Meghalaya

Meghalaya 

Area

22,429 Sq. Km

Population

29,66,889 (As Per 2011 Census)

Capital

Shillong

Languages

Khasi, Pnar, Garo & English

Density

132 Per Sqr. Km

Literacy Rate

74.43 %

About

Meghalaya, a Sanskrit word meaning “the abode of cloud“, was created as an autonomous State on 2nd April 1970. The full-fledged State of Meghlaya came into existence on 2nd January 1972. Meghalaya has precise historic, geographic and strategic significance for India. It is bound on north and east by the state of Assam, and on south and west by Bangladesh. The three physical division in the state are Garo (Western), Khasi (Central) and Jaintia (Eastern) hill divisions.

In the Garo hills, the Tura range occupies dominantly a middle portion running west to east where the Nokrek peak is located. Khasi -Jaintia ranges are interwined with a curved-alignment. Spurs of ranges in Jaintia hills are shorter in height than the Shillong Plateau; hillbases lie side by side with flat lands, valley and meadows.

Meghalaya is endowed with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Of about 17,000 species of orchids in the world, around 3000 varieties are found in Meghalaya. A botanical wonder, the pitcher plant, an insect eating plant is found in the district of Jaintia hills, West Khasi hills and South Garo hills of the state. Animals and birds that are found in the state are elephants, tigers, bear, jackal, leopard, golden langurs etc .

The interesting birds found in the state include Hornbills, King Vulture, Crested Serpent, Eagle, Partridges, Teals, Snipes, Quails etc.

The People:

Meghalaya occupies a total area of 22,429 sq kms with a total population of2,306,069 persons as reported in the census of 2001. The sex-ratio in Meghalaya was974 females per 1000 males; as against 923 females for the country as a whole. The fairly high sex ratio in Meghalaya may be attributed to the existing tradition of matrilineal society. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes are matrilineal in character in which, the immovable property of the deceased, is inherited by females, especially the youngest daughter. As a matter of fact, the female babies and daughters get adequate attention of the parents with respect to education and health care. 

Meghalaya is mainly a Christianity dominated state. Before the arrival of Christian missonaries in the late 19th century and later, most natives followed tribal religions.  

Social and Cultural Heritage:  

The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are people with a rich cultural heritage. The important crafts of the Khasi and the Jaintia districts are artistic weaving, wood-carving and cane and bamboo work. Carpet and silk weaving and the making of musical instruments, jewellery and pineapple fibre articles are among its minor craft.

The popular handicrafts of the Garo hills district are artistic weaving, cane and bamboo work including poker work( in which designs are burnt into the bamboo with a red-hot pointed rod),wood carving, jewellery and making of clay toys and dolls and musical instruments.

History

To begin with the history of Meghalaya it can be said that the Meghalaya has been the homeland of a number of tribes, namely the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia. Till the 19th century, each of the three tribes in Meghalaya, viz. Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, had their independent rule in the different territories of Meghalaya. But the arrival of the Britishers in the political scenario of India changed the plight of these tribal communities in India.

In the 19th century, Meghalaya became a counterpart of the British Empire in India. During the British Raj, Meghalaya was annexed under the British Empire. Further in 1935, Meghalaya became a part of Assam: the Britishers incorporated Meghalaya in the territory of Assam. Yet, Meghalaya enjoyed a semi-independent status due to the treaty that was signed between Meghalaya and the British Crown.

Moreover, after the Partition of Bengal in 1905, Meghalaya was made a part of the new province that was culled out of Bengal. In 1905, Meghalaya became a part of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Again, in 1912, when the partition was reversed, Meghalaya was clubbed with Assam as a single territory.

Meghalaya history proves that although Meghalaya had been a part of Assam in 1947; yet it enjoyed an autonomous power within the territory of Assam. In fact, two districts of Assam was also put under the jurisdiction of Meghalaya in 1947.

The modern history at Meghalaya maintains that in 1971, with the Parliament passing the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971 conferred autonomy on Meghalaya. On January 21, 1972, Meghalaya became an autonomous state, housing a Legislative Assembly of its own.

The creation of Meghalaya in 1972 resulted in formation of three autonomous district councils for the development of the hills. The three council were –

The Khasi autonomous district council

The Jaintia autonomous district council

The Garo autonomous district council

The district council is entrusted with the responsibilities of education, judicial legislature and administrative function.

Economy:

Meghalaya is basically an agricultural state in which about 80 percent of its total population are dependent primarily on agriculture for livlihood. The state has a vast potential for developing horticulture due to agro-climatic variations, which offer much scope for the cultivation of temprate, sub-tropical and tropical fruits and vegetables.

Besides the major food crops of rice and maize, Meghalaya is known for its oranges (Khasi Mandarian), pineapple, banana, jackfruits, temperate fruits like plums, peaches and pears etc. The popular cash crops, which are traditionally cultivated, include turmeric, ginger, blackpepper, arecanut, Betelvina, tapioca, short staple cotton, jute and mesta, mustard and rapeseed. Special emphasis is presently laid on non-traditional crops like oil seeds, cashewnut, tea and coffee, orchids and commercial flowers.

The rich mineral deposits including mica gypsum and coal are unexploited.

Festivals: 

A five day long religious festival of the Khasis, Ka Pemblang Nongrem dance is popularly known as Nongrem dance is held annually at village, Smit,11km from Shillong

Shad Sukmysieum another festival of the Khasis is held at Shillong during the second week of April.

Behdiengkhlam, the most important and colourful festival of the Jaintias is celebrated annually at Jowai in Jaintia hills in July.

Wangla festival is observed for a week to honour Saljong(Sun-god) of the Garos during October-November.

Christmas is celebrated in the month of December by the large Christian population of the state.

Transport
Roads: Six national highways pass through Meghalaya for a distance of 606 km.
Aviation: The only airport in the State at Umroi, is 35 km from Shillong.

Places of Interest:

Shillong- Shillong is fondly known as the Scotland of the East. 

Elephant Fall-- The Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong.

Rongrengiri – located at a distance of about 79kms from Tura is a historical place where the Garos fought their final battle against British.

Cherrapunji, Mawsynram (higher rainfall in the world)

Dawki--A beautiful river with crystal clear waters, Dawki is one of the most picture-perfect spots you'll find in Meghalaya. 

Mawlynnong Village -- A village that won the status of being the cleanest village in 2003, not just in India, but entire Asia. 

Living Root Bridge- The Living Root Bridge is a well-known bridge made up of roots of an Indian rubber tree, the bridge is 3 km long and is at a height of 2400 feet. 

Umiam Lake- Umiam Lake is a stunning man-made lake that is about 15 kilometres north of Shillong. 

Mawsmai Cave - Caves are mysterious & historical.This limestone cave is beautiful in its own different manner and is a crowd puller.

Don Bosco Museum - Don Bosco Museum, is one of the finest and the largest museums in Asia. it has 7 floors featuring 17 galleries,

http://ignca.gov.in