The capital of Arunachal Pradesh is Itanagar, which was thought to have been built in the 14th or 15th century by the Sutiya Kings. Even the city’s name, ‘Ita Fort,’ has a literal Assamese meaning of ‘Fort of Bricks’ given the existing evidence of an ancient fort built with bricks during the said period.
Itanagar has become this hilly natural land's capital, 83,743.00 sq. km, comprising 15 districts, 12 towns, and 3862 villages.
Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with ethnic diversities; according to the latest census, it has more than 26 tribes and 110 sub-tribes.
These Indigenous communities are more related to the people of Tibet and the hill regions of western Myanmar; over two-thirds are categorized as Scheduled Tribes.
City's History and Development
Located at Naharlagun, a few miles away from Ziro, the city has been the administrative and economic hub of the state since 1974, when it was declared the temporary capital of Arunachal Pradesh and shifted to Itanagar in 1978. The irregularly shaped structure of the Ita Fort, with 16,200 cubic meters of brickwork, is widely held to have historical links with the kingdom.
Some of the most prominent places of interest in Itanagar are the historic Ita Fort, the religious Gompa Buddhist Temple, the tribal art comeback Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, and the beautiful park named after Indira Gandhi.
The Gekar Sinyi or Ganga Lake is a beautiful natural freshwater lake surrounded by hard rocks and indigenous trees. It is a picnic spot and recreation area.
Every tribe has its own social, cultural, and religious system. Many tribes believe in local spirits, which are related to spirits of water, trees, stones, and so on. Burying and/or sacrificing animals like the domesticated gaur, locally known as Mithun, is also performed occasionally.
Over 20 tribes use about 50 languages, most of which are part of the Tibeto Burman language family in the Sino-Tibean superfamily.
Read also: Districts in Arunachal Pradesh
Importance as an Administrative and Economic Hub
The state's capital is Arunachal Pradesh, and the legislative assembly, state government offices, and Gauhati High Court with the permanent bench are located in Itanagar.
Itanagar is also part of the Itanagar Capital Complex Region, which is characterized as a social, commercial, fashion, learning, and leisure centre empowered to uplift the state's economy in conjunction with the Naharlagun.
Arunachal Pradesh is the easternmost state on the Indian map, an abode of nature’s bounty and cultural and archaeological marvels. From the early morning light on the roof of the world, the towering Himalayas, to the rich Bnei Mardo kehila, this country presents a fascinating spectacle.
The capital town of Itanagar, with its historical fort and beautiful natural gifts, is the entry point to this fascinating land.