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The Great Khai Kam

Salai Van Cung Lian Chin World Media February 12, 2013 1.0 Introduction:

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The University of Kalay was once officially called Khai Kam University, the best sport really know who he was and why do we celebrate his name? Of all the Chin people who

centre in Chin State located in Hakha is also called Khai Kam Sport Centre. But do we resisted the British, he rose on the very top. Khai Kam was the son of Sizang chief Khup

Pau and Pi Cing Niang and born in 1864 at Khuasak. When the British advanced to the Sizang areas in 1888, he fought and resisted bravely. After the British annexation of Chin Hills in 1890, he was deeply unhappy with the treatment by the British, he initiated

Sizang-Gungal* Rebellion and fought the British for two years. The British used dirty his family. In 1894, he was sentenced to life and banished on the notorious Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean.

tactic by taking his family as hostages to capture him. He did surrender in order to save

2.0 Khai Kam and A nnexation of Chinland (1888-1890)

We have mentioned in the previous issue what has led to the British invasions of the Chin Hills i.e. Sizang raided the plains and Tlaisun harboured Shwe Gyo Phyu (psuedu burman valley. The British sent the ultimatum to the Sizang chief to deliver Khai Kam together with the captives whom he carried off but the Sizang refused. prince). One of those raids was led by Khai Kam who attacked a party of Burman in the

On 30th December 1888, the British advanced to the Sizang areas Phatzang, in which the troops slept and rations were stored. On hearing the news of the British advance, the Sizang council then Kamhau). The next day a force consisting of 1,200 Sizang, 400

to crush the Sizang. They constructed rough stockade at

sent Khai Kam of Khuasak to Tedim to meet Khawcin (the chief of Kamhau and 30 Sukte marched from Mualbem to meet the British but they struggled. Carey and Tuck noted the difficulty as their

troops. The British tried to march from Phatzang (No.2 Stockade) routes always heavily stockade and the stockades generally held occurred, both day and night (Carey & Tuck 1896, p 28).

by the enemy, who never ceased to ambush when opportunity

Gate and stood firm. On the 27th January 1889, the Sizang group attacked the road

The Chin constructed their stockade at Leisan Mual Red Rocky

working party and the British send their troops to engage the Sizang group who gave
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them strong resistance but the British fire power forced the Sizang to retreat slowly. They take the stockade so reinforced was then ordered then they charged. They took a blow to

made a stand at formidable and skilfully place stockade (Leisen Mual). The British couldnt

the Sizang group defence line that allowed the British to move lo Leisan range, from there they can see the Sizang villages. The General White described his experience in the battle as the most difficult enemy to see or hit I ever fought."

2.1 O ccupation of Sizang areas and Khai Kam resistance

impossible to save their villages. Khai Kam then burned his capital Khuasak before the arrival of the British then moved to the jungle. At the same time over 2,000 warriors of assembly and they aimed and fired their gun at Buanman. The cannon balls exploded spectacularly the Sizang group realized they fought a strong enemy and loose heart to the Sizang, Kamhau, Sukte and Khuano were assembling at Buanman. The British saw the

The battle at Leisen Mual was a serious blow to the Sizang and they realized that it was

resist. By February 1889, the British captured Khuasak, Buanman and Thuklai where the British military post (Fort White) was built. The British then destroyed the whole of Sizang existence. The destruction of Sizang villages was accomplished with a good deal of firing, but very little damage to life and limb (Carey & Tuck 1896, P29). villages as Carey and Tuck reported by 6th march not a single Sizang village remained in

Although, villages were burnt to ground, Khai Kam did not surrender, instead he moved British.

his headquarter to Suangpi, from where he organised his resistance movement against the

The Sizang, Tedim and Khuano people ambushed the British whenever possible.

Moreover, they cut telegraph cables and stole cattle from the British post. The sizang hide in the forest for two years, constantly moving their hideout whenever the British knew their whereabouts.

