Nox meant ‘Roman Goddess of the Night’. Later it just meant Night (evolution of Latin).
Noxal a legal term in Roman Law meant ‘relating to damage or injury caused by an animal, a slave or person as an agent under another person (owner’s) control’.
Noxal law guided the concepts of Liability and Compensation, when an event of Harm, Injury or Damage occurred.
Medieval British adapted the law of Noxal surrender. The harmful object or animal casing damage was handed over to the victim’s family to prevent revenge blood-feuds.
Noxal law changed in late British era, where the harmful object, agent or property was seized by the state or crown as forfeiture. In English common Law, this came to be known as Deodand {from Deo Dandum, meaning “to be given to God”}. Under this law the seized object was given to king’s officials to be used for pious actions.
In Colonial British era, a small mountainous terrain acquired as gift from Raja of kingdom of Sikkim, was turned into settlement by the administrators of East India Company (post 1835}. Sanatorium (cool climate) for British officers. Strategic location to trade routes and Tea gardens emerged, as Dorjei-ling (land of the thunderbolt). Politics and Demographics expanded too. as labourers, settlers and agrarian workers were brought from surrounding ruled kingdoms.
Noxal, the viral word found its way from English law to the place. By 1852, Cambell and Grants efforts introduced a system of Justice in this place which was still considered a non-regulated area under British Raj.
Words acquire different meanings over time. Nokshal-Bari acquired viral significance after the peasant uprising in post-independence era. Ideological hijacking is not uncommon, and words are weaponized by cultural shifts.
Naxal, (just a word) gained viral fame during agitation and movement in the name of Human justice from the harm done to land users via landowners!
Who is the Agent of this Harm? An Ideology, an Intent, a Power or a God or Goddess of the Night!