Arunachal Pradesh: The Land of Dawn-Lit Mountains

Under British rule the region was administered as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It became a focal point of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, a border dispute that remains sensitive today, and gained full statehood on 20 February 1987 as India's 24th state.

The state is home to over 26 major tribes and many sub-tribes, including the Apatani, Nyishi, Monpa, Wancho, Adi and Mishmi, each with its own language, customs and way of life. Most communities were traditionally farmers, hunters and gatherers, and many continue older traditions alongside modern life.

More than 30 languages are spoken across the state, mostly from the Tibeto-Burman family, alongside some Indo-Aryan languages. English is the official language, and Hindi is widely used between tribal groups and with outsiders.