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Kiang Nongbah or U Kiang Nangbah was a Pnar (a matrilineal sub-tribal group of the Khasi people) freedom fighter who was publicly hanged by the Britishers in Jowai town on 30 December 1862

Towards the close of 1860 income tax was also levied in addition to the house-tax. There was an apprehension in the air that tax would also be levied on betel and betel nut. Imposition of these taxes created turmoil amongst the Jaintias and they rose again in a fierce rebellion in 1862. The leader and guiding spirit in this rebellion was a young man, U Kiang Nongbah. In the first rebellion he kept his identity secret and thus avoided arrest. He was extremely shrewd and a great organiser. He contacted all the Dolois and Sirdars without causing any suspicion. He managed to hoodwink the British Intelligence Service. They had no trace of his movements and activities. Yet, ultimately he was defeated because of the superior might of the British. In the unequal fight that ensured, hundreds of Jaintias were killed and U Kiang Nongbah was betrayed, captured and hanged publicly to strike terror into the hearts of the Jaintias on December 30, 1862.

A postage stamp was issued by Government of India to commemorate him in 2001.

Source: http://meghalaya.nic.in/culture/martyrs.htm