The origin of the Mizos, like those of many other tribes in the North Eastern India is

shrouded in mystery. The generally accepted as part of a great Mongoloid wave of

migration from China and later moved out to India to their present habitat.

It is possible that the Mizos came from Shinlung or Chhinlungsan located on the
banks of the river Yalung in China. They first settled in the Shan State and moved
on to Kabaw Valley to Khampat and then to the Chin Hills in the middle of the 16th
century.

The earliest Mizos who migrated to India were known as Kukis, the second batch of
immigrants were called New Kukis. The Lushais were the last of the Mizo tribes
migrate to India. The Mizo history in the 18th and 19th Century is marked by many
instances of tribal raids and retaliatory expeditions of security. Mizo Hills were
formally declared as part of the British-India by a proclamation in 1895. North and
south hills were united into Lushai Hills district in 1898 with Aizawl as its
headquarters.

The process of the consolidated of the British administration in tribal dominated

area in Assam stated in 1919 when Lushai Hills along with some other hill districts
was declared a Backward Tract under government of India Act. The tribal districts
of Assam including Lushai Hills were declared Excluded Area in 1935.

It was during the British regime that a political awakening among the Mizos in
Lushai Hills started taking shape the first political party, the Mizo Common People's
Union was formed on 9th April 1946. The Party was later renamed as Mizo Union.
As the day of Independence drew nearer, the Constituent Assembly of India set up
and Advisory Committee to deal with matters relating to the minorities and the
tribals. A sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Gopinath Bordoloi was formed
to advise the Constituent Assembly on the tribal affairs in the North East. The Mizo
Union submitted a resolution of this Sub-committee demanding inclusion of all
Mizo inhabited areas adjacent to Lushai Hills. However, a new party called the
United Mizo Freedom (UMFO) came up to demand that Lushai Hills join Burma
after Independence.

Following the Bordoloi Sub-Committee's suggestion, a certain amount of autonomy

was accepted by the Government and enshrined in the Six Schedule of the
constitution. The Lushai Hills Autonomous District Council came into being in 1952
followed by the formation of these bodies led to the abolition of chieftanship in the
Mizo society.

The autonomy however met the aspirations of the Mizos only partially.
Representatives of the District Council and the Mizo Union pleaded with the States
Reorganization Commission (SRC) in 1954 for integrated the Mizo-dominated areas
of Tripura and Manipur with their District Council in Assam.

The tribal leaders in the North East were laboriously unhappy with the SRC
Recommendation s : They met in Aizawl in 1955 and formed a new political party,
Eastern India Union (EITU) and raised demand for a separate state comprising of all
the hill districts of Assam. The Mizo Union split and the breakaway faction joined
the EITU. By this time, the UMFO also joined the EITU and then understanding of
the Hill problems by the Chuliha Ministry, the demand for a separate Hill state by
EITU was kept in abeyance.

FACTS AND LEGEND:

But folklore has an interests tale of offer. The Mizos, so goes the legend, emerged
from under a large covering rock known as Chhinlung. Two people of the Ralte
clan, known for their loquaciousness, started talking noisily while coming out of the
region. They made a great noise which leg God, called Pathian by the Mizos, to
throw up his hands in disgust and say enough is enough. He felt, too many people
had already been allowed to step out and so closed the door with the rock.

History often varies from legends. But the story of the Mizos getting out into open
from the nether world through a rock opening is now part of the Mizo fable.
Chhinlung however, is taken by some as the Chinese city of Sinlung or
Chinlingsang situated close on the sino-Burmese border. The Mizos have songs and
stories about the glory of the ancient Chhinlung civilization handed down from one
generation to another powerful people.

It is hard to tell how far the story is true. It is nevertheless possible that the Mizos
came from Sinlung or Chinlungsan located on the banks of the river Yalung in
China. According to K.S.Latourette, there were political upheavals in China in 210
B.C. when the dynastic rule was abolished and the whole empire was brought under
one administrative system. Rebellions broke out and chaos reigned throughout the
Chinese State. That the Mizos left China as part of one of those waves of migration.
Whatever the case may have been, it seems probable that the Mizos mover from
China to Burma and then to India under forces of circumstances. They first settled
in the Shan State after having overcome the resistance put up by the indigenous
people. Then they changed settlements several times, moving from the Shan State to
Kabaw Valley to Khampat to Chin Hills in Burma. They finally began to move
across the river Tiau to India in the Middle of the 16th Century.

The Shans had already been firmly settled in their State when Mizos came there
from Chhinlung around 5th Century. The Shans did not welcome the new arrivals,
but failed to throw the Mizos out. The Mizos had lived happily in the Shan state for
about 300 years before they moved on the Kabaw Valley around the 8th Century.

