NAGA CAMPAIGN^ 1879-80. 
263 
MOUNTAIN GUNS IN THE NAGA HILIS, 
1879 - 80 , 
BY 
LIEUT. A. HANSEL; R.A, 
The Naga Hills lie roughly around N. lat. 26°, E. long. 93°. 
This tract of hills, varying from 3000 to 1000 ft. in height, is 
inhabited by tribes of Nagas, such as “ Angamis,” “ Eastern Angamis,” 
“ Shotas,” “Rengmas,” “Semnas,” with various others, too numerous 
to mention. 
These, especially the Angamas (the most warlike), used to make 
frequent raids on our territory, and, for some years past, a strong 
force of sepoys and frontier police had been established, as a check, 
at Samaguting, situated on the northern range of the Angami country. 
Two years ago a still further move was made; and a station, situated 
below their largest village of Kohima, with a political officer, was 
established in the heart of the country. 
This seems to have caused considerable uneasiness to the inhabi¬ 
tants, for having collected a considerable number of fire-arms and 
ammunition, they, in September last, attacked the political officer, 
Mr. Damant, O.S., when on a visit to Khonoma, killed him, and cut 
his escort (about 50 men of the 43rd A.L.I., and Frontier Police) to 
pieces, seizing their Sniders and Enfields. 
Our stockade at Kohima was then beseiged by about 3000 Angamis, 
until it was relieved by the arrival of Colonel Johnstone and 2000 
Munnipoories; the garrison having exhausted their provisions, and 
being in great straits from want of water. 
200 men of the 43rd A.L.I., in an incredibly short time, marched 
to the relief from Debroghur at a day’s notice, and arrived at Kohima 
the day after its relief. The 44th A.L.I., en route to Kabul, were 
stopped at Gowhatty and ordered to the scene of disturbance; and, 
early in October, Brigadier General Nation, commanding the Eastern 
Frontier District, with Captain Williamson, a Political officer, assumed 
command. 
Meanwhile, the Nagas had retired to Khonoma, a strong position on 
a hog-backed hill, running north and south, with precipitous sides. 
This hill, by artificial defences, they made almost impregnable. 
The Brigadier-General having telegraphed for guns, I was despatched 
from Calcutta, on 1st November, 1879, with three bombardiers of 
16/9, R.A., in command of two 7-prs. (150 lbs.) ; 100 9-pr. rockets 
300 rounds of ammunition, with elephant and coolie equipment, 
