Book discussion on ‘His Majesty's Headhunters’ held

Morung Express News 
Chümoukedima | November 29

A book discussion was held on Mmhonlumo Kikon’s latest book titled, ‘His Majesty's Headhunters,’ on the first day of the two-day international conference ‘Leading Together Dialogues 2023’, which was held at Athens Hall, Tetso College, on November 28.
Kikon who is an author, poet and a two-time legislator in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2023, said the book is about the battle of Kohima during the Second World War.

He said that little is known about the siege of Kohima, considered a game-changing event that altered the course of world history during the Second World War. And as a legislator, he faced a lot of issues in the State, which he felt was a lot of spillover of the Naga history.

Consequently, he took it upon himself to bring out this book, providing a unique perspective on Nagaland and its warriors.
As a literature student, Kikon wanted to tell stories, where even children could read and understand. He hoped that the book will add to one's understanding of the battle and will show how it redefined a whole era.

The siege of Kohima is regarded as one of the more celebrated battles of D-Day and often referred to as the 'Stalingrad of the East' by Western scholars. Historians even believe that this was the last battle of the British Empire and the first battle of the 'New India.'

“However, that was just the tale told so far by everyone, except the Nagas,” he stated. “This rare and deeply researched historical account, drawing on records left by the officers and soldiers who fought in Kohima is a page-turner. It brings to light the valour and spirit of the Naga 'headhunters,' who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the honour of their people,” reads the prelude of the book.

Reflections on the book were given by students from TISS Guwahati, Savitribhai Phule Pune University, Stella Maris College and Tetso College.