Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing :: Book Translation
- Part 2 -

James Oinam *

Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing: Part 2
(Brave Women During the Nupi Lan)
Publisher: Lamlai Area Nupi Marup
Cover illustration by: Singh Publicity, New Checkon
First print: December 1991
Copy: 1500
Printer: Haobam Printing Works, Etam Nungoi

Few Words

People make history. “Masses are the real makers of history.” “Nupi Lan” is a great piece of history by the common people of this land. Manipuri women who contributed in the making of history could be relegated to folk tale due to lack of proper record.

Including public, steps of history cannot be stopped. The community cannot escape from history. Written record form testimony for history. However, folk tales cannot be history.

Nupi Lan of December 12, 1931 was a revolt led by women which cannot be separated from the life of the great leader Hijam Irabot who tried to establish a new history of Manipur.

Even though it is a history of a short period, there were deficiencies in collecting the stories to produce a paper. This piece of history of the land that cannot be skipped fills with the imagery of women tying a piece of cloth around their waists to face the soldiers of the government.

Jananeta Irabot (1896-1951)

Also, as if one can hear the heartbroken cry of Jananeta Irabot, “Cheng khuya amatang nijarabada e khujok ama happirakle” [“Begged for an ounce of rice but got a handful of blood”]. Even though it was Poinu (lunar harvesting month, December-January) businesspeople freely hoarded rice and grains, and sold at high prices causing suffering to common people.

Unable to feed wives and children and elderly, condition of women who took care of family became worse. These women broke the godowns of business people organizing dehoarding campaigns and faced the government’s soldiers. To support the campaign and in praise of brave blood running in the hearts of women Jananeta said thus:

Nakhoi lao, yenghauro laone
Nupi kaya landa changlido
Chandbibi, Durga, Padmini
Lakshmi Bai, Jhanshi Rani
Laumigi mayumda makhoi kaya(?)
Lishing lakh poklakkhido
Nakhoi lao yenghauro laone
Nupi akhoibu hairanu abla
Sannapot oibinu nupigi thawaina
Senjao paibagi tamthiba nitina
Munkhare eikhoigi setna-chanaba
Nupi landa nupi kaya
Thawai katkhido…
Nakhoi lao yenghauro laone

[You come and watch (before it’s too late)
Many women going to war
Chand Bibi, Durga, Padmini
Lakshmi Bai, Jhanshi Rani
Many of them born to farmers’ home
In thousands and lakhs
You come and watch
Don’t call us women weak
Don’t treat life of women like a toy
Cruel rules of the rich
Snatched from us our cloths-food
In nupi lan many women
Gave their lives…
You come and watch]

Because of the lack books on such an important part of history, there are few who know about it in depth. To fill these gaps, effort made by All Manipur Nupi Marup, once known as Mahila Smmelini, Lamlai Area Committee to bring out this booklet “Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing” compiling life stories of some brave women of nupi lan is a big contribution.

Although it is not comprehensive, it will be a big help in building the history of nupi lan. Also, whatever little has been presented can be the basis if any correction can be made or elaborated further.

I feel thankful of All Manipur Nupi Marup, Lamlai Area Nupi Marup for introducing few of these women who took part in nupi lan, both those who are living and who have died. I believe that the names of those whose bravery stood above others will remain.

Shri Manglemjao Karam
Leimakhong Mapan
December 7, 1991

Acknowledgements

Lamlai Area Nupi Marup in trying to bring out this booklet received advice and monetary contributions of which following are notable:

Thaunaojam Irabot (E.E.) Keishampat
S. Kirankumar (E.E.) Elang Leikai
Nandeibam Sarat (A.E.) Lilasing Khongnangkhong

These big-hearted people provided the major necessary monetary requirements. Also, we cannot forget contribution made by Pantijai Kabui (Sawumbung), Ningthaujam Yaima (Kongpal), L. Gulati (E.E.) Lairikyenbam Leikai, L. Debadutta (E.E.) Elangleikai, Bolaichand Elangleikai.

Importantly, to bring out this book, hard work by well-known writer Chana Lukhoi, convenor of Nupi Marup Oinam ongbi Lembi, Oja Lanjikpu of Sawumbung Kabui village, sister Tombi, sister Ebemhal of Nungoi, Ibetombi of Seijang, and Nganbi Devi are notable. Also, we cannot forget heart and soul put in by the staff and manager at Haobam Priting Works of Etam Nungoi in printing this book.

With the help from all of these people, this book can be printed. Lamlai Area Nupi Marup thanks all the above.

Thangjam Ibecha
Lamlai Area Nupi Marup

To be continued .....