Tuensang's history is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of the Naga people and the formation of the state of Nagaland. Historically, the area was part of an unadministered tract during British rule. Following Indian independence in 1947, the region was brought under the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and designated as the Tuensang Frontier Division in 1948.
In 1957, in an effort to bring all Naga-inhabited areas under a single administration, the Tuensang Frontier Division was merged with the Naga Hills District of Assam to form the Naga Hills Tuensang Area (NHTA). This crucial political reorganization paved the way for the creation of the State of Nagaland in 1963.
Recognizing the region's relative isolation and unique socio-economic conditions, the Indian Constitution (under Article 371A) provided special administrative provisions for the Tuensang district for ten years following statehood, including a dedicated Regional Council. Over the decades, several new districts (such as Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, and recently Noklak) were carved out of the original, massive Tuensang district. Despite these divisions, the city of Tuensang has retained its historical importance as the heart of eastern Nagaland.
