A book on Phan Nonglait, written by lawyer Daniel Stone Lyngdoh, was released today. The book seeks to pay due respect to and spread awareness about the Khasi freedom fighter, who fought against British rule in the 19th century.
‘Ka Phan Nonglait: Lade Freedom Fighter of India’ was released by the Executive Member in charge of Elaka, Jambor War, at the conference room of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The book was sponsored by the KHADC, with forewords by Salman Khurshid and David R Syiemlieh.
Phan Nonglait was from the Hima Khadsawphra. She was born in 1799 and died on December 6, 1850. Despite her heroics against the British colonial armies, she is less famous than the celebrated U Tirot Sing Syiem, Kiang Nangbah or Pa Togan Sangma.
War congratulated Lyngdoh for his work for the Khasi community by bringing out the book.
“From this day onwards, we will be able to keep this document as a record that will remain for generations to come,” War said.
Lyngdoh, meanwhile, said that it took him 19 years and a lot of research to write the book.
Phan Nonglait is the most famous woman from the early colonial period of Khasi history to have fought the British and is as important as other celebrated freedom fighters, he added.
The fourth generation descendants of the clan Nonglait were present at today’s programme and they expressed hope that the public will remember this freedom fighter.
