Manipur Simthlanga Chanchintha Hung Lut Dan le A.B.Mission Lo Dodal Dan, 1910-1933

[By Dr. LAL DENA*, Inpui Exclusive]

Arthington Aborigines Mission tirin William Pettigrew chu Imphal-ah February ni 6, 1894 khan a hung lut a. Political Agent Lt.Col.H.St.P.Maxwell chu England tieng chawla a fe kar tak a ni leiin, Acting Political Agent A.Portius chun Pettigrew hung lutna le rong a bawl dan ding iengkim chu a lo buoipui a. Phaipuia chêng Meiteihai laia rongbawl dinga ko ni ngei dinga inringin Pettigrew chun Imphalah sikul indinin hma a lak tran a. Chawl hmang zova kum 1895-a Maxwell a hung kir chun Meitei Hindu kulmûthaiin mingo sakhuo an dit naw thu a kuomah an intlun nghal a. Chu phing leh, Maxwell chun William Pettigrew chu Manipur suoksan ding le a suoksan si naw chun Manipur tlangram a remchangna hmun hmuna rongbawl lem dingin thu a pek a.

Pettigrew chun tlangrama rongbawlna ding hmun pathum- Senvon (Tipaimukh), Songsong (Mao) le Ukhrul a melkai thu American missionary le Church historian ni bok Dr. F.S.Downs chun a hril a. Senvon hi a thu ringota rotna mei mei niin an lang. Hmun hla le kilkhawr a ni leiin Pettigrew khan a la sir hman nawh niin an lang bok. Mao biela khuo Songsonga ruok chu ram inchawk tumin lal le khawnbawlhai a biek a, sienkhom mingo sakhuo an dit naw leiin, an ram a kuomah an zor nuom nawh. A tawpah Hungphun (Ukhrul) lal Raihao phalnain William Pettigrew chun Ukhrulah mission hmun January 6, 1896-in a lo khuor tah lem a nih. Ukhrul-a a fe hmain dawha thiem takin Assam rama rongbawl mek American Baptist Missionary Society a zom a. A san chu Arthington Mission hnuoia misawnaria fehai kha hmun pakhatah sawt tak um lova, hmun dangah inson peia chanchin thra hril dar pei dinga tir an ni leiin, Pettigrew kha kum hni hnunga son nawk el ding a nih. Chuonga American Baptist Mission misawnaria pom le Manipura um dinga ruot a ni tak lei chun, Manipur tlangram pumpui chu American Baptist Mission rongbawlna biela ngai a hung ni nghal bok a nih.

Kum sawmpali (1896-1910) sungin William Pettigrew le a thloptu ringtharhai leiin, Manipur tlangram pumpui deuthawah chanchin thra hril darin a um hman a. Manipur simthlang ruok chun lampui thrat naw lei le a ram kilkhawr leiin kantu ding a nei naw a, kum 1909 chen khom khan chanchin thra mei var a la hmu naw zing a nih. Manipur tlangrama inthok ni lovin, Mizoram tienga inthok daihin Manipur simthlang Senvon khuoah kum 1910 kum bul khan chanchin thra meiser sit lutin a um tah lem a nih. Ieng leia Senvon khuo kher khera chanchin thra meiser sit lutin a um a na, tuhai hung phur lut am a na, iengtin am an hung a, khawlaia inthokin am an hung a, iengtik ni am an hung tlung a ? ti zawnahai hi a tanbawsutin a hmatiemin zuk don tum ei tih.

Manipur simthlang, abikin Senvon hi Mizoram depa um, Tuivai vadungin a daidan, Aizawl le infe paw olsam lem le remchang lem a nih. Chun, trong inhre paw an ni bok leiin, chanchin thra khom Mizoram tienga inthokin hung phur lut a ni hi thil awm tak lem a ni hrim a nih. Chu hung phurluttuhai chu tu dang ni lovin Watkin Roberts (Saptlangval) le a thruoihruoi Lungpau le Thangkhai hai an nih. Watkin R. Roberts hi Dinorvic Street, Carnaevon, Mid-Wales-ah September 21, 1886 khan a pieng a. Thuhriltu hmingthang Reuben Torrey sermon a tiema inthokin a piengthar a, a trulna hmun hmuna chanchin thra hril dingin Mizorama misawnaria fe Dr. Peter Fraser-hai nupa chu kum 1908 khan a hung zui tah chot a nih. Aizawlah kum khat lai Medical Mission hnuoia Dispensary an siem chu a nghak hnungin, Watkin Roberts chun Mizo trong a hung thiem ve tah a.

Ni khat chu a trulna naa hmang ding tiin Carnaevon-a a ruolnu Miss Emily Davies chun pound nga Watkin Roberts chu a hung thon a; chu poisa chun Johan Bumal (Mizo tronga inlet) chu kawpi iemani zat a’n chawk a, Mizo lalhai kuomah a thon dar tah a nih. D.Lloyd Jones, Honorary Treasurer le Watkin R. Roberts, Honorary Secretary hai thu insuo, “Official Statement of the Thado-Kuki Pioneer Mission,” 20 February,1914-a chun hieng ang hin an ziek a: “Ni khat chu mikhuol pakhat Mizoram puo tienga inthoka hung ni awm tak hi Medical Mission-ah a hung lut a. Roberts chun an ram chanchin le thil dang dang an don vel a. Thado-Kuki a nizie le Manipur ram mi a ni thu chu a hung hriet tah a. Roberts chu mi thar a ni leiin Manipur ram chanchin hriet rak a nei naw a, anni hnam lai mission sin thaw a ni tam ti dam an don vel a. Thaw a la ni naw thu hrilin a um a. Roberts chun a khaw lalin Lusei trong a tiem thei le thei naw an don a; an khaw lal chu Rev.D.E.Jones, Aizawl, sikul naupang hlui a ni thu le Lusei trong khom a tiem thei thu a hung hriet a. Chu phing leh, Chanchin thra Bumal kawpi chu a thon ve tah a nih.

