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43-746: Jowai (IPA: ʤəʊˈwaɪ) is the headquarters of the West Jaintia Hills district of the state of Meghalaya , India, and is home to the Pnar , a sub-tribe of the Khasi people . It is located on a plateau surrounded on three sides by the Myntdu river bordering Bangladesh to the south (about 50 km from the Indo-Bangladesh border). Due to its high altitude of 1365 m above sea level, Jowai experiences warm summers with cool to chilly winters. Jowai

86-403: A Geographical Indication tag for it. United Jaintia Hills district was divided into five blocks. With the bifurcation of the erstwhile district, West Jaintia Hills is divided into three blocks: Since it is land locked region and lack of railways and airport, the only means of transportation is roadways. The main highway which runs through the district is NH 40 and NH 44 . The district has

129-467: A decorative tower-like pillar structure called a rath , carried by 30 to 40 strong people to a small lake at Aitnar for immersion. The festival culminates when the khnong (the most sacred tree) is brought to the centre of each locality. In the afternoon, Datlawakor, a form of soccer with a wooden ball, is played between two teams from the upper and lower valleys of the Myntdu River. Those in

172-578: A group of Jaintias kidnapped British subjects attempting to sacrifice them to Kali . A culprit was then found by the British who admitted that it was an annual tradition which the Jaintias have been doing for 10 years. The priest would cut off the victim's throat and then the Jaintia princess would bathe in his blood. The Jaintia believed that this would bless the princess with offspring. Upon hearing this,

215-537: A literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 41.15%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1003 females per 1000 males. 7,887 (4.88%) lived in urban areas. Ethnic population was 1,721 (1.06%), of which Khasi were 477. As of the 2001 Bangladesh census , Jaintiapur had a population of 121458. Males constituted 63254 of the population, and females 58204. Muslim 109123, Hindu 12066, Christian 92, Buddhist 17 and others 160. Indigenous community such as khasia belongs to this upazila . In Jaintiapur Upazila,

258-485: A shared passenger basis. The charge for traveling from Shillong to Jowai by either a Tata Sumo or Tata Indica is र100, with fairly good availability throughout the day. The district has no rail or air links. The nearest rail service is in Guwahati , Assam, about 160 km away, serving many destinations. Umroi Airport (E.K Mawlong Airport), the nearest airport, has a service with limited flights to Kolkata . The town

301-477: A total population of 272,185, of which 134,406 are males and 135,946 are females. The density of population is 159.69 per km . Scheduled Tribes are 257,941 which is 94.76% of the population. Languages of West Jaintia Hills district (2011) At the time of the 2011 census, 78.17% of the population spoke Pnar , 12.55% War and 6.64% Khasi as their first language. The common dialect in West Jaintia hills

344-542: A variant of dry fish, are two of the most popular forms of local chutney. Languages spoken in Jowai town (2011) The major inhabitants are the Pnar people. Other inhabitants include Nongphlang (Khynriams), War, Biates, Karbis, Marwaris, Bengalis, and Nepalis. As of the 2001 India census, Jowai had a population of 28,430. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Jowai has an average literacy rate of 76%, higher than

387-607: Is 64 km away Archived 12 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine . The town of Jowai lies on National Highway 44 (NH 44) which connects Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and parts of Manipur, specifically Lamka ( Churachandpur ), where Highway NH 44 is the sole link to it. A few buses operate along this route. The district's most popular modes of transport are the Tata Sumo and the Tata Indica, which function on

430-655: Is Mr. Wailadmiki Shylla, National Peoples' Party . Jaintia Hills District also has its own Autonomous Council as per the provisions given in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, known as Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (which is separate from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council , which is seated at Jowai town itself). Jowai town has four members of district council constituencies. They are: One member

473-418: Is Pnar, closely related to Khasi. Other dialects include Khynriam in the western part of district and War in the southern part of the district. The places of interest in Jaintia hills include the below: Although West Jaintia Hills is not known as an education hub. Good schools and colleges do exist in Jowai, Khliehriat and Nongtalang . Prominent Colleges in West Jaintia hills include Jowai Polytechnic which

