PAITE HISTORY

RAJA GOUKHOTHANG

Raja Goukhothang belongs to Guite clan, one the great ruling clan of Paite people.
This dynasty originated immediately after the beginning of chieftainship from chief
Tuahchiang. But the most famous and the strongest ruler of this dynasty was Raja
Goukhothang (Kokatung, a British corrupted word of Goukhothang). Born in 1821 at
Lamzang, he assumed real authority only when he was forty years, by building his
capital at Mualpi in the Chin Hills. Between 1857 and 1871, he invaded and ravaged
the Manipur plains successfully no less than seven times. At that time, he was the
strongest and most powerful ruler of the Paite-Mizo tribes, and no one dare to
oppose his authority.

He was captured treacherously by the Manipur Maharaja Chandrakirti at Chivu with

the help of his able Major Bir Tikendrajit and Major Thangal, and met a premature
death at Imphal, where he was put in prison. That was in the year 1871. However,
his great son, Sumkam continued the unfinished task of his father, resisted and
defeated the Manipuris, and reign over his subjects ably. He not only took strong
hold of his father’s kingdom, but actually extended them. Hence, Sumkam too, could
also be regarded as among the greatest Paite kings.

In order to avenge his father’s death, Sumkam in October 1873 invaded the Manipur
valley, and ravages 37 houses, with 17 killed and 78 Manipuris captured. The
Manipur raja, in order to pay back, sent a huge contingent in March, 1875, which
was but a failure. When by the end of 1876, Sumkam along with, 1500 men descended
the hills once again and surrounded Moirang, (situated in the Manipur plain,)
bordering the hills, the Raja sued for peace, accepting the terms of Sumkam, which
included surrendering the southern outskirts of Moirang as the natural line of
boundary between the two, and handling over Major Thanggal to the Sumkam. This was
the end of warfare between the two, as no further aggression or conquest was
recorded hereafter.

History records that Raja Goukhothang was the 22nd ruler of this dynasty, but some
records also wrote him as the 25th line of generations. This long dynasty began to
make its decline gradually after Sumkam, but still could hold on its weight till
Kamzamang, who had by then rule in the Southern Hills of Manipur. Kamzamang was
well known for his wealth, ability and intellect among the reigning kings of the
Paites, which attracted even some of the British Political Officials in Manipur to
visit his adorn court. See less