**1. Introduction**

*Capsicum* (also called as Peeper or Chili pepper) is an important vegetable crop widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This spice crop has been well known since past 9500 years. *Capsicum* pods or chili pepper constitute the world's second most consumed vegetable crop and spice after tomato in our daily culinary practice [1].

India is the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of *Capsicum* in the world. It contributes about 36% to global production of *Capsicum* and exports about 20% of its total production [2]. The production of *Capsicum* in India is dominated by the state of Andhra Pradesh, which contributes 53% of the total production followed by Karnataka (9%), Odisha (6%), West Bengal (6%), Maharashtra (5%), and Madhya Pradesh (4%). *Capsicum* is also cultivated in other parts of India including the north-eastern states [3].

Several indigenous varieties of *Capsicum* are known to be cultivated in the north-eastern region of India. Some of such indigenous varieties have been well documented to be the hottest *Capsicum* varieties in the world [4]. These indigenous varieties are popularly known by different local names among various communities of the north-eastern states of India. These are namely, *Bih Jolokia* (*Bih* means poison, *Jolokia* means pepper), *Bhut Jolokia* (Bhut means ghost) in Assamese language, *Oo-Morok* (*Oo* means Tree, *Morok* means Chili) in Manipuri language, and *Naga Jolokia* (or *Naga Morich*) in Nagamese language and *Raja Chili* (King of Chili). The word *Jolokia* usually refers to the vernacular name of *Capsicum* pod or chili pepper in Assamese language of India [5–7].
