Shillong became the capital of the then Assam under the Chief Commissioner upon taking away its management from the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal vide Proclamation No.379 dated 06.02.1874 and Notification No.380 issued by the Governor General in Council. In the same year, in April, the Scheduled Districts Act, 1874 was enacted and the entire Assam under the Chief Commissioner was declared to be Scheduled Districts.

On 11th September, 1968 the Government of India announced a scheme for constituting an autonomous State within the State of Assam comprising certain areas specified in Part A of the table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. In terms of the said announcement, the Constitution (22nd Amendment) Act, 1969 was enacted conferring power on the Parliament for the formation of an autonomous State within the State of Assam. Accordingly, Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 (Act 55 of 1969) was enacted for establishing autonomous State of Meghalaya within the State of Assam making special provisions with respect to application of laws in Meghalaya. The autonomous State of Meghalaya comprises of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District and the Garo Hills District appearing at Serial No.1 and 2 of the table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule...