N E PARRY AND MIZO HISTORY

Abstract

The process of annexation of the Mizo or Lushai hills in 1890 by the British brought many officials to the present state of Mizoram who gave accounts of their military operations and in the process described about the culture and society of the Mizos who lived therein. The accounts written continued after the annexation and administration of the hills. These accounts of the British officials throw ample information about the Mizos hitherto unknown before. With special reference to a particular official, N.E.Parry, one of the Superintendents of the Lushai hills, an attempt is made to look at his works in the light of the ideology of colonial historiography prevalent at the time. It is observed here that against the colonial ideology in historiography of criticism of Indian culture and society and legitimising British rule, Parry sought to preserve the culture and traditions of the Mizos to the extent of criticising the missionaries for their western influences. This ideology of Parry was reflected in the two books written by him on the Mizos which made his accounts a reliable and valuable source of Mizo history and Mizo history writing.