Princely State of Nongstoin

The Princely State of Nongstoin was a native state of India which was under the indirect rule of the British Government of India. The region was managed by native shareholders under the supervision of the British authorities. The state was scattered over a total area of 360 sq miles and comprised of a total population of 13,155 in the year 1941. The princely state of Nongstoin 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 Nongstoin lied towards the western region of the Western Khasi States. The native state was surrounded by the princely state of Langrin and the princely state of Nobosohphoh in the south; by the taluka of Mawrang in the southeast; by the princely state of Myriaw in the east; and the British Province of Assam to the north and west.

The Princely State of Nongstoin was under the administrative control of the States of Assam Agency. The territory included around 25 villages in the year 1901. Moreover, Nongstoin state held extensive territories at Mymensing and was frequently involved in frontier disputes with native rulers in British territory.

History of Princely State of Nongstoin
The princely state of Nongstoin, like other States in the Khasi Kingdom, was established when villages merged together for mutual protection against the adjacent territories. The native ruler held the title of Syiem. The ruling families of the princely states of Langrin and Nongstoin were descendants of a common female ancestor. 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 the branch of the White Syiem family asserted the right to alternate in the rulership with the Black Syiem branch.

The native ruler or Syiem of Nongstoin 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. 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. The 60 electors of Nongstoin state consisted of distinguished personalities, and also included the Sirdars or headmen of the 25 villages.

In case a female heir was elected as the Syiem of the princely state, she was permitted to administer the state with the support of a male Syiem, who held the title and style of Kongor, and the State Darbar. A Lyngskor and a Basan served as the heads of cabinet, portfolios were segregated according to the territorial jurisdiction.

Accession of Princely State of Nongstoin
The last Syiem of the princely state of Nongstoin acceded the territory to the newly independent Union of India after the political withdrawal of the British Government of India from the country on 15th August 1947. After the nation was divided between India and Pakistan, the native rulers were given the choice of acceding to either the Dominion of India or the Dominion of Pakistan. The Syiem of Nongstoin decided to merge with the Republic of India. At present the region is a part of Meghalaya.