MAWSMAI (Krem)
25.244600,91.724800
Description
Two adjacent cave entrances give access to an easily visitable cave, which was developed into the very first show cave of Meghalaya, complete with management, entrance fee and blinding light bulbs for illumination. Already CRACROFT, W (1831) distinguished two parts of the cave which, a little later, was »divided into two parts. The old cave … consisting of large passage containing some impressive stalagmite formations [note 1], sadly now much disfigured by the soot from kerosene torches … another 250 m of large passage and chambers whose equally impressive [calcite] formations are as yet unsullied« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 24). CULTURAL HISTORY - human use: »… Musmai cavern … The Kasiah people have a tradition of its being the residence of a spirit, named Bubún, and are afraid to enter it without visitors« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 174). Krem Mawsmai lies within the sacred grove (note 2) of U Ryngkew, a tutelary deity, and one can safely assume that the grove and the cave on the hill Lum U Lyngkrem has been a cult spot for ages (note 3). Christian missionaries, however, appear to have effectively spoiled the relevant traditions. Nowadays, the village panchayat (note 4) exploits the site as a low profile show cave attracting sightseers (note 5). During the late 1990ies, somebody from the Forest Department decided to spent somebody else's money and had by autumn 2000 installed what is considered an »electric illumination« but actually consists of a series naked light bulbs at eye-height which constitute an efficient visitor blinding device. BASKAR et al. (2008) confirm that »Krem Mawsmai … is an important site for tourism.« ETYMOLOGY: Unknwown and, perhaps, unknowable remains if the cave is named after the village of Mawsmai or if the village is named after the cave but either of them is named after a certain, unidentified "u maw" or »a stone« that once had served to satisfy the need to "smái" or »to swear, to take an oath« (SINGH, N 1906: 205). So far, I saw the name of the village and that of the cave spelled, edited or printed as Grotte de Maosmaë CHAPPUIS, P-A (1953-1954: 217) Grotte Maosmaï LINDBERG, K (1949a: 40-41, 45) village of Maosmai MEDLICOTT, H B (1869a: 28 = 178) Maosmai Cave COLLINGE, W E (1916: 128); TRIMMEL, H (1968: 266) village of Masmae WALTERS, H (1832: 503) village of Mausmai YULE, H (1844: 612, 614) Mawlum Syiem Cave ZIMBA, D T (1977 / 1991: 146) village of Maw'smai OLDHAM, T (1859: 144; 1984: 34) village of Mawsmai FISHER (1840); GURDON, P R T (1906: 161); SURVEY OF INDIA (1912, 1937: 78-O/12); OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 9, 28; 1859: 106, 109, 173, 176) cave at Mawsmai OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 28; 1859: 136); TEWARI, V 2012: 81) Mawsmai Cave BASKAR, S et al. (2008); CRAVEN, S A (1969: 18); LONELY PLANET, India (2003: 547, 2005: 551, 2009: 641, 2011: 583; LONELY PLANET, North-east India 2009: 244); SHILLONG TIMES (2011.12.15 Tourist dies inside Mawsmai cave); TEWARI, V C (2010: 167) Mawsmai Caves TEWARI, V C (2010: 167); TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (1982: 6); ZIMBA, D T (1977 / 1991: 152) grotte près d' Mawsmai CHATTERJEE, S P (1936: 36) Moosmai HOOKER, J D (1854-1855, 2 chapter XXVIII passim) Moosmai Poonjee ALLEN, W J (1858 appendix 3: xii) village of Moosmye ALLEN, W J (1858: 31); MACKENZIE, A (1884); ROBINSON, W (1841: 406, 407) Mouse Mike Cave SHRIVASTAVA, V (1997: 32 -- not Mickey Mouse Cave) Mousummai Caves SARKAR, S (1999: 35) village of Musmai CRACROFT, W (1831: 173); F. (1829: 252); FISHER (1840: 813); LISH, A B (1838: 130); OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 8) Musmai Cavern CRACROFT, W (1831: 173) village of Músmye CRACROFT, W (1832: 253). SITUATION 1906: »On the outskirts of Mawsmai village [note 6], and to the west of it, stands a hill; it is a very beautiful hill. From a distance it looks like the hump of a bull. It has big trees growing on it, as people are afraid to cut them because they believe that the god "Ryngkew" is there, who takes care of and protects the country. This hill has two names, U Mawlong Siem and U Lyngkrem. U Mawlong Siem is the smaller (peak) on the southern side, and U Lyngkrem the taller one, in which there is a cave« (Rev. H. Roberts, undated Mss (note 7) translated by Nissor Singh in: GURDON, P R T 1906: 169-170). SITUATION 1936: »De Cherrapunji … plusieurs grottes s'y ouvrent, dont les orifices sont polis comme de marbre. On peut y distinguer deux groupes : l'un près de Mawmluh et l'autre près de Mawsmai [note 8]« (CHATTERJEE, S P 1936: 36).SITUATION 1968: In case Assam is considerd a part of south-east Asia, then the »Maosmai Cave« lies in the »Massiv of Teherra Pundji« (TRIMMEL, H 1968: 266). SITUATION 1982: »Cherrapunji 56 km [from Shillong] Located at an altitude of 1300 metres above sea level« and misleads with stating that »From here one can see the Mawsmai Caves« (TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1982: 6). SITUATION 1995: Mawsmai Cave lies in a karst area (note 9) and not only at an estimated travelling distance of 5 km along a road south-west of »Cherrapunjee« (Sohra) but