The early history of Nagaland witnessed socio-economic and political links with tribal peoples of Assam and Myanmar. Even today there is a large population of Naga people in Assam. After the invasion of Myanmar troops in 1816, the area adjacent to Assam came under direct rule of Myanmar. There was a lot of turmoil at that time in Assam and Nagaland because of oppressive rule and strong arm tactics by the authorities. The British East India Company took control of Assam in 1826 and gradually expanded their territory over modern Nagaland. By 1892, all of modern Nagaland except the Tuensang area in the northeast was governed by the British. It was politically merged into Assam, which in turn was for long intervals a part of the province of Bengal. Christian missionaries contributed an important part in converting Nagaland. Many Naga tribes embraced Christianity and particularly the Baptist belief.