chiefdom · Indian princely states

Khyrim State

1500 CE – 1948 CE (approx.) · capital Smit

A Khasi state of the Meghalaya plateau with its seat at Smit, home of the annual Nongkrem dance held by its Syiem.

Origins

Hima Khyrim emerged as one of the Khasi chiefdoms of the Shillong plateau; its origins are known from oral tradition, and the register's start date is approximate.

Rule and society

Khyrim was headed by a Syiem chosen from a royal clan, with succession through the female line, and ruled with clan elders in a dorbar. The Syiem also had ritual duties: the annual Shad Nongkrem, a dance and thanksgiving at Smit, is held by the Syiem and the high priestess (Syiem Sad) of Khyrim.

Decline and legacy

Khyrim came under British supervision in the 19th century and acceded to India in 1948, joining Assam. It is now part of Meghalaya, where the Nongkrem festival continues.

Few sources survive for this state; details are uncertain.

Lineage

Khyrim StateDominion of India 1947 CE – 1950 CE

Connections (1)

  • Khyrim State was a protectorate of British Raj1858 CE – 1947 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Khyrim State. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/khyrim-state
MLA
“Khyrim State.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/khyrim-state. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Khyrim State.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/khyrim-state.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Khyrim State’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/khyrim-state (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