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516-527: Is a historic town nestled in the scenic Jaintia hills , around 40 kilometers from Sylhet city. It's a charming place with Khasi villages, pineapple and clementine orchards, and busy markets. The town has a long history filled with stories of civilization and battles. Back in the early 15th century, Jaintiapur was the capital of the Jaintia Kingdom , ruled by the Pnar people . Today, the remains of their royal palace can still be seen scattered across

559-689: Is an AICTE recognised college and the only Nursing School in the district is Dr. Norman Tunnel Hospital School Of Nursing, there are other colleges too namely Thomas Jones Synod College , Nongtalang College and Kiang Nangbah Govt. College Jowai which offers degree courses in arts and science. Jowai has good schools too for Secondary and Higher Secondary level, some of the well known schools in Jowai are K.J.P Synod Mihngi Higher Secondary School , St Mary Mazzarello Girls Higher Secondary School , North Liberty Higher Secondary School etc. 25°27′N 92°12′E  /  25.450°N 92.200°E  / 25.450; 92.200 Jaintiapur Jaintiapur

602-624: Is an administrative District in the state of Meghalaya in India . The united district (Jaintia Hills District) was created on 22 February 1972 and occupied an area of 3819 km . It had a population of 272,185 (as of 2011). The district is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests eco-region. With the bifurcation of the erstwhile Jaintia Hills District into East and West Jaintia Hills Districts, West Jaintia Hills District came into existence on 31 July 2012 with its headquarters at Jowai . Jowai

645-500: Is an important business and education hub for the entire district, catering to local students as well as those from the adjacent parts of Assam and Bangladesh. It is well equipped with infrastructure including schools, colleges, hospitals, and a postal service. As with the Nongphlang (Khynriams), Pnars too have a matriarchal society where daughters inherit the family property. Jowai is well connected by roadways to Shillong , which

688-436: Is bounded by Meghalaya State of India on the north, Kanaighat and Golapganj upazilas on the south, Kanaighat Upazila on the east, Gowainghat and Sylhet Sadar Upazila on the west. The Jaflong Hills Range is located on the northeast of the upazila. According to the 2011 Census of Bangladesh , Jaintiapur Upazila had 27,719 households and a population of 161,744. 49,914 (30.86%) were under 10 years of age. Jaintiapur had

731-408: Is celebrated with pomp and show amongst followers of the traditional Niamtre religion. This festival is associated with a series of religious rites. Dancing takes place in the street to the accompaniment of drums and pipe playing. Although women do not participate in dancing, they have an important role to play at home by offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the ancestors. Each locality prepares

774-718: Is elected from the Shillong Parliamentary Seat as a Member of Parliament (seated at New Delhi). The incumbent MP is Vincent Pala, representing the INC , a domicile of East-Jaintia Hills. The upcoming MLA Election is scheduled to be held in 2018 followed by the MDC and MP Elections in 2019. Technical institutes Nursing institutes Colleges and institutions providing higher studies Prominent schools and higher secondary institutions West Jaintia Hills district West Jaintia Hills (Pron: ˈʤeɪnˌtɪə)

817-556: Is relatively quiet with respect to tourism. Most tourist attractions are a short distance from town, except for the "Iaw Musiang", one of the oldest market areas in the district. Other attractions include: Behdeinkhlam, a major festival of the Pnars, is a 4-day event that takes place during the month of July. "Behdienkhlam" literally means "to drive away evils and plague." It is a festival celebrated in all parts of Jaintia Hills. Today, local Christians usually do not participate in it, but it

860-476: Is the host of all the heads of important governmental offices and establishments, educational institutions, hospitals, banking institutions, etc. The total area of the district is 1693 km . The district comprises one Civil Sub-Division Viz. Amlarem Civil Sub-Division and three Community and Rural Development (C&RD) Blocks viz. Amlarem C&RD Block, Laskein C&;RD Block and Thadlaskein C&RD Block with

903-458: The Barak river Major Henniker led the first expedition to Jaintia in 1774. The quarries in their possession were the chief supplier of lime to the delta region of Bengal, but with the British, the contact was not very smooth, and they were attacked in the same year. Subsequently, the Jaintias were increasingly isolated from the plains via a system of forts as well as via regulation of 1799. In 1821,

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946-478: The Jaintia Puriraj (Jaintiapuri Raj) pargana, Japhlang pargana, Chairkata pargana and Phaljur pargana. Puriraj had an area of 59.15 square metres and had a land revenue of £325 of 1875. Phaljur was 51.84 sqm and had a land revenue of £301. Chairkata was 37.88 square metres, consisted of 749 estates and land revenue of £276. Japhlang was 40.07 square metres, 342 estates and £279 land revenue. Though

