A Short Biography of Zahau Chief Thang Tin Lian by Lal Bik

Thang Tin Lian Thuanthu Tawi Thang Tin Lian Thuanthu Tawi


A Short BiographyA Short BiographyA Short BiographyA Short BiographyA Short Biographyof Zahau Chiefof Zahau Chiefof Zahau Chiefof Zahau Chiefof Zahau Chief

Thang Tin Lian

Lal Bik

First Edition, December 2007

Front Cover: Mi-uk Thang Tin LianBack Cover: Thang Tin Lian ih inn, Lal Bik and ~ial Dum

Copy 500CopyrightLal Bik

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FOREWORDFOREWORDFOREWORDFOREWORDFOREWORD

In writing a Short Biography of Zahau Chief Thang Tin Lian,

my main object is to let know his and his sisters’ descendents

the few but important facts which I feel they should know

about their illustrious ancestor Thang Tin Lian. All the infor-

mation has been obtained from U Ral Dun’s book “Zahau Hrin

Thuanthu” 1950 which anyone who wishes to know more

details can refer to.

I have assembled some photographs of his wives and children

but that of my mother Sen Kip was taken in 1942 with just a

box camera (useable in those days) and therefore not very clear

or distinct as desirable but deemed better to include than to

exclude.

I have also attached among other documents a map showing

the extent of Chief Thang Tin Lian’s domain which originally

fell wholly within Falam Subdivision but whose northern por-

tion consisting mainly of Hualngo Tribe villages later came,

some under Tonzang Township and some under Tiddim Town-

ship when in 1974 the Subdivisions were re-demarcated into

present Townships in place of Subdivisions.

Lastly I wish to mention that the issue of this booklet is pos-

sible only with the great efforts of Rev. Thang Tin Sum and

Alfred Paro to whom all thanks are due.

Lal Bik

Yangon

October 2007

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ContentsContentsContentsContentsContents Pages

1. Personal Data .......... ...... ............... ........ 532. Origin of Zahau Tribe .......... .............. ....... 543. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs ....... ............ ....... 564. The Period After Annexation of Chin Hills by The British .......... ....... ............... ....... 565. Thang Tin Lian’s Education ...... ............. ........ 586. He Became Chief of Zahau And Hualngo Tribes 597. Tribes Within Zahau Chief’s Domain ....... ....... 608. Area Comprising Zahau Domain Under

Chief Thang Tin Lian’s Rule ...... ........... ........ 609. Villages Within Zahau Domain .............. ....... 6110. Dues Received by Zahau Chief .............. ........ 6211. Honours Received by Chief Thang Tin Lian ....... 6212. His Journeys to Burma .......... .............. ....... 6313. His Hunting Trophies ............ .............. ........ 6614. His Religion .......... .......... ............... ....... 6615. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi .......... .............. ........ 67

A. Thang Tin Lian Built His New House ....... 68B. Present Condition of Ro-Innpi andAnnex Structures ...... ........ ............... ........ 68

6. His Household .......... ....... ............... ....... 70(A) His Wives .......... ....... ............... ....... 70(B) His Children ....... ....... ... ........... ........ 72

17. Jobs/Education of His Sons ..... ............ ........ 7518. His Sisters’ Families .......... ............. ......... 7919. Arrival of Japanese Rule ......... ............. ......... 8020. Events After Japanese War ...... ............. ......... 8121. Death of Chief Thang Tin Lian ............. ......... 8222. His Tomb ............ .............. ............. ........ 8323. His Legacy .......... ............. ............. ......... 8424. Inheritance .......... ............. ............. ........ 8625. Development of His Children in Their Careers ..... 86

(A) His sons .......... ............. ............. ........ 86(B) His daughters ... .......... ............ .............91

26. Establishment of Chief Thang Tin Lian Foundation 9427. Future Task .......... ............. ............ ........ 9728. List of Documents Attached .... ............. ........ 98

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A Short Biography of Zahau ChiefA Short Biography of Zahau ChiefA Short Biography of Zahau ChiefA Short Biography of Zahau ChiefA Short Biography of Zahau ChiefThang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lian

1. Personal Data1. Personal Data1. Personal Data1. Personal Data1. Personal Data

(a) Place of birthPlace of birthPlace of birthPlace of birthPlace of birth : Tlauhmun village, Falam Township

(b) YYYYYear of birth ear of birth ear of birth ear of birth ear of birth : 1895(Died May 1947) (c) Name of fName of fName of fName of fName of father ather ather ather ather : Zahau Chief Van Nawl

(Died 1918 aged 66) (d) Name of mother Name of mother Name of mother Name of mother Name of mother : Khuang Tin ~ial, Tlauhmun

(Died Oct 1947 aged 92) (e) Name of siblingsName of siblingsName of siblingsName of siblingsName of siblings :

Elder sistersElder sistersElder sistersElder sistersElder sisters:(1) Do Cuai, wife of ~ial Cung Nung,

(Headman of Ngailan village)(2) Khuang Nawn, wife of Bawi Kham

(Head of Ward in Tlauhmun village)(3) Ngun Tlem, wife of Tial Ceu

(Rallang Headman)(4) Tin Kip, wife of Tin Kulh

(Darteti Headman)(5) Tial Man, wife of Thla Sum

(Zathlir Headman)(6) ~ial Tin Men, wife of Khen ~hio

(Khawrua Headman)

YYYYYounger sister:ounger sister:ounger sister:ounger sister:ounger sister:(7) ~ial Kil, wife of Sawn Cung Nung

(Khawlung Headman's son)

Thang Tin Lian was an only son.

2. Origin of Zahau 2. Origin of Zahau 2. Origin of Zahau 2. Origin of Zahau 2. Origin of Zahau TTTTTriberiberiberiberibe

According to Thang Tin Lian as narrated to his eldest son RalDun and recorded in the latter's book 'Zahau Hrin Thuanthu'1950, the Shan Sawbwa of Kalaymyo in the old days had ason who died early and left his five sons to live with theirgrandfather the Sawbwa. Their names were Phu Lung (PhurhHlum in Chin), Hlun Khaing (Hlawn Khai) and Hlun Kyaing(Hlawn Ceu).

When the five sons grew up, their grandfather the Shan Sawbwaalso died and the five grandsons then fought for the position ofSawbwa, the elder three in one group and the younger two inthe other group. The younger two brothers won and so theelder three Phurh Hlum, Hlawn Khai and Hlawn Ceu had toflee for their lives to Chinland through Natchaung and Sehaungand they then ascended the Mainpur River valley as far asTuivang village (Hmunli) where the eldest brother Phurh Hlumchose to settle. The younger two brothers Hlawn Khai andHlawn Ceu then went on and ultimately settled in the villageof Sunthla.

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Later on, Zathlir villagers came and fetched Hlawn Khai to betheir Headman and then he married there and had two sonsHau Hulh and Za Hau. When Hlawn Khai died Hau Hulhbecame Zathlir Headman as successor to his father and ZaHau was fetched by Tlauzawl villagers to be their Headman.In those days only strong and brave fighters dare to take up thepost of Headman in the same way that the strongest animal ina herd can become the leader of the herd. The old Headman ofTlauzawl village Khal Thang dared not raise a finger againststronger Za Hau and so Za Hau got his way in obtaining vari-ous dues such as grain dues, flesh dues, labour dues from thevillage.

As Headman, Za Hau gradually extended his territory and be-came famous and his descendents later began to be known asZahau tribe (Zahau Hrin).

Thang Tin Lian’s village of Tlauhmun originally went by thename of ‘Tlauzawl’ upto the time of Lal, Khaw Kim Thangwhen all the villagers abandoned everything and fled toKhawthlang (now Mizoram) for fear of the invading Hakhasand Thlanrawns. Lal, Khaw Kim Thang himself fled toKhuangli and only in the time of his grandson Lal, Thang Bur(son of Lal, Khuang Ceu) was the village Tlauzawl re-settledwith the new present name ‘Tlauhmun’.

3. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs3. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs3. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs3. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs3. Genealogy of Zahau Chiefs

Beginning from our ancestor Za Hau (Circ: AD 1600), ThangTin Lian is the Xlth generation of Zahau tribe. The genera-tions are as follows:IIIII ZahauIIIIIIIIII Thla CongIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Kip KualIVIVIVIVIV Cung NungVVVVV That HrimVIVIVIVIVI Khaw Kim ThangVIIVIIVIIVIIVII Khuang CeuVIIIVIIIVIIIVIIIVIII Thang BurIXIXIXIXIX Thla CeuXXXXX Van Nawl andXIXIXIXIXI Thang Tin Lian

4.4.4.4.4. The Period after The Period after The Period after The Period after The Period after AnneAnneAnneAnneAnnexation of Chin Hills byxation of Chin Hills byxation of Chin Hills byxation of Chin Hills byxation of Chin Hills bythe Britishthe Britishthe Britishthe Britishthe British

At the time the British arrived in about 1889-90, Thla Ceu,father of Van Nawl, was the ruling Chief the Zahau clan butgetting old in age and no more strong, he was obliged to handover leadership of raiding parties to conquer enemy villagesand territories as usual, such as Faanai, Suncung, Pautu

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(Tlangpi), Senam (Kamhau area) and Farrawn etc. to his sonVan Nawl and his younger brothers Do Khuai, Than Zam(grandfather of Rev. Thang Tin Sum) and Za Kap (grandfa-ther of Hram Mang, USA). All these fighting stopped on ar-rival of the British, who soon overran Chin Hills.

On the death of his father Thla Ceu, Van Nawl became Chiefof the Zahau tribe and soon after, the British began to demar-cate the boundary between India (Lushai Hills District) andBurma (Chin Hills District) both under the British Administra-tion. In the process, the following villages under Van Nawl’sdomain originally obtained by expansion or conquest werebroken up and given to others as follows: (1) The villages ofTlangsat, Thado and Phaipi to Manipur State (India) and (2)The villages of Ngur, Mualbawk and Leisen to Lushai Hills(India).

For these ceding of his villages to Lushai Hills (now Mizoram,India) across the Tyao (~iau) River, Chief Van Nawl wasawarded 40 mythuns (sia) as compensation by the British.

Then again, within Chin Hills itself, the region was later splitinto the Subdivisions of Tiddim, Falam and Haka by the Brit-ish and Chief Van Nawl again lost some of his villages to thecontrol of other appointed Chiefs (not hereditary Chiefs likeVan Nawl) in Tiddim and Haka Subdivisions as follows:

(1) All Kamhau villages under Zahau Chief to TiddimSubdivision.(2) Suncung, Pautu (Tlangpi) Tlangkhua and Lungler villages to Haka Subdivision.(3) Sialsih and other 7 Ngawn villages to Lumbang Chiefin Falam Subdivision.(4) Tili and ~iadai villages to Laizo Chief in FalamSubdivision.

For all the above ceding. Chief Van Nawl was not given anycompensation but the villages of Lianduh and Simzawl, whichwere under Khuangli Chief (having been established by him)were now given to Chief Van Nawl.

5. 5. 5. 5. 5. Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’s Educations Educations Educations Educations Education

Thang Tin Lian passed 7th Standard Burmese at Falam in 1914standing 3rd in the whole of Burma as announced by the Asst.Inspector of schools U Po Kyaw, at the same time praisingThang Tin Lian for that achievement as a non-Burman. Previ-ously, the Asst. Superintendent of Falam Subdivision Mr. W.Street had once given Thang Tin Lian a present of one IndianSilver Rupee coin (King Edward VIII) for his being the onlycorrect answer among the students in an intelligence quiz inthe class. At that time one Indian rupee could purchase 2 fowlsor 100 eggs in the bazaar. One of his close friends in school

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was Van Hnuai Lian, about 6 years senior, the son of Chief ofTashon Council Con Bik (Sun Pet by the Burmese).

While he was studying Burmese in Government BurmeseSchool at Falam, he took private tuition in English and so couldwrite and speak like 4th standard students. That was why hewas able to write me in Chin 7 times out of which 2 were inhis own hand-writing and 3 were typewritten by him with hisportable typewriter. Only the remaining 2 were written for himat his dictation by his son Sum Mang. A photocopy of one ofhis hand-written letters is now attached as Annexure No 3 forhis descendents to see.

6. He Became Chief of Zahau 6. He Became Chief of Zahau 6. He Became Chief of Zahau 6. He Became Chief of Zahau 6. He Became Chief of Zahau And HualngoAnd HualngoAnd HualngoAnd HualngoAnd Hualngo TTTTTribesribesribesribesribes

When his father Chief Van Nawl died in November 1918,Thang Tin Lian became chief in accordance with Zahau cus-tom of hereditary succession and approved by Superintendentof Chin Hills District Mr. W Street, to rule over Zahau andHualngo tribes. Thang Tin Lian was 23 at the time and hadbeen assisting his father Van Nawl for many years. He was ofbig build and was 5 ft 10 inches tall.

The Hualngos first voluntarily came under the protection andrule of Zahau Lal, Khuang Ceu (VII Generation) after wan-dering for years in other areas.

7. 7. 7. 7. 7. TTTTTribes within Zahau Chiefribes within Zahau Chiefribes within Zahau Chiefribes within Zahau Chiefribes within Zahau Chief’’’’’s Domains Domains Domains Domains Domain

Although the name is Zahau, the area consisted of two mainimportant tribes, Zahau and Hualngo. In addition there are alsosome of Paihte tribe whose men like the Hualngos, tied theirhair in a knot at the back of the head in former days, similar toLuseis of Lushai Hills (now Mizos) whose language is alsothe same as Hualngos. The Zahaus on the other hand tied theirhair in a knot above the forehead like the Pawis.

8. 8. 8. 8. 8. Area Comprising Zahau Domain Under ChiefArea Comprising Zahau Domain Under ChiefArea Comprising Zahau Domain Under ChiefArea Comprising Zahau Domain Under ChiefArea Comprising Zahau Domain Under Chief Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’s Rules Rules Rules Rules Rule

Zahau Domain was in the shape of a gourd lying within FalamSubdivision and consisted of 82 villages. In the north, it wasbounded by Kamhau (Tonzang) Chief’s domain in TiddimSubdivision (now in Tonzang Township), in the east by thesame Kamhau’s Chief’s domain the border running along theLatha mountain range as far south as Saizang Chief’s andMualbem Chief’s domains and finally ending with LumbangChief’s and Khuangli Chief’s domains in the east. Then in the

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south the border was with Laizo Chief’s and Haka Chief’sdomains. In the west the border with Lushai Hills (India) runsalong Tio River throughout.

Among the five Chief’s domains in Falam Subdivision, Zahau,Chief’s domain was the largest and also had the biggest num-ber of villages.

9. 9. 9. 9. 9. VVVVVillages illages illages illages illages WWWWWithin Zahau Domainithin Zahau Domainithin Zahau Domainithin Zahau Domainithin Zahau Domain

The names of 82 villages in Zahau and Hualngo tribal areaswere as below:-(1) Khengkang (2) Khawrua (3) Zathlir (4) Cerhmun(5) Tlauhmun (6) Khuanglung (7) Zawlte (8)Fartlang(9) Fartlang khawthar (10) Tlangzawl (11) Bualhrei (12) Bualte(13) Tibual (14) Sa`awm (15)Vomhalkhum (16) Hmawngkawn(17) Doihkhel (18) Khawpisip (19) Siallam (20) Sa-ek(21) Surbung (22) Thingcang (23) Phunte (24) Khawthlir(25) Rihkhawdar (26) Bomba (27) Khawlung (28) Dihai(Zahau) (29) Bungzung (30) Uisi (31) Darteti (32) Haimual(Zahau) (33) Haiheng (34) Hnahthial (35) Thipcang (36)Zongte (37) Singai (38) Ngailan (39) Tlangkawi (40) Selawn(41) Leilet (42) Airebual (43) Ngalti (44) Cawmpi (45)Khiangrawn (46) Lo`harawn (47) Lawitlang (48) Tilum (49)Lumte (Zahau) (50) Auhmun (51) Laizawl (52) Palte (53)

Vangva (54) Conghoih (55) Ticirh (56) Hmunluah (57) Cawhte(58) Tidil (59) Vutbuak (60) Cauleng (61) Kawilam (62)Haimual (Hualngo) (63) Lianhna (64) Khawzimpi (65)Khawzimte (66) Darkhai (67) Dapzar (68) Bukphir (69)Ngente (70) Thinglei (71) Dampi (72) Vaikhawhmun (73) Bapi(74) Rallang (75) Lianduh (76) Khaute (77) Bualzawl (78)Khawsum (79) Simzawl (80) Lunkhua (81)Khiangzang and(82) Seipi.

