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Written By KL Pradhan

Previous Post @ : Mizoram Gorkhas – I

It is pertinent to examine the social life of the Gorkha community prior to 1966. Almost the entire community professed Hinduism barring a few who professed Buddhism. Among the Hindu Gorkhas, the principle of the caste/varna system was rigidly practised.

Those belonging to the lowest stratum were referred to as ‘untouchable’, and were not permitted to perform any rituals. In every Hindu society, members of higher cast have upper hand in all affairs of the locality and enjoy many special opportunities and privileges. Such a situation prevailed among the Gorkha community of Mizoram till 1966.

In 1966 the movement led by the Mizo National Front and subsequent economic hardship resulted in transformation of their society from traditional to modern. The policy of the government to regroup the villages under one administrative control for security purpose led to mixing up of all sections of people, irrespective of castes, creed, or religion.

The most questions at that time were survival by setting aside the traditional social system. The other factor which hastened the changes in the social system of this community is their long and uninterrupted stay in Mizoram. The Mizo society is a tribal society and free from cast prejudices.

Taking cue from them the Mizoram Gorkhas also gradually reformed their traditional system by doing away with the cast system. Another aspect is the development of education within the community which influenced the transformation. From 1970s onwards visible changes have been noticed in their socio-religious particles, which as follows:

(1) Untouchability has ceased to exist among the Gorkhas in Mizoram.
(2) Inter-cast marriages and inter-dining have started among them.
(3) Free access is available for the ‘untouchables’ to the Hindu temples etc. Even a Shudra member of the community is elected to the post of President of the Local Durga Puja Committee and Mandir Committee.
(4) Women’s position in the society is relatively higher than among other Hindu societies. And finally, total prohibition law enforced by the State government has the desired effect on the community.

It has also found that a few Gorkhas have embraced Christian religion at their own will and built a church at Aizawl town. However, their number, at present, is negligible.

Inspite of all the changes, the Gorkhas are close-knit community as far as Mizoram is concerned. They are highly conscious about the welfare and well-being of their community. Though they constantly mix with the native people, they have preserved their languages, culture and identity as Gorkha.

From the beginning, the Gorkhas have formed a good work force. As they live a hard life, they go out in search of work. Being diligent, perseverant and hard working the Gorkhas of Mizoram have contributed a good labour force for the development of the state.

They were also pionners in the field of settled agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Way back in 1898, wet-rice cultivation and terrace system was introduced by a Gorkha retired personnel at Champhai, North Vanlaiphai and other parts of the state.

They were also engaged as labourers, lumberjacks, cowherds, chowkidars, dak-runners, peons etc. In their professions, the Gorkhas earned good names11. The Gorkhas have also proved themselves to be good friends of the local people and both the communities have been living side with cordial relationship for more than a century.

Socio-political Organizations:
In 1936, a Gorkha Mauzadar was appointed for the purpose of exercising some administrative coordination over the Gorkha inhabitants for the purpose of collecting foreigner’s taxes on commission basis.

In the case of a dispute where the Gorkhas were involved, the case was tried by the native chief and the Mouzadar was to be present for consultation of the Gorkha customs. And those Gorkhas who settled down under a Lushai Chief’s control, were subjected to Lushai customs and chief’s order.

With the abolition of the institution of Mouzadar in 1953, a Gorkha Panchayat was established at Aizawl. Rules and regulations were laid down with “ the intention to give right of control of their social customs to the Gorkha community as far as possible with least interference by the Magistrate of the District”.

Internal disputes among the Gorkhas were reffered to the Gorkha Panchayat for disposal. When the institution of Village Council was introduced in 1954, the Gorkhas were represented fairly well through election or nominations and held important posts. At present there is one Gorkha Rajya panchayat and 13 gaon panchayats.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at 10:05 pm and is filed under Mizo Society & Culture, Mizoram. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.