ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the conduct of war by the Kukis in their fight against the British (1917–1919) and argues that their tactics were confined to guerrilla warfare or ‘hit and run tactics’, deception, ambuscading and forage, and explored the application of technology such as fortification of villages, constructions of stockades or breastwork, stone traps or chutes, panjies and leather cannons, at different strategic points along the routes leading to villages and the forest camps. They made gunpowder from the excreta of human and birds and laid firearms as traps, which proved that Kukis were very intelligent. This chapter is an exploratory study on the war rites and the various signs and symbols: Sajamlhah (sending off piece of meat), sending bullets to disloyal members as stern warning to betrayer, beads that signify obedience and cooperation, sword as a notification and command from the rajas for urgent meeting, the use of gong as signals for retreat from the battlefields for security reasons and thingkho-le-malcahpom (charred wood tied with red chilli) as a warning system for possible wars. Also, a command to fight the British from their respective areas was critically examined from their traditional practices and cultural perspectives.
