SSC
The famous 'living root bridges' are found in which state?
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Answer: Option B — Meghalaya
Detailed Solution
The "living root bridges" ("Jingkieng Jri") are a unique feature of Meghalaya, especially in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts.
About the living root bridges:
- They are made by guiding the aerial roots of the Indian rubber fig tree ("Ficus elastica") across streams and rivers.
- The Khasi and Jaintia tribes train the young, flexible roots using hollowed-out betel nut (areca) trunks or bamboo as guides until they reach the other bank and take root.
- Over time, the roots grow thicker and stronger, and they are woven together to form a strong bridge.
- It can take 15 to 30 years for a bridge to become usable, but once established, a bridge can last for hundreds of years and becomes stronger with age.
- Some bridges are about 50 metres long and can carry dozens of people at a time.
The most famous is the "Double-Decker Living Root Bridge" (Umshiang) at Nongriat village, near Cherrapunji (Sohra). It has two levels, one above the other.
They are an example of indigenous engineering and of living in harmony with nature, well suited to the heavy rainfall of the region, which would quickly rot wooden bridges.
In 2022, the "Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes" were added to UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
About Meghalaya:
The name means "abode of clouds".
It became a full state on 21 January 1972. Its capital is Shillong, called the "Scotland of the East".
Its main tribes are the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo; both the Khasi and Garo societies are matrilineal.
Mawsynram and Cherrapunji (Sohra) are among the wettest places on Earth.
Mawlynnong village was called the "cleanest village in Asia" in 2003.
It has many limestone caves, including Krem Liat Prah, one of the longest natural caves in India.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Arunachal Pradesh is known for the Apatani rice-fish farming system.
- ✗Nagaland is known for the Hornbill Festival.
- ✗Sikkim is known for Kangchenjunga and organic farming.
Quick tip
Remember: living root bridges = Meghalaya (Khasi and Jaintia; rubber fig roots; Double-Decker bridge at Nongriat near Cherrapunji; UNESCO Tentative List 2022); Mawlynnong = cleanest village; Shillong = "Scotland of the East".
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Indian States & Union Territories — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Indian States & Union Territories, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers state-wise GK for India: capitals, formation dates, high courts, state animals, birds and flowers, famous places, and the culture, dances and festivals that identify each state and union territory. Questions commonly ask about the newest state or union territory, the state formed on a particular date, the capitals of states, and which high court serves more than one state. Keep a single table per state with its capital, formation year and key facts. Reorganisations such as that of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 change the answers, so make sure your notes are up to date. Practise the Indian states and union territories questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.