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Nagaland

geography Maturity 7-9

Nagaland is a place in India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
It has many big hills. Many groups of people live there. They have their own ways to talk. They wear special clothes.
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
It is a very pretty land. Do you want to see the hills?

62 words

Nagaland is in India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
It is a land of high hills. Many different tribes live there. Each group has its own dress.
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
They also have their own ways to talk. People tell old stories to each other. They share these stories by speaking. Nagaland has many natural things to see. It is a very special place to visit.

79 words

Nagaland is a state in northeast India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
It sits near the country of Myanmar. It is a land of high mountains. Many different tribes live in these hills. There are 17 major tribes in the state.
Angami Naga 1875.JPG
Angami Naga 1875.JPG
Each tribe has its own special dress. They also have their own way of speaking. People share old stories by word of mouth.

Nature is very rich in Nagaland. You might see the Dzüko Valley. This is a beautiful area in the south. Many animals and plants live here. You can see the great hornbill bird.

Great-Hornbill.jpg
Great-Hornbill.jpg
You might also see pretty orchids in bloom.
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
Many people work in farming. They grow food on hillsides. This is called terrace farming.
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg
The state also has oil and power from water. Kohima is the capital city. Dimapur is the largest city in the state.

164 words

Nagaland is a state in the northeast part of India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
It sits near the border of Myanmar. To its north is Arunachal Pradesh. To its west is Assam. To its south is Manipur. The state is a land of high mountains.
Mokokchung.jpg
Mokokchung.jpg
The capital city is Kohima. The largest city is the twin area of Chümoukedima and Dimapur.
Dimapur airport.jpg
Dimapur airport.jpg
In 2011, about 1,980,602 people lived there. This makes it one of the least populated states in India.

The land is full of natural beauty and resources. One famous place is the Dzüko Valley in the south.

Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
Many plants and animals live in these mountains. You might see the great hornbill bird.
Great-Hornbill.jpg
Great-Hornbill.jpg
You might also see the Blyth's tragopan bird.
TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
Many people work in farming. They use terrace farming on the hillsides.
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg
The state also has oil and uses water for power. Other jobs include forestry, tourism, and making things in small cottage industries.

The history of the Naga people is very old. Their history goes back to the 13th century.

Angami Naga 1875.JPG
Angami Naga 1875.JPG
Different groups moved to these mountains at different times. They built their own village states. The name "Naga" is not fully understood. Some people in the past called them "Naka." In Myanmar, people called them "Nakas," which meant "people with earrings."
Burma in 1450.png
Burma in 1450.png
Some think the name means people with pierced noses. Some people today even suggest calling the region "Naganchi."

In the 1800s, the British began to move into the Naga Hills.

Embroidered textile from Nagaland, Honolulu Museum of Art 13688.1.JPG
Embroidered textile from Nagaland, Honolulu Museum of Art 13688.1.JPG
Two Europeans, Captain Jenkins and Lieutenant Pemberton, arrived in 1832. The British and the Naga groups had many conflicts. There was a large battle at Kikrüma in 1851.
Hunted skulls in a house in Nagaland.jpg
Hunted skulls in a house in Nagaland.jpg
Later, the British moved their headquarters to Kohima in 1878. This made Kohima a center for business and culture. Over time, Christian missionaries also arrived from Europe and the United States.
KOHIMA CATHEDRAL.jpg
KOHIMA CATHEDRAL.jpg
This changed the religion of many Naga groups.

Nagaland played a role in big world events. During World War II, the Japanese Army invaded through Burma.

Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima, Nagaland (89).jpeg
Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima, Nagaland (89).jpeg
They tried to take India through Kohima. British and Indian soldiers fought to stop them. The fighting lasted from April to June in 1944.
Kohima Cemetery.jpeg
Kohima Cemetery.jpeg
Many people died in this battle, including many Naga people. Today, there is a War Museum and a cemetery to remember them.
Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland.jpg
Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland.jpg
After India became independent in 1947, Nagaland became its own state. It was officially made a state on December 1, 1963.
Growth of Religions in Nagaland (1901–2011).svg
Growth of Religions in Nagaland (1901–2011).svg
Now, 17 major tribes live there with their own unique customs and dress.
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg

481 words

Nagaland is a mountainous state located in the northeastern region of India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
It shares borders with several different places. To the north lies the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Assam sits to the west, while Manipur is to the south. To the east, Nagaland borders the Naga Self-Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region in Myanmar. The capital city of the state is Kohima. The largest urban area is the twin cities of Chümoukedima and Dimapur.
Dimapur airport.jpg
Dimapur airport.jpg

The geography of Nagaland is defined by its high, rugged terrain. The state sits between the latitudes of 25.2° and 27.0° north. It is also located between 94° and 95° eastern longitude. This mountainous landscape contains many natural wonders. One notable feature is the Dzüko Valley, located in the southern region at Viswema. The environment supports a diverse range of wildlife and plants. You might see the great hornbill bird or the Blyth's tragopan.

