Shillong - The Scotland of the East

Shillong has been the Capital of Assam since 1874,with a temporary break from 1905 to 1912,when the Government Secretariats were functioning both from Dacca, now the Capital of Bangladesh, and Shillong.

It is named after the “Shillong Peak” overlooking the city. There are many legends about the name Shillong.One of the many legends run that the name Shillong was derived from U Shylong, a supernatural half-deity born of a virgin human mother. In another legend, it is told that the name Shillong originated from the name of Shillong Deity who lived in a cave known as Krem Marai near Shillong Peak.

The city was founded by Col. Henry Hopkinson, Commissioner of Assam in 1864.In that very year the headquaters of the District Officer of the khasi Hills were transferred from Cherrapunjee to Shillong.Shillong’s picturesque setting and salubrious climate were found very suitable for sanatoria and holiday home of the British civilians, who were tormented by heat in the plains. It was also considered an ideal situation for the establishment of a military cantonment to keep vigil on the entire North East.

Termed as “Scotland of the East”, Shillong is situated at a height of 5,000 feet on the plateau of gentle hills. Cool colonnades of tall pine trees clad with whispering green leaves glistening in the sun surround the city. On its bosom lie several lovely waterfalls – Spread Eagle falls, Elephant Falls, Beadon Falls etc. sprightly dancing down from their hilly heights.

Shillong with its veritable beauty spots like Ward’s Lake, the Lady Hydari Park with its mini zoo, and its 18-hole Golf Course, one of the oldest and best in the country, is a great tourist center, attracting people from far and near.

In the mini-zoo, various species of birds, such as, hornbills, pheasants, pelicans, and storks can be seen besides the animals like antelope, slow loris, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat and golden langur.

It is a cosmopolitan city. Here one can find a mini-India with its population of 23,06,069 (2001 census) coming from different parts of the country and comprising every raciality, religion, custom and life style. From Shillong has spread the message of Christianity in the entire NorthEast, thus bringing the western culture and scientific thoughts to remote interiors. In educational institutions of Shillong, students from all over the region flock for admission. North east Hill University are situated here. The Shillong State Library and Museum offer plentiful scope for study and research of the ethnic culture in the region. The State Library has a good collection of books. The State Museum has varied and interesting exhibits relating to art, craft, culture and heritages of the different tribes of the Northeast. Recently a Forest Museum has been set up, where one finds exhibits of the interesting and unique flora and fauna of Meghalaya and the region. No wonder, Shillong is called the cultural Capital of the NorthEast.

Shillong is also the Head Quarters of the Eastern Air Command and 101 Communication zone of the Army.

There are two important monuments in Shillong – one a full three ‘faced martyrs’ column – a memorial to U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan Sangma who fought valiantly against the superior might of the British, and the other, a statue of Indira Gandhi in bronze, under whose Prime-Ministership, Meghalaya became finally a full-fledged State. These monuments are a great attraction. War Memorials in Motphran – the oldest monument at bara bazaar and two other Monuments at All Saints Cathedral and at Shillong Club Compound are also great crowd pullers.

Besides, the milk white Secretariat Building with an inspiring statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, the erstwhile Assam Legislative Council which is now the seat of the Shillong Bench of Gauhati High Court, the massive State Central Library Complex, the Shillong Cathedral, the sprawling Robert Hospital Complex now known as the KJP Synod Hospital, the huge Church Buildings at Mawkhar, Jaiaw, Laitumkhrah present and awe-inspiring array of magnificent structure to a visitor to Shillong.

Most notable is Iewduh, the biggest traditional bazaar in the entire North East. Here the retail market is dominated by smiling and courteous Khasi women in this bazaar, practically everything is available – from fruits, vegetable and fish to typical medicinal herbs and plants found in Meghalaya.

Shillong’s architecture is unique in the country. It houses look like English Homes with well laid chimneys of beautiful designs emitting smokes from fire-places through the long wintry months. Its Churches and the Secretariat Buildings are also in the style of English architecture.

Meghalayas’ State language is English. Prevalance of English speech, dress and manners in Shillong gives reminiscence of the British who attempted to make it a little England in the East. It is still considered one of the most beautiful of all hill stations in India, which, with its English setting, is very unlike other cities of India. Shillong can be compared with Shillong only.

