The ancient history of Nagaland is very obscure. Little is known about what is now Nagaland, including the origin of several large sandstone pillars at Dimapur. British rule was established over the area by the 1890s, and headhunting, then a traditional practice, was banned. The Naga territory remained divided between Assam and the North East Frontier Agency after Indian independence in 1947, despite a vocal movement supporting the political union of all the Naga tribes; one faction called for discord from India. The Indian government established a single Naga administrative unit under Indian rule in the year 1957, following the violent incidents. The Naga people replied by refusing to pay their taxes and by conducting a campaign of sabotage. In 1960, in the face of civil unrest, the Indian government agreed to make Nagaland a self-governing state within India. The state was officially inaugurated in 1963. However, the Naga separatists continued to demand autonomy and a single administrative unit comprising all the Naga-inhabited areas spanning some of the north-eastern states. A long history of insurgency has been painstakingly stemmed with talks and ceasefire agreements between Naga rebels and the Central Government, and today the state is relatively free of conflict.

Nagaland has no written history. Till the nineteenth century when their lifestyles were first recorded, the Naga’s lived a life centered around agricultural and headhunting and the various rites and rituals connected to the two activities. The Naga people belong to the Mongoloid ethnic group. Every tribe, clan, has its own myths of the origin of the Naga people, tracing between them their first homes, it is suggested that their love of marine shells points to a bygone settlement near the sea, their spears (with ornamental barbs curling outward from a shaft) suggested some relationship with the resident of the Philippine Islands and Indonesian people, generally by the use of the lion loom, these are not substantial evidence to build a history of ancient times, but it does give hints on what may have happened.

The Physiology of Nagaland
The state is divided into seven districts - Kohima, Phek, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheloto, Twensang and Mon. The terrain is hilly, rugged and mountainous. The highest peak is Saramati in the Twensang district which is 3840 metres above sea-level. The average height of the peaks is between 900 and 1200 metres.

The main rivers that flow through the state are Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Tizu and Melak. There is no waterfall in Nagaland. The only lake well known is Lacham to the east of Mehiri. The hill sides are covered with green forests. In the Angami region, the terraced fields are a feast to the eyes.

Places of Attraction
The multi-cultural aspects of this region is what draws most of the tourist to its land. Kohima (capital of Nagaland) carefully spread over the face of the hillocks is a clear indication of the nurture of homes with the nature. The Catholic Cathedral at the Aradura hill with its magnificent Cross, Dimapur as the melting pot of North-East and the Nagaland State Museum promises a wide range of interesting and varied discovery. Besides, the state travel attractions also lies in its tribal population, Nagaland has the highest number of tribes in the North-East.

Festivals
As there are number of tribes in Nagaland, each tribe celebrate its own distinctive seasonal festival. Their festivals are sacrosanct to them and participation is considered compulsory. All the festivals held by the Naga tribes have song and dance and the festivals seem to exude splendour of colour and the extravagance of Naga life. Almost all of the festivals are related to the harvest of their crops and the sacrifices made by their respective village Shaman either before the harvest or on the eve of sowing.


Excursions

Village of Khonoma
The terraced fields of the Khonoma which is about 10 kms away from Kohima is one of the scenic beauty found here. There are 20 types of paddy grown at different levels. The Khonoma gate also is a reminder of the British infiltration into the Naga Hills.

Adventure In Dzukou Valley
At an altitude of 2,438.4 meters above sea level, the Dzukou valley situated behind the Japfu peak and about 30 kms from Kohima towards the south, is an amazing place to go for trekking. Considered to be the best trekking spots in the Northeast, the valley draws many adventurers seeking out new spots. In the summers, a variety of yellow and white lilies and numerous other flowers grow beautifully and the rhododendrons adorn the hills surrounding the valley.

Adventure In Japfu Peak
Around 15 kms away from Kohima and at an altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level, this place is ideally for the people who come for trekking and scaling. When the adventurer reach the highest point, it is breathtaking watching Kohima strewn away and shining amongst the greenest of hills.

Liphnyan Governor's Camp
Liphnyan Governor's Camp 43km, an ideal spot for angling, rafting and picnics.

How to Reach

By Air
The nearest airport to Kohima is the Dimapur Airport which is 74 kms away. A bus ride to Kohima will take around four hours and taxis take three hours.

By Rail
Kohima's nearest railhead is at Dimapur (74 kms) which is connected to Guwahati and from here, any major places of India can be travelled. Some of the trains that would link other places with Guwahati are Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express and Assam Mail.

By Road
Kohima is 390 kms away from Guwahati and can be reached by bus from Dimapur on NH-39. There are buses from Dimapur to Kohima every hour. Blue Hills Travels runs buses from Guwahati to Kohima.