With the passage of the North Eastern Region (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya became fully fledged states on January 21, 1972, a momentous occasion more than twenty years after India’s independence.
In retrospect, October 1949 saw the union of the princely realms of Tripura and Manipur with India. When the Northeastern states were reorganised after independence, the hill districts, the Assam plains, and the North Eastern Frontier Tracts (NEFT) along the northeastern boundary were all considered to be part of the North East. In addition, Manipur and Tripura, which had previously been classified as Union Territories, were incorporated into India in 1949.
While Meghalaya became an independent state inside Assam by the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969, in compliance with the sixth schedule of the Indian constitution, Nagaland became a state in 1963.
The North East Reorganization Act of 1972 marked the completion of this revolutionary movement with the complete statehood of Meghalaya and Tripura. The Mizo hills of NEFA and Assam were united to form a Union Territory at the same time. Mizoram became a fully fledged state in 1987 as a result of the Mizo Accord of 1986, and the NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh) also became a fully fledged state in 1987.
This historical voyage captures the Northeast’s dynamic and ever-changing terrain, with the founding of each state significantly influencing the region’s identity within the vast tapestry of India.
Let’s See About Tripura
With a land area of about 10,491 square kilometres, Tripura is bordered to the east by the Indian states of Assam and Mizoram and to the north, south, and west by Bangladesh (East Bengal). The biggest ethnolinguistic group in the area, the Hindu Bengali community, is largely responsible for shaping the cultural landscape. Remarkably, scheduled tribes, which constitute several indigenous people, make up around thirty percent of the population of Tripura. Speaking the Kokborok language, these tribes are distinguished from the other nineteen separate tribes by forming large groups.
Tripura’s climate can be described as tropical savannah, with significant rains falling there occasionally due to the southwest monsoon. Covering more than half of its land area, dense forests support the greatest diversity of primate species in the area.
Tripura’s cultural fabric is dynamic and rich. The locals joyfully celebrate festivals, marriages, and religious occasions that represent the variety of traditions and customs by dancing in different ways. The Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala, which was formerly the Tripuri king’s royal residence and is a reminder of the region’s ancient splendour, adds to the area’s cultural appeal.
Let’s See About Manipur
Manipur is a state with a varied cultural and geographical profile, and its capital is Imphal, often referred to as Kangleipak or Sanaleibak. Manipur, which is located in northeastern India, borders Assam to the west, Mizoram to the south, Nagaland to the north, and Myanmar (Burma) to the east. With a population of around 3 million and an area of 22,327 square kilometres, Manipur is home to communities including Meetei, Kuki, Naga, and Pangal, each of which speaks its own Sino-Tibetan language.
Following a period of British rule, World War II marked a pivotal moment in Manipur’s journey towards integration with India. Maharaja Budhachandra signed the Treaty of Accession on September 21, 1949, which resulted in the union of the kingdom with India.
Manipur’s demographic composition is diverse, with the Meetei ethnic group accounting for roughly 53% of the population and Manipuri, or Meeteilon, being the most widely spoken language. Twenty percent of the state’s population consists of indigenous tribal communities.
Manipur, with its agrarian economy and significant hydroelectric power generation potential, is a vital component of the region’s economy. The state’s birthplace of Manipuri dance also lends cultural value to the region, giving its rich history a distinctive creative component.
Let’s See About Meghalaya
Meghalaya means “the abode of clouds” in lyrical Sanskrit, a term that perfectly captures the ethereal beauty of this northeastern province. Meghalaya, which is roughly 22,430 square kilometres in size, is bordered to the south by the divisions of Bangladesh, Mymensingh, and Sylhet; to the west by Rangpur; and to the east by Assam. Shillong is the aesthetically pleasing capital of Meghalaya.
When Meghalaya became a separate state on January 21, 1972, a momentous chapter in its history began. The areas that were formerly a part of Assam—the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia hills—combined to form the new state of Meghalaya.
The spoken languages are English, Garo, Pnar, Khasi, and Pnar; the linguistic environment is as varied as the geography. Known for being the wettest part of India, Meghalaya boasts beautiful scenery because trees cover around 70% of the state. Meghalaya’s alluring qualities are not limited to its stunning natural splendour; they also stem from the diverse range of languages, cultures, and histories that coexist in this land of clouds.