Seven Sisters of India: States, Capitals and Key Facts
The Seven Sisters of India are the seven contiguous states of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Together with Sikkim, often called the “brother”, they form the Northeast region. These states are linked to the rest of India through a narrow strip of land in West Bengal known as the Siliguri Corridor.
The nickname is popular, but many people are unsure where it came from or what it includes. This guide explains the origin of the term, lists each state with its capital and key facts, and shows how the Seven Sisters of India differ from one another.
Key takeaways
- The Seven Sisters are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
- Sikkim joined the North Eastern Council in 2002 and is often called the “brother”.
- The name was popularised in 1972 by journalist Jyoti Prasad Saikia.
- Most of the region’s boundary is an international border with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
- The states share geography but differ greatly in language, culture and history.
Why are they called the Seven Sisters of India?
The name “Land of the Seven Sisters” was coined in January 1972 by Jyoti Prasad Saikia, a journalist from Tripura. He used it during a radio talk show, around the time Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura became full states.
He later expanded the idea into a book. The name stuck because it captured two things at once. The states are closely linked by geography and history. At the same time, each has its own distinct identity, much like siblings in a family.
List of the Seven Sisters with capitals
| State | Capital | Full statehood | Area (sq km) | Main languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assam | Dispur | 1950 (state of the Union) | 78,438 | Assamese, Bodo, Bengali |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | 1987 | 83,743 | English (official), many tribal languages |
| Manipur | Imphal | 1972 | 22,327 | Manipuri (Meiteilon) |
| Meghalaya | Shillong | 1972 | 22,429 | English, Khasi, Garo |
| Mizoram | Aizawl | 1987 | 21,081 | Mizo, English |
| Nagaland | Kohima | 1963 | 16,579 | English (official), Nagamese widely spoken |
| Tripura | Agartala | 1972 | 10,486 | Bengali, Kokborok |
Sikkim, the eighth Northeast state, has Gangtok as its capital. It became part of India in 1975.
How the Seven Sisters were formed
At independence, much of today’s Northeast was part of the large state of Assam. Over the following decades, new states were carved out to reflect the region’s diverse communities.
- Nagaland became a state in 1963, the first to be separated from Assam.
- Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura became full states in January 1972.
- Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became states in February 1987.
Arunachal Pradesh was earlier known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It became a Union Territory in 1972 and a full state in 1987.
Sikkim: the brother of the Seven Sisters
Sikkim is not one of the Seven Sisters. Instead, it is often called their “brother”. It became part of India in 1975 and was added to the North Eastern Council in 2002.
Geographically, Sikkim is separated from the other seven states. It sits in the eastern Himalayas between Nepal, Bhutan and China. Nevertheless, it shares many cultural and developmental links with the rest of the region.
The Siliguri Corridor: the region’s link to India
The Seven Sisters of India connect to the rest of the country through the Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal. At its narrowest, this strip is only about 20–22 km wide. Because of its shape, it is often called the “Chicken’s Neck”.
Road, rail, pipelines and power lines all pass through this corridor. As a result, it is one of the most strategically important areas in India.
Borders of the Seven Sisters
Northeast India shares long international borders. In fact, the vast majority of its boundary touches other countries.
| Neighbouring country | Seven Sisters states on the border |
|---|---|
| China | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Myanmar | Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram |
| Bangladesh | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| Bhutan | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Nepal | (Sikkim only) |
What makes each of the Seven Sisters different?
Each state has a distinct character. Here is a quick snapshot:
- Assam is known for tea, the Brahmaputra and Kaziranga’s one-horned rhino.
- Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in the region, home to Tawang and dozens of tribes.
- Manipur is famous for Loktak Lake, classical Manipuri dance and polo.
- Meghalaya has living root bridges and some of the wettest places on Earth.
- Mizoram has one of the highest literacy rates in India.
- Nagaland is home to many Naga tribes and the Hornbill Festival.
- Tripura has royal palaces such as Ujjayanta Palace and Neermahal.
Travelling across the Seven Sisters of India
Four of the seven states require an inner line permit for Indian visitors: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura do not.
Guwahati in Assam is the main gateway, with the region’s busiest airport and railway station. From there, roads fan out to Shillong, Tawang, Kohima and beyond. To plan your dates, see our guide to the best time to visit Northeast India.
Seven Sisters of India by population
The Seven Sisters of India vary widely in size and population. The figures below come from the 2011 Census, the most recent full census.
| State | Population (2011 Census) | Share of Northeast population |
|---|---|---|
| Assam | About 3.12 crore | Largest, well over half |
| Tripura | About 36.7 lakh | Second largest |
| Meghalaya | About 29.7 lakh | Third |
| Manipur | About 28.6 lakh | Fourth |
| Nagaland | About 19.8 lakh | Fifth |
| Arunachal Pradesh | About 13.8 lakh | Sixth |
| Mizoram | About 11 lakh | Smallest of the seven |
Sikkim, the “brother” state, had about 6.1 lakh people in 2011, the smallest population of any Indian state.
Economy and famous products of the Seven Sisters
| State | Known for |
|---|---|
| Assam | Tea, oil and natural gas, muga silk |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Hydropower potential, orange and kiwi farming |
| Manipur | Handloom, black rice, sports talent |
| Meghalaya | Coal and limestone history, tourism, Khasi mandarins |
| Mizoram | Bamboo, horticulture |
| Nagaland | Bhut jolokia chilli, handicrafts, festivals |
| Tripura | Rubber, bamboo, pineapples |
These strengths show that the Seven Sisters of India are not one uniform region. Instead, each state has its own economy and cultural identity.
Frequently asked questions
Which are the Seven Sisters of India?
The Seven Sisters of India are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. They are the seven contiguous states of Northeast India.
Who named the Seven Sisters?
Journalist Jyoti Prasad Saikia coined the term “Land of the Seven Sisters” in January 1972 during a radio talk show. He later wrote a book on the same theme.
Is Sikkim one of the Seven Sisters?
No. Sikkim is often called the “brother” of the Seven Sisters. It became part of the North Eastern Council in 2002 and is now counted as the eighth Northeast state.
Which is the largest of the Seven Sisters?
Arunachal Pradesh is the largest by area, at about 83,743 sq km. Assam has the largest population.
Which is the smallest of the Seven Sisters?
Tripura is the smallest of the Seven Sisters by area, at about 10,486 sq km.
Why is the Siliguri Corridor called the Chicken’s Neck?
The Siliguri Corridor is a narrow strip, only about 20–22 km wide at its narrowest. Its thin shape, linking the Northeast to the rest of India, earned it the nickname “Chicken’s Neck”.
Why the Seven Sisters matter
The Seven Sisters of India are bound by geography, history and a shared frontier. Yet each state has its own languages, traditions and landscapes. Understanding these differences is the first step to exploring the region well.
Find more explainers in our Northeast Guides section, or head back to the Frontier News homepage.