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In the beginning of the 18th century, Manipur had a heteragenous population—the Meeteis in the valley areas were the followers of al1 ancient Meitei religion; the hill tribes of the surrounding hill areas were the practioners of the primeval tribal religion and the Shan of Kabow Valley in the Eastern frontier were the followers of Buddhism. Prior to the coming of Christianity, several Mission societies, including the American and the Welsh Mission had made an attempt to establish its Mission Centre in Manipur.
But until the end of the 19th century, they were not allowed to enter the State, because of strong opposition from the Raja and the people. Moreover, the British official had to maintain status quo in religious matter and Mr Maxwe11, the then Political Agent of Manipur was fully conscious of the fact. Since the revolt of 1857, the British in India had a social policy in their relationship with the princely States that they should not interfere with anyone’s religion but maintain strict neutrality.
Willing Pettigrew was the first Foreign Missionary to land on the soil of Manipur on 6th February 1894. With the consent of Mr A Portious, the Acting Political Agent (as the po1itica1 agent Major Maxwell was on furlough), Pettigrew was able to establish a school at Imphal (at Moirangkhom), named after himself as Pettigrew Lower Primary School. After six months of working among the Meitei, he was not allowed to continue his work in the valley. This happened when the then Po1itica1 Agent Major Maxwel1 returned from furlough. As he found the Hindu Meiteis alarmed by Pettigrew’s work, he immediately ordered the Missionary to stop working and leave Imphal.
From December 1894 till December 1895, Pettigrew searched for a suitable location for his new mission. First, he turned to the South and approached Kamkholun Singson, a Thadou Kuki Chief of Senvon Village, in December, 1895. But as Pettigrew and his teaching was not welcomed by the Chief the Missionary proceeded towards the North-West to the Mao areas. Here too, he faced the same treatment he met in the South. Not only these, he was warned by the village authorities to leave the place as soon as possible. In his search for a suitable location, he came to Ukhrul and went as far as Paoyi to the North; and on his return from Paoyi he came upto Shirui Mountain and further to Khangkhui. Having wandered through some of the neighbouring villages he finally came back to Ukhrul and decided that it was most suitable place for his Missionary work. In 1901, twelve students of the Mission School including the Kukis and Nagas, established during the last decade of the 19th century at Ukhrul in the hills North and East of Imphal were baptised and in the following year (in 1902) a Church was organised. This Phungyo Baptist Church became the first Baptist Church in Manipur. In fact, as far as conversions are concerned, the two communities of the Nagas and the Kukis were the first to have received Christianity. In 1906, twenty-five new converts were added. By 1907, the Christians numbered seventy. The Ukhrul Mission School was attended both by the Nagas and the Kukis as well. Among the kukis, we can mention Pu Teba Kilong, Pu Longkhobe1 Kilong, Pu Seilut Singson, Pu Jamkithang Sitlhou, Pu Tongngul Gangte, Pu Helkhup Chongloi, Pu Pakho Sitlhou, Pu Thangneilal, Pu Dengkho, etc. They were the first among the Kukis who got their schooling in the Ukhrul Mission School, the first Mission School in Manipur.
In the year 1910, Pettigrew was appointed as the Superintendent of the first real census of the hill tribes of Manipur, as he had already learnt to deal with the tribes of Anals, Kukis, Tangkhuls, Mizos and others. For the second time, Pettigrew went to the South and preached the Gospel for two years, ie from 1911 to 1912 at Senvon, Lailong, Saichang, Parbung, Songsang and at Phenjol Villges. When the need for more Missionaries arose, Rev and Mrs UM Fox came from America to Ukhrul in 1911. During the first five years of stay, Rev Fox opened the gate for higher education.
