South West Khasi Hills is one of the administrative districts of the Indian state of Meghalaya. It was carved out of the erstwhile West Khasi Hills district and forms part of the Khasi Hills region in the south-western corner of the state, bordering Bangladesh.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Meghalaya |
| Region | Khasi Hills |
| Headquarters | Mawkyrwat |
| Parent district | West Khasi Hills |
| Country | India |
| International border | Bangladesh (south) |
The district is administered from Mawkyrwat, which serves as its headquarters. The terrain is largely hilly, with valleys and plateaus characteristic of the southern slopes of the Khasi Hills. The southern boundary descends towards the plains of Bangladesh, giving the district a varied topography that ranges from temperate uplands to subtropical lowlands.
South West Khasi Hills was created as a separate district by bifurcating the West Khasi Hills district, as part of the Government of Meghalaya's broader reorganisation of districts to bring administration closer to remote areas. The new district was inaugurated in 2012.
Like other districts of Meghalaya, South West Khasi Hills falls under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, with traditional and customary affairs of the indigenous Khasi community administered through the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. The district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner, supported by Superintendent of Police and other line departments. It is divided into community and rural development blocks for development administration.
The population is predominantly Khasi, with Khasi as the principal language. Christianity is the major religion, alongside the indigenous Niam Khasi faith practised by sections of the community. The matrilineal social structure traditional to the Khasi continues to shape inheritance and family organisation in the district.
The economy is largely agrarian, with shifting cultivation (jhum), terrace farming, and horticulture being important. Crops include paddy, maize, potato, ginger, turmeric, and a variety of fruits. Forest produce, weaving, and small-scale trade also contribute to local livelihoods. Proximity to the Bangladesh border supports limited cross-border trade through designated points.
The district lies on the southern flanks of the Khasi Hills plateau. Streams flowing south carve deep valleys before draining into the Bangladesh plains. Rainfall is heavy, particularly during the south-west monsoon, contributing to dense forest cover in parts of the district.