Art Integrated Project:

Social Science
Name – Kavyaa Ghosh
Class – X-A
Meghalaya on the Political Map of India Meghalaya Political Map
 Content
• Introduction to Meghalaya → Social Institutions
• Demography of Meghalaya → Meghalaya Festivals (List)
→ Population • Tourism
→ Religion • Major Issues
→ Language
• Culture & Society of Meghalaya
 Introduction

The ‘Abode of Clouds’ or Meghalaya is a state of North-East India,

sharing borders with the Indian state of Assam and an international boundary
with the country of Bangladesh on its South. The state is rich geographically
70% is forested with notable biodiversity of mammals, birds and plants;
along with deep rooted cultural sentiments.
 Population
Meghalaya’s population largely consists of tribal Historical Population
groups. Some of the largest groups are: Khasis, Year Population ±%
Garos & Jaintias. The population of Meghalaya 1951 606,000 -
as of 2011 has been estimated at 2,964,007 of
1961 769,000 +26.9%
which females constitute 1,492,668 and males
1,471,339. As per the census of India 2011, 1971 1,012,000 +31.6%
the sex ratio in the state was 986 females per 1981 1,336,000 +32.0%
1,000 males which was far higher than the 1991 1,775,000 +32.9%
national average of 940. The urban female sex 2001 2,319,000 +30.6%
ratio of 985 was higher than the rural sex ratio of
2011 2,964,007 +27.8%
972.
Source: Census of India
 Religion
Meghalaya is one of three states in Religions Followed in Megha-
India to have a Christian majority. The laya
religion of the people in Meghalaya is
closely related to their ethnicity. Close
to 90% of the Garo tribe and nearly
80% of the Khasi are Christian, while
more than 97% of the Hajong, 98.53%
of the Koch, and 94.60% of the Rabha
tribes are Hindu. Christianity Hinduism Tribal Religions Islam Others
 Language

Languages Spoken in Megha-

Though the Official language of this laya
state is English, the majority of
language spoken is Khasi, followed
closely by Garo. Many of the
language spoken date back to
hundreds of years ago.
Khasi Garo Pnar Bengali
Nepali Hindi Others
 Social Institutions
The majority of the population and the major tribal groups in Meghalaya follow
a Matrilineal System where lineage and inheritance are traced through women. The
youngest daughter inherits all the property and she is the caretaker of aged parents and
any unmarried siblings. In some cases, such as when there is no daughter in the family
or other reasons, the parents may nominate another girl such as a daughter in law as the
heir of the house and all other property they may own.
The male line, particularly the mother's brother, may indirectly control the ancestral
property since he may be involved in important decisions relating to property including
its sale and disposal.
 Traditional Political Institutions
All the three major ethnic tribal groups, namely, the Khasis, Jaintias and the
Garos also have their own traditional political institutions that have existed for
hundreds of years. These political institutions were fairly well developed and
functioned at various tiers, such as the village level, clan level, and state level.
In the traditional political system of the Khasis, each clan has its own council
known as the Dorbar Kur which is presided over by the clan headman.
The Jaintias have similar political system as the Khasis. While in the traditional
political system of the Garos, a group of Garo villages form the A king.
 Meghalaya Festivals (List)
Meghalaya Festival Local Calendar Vedic Calendar Gregorian Calendar
Month Month Month
Den'bilsia Polgin Palgun February
A'siroka Chuet Chaitra March
A' galmaka Pasak Vaisakha April
Miamua Asal Asharha June
Rongchugala Bado Bhadra August
Ahaia Asin Ashwin September
Wangala Gate Kartika October
Christmas Posi Pausha December
 Tourism
With striking landscapes, fogs and highlands,
Meghalaya is often compared to Scotland and in
the times of British Rule, it was nicknamed “The
Scotland of East”. The most visited places of
tourism are the gorgeous waterfalls of the state
and the Hot Springs at Jakrem near Mawsynram.

Clockwise from the top:

Nohkalikai Falls, Umiam
Lake, Elephant Falls & Wards
Lake
 Major Issues
The significant issues in the state include illegal migrants from Bangladesh,
incidences of violence, political instability and deforestation from traditional
cut-and-burn shift farming practices. There are several clashes between
Khasi people and Bangladeshi in Meghalaya.
The state also suffers through political instability and has seen 23 state
governments since 1972 with a median life span of less than 18 months.
Political instability has affected the state's economy in the past. Over recent
years, there has been increasing political stability.
Thank You