Arunachal Pradesh Info
Information on all aspects of Arunachal Pradesh including geography, history, government, districts, business, economy, travel, rivers, education, food, arts, culture, music, dance, festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh State Information
Capital : Itanagar
Districts :16
Languages : Monpa, Aka, Sherdukpen, Apatani, Hill Miri, Nishi, Tagin, Adi, Idu, Digaru, Miji, Khamti, Singpho, Tangsa, Nocti, Wanchoo, Assamese, Hindi, English
Introduction to Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is the land of the first rays of the sun in India.
Arunachal Pradesh, earlier known as Northeast Frontier Agency, and largest of the seven sisters of North East India, shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar and state boundaries with Assam and Nagaland.
Arunachal Pradesh attained its statehood on 20th February 1987. It is situated in the North-Eastern part of India with 83743 sq. kms area It stretches from snow mountains in the north to the plains of Brahmaputra valley in the south.
Arunachal is the largest state in the north-east region areawise, even larger than Assam, which is the most populous.
Geography of Arunachal Pradesh
The state is situated between latitudes 26.42° N - 29.30°N and longitudes 90.36°E - 97.30°E and shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar and state boundaries with Assam and Nagaland.
A part of the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh stretches over 83,000 sq km. Almost 60% of the state area is covered by green forests.
Besides the forests, there are rivers, streams, mountains, and peaks, giving the state abundant variations in scenic beauty.
Brief History of Arunachal Pradesh
The earliest recorded history mentioned from 16th century AD when Ahom rulers of Assam extended their kingdom to this region. The Ahom rulers had a tradition of not interfering in the affairs of the tribes of this region.
The British continued this policy, and in 1873, they banned entry of outsiders to this region. The Government of India continued this policy until 1962, when China attacked this region. After 1962, steps were taken to counter future border disputes with China, and roads, electricity, modern democratic institutions, and cash economy were introduced here.
Before 1962, the state was known as Northeast Frontier Agency and was constitutionally a part of Assam. Because of its strategic importance, it was administered by the Ministry of External Affairs until 1965 and subsequently by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the governor of Assam. In 1972, Arunachal Pradesh was constituted as a union territory, and, in 1987, it became the 24th state of the Indian Union.
Districts of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh has 16 districts - Tawang, West Kameng, East Kameng, Papumpare, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Changlang, Tirap, Kurung Kumey, Anjaw.
Economy of Arunachal Pradesh
In Arunachal Pradesh many efforts have been made to develop medium and small-scale industries. Local entrepreneurs are being encouraged to establish tea plantation in the state.
The important mineral in Arunachal Pradesh is petroleum. Besides, the state also has copper ore, gold and pyrites, limestone, dolomite and graphite located in the state.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. Food grain production is continuously increasing and many cash crops and horticultural crops are also being developed in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh Travel Information
Arunachal Pradesh capital at Itanagar tells the story of the Ita Fort built in the 14th century by King Ramchandra of Mayapur.
Mallini is another unique site that goes back to the 10th and 12th century. It has an ancient temple housing sculptures of gods and goddesses of the Hindu school.
Parasuram Kund and the Brahma Kund in the Lohit district are sacred places that attract pilgrims to take a dip in their holy waters and purge themselves of their sins.
Bismaknagar and its fort in the Dibang valley are memorials to the Bhagwat Gita, story of Lord Krishna's visit there and his elopement with a local girl, Rukmini.
The Tawang Monastery, constructed in the 17th century, houses a big library of holy books, some of which are written in gold letters. Situated atop a ridge and surrounded by thick clouds and mist, it seems to be hanging in ethereal space. Such historical sites apart, Arunachal has a large number of beauty spots at various altitudes where one may relax and refresh oneself in a pollution-free environment. There are waterfalls, glades, forest groves where one may picnic, camp, or relax in an available rest house.
The state government has built a large number of circuit houses, guesthouses, forest bungalows, hotels, and tented accommodation for the comfort of visitors.
Rivers of Arunachal Pradesh
The Brahmaputra river enters Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet and flows into Assam from where it goes down to Bangladesh.
The state gets as much as five hundred centimeters of rain fall and this accounts for the large number of rivers and lakes in the region apart from extensive forests.
The rivers Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap have divided the plains into valleys. Other main rivers are Kamla, Siyum, Dibang, Noa–Dihing and Kamlang.
Education in Arunachal Pradesh
Literacy Rate of Arunachal Pradesh is 54.74%. State Governemnt is doing many efforts for improvement of education. There is only one university in the state. At the primary and middle level there are many school.
Food of Arunachal Pradesh
Rice is main diet. It is extensively cultivated by all the tribes. It is eaten in a boiled form mixed with vegetables, pulses, fish, potatoes, and meat.
The people are not familiar with spices nor do they use fat as a frying medium. Poultry, pigs, and goats are reared for domestic use.
The meat of the mithun is consumed with relish.
The tribes make a light and nourishing drink known as apang (rice beer).
Arts and Culture of Arunachal Pradesh
There are three category of religion in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribes such as the Monpas and Sherdukpens in Kameng and Tawang district, who came in contact with the Tibetans in the north, adopted Lamaism of the Buddhist faith while the Khamtis in Lohit district, who are an early migration from Thailand, practice Mahayana Buddhism.
There is a small population of the Noctis and Wanchoos in Tirap district whose long association with the Assamese to their south converted them to Hinduism. However, a large majority of the people maintains their ancient beliefs and indigenous religious concepts. They believe in a supernatural being that has different names among different tribes.
The High God is considered to have two different existences - one in the Heavens and the other on Earth. Besides, they consider that a variety of spirits and deities, both benevolent and malevolent, determine and human fate. With unquestionable faith, they honor their pantheon of gods and recall them at the time of their fairs and festivals.
The major craft is mask making by the Buddhist tribes, carpets, wooden vessels, silver articles, cane and bamboo work, shawls, and shoulder bags.
The womenfolk of the region have a remarkable sense of color, and they use black, yellow, dark blue, green, and scarlet and put them together to create fascinating combinations. Monpas, the Buddhist community, are specialists in carpet weaving, with exotic designs of geometric and floral patterns and dragons.
There is a wide range of dances, which serve varying purpose. By and large, these are community dances and the people have no tradition of individual dances to display excellence for art's sake. Certain dances have a religious significance, such as in the worship of the gods or at the time of festivals. Others are a thanksgiving for handsome crops and yet others are performed for entertainment. Noctis and Wanchoos have war dances enacted both before launching an attack and to celebrate victory in battles.
A rich variety of fairs and festivals provide them with seasonal occasions to get together en masse and enjoy the common brotherhood and a spirit of cooperation. The festivals mirror the people's culture, their artistic genius, and skill at making music and dance forms. Practically each month of the year witnesses a festival of one tribe or the other. The festivals serve a two-fold purpose - as thanksgiving ceremonies in homage to God and His gift of good crops and freedom from want and disease.
The Losar Festival of the Monpas hails their new year and is celebrated for five days. The houses are cleaned and Buddhist prayers are offered for prosperity and good health. Colorful prayer flags are hoisted atop the temples and dwelling places. The Mopin Festival of the Galo tribe in Siang District lasts for five days when wealth, prosperity, and universal happiness are sought. The festivities of the Idu Mishmi Tribe of Lohit District are devoted to the appeasement of the deities for six days. It ends with a colorful fanfare and dances by the priests. A number of other festivals with religious and seasonal significance fill the days of the people with mirth and merrymaking.