Ropuiliani

Ropuiliani (1828–3 January 1895) was a Mizo chieftainess in south Mizoram (Lushai Hills) in the nineteenth century. She is remembered for her resistance against British colonial forces after the death of her husband, Vandula. She was the chieftainess for Denlung and eight other villages, near present-day Lunglei in Mizoram.

Reign Ropuiliani was the daughter of Lalsavunga, the chief of Aizawl, and was born and raised in present-day Mizoram Governor Compound, Mizoram. In 1847 she was married to Vandula, the chief of Denlung.

Arrest The British decided to raid Ropuiliani's village upon hearing of the execution. The raid was organized under Captain John Shakespeare and R.H.S Hutchinson and Pugh. It was discovered that Ropuiliani, Lalṭhuama, and a northern chief, Doakoma, planned an uprising against the British. An ultimatum was given to pay a fine of several guns, pigs, fowls and rice.

After some resistance, the British captured Ropuiliani and her son Lalṭhuama, which left the settlement leaderless. Ropuiliani was carried in a palanquin claiming she was unable to walk with her captors. In jail she was offered the opportunity for peace and freedom if she submitted to British rule which was rejected once again. Ropuiliani and her son were eventually moved to a prison in Rangamati out of fear of her influence.

Death Ropuiliani's old age and health was reasons of concern to free her from jail. Before she could be released, she died in confinement due to diarrhea on 3 January 1895. Her death ultimately decentralized coordinated efforts to resist British takeover of the Lushai Hills. Guns amounting up to 100 in Ropuiliani's village and 500 in allies settlements were seized subsequently.

Lalṭhuama was released and allowed to assist his mother's dead body. Ropuiliani was laid to rest in Denlung, as she prefer to laid with her husband Vandula .