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[[File:East Khasi Hills.jpg|thumb|338x338px|Eastern Khasi Hills]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = Khasi Hills
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| population_as_of      = 2011
| population_total      = 1,468,223
| population_footnotes  =
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| population_density_km2 = auto
| subdivision_type        = Country
| subdivision_name        = {{flag|India}}
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| subdivision_name1      = [[Meghalaya]]
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| blank_name_sec1        = Districts
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* [[East Khasi Hills district|East Khasi Hills]]
* [[West Khasi Hills district|West Khasi Hills]]
* [[South West Khasi Hills district|South West Khasi Hills]]
* [[Eastern West Khasi Hills]]
* [[Ri-Bhoi district|Ri-Bhoi]]
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}}


The '''Khasi Hills''' {{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|s|i}} is a low mountain formation on the [[Shillong Plateau]] in [[Meghalaya]] state of [[India]]. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connects with the [[Purvanchal Range]] and larger [[Patkai Range]] further east. Khasi Hills, and the whole Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range, are in the [[Meghalaya subtropical forests]] ecoregion.
The '''Khasi Hills''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ɑː|s|i}}) are a low mountain formation on the [[Shillong Plateau]] in the [[Meghalaya]] state of [[India]]. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connect with the [[Purvanchal Range]] and the larger [[Patkai Range]] further east. The Khasi Hills, and the whole Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range, are in the [[Meghalaya subtropical forests]] ecoregion.


Khasi Hills, and the entire Meghalaya state was administratively part of [[Assam]] before 1970. In older sources in particular, the alternative [[transcription (linguistics)|transcription]] '''Khasia Hills''' is seen.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sarkar|first=A.B. Chaudhuri & D.D.|title=Megadiversity conservation : flora, fauna, and medicinal plants of India's hot spots|year=2003|publisher=Daya Publishing House|location=Delhi|isbn=8170353017}}</ref>
The Khasi Hills, and the entire Meghalaya state, was administratively part of [[Assam]] before 1970. In older sources in particular, the alternative [[transcription (linguistics)|transcription]] '''Khasia Hills''' is seen.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sarkar|first=A.B. Chaudhuri & D.D.|title=Megadiversity conservation : flora, fauna, and medicinal plants of India's hot spots|year=2003|publisher=Daya Publishing House|location=Delhi|isbn=8170353017}}</ref>


The region is inhabited mainly by tribal [[Khasi people|Khasi]] dwellers, which are traditionally in various chieftainships, states known as the [[Khasi Hill States]]. One of its capitals, [[Cherrapunji]], is considered one of the wettest places in the world.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news
The region is inhabited mainly by tribal [[Khasi people|Khasi]] dwellers, who are traditionally in various chieftainships, states known as the [[Khasi Hill States]]. One of its capitals, [[Cherrapunji|Sohra]], is considered one of the wettest places in the world.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news
  | first = Subir
  | first = Subir
  | last =  Bhaumik
  | last =  Bhaumik
  | title = World's wettest area dries up
  | title = World's wettest area dries up
  | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2977169.stm
  | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2977169.stm
  | format = stm
  | format = stm
  | work = South Asia News
  | work = South Asia News
Line 19: Line 122:
  | access-date = 2008-02-21
  | access-date = 2008-02-21
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
The majority of Khasis are Presbyterians followed by Catholics and Anglicans.


The region came under the Khasi Hills district, which was divided into [[West Khasi Hills]] and [[East Khasi Hills]] districts on 28 October 1976.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhattacharjya|first=Umasaday|title=Local government in Khasi Hills|publisher=Vivek, 1980|pages=263|url=https://books.google.com/?id=UJgmAAAAMAAJ&q=khasi+hills&dq=khasi+hills|year=1980}}</ref>
The region came under the Khasi Hills district, which was divided into the [[West Khasi Hills]] and [[East Khasi Hills]] districts on 28 October 1976.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhattacharjya|first=Umasaday|title=Local government in Khasi Hills|publisher=Vivek, 1980|pages=263|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UJgmAAAAMAAJ&q=khasi+hills|year=1980}}</ref>