In 1912, nine students of Ukhrul Mission School were Baptized. Among them the names of our Kukis are included viz Teba, Longkholel Helkhup and Jamkithang. During the next few years other Kuki students were converted. On the 30th of August, 1913, three couples namely Pu Lhingkhosei and his wife Pi Chonghoi, Pu Let’am Kipgen and his wife Pi Chinthem, Pu VunYaseh and his wife Pi Phalkim were Baptized by Mr UM Fox. Mr UM Fox also wanted to baptize the Christians of Tujangwaichong Vi11age. Before he leaved for his country, as he was not able to reach the village, he asked them to meet him at Karong. The villagers, accordingly, came to the place accompanied by their Chief Pu Songjapao Kipgen. Seeing the Kuki Chief, the Missionary was delighted and on the 12th of December, 1914, UM Fox baptized 12 persons including the Chief at the Karong River. On this auspicious day, Rev UM Fox declared the establishment of the Tujangwaichong Baptist Church and nominated Pu T Lhingkhosei Kipgen and Pu Let’am Kipgen as Church Pastor and Deacon respectively. Thus, Tujangwaichong Baptist Church became the second Baptist Church in Manipur and the first among the kukis. It was established at Karong by declaration, due to time constraints faced by the great Missionary.
In 1915, Rev UM Fox Baptized Maipak Kabui, Kachindai Kacha-Naga, Bhagirath Gurkha, Thanga Hmar, Jaison Kom-Kuki and Manjaching at Impha1. Longkhole1 Kilong was appointed the first Evangelist among the Kukis. Through his endeavour, the Langkhong Church was established. The Magui Church, which is the oldest, came into existence through Nehseh, the first convert among the Thadou-Kukis. In June of the same year, as demanded by the villagers, Rev Pettigrew established LP School in Tujang Waichong and deputed Pu Ngulhao Thomsong as teacher (1915-1917) with the initial enrolment of 13 students.
Through the invitation of Pu Longkhobel and his Co-workers, Churches were established in Songphel Khollen in Tamenglong district, Tongkoi and Kachai Village in Ukhrul District. Longkhobel was appointed by Pettigrew as an Evangelist for the west District of Manipur in 1914. He propagated the good news to every wild tribes he came across and converted many people. He had greatly influenced his family and relatives, so his whole family converted. His Uncles Pu Choison Kilong and Pu Yampu Karong (Kilong) and their entire families along with his aunts and their families accepted Christianity and were baptized at the hands of Rev UM Fox at Kaishamthong Baptist Church in 1915. With the help of these converted relatives and Pu Semkhopao Haokip, they established the Mokokching Baptist Church on 7th March, 1917—the 5th Baptist church in Manipur and 2nd Baptist Church among the Kukis.
The growing increase in local Churches and the widening on the frontier of Missionary Movement necessitate the formation of (what was known as) the Manipur Christian Association in November, 1916, the first of its kind and its initial convention was held at Ukhrul in 1917. Meanwhile, a war broke out between the Kukis and the British, known as the “First Kuki War of Independence” in December 19, 1917. After the war was over, Pettigrew was convinced that the Mission Centre should be moved to a more convenient place in the valley as the Ukhrul Centre was quite isolated from the rest of the State.
In consideration of the contribution made by the missionaries and the native Christians towards the global war and the Kuki Punitive Measure (KPM), the State Government had granted a land for the new Mission Head quarters at Kangpokpi on the Imphal-Dimapur Road. In 1919, when the Pettigrew’s were on furlough, Dr Crozier started the work of clearing and building at the new location in Kangpokpi under the direction of a Kuki Christian, Pu Seilet (Seikholet) Singson. Before he started his Mission works at Kangpokpi, Crozier first, went to some Kuki dominated areas and meet the two Kuki chiefs of Sangnao (Sitlhou Clan) and Santing. Crozier informed the two chiefs about his intention of estab1ishing a Mission Centre.
He promised to connect their villages by road, provided the chiefs granted the needed land for the same. But, one after another, the two chiefs refused to accede to his request. So, in November, 1919, the Croziers moved to the new Centre and was joined 1ater by the Pettigrew in 1920. Thus for the first time, Dr Crozier started the first Missionary Dispensary and Leper Asylum at New Mission Station on 7th November, 1919. A Middle English School and Orphanage were also established.