also approximately south-west of the village of Mawsmai (BROOKS & SMART 1995). SITUATION 2008a: »The main entry to these caves is located close to the Mawsmai village … amidst a thickly forested zone« (BASKAR, S et al. 2008). SITUATION 2010: »The Mawsmai cave lies in the Sohra (Cherrapunji) area of the Shillong Plateau, Meghalaya where highest annual rainfall is 11931.7 mm. It [rather Sohra than the Mawsmai cave] is the wettest place on planet earth« (TEWARI, V C 2010: 167). SITUATION 2011a: »Mawsmai caves are located in a thick forested area« (BASKAR, S et al. 2011: 559). SITUATION 2011b: »The Mawsmai village is situated … within 6 kms distance from Cherrapunjee (Shora). The Cherrapunjee is at a distance of only 58 kms from Shillong. … A motorable road links the two places of Cherrapunjee and Shillong. One can avail buses and taxis to reach Cherrapunjee from Shillong by road. The entire journey takes around two hours. The Mawsmai cave is in the southern foothill region of Mawsmai ridge belongs to the Mawsmai village. The latitude of the cave is 25°18'00” N and the longitude is 91°42'00” E« (JHA, V C & BAIRAGYA, H 2011: 292). SITUATION 2014: »The most accessible surface portion of the Cherrapunji spur is built up of an almost 150 m-thick limestone-sandstone complex of littoral facies. … The whole limestone band, located 2 km southwest of Cherrapunji is crossed by underground passages belonging to two caves. Mawmluh Cave … Mawsmai Cave …« (PROKOP, P 2014: 178-179). APPROACH: To reach the site from Sohra proper (25°16'52”N: 91°43'20”E), do not take the road but follow it south towards Therriaghat (25°10'47”N: 91°45'05”E) up to the village of Mawsmai (note 10) where a right-hand turn eastwards enters a smaller road, crossing a stream and passing between some large standing stones. The road then becomes a track and ends, followed for about 300 m across a field, in a relatively small clearing at the edge of a sacred grove. From the clearing, an obvious path leads through forest to a point from where concrete steps ascend to the main cave entrance. A path to the left of this entrance, leading upwards again through the jungle, leads to a second entrance. The cave is well known by local people who conduct guided tours of the first part for the benefit of visiting tourists. With this being the case a charge of IRs 5.- (November 1992) is made to visit the cave. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1830 / 1831: An anonymous "C" (i.e. W. Cracroft) and unidentified colleagues »visited the Musmai cavern, to the extremity of which we penetrated: This [just like the –>Mawmluh Cave], also, is in a limestone rock, but entirely covered with stalactites, and the floor of it, at the entrance, strewed to a greater depth than I could remove them, with those singular globular concretions, of which it has puzzled mineralogists and geologists, to account for the formation. The entrance not being straight we soon lost the day light; after which, about 50 paces brought us to a chimney, up which we climbed some distance, and then turning to the right, through a horizontal hole, came to a difficult passage, of about forty feet; then a descent, another turn to the right, and a further passage, of about 50 yards, brought us to another chimney, after climbing which, we found ourselves in an oven-shaped cell, about 50 feet in diameter, and perhaps as many in height: in this hall there are stalagmite pillars up to three or four feet high, and large masses of sparkling stalactites, hanging down from the roof« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 173-174). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1856: There are relatively »large caves … [with] polished marble like sides … near Mawm'luh [Mawmluh Cave] and near Mawsmai at opposite sides of the ridge« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 136) CAVE DESCRIPTION 1906: »The village of Mawsmai every traveller from Therria to Cherrapunji knows. It is chiefly remarkable for a fairly large limestone cave, and its fine memorial stones« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 161). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1934: »The cave is dry, only a few pools up the L. passage. The R. passage leads in a few feet to an inner chamber. The left goes on a good way and swimming is necessary. As the stalagmite formation [speleothem] is obviously of many years growth, neither water erosion nor rock-falls have occurred for a long time, so the cave is to be recommended for a visit by sightseers as distinct from cave enthusiasts …« (ALLSUP, F W 1934: 63-65). