Updated on July 1, 2025
Meghalaya

Meghalaya known as India’s “Abode of Clouds,” captivates visitors with its green scenery cascading waters, and one-of-a-kind bridges made from living roots. People call its capital Shillong, the “Scotland of the East.” The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes live here giving the state its rich cultural heritage. Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, two places in Meghalaya, see some of the heaviest rainfall on Earth. The state’s economy relies on tourism growing fruits and vegetables, and farming. Travelers flock to see sights like Nohkalikai Falls and the Dawki River. More and more people come to hike and explore caves. Meghalaya stands out for another reason: its society traces lineage through mothers instead of fathers.

Let’s dive into the trivia questions to unveil more about this wonderful state:

Table of contents:

  • Formation of Meghalaya
  • Administrative and Political Facts
  • State Symbols
  • History
  • Geography
  • Economy
  • Agriculture
  • Arts and Culture
  • Forests and Wildlife
Meghalaya

Formation of Meghalaya

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meghalaya

  1. What year did Meghalaya formally become an Indian state? Answer: 1972
  2. Which Indian state’s districts were divided to form Meghalaya? Answer: Assam
  3. What does the name “Meghalaya” literally mean? Answer: Abode of Clouds
  4. Which historical act made it possible for Meghalaya to get independence in 1970 Answer: Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969
  5. What is Meghalaya’s rank in India? Answer: 24th
  6. What is the date of Meghalaya’s statehood celebration? Answer: January 21
  7. In 1970, which two districts were first incorporated into the Meghalaya autonomous state? Answer: United Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills
  8. Meghalaya comes under which region in India? Answer: North-east
  9. What is the capital of Meghalaya? Answer: Shillong
  10. The word Meghalaya is derived from which two words in Sanskrit? Answer: Megha (cloud) and alaya (abode)

Administrative and Political Facts

  1. How many districts are there in Meghalaya as of 2023? Answer: 12
  2. Who served as Meghalaya’s first governor following its 1972 statehood? Answer: B.K. Nehru
  3. According to population, which Meghalayan assembly constituency is the smallest? Answer: Mawphlang is the response.
  4. Since its founding, which political party has dominated state politics in Meghalaya?Answer: Indian National Congress (INC).
  5. Who is the current Chief Minister of Meghalaya (as of January 2025)? Answer: Conrad K. Sangma
  6. The Meghalaya-Assam border dispute primarily involves which districts of Meghalaya?Answer: West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, and Jaintia Hills
  7. One of the few Indian states that still practices matrilineal inheritance is Meghalaya. Which tribe is most well-known for engaging in this behavior? Answer: Khasi
  8. Which district of Meghalaya has the highest literacy rate? Answer: East Khasi Hills
  9. Who is the governer general of Meghalaya? Answer: C.H.Vijayashankar
  10.  How many kilometres of highways does Meghalaya have? Answer: 1170 km

State Symbols:- Meghalaya

  1. What is the state flower of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Lady’s Slipper Orchid
  2. What is the state animal of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Clouded Leopard
  3. What is the state bird of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Hill Myna
  4. What is the state tree of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Indian White Pear
  5. Which insect species is considered a significant cultural and ecological symbol of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Honey Bee
  6. Which rare bird found in Meghalaya’s forests is considered a heritage species in the region?
    Answer: Blyth’s Tragopan
  7. What is the state motto of Meghalaya? Answer: Satyameva Jayate
  8. What kind of ecosystem is home to the Lady’s Slipper Orchid, the state flower of Meghalaya? Answer: Subtropical and temperate forests
  9. Meghalaya’s state bird, the Hill Myna, is known for its unique ability to do what?Answer: Mimic human speech
  10. What is the scientific name of state bird of Meghalaya? Answer: Gracula Religiosa.