“Thla iemani zat a liem a, lekhabu chu hmu a ni le a ni naw iengkhom hriet zui a ni naw lai zingin, zantieng trum khat chu Mr Jones-in inkhawmnaah Manipura inthoka Chanchin thra Bumal le a kawma misawnari hung tir dinga hnina inziek a hmu thu chu a puong a. Chu thu chu Mr. Robert ngaiven zawng tak a ni a, Mr. Jones chun ditsak takin an entir a, a kawma thu inziek chu a thla dam Mr. Roberts chun a lak a. Mr Roberts chun Manipur rama ama thon ngei kha a nih ti a hriet nghal a. An thu hung ziek khom chu a lekhabu thontu ngei chu hunga rongbawlna hung tran dinga ngenna a nih. Trongtraina le khun taka an ngaituo hnungin, ringnawtuin lungril inthuk taka a hung fielna chun a lungril a tawk em leiin a fielna chu sukpuitling ding le Manipur ram hla taka inzin dingin thutlukna chu a siem a. Mr Jones chun Mr. Roberts kuomah a tirin fepui a lungril zeta chu hun a nei remchang thei hlol naw thu khom a hril a.

“Kum 1910 January thla tawp trepin Mr Roberts le a thruoi Mizo Kristien mi tlawmte le mi dang threnkhathai chu Manipur panin an suok a. An suok hma Pathienni zan inkhawmah Mr Jones (Rev D.E.Jones, Zosaphluia, Aizawla Welsh missionary), chun a zinga Manipur pana an suok ding thu chu Kohran hriet dingin Biek inah a puong a, Pathien malsawmna donga tluong taka an inzin theina ding le an fena san an hlawtling theina dingin a trongtraipek bok a. An inzin suok tukin Borsap Major Cole (Kawlsap) chun leng dingin a fiel leiin, bawi chungchang hrilpui dinga fe Dr Fraser le Mr Jones hai leh an inthrungkhawm laiin Major Cole kuomah Manipur ram lut phalna Political Agent kuomah thirhrui thonpek dingin a hni nghe nghe a nih.

Chun, Roberts le a pawlhai an suoka inthoka ni tlawmte hnung February 4, 1910-ah Dr Fraser-in Rev R.J Williams lekha a thon a; chutaka chun ‘Mr Roberts le Kristien sikul naupang iemani zat chu lal fielna dona Aizawla inthoka ni sawmpathum vel fe Thado khuoah an inzin thu a ripawt bok a.

“Manipur-a Roberts inzin chu kum 1910 February thla tawp tieng a hung kir nawk a. Mr Jones-in an hung kir nawk lawmna Aizawlah a siem a, chutaka chun Mr Roberts le a fepui threnkhatin tu khoma rong an la bawl ngai nawna hmunah an inzin thu chu ripawt an pek…”, tiin.

Khi a chunga lekha khi National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth,-a kum 1982-a Dr.P.Fraser le Watkin Roberts personal file-a inthoka lak dok a nih. Abikin India hmarsaka Welsh missionary-hai kha muol lo liem tah le la dam hai khom an lekha poimaw po po, confidential papers chenin, hi library-ah hin an lo sie lut hlak a. Hieng lekhahai (documents) hi chik taka an chanchin bina dinga thu bul (primary source) poimaw tak an nih. Khi lekha ei tarlanga khin thu poimaw inphum tam tak a um a, chuonghai chu sukchiengtu lekha ziek dang (cross evidence) hmangin hei thailang tum ei tih.

Pakhatna, mikhuol, Mizoram mi ni lo, mission dispensary-a va fe kha tum a ni a? L.Keivom lekhabu - Zoram Khawvel-6 phek sawmparietna hnuoia chun kha mikhuol kha tu dang ni lovin Taisena (Lalthankhama), hi hnunga Independent Kohranah thruoitu poimaw tak laia mi a nih. L.Keivom inghatna chu Saptlangval artikul ‘Shall not return…void’ a nih. Taisena hi Khawliena pieng, Senvona inpem a nih (Zoram Khawvel-6,2000:18). Darsanglien Ruolngul ruok chun Taisena hi kum 1912 July thlaa Senvona inpem chauh angin a hril (Chanchintha Kalchawi:2003: 20). Saptlangval hril dan chun Taisena kha November, 1909-in Aizawlah a van zin a, mission dispensary-ah khan bel nawta van hlaw a nih. Kuki le Hmar ti hai khom Saptlangval khan a la hriet hrang naw a, Senvon lal kha Thado-Kuki a lo ni leiin, Taisena kha Thado-Kuki a nih a ti el a nih. Khang lai huna lem khan chu Naga naw phot kha chu Kuki tia hriet vong ei nih. Khi a chunga ei tarlang tah angin Saptlangvalin Taisena inthoka Senvon le Manipur ram chanchin a hriet hnung khan, Senvon lal ta ding Johan Bumal le lekhathon a thon tah a nih. Thla iemani zat hnungah kha lekhabu kawma khan “Pu, i lekhabu hung thon hi nang ngei hungin a umzie mi hung hril rawh” tia ziekin khuolzin kuta thon kir nawk a nih a; chu fielna chu ‘Makedonia Kona’ (Macedonian Call) ang hiela ngaiin Saptlangval le a rawihai chu Senvon panin an inthok suok tah a nih.

Pahnina, Roberts le a rawihai kha ieng tik hun le niin am Aizawl suoksanin Senvon an pan a? Ieng tik ni am Senvon an tlung a? Khi a chunga document khin kum 1910 January thla tawpa Roberts le Mizo Kristienhai chu Manipur pana an suok thu, an suok hma tak Pathienni zan inkhawma an inzin sunga Pathien thruoina le malsawmna an dong theina dinga Rev.D.E.Jones-in a trongtraipek thu a chuong a nih. Kum 1910 January Pathienni nuhnung tak chu ni 30 a nih. Chu umzie chu Thawtranni, January 31-in Saptlangval le a rawihai chun Aizawl suoksanin Senvon an pan a nih. Senvon an tlung ni thuah ngaidan a’n thre nuoi a, chulaia poimaw zuolhai chauh zuk tarlang ei tih.

