Published On Feb 20, 2021
Speech from Armstrong Pame. DC Tamenglong District. At Rani Gaidinliu Death anniversary Luangkao village
Gaidinliu Pamei (26 January 1915 – 17 February 1993) popularly known as Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British rule in India.[1] At the age of 13, she joined the Heraka religious movement of her cousin Haipou Jadonang. The movement later turned into a political movement seeking to drive out the British from Manipur and the surrounding Naga areas. Within the Heraka faith, she came to be considered an incarnation of the Goddess Cherachamdinliu.[2] Gaidinliu was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16, and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the British rulers. Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937, and promised to pursue her release. Nehru gave her the title of "Rani" ("Queen"), and she gained local popularity as Rani Gaidinliu.
Rani Gaidinliu on a 1996 stamp of India
Born
Gaidinliu Pamei
26 January 1915
Nungkao village, Manipur, British India
Died17 February 1993 (aged 78)
Longkao, Manipur, India
NationalityIndianOccupationSpiritual and political leader of the Zeliangrong NagasKnown forArmed resistance against the British RajParents
Lothanang (father)
Karotlienliu (mother)
AwardsPadma Bhushan (1982), Tamrapatra Freedom Fighter Award (1972), Vivekananda Seva Award (1983)
She was released in 1947 after India's independence, and continued to work for the upliftment of her people. An advocate of the ancestral Naga religious practices, she staunchly resisted the conversion of Nagas to Christianity. She was honoured as a freedom fighter and was awarded a Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.