LAITDOM (Cave at)
25.600000,91.997200
Description
An unspecified, locally known cave is said to be situated somewhere or other »near« or »at« the village of »Laitdom« (Kharpran Daly, B D & Warjri, R 1998.02.05 personal communication). ETYMOLOGY: No locally known name has been identified for this cave called after the village of Laitdom, which appears to have something to do with an escape or a mistake, or is either a non-smoking village or a village in need of a good puff (note 1). SITUATION: Unknown. The entrance to this cave is said to lies in an unspecified spatial relation »at« the village of Laitdom (±5 km 25°36'N: 91°40'E) in Khadsawphra (note 2) and about 5 km in a direct line north-west of Mairang (25°34'N: 91°38'N), west of the Lum Kyllong / Kyllang Rock (note 3) and thus in an area where the "Geological map of southern part of Meghalaya" (note 4) indicates a widespread exposure of the Archaean Gneissic Complex. At a closer look, however, and in a setting »separated by some miles distance from the sandstones near to Mowphlang [Mawphlang 25°26'50”N: 91°45'25”E], and forming an isolated cap of very limited area, on the hill close to the village of Nungbri [note 5] are some beds of coarse soft grits, of a yellowish-red tint, with finer sandstones and thin earthy layers. The total thickness of these beds is is not more than 50 feet [15.25 m]. A similar cap of very similar sandstones form a long, narrow, flat-topped ridge, on which the villages of Mawsutai [note 6] and Laitdom [±1 km 25°36'00”N: 91°59'50”E] are placed, about three miles North of Myrung [note 7]. This ridge stretches nearly East and West for about two miles [3 km], but with a very irregular outline, and contrasts well with the wavy surface of the adjoining country by its flat top and scarped sides, seen best from the North. The extreme thickness of the sandstone here does not exceed 100 feet [30.5 m]. No fossils were found in these sandstones, with the exception of a few very imperfect impressions in one of the beds near Nungbri, much too indistinct for identification, but which appeared to be similar to those found in the Cherra Poonjee beds« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 22; OLDHAM, T 1859: 127-128).
NOTE 1: lait (Khasi verb) to be free, to escape (SINGH, N 1906: 109); ka lait (noun, singular) a mistake, a blunder (SINGH, N 1906: 109); kaba lait (noun) access; breach, break (SINGH, N 1920: 4, 53). dom (Khasi; adjective) hot tempered, hard (SINGH, N 1906: 71) ka dom (Khasi; noun) a pull [of smoke] (SINGH, N 1906: 71). NOTE 2: »The export of iron in any form from the district has now almost died out, only a few hoes being brought down by the Khasis from Laitdom, in Khadsawphra, to the Burdwar [Barduar 25°55'N: 91°29'E] and Palasbari [26°08'N: 91°30'E] markets in the Kamrup District of the Assam Valley« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 58). Khadsawphra (GURDON, P R T 1906: 58) is another name for the »Nongkhlaw State« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 72) or »State in the Khasi Hills« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 56) and Nanklaú F. (1829: 252, 253) Nongkhlao »… Petty State in the Khasi Hills … The population in 1901 was 9,715, and the gross revenue in 1903-4 was Rs. 2,350. The principal products are potatoes, rice, millet, and maize. The manufactures are iron axes and hoes« (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 19: 136) Nungklao MEDLICOTT, H B (1869: 196) Nungklow ALLEN, W J (1858: 31, 61, 85); GURDON, P R T (1906: 56); INDIA FOREIGN … (1862, 1: 83 minor state 1); OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984 : 38); SHAKESPEARE, L W (1929) Nunjklow LISH, A B (1838: 129, 130) Nunkhlow David Scott (s.a. in: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 33, 103, 113, 115, 117) Nunklow OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 7); ROBINSON, W (1841: 406); SHAKESPEARE, L W (1929: 12). NOTE 3: Lum Kyllang is the same as the Kalang Rock 1774 m or »5820« (feet) near (±2.5 km) 25°37'N: 91°35'E (AMS sheet NG46-10 Shillong, U502 series 1959 edition) Kallong rock »The bare massive dome-like features of the Kallong rock may be almost said to be characteristic of the granite or granitoid gneiss of the older metamorphics« (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 196). Kollong Rock 1646 m or »5400 feet« (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 293) [The] Kullong OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 37, 38); OLDHAM, T (1859: 156) Kullong Hill OLDHAM, T (1859: 154 marginal note) Kullong Rock 1733 m or »5684 feet« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 9, 37, fig. XIX, appendix A: i; OLDHAM, T 1859: 108, 154 fig. XVIII) U Kyllang GURDON, P R T (1906: 9, 116) Kyllang rock »in Khadsawphra« (SINGH, N 1906: 53) Kyllang Rock 1647 m (CHOWDHURY, J N 1978 edited 1998: 22) Kyllang Rock 1705 m (GSI / Geological Survey of India & KESARI, G K 2009: 3). 