10. Dues Received By Zahau Chief10. Dues Received By Zahau Chief10. Dues Received By Zahau Chief10. Dues Received By Zahau Chief10. Dues Received By Zahau Chief

The Zahau Chief received the following annual dues from allthe villagers under his domain :(1) Grain dues varying from 1 rel (about 8 lbs) to 3 rel de-

pending on circumstances from each household(2) Flesh dues of animals killed and labour dues from his

village of Tlauhmun, and(3) Commission of 10% from house-tax levied by Govern-

ment.

11. Honours Recei11. Honours Recei11. Honours Recei11. Honours Recei11. Honours Receivvvvved by Chief ed by Chief ed by Chief ed by Chief ed by Chief Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lian

Thang Tin Lian was a hardworking and efficient administra-tor and therefore received the following honours from theGovernment:

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(1) Certificate of Good Services from Superintendent of ChinHills in July 1919.

(2) Double-barrel Gun and Certificate of Good Services fromthe Governor of Burma in January 1930.

(3) His Majesty’s Silver Jubilee Medal by His Majesty. theKing in 1930.

(4) A.T.M (Ahmuhdankaung Tazeikya Min) from Viceroyand Governor-General of India in June 1935.

12. His Journeys to Burma12. His Journeys to Burma12. His Journeys to Burma12. His Journeys to Burma12. His Journeys to Burma

Thang Tin Lian in his lifetime made altogether nine journeysfrom Chin Hills to Burma.

His fffffirst journeirst journeirst journeirst journeirst journeyyyyy to Burma was to Rangoon (Yangon) in late1914 during World War I (1914-1918) while he was a youngboy of 19 to send 2 mythuns (sia) to Rangoon Zoological Gar-den. Just because he was keen to see Rangoon, he asked theSuperintendent of Chin Hills to allow him to accompanyTashon Chief Van Hmung along with 3 other attendants. Inthose days there was no motor road to Kalewa and so they hadto walk all the way, a distance of about 100 miles. From Kalewathey boarded a steamer with the 2 mythuns upto Monywa andfrom there to Mandalay and then to Rangoon by train.

The second journeysecond journeysecond journeysecond journeysecond journey was also to Rangoon in October 1918 toreceive the A.T.M (Ahmuhdankaung Taseikya Min) Gold

Medal on behalf of his aged father Chief Van Nawl. This timealso, he happened to travel together with Tashon Chief VanHmung who himself was also awarded ATM Gold Medal.The third journeythird journeythird journeythird journeythird journey was again to Rangoon to appeal againstForest Department’s fine and seizure of the tusks of the el-ephant shot by him 2 years ago with the given reason that itwas undersized as reported falsely by Tashon Chief VanHmung. The appeal was successful and the elephant tusks werereturned to him.

The fourth journeyfourth journeyfourth journeyfourth journeyfourth journey was to Mandalay in January 1922 but thistime he went as Zahau Chief alongwith many other Chiefsfrom Tiddim, Falam and Haka Subdivisions such as KamhauChief Hau Chin Khup, Lumbang Chief Hlur Hmung and alsoTashon Chief Van Hmung altogether numbering 57 includingtheir followers to meet the Prince of Wales. On his return jour-ney Thang Tin Lian brought along iron roofing sheets andother materials which he bought for his proposed two-storeyhouse in Tlauhmun.

The fifth journeyfifth journeyfifth journeyfifth journeyfifth journey was to Mawlaik (Upper Chindwin) in June1935 to appeal to the Rangoon Commissioner against his de-cision allowing sale of their houses by intending migrants toLushai Hills (Mizoram). He succeeded in his appeal.

The sixth journeysixth journeysixth journeysixth journeysixth journey was to Mandalay again in July 1935 toreceive his ATM Gold Medal Award. He was accompanied

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from Sagaing to Mandalay by his son Lal Bik who was thenstudying in 8th Std in Anglo-Vernacular High School at Sagaing.The seventh journeyseventh journeyseventh journeyseventh journeyseventh journey to Burma was again to Rangoon in July1937 to appeal against the Government decision to reduce theamount of grain and other dues levied by the Zahau Chief andVillage Headmen. This trip was on behalf of himself as wellas all the Headmen in his domain affected by the order. Thisappeal was left pending for future decision.

His eighth journeyeighth journeyeighth journeyeighth journeyeighth journey was again to Rangoon for the 4th time inOctober 1946 accompanied by his sons Sum Mang and ThangTsem to appeal to the Director of Frontier Areas Administra-tion in Rangoon against the order of the Superintendent, ChinHills, Falam reducing grain dues payable by villagers to theirrespective Chiefs and also against the order withdrawing theHualngo tribal area from his (Zahau Chief’s) domain in Sep:1946 as punishment for helping the Japanese during the war.This appeal was left pending for future decision.

Thang Tin Lian’s ninth and last journeninth and last journeninth and last journeninth and last journeninth and last journeyyyyy to Burma was firstto Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin) in April 1947 accompanied byhis sons ~ial Dum, Za Hre (Za Hre Lian) and Thang Tsem(inspite of suffering from serious stomach trouble) so as to beable to testify before the Frontier Areas Enquiry Commissionregarding the future Administration of Chin Hills in the com-ing Burma Independence. After giving testimony to his heart’scontent, he proceeded to Rangoon with his son Za Hre for

medical treatment for his stomach trouble to which he finallysuccumbed in May 1947 after a surgical operation by doctorsin Rangoon General Hospital.

13. His Hunting 13. His Hunting 13. His Hunting 13. His Hunting 13. His Hunting TTTTTrophiesrophiesrophiesrophiesrophies

Thang Tin Lian was a great hunter of wild animals and theheads were hung up on the lower front wall of his house com-pletely covering it. Among his trophies were

(i) elephant-1(ii) Bison-1(iii) Tiger-2(celebrated)(iv) Leopard-10(v) Bear-10(vi) Wildpig-12(vii) Others such as stag, deer etc. were too numerous to

count.

14. His Religion14. His Religion14. His Religion14. His Religion14. His Religion

Thang Tin Lian like his forefathers believed in the existenceof God as Khawzing Pathian and worship with mythun (sia),pig and goats. Of course his belief in God was quite differentfrom the way Christian’s belief. In addition, he also believedlike his forefathers in the existence of spirits and made offeringof animals to obtain good health and good harvests.

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15. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi15. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi15. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi15. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi15. Tlauhmun Ro-Innpi

Tlauhmun village

Thang Tin Lian's Residence (The biggest one)

A. Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lian Built His Nein Lian Built His Nein Lian Built His Nein Lian Built His Nein Lian Built His New Housew Housew Housew Housew House

Thang Tin Lian formerly lived in the thatched house be-queathed by his father Van Nawl but later in 1922 he built a 2-storey house of his own with iron sheet roofing bought byhimself in Mandalay. The new house was 66ft long by 26ftwide with a 6ft wide lower veranda on west side. It has on theupper floor, office room, 2 large bedrooms and 1ancestral-prop-erty storeroom and the ground floor was simply divided intoinner and outer rooms similar to other villager’s customaryhouse.

The wood used was Hualthing from Tlauhmun tupi forest butthe roofing was iron sheets brought from Mandalay by ThangTin Lian himself during his trip in 1922.

B. Present Condition of Ro-Innpi Present Condition of Ro-Innpi Present Condition of Ro-Innpi Present Condition of Ro-Innpi Present Condition of Ro-Innpi And And And And And AnneAnneAnneAnneAnnex Structuresx Structuresx Structuresx Structuresx Structures

(1) The 52 main Buildingmain Buildingmain Buildingmain Buildingmain Building posts were of good quality pinefrom Tlauhmun forest but being 85 years old now, the portionbelow ground level rotted and some sank a few inches caus-ing uneven floor level. Therefore the rotted end will have tobe cut-off and the posts put on new concrete post-footings.The wooden walls are in fair condition and need only earthoiling for preservation. Similarly the iron sheet roof will needrepainting to make it last long.

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(2) Regarding the verandaverandaverandaverandaveranda, its flooring, purlins and both stair-cases which are of Hualthing were badly bored (eaten) bybeetles (umpu) and these parts need replacement with newhualthing.

(3) The KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchenKitchen which is 25ft by 11ft and connected to themain building by a 20ft long covered-way is in fair conditionand only the floor needs new concrete relaying.