Features
There are many caves in the hills of Meghalaya. Of these, the Mawsynram Cave, Mawsmai Cave, Syndai Cave and the Caves at Suji are the most important ones that attract visitors from far and near. 58 kms, from Shillong, Mawsynram closely rivals Cherrapunjee in annual rainfall. Here is a picturesque cave of vast and unexplored depth, featuring giant stalagmite, in the shape of natural ‘Sivalinga’ which is bathed the year round by water from an overflowing stalactite shaped like a woman’s breast. It is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, and a natural wonder for sightseers. The Mawsmai or Mawmluh Syiem Cave at Mawsmai village is full of wonders to the naked eye. One has to carry tourch-light to view inside. Suji Cave is situated 152 kms from Tura town, on the banks of the river Simsang (Someshwari). Locally known as Debbakol. Syndai Cave also called Jognindra, is located in the southern part of Jaintia Hills. During the Hindu ‘Sivaratri’ festival, many people visit this Cave. The other important Caves of Meghalaya are Mawkyrdop and Dam Um Cave near Mawmluh, Cherrapunjee.


Climate:

The climate in Meghalaya is very much influenced by its topography. The sudden rise of hills in the south across the State is responsible for its heavy rainfall. The Cherrapunjee-Mawsynram belt has the record for the heaviest rainfall in the world. The temperature is low, as usual, in the hilly part of the State. At the top of Tura peak, ground-frost gathers in winter. The higher ranges of Khasi and Jaintia Hills enjoy a more salubrious Mediterranean type of climate. Broadly, in Meghalaya, the year may be divided into four seasons: Spring – March and April Summer – May to September Autumn – October to Mid-November Winter – Mid-November to Febuary.



Lakes:

There are many Lakes in garo Hills. Of these, Tasek Lake in the East Garo Hills and Kata Beel is west Garo Hills are most famous. Shillong’s wards Lake is a veritable tourist spot and is world famous. The Umiam Lake formed by Stage-I of the Umiam Hydel Project by the side of the main Guwahati-Shillong Road, and Kyrdemkulai Lake formed by Stage-III of the same project with their surrounding sylvan hills and grassy down are idyllic picnic settings and paradise for anglers. At Umiam Lake there are facilities for Water Sports.




Orchids:

The foothills of the Himalayas has been the traditional home of many exquisite varieties of Orchids. The rugged hills dense forest and lush green valleys of Meghalaya with their sprightly rain-fed streams offer a natural store house of exhilarating Orchids. About 1,000 species of beautiful Orchids are found in India out of which , more than 250 species with colours and shades as varied and rich as a rainow, are seen in the meadows, hills and dales, of Meghalaya, thus making Meghalaya a veritable ‘Land of Orchids’. Some of the exotic and ecstatic Orchids of Meghalaya are : Paphiopedilum insigne, Paphiopedilum venustum, Aerides multiflorum, Rhynchostylis retusa, Coelogyne corymbosa, Phaius tankervilliae, Dendrobium devonianum, Vanda coerulea, Cymbidium elegans etc.



Rivers:

There are no navigable rivers in Meghalaya, though small boats can ply in afew streams at the lower slopes. Particularly, all the principle rivers in the State run either in a Northerly or in a Southerly direction and joins the Brahmaputra or its Tributaries. River Simsang is the biggest river, it flows through the valley of Tura range in Garo Hills in the north-west and Chitmang in the south-west and flows in the southerly direction from the West of Williamnagar. The longest river in the Garo Hills is however, Jinjiram. In the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Khri, Umtrew, Umiam, Kupli, Umiew, Umngot and Myntdu are the important rivers.



Sacred Grooves:

Numerous Sacred Groves, untouched by human beings, are found in Meghalaya. These groves of plantations are considered sacred by the Khasis. The Sacred Groves comprise mixed evergreen forest where Oak, Rhododendrons and species of Schima and Cinnamon are common. These groves contain a number of orchids and Epiphytes, which, sometimes, form a rich outgrowth of bushes covering the trees. At a distance, rings of indigenous Pines are found surrounding the Groves, like protective hedges.



Soil:

The Soil of Meghalaya maybe broadly grouped into hilly soil and plain alluvium. In some places, red loamy soil is also found. At other places, clayey to fairly heavy clay are noticed. The soils of Garo hills are quite heavy clay and contains about 105 of organic matter, with high nitrogen-content. The soils of upper Shillong are loamy silt and fine silt, containing high nitrogen-content but deficient in mutriate of potash.



