HISTORY

Garo Hills is a region in the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India. The Garo Hills have a rich history that spans back centuries. The region was traditionally inhabited by the Garo people, one of the oldest tribes in the Indian subcontinent.

According to the oral history of the Garo people, they migrated to the region from Tibet about 3000 years ago. Over time, the Garos developed a unique culture and way of life that was closely tied to the land and forests of the region. They practiced shifting agriculture and hunting, and their society was organized into clans and villages.

The Garo Hills were largely isolated from the rest of the Indian subcontinent for much of their history, with limited contact with neighboring tribes and kingdoms. However, this changed with the arrival of the British in the 19th century. The British colonial authorities recognized the strategic importance of the region and sought to assert their control over it.

In 1874, the British established the Garo Hills district as a separate administrative unit, which included parts of present-day Meghalaya and Assam. The British brought in tea plantations, built roads and railways, and set up administrative offices, which brought about some economic development in the region.

After India gained independence in 1947, the Garo Hills became part of the newly formed state of Assam. However, in 1972, the Garo Hills along with the other tribal areas of Meghalaya were granted statehood, and the region became part of the state of Meghalaya.

West Garo Hills is one of the largest District of Meghalaya located in the western part of the State. The Garo Hills district was divided into two districts, viz the West Garo Hills district and the East Garo Hills district in October 1976. The erstwhile West Garo Hills district was further divided into two administrative districts of West and South Garo Hills on June 1992. The district headquarters of West Garo Hills is Tura, which is the second largest town in the State after Shillong

Today, the Garo Hills remain an important center of Garo culture and tradition, as well as a rapidly developing region with growing economic opportunities. The Garo people have preserved their unique cultural heritage through their traditional dances, songs, and festivals, and the region is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.