Princely State of Lyngiong

The Princely State of Lyngiong was a native state of India which was under the indirect rule of the British Government of India. The region was managed by native princes under the supervision of the British authorities. The territory had a total population of 1,292 in the year 1941. The princely state of Lyngiong was included 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 Lyngiong lied towards the central region of the Eastern Khasi States. The native state was surrounded by the princely state of Mawphlang in the north; by the taluka of Pamsanngut in the west; and by the princely state of Nonglwai in the south and the east. The Princely State of Lyngiong was under the administrative control of the States of Assam Agency.

History of Princely State of Lyngiong
The native ruler of the princely state of Lyngiong held the title of Lyngdoh. The local chiefs or Lyngdohs of the princely states of Lyngiong, Mawphlang and Sohiong were elected by all the adult members of the Lyngdoh clans. In the year 1840, a treaty was signed with the British East India Company. The native rulers of the state belonged to a priestly family. The Lyngdoh of Lyngiong had temporal and spiritual powers as well. The native ruler of Lyngiong 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. 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 Lyngiong
The princely state of Lyngiong was acceded to the newly independent Union of India by the last Syiem of the territory. The nation was divided between India and Pakistan, after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India from the country on 15th August 1947. The native rulers of the former Indian princely states were given the choice of acceding to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The Lyngdoh of Lyngiong decided to amalgamate with the Republic of India. At present the region is a part of Meghalaya.