Piphema’s Colonial Legacy: A 125-Year-Old British Bungalow

December 29, 2024 4 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 29

Perched on a small hill overlooking National Highway 29 between Kohima and Dimapur lies a historic structure built over 125 years ago. Often overlooked by travelers along the busy highway, the old ‘Inspection Bungalow’ at Piphema in Chümoukedima district now serves as a Nagaland Police outpost. It remains a poignant relic of the British colonial era in the Naga Hills.

A stone placard outside the building indicates that it was constructed in January 1898 during the tenure of Captain A.E. Woods, ISC, who served as Deputy Commissioner of the Naga Hills from 1894 to 1899. This timeline suggests that the bungalow predates many Naga villages still in existence today.

A 2011 report by The Morung Express noted that at least 15 such colonial-era structures are still standing across Nagaland, once part of the larger ‘Naga Hills’ district.

Built using mud-bricks and wood in the distinctive Assam-type architectural style, the Piphema bungalow features a verandah overlooking the main road and three chimneys. Though it has undergone renovations over the years, its original foundation and design remain intact.

Naga heritage products

Its strategic location between Dimapur and Kohima suggests that prominent colonial officials, including J.H. Hutton, J.P. Mills, and Charles R. Pawsey, may have used the bungalow during their tenure in the region. These inspection bungalows were primarily intended as resting points for colonial officers on their tours across the Naga Hills.

Despite the rapid development occurring in its vicinity, the bungalow has remained largely unchanged, preserving its historical essence. Similar inspection bungalows can still be found in places like Phek village, Sukhalu village under Zunheboto district, and Khonoma village in Kohima district, among others.