The Princely State of Dwara Nongtyrnem was amongst the erstwhile princely states of India during the rule of the British Empire in India. During the 19th century, the territory was appointed as one of the princely states of India under the indirect rule of the British Government and was managed by native princes. The state comprised of a total population of 961 in the year 1941. The princely state of Dwara Nongtyrnem was included as a part of the states of Khasi kingdom in Meghalaya, situated in northeastern India, south of Bhutan, which was under the rule of the British Province of Assam. The territory of Dwara Nongtyrnem lied towards the southern parts of the Eastern Khasi States.
The native state was surrounded by the princely state of Mawsyram in the north; by the princely state of Mawdon in the east; and by the Malai Sohmat state in the west; and by the British Province of Assam in the south. The Princely State of Dwara Nongtyrnem was incorporated as a part of the States of Assam Agency.
History of Princely State of Dwara Nongtyrnem
The native ruler of the state of Dwara Nongtyrnem held the title of Sardar. The territory was a part of the ancient Malngiang syemship. The local chiefs or Sardars of the princely states of Nongwlai, Dwara Nongtyrnem, Pamsanngut and Mawdon were elected by all the people for a specific period. The qualifications of the family were not essential for the selection of the Sardar of Dwara Nongtyrnem. The former princely state came under the protection of the British East India Company during the early 19th century. In all of the states in the Khasi Kingdom, the succession of the native ruler was governed by an electoral body that comprised of chiefs of certain clans, but later there was a tendency to widen the elective basis. The Khasi Hill States were generally very democratic in character and the native ruler exercised minimal control over the people of the state.
The Sardar of Dwara Nongtyrnem enjoyed restricted jurisdictional authority that was limited within the borders of a group of villages. Dwara Nongtyrnem was one of the most resourceful princely states amongst all the Khasi states. The native rulers of the state did not pay any revenue to the British administration. The native Courts in the state had native Courts have jurisdiction over civil disputes that arised between the general populace of Dwara Nongtyrnem, irrespective of the deviation of the issue in dispute; all civil suits between subjects of different native states were tried by the British Courts. Darbars were serious events and attendance was mandatory. Participants followed stringent and fixed set of rules of conduct.
The native ruler of Dwara Nongtyrnem was succeeded by his eldest brother, failing which, by the ruler`s eldest nephews, grand nephews, or cousins, in no particular order. Although this system did not provide total claim to succession, as the heirs might have been disqualified from the succession due to several reasons under Khasi custom and religion.
Accession of Princely State of Dwara Nongtyrnem
After the departure of the British Government of India and the Partition of India in the year 1947, the erstwhile princely state of Dwara Nongtyrnem was acceded to the newly independent Union of India, which also known as the Dominion of India, by the Sardar of Dwara Nongtyrnem state. Presently the territory is a part of Meghalaya.