(4) ZauthlamZauthlamZauthlamZauthlamZauthlam Rest Shed was 15ft by 10ft built at the edge ofZaute platform but was blown down by strong winds and sowill have to be rebuilt with new timber and old iron roofingsheets.

(5) Zaute Zaute Zaute Zaute Zaute Platform 65ft by 16ft was laid in 1923 with teakplanks from Phau valley of Lenhai village in Laizo Chief’sdomain but had all since decayed or lost and therefore needscomplete replacement.

(6) FencingFencingFencingFencingFencing around the whole compound is 610 feet long and6ft high and was also of teak planks from Lenhai but all hadsince decayed or disappeared due to long years of neglect. Itwill need re-erection with new teak as before.(7) Pig-sty LatrinePig-sty LatrinePig-sty LatrinePig-sty LatrinePig-sty Latrine. This is a small two-seated wooden build-ing complete with enclosure for pigs which were kept as scav-engers as was the custom in all Chin houses in those days.

Minor repairs are needed but the pig fencing is now non-exis-tent and needs complete replacement.

(8) WWWWWater ater ater ater ater TTTTTroughroughroughroughrough. Like every household in Tlauhmun vil-lage, Thang Tin Lian also made a water trough 5ft long 1ftdiameter hewn out of tree trunk to hold water for the kitchenand many other purposes. The water was supplied throughwooden water ducts from the common village spring as thepractive was, and still is in far-off villages where modern PVCpipe water supply is unavailable. The trough had an adjoiningwooden platform but all these have disappeared and will needreconstruction.

16. His Household16. His Household16. His Household16. His Household16. His Household

(A) His (A) His (A) His (A) His (A) His WWWWWiiiiivvvvveseseseses

Thang Tin Lian married one wife after another and they wereas follows:- (1) Run Sung of Tlauhmun village (Divorced later) (2) Sen Kip of Rallang village (1899-1947) (3) Men Zing of Khawrua village (1899-1980) (4) Hniar Cuai of Tlauhmun (1888-1967) (His first cousin)

Chin custom as practiced by Thang Tin Lian’s forebears werethat when they marry more than one wife, only the first one

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lived in the same house with the husband whereas the remain-ing ones as lesser wives were kept each in separate house inthe village. However Thang Tin Lian refused to follow cus-tom and after divorcing his first wife Run Sung, he did theimpossible (for modern society) by keeping all his three suc-ceeding wives Sen Kip, Men Zing and Hniar Cuai together,not only in the same house but in the same large bedroom ofhis, each wife occupying one corner with her own bedsteadand he himself at the remaining corner on his iron spring cot.Moreover, he distributed household as well as taungya (field)duties to his 3 wives on equal monthly basis!

L to R. His daughter Khuang Thluai and his wife Sen Kip

In that way he maintained his three wives on equal status, thatis no one is more senior than the others. However, when cus-tom demanded that one wife perform certain ceremonies,Thang Tin Lian chose Hniar Cuai who was his first cousinfrom his mother’s side for the purpose . In addition Thang TinLian earmarked his only son Tial Dum by wife Hniar Cuai tosucceed him as Chief when he dies.

(B) His Children(B) His Children(B) His Children(B) His Children(B) His Children

1. By wife Run Sun By wife Run Sun By wife Run Sun By wife Run Sun By wife Run Sung : - Only Daughter Kai Sin(1913-90).

2. By Sen Kip: By Sen Kip: By Sen Kip: By Sen Kip: By Sen Kip:

(1) Lal Bik (b.2/1920)(2) Thang Tsem (1923-78)(3) Khuang Thluai (b.8/ 1925)(4) Sai Bil Tial (1929-77)(5) Tin Par (1932-2007)(6) Mang Bur (1934-2001)(7) Klem Kyin (b.3/1937)(8) Kei Luai (b.10/1940)Altogether 4 sons and 4 daughters

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3. By Men Zing:By Men Zing:By Men Zing:By Men Zing:By Men Zing:

(1) Ral Dun (1919-80)(2) Sum Mang (b.11/1920)(3) Za Hre Lian (1923-97)(4) ~ha Hlei Sung (b.2/1925)(5) Thang Tin Tlem (1927-2007)(6) Kei Man (1929-70)(7) Ral Lian Sum (b.2/1931)(8) Sai Ling Thang (b.11/1932)(9) San Lwai(Thla Khar) (b.1/1935)(10) Ngun Kip (b.11/1943).Altogether 7 sons and 3 daughters.

4. By Hniar Cuai :By Hniar Cuai :By Hniar Cuai :By Hniar Cuai :By Hniar Cuai :

(1) ~ial Dum (1922-2007)(2) Fung Thluai (b.4/1929)(3) Mang Tin Zing (b.4/1931)(4) Hlawn Kip Thluai (b.4/1936)(5) Cer Cin (1938-97)(6) Ni Dong (b.8/1943).Altogether 1 son and 5 daughters.

At the time of his death, Thang Tin Lian left 11 sons and 14daughters.

Ground:Ground:Ground:Ground:Ground: L to R: Ni Dong, Cer Cin,Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting: Hniar Cuai,Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing: L to R: Hlawn Kip Thluai, ~ial Dum, Fung Thluai.

Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting: Men Zing. Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing: Lal Bik, Sum Mang, ~ial Dum, Ral Dun

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Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting: L to R: Kai Sin, Tin Par, Thang Tin Tlem, Fung Thluai, Khuang Thluai, ~ha Hlei Sung

Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing: L to R: Tlem Cin, Lal Bik, Thang Cem, Kei Luai, ~ial Dum,

Sum Mang, Mang Bur, Mang Tin Zing,

17. Jobs/Education of His Sons17. Jobs/Education of His Sons17. Jobs/Education of His Sons17. Jobs/Education of His Sons17. Jobs/Education of His Sons

At the time of Thang Tin Lian’s death, some of his sons werealready holding Government posts but some were still inschools as shown below:-

(1) The eldest son Ral DunRal DunRal DunRal DunRal Dun passed from Insein VeterinaryCollege and was already working as Veterinary Assis-tant for Falam Subdivision.

Lal Bik, Ral Lian Sum, Sai Ling Thang, San Lwai, Kei Luai, Ngun Kip

Lal Bik, Klem Kyin, Ral Lian Sum

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(2) Lal Bik Lal Bik Lal Bik Lal Bik Lal Bik passed from Guindy Engineering College ofUniversity of Madras in India and was working as Asst.Engineer in Public Works Dept. of Frontier Areas Ad-ministration at Maymyo(Pyin Oo Lwin).

(3) Sum MangSum MangSum MangSum MangSum Mang was in his Final Year B.A. in University ofRangoon.

(4) ~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum was helping his father in the duties of Chief-tainship after studying in Sr.I.A. at Mandalay Intermedi-ate College upto the beginning of the Japanese War.

(5) Za HreZa HreZa HreZa HreZa Hre (later Za Hre Lian) resigned from Burma Armyas Lieutenant and was awaiting appointment as Asst.Resident in the Frontier Areas Administration. He stud-ied in Sr.I.Sc. at Mandalay Intermediate College uptothe beginning of the Japanese War.

Za Hre Lian

(6) Thang TsemThang TsemThang TsemThang TsemThang Tsem was working as Public Relations officer inthe Frontier Areas Administration in Falam. He was study-ing in Ninth Std at Falam Govt High School when Japa-nese War broke out.

(7) All the remaining younger sons were in Falam A.V.Middle School or in Tlauhmun Chin Primary School,Kei Luai himself the youngest of all the children wasonly 7 years old at the time.

(8) It is noteworthy that Thang Tin Lian never allowed hisdaughters to attend school even though there was/is aChin Primary School in Tlauhmun, saying that it is awaste of time because they will ultimately get marriedwhen they grow up and would not need to be educated.This being the case, only the younger five daughtersHlawn Kip Thluai, Klem Kyin, Cer Cin, Ni Dong andNgun Kip were given good education by their elder broth-ers upto University level only after the death of their fa-ther and all of them later obtained degrees in their re-spective fields.

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18. His Sisters’ Families18. His Sisters’ Families18. His Sisters’ Families18. His Sisters’ Families18. His Sisters’ Families

The families of Thang Tin Lian’s sisters are as follows:

(1) The eldest sister Do CuaiDo CuaiDo CuaiDo CuaiDo Cuai has 1 son and 3 daughtersnamely (i)Ni Tial (ii)Mang Ling (iii)Sen Cuai and (iv)SaTin Men by husband Tial Cung, Headman of Ngailan.

