Though the office of the Western Rengma Hoho has given a press release in the local papers regarding formation of Western Rengma Hoho, yet it is desirable to give more information in better detail for public consumption about Rengma.
Several centuries before the advent of Ahom (the Shan tribe of central China) into the present Assam, the Rengmas had already established their country with Serna in the east, Lotha and Sibsagar in the North, Nowgong in the West and north Cachar and Angamis in the South. The Ahom entered Assam during 1228 A.D under the leadership of Prince Sukapha and came in contact with Rengma,first in the Sibsagar area. The Rengma and the Ahoms exchanged gifts of elephant tusks by Rengma and sword by Ahom. The Ahoms settled down in the plain areas outside Rengma country. There is no traditional or written record of enmity between them at any point of time, rather extended mutual help to each other in time of necessity. The Rengmas and Ahoms lived side by side independent of each other. The country of Ahoms and Rengma Naga and other Nagas were demarcated with clear boundary lines by jointly constructing embankments known as Lodoigarh,the Nagas bunds and Dodhar Ali, especially in Savasagar (Sibsagar) and Lakhimpur districts.
The Rengma Nagas and the Ahoms jointly resisted Moamoria rebellion in 1789 during the reign of Gaurinath Singh. The Rengma Nagas who survived the rebellion after the war, settled down in Surupathar, Parpathar, Rengma Pathar areas. The Rengma Nagas and the Ahoms jointly resisted Burmese invasion of 1817, 1819 and 1821. The Ahom Rajas and their concubines were also given protection and shelter them by keeping in the Rengma Hills with hospitalities till 1826 i.e, "Treaty of Yandaboo". Because of the bravery and prowess in war , six Rengma warriors were conferred "PHUKAN" title by the Ahom Raja. The title "Phukan" been conferred hereditary even after British control over Rengma country, those six Rengmas were recognized and made them British Authority of revenue collectors. The Rengma who hold the title Phukan last was Pfukha Phukan of Phenchero Village under Bokajan Sub - Division of erstwhile North-Cachar and Mikhir Hills. There was enter-marriage among the Rengma Nagas and Ahoms. Thus the bond of relation and friendship was continuously maintained and strengthened.
The first British officia1 who came in contact with Rengma Naga was colonel Alfred Richards in the month of March in 1824at Nchiben-Habing (Rengma language) changed into Doboka-Dokmoka near Nowgong.
After the concluded Treaty between the British and the Burmese -known as Treaty of "Yandaboo" on 24th Feb 1826, the British started to explore and conducted survey of the land. Thus in course of their official tour Mr.Grange came in contact with the Rengma Naga living at the Mohan Dohao (Manja) in 1839.Captain John Butler also met Rengma Nagas in Deopani area in 1845-46 and directed the influential chiefs to meet him in Nowgong which was done.Mt.. Masters to conduct survey of the Rengma country. There were hundreds of villages of Rengma Naga spreads across the Rengma country but because of successive famine during 1641 and 1665 fallowed by devastating effects of Moamorian war in 1789 and the epidemic diseases therefore, by the time the British set foot to conduct survey for assessment of house-Tax, there were only 52 villages existed. However, the British official could survey only 32 villages for revenue assessment but the rest were left un-assessed on account of wet and impassable jungle to reach the villages.
In 1841, under political proceedings on 18th April 1841; Nos. 79 to 80 "Rengma Hills" was created. This was followed by creation of 2 (two) Mauzas known as west Rengma Mauza and east Rengma Mauza in 1870 for collection of Revenue (House-Tax). It should be noted that this was excluding hill sector Rengma of present Rengma of Naga1and because the present Nagaland Rengma was surveyed in 1874 by Dr. Brown Wood after the creation of Nag a Hills District in 1866 with its Headquarters at Samaguting(Chumukedima).
Before Naga Hills District was created in 1866, the Rengma Hills created in 1841 which covered plain sector only was under Nowgong Administration which was again brought under Asaloo (Halflong) Sub-Division Administration and subsequently merged with Naga Hills District in 1866 with its Headquarters at Samaguting (Chumukedima). But a portion of Rengma Hills was left behind and in the next political proceeding only the whole area of Rengma Hills was brought to merge with Naga Hills District. Thus in 1871, the Rengma Nagas of Rengma Hills submitted revenue amounting to Rs. 450/- at Samuguting. Again when the Administrative Headquarters was shifted to Kohima in 1878, the Rengma Hills Nagas' (plain sector) continued to submit their revenue (House¬Tax) at Kohima. The revenue amount submitted to Kohima in 1898 was Rs. 742/-.
However, on account of administrative inconvenience due to vastness of area under Kohima Administration, the then Deputy Commissioner Kohima proposed for transfer of Rengma Hills back to the adjoining District of Assam which was accepted by the Chief Commissioner of Assam who issued order to that effect. And so with effect from 1 January 1899, the Rengma Hills was again merged with Nowgong and Sibsagar. The West Rengma Mauza was placed under Nowgong District and East Rengma Mauza was placed under Sibsagar District of Golaghat Division and Naga Hills District Rengma was placed under Kohima. Thus, to meet the convenience of British Administration, the same stock of people in contiguous area were divided and brought under three administration Headquarters or Districts (Nowgong, Sibsagar and Kohima). When Naga Hills District was granted Statehood in 1963 with an additional area known as Tuensang District, Which was then known as NHT A (Naga Hills Tuensang Area), inspite of Rengma Hills Naga submission of memorandum for inclusion to Nagaland State, the Rengma Hills Nagas under Assam were left behind. It is to be noted that Nagaland before becoming a full-fledged State was under Assam Administration with Headquarters at Shillong.
It may be noted that "Rengma Hills" was created in 1841, merged with Naga Hills District in 1866, transferred back to the adjoining District of Assam in 1899, Changed the nomenclature to North-Cachar and Mikir Hills in 1952 and again changed into Karbi-Anglong in 1976. Therefore, Karbi-Anglong is the former area of Rengma Hills. Therefore, the plain sector Rengma residents had unanimously agreed to have one social organization known as "Western Rengma Hoho" for the welfare of Rengmas in particular
I and other communities in general and work as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) like other community NGOs.
Khillo G Rengma, Dimapur