Natural Features:

The landscape of Meghalaya with hills, dale, waterfalls and streams present all the colors of a rainbow, making it look like a lovely and wonderful fairyland. This fairyland of one’s dream is the home of beautiful Orchid, butterflies, and many other exotic and exquisite flora and fauna which enhances the fantasy of this wonderous land. Its climate varying from temperate warm to Mediterranean and commonest equatorial type adds to its magical and mysterious charm, thus making Meghalaya a unique wonderland of Nature. Physical Features: The State is divided into three hilly regions: The Garo Hills (Western Meghalaya) The Khasi Hills (Central Meghalaya) The jaintia Hills (Eastern Meghalaya) The Hills of Meghalaya are very, very old, these were formed atleast 135 million years ago during the early Tertiary period. There are some rocks with intrusive character, like the granite rocks formed near Nongpoh and Kyllang, which are perhaps 700 million years old. They are pre-Cambrian rocks, old and rare. The Khasi and Jaintia Hills are at a higher elevation than the Garo Hills. In general, the hills ranges run from west to east. Deep gorges carved by wide and fast flowing rivers cut across the hilly ranges at many places.



Vegitation:

Meghalaya is endowed with rich natural vegetation. Sub-temperate to tropical, due to diverse topography and variation in rainfall. The northern Hills facing the Brahmaputra valley have tropical vegetation. The important trees are Chaplash, Sal, Gomari, Siris and Teak. The whole of the hills are covered with mixed evergreen Sal forest, bamboo jungle and canes at some portions. In Khasi Hills, there are more than 2,000 flowering plants within a radius of ten miles from Cherrapunjee. There are 150 species of Ferns and a profusion of Mosses, Fungi and Lichens. More than 250 species of orchids, 25 species of Balsams, 20 species of Palms and 150 species of Grasses are available. Wild species of Apples and Rhododendrons abound in the higher parts of the central plateau. In the upper hill region from 1500 meters and above, in the central plateau of Khasi Hills, coniferous vegetation like Pine, Oaks and Ferns are found. This makes a distinct and interesting natural vegetation belt, the like of which cannot be found anywhere in the country in a single State.




Waterfalls:

Innumerable Waterfalls and Springs virtually make Meghalaya, “The Land of Waterfalls” . Most of the waterfalls occur in the State on the northern slope. Some of the noted Waterfalls are: Sweetfalls at the Umkhen River. Rongbang falls on the Simsang River Beadon falls, Bishop falls, Spread Eagle falls and Elephant falls in the neighbourhood of Shillong Nohsithiang, Dainthlen, Nohkalikai and Kynrem falls near Cherrapunjee Other less known Waterfalls are Kshaid Thum Thum falls, Kynshing falls Wainnai falls, Umar falls and Kyrshoh falls.



Wildlife:

The dense jungle in Meghalaya provide a neutral habit for various wildlife mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Animals: Ramphanggiri 10 kms off Balpakram in the East Garo Hills District is the center of wild Elephant population. Other wild animals found in Meghalaya are:Tigers, Bisons, Hoolock Gibons, Boars, Barking Deer, Sambars, Leopards, Slow Loris, apes, Monkeys etc. Clouded Leopards, Binturong or Bear Cat and the Golden Cat are some of the most interesting rare species of animals found in Meghalaya.



Reptiles & Fishes:

Amongst Reptiles, many kinds of Snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous and Lizards are found in Meghalaya. Of the poisonous Snakes, King Cobra, Coral Snake and Vipers are seen. Non-poisonous Snakes consist of mainly Pythons, Blink Snakes, and Copperheads. There are many amphibians and fish species in the rivers and lakes of Meghalaya. The fish species exhibit hill-stream adaptation. Cold-stream fished are particularly delicious. Birds: Meghalaya has various species of Birds. Smaller Brids like flycatcher, Thrust, Treepie, Magpie, Minivet, Greytit, and Becked-tit, Hoopoe and Woodpeckers thrive in the higher altitude. In the lower altitude, and in the deeper forest, Hornbills, Partridges, Woodcocks, Floricans, Owls, Mainas, Whistling Thrust are common. Butterflies: In India, about 1400 varities of butterflies are found. Out of these, about 500 species of these ‘winged delights’ are seen in Meghalaya. In fact, Meghalaya is also called “Land of Butterflies”. Some very rare species of butterflies are found in Meghalaya. Diverse climatic conditions coupled with a rich and luxuriant vegetation makes a perfect breeding ground of exquisite butterflies in Meghalaya. Kaise-E-Hind, Black & Yellow Birdwing, Leafs-Butterfly, Lacewing Butterfly, The Rajah, the Swallowtails, the white and the blue species of butterflies are some of the ecstatic butterflies of Meghalaya that create flutter in the minds of nature lovers all over the world.