A Lecture Series on Zo-History-III with main focus on “Raja Goukhothang (1821-1872)” was held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the Rayburn College.
It was organised by the Zomi Chief Association and Department of History, Rayburn College where Prof Jangkhomang Guite of the Department of History & Anthropology, Nagaland University was the resource person.
On the occasion, Dr Kh Thianminlal Vaiphei, Vice Principal of Rayburn College, welcomed the gathering followed by a keynote address from the President of Zomi Chief Association, Pumzadou Thangsing who highlighted the exploits, life and greatness of Raja Goukhothang during his time and who died in captivity at Imphal.
As a resource person, Prof Jangkhomang Guite, said that guns were introduced in the early part of the 19th century which changed the war dynamics of the Zo descendents.
“At Mualpi village chief Mangsum and his son Raja Goukhothang reigned which led to the blooming of the village which had more than 700 households which showed their administration skills making it the biggest town for that time”, he said.
As they were a warrior tribe they raided and expanded their territories and so, under them the Zo descendents had peace and security, the resources person said.
He also said that Raja Goukhothang had raided the Manipur valley many times and as many of his subjects were raided in the Mizo Expedition (1872), he came to rescue them to shelter in a safer place. While helping his subjects, he was deceived by his enemies at Chivu and on 30th April, 1872, he died after being imprisoned.
“Today marks the 152nd death anniversary of Raja Goukhothang who is a patriot and a warrior who did not believe in defeat and subjugation of his people as shown by the Meetei Maharaja who asked him to help in his fight against his brother Kamhau-Sukte for which he refused. After his death, his son Sumkam took revenge and demarcated the boundaries of his territory from the valley at Moirang,” he said.
The lecture series on Zo History is an ongoing exercise by the ZCA and Department of History, Rayburn College where certain aspects of Zo history, especially their chief, had already been made in the first and second series.
On May 15, the organisers will organise a fourth series which will focus on “Raja Sumkam ( 1843-1893)” where Assistant Professor from JNU, Dr Mercy Vungthianmuang Guite will be the resource person.