1850: »We twice visited a very remarkable hill, called Kollong, which rises as a dome of granite 5,400 feet high, ten or twelve miles south-west of Myrung, and conspicuous from all directions. The path to it turns off from that to Nunklow, and strikes westerly along the shallow valley of Monai [Mawnai 25°36'20”N: 91°35'20”E WGS84], in which is a village, and much rice and other cultivation. Near this there is a large square stockade, formed of tall bamboos placed close together, very like a New Zealand "Pa;" indeed, the whole country hereabouts much recalls the grassy clay hills, marshy valleys, and bushy ridges of the Bay of Islands. The hills on either side are sometimes dotted with pinewoods, sometimes conical and bare, with small clumps of pines on the summit only; while in other places are broad tracts containing nothing but young trees, resembling plantations, but which, I am assured, are not planted; on the other hand, however, Mr. Yule states, that the natives do plant fir-trees, especially near the iron forges, which give employment to all the people of Monai.All the streams rise in flat marshy depressions amongst the hills with which the whole country is covered; and both these features, together with the flat clay marshes into which the rivers expand, are very suggestive of tidal action. Rock is hardly anywhere seen, except in the immediate vicinity of Kollong, where are many scattered boulders of fine-grained gneiss, of which are made the broad stone slabs, placed as seats, and the other erections of this singular people. We repeatedly remarked cones of earth, clay, and pebbles, about twelve feet high, upon the hills, which appeared to be artificial, but of which the natives could give no explanation. Wild apple and birch are common trees, but there is little jungle, except in the hollows, and on the north slopes of the higher hills. Coarse long grass, with bushes of Labiate and Composite plants, are the prevalent features.Kollong rock is a steep dome of red granite,* [This granite is highly crystalline, and does not scale or flake, nor is its surface polished.] accessible from the north and east, but almost perpendicular to the southward, where the slope is 80 degrees for 600 feet. The elevation is 400 feet above the mean level of the surrounding ridges, and 700 above the bottom of the valleys. The south or steepest side is encumbered with enormous detached blocks, while the north is clothed with a dense forest, containing red tree-rhododendrons and oaks; on its skirts grew a white bushy rhododendron, which we found nowhere else. The hard granite of the top was covered with matted mosses, lichens, Lycopodiums, and ferns, amongst which were many curious and beautiful airplants.* [Eria, Coelogyne (Wallichii, maculata, and elata), Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Sunipia some of them flowering profusely; and though freely exposed to the sun and wind, dews and frosts, rain and droughts, they were all fresh, bright, green and strong, under very different treatment from that to which they are exposed in the damp, unhealthy, steamy orchid-houses of our English gardens. A wild onion was most abundant all over the top of the hill, with Hymenopogon, Vaccinium, Ophiopogon, Anisadenia, Commelyna, Didymocarpus, Remusatia, Hedychium, grass and small bamboos, and a good many other plants. Many of the lichens were of European kinds; but the mosses (except Bryum argenteum) and ferns were different. A small Staphylinus, which swarmed under the sods, was the only insect I remarked.]The view from the top is very extensive to the northward, but not elsewhere: it commands the Assam valley and the Himalaya, and the billowy range of undulating grassy Khasia mountains. Few houses were visible, but the curling smoke from the valleys betrayed their lurking-places, whilst the tinkling sound of the hammers from the distant forges on all sides was singularly musical and pleasing; they fell on the ear like "bells upon the wind," each ring being exquisitely melodious, and chiming harmoniously with the others. The solitude and beauty of the scenery, and the emotions excited by the music of chimes, tended to tranquillise our minds, wearied by the fatigues of travel, and the excitement of pursuits that required unremitting attention; and we rested for some time, our imaginations wandering to far-distant scenes, brought vividly to our minds by these familiar sounds« (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 293-296). 