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1939 (Sams 1939.04.13 Mss Letter to Colonel Penney): »Note on Cherrapunji caves [note 11]. I visited one last November. I was told it was the largest at Cherrapunji & that there where several others though smaller [note 12]. Guide necessary, Chowkidar of Circuit House knows them all & is very willing to help & show [note 13] one round. He provides lanterns & flares but a torch is useful to carry oneself -- less dirty. Leaving the road at Mawsmai [note 14], I crossed the nullah & went due west for 20 minutes about 1 mile. The cave is in the side of the hill. I spent about 1 hour in the cave which is extensive and has several branches both sideways & upwards. Those going up need a ladder or ability to climb. The others are quite rough but amusing going [note 15]. Often have to crawl to get along. Took two dogs which made it amusing. Very interesting to see [note 16]. Curious water formation in the limestone. The cave is a water channel in the rains & portions are often knee deep in water. The caves have been cracked by earthquake action [note 17]. Though rents [note 18] & broken pieces of stalagmite seem to suggest recent earthquakes there. Allsup says there are snakes, though I did not know this at the time. However these [note 19] caves are worth seeing if one hasn't seen them before.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1949 (LINDBERG, K 1949a: 41): A little south from the »grand cavern à Tcherrapoundji« (i.e. Mawmluh Cave = Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh village) is another cavernous formation, which, however, is dry and only a few metres long. [As matters cave fauna] I have seen nothing interesting at this site which lies in rich vegetation, is beautiful, and pleasant for strolling (note 20). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1969: CRAVEN, S A (1969: 18) confused the cave near the village of Mawsmai with the other cave near the village of Mawmluh (Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh village = –>Mawmluh Cave) when stating that LINDBERG, K (1949: 41) called his unidentified »grande caverne à Tcherrapoundji« (i.e. Mawmluh Cave) »Mawsmai Cave but wrote later (Lindberg, 1960) that it was not the Mawsmai Cave« (note 21). Dr. Craven concludes that the cave near the village of Mawsmai »must be at least 300 metres long, because Manfredi (1954) described three specimens of Assamodesmus lindbergi found at that distance from the entrance« -- of the Mawmluh Cave. Additionally, CRAVEN, S A (1969: 18) noticed that »Lindberg also saw a dry cave, several metres long, a little further to the south« but missed identifying this »dry cave« (CRAVEN, S A 1969: 18) or »autre formation caverneuse, celle-ci entièrement asséchée« (LINDBERG, K 1949a: 41) with Krem Mawsmai. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1971: WALTHAM (1971: 81) refers to CRAVEN, S A (1969) and composes a mixture of Krem Mawsmai and the Mawmluh cave in which »the Khasi and Jaintia Hills around Shillong abound in karst features and include the Mawsmai Cave, at least 1000 feet long containing a large amount of water and not yet fully explored.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1977: »The other caves of Meghalaya are Mawjymbuin Cave (Mawsynram), Mawlum Syiem Cave (Mawsmai), Mawkyrdop and Dam Um Cave near Mamwluh, Cherrapunji. … The Mawsmai Caves are close to the Mawlong Syiem Peak. The Lum Lawbah Cave is located between Cherrapunji and Mawsmai« (ZIMBA, D T 1977 / 1991: 146, 152). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1982, August: »Cherrapunji 56 km Located at an altitude of 1300 metres above sea level … From here one can [proceed to] see the Mawsmai Caves« (TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 1982). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1993 (after BROOKS 1993b and BROOKS & SMART 1995: 24-26): The south-facing show cave entrance (7 m wide and 3 m high) gives access to an about 40 m long cave passage, becoming gradually smaller in size. At this point the light from the entrance is lost and the cave passage divides, the eastern branch leads about 70 m via rift cave chambers to a calcite choke. To the west, the cave passage drops a little and, increasing to comfortable walking size, heads west and then north, passing through a series of chambers whose floors and walls are covered in calcite deposits. There is evidence to suggest that in the wet season the floors of these chambers become filled with water to form a lake that in some places will be up to 1.5 m deep. From the chambers the walking-sized cave passage continues to an aven, where to daylight and tree roots are met. Shortly after this point, daylight is once again met in the form of the upper entrance. The section of the cave between this and the main cave entrance is the show cave part of the cave. It has been visited extensively, the result of which can be seen in the soot covering the walls and ceiling from the kerosene oil fed bamboo torches that the tourists and guides use. From the upper entrance, there is a choice of two ways on. A climb of about 8 m gains a tight cleft that leads to a rift cave passage and the wild part of the cave. Alternatively, and somewhat easier, a vague path to the left of the upper entrance leads above the entrance to a point where a squeeze over a hole leads to the same rift. The passage continues in a northerly direction as a high rift with cobbles on the floor. After some 40 m, the cave passage turns to the east and continues as a rift and then crawls to enter a cave chamber. Running back above the lower cave passage is a relatively dry high level series, containing much secondary calcite deposits. From the chamber, the cave passage continues for another 50 m getting gradually smaller in size to the topmost cave entrance amidst the