Kohima

Kohima (/koʊˈhiːmə/ ^ⓘ; Angami Naga: Kewhira (IPA: [ˈkɛʍɪɻə])) is the capital of the Indian state of Nagaland. With a resident population of almost 100,000, it is the second largest city in the state. 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 (25.67°N 94.12°E / 25.67; 94.12) and has an average elevation of 1,261 m (4,137 ft).

Originally known as Kewhira, 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. In 2013, the British National Army Museum voted the Battle of Kohima to be Britain's Greatest Battle.

==Etymology== Kohima was originally known as Kewhi–ra. People from different places and directions came in search of a place to settle down and formed a homogenous group that necessitated the establishment of a village. They named it Kewhira which is derived from the Tenyidie word "kephfükewhi" which means to meet and assemble together and ra means village with its area jurisdiction. The people of Kewhira are called Kewhimia (mia means people) who are the indigenous inhabitants and hereditarily owned the land of Kewhira. Kohima village is believed to be more than 700 (seven hundred) years old which is said to be the second largest village in Asia.'