Seven Sisters of India

The Seven Sister States of India, located in the northeastern part of the country, are known for their rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and diverse ethnic communities. Each state is represented by its capital city, serving as the administrative, political, and cultural hub of the region. From the picturesque hill station of Shillong in Meghalaya to the bustling city of Guwahati in Assam, these capitals encapsulate the unique essence and identity of their respective states.

Customs, history, culture, and some interesting facts about the capitals of the Seven Sisters of India have been described in this article in depth.

Seven Sisters of India Map

Capitals of Seven Sisters

Capitals of Seven Sisters of India: Overview

State	Capital
Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar
Assam	Dispur (Guwahati)
Manipur	Imphal
Meghalaya	Shillong
Mizoram	Aizawl
Nagaland	Kohima
Tripura	Agartala

North-East India

The northeast is a beautiful region with a fascinating past. The region has advanced significantly in terms of economic, political, and social development, starting with the first South Asian settlers and continuing through the modern northeastern states.

Under British rule in India, Northeast India first emerged in the 19th century. It was incorporated into the Bengal Province between 1839 and 1873. The Northeast was made up of Assam, Manipur, and Tripura following India’s independence in 1947.

Eventually, the broader Assamese territory was divided into the other states. During the British Raj, Assam’s capital was Shillong. Meghalaya was established later in 1972, with Shillong serving as the state capital. Dispur became the new capital of Assam in the end.

Seven Sisters Name

Assamese civil servant Jyoti Prasad Saikia hosted a radio talk show in January 1972. He referred to these republics as the “seven sisters” in order to highlight their similarities, interdependence, and shared path from India. Later, he wrote a book titled “The Land of Seven Sisters” about the similarities among the seven sister states. After this article, the nickname gained popularity and entered our vocabulary.

The Land of the Seven Sisters of India

The seven sisters of India comprise the state in the northeast. This covers the following states: Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland. With regard to their political systems, economies, cultures, and biodiversity, all seven states are highly dependent on one another. Sikkim, however, sadly does not belong to the seven sisters of India; it is separated by a chicken neck corridor, or Siliguri corridor. The North East and the rest of India are connected by a narrow strip of land in the northern Bengal area. The seven sisters of India and their capitals are mentioned below:

1. Arunachal Pradesh- The State of The Rising Sun

The largest state in northeastern India, Arunachal Pradesh, is home to 100 sub-tribes and 26 major tribes. The state’s natural beauty is enhanced by the fact that almost 61% of it is covered in forests. Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang is the birthplace of Tsangyang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama.

Capital- Itanagar

● Arunachal Pradesh’s capital city is Itanagar.

● Itanagar is home to the Arunachal Pradesh government’s headquarters.

● In Itanagar, Nishi is the most often spoken language.

● On February 20, 1987, Arunachal Pradesh became a state.

● The largest state in Northeast India’s Seven Sister States is Arunachal Pradesh.

● The former North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) territory was divided to become Arunachal Pradesh.

● 26 major Indian tribes and 100 smaller tribes call Arunachal Pradesh home.

2. Assam: Home to the Largest River Island

Majuli, the world’s largest river island, is located in Assam. Situated close to Jorhat on the Brahmaputra River, Majuli boasts breathtaking vistas in every direction and is devoid of pollution. Located in Assam, the Kaziranga National Park is home to two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses and is recognised as a World Heritage Site. Assam is also home to Digboi, the oldest continuously running oil refinery in the world. Since 1901, it has been in operation. According to folklore, the oil on the feet of elephants returning from the jungle in Assam after lugging logs was first observed by the British. The British were known to yell, “Dig Boy, Dig,” while the labourer’s dug for oil; this is how the moniker Digboi originated.

Capital- Dispur

● Assam’s capital city is Dispur. Guwahati’s Dispur is a suburban area.

● Dispur became the capital of Assam in 1973. Shillong served as Assam’s capital before it was divided into the new state of Meghalaya.

● The headquarters of the Assamese government are in Dispur.

● The headquarters of Assam are in Dispur.

● Assamese and Bodo are Assamese official languages.

● The most widely spoken language in the three districts that make up Assam’s Barak Valley is Sylheti, but Bengali is the official language.

● Assam is well-known for its silk and tea.

