Rani Gaidinliu
Rani Gaidinliu1915- , Naga queen and freedom fighter. She was the daughter of Lothonang, an influential chief of Nung Kao village in west Manipur. While only 13, she became an associate of Jadonang who was hanged for his political activities by the British in 1931. Gaidinliu then assumed the leadership of the movement herself, and made it a part of the larger movement for Indian independence. She continued to defy the British from her stronghold in the Trans-Barak basin, and defied all attempts of the British army to capture her. It was only on 17 October 1932 that she was captured during a surprise raid at her hideout by a British army officer, and was sentenced to imprisonment for life. She was released in 1947 when India became independent, though she was not allowed to return to Manipur. She retired from active politics, but in 1960, she again became active in Naga affairs, even remaining underground for six years.
