State Inauguration Day in 2024

When is State Inauguration Day?

State Inauguration Day is a regional public holiday in the north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland on December 1st each year.

This holiday commemorates Nagaland becoming an Indian state on this day in 1963.

History of State Inauguration Day

During the 19th century, when the British controlled nearby Assam, the fierce resistance of the various tribes in Naga proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the British, forcing them to bring Naga under colonial control. This was to stop the raids by the tribesmen rather than any particular desire to landgrab this mountainous region. The region was administered as part of Assam.

Being under European control did mean that Christian missionaries arrived in Naga, with the legacy that it is now one of three Indian states that have a Christian majority population.

After India's independence in 1947, Naga remained a province of Assam. In the 1950s the local tribes pushed for nationalism for their native groups. This led to violence and Naga becoming a Union Territory in 1957. This wasn't enough to quell the tribes and the Government of India recognised the formation of Nagaland as a full-fledged state within the Union of India.

On December 1st 1963, the state of Nagaland was formally inaugurated as the 16th state of India, with Kohima declared as the state capital.