Kohima, the capital city of the state, has a number of sites that are worth visiting to get an insight of the place's rich history. The World War II Cemetery that lies in a beautiful surrounding, the Cathedral of Reconciliation with its striking red roof, the Bara Basti, the Nagaland Museum, Nagaland Zoo and Park are some of the attractions of Kohima. The sites near Kohima include the tribal village of Khonoma, Dzulekie (famous for waterfalls), Jopfu Peak, Dzukou Valley, Dimapur, etc.
| State Capital | Kohima |
| Population ('000s in 1991) | 1,210 |
| Area ('000 sq. km) | 17 |
| Principal Languages | English, Angami, Ao, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Sangtam etc |
| Females per 1000 males (1991 | 886 |
| Literacy rate (1991) | 61.6 |
| Ratio of urban population (1991) | 17.2 |
| Net Domestic Product(Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93) | 6,810 |
| Per Capita Income (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93) | 5863 |
Nagaland, state in extreme northeastern India, bordered on the west and north by Assam state, on the east by Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), on the north by Arunachal Pradesh state, and on the south by Manipur state. Nagaland is one of India's smallest states, with a total area of 16,579 sq km (6400 sq mi). The Naga Hills run through this small state, which has Saramati as its highest peak at a height of 12,600 ft. The main rivers that flow through Nagaland are Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu and Jhanji. The terrain is mountainous, thickly wooded, and cut by deep river valleys. There is a wide variety of plant and animal life. Nagaland has a monsoon climate with generally high humidity; rainfall averages between 1800 and 2500 mm (70 and 100 in) a year.
Nagaland has a single-chamber Legislative Assembly with 60 seats. The state sends two members to the Indian national parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and one to the Lok Sabha (lower house). There are seven local government administrative districts - Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek and Kohima. The capital is Kohima.
History
Little is known about the early history of what is now Nagaland, including the origin of several large sandstone pillars at Dimapur. British rule was established over the area by the 1890s, and headhunting, then a traditional practice, was outlawed. The Naga territory remained split between Assam and the North East Frontier Agency after Indian independence in 1947, despite a vocal movement advocating the political union of all the Naga tribes; one faction called for secession from India. In 1957, following violent incidents, the Indian government established a single Naga administrative unit under Indian rule. The Naga people responded by refusing to pay their taxes and by conducting a campaign of sabotage. In 1960 the Indian government agreed to make Nagaland a self-governing state within India; the state was officially inaugurated in 1963. Naga separatists, however, continued to show violent opposition; they have been demanding autonomy and creation of a single administrative unit comprising all the Naga inhabited areas spanning across some of the north eastern states. Naga rebels and the Indian government have agreed on a ceasefire and peace talks are going on.
Society and Culture
The Nagas, inhabitants of Nagaland, are said to belong to the indo-mongoloid stock, a race whose presence was first noted ten centuries before Christ, at the time of the compilation of the Vedas. The Nagas form more than 20 tribes, as well as numerous subtribes, each having a specific geographic distribution. Though sharing many cultural traits, these tribes have maintained a high degree of isolation and lack cohesion as a single people. The Konyaks are the largest tribe, followed by the Aos, Tangkhuls, Semas, and Angamis. Other tribes include the Lothas, Sangtams, Phoms, Changs, Khiemnungams, Yimchungres, Zeliangs, Chakhesangs (Chokri), and Rengmas.The principal languages are Angami, Ao, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Sangtam, and Sema.
The Nagas are a handsome and friendly people. High cheek bones, almond eyes, sparkling teeth and bronzed skin set the Nagas apart. In colourful tribal outfits, with bamboo shields sheathed in bear skin and decorated spears, the Nagas are simple people, almost entirely tribal. The social position of a Naga is borne out by the number of bone necklaces he wears
Weaving is a traditional art handed down through generations in Nagaland. Each of the major tribes has its own unique designs and colours. Warm and colourful Naga shawls, hand-woven shoulder bags, decorative spears, table mats, wood carvings and bamboo works make magnificent souvenirs.
Tribal dances of the Nagas give us an insight into the inborn reticence of these people. War dances and dances belonging to distinctive tribes, form the major art form in Nagaland. In colourful costumes and jewellery, the dancers go through amazing mock war motions, which could prove very dangerous, if one were to be a little careless. Festivals, marriages, harvests, or just the joy of the moment - are occasions for the Nagas to burst into dance. Some of the important festivals are Sekrenyi, Moatsu, Tuluni andTokhu Emong.
The traditional Naga religion is animistic, though conceptions of a supreme creator and an afterlife exist. Nature is seen to be alive with invisible forces, minor deities, and spirits with which priests and medicine men mediate. In the 19th century, with the advent of British rule, Christianity was introduced, and Baptist missionaries became especially active in the region. As a result, the population now is predominantly Christian.
