History

Tuensang District is the largest district in Nagaland, a state in North-East India. Its headquarters is in Tuensang town. According to the 2023 census of India Tuensang population in 2023 is 273,269 (estimates as per aadhar uidai.gov.in Dec 2023 data). Chang, Sangtams, Yimkhiungs and Khiamniungans are the main indigenous tribes of this district. Besides, Aos and Sümis form a small part of the district’s population. Christianity is the main religion through animistic beliefs are still practised by a small minority, especially along the Myanmar border.

The Tuensang area was originally made up of all the present six districts of Eastern Nagaland. Even after the British conquest of India, the Tuensang tribal region remained un-administered due to lack of sufficient men and money. However, in 1902, the area was brought under the nominal control of the British. It was called Tribal Area and was administered by the Governor General of India. In 1948, a separate division called Tuensang Administrative Circle was created. When the Constitution of India was first released in 1950, Tuensang Division was placed in “Part B” category of tribal districts as per the Sixth Schedule. It became part of the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). Subsequently, in 1957, it was merged with the Naga Hills District to form a new administrative unit under the Ministry of External Affairs. After negotiation with the secessionists, this administrative unit was later made a full-fledged state called Nagaland.

Tuensang is considered one of the historic original districts of Nagaland, along with Mokokchung district and Kohima district formed at the time the state was created.

The present Office of the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Tuensang is situated across from the State Bank of India, Tuensang. It was established in the year 1986. The old Tuensang District originally covered a much larger area. Over time, several present-day districts were carved out of it: Mon District: Mon was carved out of Tuensang. Longleng District:Longleng was carved out of Tuensang. Kiphire District: Kiphire was also carved out of Tuensang. Noklak District: Noklak was later created from Tuensang. Shamator District: Shamator was created from Tuensang.