Nartiang Monoliths in Meghalaya are tallest in the world 01:06 Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya is home to Nartiang Monoliths- a collection of monoliths that that are believed to be the tallest in the world. The monoliths in Jowai were erected to mark the reign of the erstwhile Jaintia kings.Monoliths are upright structures carved from one single stone that serve as a monument or pillar.According to local legend, the tallest monolith in the cluster, Moo Iong Syiem which is eight metres long, was erected by U Mar Phalyngki. Phalyngki was a trusted lieutenant of a Jaintia king. He erected the monolith to commemorate his victory in battle. The Monoliths were erected approximately during 1500 AD. and 1835 AD.Situated about 65 km from the state’s capital Shillong, Nartiang village has an important place in history of Meghalaya. The place, according to locals, was the summer resort of the Jaintia kings of 17th century. The monoliths are categorised as menhirs and dolmens by locals.Origin of the monolithsSince the historical monument is centuries old there are several beliefs regarding its origin.While the information board and many locals here say that each monolith marks a particular event or individual, some others believe in the legend of the king and the old woman.According to this legend, Jaintia king U Luh Lyngshkor visited an old woman’s hut in order to ask for ‘knub,’ the traditional bamboo umbrella on a rainy day. The woman denied his request, saying that since the king was a well-built man, he should lift the stone slab and use it to get cover from rain.The king then went to the Raliang market, where he lifted a slab to cover himself. The slab was put down by him in Nartiang- also marked the shift of the market from Raliang to Nartiang. Hence, the stone slabs were basically platforms used to display items in a market.

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