forest. CAVE DESCRIPTION 1996: »It is a thrilling experience to walk through the narrow tunnel which has no regular shape whatsoever, having been excavated by nature … Rocks hang from the ceiling like fossils. Water trickles from all over the top, bottom and sides. Visitors may walk through this womb of earth which evokes a contradictory mixture of sensations; the moisture on the dark walls and in the darker creases, combined with a tickling tang of dead ozone; the spasmodic vibration of nascent life, and the wafting odour of rotting bats; the mute silence of impregnated darkness, and the gentle water; the self indulgence of the wanton emptiness and the stony gravity of the dead ends« (PHILEMON 1996: 30-31) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002: »This cave is the only cave that is fully lighted. The cave can be divided into two parts (old and new) of the two the new cave is yet to be lighted out had impressive formations of large passages and chambers« (DIRECTORATE OF TOURISM circa 2002 s.a.). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2004: On the »… Cherapunjee platform … [are] many small rounded hills made of limestone. These hills have caves with narrow underground tunnels and characteristic karts [sic!] features« (GUPTA & SHARMA circa 2004 s.a. online: wii.gov.in/envis/hoolock_gibbon/meghalaya.htm accessed 2008.08.17). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2005: »Mawsmai Cave (admission Rs 5, electricity fee per group Rs 60,camera Rs 15; opening hours 9am - 4.30pm), an atmospheric system of caves and tunnels filled with stalagmites and stalactites« (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 551) CAVE DESCRIPTION 2008: »Mawsmai Cave -- These caves … are quite small (160 m long, 15 m high, width 4–10 m), but the inner parts are large enough to facilitate easy movement within them … The main entry to these caves … is a fairly narrow (1.8 m) vertical opening. The cave was totally aphotic and has myriads of stalagmites and stalactites. … The cave was moist and only dripping water could be observed« (BASKAR, S et al. 2008). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2009: »Nothing could seem more incongruous than sari-clad women stooping through the low passages of the 150m-long Mawsmai Cave (IRs 5 admission, IRS 15 camera, IRS 50 video. 9.30 am to 5.30 pm) but the cave is immensely popular with domestic tourists. Mawsmai's tall row of roadside monoliths is as impressive as the cave but don't receive the same attention« (LONELY PLANET, India 2009: 641).CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011a: »Mawsmai Cave (IRs 10 admission, IRS 15 camera, IRS 50 video. 9.30 am to 5.30 pm). Their popularity with domestic tourists means that the incongruous sight of sari-clad women stooping through the low passages of the 150 m-long Mawsmai Cave is common. Mawsmai's tall row of roadside monoliths is as impressive as the cave but don't receive the same attention« (LONELY PLANET, India 2011: 582-583). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011b: »Mawsmai caves are located in a thick forested area and are quite small (160 m long, 15 m high, 4-10 m wide), but the inner parts are large enough to facilitate movement in the passage ways. The main entry to these caves is located close to the Mawsmai village and the entry is a fairly narrow (1.8 m) vertical opening. The cave is totally aphotic and has many stalagmites and stalactites. The average of the inner cave is ~15-19°C. The stalactites range in sizes from 7-10 cm length and 8-15 cm diameter (small) to 50-150 cm length and 50-100 cm diameter (large)« (BASKAR, S et al. 2011: 559). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2011c: »Entry in the cave leads through rather narrow vertical opening. First - old - part of the cave is lighted, it contains several larger rooms including Mughal Room - more than 25 m wide, 25 m high and some 75 m long.Further on there is the so called "new" part which does not have lighting. Inside the cave there is a "window" opening upwards, with jungle in sight. The stalactite, stalagmite, pillar, helicites, heligmites etc are the principle geomorphic features found in the cave« (JHA, V C & BAIRAGYA, H 2011: 295). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2014: »Mawsmai Cave is only 1 km long, 4.5 m wide and 15 m high with three entrances. This cave has a large section of fossil passages and two streams that join inside, It is also the only cave in the region adopted for sightseeing« (PROKOP, P 2014: 178-179). CAVE CLIMATE: Without acknowledging their source of inspiration, BASKAR, S et al. (2008; 2001: 559) propose to surrender to a belief according to which »the average annual temperature of the inner cave is around 15-19°C« but this purportedly »average annual temperature« was probably rather measured within minutes on one single day than over a period of 30 years (11'000 days) or more. VEGETATION: »The small woods about Mamloo [Mawmluh], Moosmai [Mawsmai], and the coal-pits [on Lum Lawbah], are composed of Symplocos, laurels, brambles, and jasmines, mixed with small oaks and Photinia, and many tropical genera of trees and shrubs« (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 281).