In September 1889, the British northern column operated against Sizang before advancing to subdue Tlaisun. The British attacked Suangpi, Dimpi and Dimlo but the people defend of surrendering, Khai Kam simply moved again his headquarter to Pimpi. On 11th December, the British attacked Montok but the people resisted the British column rather than saving their burning newly built huts. against them and killed 2 Gurkhas. The British burned Suangpi in November but instead

The British then temporarily abandoned their attempt to defeat Sizang, who resisted under the leadership of Khai Kam then marched to subdue Tlaisun who were the most powerful in the whole of Chin Hills at that time. They believed that Sizang would surrender if Tlaisun submitted to the British. On March 1890, the Tlaisun surrendered to the British. The Sizang, then followed to submit to the British on April 1890. The British recognized British.

the existing Sizang chiefs and an oath of friendship was made between the chiefs and the

3.0 Khai Kam and the Sizng Gungal Rebellion (1892 1894)

Since the British occupied in Chin Hills, heavy fines were imposed for any sign of Chin by collecting their guns. Because of the above, people are not happy with the British and several rebellions had taken place. In the Gungal areas, Thuam Thawng (Kaptel

rebellion, collies were demanded from all over Chin Hills, slaves freeing and disarming the

chiefs) attacked the British outpost at Botung and the British demanded that he surrendered. Instead of surrendering, he induced Khai Kham to drive the British out of the Chin Hills. The Sizang chiefs (except Mang Lun of Sagyillain) held a conference and agreed unanimously to drive the British. This plan also got approval from Tlaisun, Hualngo and Zahau. Khai Kam and Thuam Thawng decided first step was to remove the political officer, the township officers and the Interpreters, so that there should be none left to
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advise and guide the British troops.

Thuam Tawng then invited the political officer

Mr.Carey to take a fresh oath of submission. Mr.Carey had travelled to Southern Chin Hills, therefore, Maung Tun Win (Township officier) and

for the mission. Although they were warned about Thuam Thawng and Khai Kam plan by Mang Lon planned. Khai Kam and Pau Dal (son of Thuam and Do Thang (Kamhau chief), they proceeded as

Aung Gyi and Aung Zan (interpreters) were sent

guns. When the British delegation got to Pompa where the meeting supposed to be taking assonated and Sizang-Gungal rebellion was initiated.

Thawng) choosed 200 warriors all armed with

place, they were ambushed by and Maung Tun Win, Aung Gyi and Aung Zan were

18 villages and all of the villages except (Vokla, Naripi & Sagyilain) rebelled. Out of 9

In this rebellion, the majority of them are Sizang then Gungal and Sukte. The Sizang had

Sukte villages, Dimlo and Dimpi rebelled. All of Gungal villages (10 villages) except (Mwial, Laitui and Puyan) rebelled. The plan was the Gungal and Sukte to operate in White areas, they blocked Kalay-Sizang road, cut the telegraph wires, stole the cattles and destroyed the vegetation. Tedim ares where they attached the British posts. Then the Sizang to operate in Fort

When the British learned the attacked, they send large forces to crush the rebel. In 1892,

November 14 the British troop and Sizang clashed at Pimpi, the Sizang burned Pimpi then as a punishment for rebelling but Khai Kam and Cos were largely present in the Jungle. In the early part of 1893, the British then turned their focus to Gungal areas where Thuam Thawng was chief. The British made a surprised attacked at Kaptyal where Thuam

fled to the jungle. By the end of 1892, the British again burned all of the rebelled villages

Thawng resided. Thuam Thawng then fled to Heilei and resisted the British from Heilei

stockade. The British used mountain guns to destroy the stockade, Thuam Thawng then to again flee to Muizawl. Soon after losing Muizawl, he and his son (Pau Dal) surrendered to the British and were sent to Kindat Jail in Myingyan where both of them died in that jail. By the end of 1893, all of the Sizang chiefs surrendered except Khai Kam. He hid in recorded at 127 fully armed rebels and their families all belong to Sizang and Thuklai the jungle and continued fighting the British. By the end of 1893, his strength was clans.

4.0 T he British O peration against Khai Kam (1894)

The British found traces of rebels but, they were unable to fight them in the dense Jungle. Lieutenant Mockler search them from the north. They found a track leading to rebel

