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Nagaland

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Nagaland is a state in the northeast part of India.

British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map
British India 1940 Assam Bihar Sikkim Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Tripura Burma Bhutan Map

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
Mokokchung

The capital city is Kohima. The largest city is the twin area of Chümoukedima and Dimapur.

Dimapur airport
Dimapur airport

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
Rhynchostylis retusa infloresence closeup

Many plants and animals live in these mountains. You might see the great hornbill bird.

Great-Hornbill
Great-Hornbill

You might also see the Blyth's tragopan bird.

TragopanBlythWolf
TragopanBlythWolf

Many people work in farming. They use terrace farming on the hillsides.

Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243)
Terrace cultivation, Pfutsero, Nagaland (6328134243)

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
Angami Naga 1875

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
Burma in 1450

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
Embroidered textile from Nagaland, Honolulu Museum of Art 13688.1

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
Hunted skulls in a house in Nagaland

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
KOHIMA CATHEDRAL

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)
Kohima War Cemetery, Kohima, Nagaland (89)

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
Kohima Cemetery

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
Kohima War Cemetery, Nagaland

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)
Growth of Religions in Nagaland (1901–2011)

Now, 17 major tribes live there with their own unique customs and dress.

Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire
Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire
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🖼️ 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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