CAVE LIFE: Stanley W. Kemp collected on 14.10.1916 (CHOPARD, L 1919: 381) specimens (five female and six male) of the cave cricket (Orthoptera) Eutachycines brevifons brevifons (Diestrammena brevifons CHOPARD, L 1916: 113), which »does not show marked troglomorphy« (HARRIES, D B et al. 2008: 164), and the cavernicolous wood louse (Isopoda) Burmoniscus kempi (COLLINGE, W E 1916), name revised to Rennelloscia kempi (VANDEL, A 1972) but now (note 22) accepted under original name (SCHOTTE, M et al. 1995), which »show some degree of troglomorphy including reduced eye size and depigmentation« (HARRIES, D B et al. 2008: 164). TURK (1945a: 38) tells us that »the following species of Diplopods have been recorded as being cavernicolous in the Indian area: Kronopolites unicolor Attems [note 23], Glyphiulus cavernicolus Silvestri, Trachyiulus mimus Silvestri, Crambalomorpha feæ Pocock. None of these belong to the family Vanhoefeniidæ …«LINDBERG, K (1949a: 40-41, 45) narrates having collected on 2nd February 1947 »matériaux« from »Tcherrapoundji Maosmaï« but may have meant »La grande caverne« (Mawmluh Cave): three (3) »hydres«, fragments of Oligochaeta; two juvenile Macrocyclops albidus Jurine, one male Paracyclops fimbriatus Fischer, numerous colourless Tropocyclops prasinus Jurine, two Harpacticidae, numerous Decapoda, two adult and many juvenile Decapoda, and the larvae of insecta. CHAPPUIS, P-A (1953-1954: 217) gives taxonomical descriptions of Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Elaphoidella elongata CHAPPUIS 1950 and (217-220, figures 1-8) Elaphoidella crassna n. sp. (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), which Knut Lindberg had collected on 1947.02.01 (?) from a gour pool either in the end of »Grotte d'Maosmaë« or the Mawmluh Cave (Krem Mawkyrdop, Mawmluh village). MANFREDI, P (1954) introduces the new genus Assamodesmus (Crustacea: Polydesmia: Vanhoeffeniida) and describes the new species Assamodesmus Lindbergi, n. sp. based on one female and two male specimens) collected by Knut Lindberg "in February 1947" collected from rock surfaces estimated 300 m from the entrance to »grotte de Maosmaï (Tcherrapoundji, Assam)« or, perhaps, from Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh. LINDBERG, K (1960d: 45-46) reports to have collected from »Grotte Maosmaï« (Krem Mawsmai) the »Blatte aveugle et aptère, montrant ainsi des traits remarquables d'adaptation à la vie caverinicole« (eye-less Blatta well adapted to live in caves) and points out that the isopod (note 24) Cubaris cavernosus Collinge 1916 (Oniscidae: Crinocheta: Armadillidae: Cubaris Brandt 1833, Miers 1877) has not only been reported from »la Grotte Maosmaï« but also from »la Grotte Dobhakol (Siju)« (Dobhakol, Siju village, South Garo Hills district). Smart, C M (in: BROOKS & SMART 1995 ) draws the attention of the Chiroptera watching world to an unspecified number of unidentified »bats … noted [in November 1992] in … Krem Mawsmai, Krem Jyniaw [i.e. –>Jynniaw Cave] and Krem Phudjasim [Krem –>Phud Jasim] in the Khasi Hills)« (appendix 1: i) whilst »white [in the sense of unpigmented] woodlice [Isopoda] were frequently seen, for example in Krem Mawsmai, Krem Mawmluh and Krem Jyniaw« (C. M. Smart in: BROOKS & SMART 1995 appendix 1: iv). BASKAR, S et al. (2008): »The only cave fauna observed were spiders and rodents [sic! possibly "rats" instead of bats / Chiroptera ] in rather sporadic amounts« but BASKAR, S et al. (2008 table 2) collected from somehere inside »Mawsmai cave« secondary calcite formations (note 25) speleothems and identified in the laboratory the micro organisms (bacteria) Actinomycetes, Bacillus cereus, B. licheniformis, Micrococcus luteus, and »red pigment forming Streptomyces.«
NOTE 1: »The cave was totally aphotic and has myriads of stalagmites and stalactites … but the cave speleothems are not allowed to be touched by the public due to strict rules set by the state government cave authorities … The length and diameter of the stalactites ranged from 7–10 cm length and 8–15 cm diameter (small) to 50–1.5 m length and 50–100 cm diameter (large)« (BASKAR, S et al. 2008). NOTE 2: ka 'láwkyntang (noun), a short form of "ka khlawkyntang", is the Khasi word for a sacred grove (SINGH, N 1906: 111). Compare: RODGERS, W A (1994): The sacred groves of Meghalaya.