(2) Khuang NawnKhuang NawnKhuang NawnKhuang NawnKhuang Nawn has 2 daughters by first husband BawiKham of Tlauhmun namely (i)Tha Hlei Thluai(NuKawk) and (ii)Bual Pum and also 1 daughter Kei Menby second husband Ni Sum of Cerhmun.

(3) Ngun TlemNgun TlemNgun TlemNgun TlemNgun Tlem has 1 son and 4 daughters namely (i)MangTin Tlem (ii)Lal Tin Khup (iii)Ngun Cia (iv)Par Sungand (v)Sa Tin Cuai by husband Tial Ceu, Headman ofRallang.

(4) TTTTTin Kipin Kipin Kipin Kipin Kip has 2 sons and 2 daughters namely (i)Ngun Kual(ii)Kei Lian Mang (iii)Hlawn Kip Tlem and (iv)San Cuaiby husband Tim Kulh, Headman of Darteti.

(5) ~ial Man~ial Man~ial Man~ial Man~ial Man has 4 daughters namely (i)Hlawn Tin Tlem(ii)Sa Tin ~ial (iii)Khuang Lian Cuai and (iv)Hniar Sungby husband Thla Sum, Headman of Zathlir.

(6) ~ial ~ial ~ial ~ial ~ial TTTTTin Menin Menin Menin Menin Men has 2 sons and 1 daughter namely (i)KhenDum (ii)Tial Mang and (iii)Mang Sung by husband KhenThio, Headman of Khawrua.

(7) Thang Tin Lian’s younger sister ~ial Kil~ial Kil~ial Kil~ial Kil~ial Kil did not haveany children by husband Sawn Cung Nung, Headman'sson of Khawlung when she died early.

19. 19. 19. 19. 19. ArriArriArriArriArrivvvvval of Japanese Ruleal of Japanese Ruleal of Japanese Ruleal of Japanese Ruleal of Japanese Rule

After Japan entered World War II in Dec, 1941 the whole ofBurma was easily over-run by them within a year except theFrontier regions such as Chin Hills. The Burma Governmentand Army therefore had to withdraw to Simla and Hoshiarpurin India. During those days, both Burma and India were underBritish Rule and communication between them was easy.

When Japanese troops arrived in Falam the seat of Chin Hillsadministration early November, 1943 the Government & Armyhad to withdraw towards Aizawl leaving the Japanese in chargeof the area. Thus it became very difficult for Chief Thang TinLian to decide which side to help, Japanese or British. Any-way the Japanese officers summoned him and made him livein Cin Mual Camp on the edge of Falam Town so that he willbe at hand to do their bidding. During the months following,he was looked after in Cinmual Camp by his eldest son Ral

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Dun. Thang Tin Lian was even ordered to recall his son SumMang a Cadet Officer with the British troops (Western ChinLevies) operating within Zahau Chief’s domain to come overto him and serve the Japanese Army together as ordered.

When Japan surrendered in Aug, 1944, the British came backto Falam and arrested Thang Tin Lian and his son Ral Dun forhelping the Japanese and were taken to Tiddim. Later on, theywere released and allowed to return, home to Tlauhmun wherethey arrived on 5th September 1945. Then they performedcleansing ceremony called ‘hmui-thla-khum’ by sacrificingmythuns (sia) according to Chin custom.

20. Ev20. Ev20. Ev20. Ev20. Events ents ents ents ents After Japanese After Japanese After Japanese After Japanese After Japanese WWWWWararararar

During and immediately after the Japanese War, Thang TinLian was under detention by both sides for long periods forreasons of their own and he thereby suffered from all sorts ofhardships including endless mental worries which resulted inhis very poor health after his return home. He even had toenter Falam Hospital for treatment of persistent stomach com-plaint.

Then in April 1947 in spite of his ill-health he went to Maymyoalong with his sons Tial Dum, Za Hre Lian and Thang Tsemas he was very keen to give testimony to the Frontier Areas

Enquiry Commission regarding future administration for ChinHills.

21. Death of Chief 21. Death of Chief 21. Death of Chief 21. Death of Chief 21. Death of Chief Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lian

After the deposition at the Frontier Areas Enquiry Commis-sion was over, he proceeded to Rangoon together with his sonZa Hre Lian and entered the Rangoon General Hospital fortreatment of his stomach cancer. He was surgically operatedon 6th May but succumbed on 10th May 1947 in the presenceof his two sons Sum Mang and Za Hre Lian.

Then after preservation procedures were completed, his bodywas put in a coffin and taken by Govt. motor truck to Monywaby Za Hre Lian so that his body could be burried at home inTlauhmun as desired and expressed to Za Hre Lian by himearlier. From Monywa Za Hre Lian took the body by Govtmotorboat to Kalewa and then from there via Kalemyo toLumbang in Chin Hills by jeep owned by Thang Tin Lianhimself.

As no jeepable road existed beyond Lumbang at that time, thecoffin had to be carried by village volunteers (porters) on astretcher right up to Falam, a distance of 18 miles and fromthen to Tlauhmun another 15 miles by hill roads, arriving there20th May. Then he was buried in the brick tomb (built by him


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many years ago) with full ceremony of killing ‘ruakhnah’ of 2mythuns, 3 cows and 1 donkey. In addition, as he previouslycelebrated the killing of 2 tigers deemed ferocious animals bylocal custom, Thang Tin Lian was accorded the honour of burialwith ‘thihthiapvel’ elaborate funeral ceremony by Tlauhmunvillagers.

22. His 22. His 22. His 22. His 22. His TTTTTombombombombomb

Thang Tin Lian's Tomb

There was an old stone and mud tomb of his ancestors in thefront courtyard of his house but Thang Tin Lian later demol-

ished it and built a better brick arched tomb measuring 12ft by9ft nearby. He and his relatives buried in the new tomb wereas follows:(1) Pi Tai Sung (Thang Luai’s sister)(2) Dar Cin (Van Nawl’s sister)(3) Duh Men (Van Nawl’s youngest sister)(4) Wife Sen Kip April 1947(5) Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lian- May 1947(6) Khuang Tin ~ial (His mother)-Oct 1947(7) Khuang Nawn (His sister) -1950(8) Pi ~ial Man(His sister) - 1954.(9) Wife Hniar Cuai-1967.His wife Men Zing was buried atFalam in 1980.

23. His Legacy23. His Legacy23. His Legacy23. His Legacy23. His Legacy

On his death Thang Tin Lian left the following properties.(A) BuildingsBuildingsBuildingsBuildingsBuildings

(1) Main 2-storey Building in Tlauhmun.(2) Thatch-roofed Building-2 nos in Tlauhmun(3) Residential Building in Falam and(4) Shop Building in Falam.

(B) GunsGunsGunsGunsGuns(1) Cap Powder Gun bequethed by his father

Van Nawl.


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(2) .22 Winchester Rifle(3) .405 Magazine Rifle(4) .500 Double-barrel Rifle(5) 12 bore DBBL gun hammerless(6) 12 bore DBBL Governor’s Award gun with

hammer(7) Flint-lock guns-2 nos and all totalling 88888 guns in all.

(C) AnimalsAnimalsAnimalsAnimalsAnimals(1) Mythun (sia)-19 heads(2) Cattle-15(3) Horse-5 and(4) donkey-1

(D) OthersOthersOthersOthersOthers (Costly ones)(1) Wooden Grain Box-15(2) Small and big gongs-10(3) Big Brass pots - 4 sets(4) Various beads and other heirlooms.

(E) Money cashMoney cashMoney cashMoney cashMoney cashRupees 58,000 including debts to be collected.

24. Inheritance24. Inheritance24. Inheritance24. Inheritance24. Inheritance

Although ~ial Dum was not the eldest of Thang Tin Lian’ssons, he inherited his father’s Chieftainship as already explainedin Chapter 16(A) in super-cession of the eldest brother RalDun.When he inherited the Chieftainship, ~ial Dum inherited allthe properties also, namely Buildings, Guns, Animals, othersand Money Cash left by Thang Tin Lian because the eldestsons Ral Dun and Lal Bik of Thang Tin Lian's other two wivesMen Zing and Sen Kip respectively who were of equal statuswith Hniar Cuai, the mother of ~ial Dum graciously chose notto claim their share of the ro (heirlooms). Thus possible argu-ments and quarrels which could damage future amity and loveamong brothers and sisters were avoided.

