The Nagas

Hill Peoples of Northeast India

Project Introduction The Naga Database

published - Chapter IV 'Detailed Report on the Naga Hills Expedition of 1878-80', Capt. P.J. Maitland

caption:

withdrawal

medium:

reports

person:

Barrett/ Lt.Chambers/ Maj.Saloji

production:

person:	Maitland/ Capt. P.J.
date:	1880

acquirer:

person:	India Office Library, London
refnum:	IOR L/MIL/17/18/24

text:

On the 1st April a convoy of sick and wounded was started for Golaghat. Detachments of the 18th and 43rd Native Infantry under Lieutenant Barrett, 43rd Assam Light Infantry, were ordered on the same date to bivouac on the Piphima road, and send out working parties to make the track practicable for the new pony train, which was now beginning to work under Major Chambers. The General also sent orders down the line for working parties to be put on the road between Dimapur and the Nichi Guard. From the latter post the path now followed the Diphupani to the Zumha river post, thus avoiding the Samaguting hill. The post at Hariajan was withdrawn, and the men sent to Dimapur to work on the road.

text:

On the 2nd April the Brigadier General transferred a hundred men of the 44th Sylhet Light Infantry from Konoma to Mozima, and himself moved there next day, so as to be in the same camp with the Chief Political Officer. The collection of fines and firearms from the now submissive Nagas went on steadily. Up to the 5th April the Konoma men had surrendered seventy six firearms. Saloji of Sephima had also sent in seven.

text:

The move of the troops northward may be said to have commenced on the 1st April. They were withdrawn gradually by detachments, and employed (59) on their way from the hills in making and repairing the road so as to render it thoroughly practicable for laden ponies. This measure was highly approved of by the Commander-in-Chief.

text:

On the 13th April General Nation left Mozima for Golaghat. On the 18th he was at Dimapur, and thence despatched the following telegram to the Adjutant General in India. " Up to date two hundred and two firearms have been given up by Angami Nagas and more are coming in. The Konoma Nagas in addition to giving up firearms have paid fine of Rs. 1,600 cash. Three villages and forts have been effaced. Their lands have all been confiscated and themselves broken up as a village community for ever." The conditions imposed on the Nagas appear therefore to have been fully enforced, and in his " Review of Operations" the General writes:- " The occupation of the country for so long by such a large body of troops has inflicted serious punishment, as we have drawn largely on their supplies of grain and labour, and this will have a far more lasting effect than if we had marched into the country, destroyed a few villages, and then retired again, as has hitherto been the case. The men of Konoma, formerly the terror of the hills, have been entirely broken up, their fortified village levelled with the ground, and their magnificent stone-faced, terraced, rice land, the work of generations, has been confiscated. They have also been deprived of their arms and a heavy fine has been exacted from them; and this with the punishment inflicted on their offending villages will, I trust, satisfy the Government that the objects of the expedition have been attained."

text:

On the 22nd April the Field Force was broken up. The head quarters of the 42nd and 44th Native Infantry embarked at Nikriting en route to Shillong on the 24th; and the wing 18th Native Infantry, and the Brigadier General and Staff, left on the 1st of May for Jalpaiguri and Shillong respectively.

text:

The following garrisons were left in the hills for the preservation of order and protection of the civil authorities:-

text:

_At_Kohima____..._400_rifles_and_2_mountain_guns.
_At_Woka______...___75__________"
_At_Konoma____...__200__________"_(_to_be_withdrawn_on_the
_______________________________setting_in_of_the_rains_in_May.)

text:

_Posts_on_the_road_from__Dimapur_upwards
______________...__125
___Total______...__800

text:

The above were furnished by each of the three Assam Regiments in the following proportions: 42nd Assam Light Infantry, 350; 43rd Assam Light Infantry, 100; 44th Sylhet Light Infantry, 350.

text:

Owing to no reserve of supplies having been as yet accumulated at Kohima, and regard being also had to the fact that the troops might again have to take the field, the transport train under Major Chambers was not reduced at the conclusion of operations.

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