- Man in India: Journal of Anthropology. ISSN 0025-1569 (Ranchi: Man in India Office / New Delhi : Serials Publications), vol. 74: 339–348. NOTE 3: The sacred grove on the hill U Lyngkrem (Lum U Lyngkrem) is the home of U Ryngkew, the tutelary deity (GURDON, P R T 1906: 169-171). NOTE 4: »Panchayat. (1) A committee for the management of the affairs of a caste, village, or town; (2) arbitrators. Theoretically the panchayat has five (panch) members« (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 25: xxi). »panchayat -- village council« (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 1110).NOTE 5: Order by the Mawsmai Sirdar (forwarded by Anthony 'Tony' R. Jarratt, personal correspondence): »Warning! Visitors to the cave are requested to follow the following steps: 1. Do not throw rubbish inside the cave. 2. Do not take any piece of rock, pluck any flowers, break branches of trees its surrounding area. 3. Drinking of alcohol, breaking or throwing bottle inside the cave or outside the cave are not allowed. 4. Visitors are not allowed to cause troubles or fight and speaking dirty or filthy words. 5. Visitors are not allowed to dirty the pond or go for toilet in the surrounding jungle. Those found violating the above instructions they are liable to be punished by the village darbar.« NOTE 6: »The village of Mawsmai every traveller from Therria [25°10'47”N: 91°45'05”E] to Cherrapunji knows« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 161). NOTE 7: »U Mawlong Siem ha Mawsmai: Harud 'nong Mawsmai don u wei u lum uba shaphang sepngi na ka shnong. Une u lum uba i-tynnad shibun. Ban khymih na sha jingngai u long kum u syntai masi kyrtong. U don ki dieng kiba khraw ki bym jiw don ba nud ban thoh ban dain namar ba ki niew ba u long U Ryngkew u blei uba sumar uba da ia ka muluk ka jaka. Ia une u lum ki khot ar kyrteng, U Mawlong Siem bad U Lyngkrem, U Mawlong Siem u long uta uba kham lyngkot shaphang shathi, bad U Lyngkrem u long uta uba jerong eh bad uba don ka krem Pubon hapoh« (Rev. H. Roberts undated Mss in: GURDON, P R T 1906: 169-170). NOTE 8: Many caves open at Cherrapunji with entrances polished like marble. Two groups are distinguished: One at Mawmluh and the other at Mawsmai (CHATTERJEE, S P 1936: 36, obviously after OLDHAM, T 1859: 136).NOTE 9: »The development of Mawsmai cave reflects the control of lithology and structure … The caves with stalactites and stalagmites, sinkholes, underground channels are the common features in the area« (RAI, R K 1994 karst.edu.cn/igcp/igcp299/1994/part4.htm#94igcp299…). NOTE 10: Mawsmai village, near (±250 m) 25°14'32”N: 91°43'55”E: 1205 m asl (WGS84 modified from 25°14'30”N: 91°44'05”E: 2952 feet, Everest 1830, Survey of India One-Inch sheet 78-O/12, editions 1912, 1937). NOTE 11: Tony [Anthony] R. Jarratt (2007.07.11 personal correspondence) took the trouble to read my preliminary transcription of Sams' handwritten letter Colonel Penney and interpreted words and passages, which I found illegible. According to Tony, »this now looks and reads about right. I don't know of Colonel Penney (or about Glennie's [sic! qua: Sams?] guides). It's probably a large BAT hanging on.« NOTE 12: A manuscript note in Sams' hand on the left margin of the letter's front page expands on »Mawsmai Cave referred to at bottom of p. 64 Walks round Shillong« i.e. ALLSUP, F W (1934). NOTE 13: I had read »shew« but Antony 'Tony' R. Jarratt (2007.07.11 personal correspondence) suggested to read »show« instead.NOTE 14: Part way into writing Sams deleted »Maoma« and used »Maosmai?« instead. NOTE 15: Tony Jarrett (2007.07.11 personal correspondence) read »amusing going« where I had seen two illegible words. NOTE 16: Sams inserted here »once«. NOTE 17: »It is fashionable among the Khasis to attribute every landslip and every feature of landscape of a somewhat abnormal character to earthquakes, but I gained a strong impression that the effects produced on the scenery even by the 1897 shock were very small« (PALMER, R W 1924: 151). NOTE 18: Jarratt (2007.07.11 personal correspondence) read »Though rents« here. NOTE 19: Jarrett (2007.07.11 personal correspondence): »These? Nothing else fits!«NOTE 20: »… un autre formation caverneuse, celle-ci entièrement asséchée, longue seulement de quelques mètres. Je n'y ai vu rien d'intéressant mais le site, à riche végétation, est joli et la promenade agréable« (LINDBERG, K 1949a: 41). NOTE 21: It is difficult to reconstruct why CRAVEN, S A (1969: 18) suggested that »Lindberg (1949)« called the large and wet cave (the –>Mawmluh Cave) »Mawsmai Cave« when A) LINDBERG (1949: 41) refers not only to a »grande caverne« (large cave) or »grotte très étendue« (very extensive cave) »près de Tcherrapoundji« (near Cherrapunjee = Sohra) which had yielded a rich collection of »Cyclopides, Isopodes and Décapodes« and must be the Mawmluh Cave) but also refers to another, again nameless »formation caverneuse, celle-ci entièrement assechée« (an entirely dry cavernous formation, which ought to be Krem Mawsmai). B) MANFREDI, P (1954: 142) gives a taxonomical description of Assamodesmus lindbergi explicitly collected by Lindberg from »grotte Maosmaï (Tcherrapoundji, Assam).