Lalbura

Lalburha (, 1843–1933) was a Lushai chief in the Eastern Lushai Hills and ruled the settlement of Champhai. Lalbura is recognised for being the third son of Vonolel and the target of the Lushai Expedition in 1871. His anti-British diplomacy led to his participation in the Lushai Rising following British annexation of the Lushai Hills.

Chieftainship

Lalbura was one of the chiefs who participated in the raids leading to the Lushai Expedition. After Bengkhaia attacked Katlichera and Alexandrapore and captured Mary Winchester (Zoluti) several chiefs followed in similar fashion. Lalbura attacked Monierkhal outpost on January 20 1871 and killed 7 people while suffering heavy casualties on his side. Lalbura managed to capture 13 guns from the British forces in total. His raid was followed by Thanhranga, who attacked Nugdigram.

Lushai Expedition

The British arranged a punitive expedition targetted at Lalbura as part of the overall campaign. The Cachar column which was prepared for the Eastern Lushai chiefs were aided by Western Lushai chiefs such as Sukpilal and Khalkam. Lalbura refused to cooperate with the British and instead opted for resistance against the expedition. General Bourchier of the Cachar Column prepared his forces to overwhelm Lalbura. However, Lalbura left the settlement before the column arrived. Only his father, Vonolel's tomb, remained in the settlement. Lalbura had left the village on account of his father's death and a Sukte invasion and escaped South-East of Champhai. Lalbura's mother, Rolianpuii, and her ''Upas'' surrendered to the column and concluded peace with the British instead.

It was recorded that the Manipur contingent withdrew due to a disease outbreak among troops. This incentivised the Sukte tribes, historical enemies of the Lushais, to descend on Lalbura's settlement amidst the panic of the expedition.

The Sukte tribes held grievances against Lalbura and his father Vanhnuailiana. At a time when the Sukte's were short of food and requested aid, both Lalbura and Vanhuailiana turned them away. The Suktes were prepared to purchase rice but still turned away empty handed. A second attempt to purchase rice was made and Vanhnuailiana with Lalbura killed one of the party members. This had led to war between the Suktes and the Eastern Lushais. The Suktes later claimed to have destroyed Tumpai, Lemkam and Tatlangkwa and overran the country around Champhai with many heads and captives. The Siyin tribes also joined in, and as a result, Lushai slaves were settled in the Chin Hills under their settlements.

Lalbura retaliated with two invasions into the Sukte territories. His first attempt to invade Saiyan failed after his party was spotted and counter attacked until it retreated. The first skirmish led to the death of seven Lushais. His second attempt was targetted at Molbem. Lalbura succeeded in crossing the Manipur river unobserved. However, Molbem's position at the top of the mountain fortified itself against the attack and forced Lalbura to retreat. Crossing the Manipur River back into Champhai saw two Lushais drown. Lalbura succeeded in defending his settlement but at a heavy cost. His stockades and defences were destroyed and this incentivised him to burn down his village and leave it. Only his father, Vonolel's tomb remained untouched. The Upas of Rolianpuii met with the British column encamped at Vonolel's tomb and negotiated peace terms on 18th February 1872. The terms were that:
*British agents would have free access to the village.
*Three hostages would accompany the force to Tipaimukh if Lalbura could not be surrendered into their custody.
*Arms and guns taken from the raids at Moinerkhal and Nugdigram would be surrendered. If unable to, then their own weapons would compensate the ones looted.
*A fine of two elephant tusks, a necklace, and a war gong. Along with the fine, a number of animals were demanded, consisting of four mithuns, ten goats, ten pigs, fifty fowls and twenty maunds of husked rice.
If the last two terms were unable to be completed, then the column would attack the settlement of Rolianpuii in Chawnchhim on the 20th of February. The column moved to Rolianpuii's village of Chawchhin. Difficulties were proclaimed in collecting the muskets but the quota was fulfilled by nighttime and three ''upas'' were chosen to accompany the column to Tipaimukh.

Chin-Lushai Expedition

After the annexation of the Lushai Hills with the Chin-Lushai Expedition, R.B McCabe was appointed the first political officer of the North Lushai Hills. McCabe set up camp at Lalbura's settlement of the same name as he was the only powerful Eastern Lushai chief apart from Vuta's son, Kairuma. McCabe hoped to use Lalbura's settlement as a base to collect taxes and demand labour as coolies. McCabe hesitated at the prospect until John Shakespear of the South Lushai Hills guaranteed him help. In February 1892, McCabe ordered Lalbura to supply 100 coolies which Lalbura refused. Most Eastern Lushai chiefs were not hostile in regards to the new house tax and coolie system apart from Bungtey and Lalbura. Lalbura attempted to make a defensive alliance with Vuta's sons but failed. McCabe departed for Lalbura's settlement on 28th February. Along the way McCabe found Lalbura's men burning his camp at Sonai. When McCabe reached Lalbura's settlement on the 29th of February, 300 Lushais were seen advancing. McCabe ordered a volley to be fired to subdue them temporarily. However, the settlement began to burn and McCabe and his men and coolies took shelter in a heap of baggage and belongings in the middle of the settlement amidst musket shots being fired. The Lushais under Lalbura had thought to blockade the British by trapping them inside a hilly ravine surrounded by burning buildings. Lalbura was supported by other resistant chiefs such as Poiboi, Lemkham and Bungteya. The chiefs continued to attack McCabe's position between 1 March-10 April 1892. Furthermore, Poiboi and Lalbura raided a tea estate in Cachar on 4 April in Hailakandi of Cachar. The resisting chiefs continued to raid supplies and transport causing losses to the British garrisons in the Lushai Hills.

McCabe as a result brought reinforcements from the Bengali infantry who arrived on 19 March. On 14 April, Poiboi was captured. Bungteya was captured on the 7th of May and Lalbura became a fugitive with little resistance to the British remaining. Lalbura eventually submitted and by 1896, A.Porteus commented that Lalbura had received him in his village like any other chief who had reconciled with the expedition. A fort was established on top of Lalbura village and their arms were confiscated.

Biography

Family

Lalbura was the son of Vanhnuailiana and Rolianpuii. His sister Ropuiliani was wedded to Vandula of the Howlong chiefs. Lalbura had four sons, namely Rokima of Arro, Lalhluta of Khawzawl, Thangchungnunga of Chhawrtui and Chawnbika of Vancheng.

Death

Lalbura would move from Sesawng village to Phunchawngzal and die in 1933.

Notes

References

Source

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

{{Lushai frontier

Eastern Lushai chiefs
History of Mizoram
Mizo chiefs
Mizo clans
Mizoram