkulei. They eventually surrendered to the British forces at Jowai under the leadership of Kat Suchiang following a meeting at Madan Sniriang.
During the journey to Jowai, Suchiang and his followers carried a white flag as a symbol of capitulation. The British promised to bring peace and stability in the village, but said Shangpung people would have to pay them taxes. The taxation ended after India gained independence.
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