Kohima is the capital of the Indian state of Nagaland, located in the north-eastern region of India. Set in the southern part of the state on a ridge of the Naga Hills at an altitude of approximately 1,500 metres, the city is known for its mountainous setting, cool climate, and significance as the site of the Battle of Kohima during the Second World War. It is the second largest urban centre in Nagaland after Dimapur and serves as the administrative, political and cultural headquarters of the state.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Nagaland |
| District | Kohima |
| Status | State capital |
| Region | North-East India |
| Terrain | Naga Hills, ridge town |
| Predominant communities | Angami and Rengma Naga peoples |
| Languages | English (official), Nagamese, Angami and other Naga languages |
The name Kohima is an anglicised form derived by British administrators from the local name. The original Angami name for the settlement is Kewhira (also rendered Kewhimia), referring to the wild flowering plant known locally as Kewhi that grew in the area. Under British administration the place came to be known as Kohima, and the name has remained in official use.
Kohima lies in the southern Naga Hills at an elevation of around 1,400–1,500 metres above sea level. The town is built along a ridge with steep slopes on either side, and is overlooked by Japfü Peak, one of the highest peaks in Nagaland, located to its south. The climate is sub-tropical highland, with cool summers and cold winters, and significant rainfall during the south-west monsoon.
Kohima is connected by National Highway 2 (formerly NH-39) to Dimapur, which hosts the nearest railway station and airport, and southwards to Imphal in Manipur.
The Kohima area was traditionally inhabited by Angami Naga villages, with Kohima Village (Bara Basti) being one of the largest indigenous villages in Asia. The British established their presence in the Naga Hills in the latter half of the nineteenth century, and Kohima was made the headquarters of the Naga Hills District of Assam in 1878 after the consolidation of British rule in the region.
During the Second World War, Kohima was the site of one of the most significant engagements on the eastern front. The Battle of Kohima was fought from April to June 1944 between Japanese forces advancing from Burma and Allied troops, primarily of the British and Indian armies. The fighting, often referred to along with the simultaneous Battle of Imphal, halted the Japanese advance into India. The Kohima War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, commemorates soldiers who died in the battle and bears the famous Kohima Epitaph: "When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today." In 2013 the combined Battles of Kohima and Imphal were voted Britain's Greatest Battle by the National Army Museum, London.
After Indian independence in 1947, the Naga Hills continued as a district of Assam. Following sustained political demands by Naga groups, the state of Nagaland was inaugurated on 1 December 1963, with Kohima as its capital. The town has since grown into the principal seat of the state government, hosting the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Civil Secretariat and the Raj Bhavan.
Kohima is the headquarters of Kohima district and the seat of the Government of Nagaland. Civic administration is handled by the Kohima Municipal Council. The city falls within the Kohima parliamentary constituency for the Lok Sabha and contains several seats in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The population of Kohima is composed predominantly of various Naga communities, with the Angami being the principal indigenous group of the area, alongside Rengma, Lotha, Sema, Ao and other Naga peoples who have settled in the capital. Christianity, particularly of the Baptist denomination, is the predominant religion, reflecting the wider religious composition of Nagaland. English is the official language of the state and is widely used in administration and education, while Nagamese, an Assamese-based creole, serves as the common lingua franca.
As the state capital, Kohima's economy is centred on government administration, services, trade and tourism. Handloom and handicraft production, including