Know Your State ARUNACHAL Pradesh – ARUNACHAL Pradesh GK Notes 2021 (Part 1)

This blog deals with the state which is home to picturesque mountains, unexplored passes, tranquil lakes and famous monasteries. ARUNACHAL PRADESH is the state where one can explore the tribal culture and the simplicity of their exquisite beauty. Its amazing array of flora and fauna, in a unique habitat with glaciers. It also has high altitude meadows and sub-tropical forests add to the charm of the beautiful state.

So, we will scrutinize the cultural, geographical, and political aspects of Arunachal Pradesh.

Do you know which state is known as “The Orchid State of India” or “The land of Sunrise”? Which state is the largest of the seven sister states of North-East India?

Before looking at the different aspects, one must know the state symbols of the particular state. The state symbols of Arunachal Pradesh are –

The first aspect of this particular blog is –

ARUNACHAL PRADESH CULTURE GK Notes

Arunachal Pradesh has many breath-taking cultural views. Some of which are listed below –

Monuments

• The monastery at Tawang is the largest monastery in India and second-largest in the world after the Potala Palance in Lhasa, Tibet. It is located at a height of about 3048 m. Further, it is famous for being the birthplace of the 6^th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso. Tawang Monastery is very famous and extremely sacred for Buddhists.

Dance

• Bardo Chham – It is the famous folk dance of the state which depicts the victory of good over evil. This dance has an interesting background and according to the locals, both good and evil will rule mankind. It is a famous dance style in Sherdukpens.
• Ponung/Ponu – This is performed in groups by both men and women for the celebration of joyous and fortune events in the future.
• Noctes and Wanchos – In this dance style which is used by the Buddhist tribes, only males can participate.

Food

• Rice and Meat are the staple food of this state. Boiled rice cakes, Thukpa and momos are the traditional dishes devoured by people.
• Apong is one of the various forms of rice beers that are prepared by local communities. Apong is prepared by fermenting rice and millet.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH Communities and their traditions GK Notes

• The state has 26 major tribes and 100 sub tribes. Some of the major tribes are Apatani, Naga, Mishmisi, Nghpa, Khampti, etc.
• The marriages can be of 2 types, either an arranged marriage, known as Aaw Lang Aaw or a situation of eloping known as Thok No Chaii. The wedding celebrations start with the groom’s family gearing and packing up for spending four nights at the bride’s home. As per the customs, they move to the hilltop on their way and shout “Ho” to indicate their arrival.
• According to the 2011 census, the religions of Arunachal Pradesh constituted 30% Christians and 29% Hindus and the rest are others. However, Tibetan Buddhism is the dominant religion in the districts of West Kameng, Tawang and regions adjacent to Tibet. Near the Burmese border, Theravada Buddhism is the central faith.
• The people’s languages are mostly derived from Tibetan-Burman language with more than 50 dialects spoken by specific tribes. Assamese is spoken by most people since the prolonged influence of the Ahom dynasty era. Hindi and English are currently the most widely spoken languages for the people across the state, besides their own tribe’s language.
• Some of the festivals celebrated are – Losar, Si-Donyi, Reh, Mopin and Solung.
• There are three cultural groups – first being Monpas and Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng districts who are followers of the traditional Mahayana Buddhism. The second is Apatanis, Adis, Galos, Mishmis, Nyishis, Tagins, Akas, etc worship the Sun and Moon God. The third being Noctes, Wanchos and Khampti (tribal communities of TLCN – Tirap, Longding, Changlang and Namsai) follow basic Vaishnavism ana Buddhism and are ruled by a hereditary chief.

The second aspect is –

ARUNACHAL PRADESH GEOGRAPHY GK Notes

Arunachal Pradesh is the largest of the Seven Sister States of Northeast India. For the most part, Arunachal Pradesh is covered with serene mountains that offer one a breath-taking view during the winters. As the snow covers the peaks of these mountains, flora and fauna display a state of calmness and freshness in the region. 

• Latitudinal Extension – 26.28⁰ and 29.30⁰ N
• Longitudinal Extension – 91.20⁰ and 91.30⁰ E
• Area – 83,743 sq. km

Rank in India – 14th  

• Population – 13,82,611 (as per 2011 census)

Rank in India – 27th

• Number of Districts – 25
• Boundaries – The state shares 3 international boundaries and 2 national boundaries. Arunachal Pradesh borders the states of Assam and Nagaland in the south and shares an international boundary with Bhutan in the west. The international boundary is 160 km long. Myanmar in the east with 440 km long border existing between Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. 1030 km long border separates the state from China in the north at the McMohan Line. 
• Kangto (also known as Kanggardo Rize) – This is the highest peak of the state at 7060 metres. The mountain of the Eastern Himalayas is located in the West Kameng district of the state and shares its border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
• The major river of this state is Brahmaputra River and its tributaries are the Dibang, Lohit, Subansiri, Kameng and Tirap. The river originates in the Mansarovar Lake region, near the Mount Kailash, located on the northern side of the Himalayas in Burang. It is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet and as Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh.  
• Climate – The climate ranges from sub-tropical to temperate depending upon the Altitude.

