New Delhi/Kohima: In the North-East there exists a world which is called ‘the land of folklore’. We are talking about Nagaland. This is the state of India where the mountains tell stories and the valleys are witnesses of history. 1st December is a very special day for this state. On this date in the year 1963, Nagaland got the status of the 16th state of India. But this journey was not so easy. The story of Nagaland is a story of bravery, tradition and unyielding spirit. The tribes here have never been slaves of anyone. Be it the powerful Ahom kings of Assam or the British who ruled the world.
History remained free from the chains of slavery
If we turn the pages of the history of Nagaland, one thing becomes clear that it was impossible to enslave the Naga tribes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Naga people came into contact with the Ahom kingdom of Assam. The Ahom dynasty was very powerful at that time. Even though on paper they claimed that Nagaland was under them, the reality was something else. In ground reality, the Naga tribes were completely independent. He was the master of his own will. Even the Ahom kings never dared to interfere in their traditions.
Even in the 19th century, when the East India Company started taking over India, they too had to chew iron grams here. The British controlled some areas of Nagaland with great difficulty. But the biggest problem they faced was in ending the old traditions of the Nagas. This also included the dreadful tradition like ‘Narbali’, which the British had to struggle to end.
Changed religion but did not leave its roots
The most beautiful thing about Nagaland is its social fabric. After the arrival of the British, religious conversion took place on a large scale here. Missionaries worked here in the field of education and health. The result was that about 90 percent of the state’s population became Christians. But changing religion did not mean that they abandoned their culture. Even today the people of Nagaland are as connected to their roots as they were centuries ago. Even today they wear their colorful traditional clothes. Their customs, folk songs and festivals are their identity even today. Despite adopting Christianity, he did not let his tribal identity fade away. This is an example for the world of how modernity and tradition can go together.
World War I and the rise of nationalism
You will be surprised to know that the spark of nationalism in Nagaland came from Europe. During the First World War the British needed fighters. He recruited many people from Naga tribes. These Naga soldiers were sent to France and other countries of Europe. When these people returned from Europe, their thinking had changed. He had seen the world and understood the meaning of freedom. These people came back and laid the foundation of ‘Naga Nationalist Movement’. He started raising his voice for his identity and his rights.
Meeting with Nehru and 16-point agreement
The struggle of Nagaland continued even after independence. India became independent in 1947, but till 1957 this area was just a district of Assam state. It was called ‘Naga Hills’. Naga people wanted their own separate identity. In August 1957, leaders of different Naga tribes together formed the ‘Naga People’s Convention’ (NPC).
The time of July 1960 was historical. A delegation of NPC reached Delhi to meet the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He demanded a separate state for the Nagas within the Indian Union. Nehru listened to him and a historic agreement was reached. This is known as ’16-Point Agreement’. This agreement cleared the way for the formation of Nagaland state. After this, in 1962, Parliament passed the ‘State of Nagaland Act’ and on 1 December 1963, Nagaland became the 16th state of India.
‘Yaruingam’ means the secret of the people
Literature can also be taken to understand the struggle of Nagaland and the society there. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya’s famous novel ‘Yaruingam’ has been written on this background. It was written in the 1950s and published in 1960. The word ‘Yaruingam’ means people’s rule. This novel narrates in depth the life of the Tangkhul Nagas and their struggle for self-determination. It is a living document of the political and social changes of that period.
17 tribes and switzerland of the east
Geographically Nagaland is a wonder. It is bounded by Assam in the west, Myanmar (Burma) in the east, Arunachal Pradesh in the north and Manipur in the south. There are 17 administrative districts in the state and 17 major tribes live here. Every tribe has its own dialect, its own dress and its own customs. Despite so much diversity, they all live together.
Because of its beauty it is called ‘Switzerland of the East’. Lush green hills, dense forests and magnificent valleys fascinate anyone. This place is a paradise for trekking, rock climbing and jungle camping. There is a treasure of medicinal plants hidden in the forests here. If someone is looking for peace away from the urban noise, then Nagaland is his destination. Seeing the sunrise and sunset here is a magical experience. Today as Nagaland celebrates its foundation day, it is important to remember that this state is not just a line on the map of India. It is a symbol of indomitable courage, never-say-die spirit and a great culture living in harmony with nature.
