By Wa-i-sa Sumer
30th December is marked every year as a martyrdom day in the History of the Pnar people of Jaintia Hils within Meghalaya, and a memorable event in the history of our Country. On this day, organisations of various ranks and file from different pockets within the state and the country organise programmes, ranging from sports and literary activities to award functions to mark the importance of the day. The State Government has declared the day as a state holiday to mark the occasion and the Kiang Nangbah Award in the field of sports is given on Meghalaya Day (January 21) by the Government of Meghalaya every year.
152 years ago, U Kiang Nangbah loved and respected by all and sundry was condemned and hanged publicly at Iawmusiang Jowai on the 30th December 1862 at 5:00 pm. Simple by nature, U Kiang Nangbah was not a statesman nor an educated person. Neither did he come of a reputed family background, but he was a man of principles, a true patriot. Born to Ka Rimai Nangbah of Ka Sookpoh clan (Four wombs) U Kiang Nangbah was the great grandson of the ancestral mother Ka Doh, the original settler of the Jowai land in a small locality known then as Dulong (now Tpeppale).
He was fun loving as a kid and love to hang out and play with his peers. As a young man, he spent most of his time in Agricultural activities and was fond of playing his flute during his leisure time. He mastered many traditional sports like “Ka Rah Mookhrah” ( Traditional weightlifting) Tdeh Chrot (Pulling of pillars with ropes) and archery was his passion right from his younger days.
U Kiang, was greatly moved by the stories narrated to him by his mother about the haughty attitude of the British and their highhandedness. He was briefed about his uncle U Ksan Sajar and his fight against the British.
Though, Jaintia Hills was annexed in 1835, initially they did not interfere in the customary practises and the political system of the Doloiship remain unchanged. Gradually things took a new twist with the British authority poking their nose into the social life of the Pnar people when they stopped a cremation procession of certain clans at Jowai namely Ka Kur Sumer, Kur Paswet etc. and also interfered with the “Pastieh Festival” the War dance at Pastieh Kai Ksoo at Ialong in which dancers brandished their swords and shields. The British, perhaps intimidated by this display of weapons forcefully wrenched away these weapons.
Ka Khajna Yung (The House Tax)
The Imposition of taxes other than the house tax followed by torture and harassment of those who could not pay, deeply hurt the sentiments of U Kiang Nangbah. One incident was the case of Lakhi Pyrdiang of Chilliangraij locality in Jowai, a poor lady, living from hand to mouth, where she was mercilessly kicked and hit by U Doloi Tyngken, the mouth piece of the British Government for her inability to pay the house tax. This aggravated the situation, where U Kiang Nangbah appeared on the scene and expressed his patriotic zeal against the haughty, the scornful attack and inhuman attitude of the British towards the Pnar people, which is the lesser known tribe of the country.
Kiang Nangbah’s leadership qualities were clearly visible at the Dorbar at Iaw Iongpiah, where a house tax was announced publicly as an order of the British Government, where he stood and protested against the British order. With full confidence, he rose up and made all the necessary preparations against the British government to wage a war and to drive away the foreign intruder from the main land.
The divine intervention was sought at the Madiah Kmai Blai where all the 12 Dolois attended the Dorbar, except the Doloi of Jowai Elaka, who had been servile to the British. Kiang Nangbah was not disheartened by the absence of the Doloi but with a heavy heart, decided to move ahead and drive away the enemy from the land.
At the Dorbar, U Kiang was garlanded with shield and armours by U Kong Wasan in a large gathering of elders and villagers. He was seen as the leader to lead them in the freedom struggle. But U Kiang was not satisfied with the garlanding act; the consent of God is what he wished for, which is a divine gift. So he sought God’s intervention on this by diving deep into the Syntu Ksiar river with a promise that if he is to come out, he would bring a living plant bearing three leaves. As promised after few minutes, U Kiang Nangbah emerged out of the pool with a living plant.
A trunk signified the existence of the 12 Dolois
• The 1st Branch symbolises patriotism (I Mynsien Maya Ri)
• The 2nd branch instills a feeling of trust and confidence amongst the fellow countrymen
• The 3rd Branch imbibes the spirit of oneness, of fraternal love and integrity.
The whole Dorbar cheerfully accepted him as their leader.
The uprising under the leadership of U Kiang Nangbah began on 17th January 1862. The war had severe repercussions on all classes of people and in all shades of life. People ran and looked for shelter, for the pain was unbearable and the torture was beyond tolerance. People led a deplorable life and this was the worst period in the history of the Jaintias. The war spread like wild fire in the land of the 12 Dolois. Bold resistance took place at Padu, Satpator, Jowai, Nangbah, Mynsoo, Nartiang, Shangpung, Raliang, Sutnga, Nongkhlieh and at Sutiang. The war lasted for one full year January 1862 to December 1862.
During this time U Kiang Nangbah was taken ill and retreated to Umkara where he was taken care of by his wife belonging to the Challam clan. He had two children a son and a daughter.
The Last days of U Kiang Nangbah
The British faced tough resistance from the Pnars. The war was long and tedious, and considering that the British had heavy and light infantry, troops and armaments at their command one could very well understand the strength and the greatness of U Kiang Nangbah.
The British were at their wits end at that juncture. Having failed to defeat and eliminate him in the early period of the war, the British looked for a traitor and treacherously offered U Doloi Tyngken a sum of one thousand rupees. The former hatched a plot with U Long Sutnga a follower of U Kiang. They took the British Officers to their hide-out at Mynser, Umkara, while U Kiang was in his sick bed. Kiang was shocked at seeing Long Sutnga. He took a gun and aimed at Long but in vain.
Lt. Sadlier ordered his troops to shoot at Kiang, at close range but failed to hit him. In retaliation, Kiang took his sword but it fell to the ground due to his weakness. He was easily captured, kept in chains and brought to Jowai.
On reaching the Thanad at Jowai, the British compelled him to sign a peace accord. “Let us compromise for peace. You will be rewarded with a high post.” U Kiang replied boldly, “Your offer for peace is childish – it is a child’s play. A Gentleman is for you the foreign intruders to vacate the land and go back to your own country.” Kiang with a firm determination stuck to his word and maintained his principle.
Having failed to make him a denouncer, the British staged a mock trial and condemned him to be hanged to the gallows. It was the 30th December 1862 when he was brought to Iawmusiang, Jowai. At 5 pm Kiang was made to climb the scaffold. He told his countrymen, “Look at me closely, don’t bow down your heads. If my head turns to the east, my country will attain freedom within a 100 years, but if it turns towards the west we will remain slaves for eternity.”
All eyes beheld the pitiable sight. The rope was pulled hard and Kiang breathed his last but his face as desired by him turned east-wards. The countrymen wept and cried with wounded hearts but Kiang was no more. Every one present at that time saw his face turned towards the east and India won its freedom on the 15th of August 1947 i.e within a period as prophesised by U Kiang Nangbah.
On this day a million dollar question is raised on the values of U Kiang Nangbah, his patriotic zeal and his deed and valour. The relevance of U Kiang Nangbah today questionable as few practise his values. Let this day remind each one of us about our duties and responsibilities to our motherland. Our hearts look up to him with reverence and loving and unforgettable memories. He might have died but he lives on in our hearts.