Early contacts with Chins (Western and Eastern)
When the British conquered East India, the first contact with Lushai (now in India) was made. They had an unpleasant relationship as the Lushai constantly raided the British subjects in the occupied British territories, which the Lushai claimed were their tributaries. These raids eventually resulted in the British invasion of Lushai country known as the First Expedition (Lushai Expedition in 1888-1889) which was a success for the British as most of the Lushai chiefs were reduced into submission.
When the British conquered East India, the first contact with Lushai (now in India) was made. They had an unpleasant relationship as the Lushai constantly raided the British subjects in the occupied British territories, which the Lushai claimed were their tributaries. These raids eventually resulted in the British invasion of Lushai country known as the First Expedition (Lushai Expedition in 1888-1889) which was a success for the British as most of the Lushai chiefs were reduced into submission.
Assam and Manipur fell into British hands in 1826 and so did the upper Burma in 1885. The British then advanced to the Burmese western borders to occupy the Kale and Yaw(ii)valleys. At that time, the Shan-Burmese inhabitants of Kale, Kabaw and Yaw valleys at the foot of the Chin Hills had suffered raids from the Chin, and great numbers of them were captives in the hill villages. Captain Raikes, the British Deputy Commissioner of Upper Chindwin in Kalaymyo sent invitation to chiefs of Sukte, Kamhau, Sizang, Tlaisun and Hakha to discuss the raids and developments. The interview with Sizang and Pu Con Bik (Tlaisun chief) went well. However, it went disastrous at Zokhua and Hakha as they killed the messengers. Pu Con Bik was shown British greatest weapon at that time, the mountain gun, the Gurkha fired two volleys and five rounds of shots at a target of 500 yards away. Pu Con Bik was astonished by the fire power, at the same time grew suspicious of British intention.
Soon after the interviews, the British built roads towards the Sizang area without getting approval from the Sizang. The Sizang then attacked the road making party and at the same time raided the plains. Tlaisun chief Pu Con Bik was also suspicious of British intention after the interview with Mr.Raikes. He was also believed to be encouraged to fight the British by Shwe Gyu Phyu to whom he was given asylum. Before the interview was conducted, Shwe Gyu Phyu raised a rebellion in central Burma. This event was described by Carey and Tuck as “There was at this time living in the Yaw country a man who, although he had no pretensions to royal blood, had assumed the title of Shwe Gyu Byu Mintha, this so-called prince was a vaccinator in the Thayetmyo district at the time of the annexation of Upper Burma, had succeeded in raising a rebellion in October 1887 on the confines of the Chindwins, Myingyan and Pagan districts. In the operations which followed, Captain Beville and major Kennedywere killed and the pretender, being defeated, fled in to the Yaw country. The columns which operated in the Yaw country in the cold weather of 1887-88 dispersed the various dacoit gangs, and the Shwe Gyu Phyu fled to the Chin Hills (Carey & Tuck, 1896, p.21)”.
When the ex-Swabwa of Kale learned Shwe Gyu Phyu residency in Tlaisun territory, he and his followers escaped from Mandalay and joined him. On the 4th, 5th of May 1888, strong bodies of Tlaisun descended suddenly on Indin(iii) and carried off the ex-Swabwa of Kale to fight the British. He and Shwe Gyu Phyu with 200men held Chingaing and attacked the British but the British chased them back to the hill. An ultimatum was sent to the Tlaisun chiefs(iv) , ordering them to deliver up the Shwe Gyu Phyu and his officers. The ultimatum was also sent to Sizang to deliver Khai Kam and his captives. When the ultimatums were refused, the British government prepared to invade the Chin Hills as Carey and Tuck noted “The hand of government was forced by the Sizang who came down the plains killing; Tlaisun chiefs under the Shwe Gyu Phyu ravaged the plains (Carey & Tuck, 1896, p.21)”.
The Second Expedition (1888-1889)
In September 1888, British troops landed in Kalewa for Chin Hills expedition. They were determined to show the British power by first inflicting a crushing blow to the Sizang then hope Tlaisun would terrify and give up Shwe Gyu Phyu and his followers. When the invasion started, the Sizang and Tlaisun were fighting side by side. The Sizang (1200) including Sukte (30) and Kamhau (400) marched toward Phatzang where the British prepared stockade. The Sizang group stood firm at Leisen Mual stockade and stopped the British advance from Phatzang. They attacked the British whenever they had opportunity from all four sides, fighting undercover of heavy undergrowth (Carey and Tuck 1986: pg 26).
In September 1888, British troops landed in Kalewa for Chin Hills expedition. They were determined to show the British power by first inflicting a crushing blow to the Sizang then hope Tlaisun would terrify and give up Shwe Gyu Phyu and his followers. When the invasion started, the Sizang and Tlaisun were fighting side by side. The Sizang (1200) including Sukte (30) and Kamhau (400) marched toward Phatzang where the British prepared stockade. The Sizang group stood firm at Leisen Mual stockade and stopped the British advance from Phatzang. They attacked the British whenever they had opportunity from all four sides, fighting undercover of heavy undergrowth (Carey and Tuck 1986: pg 26).
While the British were busy advancing to Sizang area, 1000 Tlaisun made attack to Sihaung, Kyawywa and Kundu on 10th December 1888 but they were driven back. On the same day the group led by Sizang attacked military posts of Kangye and Kale valleys. The British now recognized the Chin tactical ability in was as Carey and Tuck noted “Whilst disputing every stage of our advanced into the hills, the Chin showed considerable tactical ability by taking the offensive in the plains and attacking Shan villages and our posts in the rear of the advancing column (Carey & Tuck: p. 27).”
