This book explores the Kuki uprising against the British Empire during the First World War in Northeast frontier of India (then Assam-Burma frontier). It underlines how of the three-year war (1917–1919), spanning over 6,000 square miles, is crucial to understanding present-day Northeast India. The essays in the volume examine several aspects of the war, which had far-reaching consequences for the indigenous population as well as for British attitudes and policy towards the region – including military strategy and tactics, violence, politics, identity, institutions, gender, culture, and the frontier dimensions of the First World War itself. The volume also looks at how the conflict affected the larger dynamics of the region within Asia, and its relevance in world politics beyond the Great War. Drawing on archival sources, extensive fieldwork and oral histories, the volume will be a significant contribution to comprehending the complex geopolitics of the region. It 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.
Author(s): Jangkhomang Guite, Thongkholal Haokip
Publisher: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group
Year: 2019
Language: English
Pages: 325
Tags: Imperialism, World War I, Anglo-Kuki War
Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Dedication......Page 6
Contents......Page 8
List of contributors......Page 10
Acknowledgements......Page 12
Introduction......Page 14
Part I Understanding the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 48
1 ‘Fighting the white men till the last bullet’: the general course of the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 50
2 The ‘Haka uprising’ in Chin Hills, 1917–1918......Page 91
Part II Tactics, technology and symbols......Page 104
3 Breaking the spirit of the Kukis: launching the ‘largest series of military operations’ in the northeastern frontier of India......Page 106
4 ‘These crafty jungle fighters’: tactics, technology and symbols of Kuki war......Page 131
Part III Ideas, ideology and institutions......Page 168
5 Patriots and utilitarians in the Anglo-Kuki War: the case of southern Manipur, 1917–1919......Page 170
6 ‘As men of one country’: rethinking the history of the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 181
7 ‘Speak as one free nation’: significance of the Kuki war council......Page 211
8 Revisiting the ‘military’: role of som institution in the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 224
Part IV Women and the war......Page 248
9 Aphonic partners of war: role of Kuki women in the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 250
10 Her-story in history: women’s roles and participation in the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 275
Part V Trial and tribulation......Page 296
11 Keeping them under control: impact of the Anglo-Kuki War......Page 298
Index......Page 313