1. Rev.Dr R.Pakhuongte chun Saptlangval naunu Ruthi lekhathon sirsanin ‘Pu Tlangval chu January 18, 1910 khan Aizawl suoksanin February 10-in Senvon an tlung’ tiin a ziek a. Chu umzie chu Aizawla inthoka Senvon tlungna dingin ni sawmhnipahni (January 18- February 10) an lak tina a nih. A sawt veng veng hle. L.Keivom chun Ruthi hin a pieng hma daih, a pa tlangval laia an zinna thu a hril a ni leiin, an nghatna mumal tak (source) a ziek sa naw leiin, a thu ziek hi him tawka pom thei a ni nawh, a tih. Aizawla inthoka Senvon tlungna dinga ni 22 tâl top an awtir hi, a sawt taluo deuh.
2. Dr Jacob Pudaite chun Saptlangval ‘Prayer Letter’ sirsana hmangin, Senvon khuo tlungna ding khan ni 14 an aw ti’n a ziek a. January 31, 1910 Thawtrannia Aizawla inthoka suok an ni a; lampuiah ni 14 an thang chun Pathienni tak February 13, 1910-in Senvon an tlung tina a nih. Hi ngaidan hi pom a harsatna san chu, khang lai hun khan Pathienni inser an la lakrun em em a, Pathienni chun Saptlangval le a rawihai kha inzin tawp naw ni hai. Ni 14 hi an fe le hung hrilna ni sien a hoi lem.
3. L. Keivom chun Zoram Khawvel-6na phek 27-na hnuoiah hieng ang hin a zeldin thu a lo ziek a: ”Janaury 31-a suok kha Aizawl-Senvon tlungna’n ni 12 an hmang a, February 12, Inrinniah Senvon an tlung a, a zing Pathienni February 13 chu Senvonah an cham a, ni 14 Thawtranah Aizawl panin an suok nawk a, February 26 Inrinniah Aizawl an tlung nawk tah a nih. Hieng anga inzin an ni chun, fe tieng le hung kir nawk tienga Pathienni voi khat ve ve (Febrary 6 le 20) lampuiah an hmang tina ning a tih. Hi hi pomtlak takah ka ngai” tiin. Hi hi a zeldinna san chu Official Statement-a ““Manipur-a Roberts inzin chu kum 1910 February thla tawp tieng a hung kir nawk a” ti thu leh hmet bel remchanga a ngai lei a nih. Khang hun lai khan lampui chu a la thra tawk naw ngei a, amiruokchu tlangram inzin kha kawitan lampui a lo tam nawk pei lei khan, tlangval tha hrat lai tak, phur em ema inzin suokhai kha Aizawl le Senvon karah ni 12 an thang ding chu, a sawt deuhin an lang.

Senvon khuoa Saptlangvalhai hung tlung hun lai hre phak, pa vengva tak el H.L.Thanga (Jamader Khuma-pa) chun hieng ang hin a hril a: “Ka pa H.L.Thangneirum le Kaithang-in Senvon khuo an tlung tawmin Pu Tlangvalhai an zu tuok a; Inrinni chawhnung nisa inher sokin Senvon khuo an hung lut a. Kawnzara Hrangthangpa Pulamte (Rev Dartinhmangpu) in an inruok a, an riek tah a. A zing Pathienni an cham a, Lailak zawla Pu Tlangvalin Johan 3:16-na a tiem a, Pathien thu ring ta ro uo” ti’n a suktawp a. A zing nawk Thawtranni zingkar Senvon an suoksan hmain, rulrukut le khawsik damdawi an sem a, chu zoah Vangai tieng panin an suok dok”, tiin. H.L.Thangneirum (Jamadar Khumapu) kha Aizawla lekha lo inchuk ve tah a nih. Thangneirum, Kaithang le Thangngur hai hi Senvona ringtu hmasa tak an ni nghe nghe. H.L.Thanga kuoma a pa Thangneirum-in a hril danin lampuia Saptlangval le a rawihai riekna khuohai chu-Khawrulien, Kepran, Vanbawng, Khawlien, Parvachawm- an nih. Rev.Dr R.Pakhuongte chun Saptlangval riekna khuo hi Nausel, Kepran, Suongpuilawn, Khawlien, Parvachawm ni lem dingin a ring.

Khi a chung document dungzui chun Saptlangval le a rawihai khan Thawtranni, 31 January, 1910-in Aizawl an suoksan ngei a nih ti a chieng a. Chuong a ni chun a tarik le an riekna khuohai hei tephmeng ei tih: Thawtranni, 31 January, 1910: Aizawl-Khawrulien/Nausel; Thawleni 1 February, 1910: Khawrulien/Nausel-Kepran; Nilaini 2 February, 1910: Kepran- Suongpuilawn/Vanbawng; Ningani 3 February, 1910: Suongpuilawn/Vanbawng-Khawlien; Zirtawpni 4 February, 1910: Khawlien - Parvachawm; Inrinni 5 February,1910: Parvachawm- Leisen- Senvon.