3. Meghalaya: The City of Clouds

Living root bridges are the main reason for Meghalaya’s fame. Bamboo guides the strong, flexible roots of rubber trees across rivers and streams, enabling the building of these bridges. The rubber fig tree’s aerial roots are used to create the living root bridges by hand by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Additionally, the state is well-known for housing Asia’s cleanest village. Known as “God’s Own Garden,” Mawlynnong is a tiny Meghalaya village that is remarkably tidy and well-kept.

Capital- Shillong

● Meghalaya’s capital city is Shillong. Originally, it served as Assam’s capital from 1874 to 1972.

● Following the division of Meghalaya from Assam, Shillong was designated as the state capital.

● People refer to Shillong as the “Scotland of the East.”

● Shillong is home to the Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command headquarters.

● The language of the people that live in Shillong is Khasi, which is the native tongue.

● Meghalaya translates to “beyond the clouds.”

4. Manipur: The Only Floating Park in the World

Manipur shares its borders with Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam, and an international border with Myanmar. The state capital of Manipur is Imphal. Together with other communities like the Naga tribes, Kuki/Zo, and Pangals/Pangans (Manipuri Muslims), the majority are Meitei. Among the princely states in the past was the Kingdom of Manipur. In the state, the majority religion is Hinduism, which is followed by Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Sanamahism. With enough hydroelectric power capability, Manipur’s economy is based mainly on agriculture. Polo was supposedly brought to Europe by Manipur.

Capital: Imphal

● Manipur’s capital city is Imphal.

● India’s most eastern region is home to Imphal.

● Near Imphal lies the India Peace Memorial at the Red Hills. Due to the fact that the Indian National Army assisted the British army in their battle against the Japanese during World War II, it holds immense historical significance.

● Manipur’s economy is mostly based on agriculture.

● The Meitei people make up the bulk of Manipur’s population. They make up about 53 percent of the total population.

5. Mizoram: The Leading Producer of Bamboo in India

Geographically significant, Mizoram is the second most literate state in the nation, after Kerala. The region through which the Tropic of Cancer passes through India is Aizawl in Mizoram. Mizoram is also the location of the Pukzing cave, which is said to have been carved by a man by the name of Mualzavata using a hairpin. The state leads India in the production of bamboo.

Capital: Aizawl

● Mizoram’s capital city is Aizawl.

● The word “Mizo” is the source of the name Mizoram. The indigenous people of Mizoram are known as Mizos. The word “ram” in Mizo refers to land.

● The state of Mizoram is landlocked. Its borders are shared with Manipur, Assam, and Tripura, three additional northeastern Indian states.

● In Mizoram’s capital, the vast majority of people identify as Christians.

● The vast majority of Christians identify as Presbyterians.

● In Aizawl, football is the most popular sport.

6. Nagaland: Where English is the Official Language

The only two Indian states where World War II was actually fought are Nagaland and Manipur. In addition, the state is the only one in India to have seen a 0.47 percent decrease in population between 2001 and 2011. Ninety percent of the people in Nagaland are Christians, and English is the official language of the state. The state celebrates the wildly popular Hornbill Festival, which pays homage to its rich and varied culture, heritage, and customs. The state government launched it in 2001.

Capital: Kohima

● The capital of Nagaland is Kohima.

● As of December 1, 1963, Nagaland became a sovereign state, and Kohima was designated as its capital.

● “Kewhira” is where the name Kohima originates. The settlement of “Kewhira” is home to Kohima Town.

● “Bara Basti” is another name for Kohima settlement. Due to its status as the second-largest town in Asia, this village is highly known.

● The largest city in Nagaland is Dimapur, despite Kohima being the capital.

● The agriculture sector accounts for 70% of Nagaland’s GDP.

7. Tripura: Unparalleled Architecture to Discover

There is just one main highway, NH44, that connects Tripura to the rest of India. Before independence, the state was home to an uninterrupted line of 184 monarchs, the Manika dynasty, which is most known for their rule. In Tripura, rice is grown on 91% of the total land area.

Capital: Agartala

● Tripura’s capital city is Agartala. Tripura’s state government is based in Agartala.

● Agartala was designated as the third international internet gateway, following Mumbai and Chennai.

● Bengali is Agartala’s official state language● Tripura is the third-smallest state in India.

● Bangladesh and Tripura are separated by an international border.

● Assam and Mizoram are two of the Indian states that border Tripura.

● In northeast India, Tripura is the second most populated state.

Culture of Seven Sisters of India

The country’s northeastern section may consist of the Seven Sisters, but there is a remarkable amount of cultural diversity there. Though the language of each of these states may appear to be the same, it actually differs greatly.