25. Development of His Children in Their25. Development of His Children in Their25. Development of His Children in Their25. Development of His Children in Their25. Development of His Children in Their Careers Careers Careers Careers Careers

Chief Thang Tin Lian left 11 sons and 14 daughters from his 4wives when he died in 1947. Their status and careers later onare as follows:-

A. His SonsHis SonsHis SonsHis SonsHis Sons

(1) The eldest son Ral DunRal DunRal DunRal DunRal Dun worked for many years as Vet-erinary Assistant for Falam Subdivision but had to retire


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early on account of his heart trouble and ultimately diedin 1980 leaving his wife Thang Thluai of Zathlir without any children.

(2) Lal BikLal BikLal BikLal BikLal Bik became Superintending Engineer(Burma andChin State)upto age 60 at which time he took pension.He then worked as Consultant Engineer for 4 more yearsin the Ministry of Construction and finally retired inRangoon. With his first wife Sa Tin Zing of Thanhniar,with whom he later separated, he has 4 sons and 1 daugh-ter, but none with his second wife Sung Hniang ofLumbang.

(3) Sum MangSum MangSum MangSum MangSum Mang worked as State Education Officer, Chin Statetill age 60 after which he lived a retired life in Falam. Hischildren consist of 4 sons and 3 daughters from his firstwife Khuang Tin Par (Khawlung) who died in 1995 butnone from his second wife Tial Kulh Zing of Cawmpi.

(4) ~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum~ial Dum became Chief of Zahau on death of his fatherChief Thang Tin Lian but had to resign early when theSystem of Rule by Hereditary Chief and Headman wasabolished by Government in early 1949 and in its place,the system of Elected Council Chairman and Headmanwas introduced for the whole of Chin Hills District. ~ialDum received monetary compensation for the termina-tion as Zahau Chief. He then left Tlauhmun and settled

in Falam with his wife Maih Twe of Falam. They had 3sons and 4 daughters. The new system of Elected Coun-cil Chairman and Headman also ended when the Armyseized power in 1962. His wife died in 2006 and he him-self in Aug 2007.

(5) Za Hre Za Hre Za Hre Za Hre Za Hre (Later Za Hre Lian) resigned from the post ofDeputy Commissioner, Southern Chin Hills District andlater was elected as Member of Parliament for Falam in1952, 1956 and again in 1960 and became Parliamen-tary Secretary and then Chin Affairs Minister.

Za Hre Lian, Sui Men Twe, Hre Kio


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He lost his job when the Burma Army staged a coup-de-tat in 1962 but was later appointed as Burmese Ambas-sador to France, Egypt and to Nepal. He resigned fromhis post due to ill-health and settled in USA where hedied in 1997 leaving his wife M.B.B.S Dr. Sui Men Twe,M.D.(USA) of Falam with 1son and 3 daughters.

(6) Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TsemTsemTsemTsemTsem was an Army Captain from which he re-tired and lived in Falam till his death in 1978. He left 1daughter from his first wife Than Twe, the daughter ofTlaisun Chief Van Hmung, with whom he later sepa-rated. Then with his second wife Yolanda Ba Kyi ofMaymyo he had 3 sons and 2 daughters and again gotseparated. He had no children with his third wife BawiNei of Tlauhmun.

(7) Ral Lian SumRal Lian SumRal Lian SumRal Lian SumRal Lian Sum was Professor of Forestry at RangoonUniversity after obtaining M.Sc. (Forestry) (Australia)degree from which he retired on pension at age 60 andlater migrated to USA. With his wife Shwe Ha of Falam,they have 4 sons and 2 daughters.

(8) Sai Ling ThangSai Ling ThangSai Ling ThangSai Ling ThangSai Ling Thang studied up to I.A in Rangoon Univer-sity and then worked as Clerk in the Burmese Embassyin Washington DC and later retired and lived in USA.His wife from Laos who worked in Laos Embassy died

leaving him with 3 daughters, but has no children by hissecond wife Lily of Falam.

(9) Mang BurMang BurMang BurMang BurMang Bur who studied up to I.Sc in Rangoon Univer-sity worked as Township Immigration officer when heretired on attaining age 60 and migrated to USA wherehe died in 2001. His first wife Tum Pen of Falam diedlong before in 1981 leaving him with 4 sons and 5 daugh-ters and then with his second wife Cung Kim of Lumbanghe had another 1 son and 1 daughter.

(10) Thla Khar Thla Khar Thla Khar Thla Khar Thla Khar (now San Lwai) was an MBBS doctor whenhe migrated to USA. After getting the M.D. degree andHeart Specialist qualification there, he opened the ChinHills Building Medical Center which he with his col-leagues ran for many years and finally retired at age 65.He has 1 son and 1 daughter with his wife Cavelle ofCanada.

(11) The youngest of Thang Tin Lian’s sons KKKKKei Luaiei Luaiei Luaiei Luaiei Luai stud-ied only up to Matriculation and was a Sub-Inspector ofPolice from which he retired early and migrated to USA.He lives with his wife Daw Amar from Namtu with their3 daughters.


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B. His DaughtersHis DaughtersHis DaughtersHis DaughtersHis Daughters

Out of Thang Tin Lian’s 14 daughters the eldest 9 were leftuneducated but had good husbands as forecasted by their fa-ther. They are as follows:-

(1) Eldest daughter Kai SinKai SinKai SinKai SinKai Sin married Zathlir Headman ThangCung Nung with whom she had 6 sons and 4 daughters.The husband died in 1969. She herself died in 1990.

(2) ~ha Hlei Sung~ha Hlei Sung~ha Hlei Sung~ha Hlei Sung~ha Hlei Sung was married to Ngalti Headman TlangSum and has 3 sons and 2 daughters and now lives inFalam, a widow as her husband died in 1989.

(3) Khuang Khuang Khuang Khuang Khuang ThluaiThluaiThluaiThluaiThluai married Rallang Headman Lal Tin Khupand has 3 sons and 1 daughter. Then after separation,she remarried Ngun Hlei Mang of Selawn, Trade Deptclerk and has another 2 sons and 1 daughter. After hersecond husband’s death in 1985, she migrated to USAand is living there at present.

(4) Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin in in in in TlemTlemTlemTlemTlem married No Zam of Khaute an Armyoffice Head-clerk, and had 7 sons and 1 daughter andlived in Falam after the death of her husband in 1985.She herself died in August 2007.

(5) Fung Fung Fung Fung Fung ThluaiThluaiThluaiThluaiThluai married No Hlei Tai (Selawn Headman)

and has 7 sons with him before separation after whichshe moved to Falam.

(6) KKKKKei Manei Manei Manei Manei Man married Van Kulh of Tikhuangtum, an ArmyColonel who later became Honourable Minister in Party-Council time. She had 1 daughter with him before shedied in 1970.

Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting:Sitting: Lian Cung Nung, Sai Bil ~ial, Kei Man (A cawi mi Sui Em), Van Kulh. Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing:Standing: Thla Khar

(7) Sai Bil ~ialSai Bil ~ialSai Bil ~ialSai Bil ~ialSai Bil ~ial married Army Captain Lian Cung Nung ofZongte but had no children when she died in 1977.


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(8) Mang Mang Mang Mang Mang TTTTTin Zingin Zingin Zingin Zingin Zing married Tial Hlei Sum of Zongte, now aretired school Teacher, and has 5 sons and 1 daughterand they live in Falam at present.

(9) TTTTTin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pararararar married Hniar Kulh (Singai Headman) and has6 sons and 2 daughters and lives in Falam after her husband died in 1986. She herself died in September 2007.

The remaining 5 youngest daughters listed below were all giveneducation by their older brothers after the death of their fatherThang Tin Lian and each held good teaching jobs in Govern-ment as described hereunder:-

(1) Hlawn Kip ThluaiHlawn Kip ThluaiHlawn Kip ThluaiHlawn Kip ThluaiHlawn Kip Thluai obtained B.A degree and Dip.Ed.(Australia) and in 1960 was the first woman Univer-sity graduate in the whole of Chin State. She retired afterworking many years as SAT. Her husband was Run RoThang of Sim Dihai village, was Director, Central LawOffice and they have 3 sons and 3 daughters before hisdeath in 2001. She now lives in Yangon.

