Banaitangi

Banaitangi
Chiefainess Lal
Predecessor	Mungpira
Born	1835
Died	1884 Tanhril (borough of present-day Aizawl)
Spouse	Murchuilal (February 1865)
Issue	Laljachaja, Van Khampui
House	Sailo
Father	Lalmanga
Mother	Pibuk
Religion	Sakhua

Banaitangi was a Lushai chieftainess known as the sister of Sukpilal and wife of Murchuilal. She is most known for her beauty and poetry at the time and her separation from her husband. She was the first Lushai chieftainess to venture into the plains of Bengal.

Chieftainship

After Banaitangi was married to Murchuilal, she gained a positive reputation as a kind and compassionate chief compared to others. Due to the fact that Murchuilal spent time with his father, Lalchukla, who was captive in Sylhet, Banaitangi was encouraged to take an interest in public life and facets of chieftainship. She was the first Lushai chieftainess to come down to the plains of Sylhet, Agartala and Dhaka.

Quarrel with her husband

Murchuilal after marriage found Banaitangi to be an expensive wife. Banaitangi took control of managing estates and taking on roles of chieftainship in Murchuilal's absence. Laljeeka also raided Murchuilal's settlements as a revenge for Banaitangi'sa marriage rejection. In return, Sukpilal took revenge on Laljeeka and forced him to take refuge under the eastern chiefs. Due to these issues, and Banaitangi's acumen in accumulating influence over his own power, Murchuilal under the influence of Zu (rice beer) assaulted Banaitangi. Banaitangi in return swore revenge and Murchuilal ordered her arrest. In the middle of the night, Banaitangi with a few loyal nobles escaped Murchuilal's village in January 1871 and in three days managed to reach Sukpilal's village of Reiek. Petty chiefs such as Roona and Mona followed her as well. Sukpilal and her mother Pibuk made peace with Laljeeka to invade Murchuilal's estate. Banaitangi ruled her own estates similar to before her marriage as an independent chieftainess. Murchuilal attempted to mend the separation and offer her to raise his sons but she refused and he passed away soon after.

Later life

Banaitangi after the death of her husband followed customary practices on widowhood. She observed widow penance known as thlahual. Upon meeting with Major Boyd in 1881 her poor health had physically aged her further than she truly was. She clad herself in a white sari during her widow years. She also conducted an interview in Bengali with Boyd's assistant Hari Charan Sharma in her settlement's zawlbuk on 3 February 1881. The interview was a surprise to British officials as the trial of her father-in-law Lalchukla had created opposition from chiefs to cooperate with the British. Due to this, she is considered the first Lushai lady and chieftainess to hold diplomatic relations with the British.

Biography

Western Lushai-Paite Chiefs Family Tree
Chungpui Lalkalim Kuja Lalpuimui Lallula Buntai Laroo Botai Lindu Vuta Lallianvunga Lalpuiliana Mungpira Pibuk Lalchukla Lalmee Singh Lal Hlun Ruthangpi Rungpung Thangbong Sukpilal Banaitangi Murchuilal Dakunipur Thangula Banruma Laljachera Bankhampui Lalchunga Khalkam Lengpunga Sailenpui Thanruma Lalhring Lakarunga Thangkupa Jarak Dokoma Tulera Lalsavuta Thangvuta

Early Life

Banaitangi was born to Chief Mungpira and his wife Pibuk in 1835. She was the sister of Sukpilal and granddaughter of Lallula.

Marriage and Family

Banaitangi was married to Murchuilal in February of 1885. She had two sons namely Laljachaja and Bamkhampui. For her marriage, Sukpilal raided Adampore and provided several Bengali maidens to serve her in her new life. Due to this, Banaitangi became fluent in Bengali. Oral history recounts Banaitangi's beauty and how high her bride price was as a result which prevented many Lushai chiefs from being able to marry her. A southern chief named Laljeeka offered to marry Banaitangi but she refused him but she was already arranged to be married to her cousin Murchuilal. However, the marriage to Murchuilal was delayed due to the expenses of conducting the trial on Lalchukla. It is said it took two years for Murchuilal to afford the bride price for Banaitangi as a result. For their marriage, Banaitangi composed her own hla (song/poem).

Death

Banaitangi passed away in 1885 in her own settlement. Her legacy saw a fusion and acceptance of cultural practices from the plains. She introduced Hindu melodies into Mizo hla and mixed traditional puan cloths with artistic embroideries through Muslim and Hindu accessories. However, most of her poems are lost or corrupted through village bards, largely lost to time. Her son Bankhampui became a renowned poet.

Sources

• Chatterjee, Suhas (1985). British rule in Mizoram. New Delhi: Mittal Publications.

• Chatterjee, Suhas (1994). Making of Mizoram: Role of Laldenga. new Delhi: M D Publications. ISBN 81-85880-38-7.

• Chatterjee, Suhas (1995). Mizo Chiefs and the Chiefdom. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. ISBN 81-85880-72-7.

• Chatterjee, Suhas (1990). Mizo Encyclopaedia. Aizawl: Jaico Publsihing House.