« C) LINDBERG, K (1960: 45-46) mentions »Grotte Maosmaï« by name (yielding not only »Blatta« or crickets, namely Diestrammena brevifons frieli Chopard but also Isopoda: Setaphora kempi Collinge, Isopoda: Cubaris cavernosus Collinge) while the large and wet Mawmluh Cave remains a nameless »grotte près de Tcherrapoundji« yielding the cavernicolous Diplopod Assamodesmus lindbergi Manfredi 1954. D) Not seen: LINDBERG, K (1949): Contribution à l'étude des cyclopides (Crustacés copépodes).- Kungl. Fysiografiska Sällskapets i Lund Förhandlingar (Lund), vol. 19, (no. 7): 98-121. NOTE 22: SCHOTTE, KENSLEY & SHILLING (1995): World list of marine, freshwater and terrestrial Crustacea Isopoda.- (Washington D.C., USA: Natural History Smithsonian Institution) online: invertebrates.si.edu/isopod (accessed 2008.05.02). NOTE 23: I have not seen ATTEMS, C (1936) but Edward Aubrey Glennie (s.a.: Mss "Kon pargana" undated) points out that this paper lists »Kronopolites unicolor, Maosmai Cave« (Krem Mawsmai, East Khasi Hills). Dr. Daniel B. Harries (2008.04.22 personal correspondence), however, tells me »the original document states that this refers to several specimens from 'under stones and dead leaves at entrance'. It also mentions other specimens collected from three other locations not associated with caves. I would infer that this does not provide any evidence that the species is cavernicolous -- it sounds like it was just found at the entrance and is not uncommon as a surface species.« NOTE 24: VANDEL, A (1972: 544) assimilates in status of the Philoscia (Crustaceae:Isopoda: Oniscidae: Holoverticata: Crinocheta: Philosciidae: Philoscia Burmesicus Collinge 1914, 1916) collected from an unspecified »grotte de Tcherra Pundji« (i.e. Mawluh Cave = Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh village) to those found in the »grotte Maosmaï« (Krem Mawsmai), again near »Tcherra Pundji« (Cherrapunjee, Sohra): »J'avais assimilé la Philoscie de la grotte de Tcherra Pundji à une espèce trouvée dans la grotte Maosmaï, qui s'ouvre également près de Tcherra Pundji. Cette espèce avait été déscrite par Collinge (1914, p. 126), sous le nom de Burmoniscus kempi n. gen., n. sp.« NOTE 25: TEWARI, V (2012: 81 abstract only) confirms that »… speleothem deposits from … Mawsmai, Mawmluh and Mustos [Mustoh ?] have been studied.« NOTE 26: »The inhabitants flocked round us with fresh Seville oranges« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 173) and we had been told that »The orange trees … ripen in November, and are brought to market in baskets by the Cásia until the end of March, selling usually at the rate of one thousand per rupee« (F. 1829: 253). NOTE 27: »Fahrt nach Sorah, Quartier im Eco Parc Guest House. Mawsmai- Schauhöhle. Erschreckend dreckig und zum Teil riecht die Schauhöhle nach Urin« (Scherzer, H 2015.04.01 Mss "Tagebuch" Do 22.01.2015).
Documents
Bibliography 25/04/2016- Allsup, Frederick William 1934; Baskar Sushmita, Baskar R [Ramanathan], Lee Natuschka & Theophilus P K 2008; Baskar, Sushmitha, Baskar, Ramanathan; Tewari, Vinod Chandra; Thorseth, Ingunn H; Øvreås, Lise; Lee, Natuschka M & Routh, Joyanto 2011; Bazely Peter James 1991, 1992; Bhattacharji Romesh 2002; Brooks, Simon J 1992, 1993b; Brooks, Simon J & Smart, Christopher M 1995; Chappuis, Pierre-Alfred 1953-1954; Chatterjee, Shiba Prasad 1936; Chopard L 1916, 1919, 1924; Collinge Walter E 1916; Cracroft, W 1831; Craven, Stephen A 1969; Directorate of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya 1993 "Enigmatic Caves" calendar, undated circa 2002; Fisher F H 1840; Gebauer Herbert Daniel 1980; Gupta A K & Sharma Narayan s a (circa 2004 ±2 Mss); Gurdon Philip Richard Thornhagh 1906, 1907, 1914, 1975, 1990, 1993, 1996; Harries Daniel B et al. 2008; Jha, Vibhash Chandra & Bairagya, Haraprasad 2011; Karny H H 1929; Kharpran Daly Brian D 1996, 2002, s a 2006; Lindberg Knut 1949a, 1960d; Lonely Planet, India 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011; Lonely Planet, Northeast India 2009; Manfredi, Paola 1954; North East 1992, 1998; Oldham, Thomas 1854 / 1984, 1859; Palmer, R W 1924; Philemon, Emmanuel P 1995; Prokop, Pawel 2014; Rai, R K 1994; Roberts, E E 1949; Sarkar, S 1999; Shillong 1982, 1995a; Smart, Christopher M 1995a; Stadler, H 1927; Shillong Times 2011.12.15 Tourist dies inside Mawsmai cave; Schotte, M, Kensley, B F & Shilling, S 1995; Shrivastava, Virendra Kumar 1997; Sud Gatphoh, Monica & Patra, Kalyan 2000a; Tewari, Vinod C 2012; Tirkey, Anjali 2002; Tourism Development Corporation India 1982; Trimmel, Hubert 1968; Vandel, Albert 1972; Waltham,, Tony [Anthony C] 1971h; Wolf, Benno 1938; Zimba, Dawa Tsering 1977 / 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1991, 2005.
