Tura

Tura is a major cultural and administrative centre of the Garo Hills and is the headquarters of West Garo Hills district.In the early colonial period, the British found the Garo Hills difficult to administer due to terrain and disease challenges; however, concerns about control and security led to a more permanent administrative setup. In 1867, the British established their headquarters at Tura, and the town grew in importance as an administrative base in the hills.

Missionary activity and education later played a key role in shaping the town’s social institutions—American Baptist and other missions expanded their presence in the Garo Hills, influencing schooling and community organisation in and around Tura. After Independence, the region’s administrative map changed multiple times: the larger Garo Hills administrative area was reorganised, and West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills were formed as separate districts in 1976; later, parts of the earlier administrative unit were further reorganised, strengthening Tura’s role as a district headquarters.

Today, Tura remains one of Meghalaya’s biggest towns—known for its institutions, markets, and its continued importance as a gateway to Garo Hills culture and administration.