Kohima

This article is about the capital city of Nagaland. For other uses, see Kohima (disambiguation).

Kohima
Kewhira
Capital city and municipality
City of Kohima
From top (left to right):
Kohima skyline with Kohima Village on top;
Kohima street; PHQ Junction;
Aradurah Hill
Motto: 
"Work is Pride"
Map
Kohima is located in Nagaland
Kohima
Kohima
Location of Kohima in Nagaland
Kohima is located in India
Kohima
Kohima
Kohima (India)
Coordinates: 25°40′N 94°06′E / 25.67°N 94.10°E / 25.67; 94.10
Country India
RegionNortheast India
State Nagaland
DistrictKohima District
Divisions19 municipal wards
Government
 • TypeMunicipality
 • BodyKohima Municipal Council
 • ChairpersonNeikhozo Suokhrie (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party)
 • Deputy ChairpersonKhrielievi Chüsi (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party)
 • AdministratorLanusenla Longkümer
Area
 • Total
20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation
1,444 m (4,738 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
115,283[1]
Demonym(s)Kohimian
kewhi–mia
Languages
 • OfficialEnglish
 • Major languagesAngami • Ao • Chakhesang • Lotha • Sümi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
797001
Telephone code91 (0)370
Vehicle registrationNL-01
Sex ratio927 ♂/♀
ClimateTemperate (Köppen)
Websitekmc.nagaland.gov.in

Kohima (/koʊˈhiːmə/ ⓘ; Angami Naga: Kewhira (IPA: [ˈkɛʍɪɻə])) is the capital of the North East Indian state of Nagaland. With a resident population of almost 100,000, it is the second largest city in the state.[1] Kohima constitutes both a district and a municipality. The municipality covers 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi). The city lies on the foothills of Japfü section of the Barail Range located south of the District (25°40′N 94°07′E / 25.67°N 94.12°E / 25.67; 94.12)[2] and has an average elevation of 1,261 m (4,137 ft).[3]

Originally known as Kewhira,[4] Kohima's history goes back to a time when it was a village of the Angami Nagas. It became an urban centre in 1878 when the British Empire established its headquarters of the then Naga Hills District of Assam Province. It officially became the capital after the state of Nagaland was inaugurated in 1963. Kohima was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. The battle is often referred to as the Stalingrad of the East.[5][6] In 2013, the British National Army Museum voted the Battle of Kohima to be Britain's Greatest Battle.[7]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference census2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Kohima, India". Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Kohima Home NIC". Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. ^ "History | District Kohima, Government of Nagaland | India". Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  5. ^ Dougherty 2008, p. 159.
  6. ^ Ritter 2017, p. 123
  7. ^ "Britain's Greatest Battles". National Army Museum. Retrieved 15 December 2015.