Indirect Rule in Mizoram 1890-1954 : The Bureaucracy and the Chiefs

Contents: Preface. Abbreviations. Glossary. 1. Introduction. 2. Land and people. 3. Annexation and pacification. 4. Indirect rule -- the new regime. 5. Constitutional reforms and indirect rule. 6. McCall\'s administration. 7. Second world war and after. 8. End of indirect rule. Appendices. Epilogue. Select Bibliography. Index.

"In the construction of the grand theories of imperialism and colonialism the conquest of relatively small tribal regions and their incorporation into the imperial whole has always been secondary. It is, therefore, necessary to make a thorough study of the British colonial rule on the tribal people so as to include their affairs in the mainstream histories.

This book covers a critical study of the British administration in the Lushai Hills of Assam carried on through the traditional chiefs or Lal from the creation of the Lushai Hill District in 1898 to the end of Chiefship in 1954. The book particularly highlights the works of the successive superintendents in maintaining and strengthening the system of indirect rule or rule through the chiefs. An indepth study is also made on the factors and forces that brought the system under stress and eventually to its end." (jacket)