Introducation of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is a small state in north-eastern India. It is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long (East-West) and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 22,429 sq km. The population numbered 2,175,000 in 2000. The state is bounded on the north by Assam and by Bangladesh on the south. The capital is Shillong, which has a population of 260,000.

Meghalaya was originally part of Assam. On 21 January 1972 the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts of western Assam became the new state of Meghalaya.

Meghalaya is known as “The Abode of Clouds”. The climate of Meghalaya is moderate but humid, the average annual rainfall going as high as 1200 cm in some areas, making it the wettest state of India. The town of Cherrapunji, south of capital Shillong holds the world record for most rain in a calendar month while the village of Mawsynram, near town of Cherrapunji holds the distinction of seeing the heaviest yearly rains.

About one third of the state is forested. The ranges of the Garo Hills in the west, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills in the east are not especially high, with Shillong Peak the highest point at 1,965 m. Many caves are known to exist with unique limestone structures forming curious stalactites and stalagmites.

Tribal peoples make up about 85 percent of Meghalaya’s population. The Khasi, the largest group, followed by the Garos, were among those known to the British as “hill tribes”. Other groups include the Jaintias and the Hajong (40,000). About fifteen percent of the population is defined as non-tribal; these include about 54,000 Bengalis and 49,000 Shaikhs. Meghalaya is one of three states in India to have a Christian majority; the other two (Nagaland and Mizoram) are also in the north-east of India. A sizeable minority (16%) of the population follow an ancient Animist philosophy.