Rani Gaidinliu

In News 

• Recently, Union Home Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the ‘Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum’ in Manipur’s Tamenglong district. 

About Museum Project

• The museum project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India in 2019. 
• This would help in preserving and exhibiting artefacts related to the tribal freedom fighters those involved in different stages of the fight against the British colonial rule like the Anglo-Manipuri War, Kuki-Rebellion, Naga-Raj movements, among others.

About Rani Gaidinliu

• She was born on January 26, 1915, in the present-day Tamenglong district of Manipur and died in 1993. 
• She was the Naga spiritual and political leader who belonged to the Rongmei tribe (also known as Kabui).
• She led an armed uprising against the British in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam
•  In 1927, at the age of 13, Gaidinliu, along with her cousin Haipou Jadonang, joined the Heraka movement, which aimed at the revival of the Naga tribal religion and establish self-rule of the Nagas (Naga Raj) ending the British rule.
• She was arrested in 1932 when she was just 16 and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the British rulers. 
  • Between 1932 and 1947, the Naga freedom fighter was kept at several prisons across the Northeast.

• After being released in 1947 she continued to work for the betterment of the community. 

• She passed away on February 17, 1993, at her native village Luangkao.

Image Courtsey: PIB

Legacy

• She was the epitome of valour & courage. 
• She was one of the few women political leaders who exhibited outstanding courage during the colonial period, despite limitations.

Steps to honour her 

• Jawaharlal Nehru called her the “Daughter of the Hills” and gave her the title “Rani” or queen acknowledging her role in the struggle against the British,

• In 1972, she was awarded Tamara Patra by the Government of India for her contribution to the freedom movement.
•  She also received the Padma Bhushan in 1982. 
• In 1996, the Union government issued a commemorative postage stamp in her honour. 
• Vivekananda Sewa Summan in 1983, and Stree Shakti Puraskar in 1991. 
• She posthumously was awarded the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Puraskar in 1996.
  • The Government of India also issued a commemorative stamp in her honour in the same year.
• The Centre also released a Rs 100 commemorative coin in 2015 on the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary.
• The Indian Coast Guard commissioned a Fast Patrol Vessel “ICGS Rani Gaidinliu” in 2016. 

Source: IE