The highest peak is Lum Shyllong which is {{convert|1968|m|ft}} high.<ref>{{cite book|last=Karlsson|first=Bengt G.|title=Unruly hills : a political ecology of India's northeast|year=2010|publisher=Berghahn Books|location=New York|isbn=0857451049}}</ref> It is situated a few kilometers south of [[Shillong]] town.<ref>{{cite book|last=Riggins|first=ed. by Stephen Harold|title=Beyond Goffman : studies on communication, institution, and social interaction|year=1990|publisher=Mouton de Gruyter|location=Berlin [u.a.]|isbn=3110122081}}</ref>
The highest peak is Lum Shyllong which is {{convert|1968|m|ft}} high.<ref>{{cite book|last=Karlsson|first=Bengt G.|title=Unruly Hills : a political ecology of India's northeast|year=2010|publisher=Berghahn Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0857451040|author-link=Bengt G. Karlsson}}</ref> It is situated a few kilometers south of [[Shillong]] town.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Riggins|editor-first=Stephen Harold|title=Beyond Goffman : studies on communication, institution, and social interaction|year=1990|publisher=Mouton de Gruyter|location=Berlin [u.a.]|isbn=3110122081}}</ref>


== Administration ==
== Administration ==


Administratively, the Khasi Hills used to be a part of the Khasil Hills district.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shangpliang|first=Rekha M.|title=Forest in the life of the Khasis|year=2010|publisher=Concept Pub. Co.|location=New Delhi|isbn=8180696677}}</ref> The district was divided into [[East Khasi Hills district]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://eastkhasihills.gov.in/ | title=East Khasi hills | publisher=Government of India | access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref> and [[West Khasi Hills district]] on 28 October 1976. On 4 June 1992, the [[Ri-Bhoi District]] was carved out of the East Khasi Hills District.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
Administratively, the Khasi Hills used to be a part of the Khasi Hills district.<ref>{{cite book|last=Shangpliang|first=Rekha M.|title=Forest in the life of the Khasis|year=2010|publisher=Concept Pub. Co.|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-8180696671}}</ref> The district was divided into [[East Khasi Hills district]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://eastkhasihills.gov.in/ | title=East Khasi hills | publisher=Government of India | access-date=15 August 2012}}</ref> and [[West Khasi Hills district]] on 28 October 1976. On 4 June 1992, the [[Ri-Bhoi District]] was carved out of the East Khasi Hills District.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About district |url=https://ribhoi.gov.in/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |website=Ri Bhoi District {{!}} Government of Meghalaya |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Demographics==
The population of the region according to the 2011 Census was 1,468,223.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Demography {{!}} East Khasi Hills {{!}} India |url=https://eastkhasihills.gov.in/demography/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Demography {{!}} West Khasi Hills District {{!}} Government of Meghalaya {{!}} India |url=https://westkhasihills.gov.in/demography/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Demography {{!}} South West Khasi Hills District {{!}} India |url=https://southwestkhasihills.gov.in/demography/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Demography {{!}} Ri Bhoi District {{!}} India |url=https://ribhoi.gov.in/demography/ |access-date=2024-09-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
===Religion===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Khasi Hills (2011)<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Christianity]]
|color1 = DodgerBlue
|value1 = 76.88
|label2 = [[Hinduism]]
|color2 = Orange
|value2 = 12.42
|label3 = Niam Khasi
|value3 = 8.70
|color3 = Maroon
|label4 = [[Islam]]
|color4 = Green
|value4 = 1.19
|label5 = Others
|color5 = Grey
|value5 = 0.81
}}
 
A vast majority of 1,128,769 people in Khasi Hills follow [[Christianity]] of various denominations, mostly [[Presbyterian]] and [[Catholic]]. [[Hinduism]] is mainly followed by 182,353 people, mainly non-tribals ([[Bengalis]], [[Nepalis]], [[Biharis]], [[Marwaris]] etc.) living in the region. A small segment of Khasi tribe members numbering around 127,735 still follow their indigenous tribal religion called "Ka Niam Khasi", [[Islam]] is a tiny minority with around 17,471 people following it.<ref name="census2011">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> 0.81 percent follow other religions.
 
===Language===
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = Languages of Khasi Hills (2011)<ref name="Census2011">{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|title=C-16: Population by Mother Tongue|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|last=ORGI|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815035759/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html|archive-date=15 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| label1 = [[Khasi language|Khasi]]
| value1 = 78.27
| color1 = darkblue
| label2 = [[Garo language|Garo]]
| value2 = 6.03
| color2 = limegreen
| label3 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
| value3 = 3.82
| color3 = gold
| label4 = [[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| value4 = 3.27
| color4 = maroon
| label5 = Others.
| value5 = 8.61
| color5 = red
}}
 
[[Khasi language|Khasi]] is spoken by 1,149,178 people as their mother tongue, and [[Garo language|Garo]] is spoken by 88,533, while [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Nepali language|Nepali]] come in at 3rd and 4th position, spoken by 56,086 and 48,010 people respectively.<ref>DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0000.xlsx</ref> A vast number of non-tribals can be found in the multi-diverse [[East Khasi Hills]] district.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Geography of India}}
{{Geography of India}}
{{India topics}}
{{India topics}}
{{Life in India}}
 