1852 »Independently of the more extended areas in which granite occurs, it is seen in a few more limited and isolated positions. Of these the most remarkable is the curious and very prominent rock, called the Kullong. This huge mass of granite stands up boldly from the undulating surface of the country around, looking like a great dome of about 500 feet [152.4 m] high. To the East and North-East it slopes a little more gradually, and is thickly clothed with timber. On the Western and South-Western sides it presents a naked mass of rock rising nearly perpendicularly upwards of 700 feet [213 m] from the bottom of the undulations in the ground below. Round its base some large and fine pine and other trees cluster, the dark foliage of which contrasts beautifully with the naked and weather-beaten face of the rock itself. This very remarkable rock is one mass of highly crystalline granite, rising from the rounded knolls of the gneissose country around« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 37; OLDHAM, T 1859: 154-155). »As might be expected with a tribe whose prayers are chiefly, if not solely, offered up to avert the wrath of spirits, whom they imagine to dwell in woods and rocks, this Kullong is asserted to be the abode of a powerful demon, whose enmity a Khasi dreads much to evoke« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 37 footnote b; OLDHAM, T 1859: 155 footnote).1869 »The bare massive dome-like features of the Kallong rock may be almost said to be characteristic of the granite or granitoid gneiss of the older metamorphics« (MEDLICOTT, H B 1869: 196). 1906 »Some description of the remarkable Kyllang Rock may not be out of place. Sir Joseph Hooker describes it as a dome of red granite, 5400 feet above sea level, accessible from the north and east, but almost perpendicular to the southward where the slope is 80 deg. for 600 feet. The elevation is said by Hooker to be 400 feet above the mean level of the surrounding ridges and 700 feet above the bottom of the valleys. The south or steepest side is encumbered with enormous detached blocks, while the north is clothed with forests containing red tree-rhododendrons and oaks. Hooker says that on its skirts grows a "white bushy rhododendron" which he found nowhere else. There is, however, a specimen of it now in the Shillong Lake garden. Numerous orchids are to be found in the Kyllang wood, notably a beautiful white one, called by the Khasis u'tiw kyllang synrai, which blooms in the autumn. The view from the top of the rock is very extensive, especially towards the north, where a magnificent panorama of the Himalayas is obtained in the autumn« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 9). 2009 »A little north-west of Shillong peak is Kyllang Rock (1705 m) which is composed of hard granitic rock« (GSI / Geological Survey of India & KESARI, G K 2009: 3). NOTE 4: DAE , Department Atomic Energy, online: dae.gov.in (accessed 2008.10.01). NOTE 5: The "nong" (Khasi) or village of »Nungbri« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 22; OLDHAM, T 1859: 127, 128) or »Nungbree« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 33) and »Nung-bree« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 113) is indicated as »Nongbri« near (±1 km) 25°32'40”N: 91°40'30”E ON AMS sheet NG46-10 Shillong (U502 series, 1959 edition). NOTE 6: »Mawsutai« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 127) instead of »Mawsutye« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 22) is indicated as »Mawshut« near (±1000 m) 25°35'45”N: 91°37'20”E on AMS sheet NG46-10 Shillong (U502 series, 1959 edition). NOTE 7: »Myrung« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 22; OLDHAM, T 1859: 127) or Mairang (±1 km) 25°33'40”N: 91°38'40”E (AMS sheet NG46 10 Shillong, U 502 Series, 1959 edition); India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 46 H3) Mairung OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984 appendix A: i) Myrung F. (1829: 253); OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 9, 13); OLDHAM, T (1859: 108, 113); Scott, David (s.a. May 6th letter in: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 113); Vetch, H (1831.12.09 Mss in: WATSON & WHITE 1832: 79).
Cavités proche
| Distance (km) | Nom | Longueur (m) | Profondeur (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | MAWKYRDOP | ||
| 8.8 | LANGTHADÏAP (Krem) | ||
| 9.4 | MYNTHONG (Krem) | ||
| 11.3 | DWAR U KSUID | ||
| 11.9 | Mawlai (Khongmen 1994) (Cave near) | ||
| 12.0 | Saint Mary's Grotto | ||
| 14.0 | SOHPET BYNENG (Caves on Lum) | ||
| 14.1 | MAWJUD, Kyrdum (Krem) | ||
| 14.1 | MAWLIEHPOH, Umroi (Krem) |