2016-12-01 Thu

The beautiful north-eastern mountainous state of Nagaland became an integral part of the Indian Union on 1st December 1963.

Except the ancient Kingdom of Nagas, the tribes of Nagaland had a little-recorded history. Much of the area that is currently Nagaland and Assam came under Burmese rule in 1816. When the British East India Company took over Assam it started steadily expanding its control over the Naga Hills.

Though Nagas resisted initial British attempts at controlling their territories, by 1878 large parts of Naga territories were now administered by the British. From 1 April 1937, Nagaland was brought under the direct administration of the Crown through Her Majesty’s representative; the Governor of Assam province.

After India became independent, the Naga areas continued to be a part of Assam province. In April 1962, the Nagaland Security Regulation, 1962, for the suppression of subversive activities, maintenance of essential supplies and services and control of military requirements was passed. Indian President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan inaugurated the state of Nagaland at Kohima on December 1, 1963.

Commemorate the 4th Anniversary of Nagaland, as an Indian State a 15 paise stamp was issued. The theme selected for this special issue is “Nehru and Nagaland”. The theme highlights the need for emotional integration of India – the principle which was dearest to the heart of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Another stamp was issued in the year 2013 as Nagaland celebrates the 50th anniversary of Statehood. This Rs. 5.00 stamp depicts the local art of Nagaland on a bright yellow background.

A complicated series of events over 150 years, Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian union.