Nagaland is a rural state. More than four-fifths of the population lives in small, isolated villages. Built on the most prominent points along the ridges of the hills, these villages were once stockaded, with massive wooden gates approached by narrow, sunken paths. The villages are usually divided into khels, or quarters, each with its own headmen and administration. Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, and Tuensang are the only urban centres with more than 20,000 people.
Economy and Infrastructure
Agriculture employs about 90 percent of the people of Nagaland. Rice and corn are the main crops. However, the state is not self-sufficient in food. Shifting cultivation (also known as slash-and-burn agriculture) is widely practiced. Food needs have caused the fallow, or idle, period to be cut to a couple of years, causing erosion and a loss of soil fertility and crop yields. The forests, which cover about 17 percent of Nagaland, are its most important source of income. There are varied mineral reserves, including oil deposits, but little exploitation. The state has adopted an industrialization program since the 1970s.
Until the early 1970s, only cottage industries (e.g., weaving, woodwork, basketry, and pottery) existed in the state. Lack of raw materials, financial resources, and power, as well as poor transport and communications, all hindered industrial growth. Dimapur, the state's leading industrial centre, now has a sugar mill and distillery, a brick factory, and a television assembly plant. Other industries in the state include a khandsari (molasses) mill, rice mills, fruit-canning plants, a paper and pulp factory, a plywood factory, and cabinet and furniture factories.
Chromium, nickel, cobalt, iron ore, and limestone are found in Nagaland, but only low-grade coal deposits are mined at present. Boreholes drilled in the western district of Wokha have yielded oil, and seepages in the Dikhu valley, near Assam, suggest the presence of exploitable oil reserves.
Power generation depends mainly on diesel plants, though hydroelectric output has increased. More than 50 percent of Nagaland's power is generated in Assam.
Nagaland depends mostly on roads for transportation. A national highway runs from Dimapur to Kohima and then on to Imphal in Manipur. Another main road links Mokokchung with Amguri in Assam. A short stretch of the Northeast Frontier Railway passing through Dimapur from Assam is the only rail link with the rest of India. Air service is available from Dimapur to Guwahati in Assam and to Calcutta in West Bengal.
The state also possesses natural oil reserves. Infrastructure bottleneck has been an outstanding problem of the state - the CMIE index being 71 compared to the All India Average of 100 in 1992-93. It shares border with Myanmar and hence has huge potential to develop border trade
Hotels of Nagaland
The State has hotels of star and non star category catering to the needs of the tourists visiting Nagaland. Besides it has resorts, restaurants and cafes which cater to the needs of all segment of travelers.
What is the specialty of Nagaland?
The state of Nagaland, one of the major tribal regions in the country of India, attracts people for its quaint hills, green carpeted valleys, cascading waterfalls, dense forests and rich wildlife, all of which creates a pristine environment.
Location of Nagaland
Geographically located at 25.67° N and 94.12° E, it is a part of the north eastern India.
Best time to visit Nagaland
With a pleasant type of weather throughout the year, this state of India has got warm summers and cold winters. The three prominent seasons experienced by the people residing there are as follows:
- Summer: The summer season in Nagaland stretches mainly from the month of June to September, partly coinciding with the rainy season, when the temperature can rise to around 31° C. The hottest month is July.
- Monsoon: Monsoon in this state sets in during the month of May and continues till October with an average annual precipitation of 220 cm to 250 cm.
- Winter: Winter season in this state starts from October and continues till the month of February. December to February, being the coldest months, experiences temperature falling down to even 4° C. The maximum temperature rises to about 24° C during this time.
Apart from that, a year's windiest months are February and March. Thus, the best time to visit this state of north east India is the period in between the months of October and May.
Is Nagaland well connected to the rest of the country?
The state of Nagaland can be reached from the other parts of India by air, rail and roadways. Connectivity through railways is minimal though.
- Roadways: This north eastern state can be best reached by roadways because of its proximity to a number of National as well as State Highways. The National Highways passing through the state are NH - 36, NH - 39, NH - 61, NH - 150 and NH - 155. Following are the State Highways, which enhances the road transport system of Nagaland:
- Mariani - Mokokchung Highway
- Meluri - Kiphire - Tuensang Highway
- Meluri - Kohima Highway via Chakhabama
- Merapani Road - Wokha Highway
- Mokokchung - Chakabama Highway via Zunheboto and Chazuba
- Mokokchung - Tuensang Highway
- Mon - Namtola Highway
- Naginimora - Mon - Tuensang Highway
- Railways: Dimapur Railway Station on the North east Frontier Railway is the main railway station of the state that connects it to Guwahati, which has got direct trains to some of the most important cities of India.