History

  1. Which historic monarchy is thought to have had an impact on the present-day Meghalaya region? Answer: The Jaintia Kingdom
  2. The people have lived in Meghalaya since which period? Answer: Neolithic
  3. Which type of cultivation is practiced even today? Answer: Jhum
  4. Which archaeological site was first excavated and discovered in 1993? Answer: Bhaitbari
  5. Who excavated this site in 1993? Answer: A.K.Sharma
  6. The Khasi Hills were historically ruled by independent chiefs. What were these chiefs called? Answer: Syiems
  7. Who is considered the political architect of Meghalaya’s statehood? Answer: Captain Williamson A. Sangma
  8. Meghalaya is one of the few regions where matrilineal succession is followed. Which tribe is best known for practicing this system? Answer: Khasi Tribe
  9. Which prehistoric archaeological site in Meghalaya is known for its megalithic stone structures? Answer: Nartiang
  10. What was the name of the 1969 law that established Meghalaya as an independent state? Answer: Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969

Geography

  1. Meghalaya consists of which kind of rock formations? Answer: Archean
  2. The rock formations consists of which valuable minerals? Answer: Coal, limestone
  3. Which village in Meghalaya is known as the wettest place on Earth? Answer: Mawsynram
  4. Which river, the longest in Meghalaya, flows through the Jaintia Hills? Answer: Myntdu River
  5. What is the name of the famous waterfalls located near Shillong, often called the “Scotland of the East”? Answer: Elephant Falls
  6. Which peak is the highest point in Meghalaya? Answer: Shillong Peak
  7. What is the primary agricultural product of Meghalaya? Answer: Rice
  8. Meghalaya is a part of which climatic region of India? Answer: Tropical Monsoon Region
  9. What percentage of Meghalaya’s total area is covered by forests? Answer: Approximately 76%
  10. Which region of Meghalaya is famous for its living root bridges? Answer: Cherrapunji and Nongriat
  11. Which mineral resource is extensively mined in Meghalaya? Answer: Coal
  12. Which dam in Meghalaya is built on the Umtru River for hydropower generation? Answer: Umiam Dam
  13. Meghalaya is part of which global biodiversity hotspot? Answer: Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot
  14. What is the average annual rainfall in Meghalaya? Answer: 470 inches
  15.  What is the name of the well-known Meghalayan limestone cave that is home to stalactites and stalagmites? Answer: Siju Cave

Economy

  1. Which sector contributes the largest share to Meghalaya’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP)?
    Answer: Agriculture and allied sectors.
  2. Meghalaya is the largest producer of which spice in India?
    Answer: Turmeric.
  3. What is the most extensively cultivated crop in Meghalaya?
    Answer: Rice.
  4. What is the highest exported agricultural product of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Lakadong turmeric.
  5. Which industry is considered the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy?
    Answer: Agriculture and horticulture.
  6. Meghalaya is renowned for being one of the largest producers of which natural resource?
    Answer: Limestone.
  7. Meghalaya’s traditional barter system still operates in which border market?
    Answer: Dawki border market
  8. Which handicraft is most associated with Meghalaya’s traditional economy?
    Answer: Cane and bamboo craft.
  9. Which sector in Meghalaya has shown the fastest growth in recent years?
    Answer: Tourism.
  10. Which district in Meghalaya is known for its mineral wealth and limestone reserves?
    Answer: Jaintia Hills.
  11. Meghalaya produces one of the best varieties of oranges. Which district is famous for this?
    Answer: Garo Hills.
  12.  In Meghalya, what is the traditional farming practice involving bamboo pipes to irrigate betel nut plantations?
    Answer: Bamboo drip irrigation.
  13. Which district in Meghalaya hosts the state’s largest cement plants?
    Answer: East Jaintia Hills.
  14. Meghalaya exports limestone and other products primarily to which neighboring country?
    Answer: Bangladesh.
  15. Which livestock is in high demand in Meghalaya? Answer: Pigs