Hi ni Febraury 5, 1910 hi Saptlangval le a rawihaiin Senvon an lutna ni a ni ngei ti pom tlak a nina sanhai:
(1) Oral sources (trongbaua thu inhlan sawng) le khi document ei tarlang khin an sukfie lei a nih. Khi thu bul (primary sources) pahnihai khi chanchin suina (historical analysis) ah chu sukchiengtu (cross evidences) an nih. Chubakah, pi le puhan kalendar tu lai ang hin lo la nei naw hai sien khom, kurpar thliek meua chu lo zau kha lo zau nei trum tia kum bi an lo sut hlak kha, an thaw suol ngai nawh. Kawnzara Saptlangval riekna in le a damdawi semhai chen an lo inchik leiin, an hriet chieng a nih. Calendar la hmang lo an ni leiin, a tarik tak an hriet naw chauh a nih.
(2) Thawtranni 31 January, 1910-a Aizawla inthoka an suok hin Saptlangval chun Pathienni 6 February, 1910 Senvona hmang ngei dinga inpuocha a nih ti a sukchieng bok. A ‘Prayer letter’ le Dr P.Fraser-haiin Roberts le a rawihai inzin chu ni 13/14 an thang ti hin an fe le hungna a kawk lem. Trongnaah inzina ei fe changin, ni sawm vel kan thang ei ti chun ei fe le hungnaa ei hun seng po po hai ei inkawktir hlak.
(3) Chubaka a chunga lekha ei tarlang khi Dr P. Fraser le Watkin Roberts personal file, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth-a inthoka lak dok a ni a, historical term-a chu ruo la thram lo thu bul, lekhabua la chuong hri lo (unpublished primary source) a nih. D.Lloyd Jones le Watkin Roberts-in “Official Statement” ti meuha uluk taka an buotsai a ni leiin pom tlak a nih. Khi document khi, sorkar pawlisi zamna “White Paper” an ti ang tluka poimaw a nih.
(4) Chanchin ziekna (historical writing)-a poimaw bek bek, a bulthrut ang hiela ngai chu ‘Generalization’ (tlâng hrietna) a nih. Generalization chu thu tro (thil tlung) pakhat le a dang intringmitna hrilna a ni a, a’n nghatna bul (major source) pakhat chu ‘nachang hrietna’ (common sense) a nih. Hi ‘common sense’ hmang hin Saptlangval le a rawihai khan Aizawla inthoka Senvon tlungna dingin ni ieng zat am lang an ta, ni 22 awng an tim, an naw leh, an fe leh hungin ni 13/14, hapta hni lang an tim? ti zawnahai hi siem a, a donna ding khom sut suok thei a nih. Khang lai huna lampui um dan le inzintuhai kha tlangval tha hrat lai ruok an nizie ngaituoin, Saptlangval le a rawihai khan harsa lo takin, ni nga sungin, Thawtranni, 31 January, 1910, Aizawla inthoka intranin, Inrinni, 5 February, 1910-in Senvon an ban ding a nih ti chu nachang hrietna (common sense) hmanga sutin a awm tak a nih.

February thla tawp tieng chun Aizawlah Rev D.E. Jones le Dr.P.Fraser-hai huoihawtna hnuoia lawmna inkhawm an nei a. Watkin Roberts chun Senvona mission hmun nghet phun dingin mi pathum - Savoma, Vanzika le Thangchhingpuia a tir a. An pathum hin chu khuoa chun sikul hongin May 7, 1910-in rongbawlna chu a tran tah a nih. Senvon lal kha Thado a ni leiin, Roberts chun a mission hminga khom Thado-Kuki Pioneer Mission (TKPM) a’n buk tah a nih.
A hmaa ei hril tah ang khan, Manipur tlangram pumpui chu American Baptist Mission biela ngai a ni a. Assam le Bengal rama Missionary Society inzawmkhawm pawlhai chun anni karah hieng ang hin inhrietthiemna thuthlung an lo siem a: hmun, an naw leh, ram pakhata mission pakhatin rong a lo bawl tah chun, a hmaa mission leh inhrietthiemna nei hmasa zet naw chun, mission dang lut lo ding ti a nih. Chu dan chu Watkin Roberts-in a hriet naw amani ding, ama ngaidan chun tu khoma rong an la bawl ngai nawna Manipur simthlanga mission station phunin an ngai a, a’n dikna chen a um. A.B.Mission khan Manipur tlangram hmun dang dangah chanchin thra lo hril tah sien khom, Manipur simthlang chu kum 14 rong an bawl hnung khomin an la zu sir phak naw hrim hrim a nih.

November 29, 1910-in Dr P.Fraser-hai nupa le Watkin Roberts chu Khasi Hills panin an inzin a. Silchar-ah Welsh missionary Rev.T.W.Reese inah ni iemani zat an cham a. Reese fielnain Roberts chun a mission thar chanchin Saptrongin a ripawt a. Chu trum chun Mrs Reese chu trong inlettuah an hmang nghe nghe a. A thla nawk December thla bul chun Reese-hai nupa, Fraser-hai nupa le missionary dang nunghak E.M.Lloyd le Watkin Roberts hai chu Khasi Hills panin Silchara inthokin an suok a; Manipura inthoka hung thla, Dr C. Oswald Williams le William Pettigrew hai chu Budarpur rail chawlna hmunah an intuokpui hlauh a. Mrs Reese chun Roberts chu Pettigrew a’n hmelhriettir nghe nghe a. Pettigrew chun Manipur hmar tienga American Baptist-hai chun rongbawl pei an inbeisei thu a hril a, simthlang tienga um hnamhai laia Roberts-in rongbawlna a lo tran tah chu kalna a nei thu iengkhom a hril nawh. Shillong an tlung hnungin Mawkhar Biek inah Roberts-in a mission thar chanchin ripawtna a nei nawk nghe nghe a nih.
Kum 1910-1911-in Manipur sorkar chun William Pettigrew chu Census Superintendent-ah a ruot a. Hi intiem (inrapthliek) hi Pettigrew le ringtharhai thrangpuinain hlawtling taka zo a nih. Hi sin lei hin William Pettigrew chu Manipur tlangram pumpuia inzinna hun remchang thra tak a nei pha a. Hi kum vek hin Lungkhobel Kilong le Teba Kilong thruoiin, Pettigrew chu Hmar biela khuo Khuongzang, Pherzawl, Parbung, Suongsang, Lailong le khaw dang dangah inzinin thuhrilin an vak vel a. Hmar biela inthoka a kir hnung, August ni 8, 1911 chun Pettigrew chun Rev. Reese lekha a thon a. A lekhathona chun Manipur sunga Kukihai lai American Baptist-haiin rongbawlna suklien an tum leiin, Kukihai chanchin a khelneng a khawlnongin hriet a nuom thu le Roberts, Dr Fraser, an naw leh, Welsh Mission-in Manipur-ah rongbawlna sin lak an tum le tum naw thu an don a. Roberts lekha August 16, 1911-a chun hieng lai biela hin Pioneer Mission-in sin a tran der tah thu a hril a. August ni 29, 1911 chun hieng ang hin William Pettigrew chun a hung don let nawk a: “August ni 16-a i lekhathon ka lo hmuh. Simthlanga Thado-Kukihai laia Pathien malsawmna an dong thu i ripawt kan lo hrietin lawmum kan tih a, ringtharhai chungah iengkim tluong takin a fe pei kan ring. Manipur state sunga Thado Kukihai laia kan society-in hma a lak tum dan ka hril che kha hre zing i ta. Iengkim sukfel vong hmain, iengtin am, ieng chen am hma in lak dan ding kan hriet nuom hmasa lei a nih”, tiin.