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1830 / 1831: W. Cracroft, Esqu., »Dacca« [Dakha] and unidentified co-travellers visited in the cool season (note 26) »the Musmai cavern, to the extremity of which we penetrated« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 172). 1851: »Several large caves which penetrate these rocks … whoose smooth and polished marble-like side at once indicate the power which has excavated them. One of the most remarkable are those near Mawm'luh [Mawmluh Cave] and near Mawsmai at opposite sides of the ridge« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 136; 1984: 28). 1914.10.14: Stanley W. Kemp collected not only the terrestrial isopod Burmesicus kempi Collinge 1916 (Crustacea: Oniscidae) from the »Maosmai Cave, Cherrapunji, Assam, ca. 4000 feet« where it was found to be »living in total darkness« (COLLINGE, W A 1916: 127-128) but also cave crickets (CHOPARD, L 1919: 381). 1931 - 1932, circa: Frederick William ALLSUP (1934: 63-65), probably with Colonel Herbert and C. W. Crooke, explored: »The cave is reached in about 20 mins. by crossing the stream R. of the road in the centre of the village [Mawsmai] and going a little S. of W. for a few minutes and then turning R.wards, slightly uphill, till the ropeway is almost touched where it passes over the lowest patch of jungle. The path turns R. through fine forest-jungle and ascends easily though steeply to the cave.« 1938 November: An unidentified "Sams" (1939.04.13: Letter to Colonel Penney) from the Survey of India, guided by the Circuit House chowkidar, who »provides lantern … but a torch is useful to carry oneself -- less dirty«, spent about one hour in the cave and »took two dogs which made it amusing.« 1947.02.01: Knut Lindberg paid a short visit (CHAPPUIS, P-A 1953-54: 214, 217; LINDBERG, K 1949a: 40-41, 45, 1960; CRAVEN, S A 1969). 1971: WALTHAM, Tony [Anthony C.] (1971h: 81) confused Mawsmai Cave with Mamwluh Cave and consequently paved confusion with stating that »Mawsmai Cave, at least 1000 feet long containing a large amount of water and not yet fully explored.« 1977: ZIMBA, D T (1977 / 1991: 146) referred the cave near Mawsmai as the »Mawlum Syiem Cave« (Cave [of] King Stonehill). 1992.11.01: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper & Helen Harper were chauffeur-driven by »a local taxi driver, by the name of Mr Noro« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 9) »… to Cherrapunjee and visited Krem Mawsmai (Mawsmai Cave)« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 9). 1992.11.02: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper, and Helen Harper once more were chauffeur-driven, this time by »a local taxi driver, by the name of Mr Noro« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 9), when they »visited the impressive Mawsmai Fall [sic! qua: Nohkalikai] and then back to Krem Mawsmai to complete the survey and to photograph the cave« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 9). 1997: SHRIVASTAVA, V K (1997: 32) happily spread yet another piece of truely grand bullshit by proclaiming the cave »Mouse Mike [sic!] in Lime Stone near Cherrapunji« is a place where the Hindu goddess Kali is worshipped. 2000.06.12: Inauguration of the electrical illumination. 2002: »This cave is the only cave that is fully lighted. … the new cave is yet to be lighted out …« (DIRECTORATE OF TOURISM circa 2002 s.a.). 2011.12.14: »In an unfortunate mishap, a tourist hailing from Kolkata died after a fall inside the Mawsmai cave in Sohra on Wednesday [14th December 2012] afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Ujjal Ghosh (54), son of Late Pannalal Ghosh of GLT Road, Kolkata. According to police, the deceased, who was part of a group of tourists from Kolkata, fell inside the cave after suffering from dizziness. The postmortem will be conducted at the Shillong Civil Hospital by Thursday, it was informed. Police also said that the relatives of the deceased have already been informed of the incident« (SHILLONG TIMES 2011.12.15 Tourist dies inside Mawsmai cave). 2015.01: »Neill [Neil Sootinck, Shillong Laitumkrah] hatte mir ein Taxi mit Fahrer besorgt, das nur für mich für 20 Euros den ganzen Tag zur Verfügung stand. So war es auch keine Kunst auf dem Weg zum Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort auch noch eine Schauhöhle zu besuchen, die Mawsmai Cave. Sie war sehr gut besucht und die Betreiber dürften sehr zufrieden sein« (Lindenmayr, F circa 2015.02.11 s.a. Mss: Meghalaya 2015). 2015.01.22: Harald "Harry" Scherzer (neé Kirsamer) paid a visit to the »Mawsmai- Schauhöhle« (Mawsmai showcave) and found it strikingly dirty. Parts of the show cave smell of urine (note 27).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | MAWSMAI 2 (Krem) | ||
| 0.7 | PHYLLUD (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | PHYLLUD, 3rd (Smart 1994) (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | Surprise Entrance Cave (aa -) | ||
| 0.8 | LUM LAWBAH: Sink 1 (aa -) | ||
| 0.9 | MAWKHYRDOP, Mawsmai (Krem) | ||
| 0.9 | PHYLLUD, 2nd (Krem) | ||
| 1.1 | DAM UM, Nongthymmai (Krem) | ||
| 1.1 | LUM LAWBAH: Doline (aa -) |