High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India. It is also the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is situated at an average altitude of 4,908 ft (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Lum Shyllong at 1,965 m. The city had a population of 260,520 according to the 2001 census. Shillong has steadily grown in size and significance since it was made the civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in 1864 by the British. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioner's Province, it was chosen as the headquarters of the new administration because of its convenient location between the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys and more so because the climate of Shillong was much cooler than tropical India.