As the war went on, the British gained upper hand due to their advantageous firepower. By February 1899, the Sizang, Sakhaling and Thuklai villages were destroyed. Then the successful expedition was carried out against the Kamhau. Although defeated, the people of Sizang did not surrender, they burned their villages, took refuge in the forest and they continued to resist the British from the forest. A military post Fort White was established at Thuklai. Major Raikes opened up re-negotiation with the Tlaisun. However, Bawi Hmung (one of Tlaisun chiefs) refused to surrender Shwe Gyu Phyu.
The Third Expedition (1889-1890)
The tribes around Fort White continued to attack the British. The Tlaisun also continued to harbour the Shwe Gyu Phyu and other refugees. Zokhua and Hakha raided the plains, killed and taken captives. The British then decided to put Chin Hills under their control. The chittagong column consisted of 3,380 men marched from Ragnamati to Hakha occupying all the land along the route. The southern column consisted of 1,896 men marched from Kan occupied Zokhua and Hakha then met the chittagong column at Hakha. From Hakha, the southern column which is led by General Symons marched to Tlaisun. The northern column consisted of 1,622 men marched from Fortwhite to Tlaisun. The objective was to subdue Tlaisun as they were the most powerful in the whole of Chin Hills at that time.
The tribes around Fort White continued to attack the British. The Tlaisun also continued to harbour the Shwe Gyu Phyu and other refugees. Zokhua and Hakha raided the plains, killed and taken captives. The British then decided to put Chin Hills under their control. The chittagong column consisted of 3,380 men marched from Ragnamati to Hakha occupying all the land along the route. The southern column consisted of 1,896 men marched from Kan occupied Zokhua and Hakha then met the chittagong column at Hakha. From Hakha, the southern column which is led by General Symons marched to Tlaisun. The northern column consisted of 1,622 men marched from Fortwhite to Tlaisun. The objective was to subdue Tlaisun as they were the most powerful in the whole of Chin Hills at that time.
The northern column operated against Sizang before advancing to Tlaisun. On November, 1889 Shwimpi (Sizang headquarter after the destruction of Khuasak), Dimpi and Dimlo were attacked but the people defended against them and killed 2 Gurkhas. On 11th December, the British attacked Montok but the people resisted the column rather than saving their burning newly built huts. The British then abandoned the operation temporarily and decided to march to Tlaisun, believing if Tlaisun did not fight, Sizang would not prepared to struggle alone (Carey & Tuck. P.38).
Meanwhile the southern column led by General Symons marched to Tlaisun via Mang Kheng. Before they got to Tlaisun territory, the Tlaisun chiefs Con Bik and Mang Hlur urged the British not to advance. The British refused and camped at a quarter mile from Tlaisun. There, General Symons demanded a fine of 10,000 Indian Rs(v) and an annual subsidy of 2 elephant tusks and 10 silk sheets or their equivalent, namely Rs. 500 (A S Reid. 1893). The Tlaisun politely refused to pay the fine, saying that they had no money or elephant tusks. General Symons then waited for the arrival of the northern column rather than immediately attack the Tlaisun.
Tlaisun were preparing to fight as river banks were fortified, rifle pits and stockade were built for defences. Around 3,000 warriors including Hualngo, Zahau, Sizang, Khuangli, Sukte and other tribes from all sides were gathering at Tlaisun villages. They were armed with flint lock guns, spears and knife. Tlaisun was determined to fight the British for their prestige and dignity of Falam as they don’t want the name Falam lowered among other areas of Chin Hills. The British knew their preparation and also understood the importance of Tlaisun surrender for the whole Chin Hills as Carey and Tuck noted: “It must be remembered that the Tlaisun held a unique position in Chin Hills at this time. All the tribes from Manipur to Hakha and from Burma to Lushai owed them nominal allegiance and the Tlaisun realized that their prestige would be gone and the name of Falam* (now Tlaisun village) lowered in the eyes of Chin Hills if they in common with the petty clans had to pay tributes acknowledge the supremacy of the white man (Carey & Tuck 1896. P 39).”
The northern column then moved from Parte to Tlaisun. The Tlaisun chiefs then doubted the result of the fight and asked the General to reduce the fines in half. General Symons reduced the fines to 16 goats, 70 mithun (cattle), Rs. 200 and an elephant tusk (A S Reid. 1893). Tlaisun then surrendered in March 1890 and Sizang followed on 2nd April 1890. Although they surrendered, they would only pay the British the fines and still keep their prestige. Ironically, the Tlaisun refused to give up the Shwe Gyu Phyu and his associates saying they swore an oath of friendship (A S Reid. 1896). Shwe Gyu Phyu returned to Burma and arrested, tried and hanged in 1891 as Carey and Tuck noted “Thegyi was one of the Shwe Gyo Phyu most prominent lieutenants and was one of those outlaws whom the Tlaisun refused to surrender to General Symons in 1889-90. Thegyi is now pardoned, but not yet allowed to return to Burma. He is used by the political officers to count houses and carry messages; his Chief, the Shwe Gyu Phyu who returned to Burma, was arrested, tried, and hanged in 1891 (Carey & Tuck 1896. P108).
By Van Cung Lian
Source@ChinWorld
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