Official Languages of Seven Sisters of India

● Assam-Assamese

● Nagaland: English

● Arunachal Pradesh: English

● Manipur-Manipuri

● Mizoram: Mizo Tawng

● Tripura-Kokborok

● Meghalaya-Khasi

Dance Forms of Seven Sisters of India

● Assam-Bihu

● Nagaland: Modse, Agurshikukula, Sadal Kekai, and Kuki Dance

● Arunachal Pradesh: Chalo, Ponung, Pasi Kongki, and Roppi

● Manipur-Jagoi

● Mizoram: Cheraw Dance

● Tripura: Bizu, Hai Hak, Hozagiri, and Garia

● Meghalaya: Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Ka PomBlang Nongkrem

Food of Seven Sisters of India

● Assam: Khaar, Duck Meat Curry, Masor Tenga, Aloo Pitika, Ou Khatta

● Nagaland: rice, pork with bamboo shoots, boiled vegetables, and spicy chilli sauces

● Arunachal Pradesh: Rice, Bamboo Shoot, Pika Pila, Marua, Chura Sabji, Pehak

● Manipur: Leafy Vegetables (Aquatic and Terrestrial, both), Fish Curry, Chamthong, and Ooti

● Mizoram: Chicken, Pork, Beef, Fish, Bai, Koat Pitha, Panch Phoran Tadka

● Tripura: Mui Borok, Berma, Bangui Rice, Meat Roasts, Bamboo Shoots, Chakhwi

● Meghalaya: Pumaloi, Pudoh, Jah, Minil Songa, Doh-Neiiong, and Nakham Bitchi

Traditional Dresses of Seven Sisters of India

● Assam: Mekhela Chador (hand-loomed dress) for women; Suria (Dhoti) and Seleng (Chadar) for men.

● Nagaland: Both men and women wear a plain blue skirt with white cloth that has black marginal bands of varied breadth.

● Arunachal Pradesh: petticoat/skirt, full-sleeved embroidered jacket, sleeveless chemise, Mushaiks, Gurdam for women; sleeveless shirt, green lungi with white, yellow, and red yarns for men

● Manipur: phanek, innaphi (shawl), wraparound skirt for women; dhoti, jacket, and white turban for men.

● Mizoram: handmade blouse made of cotton with puanchei for women; red and white coloured coat with wraparound for men

● Tripura: Khakloo (knee-length cloth); Risa; Petticoat for women; Rikutu Gamcha; Kubai (shirt) for men.

● Meghalaya: Jainsen, Endi Shawl for women; Dhoti, jacket, turban for men

The Only Brother, ‘Sikkim’

● Sikkim is also a part of the Northeast but is not included in the Seven Sisters of India because, while the other seven states are contiguous, Sikkim is sort of a neighbour, divided by the Siliguri Corridor.

● Sikkim is also referred to as the ‘Brother’ of the Seven Sisters.

Challenges to the Development of North East India:

● Limited connectivity

● Lack of political and social stability

● Lack of technology in their day-to-day lives

● Absence of railway infrastructure in the region

Conclusion

Among the most breathtaking places on earth are these seven sisters of India. Their pure and fabulous beauty is unmeasurable, endowed with lush, rugged hills, secret waterfalls, and exceptional climatic conditions. Due to years of marginalisation, people from the northeast frequently feel excluded within their own nation. Maybe if we learn a little more about these “Seven Sisters” of India, the rest of the nation will be more accommodating to people from the northeast.

FAQ’S: Capitals of Seven Sisters of India (Culture, Food, Language)

Who are the 7 sisters and 1 brother of India?

The seven sisters of Northeast India include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Whereas Sikkim is called the only brother of seven sisters.

Why is Sikkim called the brother of Seven Sisters?

Sikkim is also a part of the Northeast but is not included in the Seven Sisters because, while the other seven states are contiguous, Sikkim is sort of a neighbour, divided by the Siliguri Corridor. Sikkim is also referred to as the ‘brother’ of the Seven Sisters.

Which state is beautiful in Seven Sisters?

Arunachal Pradesh is the most beautiful of the seven sisters. SeLa Pass is the access point to Tawang and is a steep rise that is covered with snow for most of the year.

What are the seven sisters names?

The region is blessed by Mother Nature and is fondly called the Seven Sisters States, which comprise Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. Each one of these states is bestowed with a unique feature.

What is the capital of Meghalaya?

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. It was initially the capital of Assam from 1874 to 1972. The headquarters of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force is located in Shillong.