Rani Gaidinliu (Aged 78) was a Naga spiritual and political leader who was born on January 26, 1915, in Nungkao, Tamenglong, India. At the age of 13, in 1927, she joined the Heraka movement led by her cousin Haipou Jadonang, who had become a prominent local leader by then. Jadonang’s movement aimed to revive the Naga tribal religion. After Jadonang was arrested and hanged by the British in 1931, Gaidinliu emerged as his spiritual and political successor.
Inspired by Jadonang’s ideology and principles, Gaidinliu became his disciple and a member of his movement against the British. By the age of 16, in just three years, she became a leader of guerrilla forces fighting against the British rulers. She was taken to Imphal, where she was convicted on charges of murder and abetment of murder following a 10-month trial. The Political Agent’s Court sentenced her to life imprisonment for abetment of murder. Most of her associates were either executed or jailed.
Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937 and promised to work for her release. Nehru gave her the title of “Rani” (“Queen”), and she became popular locally as Rani Gaidinliu. She passed away on February 17, 1993, in Longkao, Manipur, India.
Rani Gaidinliu
(1915 – 1993) – (Manipur)
Rani Gaidinliu (Aged 78) was a Naga spiritual and political leader who was born on January 26, 1915, in Nungkao, Tamenglong, India. At the age of 13, in 1927, she joined the Heraka movement led by her cousin Haipou Jadonang, who had become a prominent local leader by then. Jadonang’s movement aimed to revive the Naga tribal religion. After Jadonang was arrested and hanged by the British in 1931, Gaidinliu emerged as his spiritual and political successor.
Inspired by Jadonang’s ideology and principles, Gaidinliu became his disciple and a member of his movement against the British. By the age of 16, in just three years, she became a leader of guerrilla forces fighting against the British rulers. She was taken to Imphal, where she was convicted on charges of murder and abetment of murder following a 10-month trial. The Political Agent’s Court sentenced her to life imprisonment for abetment of murder. Most of her associates were either executed or jailed.
Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937 and promised to work for her release. Nehru gave her the title of “Rani” (“Queen”), and she became popular locally as Rani Gaidinliu. She passed away on February 17, 1993, in Longkao, Manipur, India.
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