Agriculture

  1. What is the largest crop cultivated in Meghalaya, both in terms of area and production?
    Answer: Rice.
  2. Which spice, grown in abundance in Meghalaya, is considered the most unique and sought-after export product of the state?
    Answer: Lakadong turmeric.
  3. Meghalaya is known for producing one of the finest types of tea in India. Which district is renowned for its tea gardens?
    Answer: Ri-Bhoi district.
  4. Which fruit, known for its sweet and tangy taste, is a significant horticultural crop in Meghalaya, particularly in the Garo Hills region?
    Answer: Pineapple.
  5. What is the largest agricultural export from Meghalaya to neighboring countries like Bangladesh?
    Answer: Areca nut (betel nut).
  6. Meghalaya is home to one of the best rice varieties in India. Which specific variety is known for its fragrance and high quality?
    Answer: Khasi Hill rice
  7. Which region of Meghalaya is most renowned for practicing organic farming on a large scale?
    Answer: The Garo Hills.
  8. Which district in Meghalaya is famous for its high-quality mangoes, particularly the “Langra” variety?
    Answer: West Garo Hills
  9. Which district in Meghalaya leads in the production of jackfruit, a significant tropical fruit in the state?
    Answer: West Khasi Hills.
  10. What type of cropping is used in Meghalaya? Answer: Shifting Cultivation

Art and Culture

  1. What is the most famous traditional dance form performed during the major festivals of Meghalaya, especially in the Khasi community?
    Answer: Shad Suk Mynsiem.
  2. Which traditional musical instrument, played during festivals and celebrations in Meghalaya, is most associated with the Khasi and Jaintia cultures?
    Answer: The “Dohli” (drum).
  3. Which festival is considered the largest and most widely celebrated in Meghalaya, particularly by the indigenous tribes?
    Answer: Nongkrem Festival.
  4. What is the most iconic form of handicraft from Meghalaya, known for its intricate weaving and use of local materials like bamboo and cane?
    Answer: Cane and bamboo crafts.
  5. What is the traditional attire worn by the Khasi women, known for its distinct style and colors?
    Answer: Jainsen
  6. Which tribal community in Meghalaya is known for its unique wood carving and stone carving art forms?
    Answer: The Garo tribe.
  7. Which annual cultural event in Shillong brings together various tribes to celebrate the indigenous culture of Meghalaya?
    Answer: Shillong Autumn Festival.
  8. What is the most recognized folk music genre in Meghalaya, typically performed with traditional instruments and showcasing the indigenous culture?
    Answer: Khasi folk music.
  9. Which ethnic group is the largest in Meghalaya and has a strong influence on the state’s culture and traditions?
    Answer: The Khasi.
  10. What is the traditional dance of the Garo tribe, known for its vibrant movements and cultural significance?
    Answer: Wangala Dance.       

Forests and Wildlife

  1.  Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Meghalaya, known for its rich biodiversity?
    Answer: Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary.
  2. Which endangered bird species, found in Meghalaya’s forests, is also the state bird of the state?
    Answer: The Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa).
  3. Which tiger reserve in Meghalaya is home to a significant population of tigers and other wildlife?
    Answer: Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.
  4. What is the most common and rich forest type in Meghalaya, known for its dense vegetation and unique species?
    Answer: Tropical and subtropical rainforests.
  5. Which unique and endemic plant species, often found in Meghalaya’s higher elevations, is prized for its medicinal properties?
    Answer: The Khasi Pine
  6. Which wildlife sanctuary in Meghalaya is located at the highest altitude and has diverse flora and fauna, including the red panda?
    Answer: The Balpakram National Park.
  7. Which rare and elusive mammal, found in the forests of Meghalaya, is known for its distinct stripes and is critically endangered?
    Answer: The Clouded Leopard.
  8. Which forest reserve in Meghalaya is one of the largest in terms of area and is home to a variety of wildlife species?
    Answer: The Khasi Hills Reserve Forest.
  9. Which waterfall in Meghalaya, surrounded by lush forests, is one of the most popular and scenic in the state?
    Answer: Nohkalikai Falls.
  10. Which wetland area in Meghalaya is recognized for its rich biodiversity and importance in bird migration?
    Answer: The Umiam Lake

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