The Death Anniversary of Haipou Jadonnang - August 29

DAOCHJ *

Haipou Jadonang Marangmei

The Death Anniversary of HAIPOU JADONNANG , the pioneer freedom fighter of Zeliangrong is observed in every Zeliangrong inhabited areas on 29th August of every year in commemoration of the hanging of Zeliangrong Hero HAIPOU JADONNANG on this day in 1931, by the Britishers who captured the hero on the 19th February, 1931, after his returned with Gaidinliu (also a freedom fighter) from Bhubon Cave in Cachar (Assam) after having worshipped God.

Haipou Jadonnang was born in 1905 to Thiudai Malangmei (Father) and Tabonliu (Mother) at Kambiron (Puiluan) Village in Tamenglong District of Manipur when the social, economic and political situation of the society was in a deplorable state. One of the worst was the process of ethinic disintegration of his own people into Zemei, Liangmei, Kabui/Rongmei and Puimei. He was the youngest of the three sons.

Jadonnang was one of the first Naga person who claimed himself to be "Messiah King" of the Nagas to liberate his people from the rule of the British according to that his tradition held. And as such a god-affected man he carried on some activities successfully. He also became very popular for his prophecies, healing, religious and social activities.

Visualizing the future Naga Raj, Jadonnang started organizing his people to put up an opposition against the British. To do that Jadonnang felt that social movement should come first before political movement was launched. The freedom struggle of Zeliangrong tribe under the leadership of Jadonnang spread like wildfire and engulfed the whole Zeliangrong areas and further widened its influence upon neighbouring areas.

The freedom struggle was so widespread that Jadonnang also learnt ail about Mahatma Gandhi. Knowing the might of the British power, Jadonnang attempted to take the help of Mahatmaji for liberation of his people from the yoke of colonial rule for which he even composed a song and arranged a dancing troupe consisting of 100 boys and 100 girls to be presented in Silchar where Gandhiji proposed to pay a visit in 1927. But Gandhiji failed to come to Silchar on account of some unavoidable circumstances. He really missed the opportunity to meet Gandhiji personally. Nevertheless he praised the name of Mahatma Gandhi and regard him as his unseen political guru.

Like Mahatma Gandhi, Jadonnang also propagated that people should openly reject the laws of the British. They should neither cooperate with the British officials nor pay taxes to them. This sort of non-cooperation movement of Jadonnang created difficulty for the officials to carry out their duties and as such J.C. Higgins, the then Political Agent of Manipur ordered to arrest Jadonnang before the situation went out of control. Jadonnang was arrested in 1927 by S.C. Booth, SDO of Tamenglong Headquarters and imprisoned him at the jail of Tamenglong Hqrs. for calling the people to fight against the British Government and thereby "causing unrest among the Kabuis".

After his release from jail, he designed different techniques to politically awaken the minds of the masses channelising through songs, dances and cultural revivalism. He even invented scripts and taught his followers to communicate through this writing.

Confronted by the outburst of violence and murder the Political Agent of Manipur State, J.C. Higgins finally succeeded in arresting Jadonnang on 19th February, 1931 at Cachar, Assam. On 29th March, 1931 Jadonnang was brought to Imphal and was kept in a worst room at Imphal Jail, while prosecution against him and some of his followers was going on at the court of the Manipur Political Agent.

After a short trail J.C. Higgins, the then Political Agent of Manipur who combined in himself the role of policemen, prosecution lawyers and judge passed a death sentence to Jadonnang. At last, on Saturday 29th August, 1931 in the agony of sorrow and breath of bravely, Jadonnang was hanged on the order of the British Government on the bank of Nambul River behind the Imphal Central Jail leaving behind a legacy of struggle.

Thus the pioneer and champion of anti-colonial movement in the Northeast India ended his life as a martyr. Thus ended the journey of this sacrificing soul he dedicated his life for the progress and upliftment of his people, though his dream of uniting his people is yet to see the light of reality but it would be decades when another such being comes in our midst.

DAOCHJ

Article on Haipou Jadonang Marangmei

• Haipou Jadonang Marangmei - The Martyr – Part 1 :: Dr. Heera Marangmei Kabui
• Haipou Jadonang Marangmei - The Martyr – Part 2 :: Dr. Heera Marangmei Kabui
• Haipou Jadonang : His Religious reform movement -Part 1 :: Dr Budha Kamei
• Haipou Jadonang : His Religious reform movement -Part 2 :: Dr Budha Kamei
• Haipou Jadonang - our leader :: Tasile N Zeliang
• Haipou Jadonang : A freedom fighter :: Thunbui Zeliang & Romeo Palmei