W. Pettigrew chun a tirin Roberts inhrilfienahai chu lungawi takin a pomin a’n lang. Amiruokchu, October ni 23, 1911-a Reese lekha a thon nawknaah chun hieng hin lungsen deuin a ziek a: “Kan society-in Manipur kum 18 kan hluo hnungin, hi hi ka hril che a nih - Manipur tlangram pumpui hi kan ta a ni a; hi thuah hin keima mimal ngaidan na tak ziek thei khom ka nih; amiruokchu in distrik committeea inthoka thu chieng lem nghakin ka lan sûm hràm lem a nih. Keini Reference Committee khom November ni 9, 1911-in Gauhati-ah kan inkhawm ding a na; chutaka chun thil um dan po po ngaituo ning a tih”, tiin.

Chu hma September ni 26-28, 1911-in Welsh Mission Distrik Kawmiti khom Shillong-ah an inkhawm a. Hi taka an thurel chu inhrriettir dingin D.E.Jones, Aizawl le T.W.Reese, Silchar-a um chun November ni 1, 1911-in hieng ang hin William Pettigrew kuomah lekha an thon a: “Manipur-a Watkin Roberts-in rongbawlna a tranna thuah, mission pakhat kan nina angin hi thil hi iengkhom hrietpuina kan nei nawh ti Pettigrew kan inhriettir a, a tira inthoka Roberts-in Pettigrew inhriettir lova a um kha poi kan tih. Hi mission thar hi Watkin Roberts, lay Congregrationalist, phun lieu lieu a ni a, Welsh Mission le inkungkeina um sun chu Dr.P.Fraser thlopna le thruoina hnuoia Mizorama a lo um ve pal hlauh hi a nih chauh. Kan Distrik Kawmiti inkhawmnaah hi pawl bik nei lo pioneer mission chungthu hi kan hrilin, member tam tak a la hre lo khom an um. Dr P.Fraser ti chauh naw chu, hi thuah hin kan missionary danghai tu khom rawn an ni nawh. Khi a chunga kan risawliuson khi kan Director-hai ngaidan siem theina dinga kan thawn hma chun, iengtin am ngai veng an ta ti hi keini khom kan la chieng nawh. Kum tam tak in mission-in in lo hluo tah, in phalna zong le la hmasa lova, mission thar kha phun a nih ti kan Distrik Kawmiti-a hril chieng a hung niin poi kan ti tlang seng a. Kukihai hi Mizohai leh trong le chia inhnai tak niin an mi hril a; kan ramri ep ela an cheng a, anni fielnain Roberts-in Mizo threnkhat tirin an va thrangpui a nih. Hieng thu lei hin ama (Roberts) thilthawna leh a mi keimat chuong nawh a; Protestant Mission Society-hai laia inhrietthiemna thuthlung a bawsietnaah kan poitina a suknep chuong nawh. Keinin hi thil kan ngaimaw ang bokin, kan Director-hai khomin ngaimaw veng an tih ti hi chieng takin kan hril thei che. In mission-in mi lo fiel pal inla khom, hi Mizo hnam chanpui lai hin rong bawl nuom kan tih ti tu hin kan la hril thei hri nawh, anni Director-hai donna kan hriet hma chun. Pioneer Mission hin kan remtina, pomna le hrietpuina um der lova thilthaw a lo nih ti in hrietfie theina dingin hi hrilchiengna hi huntawk dingin kan ngai”, tiin.

Chun hieng hi a ni a, kha hmaa Roberts rongbawlna hrepuituhai po po khom chun Roberts chu an tran ngam ta naw a. Liverpool-a Home Director-han Roberts mission thar chanchin ripawt an lo hriet chun, February ni 16, 1912-in hieng ang hin lekha an hung thon a: “Ei kawl vela missionary society dang rongbawlhai le ei inkungkeina le inhrietthiemna suksie dinga Roberts-in a nuom nuom thaw phal lo ding tia inhrietthiemna neia Roberts kha Dr Fraser thuhnuoi le kontrawlna hnuoia um dinga Mizorama a thruoi phalpek a ni a. Director-hai chun nangma kuomah le nangma fe thlengin mi danghai laia Roberts-in pawl bik nei lo mission thar Manipura a phun khan, mission society danghai le ei inkungkeina a suksiet a, W.R Roberts khan ama mimal mawphurna lieu lieuin thil a thaw a, chun, amaa inthokin inthier fihlim an nuom a, Assama missionary society dang po povin ei unau American Baptist-hai mawphurnaa an ngaina hmuna hma a lak tranna chu an hnawl a nih ti hi Director-hai chun nangma kuomah le nangma fe thlengin mi dang a tawk sahai po po kuomah chieng lawngin a hril nuom a nih’, tiin.

Hi baka hin Director-hai chun a hranin Dr. Fraser kuomah lekha an thon bok a. Chu lekhaa chun, an mission ramri bul elah W.R Roberts chu pawl bik um lo mission inphuntir a, hi mission-a thok ding an kohranhai lai fielna siem a, an thruoitu ding chen ruot phalpek a, Mrs Fraser thrangpuinaa chanchinbu chena insuo a ni leiin, chu chun Mr. Roberts thruoi an phalpekna thuthlung a bawsiet thu an hung hril bakah, a lang (direct) amanih, a ruk (indirect) amani khoma Roberts mission le inzomna chu lo sukchat nghal dingin an hung baukhat bok a nih.

