Kohima was originally known asKewhi–ra.[7][8] People from different places and directions came in search of a place to settle down and formed a homogenous group that necessitated the establishment of a village. They named it Kewhira which is derived from the Angami wordkephfükewhi which means to "meet and assemble together" andra means "village" with its area jurisdiction.[9] The people ofKewhira are calledKewhimia (mia means people) who are the indigenous inhabitants and hereditarily owned the land ofKewhira.[10]
According to oral history, the historical founder ofKewhira (Kohima Village) wasTsiera (stone defender). The village is said to be more than 700 years old and is believed to be the second largest village in Asia.[10] The village is divided into four large clans (thinuo):Tsütuonuomia,Lhisemia,Dapfhütsumia andPfüchatsumia (T, L, D, and P Khel respectively).[11]
Kohima has a large cemetery known as theKohima War Cemetery for the Allied war dead; it is maintained by theCommonwealth War Graves Commission.[16] The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court, which was the scene of intense fighting known as theBattle of the Tennis Court. Theepitaph carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery has become world-famous as the Kohima poem.
On 20 March 1986, two students Kekuojalie Sachü (19) and Vikhozo Yhoshü (14) were killed and over 50 others were injured in indiscriminate firing byNagaland Police when they participated in a peaceful protest called by theNaga Students' Federation (NSF) to rally against the state government's decision on the introduction ofIndian Police Service (IPS) cadres and the extension of the Disturbed Area Belt from 5 to 20 km along the Indo-Myanmar (Indo-Burma) border. The event was so tumultuous that it led three Cabinet ministers and five State Ministers of Nagaland to resign.[19]
On 5 March 1995, when a convoy of the 16thRashtriya Rifles of theIndian Army, comprising 63 vehicles with 5 officers, 15junior commissioned officers and approximately 400soldiers was traversing through the densely populated AOC and BOC areas of Kohima en route fromBishnupur toDimapur, atyre burst from one of the convoy's own vehicle led the armed troops to mistake the sound of the tyre bursting for a bomb attack by insurgents. The troops reacted immediately and started firing at civilian populace. The firing lasted approximately 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., during which the soldiers discharged 1,207 rounds ofgunfire and 5mortal shells into civilian areas. A total of 7 were killed and 36 were left injured. Eyewitness accounts and subsequent investigations found no evidence of an actual ambush or crossfire with insurgents. The incident is widely referred to as the 1995 Kohima Massacre.[20][21]
On 2 February 2017, the office building of theKohima Municipal Council was burned down by amob as part of theboycott of the Civic Elections. The fire significantly damaged adjoining government and private buildings.[22][23] On 19 February, in response against the backdrop of widespread protests and civil unrest in the state,T. R. Zeliang announced his resignation as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.[24][25]
On 27 February 2023, a massive fire broke in Mao Market and NN Market, one of the biggest commercial areas in Kohima, causing complete damage to the markets.[26]
Kohima is located at 25°67' North, 94°10' East, in the southern part of Nagaland. It lies north of theJapfü–Barail intersection withPulie Badze to the southwest overlooking the city. The hills on which Kohima is located has an elevation ranging from 1,345 to 1,560 metres (4,413 to 5,118 feet).[27]
The city experiences asubtropical highland climate (Köppen:Cwb), with greater contrast between summer and winter than in other continents due to themonsoons but mild temperatures even for latitude and altitude. The months of June to September concentrate much of the precipitation.[28]
Climate data for Kohima (1991–2020, extremes 1952–2020)
Most Wards in Kohima experiences severe water shortages during the dry seasons.[33] The current water resources from the reservoirs of Zarü River and the streams from the slopes ofPulie Badze do not fulfill the needs of the rapidly growing population of Kohima. With the augmentation of the Zarü River project and several other upcoming water projects to be supplied fromDzüko Valley and others. The water supply is expected to cover more wards.[34]
TheKohima Municipal Council (KMC) was established in 2005 under India's Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1992. It has waste management, drainage and trade licensing and other responsibilities.[35][36]
Other departments of thestate government, which sit in Kohima, also have a role in the administration of Kohima.[36] The "City Development Plan" for the town, for example, was written by state Urban Development Department.[37]
Kohima is divided into nineteen sectors with a total of thirty-three administrative wards under the authority of theKohima Municipal Council, covering an area of about 35 km2 (14 sq mi). Each ward has its own council government and handles many of the functions that are handled by city governments in other jurisdictions.[38]
Nagaland's traditional governance system persists in rural areas and urban Kohima through ward panchayats. Each ward elects a panchayat chairman every five years by a show of hands, who then appoints officials, including joint secretaries and Gaon Burhas (GBs). Recognized by the District Commissioner, ward panchayats oversee peaceful community coexistence, resolve disputes, and communicate community concerns to the government. GBs manage house tax collection due to their familiarity with households. These traditional bodies are integral to development work within their wards and hold meetings as needed. Institutionalizing them under the municipal act could formalize their roles, transferring councillors' duties to panchayat chairmen and integrating them into municipal councils as ward committees.[42] The Kohima Town Committee (KTC) was established in 1957 with 8 wards, 8 elected members, and 4 government nominees. Key pioneers include Shri Yusuf Ali as the first Ex-Officio Chairman, Late Dr. Neilhouzhu Kire as the first Vice-Chairman (1957–1967), and Late Joseph Jasokie as the first elected Chairman (1982–1983).[43]
In 2005, Kohima's first municipality was formed under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, with 19 elected councillors. TheKohima Municipal Council (KMC) remains in a transitional phase, with its powers and functions under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act yet to be fully transferred by state government departments.