On January and February 1894, Lieutenant Sutton searched them from Leisen range and

hideout and several rebels were killed, captured and prisoners taken. The British also took they can find to starve the rebel. On 24th February the Gurkhas surprised the rebel in by their relatives reside in Tavak (located in the valley) and Thuklai. The British then camp, killing and capturing several. There, the British learned that the rebel were supplied ordered to stop trade between the Sizang and the plains. The Generals were frustrated

causalities as 1 Gurkha killed and 1 wounded. The British destroyed all the grains that

that started to use harsh measured. Do Thang (Sukte Chief) was arrested and asked the villagers to capture the rebels in order to purchase his liberty. By the middle of 1984, 27
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rebels were left fighting the British. The British were so frustrated then adopt dirty tactics to capture Khai Kam and his

followers. They stopped all Sizang cultivations, villages were fined heavily for the conduct

of rebels, whilst every chief and man of importance in the country was made to assist the British. Because of these measured, more rebels finding themselves hemmed in, therefore on April 23 1984 23 rebels were surrendered. The four left were Khai Kam, Khup Pau (his father), Mang Pum (his brother) and Pu Kam Suak. Although only four remained they did not surrender and continued to fight.

Because of those harsh measures, the people as a whole were suffering. The Sukte and

Kamhau were anxious for the release of Do Thang whom the British promise to release him when they (villagers) delivered Khai Kam and his family. The Sagyilaings were tired of would all starve during the rains. Despite these conditions, the people are determined to the struggle, the Sizang knew that if they trade with the plains was not opened, they

hold information for Khai Kam. The British then so frustrated, they arrested 10 more Sizang, in fact, all the remaining male relatives of Khai Kam and they were sent to Kindat Kam, Khup Pau, Mang Pum and Pu Kam Suak surrendered and were transported to Kindat jail. This was the last rebellion against the British until (Hakha-Thado Rebelliion in 1917). After the arrest, the hostages and Do Thang were released and the trade route was reopened. jail in Myin Chan. Learning their relatives lives are at stake, on the 16th May 1984 Khai

Indian Ocean. The British remaks Never trust a Sizang, never allowed Khaikam to return

Khai Kam was sentence for life and transported to the notorious Andaman Islands in the to Chinland. Khup Pau and Mang Pum got 4 years and 3 years respectively at Rangoon for the release of Khai Kam. He was released on 14th May 1910 and the British used him

jail. Mang Pum later worked for the government and appealed to the British government

as an advisor during Hakha-Thado Rebellion in 1917. He returned to the Sizang valley and left the world on the 15th September 1919 (Vomko Hau article). His body left the world but his name remains and will be here forever. Conclusion

last showed his determination to fight against the British. The fact that he organised a surrendered the fact that he refused to surrender showed that he was brave, determined must go to Khup Pau and Mang Pum and Pu Kam Suak and the people. Also the food supply by the people, the unwillingness of the Sizang to fed information to the British also them up or induced them to surrender long ago had they wish to do so.

Khai Kam was not only brave but also skilled in warfare. The fact that he fought until the

rebellion and fought for years showed his leadership skill. Although, his allies are which I admired greatly. To be fair, we can not only give all the credit to him, some credit

showed their love of their love of nation and national heroes. The Sizang could have given

People might be thinking they are crazy, why did they fight the war that they cannot win?

Well those people dont live forever? His family bravery, courages and their determination shall live forever.

fighting for a cause make them legends. We are still chanting their names and their names

customs and manners, and a gazetter of their country by B.S. Carey and H.N. Tuck. I found this book at the famous British Library in London for my personal interest on our history.

Ref: The Chin Hills V1 1896: A History of the people, our dealings with them, their

*Gungal - NWENGAL - The west bank of Manipur River in Tiddim and Tonzang Townships

Burm ese V ersion (T he Great Khai Kam )

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Post to Facebook Kim Lian Reply Follow Yangon, Burma 2 Like Follow Post about an hour ago

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thanks to Van Cung Lian.

Ro Dinga Reseach Technician at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Great article. Good job Salai Van Cung Lian. Gungal means people from western bank of Manipur river. Manipur river is called "Gun" in Kamhau dialect and called "Run" in other Chin dialects. Sagyillain is "Mualbem village". Mualbem is also known as "Sakhi Len" and Kawl (Burmans) could not pronounced properly; and Cary and Tuck followed how Burmans pronounced. (My father got his name after the chief of Mualbem.) Reply 1 Like Follow Post 43 minutes ago Van Cung Lian Follow Top Commenter The University of Nottingham

appreciation from you means a lot to me. Thank you very much. You give me more strength. I am waiting for your book? when will you publish? Reply Like Edited 36 minutes ago Cin Do Follow No.2 B.E.H.S Dagon

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