Princely State of Mylliem

The Princely State of Mylliem was an erstwhile non-salute native state of India which was under the indirect rule of the British Government of India. The state was perhaps the leading political entity in the Khasi Kingdom. The region was managed by native rulers under the supervision of the British authorities. The state comprised of a total population of 65,153 in the year 1941. The princely state of Mylliem was incorporated as a part of the states of Khasi kingdom in Meghalaya, located in northeastern India, south of Bhutan, which was under the rule of the British Province of Assam. The territory of Mylliem lied towards the northeastern region of the Eastern Khasi States. The British municipality of Shillong was included within the territory of the former native state.

The native state was bounded by the British Province of Assam in the east and north; by the taluka of Mawphlang and the princely state of Sohiong in the southwest; and by the princely state of Nongkhlaw in the west. The Princely State of Mylliem was under the administrative control of the States of Assam Agency.

History of Princely State of Mylliem
The rulership of the territory of Shillong, which can be traced back to initial half of the 15th century, was the earliest of all the states in the Khasi Kingdom. It developed and thrived to a great extent, but during the culmination of the 17th century, a sharp division had formed within the ruling family and the darbar as well. With the increase of conflict, a series of secessions started to destroy the kingdom. The 2 polities of Mylliem and Khyrim coexisted in Shillong by the 18th century. Later in the year 1859, the division was officially recognized. The native ruler of the princely state of Mylliem held the title of Syiem. There were 2 major branches of the ruling family of the Syiem, namely the Black Syiems and the White Syiems. During the 19th century, members of both the families were elected rulers and asserted the right to alternate in the rulership among the 2 branches.

The native ruler or Syiem of Mylliem was succeeded by his eldest brother, failing which, by the ruler`s eldest nephews, grand nephews, or cousins, in no particular order, but at all times in the female line. As a result of the failing male heirs, the native ruler was succeeded by the eldest of the previous ruler`s sisters, nieces, female first cousins, grand nieces and distant female cousins, in that order and always in the female line. A female syiem was succeeded by her eldest son, nephew and so on, in the stated order. In case a female Syiem does not rule the princely state, her husband and the husbands of other females in the ruling family were permitted to administer the state with the support of the State Darbar. The husbands held the style of Kongors.

However this system did not provide total claim to succession, as the heirs might have been disqualified from the succession by the electoral college due to several reasons under Khasi custom and religion. Around 24 noted individuals, who represented several clans elected the Syiem of the princely state of Mylliem.

Accession of Princely State of Mylliem
After the Partition of India and the departure of the British Government of India in the year 1947, the state was acceded to the newly independent Union of India, which also known as the Dominion of India, by the Syiem of Mylliem state. At present the territory is located in Meghalaya.