Ancient Inhabitants:

1. • Meghalaya has been inhabited since ancient times by tribal communities, mainly the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes.
   • These tribes had their own independent chieftainships and followed unique customs and matrilineal systems of inheritance.

Autonomous Tribal Kingdoms:

1. • The Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills were ruled by local tribal chiefs (Syiems in Khasi, Dollois in Jaintia, and Nokmas in Garo).
   • These kingdoms were not under any central authority and maintained traditional forms of self-governance.

British Annexation (19th Century):

1. • In the early 1800s, the British began to assert control over the hill regions.
   • The Jaintia Kingdom was annexed by the British in 1835, and the Khasi states came under British suzerainty shortly after.
   • The British established the hill areas as part of the Assam province.

Resistance Against British Rule:

1. • Local leaders, like Tirot Sing, a Khasi chief, resisted British rule. Tirot Sing led an armed rebellion against the British in 1829–1833, which is still remembered in Meghalaya’s history.

Post-Independence Period:

1. • After India gained independence in 1947, Meghalaya remained a part of Assam, though the tribes continued to seek greater autonomy to preserve their identity.

Demand for Statehood:

1. • The demand for a separate state grew stronger in the 1960s due to cultural, linguistic, and ethnic differences.
   • A movement led by the All Party Hill Leaders’ Conference (APHLC) sought the creation of a new state.

Formation of Meghalaya:

1. • Meghalaya was first created as an autonomous state within Assam on April 2, 1970.
   • Finally, it became a full-fledged state of India on January 21, 1972, with the districts of Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills.

Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution:

1. • Meghalaya enjoys special constitutional provisions under the Sixth Schedule, which grants autonomy to tribal areas through District Councils to preserve their traditional laws and customs.