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Nagaland
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.
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.
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