Great-Hornbill.jpg
Great-Hornbill.jpg
TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
You might also find colorful orchids like the Rhynchostylis retusa.
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup.jpg
The state also hosts millions of Amur falcons.
FalcoAmurensisGould.jpg
FalcoAmurensisGould.jpg

Nagaland is home to a complex social structure of many different groups. The state contains 17 administrative districts. These areas are inhabited by 17 major tribes and various sub-tribes. Each tribe possesses a distinct character. They are unique in their specific customs, languages, and traditional dress.

Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg
Much of their history is preserved through folklore. This knowledge is passed down through generations by word of mouth. Agriculture remains a vital part of life here. It accounts for 24.6% of the state's economy. Many people practice terrace cultivation on the hillsides.
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243).jpg

The origins of the name "Naga" remain unclear to historians. Different neighboring groups used different names for the people. The inhabitants of the Ahom kingdom called them "Noga" or "Naka." In the Imphal Valley, the Meitei people used the name "Hao." In Myanmar, the Burmese referred to them as "Nakas," meaning "people with earrings."

Burma in 1450.png
Burma in 1450.png
Some suggest the name refers to pierced noses. Some cultural activists now suggest the name "Naganchi" for the region. Historical records show the Naga people settled before the Ahoms arrived in 1228 CE. They established various sovereign mountain terrains and village states.

British influence began to grow in the region during the 19th century. The British East India Company and later the British Raj expanded into the Naga Hills. Captain Francis Jenkins and Lieutenant Robert Pemberton were the first Europeans to enter in 1832. Early contact was often marked by suspicion and conflict. The British conducted ten military expeditions between 1839 and 1850 to stop raids. A major conflict occurred during the Battle of Kikrüma in February 1851.

Hunted skulls in a house in Nagaland.jpg
Hunted skulls in a house in Nagaland.jpg
Later, the British moved their headquarters to Kohima in 1878. This helped Kohima become a center for commerce and culture. During this time, Christian missionaries also arrived from Europe and the United States. This led to many groups converting from animism to Christianity.
KOHIMA CATHEDRAL.jpg
KOHIMA CATHEDRAL.jpg
Growth of Religions in Nagaland (1901–2011).svg
Growth of Religions in Nagaland (1901–2011).svg

Nagaland was a significant site during World War II. In 1944, the Japanese Army invaded through Burma. They attempted to move into India through the town of Kohima. This led to intense fighting between Japanese troops and British and Indian soldiers. The battle lasted from April 4 to June 22, 1944. The conflict was coordinated with actions in Imphal, Manipur. Nearly 4,000 British Empire troops and 3,000 Japanese troops died in the fighting. Many Naga people, especially the Angami Nagas, also lost their lives. Today, the Kohima War Cemetery and War Museum honor those who died.

Kohima Cemetery.jpeg
Kohima Cemetery.jpeg

After India gained independence in 1947, the political status of the region changed. Originally, the area was a district of Assam known as "The Naga Hills." The Naga National Council, led by Zapu Phizo, sought an independent state. This led to a long period of insurgency and conflict. In 1957, the Naga Hills Tuensang Area was created as an autonomous region. Following further discussions, the Indian government recognized Nagaland as a full state. It was formally inaugurated on December 1, 1963. This made it the 16th state of the Indian Union. A democratically elected government took office in 1964. Nagaland continues to manage diverse resources, including petroleum, minerals, and hydropower.

736 words
🖼️ Images & Media (30)
File:БСЭ1. Гаял.jpg
БСЭ1. Гаял.jpg
File:TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
TragopanBlythWolf.jpg
File:Rhododendron ponticum actm 06.jpg
Rhododendron ponticum actm 06.jpg
File:Alnus Olsza 2020-07-31 01.jpg
Alnus Olsza 2020-07-31 01.jpg
File:Burma in 1450.png
Burma in 1450.png
File:British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map.jpg
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim...
File:Angami Naga 1875.JPG
Angami Naga 1875.JPG
File:Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima, Nagaland (89).jpeg
Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima, Nagaland (89).jpeg
File:Kohima Cemetery.jpeg
Kohima Cemetery.jpeg
File:Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland.jpg
Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland.jpg
File:Kohima War Cemetery,Nagaland.jpg
Kohima War Cemetery,Nagaland.jpg
File:FalcoAmurensisGould.jpg
FalcoAmurensisGould.jpg

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