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Cherrapunji
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Coordinates: 25°17′02″N 91°43′16″E / 25.284°N 91.721°E / 25.284; 91.721
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Sohra" redirects here. For places in Iran, see Sohra, Iran.
Town in Meghalaya, India<br>Cherrapunji
Sohra<br>Town<br>Sohra has held the record for highest rainfall multiple times in the past.
Cherrapunji
Location in Meghalaya<br>Show map of Meghalaya
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji (India)<br>Show map of India
Coordinates: 25°17′02″N 91°43′16″E / 25.284°N 91.721°E / 25.284; 91.721CountryIndiaStateMeghalayaDistrictEast Khasi HillsElevation<br>1,430 m (4,690 ft)Population (2011)<br>• Total<br>14,816 • Density397/km2 (1,030/sq mi)Languages<br>• OfficialKhasi, EnglishTime zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)Telephone code03637Precipitation11,777 millimetres (463.7 in)ClimateCwbWebsitesohra.gov.in<br>Cherrapunji (/ˌtʃɛrəˈpʌndʒi, -ˈpʊn-/ ⓘ), also known as Sohra ,[1] is a sub-divisional town (Proposed District) in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It was the traditional capital of ka hima Sohra (Khasi tribal kingdom).
Sohra has often been credited as being the wettest place on Earth, but currently, nearby Mawsynram holds that distinction. Sohra still holds the all-time record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year, however. It received 9,300 millimetres (370 in; 30.5 ft) in July 1861 and 26,461 millimetres (1,041.8 in; 86.814 ft) between 1 August 1860 and 31 July 1861.[2]
Background<br>[edit]
Etymology<br>[edit]
The original native name for this town in Khasi language is Sohra (soh-ra), which was mispronounced "Cherra" by the 19th century British colonisers. Later, the suffix "punjee", a Bengali term meaning "a cluster of villages", was added by people from the plains, and the name evolved into Cherrapunji, meaning "land of oranges" in some interpretations, popularized by tourists from other parts of India. It has again been officially renamed to its original form, Sohra.[1]
History<br>[edit]
The history of the Khasi people – native inhabitants of Sohra– may be traced from the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, these people were ruled by their tribal 'Syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyriem' in the Khasi Hills.
The main pivot on which the entire superstructure of Khasi society rests is the matrilineal system.[3]
The Khasi hills came under British authority in 1833 with the submission of the last of the important Syiem, Tirot Sing Syiem.[citation needed]
There is a monument to David Scott (British Administrator in NE India, 1802–1831) in the town's cemetery.
Despite abundant rainfall, Sohra faces an acute water shortage and the inhabitants often have to trek very long distances to obtain potable water.[4] Irrigation is hampered due to excessive rain washing away the topsoil as a result of human encroachment into the forests. Recent developments of rain-water harvesting techniques in the area have greatly helped the town and its neighbouring villages.
Economy<br>[edit]
Education<br>[edit]
Colleges<br>[edit]
Ramkrishna Mission College, Sohra
Sohra Government College
Sohra has the National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya near Saitsophen, which offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees.<br>Independent schools like the Ramkrishna Mission School and government-run schools like the Thomas Jones School have been set up in and around the town.
Media<br>[edit]
Sohra has an All India Radio relay station known as Akashvani Sohra. It broadcasts on FM frequencies.
Tourism<br>[edit]
Tourism is main economic activity, and Sohra is used as a base town and central hub for tourists who visit the nearby tourist places such as the mountains, valleys, viewpoints, caves, rivers, waterfalls, and traditional bridges.[citation needed]
Sohra is also known for its living bridges. Over hundreds of years the people have developed techniques for growing roots of trees into large bridges. The process takes 10 to 15 years and the bridges typically last hundreds of years, with the oldest one, still in active use, being over 500 years old.[5]
Transport<br>[edit]
Shillong Airport, 80 km north, is the only operational civilian airport in Meghalaya with the domestic flights within Northeast India. Guwahati Airport, 165 km north in Assam state, is major airport for the regional, national and international air connectivity.
SH-5 (Meghalaya State Highway 5) connects Sohra to...