Currently, KMC governs 19 wards, covering nearly 11 sq. km (17% of the greater Kohima planning area) with a population of 98,000 as per the 2011 census.[44]
As of 2011, Kohima had a population of 99,039 of which males and females were 51,626 and 47,413 respectively. Kohima has an average literacy rate of 90.76%, higher than the national average of 76.55%.[1]
The major religion in Kohima isChristianity which is practised by 80.22% of the population. Other religions includesHinduism (16.09%),Islam (3.06%) andBuddhism (0.45%).[46]
Kohima War Cemetery is a memorial dedicated to soldiers of the 2nd British Division of the Allied Forces who died in the Second World War at Kohima in April 1944. There are 1,420 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War at this cemetery.[48]
The NAJ Cosfest is anOtaku-based cosplay festival held every year in the month of July. The annual event was started in 2013 and is organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies. The cosfest is one of the biggest cosplay festivals inNorth East India.[54][55]
The Hornbill Festival is the biggest annual festival in North East India. The festival is held every year from 1 to 10 December with the purpose to promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditions. The main venue is located at theKisama Heritage Village, located 12 km (7.5 mi) south of the city centre.[56]
The inhabitants of Kohima have been historically characterized as "fashion-conscious". Numerous fashion stores are located across the city and a number of fashion related events are held annually. The southern wards starting from Main Town and beyond are the most fashionable areas of Kohima.[57][58][59]
TheNagaland State Museum is located inBayavü Hill and displays a comprehensive collection of artefacts including ancient sculptures, traditional dresses, inscriptions of the Naga people.[60][61]
TheMary Help of Christians Cathedral or commonly known as the Kohima Cathedral is a prominent landmark in Kohima. The 16 feet high carved wood crucifix is one of Asia's largest crosses. It is the biggest Catholic church in Nagaland and was constructed in 1998.[62]There are numerous Protestant churches in Kohima.Kohima Ao Baptist Church andKohima Lotha Baptist Church are some of the biggest churches in Kohima.
Kohima is served by theDimapur Airport located inChümoukedima–Dimapur, 74 kilometres (46 miles) from the city centre of Kohima. The currently under constructionKohima Chiethu Airport once completed will serve as the main airport for the Greater Kohima Metropolitan Area.[68]
Kohima is connected by road withNH 2 andNH 29 which pass through the city. TheDimapur–Kohima Highway is a tolled highway connecting Kohima with Dimapur.[69]
Kohima is not connected with the rail network. The nearest railway stations are theChümoukedima Shokhüvi Railway Station and theDimapur Railway Station. An extension of the railway line from Dimapur to Kohima was proposed and surveyed in 2009.[70] Due to a dispute over land acquisition, the track was resurveyed and an alternative alignment was proposed in 2013 and is expected to be completed by 2026.[71] Once completed theKohima Zubza Railway Station on theDhansiri–Zubza Line will serve as the main railway station of Kohima.[72][73]
Regardless of its hilly terrain,cycling has become an increasingly popular way to get in and around Kohima. Abicycle-sharing system was launched in September 2020.[74][75]
Naga wrestling enjoys widespread popularity in Kohima with people from all over Nagaland coming to witness theNaga Wrestling Championship held every two years atKhuochiezie (Kohima Local Ground). The tournament was organised in 1971.[79]
^Bert Sim, Mosstodloch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: Pipe Major of the Gordon Highlanders at Kohima: his home is named "Kohima." -- RJWilliams, Slingerlands, NY/USA
Edwards, Leslie (2009).Kohima: The Furthest Battle: The Story of the Japanese invasion of India in 1944 and the 'British-Indian Thermopylae'. Cheltenham: The History Press.ISBN978-0-7509-5260-6.
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