(2) Klem KyinKlem KyinKlem KyinKlem KyinKlem Kyin qualified as B.A and DT and is at presentworking as Asst. Professor of Mathematics in USA. Herhusband is Rev. Dr. Hre Kio, Ph. D of Zokhua, now aretired Bible Translation Consultant and they have 3 sonsand 1daughter.

(3) Cer CinCer CinCer CinCer CinCer Cin obtained her B.Sc degree and worked as Head

of State Middle Schools till her death in 1997. Her hus-band was Hoi Lian of Vazang, a Veterinary doctor andhad 2 sons and 4 daughters.

(4) Ni DongNi DongNi DongNi DongNi Dong also obtained a B.Sc degree and worked as aSAT before her marriage to Dr. Za Hlei Thang, M.B.B.Sof Tlauhmun. They have 2 sons and 1 daughter and havemigrated to USA.

(5) Thang Tin Lian’s youngest daughter Ngun KipNgun KipNgun KipNgun KipNgun Kip is a B.Adegree holder and worked as Senior AssitantTeacher inGovernment Schools for many years. Her husband isKei Mang of Zawlte and they have 2 sons and 2 daugh-ters and live in USA.

Out of the 11 sons and 14 daughters left by Thang Tin Lian onhis death, only 6 sons and 8 daughters aged between 64 and87 are alive today.

26.26.26.26.26. Establishment of Chief Establishment of Chief Establishment of Chief Establishment of Chief Establishment of Chief Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lianin Lianin Lianin Lianin LianFoundationFoundationFoundationFoundationFoundation

When we see Thang Tin Lian’s Ro-Innpi house in Tlauhmunwe will-find it quite unique because for one thing none of thehouses of the Chiefs in Falam Township, even in the whole of


95 96

Chin Hills for that matter, is no more existing like Zahau Chief’shouse in Tlauhmun. Furthermore the wooden floors used wereof huge, almost unbelievable dimensions for Chin timber, be-ing 43ft long and 3ft 2 inches wide and 2 inches thick. Thatmeant trees of over 60-70ft high and 12ft girth were success-fully handled and supervised by Thang Tin Lian himself whoalong with other villagers incurred great dangers. These featscould be compared with construction of pyramids of Egypt,how they could have lifted those huge blocks of stone. There-fore the Ro-Innpi deserves maintenance as long as possible.

In this regard, it must be put on record that Tial Dum, whoinherited Thang Tin Lian’s Ro-Innpi, gave away its owner-ship with good heart and free of all costs to Chief Thang TinLian Foundation for maintenance of the Building and Annexesfor future generations by a signed Agreement on 22 Decem-ber 2004.

Realising the importance of maintaining Thang Tin Lian’shouse (Ro-Innpi) and other important annex structures, the de-scendents of Thang Tin Lian and of his sisters decided to es-tablish a Foundation on 1st Jan 2005 for the above purposeincluding opening a Museum by collecting the heirlooms andother valuable articles for permanent display. Accordingly,duties were apportioned as follows.

Board of Board of Board of Board of Board of TTTTTrusteesrusteesrusteesrusteesrustees(1) U Lal Tin Mang(2) U Tin Kio Bik(3) Rev. Lin Sein Lian(4) U Thla Iang(5) Daw Sui Cin(6) Pastor Mang Hlei Zing(7) Rev. Siang Za Khup(8) Rev. No Bual Hrang(9) U Van Hnuai Uk(10) U Hre Ling(11) U Vivian Sum(12) U Sa Mang(13) Prof. Daw Sa Lian Kai(14) Daw Kai Cem and(15) Rev. Dr. S. Hre Kio.

Executive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExecutive Committee(1) U Lal Tin Mang (Vice-Chairman)(2) U Tin Kio Bik(3) Rev.Lin Sein Lian(4) U Thla Iang (Treasurer)(5) Daw Sui Cin(6) Daw Mang Hlei Zing(7) Rev. Dr. S. Hre Kio(Chairman)(8) Rev. Siang Za Khup (Secretary) and


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(9) Rev.No Bual Hrang.AuditorsAuditorsAuditorsAuditorsAuditors

(1) U Sa Mang, Falam and(2) U Al Duh, Yangon.

AdvisorsAdvisorsAdvisorsAdvisorsAdvisors(1) U Lal Bik(2) U Sum Mang(3) U Ral Lian Sum(4) Dr. San Lwai, M.D(5) U Sai Ling Thang(6) Daw Hlawn Kip Thluai(7) Daw Tlem Kyin(8) Daw Ngun Kip(9) Daw Ni Dong(10) Dr. Za Hlei Thang and(11) U Ngun Lian.

27.27.27.27.27. Future Future Future Future Future TTTTTaskaskaskaskask

As explained in the foregoing, it is the bounden duty of allThang Tin Lian’s and his sisters’ descendants to maintain ingood condition the house and other structures in Tlauhmun aswell as the heirlooms left by him for all their future genera-tions to see.

28.28.28.28.28. List of Documents List of Documents List of Documents List of Documents List of Documents AttachedAttachedAttachedAttachedAttached

(1) Names of Children of Thang Tin Lian's 11 sons and 14Daughters (According to age-seniority)

(2) Consolidated Estimate of Cost of Restoration Work toChief Thang Tin Lian’s Ro-Innpi, Tlauhmun.

(3) Photocopy of letter written by Thang Tin Lian to hisson Lal Bik.

(4) Genealogical Tree of Zahau Lal Hrin.(5) Lay-out Plan of Chief Thang Tin Lian’s Residential

compound, Tlauhmun village.(6) Map of Zahau Domain(Tribal Area) Under Chief Thang

Tin Lian’s Rule.


Annexure (1)Names of Children of Names of Children of Names of Children of Names of Children of Names of Children of Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin Lian's 11 sons and 14in Lian's 11 sons and 14in Lian's 11 sons and 14in Lian's 11 sons and 14in Lian's 11 sons and 14DaughtersDaughtersDaughtersDaughtersDaughters (According to age-seniority)

1. Kai Sin1. Kai Sin1. Kai Sin1. Kai Sin1. Kai Sin with husband Thang Cung Nung:-(i) Sai Men (ii) Mang Ceu (iii) Bual Hlei ~ial (iv) ThanKip Luai (v) Za Hrem (vi) Hre Ling (vii) Khuang LianMang (viii) ~ial Em (ix) Sui Kio, and (x) Ni Hniang.

2. Ral Dun2. Ral Dun2. Ral Dun2. Ral Dun2. Ral Dun with wife Thang Thluai had no children.

3. Lal Bik3. Lal Bik3. Lal Bik3. Lal Bik3. Lal Bik with Sa Tin Zing:-(i) Van Hre (ii) Lal Tin Mang (iii) Ni Siang Bik(iv) Henry Tin Kio Bik, and (v)Mang Tin LianBut with second wife Sung Hniang, he has no children.

4. Sum Mang4. Sum Mang4. Sum Mang4. Sum Mang4. Sum Mang with wife Khuang Tin Par:-(i) Bawi Sung (ii) Van Hnuai Thluai (iii) Sa Lian Kai(iv) Thang Bur (v) Ral Rel Mang (vi) Cung Nung,and (v) Cin Mang. But with second wife ~ial KulhZing, he has no children.

5. ~ial Dum5. ~ial Dum5. ~ial Dum5. ~ial Dum5. ~ial Dum with wife Meih Htwe:-(i) Sui Cin (ii) Van Thawm Lian (iii) Ni Kio(iv) Hlei Par (v) Khu Mang (vi) Cin Kim, and(vii) Tin ~ial.

6. 6. 6. 6. 6. Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TsemTsemTsemTsemTsem with wife Than Twe had only one daughterBawi Zing. Then with second wife Yolanda:-(i) Michael (ii) Christopher (iii) Mu Mu Tin (iv) Suzanneand (v) Tun Min (Ko Tu)But with third wife Bawi Nei , he had no children.

7. Za Hre Lian 7. Za Hre Lian 7. Za Hre Lian 7. Za Hre Lian 7. Za Hre Lian (formerly Za Hre) with wife Maizie Sui MenTwe:-(i) Khaw Tin Mawi (Tin Mawi) (ii) Tin Em(iii) Tin Thluai, and (iv) Mang Tin Sia.

8. ~ha Hlei Sung8. ~ha Hlei Sung8. ~ha Hlei Sung8. ~ha Hlei Sung8. ~ha Hlei Sung with husband Tlang Sum:-(i) Lal Hlawn Mang (ii) Kei Bual ~ial(iii) Thawm Lian Ling (iv) Kai Cem, and(v) Thla Iang.

