English: The British incursions into the Naga territory, beginning in the 1840s, met with stiff resistance from the independence-loving Nagas, who had never been conquered by any empire before. Khonoma village in Nagaland is located about 20 km from the state capital, Kohima. The people of Khonoma restricted the British invasion in the late 19th century. Steep stone steps lead to the peak of the village- the memorial site of British political officer G.H. Damant, who came to Khonoma in 1879. Damant was killed on 4 October 1879 leading to a long war with the British who tried to tame the village. On 22 November 1879, a great battle was fought between them which resulted in the killing of three British officers, namely, Major C.R. Cock, native officer Sub. Major Nurbir Sai, and Lt. H.H. Forbes. A simple white pillar, which was constructed by villagers of Khonoma (as forced labourers under British command), commemorates these officers. In 1880, a peace treaty was signed between the British and the village. Today, the village elders narrate the tales of the battle with pride. Apart from all the boasting, it’s remarkable how a poor Naga village could fight off the British; their advanced technology with nothing but spears, machetes and knives.