This book is the result of the author’s long experience in research and teaching on the subject of Government and Politics in North-East India. Of late, some books have been written on the people of North-East India, but they do not deal specifically with traditional institutions per se.

It is therefore his Endeavour to bring out in this book the role, functions, pattern and structural determinants of leadership under the traditional system of administration as well as bring out the effects of British Administration and the Autonomous District Council on traditional institutions and leadership. Keeping the broad spectrum in mind, the author has attempted to analyse the situation as it existed in the past and at present among the Jaintias of Meghalaya and critically examine how tradition, continuity and change have worked in the society under study which has experienced a number of changes throughout the long period of its history.