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The Contextual Linkages Between Recorded Mizo Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 82-89 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ISSN: 2456-3757 Vol. 04, No. 01 A Journal of Pachhunga University College Jan.-June, 2019 (A Peer Reviewed Journal) Open Access https://senhrijournal.ac.in DOI: 10.36110/sjms.2019.04.01.010 THE CONTEXTUAL LINKAGES BETWEEN RECORDED MIZO HISTORY AND LITERATURE: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS Ruatdiki Hmar 1* & Vanlaltana Khiangte2 1Department of Political Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram 2Department of Folkloristics, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Ruatdiki Hmar: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0208-3247 ABSTRACT There was a time when history and literature were regarded as a single field of study in the Mizo society. Mizo history showcased past events based on the actual occurrence of events while Mizo literature highlighted the culture, societal set up and lifestyles of the Mizo people. Mizo literature may not be regarded as a fully reliable source for undertaking a comprehensive, detailed analysis of Mizo history but is still able to offer an extensive insight due to the inclusion of the prevailing societal set up and lifestyle; the incorporation of characters created in accordance with those that may have existed in that particular mode of history; the emphasis on the political system and the turmoil that may have plagued the Mizo society at a particular phase in history. Mizo literature is richly laded with the political, economic and social realities that existed at different phases of Mizo history. This paper aims to partake on a critical analysis of the commonalities or the differences that may be located between the recorded history and the literature created or made available during that same historical period through selected Mizo literature that have time and again been regarded as reflective of Mizo history. Keywords: Mizo history, Mizo literature, contextual linkage, Mizo Union, MNF Movement. Introduction participants dead and its history told, is what the general public perceives as the K. Kris Hirsat said, “History is the immutable bedrock on which we historians study of the human past as it is described in and archeologist stand. But as a purveyors of the written documents left by human beings. the past, we recognized that the bedrock is The past, with all its decisions completed, really quick stand, that bits of the story are © SJMS, 2019 82 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 82-89 yet untold, and that what has been told novels are Thanpuii Thlan, written by comes tainted by the conditions of what we Vanlalrawna where the central point of the are today.” iHistory is also defined as the study will be based on the Mizo Union. events of a particular period, country, or ivThe second novel is Nunna Kawng subject; something that has been done or Thuampuiah written by Zikpuii Pav where experienced by a particular person or thing the MNF Movement will be the main point repeatedly over a long period (Cambridge of contention. These two works are in the Dictionary).iiHistory can best be summed up vernacular language from which relevant as the record of events that actually quotations were drawn accordingly.viThe happened in the past. It cannot be altered, Mizo Union was the first political party in extended or re-created based on one‟s view Mizoram, established on the 9th of April, point. It has to be recorded and written down 1946. It brought about political awakening in the exact manner in which events actually among the Mizo people. It successfully took place in the society. campaigned for the abolition of chieftainship. It rigorously fought for the Novels are tales or fabrications, creation of a District Council in Lushai Hills made up stories or anecdotes about events and rejected the Language Bill of 1960, that took place in the past where the introduced by the government of Assam characters‟ actions threw light on the past (Assamese was to be given the status of the and present journey embarked upon by man. official language of the state). The MNF The plots in novels are richly laden with Movement (referred to as rambuai in Mizo minute details and are highly complex.iii writings) occurred during the period of Novels can be described as a source for 1966-1986 where Lushai Hills witnessed drawing the amalgation of facts from fiction turmoil, instability due to the movement where the life experiences of man coupled spearheaded by nationalistic goals i.e. with his dreams, hopes, aspirations and ideas attainment of independence and autonomy are encapsulated into one form. Unlike for the Mizo people. This Movement history, which is recorded based on ultimately concluded with the signing of the historical facts and findings, novels use the Peace Accord on the 30th of June, 1986 characters as storytellers to depict the which led to the birth of the state of intentions and feelings that the author Mizoram. These segments/ areas of study intended to portray. This is one fundamental chosen for the paper all form a part of the difference between the two. Mizo political history i.e. are part of the For the purpose of this study, it is not major entities that shaped Mizo political possible to undertake an analytical study of history. all historical novels. Two historical novels Thanpuii Thlan and the Mizo Union which at a glimpse, appear to offer a contextual linkage between the historical Thanpuii Thlan written by Anthony events recorded at a particular time frame in Vanlalrawna in 2016 is a novel which Mizo history will be studied. These two follows the love and affection that © SJMS, 2019 83 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 82-89 blossomed between two people, during the to exert power and authority in the society period of formation of the first political was one of the defining features that party in Mizoram and the subsequent birth promoted the dissent of some people of a nationalistic party. His writing traces towards Mizo Union, paving way for their the emergence and birth of the Mizo Union alliance with the nationalist front.ix as a political party along with its profound The very first General Assembly of imprint on the minds of the Mizo people. Mizo Union was held in Sikulpui, where the In Thanpuii Thlan, special mention Mizo Union stated that, “Mizo Union was a of Mizo Union (the first political party in party that represents the entire Mizo society. Mizoram) was made numerous times. Nothing should transpire in Mizoram, Anthony Vanlalrawna writes “around two without the wishes and support of the Mizo months ago, a party called the Mizo Union Union as it is the people‟s representative”. was born in Aizawl. The leaders of the party This statement was not supported by the distributed themselves and went to all Deputy Commissioner (DC). The various villages, trying to win over the villagers and undertakings and proceedings of the Mizo get their approval”. The mention of the Union failed to win over the support and establishment of the Mizo Union in this approval of the administrators. When L. L. novel throws light on the initial years of its Peters was the DC, in matters of existence.vii disagreement he always sided with the nationalist group and always ruled against The opportunity towards generating the Mizo Union. Before giving the Mizo a societal upliftment within Mizoram and Union a chance to truly represent their side the transpiring of a greater Mizo unity wave of events, the DC jailed them immediately awoke the sentiments of the people created a without any fair trial. Such incidents were buzz of excitement amongst the people. The elaborated in Thanpuii Thlan. The writer writer mentions, “The male heads of all the writes, “The people no longer wanted to pay households willingly paid the membership taxes to the Chiefs which enraged the chiefs fee of one rupee. Their wives and children and the chiefs shared their grievances to the became associate members, and paid fifty DC. The DC in accordance with the paisa.” The swaying of the people‟s grievances shared by the Chiefs, issued an emotions and feelings coupled with the order and started arresting all the people subsequent lack of support from the whom the Chiefs had complained against. associates of the Chiefs led to a situation The accused were transported to Aizawl and where the pool of supporters later gave their were locked up.”x favor towards the nationalist driven front viiiwhich was established a year after Mizo These incidents mentioned in Union started making waves. Subsequently, Thanpuii Thlanare also mentioned in R. two groups i.e. the Mizo Union and the Vanlalawma‟s writings. R. Vanlalawma, a nationalistic driven front were both in the Mizo historian in his writings mentioned forefront. The desire for a handful of people that, “the Mizo Union took steps for the © SJMS, 2019 84 Senhri Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1 (January - June 2019), p. 82-89 removal of Pu Peter xi and undertook an With the new decree made by the agitation for his speedy removal from his Assam government, the institution of incumbent post. The agitation was to Chieftainship came to an end. Each village commence on the 28th of December, 1948. elected a Village council to undertake The President of Mizo Union during this governance and administration at the local period was Thanhlira. Thanhlira and level. In the elections for the Village Hrangaia, on behalf of the Mizo Union went Council, majority of the chosen people were to Shillong to share their discontentment all members of the Mizo Union.xiv With the about the DC; Pu Peter.
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