| There are practically no records relating
to the earlier history of this area except some oral literature and the
number of historical ruins found mainly in the foot hills dating approximately
from the early Christian Era.
In 1826, the British exercised their control in Assam after the treaty
of Yandaboo concluded on 24th February 1826. Before 1962, Arunachal was
popularly called North Eastern Frontier Agency and was constitutionally
a part of Assam. It was administered by the Ministry of External Affairs
until 1965 and subsequently by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the
Governor of Assam. In 1972, it was constituted as a Union Territory and
renamed Arunachal Pradesh. On 20th February in 1987, it became the 24th
state of the Indian Union.
Arunachal Pradesh is inhabited by people of tribal origin.
These groups had distinct culture. In the16th century the Ahom Kings influenced
the region. The population were of Tibeto-Burmese linguistic origin. The
tribe consisted of the Daflas, Bangnis, the Monpas and they were influenced
by Buddhist ideals. The Miri along with the Daflas and Tagin lived in
the hills. The Apatanis were believed to be more advanced. They were agriculturists.
Besides this the Abor who called themselves as Adi lived in the valley
of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides them the Membas, Ramos and Boris formed
minor groups. The Mishmis exists as Idus, Taraons, and Kamans. They excelled
in handicrafts. Today tourism forms an important source of revenue for
the state economy. |
