The ''Pasalṭha'' ( lit. 'good husband',

Mara Mara or MARA may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Mara (''Doctor Who''), an evil being in two ''Doctor Who'' serials * Mara (She-Ra), fictional characters from the ''She-Ra and the Princesses of Power'' and ''The New Advent ...

: ''Pasaipha'', Paite/

Tedim Tedim (, , (Tedim language, Zo: ''Tedim Khuapi'', pronounced ; is a town and the administrative seat of Tedim Township in Chin State, Myanmar. It is the second largest town in Chin State, after Hakha (the capital city of Chin State). The town's f ...

: ''Salpha'') were a legendary class of warriors and military leaders among the

Mizo people The Mizo people, historically called the Lushais, are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily from Mizoram in northeastern India. They speak Mizo, one of the state's official languages and its lingua franca. Beyond Mizoram, sizable Mizo commu ...

, known for their bravery, discipline, and embodiment of the Mizo ethical code, ''tlawmngaihna''. This institution flourished from the

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

to the

early modern period The early modern period is a Periodization, historical period that is defined either as part of or as immediately preceding the modern period, with divisions based primarily on the history of Europe and the broader concept of modernity. There i ...

, symbolizing heroism and selflessness. Famous Pasalṭha such as Vanapa,

Khuangchera Pasalṭha Khuangchera was a distinguished Mizo warrior renowned for his valor and leadership during the late 19th century. He is celebrated for his resistance against British colonial forces in the Lushai Hills, present-day Mizoram, India. E ...

Taitesena Pasalṭha Taitesena born Ralthathchhunga was a famous Mizo warrior, hunter, and volunteer. He is considered an idol of Mizo youths for his virtue of Tlawmngaihna. Early life Taitesena was born in January 1882 as Ralthatchhunga to a Khinagte ...

, Thanseia, and Keivawmhranga continue to inspire Mizos, with their stories romanticised and celebrated in

song A song is a musical composition performed by the human voice. The voice often carries the melody (a series of distinct and fixed pitches) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs have a structure, such as the common ABA form, and are usu ...

and

folklore Folklore is the body of expressive culture shared by a particular group of people, culture or subculture. This includes oral traditions such as Narrative, tales, myths, legends, proverbs, Poetry, poems, jokes, and other oral traditions. This also ...

. However, the arrival of British colonial powers marked the decline of the Pasalṭha institution, as the British found their resistance formidable and sought to dismantle their influence.

Role and purpose

According to James Dokhuma, "The Pasalṭha is not only a skilled hunter but also the one who is claimed to be famous for his prowess in taking heads of the enemies." In fact, a Pasalṭha typically brought multiple captives, totaling roughly ten. This hinged heavily on the Pasaltha's bravery and power. Undoubtedly, the Pasalṭha played significantly more prominent roles than others in pre-Christian Lushai culture. Its egalitarian nature can be seen in the fact that any commoner could achieve the title of Pasaṭtha by bravery and service to society. It was thus not a

hereditary Heredity, also called inheritance or biological inheritance, is the passing on of traits from parents to their offspring; either through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction, the offspring cells or organisms acquire the genetic inform ...

post. Pasalṭha is described by Kipgen as "a brave and manly person" who demonstrated his character integrity through Tlawmngaihna's actions. Such individuals were admired and respected not only in the ''

zawlbuk Zawlbûk (; ) was a traditional bachelorsʼ quarters of the Mizo people, predominantly of the lushei tribe, Luseis living in Mizoram, India. It was prominently the largest house in the tribe, tribal village, and it was customary for every villag ...

'', but also by the Lals of all neighboring villages and their inhabitants. They looked up to him and honored him during festivals as well. All of the requirements for training to become a Pasaltha were met at the zawlbuk. The Pasaltha exemplified the Lushai desire to preserve their way of life, dignity, and honour. He usually carried a long sword by his side, a symbol of his acute hunting abilities and responsibilities as the guardian of his town, its land, and its people.

Role in the MNF

The battalions used by the MNF during the

Mizo National Front uprising The Mizo National Front uprising ( Mizo: ''Rambuai'') was a revolt against the government of India aimed at establishing a sovereign nation state for the Mizo people, which started on 28 February 1966. On 1 March 1966, the Mizo National Front ( ...

were all named after famous pasalthas. Goswami argues this is a mechanism for the MNF to maintain continuity with their regional past. The pasalthas used during the movement lived in the era close to the British annexation of the Lushai Hills. The heroes were chosen from the immediate past as the way to continue a tradition of bravery among the volunteer fighters. In the past, the tradition of a pasaltha encompassed both chivalry and bravery in killing enemies and animals. However, the MNF utilised it exclusively in the enemy context. The names chosen were from the main Mizo ethnic group to maintain solidarity.

Notable Pasaltha

, anti-British resistance figure * Saizahawla, wrestler and athlete *

, volunteer and hunter *

Vana Pa Pasalṭha Vana Pa born Thanzachhinga was a famed Mizo tactician and counsellor under Chief Lalsavunga and his son Vanhnuailiana. Pasalṭha Vana Pa had a reputation for having a bad temper. For this reason, he was not married until he was aro ...

, tactician and advisor * Chawngbawla, warrior and duelist * Zampuimanga, warrior and tiger hunter

References

Sources

* {{Lushai frontier Warriors of Asia History of Mizoram Precolonial Mizoram