By H Haokip
—to be contd
Source: THE SANGAI EXPRESS
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
But until the end of the 19th century, they were not allowed to enter the State, because of strong opposition from the Raja and the people. Moreover, the British official had to maintain status quo in religious matter and Mr Maxwe11, the then Political Agent of Manipur was fully conscious of the fact. Since the revolt of 1857, the British in India had a social policy in their relationship with the princely States that they should not interfere with anyone’s religion but maintain strict neutrality.
Willing Pettigrew was the first Foreign Missionary to land on the soil of Manipur on 6th February 1894. With the consent of Mr A Portious, the Acting Political Agent (as the po1itica1 agent Major Maxwell was on furlough), Pettigrew was able to establish a school at Imphal (at Moirangkhom), named after himself as Pettigrew Lower Primary School. After six months of working among the Meitei, he was not allowed to continue his work in the valley. This happened when the then Po1itica1 Agent Major Maxwel1 returned from furlough. As he found the Hindu Meiteis alarmed by Pettigrew’s work, he immediately ordered the Missionary to stop working and leave Imphal.
From December 1894 till December 1895, Pettigrew searched for a suitable location for his new mission. First, he turned to the South and approached Kamkholun Singson, a Thadou Kuki Chief of Senvon Village, in December, 1895. But as Pettigrew and his teaching was not welcomed by the Chief the Missionary proceeded towards the North-West to the Mao areas. Here too, he faced the same treatment he met in the South. Not only these, he was warned by the village authorities to leave the place as soon as possible. In his search for a suitable location, he came to Ukhrul and went as far as Paoyi to the North; and on his return from Paoyi he came upto Shirui Mountain and further to Khangkhui. Having wandered through some of the neighbouring villages he finally came back to Ukhrul and decided that it was most suitable place for his Missionary work. In 1901, twelve students of the Mission School including the Kukis and Nagas, established during the last decade of the 19th century at Ukhrul in the hills North and East of Imphal were baptised and in the following year (in 1902) a Church was organised. This Phungyo Baptist Church became the first Baptist Church in Manipur. In fact, as far as conversions are concerned, the two communities of the Nagas and the Kukis were the first to have received Christianity. In 1906, twenty-five new converts were added. By 1907, the Christians numbered seventy. The Ukhrul Mission School was attended both by the Nagas and the Kukis as well. Among the kukis, we can mention Pu Teba Kilong, Pu Longkhobe1 Kilong, Pu Seilut Singson, Pu Jamkithang Sitlhou, Pu Tongngul Gangte, Pu Helkhup Chongloi, Pu Pakho Sitlhou, Pu Thangneilal, Pu Dengkho, etc. They were the first among the Kukis who got their schooling in the Ukhrul Mission School, the first Mission School in Manipur.
In the year 1910, Pettigrew was appointed as the Superintendent of the first real census of the hill tribes of Manipur, as he had already learnt to deal with the tribes of Anals, Kukis, Tangkhuls, Mizos and others. For the second time, Pettigrew went to the South and preached the Gospel for two years, ie from 1911 to 1912 at Senvon, Lailong, Saichang, Parbung, Songsang and at Phenjol Villges. When the need for more Missionaries arose, Rev and Mrs UM Fox came from America to Ukhrul in 1911. During the first five years of stay, Rev Fox opened the gate for higher education.