9. Khuang 9. Khuang 9. Khuang 9. Khuang 9. Khuang ThluaiThluaiThluaiThluaiThluai with husband Lal Tin Khup:-(i) Hrang Tin Kio (Tin Ko) (ii) Kawl Lian(iii) Than Hlei Kai , and (iv) Thu Mawi

Then with second husband Ngun Hlei Mang, she has(v) Lal Ce Mang (vi) Hrang Vung Thang, and(vii) Lydia Cer Iang.

10. 10. 10. 10. 10. Thang Thang Thang Thang Thang TTTTTin in in in in Tlem Tlem Tlem Tlem Tlem with husband No Zam:-(i) Mang Hlei Zing (ii) Siang Lilian (iii) Mang Lilian(iv) Thang Lilian (Pa Uai) (v) Piang Lilian (Pa Kai)


(vi) Kim Lilian (Pa Hniang) (vii) Ni Lilian, and (viii)Mawi Lilian.

11. Fung 11. Fung 11. Fung 11. Fung 11. Fung ThluaiThluaiThluaiThluaiThluai with husband No Hlei Tai:-(i) Siang Za Khup (ii) Za Hleih Lal (iii) Luai Mang(iv) Ni Hre (v) Van Hnuai Uk (vi) Za Mang, and(vii) Mang Oo Lian, all sons.

12. K12. K12. K12. K12. Kei Manei Manei Manei Manei Man with husband Van Kulh had only one daunghterVan Sui Em.

13. Sai Bil ~ial13. Sai Bil ~ial13. Sai Bil ~ial13. Sai Bil ~ial13. Sai Bil ~ial with husband Lian Cung Nung had nochildren.

14. Ral Lian Sum14. Ral Lian Sum14. Ral Lian Sum14. Ral Lian Sum14. Ral Lian Sum with wife Shwe Ha:-(i) Lin Sein Lian (ii) Lal Cung (iii) Mang Cem(iv) Thang Sawn Lian (Thangte) (v) Cin Sung, and(vi) Cin Zing.

15. Mang 15. Mang 15. Mang 15. Mang 15. Mang TTTTTin Zingin Zingin Zingin Zingin Zing with husband ~ial Hlei Sum:-(i) Thawm Hu (ii) Sui Lan (iii) Sang La Sum(iv) Vivian Sum (v) Ci Luai, and (vi) Thang Lan Sum.

16. 16. 16. 16. 16. TTTTTin Pin Pin Pin Pin Pararararar with husband Hniar Kulh:-(i) Hram Mang (ii) Tin Thang (iii) Duh Tin Kheng(iv) Lal Vung Thang (v) Bawik Zik (vi) Siang Hrin

Cer ((vii) Hrang Bik Thang, and (viii) Ngun Cer Thluai.

17. Sai Ling Thang17. Sai Ling Thang17. Sai Ling Thang17. Sai Ling Thang17. Sai Ling Thang with wife from Laos:-(i) Lily (ii) Vida, and (iii) Mary, all daughters.He has no children with second wife Lily from Falam.

18. Mang Bur18. Mang Bur18. Mang Bur18. Mang Bur18. Mang Bur with wife Tum Pen:-(i) Sui Dim (iii) Ni Cem (iii) Thang Hook Luai(iv) Sen Cin (v) Sen Hngel (vi) Zing Thluai(vii) Hrin Lian Mang (viii) Duh Thlia, and(ix) San Hu.Then with second wife Cung Kim, he had (x) MangBawi Lian, and (xi) Za Za Sui.

19. San Lwai 19. San Lwai 19. San Lwai 19. San Lwai 19. San Lwai (Formerly Thla Khar) with wife Cavelle:-(i) Ral Din , and (ii) Sanalee

20. Hlawn Kip Thluai20. Hlawn Kip Thluai20. Hlawn Kip Thluai20. Hlawn Kip Thluai20. Hlawn Kip Thluai with husband Run Ro Thang:-(i) Lal Uk Thang (ii) Ro Mawi (iii) Tin Cung Thang, (iv) Van Dong (v) Ni Luai Thang, and (vi) Van Cin.

21. Klem Kyin21. Klem Kyin21. Klem Kyin21. Klem Kyin21. Klem Kyin with husband Stephen Hre Kio:-(i) Van Tin Lian (ii) Za Lal Thawng (Bute)(iii) Lal Hre Lian (Mawte), and (iv) Dai Dim Par(Pante).

22. Cer Cin22. Cer Cin22. Cer Cin22. Cer Cin22. Cer Cin with husband Hoi Lian:-


(i) Za Hum Nei (ii) Hmin Than Kim (ii) Za Lun Mang(iv) Van Hnuai Kim (v) Ni Kung, and(vi) Mang Za Lian

23. K23. K23. K23. K23. Kei Luaiei Luaiei Luaiei Luaiei Luai with wife Amar:-(i) Wa Wa (ii) Phyu Phyu, and (iii) Aye Aye,all daughters.

24. Ni Dong24. Ni Dong24. Ni Dong24. Ni Dong24. Ni Dong with husband Za Hlei Thang:-(i) Mi Lan Za (ii) Za San Oo, and (iii) Za Lian Maw

25. Ngun Kip25. Ngun Kip25. Ngun Kip25. Ngun Kip25. Ngun Kip with husband Kei Mang:-(i) San Kip Thluai (ii) Thang San Bik (Ungda),(iii) Tin Bik, and (iv) Sui San.


Annexure (2)Consolidated Estimate of RenoConsolidated Estimate of RenoConsolidated Estimate of RenoConsolidated Estimate of RenoConsolidated Estimate of Renovvvvvation ation ation ation ation WWWWWork to Chief ork to Chief ork to Chief ork to Chief ork to Chief ThangThangThangThangThangTTTTTin Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’in Lian’s Ro-Innpi at s Ro-Innpi at s Ro-Innpi at s Ro-Innpi at s Ro-Innpi at TlauhmunTlauhmunTlauhmunTlauhmunTlauhmun

1. Main Building (66 ft by 26 ft 2 storeys):- Main Building (66 ft by 26 ft 2 storeys):- Main Building (66 ft by 26 ft 2 storeys):- Main Building (66 ft by 26 ft 2 storeys):- Main Building (66 ft by 26 ft 2 storeys):-Work involving (a) Lifting the sunken posts and floor tooriginal level and resting them on solid footing(b) Replacing missing/broken glass window-panes(c) Renewing weevil-eaten veranda floor, purlins and stairswith new hualtimber,(d) Earth oiling exposed wooden walls and (e) Painting theroof.

K 2,300,000K 2,300,000K 2,300,000K 2,300,000K 2,300,0002. Out housesOut housesOut housesOut housesOut houses such as

(a) Kitchen and covered way,(b) Pig sty (latrine)(c) Shed(Zauthlam) K 1,200,000K 1,200,000K 1,200,000K 1,200,000K 1,200,000

3. Other Other Other Other Other AnneAnneAnneAnneAnnex Structuresx Structuresx Structuresx Structuresx Structures such as (a ) Tomb (b) Retainingwalls (c) stone pavements (lungdaang) and (d) Water troughwith platform K 200,000K 200,000K 200,000K 200,000K 200,000

4. Zaute PlatformZaute PlatformZaute PlatformZaute PlatformZaute Platform(65 ft x 16 ft)Renewing with Lenhai teak planks and local lain posts

K 1,900,000K 1,900,000K 1,900,000K 1,900,000K 1,900,000

5. Fencing (610 ft)Fencing (610 ft)Fencing (610 ft)Fencing (610 ft)Fencing (610 ft)Rebuilding the teak plank fencing with ‘Lawi’ posts in original form:-

K 3,900,000K 3,900,000K 3,900,000K 3,900,000K 3,900,000

6. Supervision Charges K 500,000K 500,000K 500,000K 500,000K 500,000

Total K K K K K 10,000,00010,000,00010,000,00010,000,00010,000,000

7. Unforeseen Expenses 10%10%10%10%10% K 1,000,000K 1,000,000K 1,000,000K 1,000,000K 1,000,000

Total K 11,000,000K 11,000,000K 11,000,000K 11,000,000K 11,000,000 (Kyats eleven million only)

Note:- This Estimate does not include expected cost of ac-quiring the missing original heirlooms such as guns,gongs, brass pots, beads and other ornaments for theproposed Museum.

( Lal Bik )October 2007





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