Lalburha was one of the chiefs who participated in the raids leading to the
Lushai Expedition. After
Bengkhuaia attacked Katlichera and Alexandrapore and captured
Mary Winchester (Zoluti), several chiefs followed in a similar fashion. Lalburha attacked Monierkhal outpost on January 20 1871 and killed 7 people while suffering heavy casualties on his side. Lalburha managed to capture 13 guns from the British forces in total. His raid was followed by Thanhranga, who attacked Nugdigram.
Lushai Expedition The British arranged a punitive expedition targeted at Lalburha as part of the overall campaign. The Cachar column, which was prepared for the Eastern Lushai chiefs, was aided by Western Lushai chiefs such as
Suakpuilala and
Kalkhama. Lalburha refused to cooperate with the British and instead opted for resistance against the expedition. General Bourchier of the Cachar Column prepared his forces to overwhelm Lalburha. However, Lalburha left the settlement before the column arrived. Only his father,
Vanhnuailiana's tomb, remained in the settlement. Lalburha had left the village on account of his father's death and a Suktê invasion and escaped South-East of Champhai. Lalburha's mother, Rolianpuii, and her () surrendered to the column and concluded peace with the British instead. It was recorded that the Manipur contingent withdrew due to a disease outbreak among troops. This incentivised the
Suktê tribes, historical enemies of the Lushais, to descend on Lalburha's settlement amidst the panic of the expedition. The Suktê tribes held grievances against Lalburha and his father
Vanhnuailiana. At a time when the Suktê's were short of food and requested aid, both Lalburha and Vanhuailiana turned them away. The Suktês were prepared to purchase rice but still turned away empty-handed. A second attempt to purchase rice was made, and Vanhnuailiana, with Lalburha, killed one of the party members. This had led to war between the Suktes and the Eastern Lushais. The Suktês later claimed to have destroyed Tumpai, Lemkam and Tatlangkwa and overran the country around Champhai with many heads and captives. The
Siyin tribes also joined in, and as a result, Lushai slaves were settled in the Chin Hills under their settlements. Lalburha retaliated with two invasions into the Suktê territories. His first attempt to invade Saiyan failed after his party was spotted and counterattacked until it retreated. The first skirmish led to the death of seven Lushais. His second attempt was targeted at Molbem. Lalburha succeeded in crossing the Manipur River unobserved. However, Molbem's position at the top of the mountain fortified itself against the attack and forced Lalburha to retreat. Crossing the Manipur River back into Champhai saw two Lushais drown. Lalburha succeeded in defending his settlement but at a heavy cost. His stockades and defences were destroyed, and this incentivised him to burn down his village and leave it. Only his father,
Vanhnuailiana's tomb, remained untouched. The of Rolianpuii met with the British column encamped at Vanhnuailiana's tomb and negotiated peace terms on 18th February 1872. The terms were that: • British agents would have free access to the village. • Three hostages would accompany the force to Tipaimukh if Lalburha could not be surrendered into their custody. • Arms and guns taken from the raids at Moinerkhal and Nugdigram would be surrendered. If unable to, then their own weapons would compensate for the ones looted. • A fine of two elephant tusks, a necklace, and a war gong. Along with the fine, a number of animals were demanded, consisting of four
mithuns, ten goats, ten pigs, fifty fowls and twenty maunds of husked rice. If the last two terms were unable to be completed, then the column would attack the settlement of Rolianpuii in Chawnchhim on the 20th of February. The column moved to Rolianpuii's village of Chawchhin. Difficulties were proclaimed in collecting the muskets but the quota was fulfilled by nighttime and three were chosen to accompany the column to Tipaimukh. ==Lushai Rising==