William Pettigrew chun Welsh Mission le an Director-han Roberts mission chu an thlop nawh ti a hriet charin, Senvonah fein ringtharhai chu ama tieng thrang dingin a zawr a. A thuhrilnaa a uor tak chu namphuma baptisma chang a nih. Pioneer Mission-a ringtharhai chun American Baptist Mission an zom chun an hlaw let hni hmu ding damin a thlêm bok a. Sienkhom, ringtharhai lai tu khom A.B.Mission-a sum dit leia pakai nuom an um chuong naw leiin, Pettigrew chun Manipura inthoka hnotsuok ding damin a’n thri tawl tah a nih. Hi truma Pettigrew inzin hin a ram mihai chu pawt phura a hmang el bakah, hmun threnkhata lem chu an zawn nghe nghe. Trongnaah tribal hnamchawmhai hi ‘Mingohai phurrik’ (Whitemen’s Burden) an tia chu, taksa thila hril chun mingohai kha a ‘Tuolmihai Phurrik’ (Native People’s Burden) an lo ni ve tho. Tlangrama an inzin changa an thuomhnaw phur, an tlungna ding bangla thar bawlpek, an cham sunga an fak le dawn, zu le sa chen kha songbawlpek an ngai hlak a nih.

William Pettigrew chun Pioneer Mission chu tosan el a tum naw top. Ama hin kong iengkimah Manipur sorkar a thlop a; ama rawiin census an zo fel a; chubakah Manipur pumpuia sikul sapzek ziek le silebas siemhai khom ama thaw vong a nih leiin, sorkarna cheltu mingohai lai khom a thu a lut em em. Chubakah, a ruol thra J.C.Higgins chu kum 1910-a inthok 1916 chen Manipur State Durbar-ah Vice President a hung ni a. December ni 26, 1914-a Watkin Roberts rawia Presbytery hmasa tak Senvona an nei trumin, Higgins-in Lambu (Rasi) Hausawi chu Senvonah a tir thlak a, Manipur ram sungah American Baptist-hai chauh naw chu mission dang um phal an ni law leiin, pioneer mission-a sinthawtuhai po po chun Manipur an suoksan ding a nih ti thupek a’n chawitir a nih. Hausawiin Senvon a lut ni zingah Watkin Roberts lem chu Kolkata panin a fe thla nghal a, hi nia inthok hin a mission khom Kolkataa inthokin a enkai tah lem a nih. Watkin Roberts khom um trok trok thei bik tah lovin, ringtharhai, anni ram ngeia inthoka nunrawng taka hnot suok dinga thawluina an tuokna chu British Parliament chena intlun dingin a ngaituo hiel tah a. Hi thu le inzom hin Assam Chief Commissioner leh khom lekha an inthon tuo bakah, Commissioner secretary khom January, 1915-in a’n hmupui nghe nghe a, phalbi dei tienga A.B.Mission le Pioneer Mission kar ramri khom sukfel dingin hril a ni tah a nih.
Hieng hun lai bok hin Lt. Col. H.W.G.Cole (Kawlsap) chu Mizorama inthokin Manipur-ah Political Agent-in kum 1914-1917 khan son a ni a. Kum bul January thla, 1915-in Manipur sorkar chun R. Dala, Senvona um chu Kawlsap hmaa inlang dinga ko dingin Rasi Lalkhawzam Senvonah an tir a. Cole le R.Dala hi Mizorama bawi chungchanga lo inhmelhriet tah an ni a. Cole chun Pioneer Mission-in A.B.Mission, an nawh leh, Welsh Mission a nuom lem lem zom el sien thra a ti thu R.Dala chu thurawn a lo pek a. R. Dala chun var takin a mission-a ringtharhai hi Presyterian thuring le inkeihruoi dana lo inzirtir an ni tah leiin, A.B.Mission kuta pek suok el chu himin a ring naw thu a hril a, Cole khom chun awm a ti ve a. Chuleiin, Kailam hnuoi tieng pova zalen taka rongbawl phalna a pek tah a nih. Amiruokchu, tram tlâk leiin ringthar tam tak Tuithraphaiah an lo inpem tah bok leiin, Kailam chung tieng khom Pioneer Mission rongbawl phalna R.Dala’n a hni belsa nawk a, Kailam chung tieng khom an Kohran umna taphotah rongbawl theina an hung nei nawk tah pei a nih. Hieng ang khop hin A.B.Mission chun lo dodal sien khom, Pioneer Mission chun Burma le Tripura chenah ringtu le thoktu a hung nei ta pei a; mission hming khom North East India General Mission (NEIGM) tiin June, 1923-in thlak a hung nih tah a nih. A kum nawk July 16, 1925 chun London-ah company angin Companies Acts, 1908-1917 hnuoiah ziek lut a lo nih tah a nih.

Cole, political agent-in NEIGM chu Manipur sim tienga zalen taka rongbawl phalna lo pe sien khom, A.B.Mission dodalna chu a tawp el chuong nawh. Cole hi J.C Higgins-in kum 1917-18 khan a hung thlak a, chu zovah kum 1924-a inthok kum 1933 chen Political Agent a ni zom nawk pei a. A hmaa ei hril tah ang khan, Higgins hi a pawng a puia William Pettigrew trantu a nih. NEIGM chu American Baptist Mission rongbawlna biela phalna la hmasa lova mission phuntu a nih tiin Pettigrew chun Council of Missions, Assam-ah a hekna a siem nawk a; December, 1922-a council meeting chun NEIGM chu a member ninaa inthokin an hnot suok tah a nih.
A tira inthoka Roberts thilthaw tinreng thloptu le a hotupa ti hiela ngai, Dr Fraser khoma hieng ang hin lekhathon February ni 27, 1924 chun a ziek a: “Thaw dan kalhmang indik lo takin NEIGM hin rongbawlna sin a lo thaw ti kei khom ka chieng tah a. Manipur state-a rongbawlna a tran hlima inthok, Tripura le Assam rama an zauh lien peih dan hin mission danghai, hieng American Baptists, New Zealand Baptist le Assama Welsh Mission-hai huong khom poisakna a nei der nawh ti an lang a, hi lei hin hieng mission-hai hin NEIGM leh buoina namen lo an nei tah hrim a. Mission hrang hrang kara inhrietthiemna bawsiein, Assam-a Council of Missions-in a chungthu December, 1922-a a ngaituo truma an hnot dok khan, keima ta ding khomin hi mission hi inthrepui song a trul takzet tah tia ka lo ngaituona chu a hung sukdet a nih,” tiin.

