The original name of Cherrapunjee was Sohra, which was pronounced "Churra" by the British. This name eventually evolved into the current name, Cherrapunji. Located at nearly 4,500 feet above the sea-level on the summit of the southern ranges of Khasi hills overlooking the vast plains of Sylhet (Bangladesh), Cherrapunjee is one of the must visit destination especially during monsoons.

The word "Cherrapunji" means 'land of oranges'. Despite perennial rainfall, Cherrapunji faces an acute water shortage and the inhabitants often have to trek for miles to obtain potable water.

Irrigation is also hampered due to excessive rain washing away the topsoil as a result of human encroachment into the forests. The Meghalaya state government has renamed Cherrapunjee back to its original name, "Sohra". There is a monument to David Scott (British Administrator in NE India, 1802–31) in the Cherrapunji cemetery. The history of the Khasis – the inhabitants of Cherrapunji – may be traced from the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and 18th centuries these people were ruled by the ' Syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyriem' in the Khasi hills . The Khasi hills came under British authority in 1883 with the submission of the last of the important syiems, Tirot Singh.