ABOUT MEGHALAYA

About Meghalaya

Carved from the erstwhile State of Assam, Meghalaya became a fully fledged State on January 21, 1972. Bounded on the North and East by Assam and on the South and West by Bangladesh, Meghalaya is spread over an area of 22, 429 square kilometers.

Meghalaya at a glance:-

Area:    22,429 Sq. Kms.

Number of Villages                  :  5629

Forest Area                             :  8510 Sq, Km.

Population                               :  23, 18,822

Density                                    :  103 per Sq. Km.

Literacy                                   :  62.6%

Racial Origin of the People     :  Austric, Tibeto-Burman

Districts:

•  East Khasi Hills,
• West Khasi Hills,
• Jaintia Hills,
•  RI Bhoi District,
• East Garo Hills,
• West Garo Hills,
•  South Garo Hills,
• Khliehriat (Jaintia Hills),
•  Ampati (West Garo Hills) and
•  Resubelpara (East Garo Hills) 

Civil Sub- Divisions: Sohra, Mairang, Mawkyrwat, Amlarem, Khliehriat, Ampati, Resubelpara and Dadenggiri

Major Mineral Resources

Coal, Limestone, Sillimanite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Felspar, Quartz and Glass-sand.

Principal Forest Produce

Timber, Bamboo, Reed, Cane, Ipecac, Medicinal herbs and Plants, Cinnamon, Lemon-grass and Thatch-grass.

Principal Agricultural Products

Rice, Maize, Potato, Cotton, Orange, Ginger, Tezpata, Arecanut, Jute, Mesta, Banana and Pineapple.

Principal Languages

The principal languages in Meghalaya are Khasi, Pnar and Garo with English as the official language of the State. It was at the initiative of the Christian missionaries that the Khasi, Pnar and Garo languages and literature have developed and emerged in the list of Modern Indian Languages. The Khasi language is believed to be one of the very few surviving dialects of the Mon-khmer family of languages in India today.

Capital

Meghalaya's capital, Shillong and also the District Headquarters of East Khasi Hills District is situated at an altitude of 1,496 meters above sea level; the capital city has a bracing climate throughout the year. This city has been the seat of Government since the consolidation of the British administration in this part of India more than a century ago.

cherapunji fall

The city is well connected with motor able roads all-over, has its own charm, different from other hill stations, and presents a natural scenic beauty with waterfalls, brooks, pine grooves and gardens. The place, the people, the flora and fauna and the climate all combine to make Shillong an ideal resort throughout the year. Shillong offers amenities for tourists with good hotel accommodations, facilities for sports, angling, trekking and hiking
.

Shillong is connected by the National Highway 40 with the rest of the country through Assam. It is also well connected by road with other important towns of the State.

Shillong is also the headquarters of the North Eastern Council (NEC), the Eastern Air Command the Assam Regimental Centre, the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU). A bench of the Guwahati High Court also functions from Shillong. The North East Telecom Circle-I has its headquarters at Shillong. Shillong is also the Regional Head Quarters of Power Grid for North Eastern Region.Shillong also boasts of having the first Indian Institute of Management (RGIIM), in the North Eastern Region and the 7th in the country. The 12th National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) has also been setup in Shillong.

Total Area    6436 Sq. kms.

Altitude        1496 meters

Population   223366

Rainfall         241.5cm.

Language      Khasi, English and Hindi

How to Reach Meghalaya India

By Air: The state has no airport. Guwahati is the nearest airport from Shillong (128Kms). But a helicopter services is operated by Guwahati and Tura for Shillong.

By Rail: The state has no railway station. Guwahati is the closest railway station.

By Road: The state has a good Road Network which encompasses the state conveniently. NH 40 connects the state with Guwahati and other cities of the country. 

People, Culture & Religion

Meghalaya's main ethnic communities, each having its own distinctive customs and cultural traditions are the Khasis (of Mon-Khmer ancestry), the Garos (of Tibeto-Burman origin) and the Jaintias said to be from South East Asia. The common trait binding all three communities is its matrilineal system in which the family linage is taken from the mother's side. The people of Meghalaya are known to be hospitable, cheerful and friendly.

Traditionally, the Khasis believe that their religion is God given and is based on the belief of one supreme God, the creator 'U Blei Nongthaw. A Khasi is a deeply religious person, who has an intense love of life. He believes that life is God's greatest gift and he has to account for it again in the hereafter.The Jaintias and Khasis have the same religion, although the Jaintias are more influenced by Hinduism..

The Garos believe in one supreme Creator, Rabuga, who is the sustainer and commander of the world. The other spirits are the representatives of the supreme Creator. The spirits connected to the Garo's agricultural life, are appeased by sacrifices but never worshipped. The headman is an integral part of the village and acts as religious head.

However, many members of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities have converted to Christianity and one can see a number of churches as well as temples, mosques, gurudwaras and monasteries in Meghalaya.