989-413: The 232nd constituency, Sylhet-4 , and is administratively divided into six Union Parishads: Nijpat, Jaintiapur, Charikata, Darbast, Fatehpur, and Chiknagul UP. The upazila comprises 142 mouzas and 174 villages, providing a structured framework for local governance and community organization. Source: Jaintiapur Upazila is characterized by a diverse range of infrastructure and public services, catering to

1032-703: The British allowed the Jaintia king his rule north of the Surma River . The Jaintias kidnapped four British men in 1832. Three were sacrificed in the Great Hindu temple in Faljur , with one escaping and informing the British authorities of the atrocities. After the Jaintia Raja declined to find the culprits, the British finally marched to the Jaintia Kingdom and annexed it on 15 March 1835 The king

1075-477: The British threatened the Jaintia Raja that they would invade his territories if this does not stop. The Raja made an agreement in 1824 with David Scott that they will only negotiate with the British. A year later, the Jaintias attempted to continue their annual sacrifice which they had previously agreed with the British that they would stop. After the conclusion of the First Anglo-Burmese War ,

1118-723: The Faujdar of Sylhet that Jaintia was under his rule and that it is him that they will trade to. However, the Ahom rule in Jaintia was weak and short-lived. The Jaintias rebelled in their own land defeating the Ahom soldiers. Ram Singh, however, died as a captive to the Ahoms and his son, Jayo Narayan took over the Jaintia Kingdom. In 1757, the Nongkrem-Khynriam Khasi chief closed the Sonapur Duar, stopping trade between

1161-697: The Jainteswari temple area, 42 structures can be found, with 19 megaliths near the temple itself. Another eight structures are located near the Jaintiapur Shahid Minar area, while others lie in broken pieces. Additionally, five structures stand along the southern side of the Sylhet-Tamabil Road, with seven more located about one and a half kilometers from the temple, near the northern side of the Nayagang River. In 1971

1204-561: The Jaintia Kingdom. Jaintia, also known as the Sutnga kingdom, was an ancient hill kingdom in Meghalaya. By the 16th century, much of the greater Sylhet region fell under the jurisdiction of the Jaintia king, who ruled from the capital, Jaintiapur. The Khasi people , who inhabited the area, lived in a matriarchal society and spoke their own language. Around 1500, King Prabhat Ray Syiem Sutnga adopted his Sanskrit name. Between 1548 and 1564,

1247-514: The Jaintia and Ahom kingdoms. An envoy of Jaintias assembled at Hajo where they informed the incident to Ahom Raja Suremphaa Swargadeo Rajeswar Singh who re-opened it for them. The British came into contact with the Jaintia kingdom upon receiving the Diwani of Bengal in 1765. Jaintiapur , currently in Bangladesh , was the capital. The kingdom extended from the hills into the plains north of

1290-617: The Jaintia kingdom was conquered by the king of Cooch Bihar. Later, it came under the governance of the Cachhar Raja. However, in 1605, with the assistance of the Ahom Raja, the Jaintia kingdom regained independence. King Lakshmi Narayan, a notable ruler from 1678 to1694, was renowned for constructing brick buildings in his capital, Jaintiapur. In 1765, the British East India Company ousted the Jaintia king from

1333-603: The Khasi until 1835. In 1707, Jaintia king Ram Singh kidnapped the Kachari Raja . The Raja of Cachar then informed Ahom Raja Rudra Singh Sukhrungphaa which led to the Ahoms attack through North Cachar and Jaintia Hills. Jaintia was annexed to the Ahoms and its capital city, Jaintiapur , was then raided by the Ahoms and thousands of innocent civilians were put to death or ears and noses were cut off. Sukhrungphaa then informed

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1376-586: The Pakistani Army engaged in torture, genocide, and plundering; soldiers also set many houses of the upazila on fire. The Pakistani Army killed a number of innocent persons at the village of Hemo by strafing via fighter planes. Additionally, the Pakistani Army brutally killed 30 persons including the Khan Tea Garden workers. area 280.27 km , located in between 24'59' and 25'11' north latitudes and in between 92'03' and 92'14' east longitudes. It