- Airways: To reach Nagaland via airways, one needs to travel to Dimapur Airport, which is the sole airport of the state. Direct flights ply to and from that airport to the cities of Guwahati and Kolkata.
Can the state be regarded as a tourist destination?
This land of tribes attracts tourists for its natural beauty, pollution free environment, lovely landscapes and incomparable cultural heritage. The below mentioned table provides names of some of the location wise tourist attractions in Nagaland:
- Location
- Tourist Places
- Dimapur
- Diezephe Craft Village
- Rangapahar Reserve Forest
- Ruins of the Kachari Kingdom of the medieval age.
- Kiphire
- Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary
- Geysers and twin stones of Salomi and Mimi
- Mihki (River of Salt)
- Siphi Stone Monolith
- Sukhayap Cliff
- Wawade Waterfall
- Yimgphi Village
- Village Caves
- Kohima
- Catholic Cathedral
- Cemetery of World War II
- Dzukou Valley (Famous for camping and trekking)
- Khonoma Heritage Museum and Crafts Centre
- State Museum
- Zoological Park
- Mokokchung
- A. K. M. Monument
- Chuchuyimlang Village
- Langpanglong Village
- Longkhum Village
- Longritzu Lenden Valley
- Molung Village
- Mongzu Ki and Fusen Kei caves
- Mopongchuket Village
- Tangkum Marok Spring
- Ungma Village
- Mon
- Chui Village
- Langmei Village
- Longwa Village
- Naganimora Village
- Shangnyu Village's local museum and stone monoliths
- Veda Waterfall and Peak
- Peren
- Benreu Village
- Mt. Pauna (Stone carvings and tourist village)
- Phek
- Chizami Village
- Khezakenoma Village
- Pfutsero Village
- Poruba Village
- Ruzhazho Village
- Suthazu Village
- Thetsumi Village
- Weziho Village
- Yurba Village
- Zhavame Village
- Dzudu Lake
- Glory Peak
- Shilloi Lake
- Zanibu Peak
- Tuensang
- Changsangmonko Village
- Chilise Village
- Stones of Chungliyangti, Tsadang and Tsongliyangti
- Wokha
- Doyang River
- Mt. Tiyi
- Totsu Cliff
- Valley and Lagoons
- Zunheboto
- Aizuto (Forest, Lake and Village)
- Ghosu Bird Sanctuary
- Satoi Range
- Sumi Naga Villages
Are there any places for shopping in Nagaland?
Though this state cannot be called as one of the best shopping destinations in the country, still the local handicrafts of the place like wood carved articles, varied bamboo works, ornaments, pottery etc. are worth buying. Some of the prominent shopping areas that attract shop lovers are as follows:
- Central Market at Kohima
- Handloom & Handicrafts Emporium at Dimapur
- Sales Emporium at Kohima
- Village markets in Mon
Is this state popular among food lovers?
The restaurants in Nagaland offers varied kinds of local dishes along with the other famous cuisines. With varying cooking style, the Naga dishes are usually featured with boiled organic leaves and dried, fermented or smoked fish and meats. Some of the popular dishes are Axone, which is prepared from smoked and boiled soya bean along with smoked beef or pork, Anishi that is a preparation of yam leaves and fermented bamboo shoots with pork and fish. Some of the famous dining destinations in this state are:
- Flaming Wok: Located at Kohima, this restaurant is known for serving delicious Chinese and Indian dishes.
- Plaza Restaurant: This restaurant is situated at Church Road in Dimapur and serves varied cuisines like Indian (North and South), Chinese and Continental.
- Popular Bakery: This Kohima based bakery offers sumptuous breakfast consisting of pastries and varied kinds of Indian sweets.
- Simply Tasty: Situated at Kohima, this is one of the known fast food restaurants cum cafes in Nagaland.
Where to stay while on Nagaland trip?
Following are some of the renowned hotels in Nagaland, along with their contact information:
- Hotel Japfu
P. R. Hill, Kohima
Nagaland, India. - Hotel Whispering Winds
D. C. Hill, Mokokchung
Nagaland - 798 601, India.
Tel.: + 91 - 369 - 2229743/ + 91 - 09436006062 - The Heritage
Officers Colony
Kohima, Nagaland
India. - Aradura Inn
Aradura Hill
Near Little Flower School or Cathedral
Kohima, Nagaland - 797 001, India.
Tel.: + 91 - 986 - 2469939/ + 91 - 943 - 6603007
E-mail: aradurainn@gmail.com and
tonnito@rediffmail.com