Kum 1920-1922-a L.O.Clark, ICS, Political Agent a ni trum (Clark hi kun 1922-in hun tawite C.Gimson-in a thlak zok ti ngot naw chu, kum 1924 chen Political Agent a ni zom) kum 1922-in Watkin Roberts le a nuhmei Imphal-ah an fe a. Hi trum hin Roberts chun a mission field-a mingo sap tir phalna a hni nawk a. Sienkhom A.B.Mission tienga dodalna lei bokin phalpek a nih nawh. J.C. Higgins bok kha kum 1924-a inthokin kum 1933 chen Political Agent-a hlangkai a hung ni nawk a; ama hun sung hi NEIGM-a rongbawltuhai ta dinga hun trium tawp a nih. Higgins le Pettigrew khan iengkhom an theinghil naw a, an ngaidam bok nawh. Kawlsapin NEIGM le A.B.Mission kar siem rel thawk khat sien khom, NEIGM thoktuhai kha um trok trok an ni naw leiin, damte’n ram an zauh pei a. Pettigrew lungsen sosangna leiin simthlang biela inthokin ringthar sungkuo in 30 le 40 inkar sorkarin a hnotsuok tah a; simsak tienga inthokin in 130 hnotsuok dingin sorkar a nor nawk a.

Trum khat lem chu Churachandpur SDO ngeiin pulit thruoiin Pettigrew tienga thrang nuom nawhai chu an in an thriekpek a, a thren an rawpek bok a, a thren Sorkarin suok ding a ti huna suok hman naw hai khom chu thla ruk lung in an intangtir bok. Higgins hun chu “Reign of Terror” (Inrîkrap Hun) tia ko thei hiel a nih. L. Keivom lem chun hieng ang hin a lo ziek hiel a: “Hieng ema misawnari inti bok Pettigrew lungsenna le kalna leia Kristienhai chungah sorkarin kut a thlak el hi a makin, Kaisar nunrawng Nero a min hriet suoktir rum rum hiel a nih. Chun, a makna dang nawk chu, hieng tuorna rapthlakhai hi Sap misawnarihai le British sorkara roreltu Mingohai inkara inerna le intheidanain a ir suok vong a nih. Hi hun hi Manipura Kristien inti ve British sorkar rorel hun sunga bung le chang tiem inzakum tak laia mi ni rop a tih” tiin (Zoram Khawvel-6, 2000:132).

“India rama British Official-ha’n Tuoltro Kristienhai An Suknawmnat Dan” ti thupuia hmangin Ukil John G. Bose chun hieng ang hin ripawt a lo pek a: “India rama hnam thila buoinahai hi English le American chanchinbuah le ram dang chanchinbu chena khom hrilvung a nih hlak a; amiruokchu, tuoltro Kristienhai suknomnatna, abikin Manipur state-a mi ruok chun hril iengkhom a hlaw ve nawh. Chu insuknomnatna chun kum 1927 khan a vawrtawp a tlung a, suifie trul khopin, political agent remtipuina le keihruoina hnuoiah chu insuknomnatna rawng tak chu thaw a nih. Kum 1927 tawp tieng chun, Kolkataa Ukil John G.Bose le Watkin Roberts, misawrani chu Imphalah, Manipur state khawpuiah an fe a, tuoltro Kristien khaw tam taka chenghai Kristien an ni lei ringot le an Kristien ringna an inphat nuom naw leia hnotsuoka um haia inthokin thu lak a ni a. Fiena an hmasuonhai chu a thlabârum tawp khawk a, suknomnatna hmaimawkum,Kristien sakhuo indar zau peina ding suktawp tumnaa tuoltro mihai lung sukhnuolna le suktritna dinga thaw a nih. Hieng sa khom hin Kristienna chun Manipur state-ah zung inthuk tak a kei a; Kristienna inphatsan nek hmanin, tuoltro Kristien tam tak hai chun mani in lum khom maksan el an thlang lem. Imphal-a thil suifienaa puonglanga um hai hi Watkin Roberts, misawnari chun, chanchinbua insuo a nuom a, amiruokchu, thaw lo dingin infui a ni lem a, Assam governor kuomah put lut lem dinga hrilin a um a. Governor Sir Lowrie Ham le Political Agent, J.C. Higgins inhmupui dingin mel za tam tak an zin a; a hnuoia hninahaihi a pek a: 1. Hieng thawnaa officer thrang hai hi sorkarin na takin hrem raw se; 2.Hnotsuoka um kristienhai po po an khuo inhluotir nawk ni raw se; 3. Inhmangna le channa an tuokhai chungah Kristienhai chu zangnadomna pek ni raw hai se. Amiruokchu, officer lienhai sinthawna a suksiet inlau leiin, Roberts chu hi thu hi nawr zui lo dingin ngen a nih a; mission ram suklien le zalenna butling pek tiem a nih bok leiin”, tiin.

W.G.Roberts (Watkin Roberts-pa) khomin, sakhuo thila sorkar inrol dingin thuneina a nei naw a, ieng mission le sakhuo pawl khom inzom luitir dingin tlangmihai a phut luih a thieng bok nawh tiin London-a Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for India kuomah lekha a thon ve hiel a nih. Inphalah Assam Governor inzin trumin NEIGM le A.B.Mission kara buoina hi a sukfel a, NEIGM chu Churachandpur biela zalen taka rongbawl theina le Sap misawnari lak belsa theina pein, dispensary thrangpuina khom a let hniin a sukpungpek a nih. Ringtharhai suknomnatu Churachandpur SDO chu kokir a ni a, officer danghai khom zilhau an ni bok.

