Meghalaya came into existence in January 1972. it consists of the three districts of The Garo, Khasi and Jainta Hills, which previously formed part of Assam. The population of the state is more than a million, a vast majority being Christians. With an area of approximately 23000 sq km, it has a density of about 44 persons are for every square kilometers. The rate of literacy is about 34 per cent.
Although there is uncertainty regarding the origin of the Khasis and Jaintias, they are believed to be a remnant of one of the early population movements into India from Indo –China and their language belonged to the Mon- Khmer family languages of that region. A special feature of Khasi society is the customary law of inheritance by which property is handed down from the mother to the daughter. The Garos, who inhabit the western segment of the state, are part of the Boddo race of the Tibeto -Burman family, with a matrilineal society as in the case of the Khasis and Jaintias. They still practices shifting cultivation and their staple food is rice.
Until January 1972, both Arunachal and Meghalaya were constitutionally parts of the state of Assam. Though Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya are both tribal areas, the benefits of a regular administration came to Arunachal Pradesh over a decade later than to Maghalaya.
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