Located at 27 degree north & 93 degree east, Arunachal Pradesh is the eastern-most state on India's north-east frontier. The capital of the state is ITANAGAR. A purely Indian part, the Chinese still holds a territorial claim over portions of the state. Arunachal Pradesh is next to the state of Assam to the south and Naga Land is to the south east. Burma or Mynmar lies towards the eastern side of the state, towards the wes is BHUTAN, while the LOC ( line of control) separates China to the north.
Arunachal Pradesh means "land of the rising sun" reference to its position as the easternmost state of India. Arunachal Pradesh is claimed by the PRC as an integral part of its territory.The territory ,Ngarii, Shannan and Nyingchi prefectures by the Chinese authorities as Tibet south !
Most of the people living in Arunachal Pradesh are either of Tibetan or Burmses-Thai origin. Another 16% of the population are immigrants, including from Bangladesh and Chakma expatriates, and immigrants from other parts of India, mostly being from Assam and Naga Land.
History
The first ancestors of the tribal groups migrated from Tibet during the prehistoric period, and were joined by Thai-Burmese counterparts later. Except for the northwestern parts of the state, little is known about the history of Arunachal Pradesh, although the "Adi" tribe had legendary knowledge of the history. Recorded history was only available in the AHOM chronicles during the 16th century. The tribal "Monpa" and "Sherdukpen" do keep historical records of the existence of local chiefdoms in the northwest as well. Northwestern parts of this area came under the control of the "Monpa" kingdom of Monyul, which flourished between 500 B.C. and 600 A.D. This region then came under the loose control of TIBET and BHUTAN, especially in the Northern areas. The remaining parts of the state, especially those bordering "Mynmar", came under the control of the "Ahoms" and the "Assamese" until the annexation of INDIA by the British in 1858.
Recent excavations of ruins of Hindu temples such as the 14th Malinithan at the foot of the Siang hills in "West Siang" shed new light on the ancient history of Arunachal Pradesh. Paintings of the Hindu gods and altars remained untouched for many years. They attracted many local pilgrims. Another notable heritage site, Bhismaknagar, suggested that the "Idu Mishimi" had a local civilisation. The third heritage site, the 400-year-old Tawang monastery in the "Twang" district, also provides historical evidence of the Buddhist tribal peoples. Historically, the area had a close relationship with Tibetan culture and people, for example the sixth Dalai Lama "Tsangyang Gyatso" was born in Twang .
In 1913-14 a British administrator, SIR HENRY McMAHON ,drew up the 550 mile (890 km) line called asMcMahon line as the border between British India and Tibet during the Simla Conference, as Britain sought to advance its line of control and establish buffer zones around its colony in South Asia. The Tibetan and British representatives at the conference agreed to the line, which ceded Twang and other Tibetan areas to British India; however the Chinese representative refused to accept the line owing to domestic pressures. The Chinese position since then has been that since China was sovereign over Tibet, the line was invalid without Chinese agreement. Furthermore, by refusing to sign the Simla documents, the Chinese Government had escaped according any recognition to the validity of the McMahon Line.
For the first two decades after the Simla Conference, the Survey of India did not show the McMahon line as the border between British India and Tibet either; only in 1937 did they publish a map showing it as the official boundary; in 1938 the Survey of India published a map showing Tawang as a part of Tibet. In 1944, Britain established administrations in the area, from Dirang Dzong in the west to WALONG in the east. Tibet, however, altered its position on the McMahon Line in late 1947 when the Tibetan government wrote a note presented to the newly independent Indian Ministry of External Affairs laying claims to Tibetan districts south of the McMahon Line. The situation developed further as India became independent and the People's Republic of China was established in the late 1940s: with the PRC poised to take over Tibet, India unilaterally declared the McMahon Line to be the boundary in November 1950, and forced the Tibetan administration out of the Tawang area in 1951, despite protests by the PRC and Tibet.The PRC has not recognized the McMahon Line since.
The NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) was created in 1954. The issue was quiet during the next decade or so of cordial Sino-Indian relations, but erupted again during the Indo-China War of 1962. The cause of the escalation into war is still disputed by both Chinese and Indian sources. During the war in 1962, the PRC captured most of the NEFA. However, China soon declared victory and voluntarily withdrew back to the McMahon Line and returned Indian prisoners of war in 1963. The war has resulted in the termination of barter trade with Tibet, although in 2007 the state government has shown signs to resume barter trade with Tibet.
Geography
Much of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the Himalayas. However. parts of Lohit,Changlang and Tirap,which are covered by the Patkai range. Kangto, Nyegi Kangsang, the main Gorichen peak and the Eastern Gorichen peak are some of the highest peaks in this region of the Himalayas.
Recently at 2006, Bumla pass in Bomdila, was opened after 44 years for the first time for the traders. The traders from both the sides were permitted to enter each other territories. The Himalayan ranges that extends up to the eastern Arunachal separates it from China. The ranges extend towards the Nagaland, and form a boundary between India and Burma in Changlang and Tirap district, it acts as a natural barrier it is called Patkai Bum Hills. It is low level ranges as compared to Greater Himalayas
The climate of Arunachal Pradesh differs with the elevation. Areas that are at a very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas close to the Tibetan border enjoy an alpine or Tundra climate. While below the Upper Himalayas are the Middle Himalayas, where people experience a climate which is temperate. Fruits like Apples, Oranges, etc are grown here in this region. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea-level elevation generally experience a humid sub-tropical climate, along with the hot summers and mild winters.
Arunchal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm) annually, most of it pours down between May and September. The mountain slopes and hills are covered with alpine, temperate, and subtropical forests of dwarf Rhododendron, Oak, Pine, Maple, Fir, and Juniper, Sal (Shorea) and Teak are the main economic species.
Arunachal Pradesh is divided into Sixteen districts, each administered by a Deputy Commissioner, who sees to the needs of the local people. Especially along the Tibetan border, the Indian Army has considerable presence due to the concern about Chinese intentions. Special permit called Inner Line Permits (ILP) are required to enter Arunachal Pradesh through any of it checkgates on its border with Assam.
Districts of Arunachal Pradesh:
Anjaw, Changlang, East Kameng, East Siang, Kurung, Kumey, Lohit, Lower Dibong Valley, Lower Subansiri, Papumpare,Twang,Tirap, Upper Dibang, Upper Subansiri, Upper Siang, West Kameng and West Siang.
Race
63% of the Arunachalis belong to 19 major tribes and 85 tribes, who had a tradition which is diverse and of rich culture, language and beliefs. Most of them are either of Tibeto Burman or Tai- Burmese origin. Another 35% of the population are made up of the immigrants, including Bangladeshi,Bodo,Hajong and Chakma expartriates, and immigrants from neighbouring Assam, Nagaland and other notable parts of India. The most major tribes include the Adi, Nishi, Monpa and Aptani.
The literacy of the State rose to 54.74% from 41.59% in 1991. As of today, the number of literates is 487,796. Recent statistics shows that 20% of Arunachal's population are Animist, who follow Animistic religions such as Donyl-Polo and Rangfrah. 25% are Hindus. Tribes who follow Hinduism include the NOCTE and MIRI. Another 40% are practicing Buddhists. Tibetan Buddhism predominates in the districts of Twang, West Kameng and isolated regions adjacent to Tibet, and Theravada Buddhism is practiced by tribal groups living near the Burmese border.
Tourism
Arunachal Pradesh attracts tourists from many parts of the world. Tourist attractions include the Namdapha tiger project in CHANGLANG district, Sela lake near to Bomdila, the bamboo bridges hanging over the river. Historical attractions include Malinithan in Lekhabali and Rukhmininagar near Roing, place where Rukhmini, lord Krishna's wife, used to live. Parshuram kund in LOHIT DISTROCT, is believed to the lake where Pashuram washed away all his sins. Rafting and trekking are also available. A visitor's permit from the tourism department is required
