Banaitangi

Chieftainship

After Banaitangi was married to Ngursailova, she gained a positive reputation as a kind and compassionate chief compared to others. Due to the fact that Ngursailova spent time with his father, Lalchukla, who was captive in Sylhet, Banaitangi was encouraged to take an interest in public life and facets of chieftainship. She was the first Lushai chieftainess to come down to the plains of Sylhet, Agartala and Dhaka.

Quarrel with her husband

Ngursailova after marriage found Banaitangi to be an expensive wife. Banaitangi took control of managing estates and taking on roles of chieftainship in Ngursailova's absence. Laljeeka also raided Ngursailova's settlements as a revenge for Banaitangi'sa marriage rejection. In return, Sukpilal took revenge on Laljeeka and forced him to take refuge under the eastern chiefs. Due to these issues, and Banaitangi's acumen in accumulating influence over his own power, Ngursailova under the influence of Zu (rice beer) assaulted Banaitangi. Banaitangi in return swore revenge and Ngursailova ordered her arrest. In the middle of the night, Banaitangi with a few loyal nobles escaped Ngursailova's village in January 1871 and in three days managed to reach Sukpilal's village of Reiek. Petty chiefs such as Roona and Mona followed her as well. Sukpilal and her mother Pi Buki made peace with Laljeeka to invade Ngursailova's estate. Banaitangi ruled her own estates similar to before her marriage as an independent chieftainess. Ngursailova attempted to mend the separation and offer her to raise his sons but she refused and he died soon after.

Later life

Banaitangi after the death of her husband followed customary practices on widowhood. She observed widow penance known as thlahual. Upon meeting with Major Boyd in 1881 her poor health had physically aged her further than she truly was. She clad herself in a white sari during her widow years. She also conducted an interview in Bengali with Boyd's assistant Hari Charan Sharma in her settlement's zawlbuk on 3 February 1881. The interview was a surprise to British officials as the trial of her father-in-law Lalchukla had created opposition from chiefs to cooperate with the British. Due to this, she is considered the first Lushai lady and chieftainess to hold diplomatic relations with the British.