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Arunachal Pradesh

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful state in northeast India.

Salna Bari, Bhalukpong
Salna Bari, Bhalukpong

Its name comes from a Sanskrit term. It means the Land of the Dawn-Lit Mountains. This state sits in a very special place. It shares borders with Bhutan to the west. It also touches Myanmar to the east. To the north, it has a long border with China.

McMahon Line on 1936 Survey of India map of Tibet
McMahon Line on 1936 Survey of India map of Tibet

This border is called the McMahon Line. The land is filled with mountains and green valleys.

Clean ziro green ziro
Clean ziro green ziro

Many different groups of people live here. These groups are often called tribes.

Nishi tribal from Arunachal - Diganta Talukdar
Nishi tribal from Arunachal - Diganta Talukdar

There are about 23 major tribes in the state. You can also find 100 smaller sub-tribes. The Nyishi people are the largest group in the region. In the west, you will meet the Monpa people. The Mishmi and Tai people live in the east. The Naga people live in the southeast.

A senior Adi Gaon bura in his official coat and badge, G.B.Simong, Upper Siang district
A senior Adi Gaon bura in his official coat and badge, G.B.Simong, Upper Siang district

Each group brings its own unique culture to the state.

The history of this land goes back a long time. In the ancient past, the Monpa kingdom ruled the northwest.

Tibetan empire greatest extent 780s-790s CE
Tibetan empire greatest extent 780s-790s CE

This kingdom flourished between 500 BCE and 600 CE. Later, the Tibetan Empire controlled parts of the area.

Thembang msb
Thembang msb

Many old forts were built to help rule the land. These forts are called dzongs.

Dirang Monastery
Dirang Monastery

Some of these were built under the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama. These buildings helped people collect taxes and run the government.

One of the most famous places is the Tawang Monastery.

Tawang Monastery second largest monastery in Asia Arunachal Pradesh India
Tawang Monastery second largest monastery in Asia Arunachal Pradesh India

It was built in the 17th century. It is the largest monastery in India. It is also the second largest in the whole world. Another important site is the Urgelling Monastery.

Tsangyang Gyatso birth place
Tsangyang Gyatso birth place

This was the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. There are also many old ruins from the Chutia kings. These include many forts and brick tanks.

Arunachal Pradesh Seal
Arunachal Pradesh Seal

Arunachal Pradesh has changed its name over the years. Before 1972, it was called the North-East Frontier Agency. It then became a union territory. On 20 February 1987, it finally became a full state.

Hunli Signboard Arunachal Pradesh
Hunli Signboard Arunachal Pradesh

The capital city is Itanagar. It is also the largest town in the state. Not many people live here compared to other parts of India.

NIT Arunachal Pradesh
NIT Arunachal Pradesh

In 2011, there were about 1,383,727 people. It is the least crowded state in the country.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:Thembang msb.jpg
Thembang msb.jpg
File:Tibetan empire greatest extent 780s-790s CE.png
Tibetan empire greatest extent 780s-790s CE.png
File:Tawang Monastery second largest monastery in Asia Arunachal Pradesh India.jpg
Tawang Monastery second largest monastery...
File:Dirang Monastery.jpg
Dirang Monastery.jpg
File:Tsangyang Gyatso birth place.jpg
Tsangyang Gyatso birth place.jpg
File:Lhasa khrom gzigs khang 2014.09.23 11-19-07.jpg
Lhasa khrom gzigs khang 2014.09.23 11-19-07.jpg
File:British Indian Empire 1909 Imperial Gazetteer of India.jpg
British Indian Empire 1909 Imperial...
File:North-East Frontier in 1946 map of India by National Geographic.jpg
North-East Frontier in 1946 map of India...
File:McMahon Line on 1936 Survey of India map of Tibet.jpg
McMahon Line on 1936 Survey of India map...
File:Mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.jpg
Mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.jpg
File:Salna Bari, Bhalukpong.jpg
Salna Bari, Bhalukpong.jpg
File:Clean ziro green ziro.jpeg
Clean ziro green ziro.jpeg

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