1. Regions in the lower belts of the state experience hot and humid climates, with a maximum temperature in the foothills reaching up to 40⁰C.
2. Regions in the middle belt are relatively cooler. The Micro Thermal Climate is experienced in this belt.
3. Regions in the higher belt possess an Alpine Climate. Sometimes, the area also witnesses snowfall during winter.
4. The state receives rainfall of 2000-5000 mm. 70-80 % is obtained between May and October.

• The villages of Dong and Vijayanagar (on the edge of Myanmar) receive the first sunlight in all of India.
• The soils in Arunachal Pradesh are acidic in nature and in mountain areas, subject to erosion. The major soil types are Inceptisols, Entisols and Ultisols. River valleys are characterized by rich alluvial soils that are highly suited for agriculture.
• Some of the famous mountain regions of the state are –

1. Dafla Hills
2. Miri Hills
3. Abor Hills
4. Mishmi Hills
5. Patkai Range/Patkaibum (on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar)

Now coming to our third and the last topic of this blog –

ARUNACHAL PRADESH POLITY GK Notes

The Legislature of Arunachal Pradesh is Unicameral with 60 seats. Unicameral legislature means having or consisting of a sing legislature chamber.

• The 60 members are elected from single-seat constituencies.
• The Vidhan Bhawan is located at Itanagar, the capital of the state.
• The term limit is of 5 years.
• The key political parties in the state are BJP, INC, Janta Dal (United) and People’s Party of Arunachal.
• On 15 August 1975, an elected legislative assembly was constituted and the first council of ministers assumed office. The first general election to the assembly was held in Feb 1978.
• The Arunachal Pradesh state election commission with the support of state government has successfully conducted and completed Panchayati Raj Elections in the state in May 2008 for speedy development in the village and at grassroots level.
• The Guwahati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench at Naharlagun exercises its jurisdiction and powers in respect of cases rising in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
•  Present CM – Legislative Assembly elections were held in Arunachal Pradesh on April 11 2019 to elect the 60 members of Legislative Assembly. This results in a landslide victory of BJP and its allies. Pema Khandu took oath as the CM on 29 May 2019.
• Present Governor – The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh is a nominal head and representative of the President of India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The Governor is appointed by the President for a term of 5 years. B.D. Mishra is a former brigadier of the Indian Army. He is the present governor of this state. He assumed office on 3 October 2017.
• The first CM of Arunachal Pradesh was Prem Khandu Thungan from 13 August 1975 to 18 September 1979.   
• The first Governor of Arunachal Pradesh was Bhishma Narain Singh from 20 February 1987 to 18 March 1987.

Here comes some of the Interesting Facts about Arunachal Pradesh –

• Arunachal Pradesh is one of the two states of India in which English alone is the official language. The other Indian state where English alone is the official language is Nagaland.
• Parashuram Kund, Lohit is a place which is believed that here Lord Parashuram washed away his sins of killings of Kshatriyas. It is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus all over the World.
• Lord Krishna married Rukmini at this legendary site of India.
• Arunachal Pradesh is known by many names such as “The Orchid State of India” or “The Paradise of the Botanists” or “Land of Sunrise”.
• Arunachal Pradesh is a Sanskrit word known as “Land of Dawn lit Mountains”.
• Ziro is a 1058 KM Plateau, known for its scenic landscape and is home to old, ethnic tribes that worship nature. It is also known for the Annual Music Festival.
• During the Sino-India War of 1962, China conquered most of Arunachal Pradesh including Tawang but retaliated during the cease fire.

So, here we come to the end of this blog. In our upcoming blog, we will be learning about the other aspects of Arunachal Pradesh. If you don’t want to miss it, click here! Know your State ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ – Part 2.

Do you know what the GDP rank of Arunachal Pradesh is? Which is the famous National Park and Dam of the state?

The aspects relating to these questions will be definitely covered in the next part. We hope it will help you in the preparation of your exams such as SSC 10+2, SSC CGL, CDS, NDA, etc.

Thank You