Princely State of Sohiong

The Princely State of Sohiong 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 state comprised of a total population of 4,178 in the year 1941. The princely state of Sohiong 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 Sohiong lied towards the central region of the Eastern Khasi States. The native state was surrounded by the princely state of Nongkhlaw in the north; by the taluka of Mylliem in the east; by the princely state of Mawphlang in the south; and the princely state of Nongspung to the west.

The Princely State of Sohiong was under the administrative control of the States of Assam Agency. The territory included around 25 villages in the year 1901.

History of Princely State of Sohiong
The second native ruler of the princely state of Nongkhlaw, who held the title of Syiem, seized the territory of Sohiong, which was later ruled by one of his sisters. After the state came under the protection of the British East India Company, Sohiong state was lost to Nongkhlaw, as per instructions by the British Government of India. The native ruler of the princely state of Sohiong 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 Lyngdoh of Sohiong had temporal and spiritual powers as well.

Accession of Princely State of Sohiong
The last Lyngdoh of the princely state of Sohiong 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 native ruler of Sohiong decided to merge with the Republic of India. At present the region is a part of Meghalaya.