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"If
India was the Jewel in the Crown of the British Empire, the remote
North East of that country is its Hidden Jewel" - Tony Howard
Cradled
in the Eastern Himalayas, lesser known Northeast India is a goldmine
for anthropologists, researchers, tourists, and investors, because the
region is a land of diversity with abundant natural resources, wild
life, flora & fauna, and indigenous ethnicity. At the same time, Northeast India is a nightmare for political scientists
and strategists, as the region is gripped by ethnic cleansing,
tribalism, fratricidal battles, and insurgency. Despite all odds, this
unexplored region, with its inexplicable exquisiteness, scenic beauty
and ethnic complexity, has the potential to become a popular tourist
destination in South Asia, especially for Eco-tours and trekking.
The Region
Northeast India comprises eight states: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, which is
bordered by Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. Sikkim is the
latest addition to the region. Each state has its natives whose
history dates back to thousand years.
Brief History
In 100 B.C., Chinese explorer Chang Kien made a mention of present
Northeast India. The theory was backed by Periplus of the Erythrean
Sea and Ptolemy's Geography. The Australoids or the pre-Dravidians
were the earliest inhabitants of this state. Huen Tsang, the great
Chinese traveler, visited this regi on in the 7th century.
At one point of time, Northeast India was a single political entity
named Assam before different states were curved out of Assam for the
creation of different states. Assam was a founding state of the Union
of India in 1947. Later, other northeastern states were carved out of
Assam, beginning with Nagaland in 1963 and ending with Arunachal
Pradesh in 1972.
After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the
region consisted of three States- Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland while
Manipur and Tripura were Princely States (see http://adaniel.tripod.com/princ
ely.htm, for more details about Princely States in India.). Assam that
was a large Province was under direct control of the British
administration. The capital of then Assam was Shillong. Later,
Arunachal Pradesh, which was known as Northeast Frontier Province (NEFA)
was created out of greater Assam.
Therefore, Nagaland became a separate state in 1963, followed by
Meghalaya in 1972. Mizoram became a Union Territory in 1972, and
achieved statehood -along with Arunachal Pradesh - in 1987.
Ethnic and Religious Composition
Except for Assam, where the major language is Assamese, tribal people
inhabiting in other States speak numerous Tibeto-Burman languages.
What distinguishes the region from the rest of the country is the
ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural diversity. Proliferation of
Christianity among the tribal population in the region is a
distinguishing feature, which sets it apart from other parts in India.
The work of Christian missionaries in the area has led to large scale
conversion of the tribal population. Christians are the majority in
Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya with their large presence in Manipur
and Arunachal Pradesh, Assam as well as Tripura.
Natural Resources
Main industries in the region are tea-based, crude oil and natural
gas, silk, bamboo and handicrafts. The states are heavily forested and
have plentiful rainfall. There are beautiful wildlife sanctuaries,
tea-estates and mighty rivers like Brahmaputra. The region is home to
one-horned rhinoceros, elephants and other endangered wildlife.
- Syed Liaquat Ali |
The
Last Ruler
