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Ukhrul district

Overview

Ukhrul district is an administrative district in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur. Located in the hill region of the state, it is the homeland of the Tangkhul Naga community and is one of the principal hill districts of Manipur. The district headquarters is the town of Ukhrul.

Key facts

Name Ukhrul district
State Manipur
Country India
Region North-East India
Headquarters Ukhrul
Predominant community Tangkhul Naga
Terrain Hilly, part of the Manipur eastern hills

Geography

Ukhrul lies in the eastern hill belt of Manipur, sharing an international boundary with Myanmar to the east. Within Manipur, it adjoins several other districts of the state's hill and valley areas. The terrain is mountainous, with ridges and valleys forming part of the larger Patkai–Naga hill system. The district contains the Shirui Hills, known for the Shirui lily (Lilium mackliniae), the state flower of Manipur, found around Shirui Kashung peak.

Following administrative reorganisation in Manipur, parts of the older, larger Ukhrul district were carved out to form the new district of Kamjong, which was created in 2016 along with several other new districts in the state.

Administration

Ukhrul is administered as part of the district administration system of Manipur, headed by a Deputy Commissioner. The district is divided into sub-divisions and tehsils, with village authorities playing a significant role in local governance under customary Tangkhul institutions alongside the formal panchayat-style structures applicable in the hill areas.

People and culture

The population is overwhelmingly Tangkhul Naga, with Christianity as the dominant religion. The Tangkhul language, written in the Roman script, is widely spoken alongside Meiteilon and English. Traditional festivals such as Luira Phanit (seed-sowing festival) are observed across Tangkhul villages, and handloom weaving, wood carving and traditional shawls are notable cultural elements.

Economy

The economy is largely agrarian, with terraced and shifting cultivation (jhum) producing rice, maize, vegetables and fruits. Horticulture, including oranges, plums and passion fruit, is significant, and the district is noted for its cool-climate produce. Small-scale weaving, government employment and trade in the headquarters town form additional sources of livelihood.

Notable features

  • Shirui Kashung Peak – habitat of the Shirui lily and a popular trekking destination.
  • Khangkhui Cave – a limestone cave of archaeological interest near Ukhrul town.
  • Nillai Tea Estate – one of the tea-growing areas in the district.

Significance

Ukhrul is considered the cultural and political centre of the Tangkhul Nagas and has historically been important in the wider context of Naga social and political movements in north-east India. Its border location also gives it strategic relevance in India's engagement with Myanmar under the broader Act East Policy.

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