Nartiang Monoliths

Nartiang Monoliths, in the Jaintia Hills, form one of the largest collections of monoliths anywhere in India, a field of tall standing stones erected by the Jaintia people to commemorate ancestors, historical events and important figures over many generations. The tallest of these stones, at over 8 metres, is considered among the largest single monoliths in the country, reflecting the significant labour and social organisation required for their erection.

The site offers a rare, tangible connection to the Jaintia Hills' pre-colonial history and social traditions, with each monolith carrying its own specific commemorative story passed down through local oral tradition, giving the field of stones a depth of meaning well beyond their considerable physical scale alone.

Monolith erection was a significant social and commemorative tradition among the Jaintia people, historically marking important events, honouring ancestors, or commemorating agreements, with Nartiang representing one of the most concentrated surviving collections of this practice.

About 65km from Shillong, near Jowai, roughly 2 hours by road.