NEIGM le A.B.Mission buoina a hung re a, NEIGM sungah buoina le inthrena a hung um khan, William Pettigrew le Higgins chu nasa takin an inrol nawk a. Kum 1928 khan Pettigrew chu USA-ah a fe thlak a, New York-ah H.H.Coleman leh an inhmu nghal a. Hi kum vek December thlain palai-J.C.Williams, H.H.Coleman le Dr Turnly-hai chu thutlukna chawisa diemin Manipurah an hung a. Imphala an cham sungin Coleman chun J.C.Higgins, William Pettigrew le Dr.G.C. Crozier hai inhmupuiin a’n bekborpui a; Roberts chu NEIGM-a inthoka hnot suok dingin thu an intiem a. Chu chu Coleman-in a thaw thei chun lawmmanah a thawpek thei taphot thawpek dingin Higgins chun thu a tiem nghe nghe a nih. Watkin Roberts trantu pawl le Coleman trantu pawl an hung inthre fel khan, Higgins le Pettigrew chun Coleman pawl kha an thlop nghal hrim a; Higgins lem chun Cachar Deputy Commissioner, G.D. Walker zuk hrilin, H.K.Dohnun le a naupa Thanglura (Roberts trantu) chu Manipur rama lut thei tah lo dingin an khaptir nghal a nih.
Hi thil hi India Office, London-a min a lo hriet chun mission thoktuhai hrim hrim chungah khapna iengkhom thaw lo dingin February ni 12, 1930-in Assam sorkar chu a hang hril nghal a. Chuong sa khom chun, Assam sorkar chun March ni 2, 1930 khan Sir Charles Watson, Political Secretary, Government of India kuomah Watkin Roberts chu misawnari a nina hlip thlakpek ding le Manipur ram sir nawk thei ta lo dinga a passport chen kanselpek dingin rotna a zuk siem el tah a. Chu rotna chu India Office, London-ah, Governor-General Irwin chun April ni 19, 1930 khan a zuk thon sawng nawk a. India Office, London, chun British khuo le tui misawnari a nina hlip thlakpek le a passport kanselpek chu thaw thei a ni lai zingin, chu chu lo thaw ni tah sien vantlang mipui soiselna a tam dingzie thuin May ni 24, 1930-in a hung don let a nih.

Ieng po khom chu lo ni tah sien, J.C.Higgins, Political Agent-in W.A. Cosgrave, May ni 23, 1930-a lekhathon hi zuk en nawk vak ei tiu:
Dittak Cosgrave,
American Baptist Mission chun Kangpokpi-a Crozier thlaktu ding medical misawnari a ngaituo mek a; chun, Crozier hi NEIGM-a inson tah lem dinga ti a ni a; December thlaah Paul Rostad-hai nupa khom Churachandpur-ah hung tah dinga beisei an nih.

Mr Coleman ripawt dan chun Mr W.Roberts chun simthlang tlangram tieng mission thar ‘Indo-Burma Pioneer Mission’ an din tah a. Mizoram ramri bul Tipaimukh-ah McCall (Political Superintendent, Aizawl) khom a thang mek a, mi a man thei zat zat man dingin ka hei hril a nih. Mr W.Roberts hi ei la sop hne tawk naw niin ka hriet.
Sd. J.C.Higgins.

Thu suktawpna
William Pettigrew chu Scottist pachal, mi vervek tawp el, Imphal a hung lut chara inthoka British officer nauhai tiuson thawpek a, mi tlon lungawi thiem tawp, tlangrama buoina hrim hrimah ama rawn lova thilthaw um ngai lo, Manipur state pumpui sunga sikul le silebas iengkim ama kuthnuoia um vong, census thawna, Indopui I-na laia sorkar ta dinga Labour Corpse-ah Kuki le Naga a sang tel latu le Kuki Helhai (1917-1919) tukdol dinga Kuki Punitive Measures an thaw truma Crozier le theitawp suoa hma latu, Higgins leh lekha an inchuk laia pawl khat lo ni bok, Manipur sorkar-ah a thu a lut em em el a nih.

Chubakah, British officer Manipur State Durbar-a vice president-a inthoka trana, political agent chen khom ni phak, chu khom chu trum thum zet chel thei, Higgins hi William Pettigrew kaiza vengtu ringum tak a nih. Anni pahni hi Watkin Roberts dodalna dingin taksa pumkhat ang an nih. Higgins lekhathon nuhnung tak dam hi ei en chun, Watkin Roberts kha iengkhom thaw thei der lova suksiet der a, a tawp chena intlawm fihlim hmak a tum a lo nih.

Watkin Roberts ruok chu Welsh mi, pa zaidam, mi ring zo nghal mi a ni a. Mission phuntu ni si, Philadelphia le London Home Council ama’n um chil lova a um kha a poi em em. Ieng po khom ni sien, a tira mission hmun nghet an din hma le a lut inthuk hma khan, A.B.Mission-hai kha lo hei rawn der hmasa sien chu, buoina tam tak a tuokhai kha tuok lo ding a ni bah. Chanchin Thra hril darna dinga a thrahnemngaina kha soisel ruol a ni naw a, amiruokchu a thaw dan kalhmang (modus operandi) ruok chu a puitling tawk naw bakah a fel hlel deuh niin a’n lang.

References:
A. Primary Souces:
1. D.Lloyd Jones & Watkin Roberts’ Official Statement, Church Missionary Archives (CMA), Aberystwyth, Wales. 1914.
2. William Pettigrew’s letter to T.W. Reese (CMA),1911.
3. Watkin Roberts’ letter to D.E. Jones,(CMA), 1912.
4. D.E.Jones & T.W.Reese’s letter to W.Pettigrew (CMA), 1911.
5. Selected papers of W.Roberts as supplied by L.Keivom.
6. Foreign & Political Dept, Govt of British India, 1929 - 1933.
7. Correspondences between R.J. Williams, Liverpool and Dr.P. Fraser, 1924.
8. Oral Sources as given by H.L.Thanga, Senvawn 5-8, October, 1984.
9. Chirgwin, Arthington’s Mission: The Romance of Arthington’s Trust, The Carey Press, London, 1935.
10. Private papers of W.Pettigrew, CBCNEI, Guwahati, 1894 to 1934.

B. Secondary Sources.
11. L.Keivom, Zoram Khawvel-6, Aizawl, 2000.
12. Lal Dena, In Search of Identity: Hmars of North East India, New Delhi, 2007.
13. Ruolngul, Darsanglien, Chanchintha Kalchawi, Part I & II, Churachandpur, 2003.
14. Rev.William Pettigrew: A Pioneer Missionary of Manipur, Pettigrew Centenary Celebration Committee, 1996.
15. T. Luikham, A Short History of the Manipur Baptish Christian Golden Jubilee, 1956

[*Editor's Note: Pu Dr LAL DENA teaches at Manipur University's Dept of History and has written a number of books on Hmar history as well as books on Manipur history and the northeast.]