In 1912, nine students of Ukhrul Mission School were Baptized. Among them the names of our Kukis are included viz Teba, Longkholel Helkhup and Jamkithang. During the next few years other Kuki students were converted. On the 30th of August, 1913, three couples namely Pu Lhingkhosei and his wife Pi Chonghoi, Pu Let’am Kipgen and his wife Pi Chinthem, Pu VunYaseh and his wife Pi Phalkim were Baptized by Mr UM Fox. Mr UM Fox also wanted to baptize the Christians of Tujangwaichong Vi11age. Before he leaved for his country, as he was not able to reach the village, he asked them to meet him at Karong. The villagers, accordingly, came to the place accompanied by their Chief Pu Songjapao Kipgen. Seeing the Kuki Chief, the Missionary was delighted and on the 12th of December, 1914, UM Fox baptized 12 persons including the Chief at the Karong River. On this auspicious day, Rev UM Fox declared the establishment of the Tujangwaichong Baptist Church and nominated Pu T Lhingkhosei Kipgen and Pu Let’am Kipgen as Church Pastor and Deacon respectively. Thus, Tujangwaichong Baptist Church became the second Baptist Church in Manipur and the first among the kukis. It was established at Karong by declaration, due to time constraints faced by the great Missionary.
In 1915, Rev UM Fox Baptized Maipak Kabui, Kachindai Kacha-Naga, Bhagirath Gurkha, Thanga Hmar, Jaison Kom-Kuki and Manjaching at Impha1. Longkhole1 Kilong was appointed the first Evangelist among the Kukis. Through his endeavour, the Langkhong Church was established. The Magui Church, which is the oldest, came into existence through Nehseh, the first convert among the Thadou-Kukis. In June of the same year, as demanded by the villagers, Rev Pettigrew established LP School in Tujang Waichong and deputed Pu Ngulhao Thomsong as teacher (1915-1917) with the initial enrolment of 13 students.
Through the invitation of Pu Longkhobel and his Co-workers, Churches were established in Songphel Khollen in Tamenglong district, Tongkoi and Kachai Village in Ukhrul District. Longkhobel was appointed by Pettigrew as an Evangelist for the west District of Manipur in 1914. He propagated the good news to every wild tribes he came across and converted many people. He had greatly influenced his family and relatives, so his whole family converted. His Uncles Pu Choison Kilong and Pu Yampu Karong (Kilong) and their entire families along with his aunts and their families accepted Christianity and were baptized at the hands of Rev UM Fox at Kaishamthong Baptist Church in 1915. With the help of these converted relatives and Pu Semkhopao Haokip, they established the Mokokching Baptist Church on 7th March, 1917—the 5th Baptist church in Manipur and 2nd Baptist Church among the Kukis.
The growing increase in local Churches and the widening on the frontier of Missionary Movement necessitate the formation of (what was known as) the Manipur Christian Association in November, 1916, the first of its kind and its initial convention was held at Ukhrul in 1917. Meanwhile, a war broke out between the Kukis and the British, known as the “First Kuki War of Independence” in December 19, 1917. After the war was over, Pettigrew was convinced that the Mission Centre should be moved to a more convenient place in the valley as the Ukhrul Centre was quite isolated from the rest of the State.
In consideration of the contribution made by the missionaries and the native Christians towards the global war and the Kuki Punitive Measure (KPM), the State Government had granted a land for the new Mission Head quarters at Kangpokpi on the Imphal-Dimapur Road. In 1919, when the Pettigrew’s were on furlough, Dr Crozier started the work of clearing and building at the new location in Kangpokpi under the direction of a Kuki Christian, Pu Seilet (Seikholet) Singson. Before he started his Mission works at Kangpokpi, Crozier first, went to some Kuki dominated areas and meet the two Kuki chiefs of Sangnao (Sitlhou Clan) and Santing. Crozier informed the two chiefs about his intention of estab1ishing a Mission Centre.
He promised to connect their villages by road, provided the chiefs granted the needed land for the same. But, one after another, the two chiefs refused to accede to his request. So, in November, 1919, the Croziers moved to the new Centre and was joined 1ater by the Pettigrew in 1920. Thus for the first time, Dr Crozier started the first Missionary Dispensary and Leper Asylum at New Mission Station on 7th November, 1919. A Middle English School and Orphanage were also established.
By H Haokip
—to be contd
Source: THE SANGAI EXPRESS
.::. All my articles can be view here: MELTED HEARTS .::.
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