1419-713: The Syiem's court. With the advent of the British rule, the Syiem was ripped off his position, with the Dollois left with some limited powers. Jaintia Hills is divided into twelve Elakas, each under a Doloi (nominal ruler). Apart from the ancient form, people of Jaintia Hills have their representatives in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly seated at the capital, Shillong. The present Member of the Legislative Assembly from 2-Jowai Constituency

1462-595: The coal mining sites are now situated in the East Jaintia Hills district. Lakadong Turmeric is a type of turmeric variety found in the West Jaintia hills district. It is one of the world’s finest turmeric varieties with the highest curcumin content of 7-9 % in comparison to 3% or less in other turmeric varieties. It has been identified under the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative of Indian government. The State of Meghalaya has also applied for

1505-631: The control of the Kamrup Kingdom , later transitioning to the rule of the Chandra and Varman rulers. Following the decline of the Varmans, the kingdom briefly came under the Deva dynasty's rule. The last ruler of this dynasty, Jayanta Roy, had a daughter named Joyonti, whose marriage to a Khasi chief's son led to the kingdom falling under Khasi rule around 1500. It remained an independent kingdom under

1548-482: The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, which employs 53.38% of the population. Other significant sectors include commerce (12.60%), non-agricultural labor (10.32%), and services (4.71%). The distribution of employment across various sectors is as follows: Regarding land ownership, 48.95% of the residents are landowners, while 51.05% are landless. Among agricultural landowners, 52.53% are urban residents and 49.88% are rural residents. Jaintiapur Upazila falls under

1591-410: The following boundaries: Although the mainstay of the district is agriculture, due to the abundance of limestone , plenty of cement factories have been set up in the district (now East Jaintia Hills). More are set to come up. Coal mining at sites like Lad Rymbai ( East Jaintia Hills district ) is also one of the major activities. Coal mined here is mostly exported to Bangladesh and Assam . Most of

1634-456: The national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 75%. In Jowai, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age. Religions in Jowai (2011) Governance in the ancient Jaintia Kingdom was in the form of the Jaintia king (Syiem) from their capitals at Jaintiapur and Nartiang , with Jaintia Ministers (Dollois) each ruling over a specific "Elaka" (geographical region). The Dollois held high positions in society as well as in

1677-599: The plains of Sylhet. The kingdom's independence was further compromised when the Burmese conquered Assam in 1824, though it was briefly restored in 1825 after the British expelled the Burmese. Eventually, in 1835, the East India Company annexed the Jaintia kingdom to their Bengal state to facilitate trade. According to local legends and folk tales, from the 7th or 8th century, the Jaintiapur kingdom fell under

1720-603: The remnants of Jaintiapur, including the Jainteswari temple, the Rajbari (palace), and various monuments, still attract visitors, they are now quite dilapidated. The palace, built by King Lakshmi Sinha in 1680, lies in ruins, and the temple has suffered significant damage, despite having a boundary wall. Notably, the lone megalithic remains discovered in Bangladesh are located in Jaintiapur, similar to those found in India. Around

1763-474: The team who wins are believed to be blessed with a good harvest. Other festivals include Laho Dance and Chad Sukra. Meat and fish, particularly pork, are delicacies. A variety of savoury pork dishes like Jadoh, Doh Khleh, Doh Jem and Doh Snam, are prepared according to traditional recipes. Chicken, fresh fish, and beef are also among the dishes prepared in a unique style distinct from usual curries. A strong smelling Tungtoh, made from fermented beans, and Tungtap,

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1806-446: The town. Pan, Pani Nari—these three make Jaintapuri. That's the opening line of a popular rhyme often used by Sylhetis to encapsulate Jaintiapur, a historically rich upazila of Sylhet. Long ago, this land was likely submerged under water, forming part of a vast water body that separated Jaintiapur from Sylhet, as historians suggest. This unique geographical setup allowed the region to maintain independence for an extended period, known as

1849-462: Was handed over his property in Sylhet along with a monthly salary of Rs 500. The British administered the plain areas directly and the hill region indirectly via a system of fifteen dolois and four sardars . The fifteen administrators were free to adjudicate on all but the most heinous crimes. Jaintia continued to exist though divided into pargana or fiscal division, within greater Sylhet such as

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