The Meghalaya state constitute of five districts, out of which one is the district of South Garo Hills. According to the year of 2011, the district is declared as the district of Meghalaya having the minimum number of inhabitants. On the 18th June, 1992, the construction of this district took place. It is located in Meghalayas southern portion. The landscape of the district contains undulating lands and is dotted with hills; it is also quite tricky. Baghmara, which is the districts solitary town, is the administrative headquarters of the district. The East Garo Hills borders the district on the northern side, the district of Khasi Hills borders the district on the eastern side, the West Garo Hills districts surrounds the district on the western side and the southern frontier of the district is shared by the country of Bangladesh.

South Garo Hills History

The history of the Garos is almost vague and doubtful before the advent of the British Raj in India, as a result of the lack of any kind of documented proof and data. The mythological stories, customs and traditions spoken and travelled through generations mouth to mouth, their legends and tale, folksongs and other different incidental proofs are helpful to make a vague idea if one wants to know about the history of this region. In the last phase of the 18th century, following the Diwani of Bengal being acquired by the East India Company from the Mughal Emperor, the British and the Garos began to come in touch with each other. The British Rule took under itself, the authority of all the half autonomous provinces, which have been independent for realistic reasons. These provinces existed surrounding the Garo Hills. The British took the administrative authority over these provinces from the Mughals. However just like the Mughals, who had no interest in governing over these territories and their branches directly, even the British were having no intentions of administering them directly. The estates internal affairs and administration activities were not meddled with, by the British. If truth be told, they were actually left to themselves with the duty to keep the Garo Hills in running condition with some allowance from the British; this same arrangement was done and carried out by the Mughals. Towards the starting, the sporadic battle between the Garos and the Zamindars continued with any sign of subsiding or decreasing. The British people were compelled to take charge of the circumstances, which had gone out of hand. Finally, in the year 1873, the Garo Hills were taken over by the British Government.

The combined districts first Deputy Commissioner was Captain Williamson. The districts of East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills are the two parts in which the district was divided into, in the month of October in 1979. Again, the districts of West and South Garo hills were constructed as two administrative districts, out of the West Garo Hill district. This was done in June 1992. Baghmara is the administrative headquarters of the district.

South Garo Hills Culture

According to the mythical stories, it is believed that, initially, Torua, a region in Tibet, used to be the home of the Garos. Under the headship of the infamous Jappa-Jalimpa and Sukpa-Bongepa, the Garos moved away from Tibet in the ancient times, for a cause that remains unknown. The existing day location of Assams Jogighopa was where they roamed about, before they started looking for a stable home and slowly drifted up the valley of Assam. Because of this, the journey made them experience hardships, battles and harassments, inflicted on them by the kings, who were dictating over the valley at that time.

South Garo Hills Tourism

Many a locations are situated in the district, which have a scope for improvement to enhance tourism. A number of the location are significant from a historical point of view, the other locations are significant since they a linkage to the Garo peoples customs and traditions; while the other locations are famous and worthy because of their panoramic beauty and appeal. The major portion of the region stays unscathed. The plant and animal kingdom, which is here from the beginning, remains undamaged. A plenty and a rich animal kingdom is there in Garo Hills, for which is it famous. The naturalists and the photographers are attracted by this rich collection of nature. They come here to acquire knowledge and data about the animal and plant kingdom. The Garo Hills includes the Arebella range and Tura range, which stretches through the Garo Hills. The huge Balpakaram valley is created by them, in between.

Few of the locations to visit in the districts are mentioned below:-

Balpakram National Park
Siju Cave