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{GeoSouthAsia}}
{{Geography of Asia}}
{{Geography of Asia}}

Latest revision as of 03:00, 12 February 2026

Khasi Hills
Region
Eastern Khasi Hills
Eastern Khasi Hills
Country India
StateMeghalaya
Area
 • Total10,443 km2 (4,032 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total1,468,223
 • Density140/km2 (360/sq mi)
Languages
 • Spoken
  1. Khasi
Districts

The Khasi Hills (/ˈkɑːsi/) are a low mountain formation on the Shillong Plateau in the Meghalaya state of India. The Khasi Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range and connect with the Purvanchal Range and the larger Patkai Range further east. The Khasi Hills, and the whole Garo-Khasi-Jaintia range, are in the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion.

The Khasi Hills, and the entire Meghalaya state, was administratively part of Assam before 1970. In older sources in particular, the alternative transcription Khasia Hills is seen.[1]

The region is inhabited mainly by tribal Khasi dwellers, who are traditionally in various chieftainships, states known as the Khasi Hill States. One of its capitals, Sohra, is considered one of the wettest places in the world.[2] The majority of Khasis are Presbyterians followed by Catholics and Anglicans.

The region came under the Khasi Hills district, which was divided into the West Khasi Hills and East Khasi Hills districts on 28 October 1976.[3]

The highest peak is Lum Shyllong which is 1,968 metres (6,457 ft) high.[4] It is situated a few kilometers south of Shillong town.[5]

Administration[edit | edit source]

Administratively, the Khasi Hills used to be a part of the Khasi Hills district.[6] The district was divided into East Khasi Hills district[7] and West Khasi Hills district on 28 October 1976. On 4 June 1992, the Ri-Bhoi District was carved out of the East Khasi Hills District.[8]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

The population of the region according to the 2011 Census was 1,468,223.[9][10][11][12]

Religion[edit | edit source]

Religion in Khasi Hills (2011)[13]

  Christianity (76.88%)
  Hinduism (12.42%)
  Niam Khasi (8.70%)
  Islam (1.19%)
  Others (0.81%)

A vast majority of 1,128,769 people in Khasi Hills follow Christianity of various denominations, mostly Presbyterian and Catholic. Hinduism is mainly followed by 182,353 people, mainly non-tribals (Bengalis, Nepalis, Biharis, Marwaris etc.) living in the region. A small segment of Khasi tribe members numbering around 127,735 still follow their indigenous tribal religion called "Ka Niam Khasi", Islam is a tiny minority with around 17,471 people following it.[13] 0.81 percent follow other religions.

Language[edit | edit source]

Languages of Khasi Hills (2011)[14]

  Khasi (78.27%)
  Garo (6.03%)
  Bengali (3.82%)
  Nepali (3.27%)
  Others. (8.61%)

Khasi is spoken by 1,149,178 people as their mother tongue, and Garo is spoken by 88,533, while Bengali and Nepali come in at 3rd and 4th position, spoken by 56,086 and 48,010 people respectively.[15] A vast number of non-tribals can be found in the multi-diverse East Khasi Hills district.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Sarkar, A.B. Chaudhuri & D.D. (2003). Megadiversity conservation : flora, fauna, and medicinal plants of India's hot spots. Delhi: Daya Publishing House. ISBN 8170353017.
  2. ↑ Bhaumik, Subir (28 April 2003). "World's wettest area dries up" (stm). South Asia News. Calcutta: BBC. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  3. ↑ Bhattacharjya, Umasaday (1980). Local government in Khasi Hills. Vivek, 1980. p. 263.
  4. ↑ Karlsson, Bengt G. (2010). Unruly Hills : a political ecology of India's northeast. New York: Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-0857451040.
  5. ↑ Riggins, Stephen Harold, ed. (1990). Beyond Goffman : studies on communication, institution, and social interaction. Berlin [u.a.]: Mouton de Gruyter. ISBN 3110122081.
  6. ↑ Shangpliang, Rekha M. (2010). Forest in the life of the Khasis. New Delhi: Concept Pub. Co. ISBN 978-8180696671.
  7. ↑ "East Khasi hills". Government of India. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "About district". Ri Bhoi District | Government of Meghalaya. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  9. ↑ "Demography | East Khasi Hills | India". Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "Demography | West Khasi Hills District | Government of Meghalaya | India". Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Demography | South West Khasi Hills District | India". Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  12. ↑ "Demography | Ri Bhoi District | India". Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Population by religion community – 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015.
  14. ↑ ORGI. "C-16: Population by Mother Tongue". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  15. ↑ DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0000.xlsx

Further reading[edit | edit source]

Template:Geography of India by state or territory

Template:Geography of Asia


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