It was in the Kabaw Valley that Mizos got the opportunity to have an unhindered
interaction with the local Burmese. The two cultures met and the two tribes
influenced each other in the spheres of clothing, customs, music and sports.
According to some, the Mizos learnt the art of cultivation from the Burmese at
Kabaw. Many of their agricultural implements bore the prefix Kawl which was the
name given by the Mizos to the Burmese.
Khampat (now in Myanmar) is known to have been the next Mizo settlement. The
area claimed by the Mizos as their earliest town, was encircled by an earthen
rampart and divided into several parts. The residence of the ruler stood at the central
block call Nan Yar (Palace Site). The construction of the town indicates the Mizos
had already acquired considerable architecture skills. They are said to have planted
a banyan tree at Nan Yar before they left Khampat as a sign that town was made by
them.

The Mizos, in the early 14th century, came to settle at Chin Hills on the Indo-
Burmese border. They built villages and called them by their clan names such as
Seipui, Saihmun and Bochung. The hill and difficult terrain of Chin Hills stood in
the way of the building of another central township like Khampat. The villages were
scattered so unsystematically that it was not always possible for the various Mizo
clans to keep in touch with one another.

MAUTAM FAMINE:
In 1959, Mizo Hills was devastated by a great famine known in Mizo history as
'Mautam Famine' . The cause of the famine was attributed to flowering of bamboos
which consequent resulted in rat population boom in large numbers. After eating up
bamboos seeds, the rats turned towards crops and infested the huts and houses and
became a plaque to the Villages.

The havoc created by the rats was terrible and very little of the grain was harvested.
For sustenance, many Mizos had to collect roots and leaves from the jungles. Others
moved out to far away places edible roots and leaves from the jungles. Others
moved out to far away places while a considerable number died of starvation.

In his hour of darkness, many welfare organization tried their best to help starving
villagers to facilitate supplies to the remove villages, no organised porters, animal
transport to carry the air-drop food supplies.

Earlier in 1955, Mizo Cultural Society was formed in 1955 and Laldenga was its
Secretary. In March 1960, the name of the Mizo Cultural Society was changed to
'Mautam front' During the famine of 1959-1960, this society took lead in
demanding relief and managed to attract the attention of all sections of the people.
In September 1960, the Society adopted the name of Mizo National Famine Front
(MNFF). The MNFF gained considerable popularity as a large number of Mizo
Youth assisted in transporting rice and other essential commodities to interior
villages.

INSURGENCY:
The Mizo National Famine Front dropped the word 'Famine' and a new political
oraganisation, the Mizo National Front (MNF) was born on 22nd October 1961
under the leadership of Laldenga with the specified goal of achieving sovereign
independence of Greater Mizoram. Large scale disturbances broke out on 28th
February 1966 government installations at Aizawl, Lunglei, Chawngte, Chhimluang
and other places simultaneously.

While the MNF took to violence to secure its goal of establishing a sovereign land,
other political forces in the hills of Assam were striving for a separate state. The
search for a political solution to the problems facing the hill regions in Assam
continued.

The Mizo National Front was outlawed in 1967. The demand for statehood was
gained fresh momentum. A Mizo District Council delegation, which met prime
Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi in May 1971 demanded a full fledge state for the
Mizos. The union government in its own offered the proposal of turning Mizo Hills
into a Union Territory in July 1971. The Mizo leaders were ready to accept the offer
on condition into a Union Territory in July 1971. The Mizo leaders were ready to
accept the offer on condition that the status of U.T would be upgraded to statehood
sooner rather than later. The Union Territory of Mizoram came into being on 21st
January, 1972. Mizoram get two seats in Parliament, one each in the Lok Sabha and
in the Rajya Sabha

BIRTH OF THE MIZORAM STATE:

Rajiv Gandhi's assumption of power following his mother's death signaled the
beginning of a new era in Indian politics. Laldenga met the Prime Minister on 15th
February 1985. Some contentious issues, which could not be resolved, during
previous talks referred to him for his advice.

All trends indicated that neither the Centre nor the MNF would pass up the
opportunity that has now presented itself to have a full lenient and flexible. New
Delhi felt that Mizo problem had been dragging on for the long a time, while the
MNF was convinced that bidding farewell to arms to live as respectable Indian
Citizens was the only ways of achieving peace and development.

Statehood was a prerequisite to the implementing of the accord singed between the
MNF and and the Union Government on 30 June 1986. The document was signed
by Laldenga, on the behalf of MNF, and the Union Home Secretary RD Pradhan on
behalf of the Government, Lalkhama Chief Secretary of Mizoram, too signed the
agreement.
The MNF volunteers came out of their hiding and surrendered arms to makeshift
bamboo huts up for the purpose at Parva and Marpara. A total of 614 activists gave
themselves up in less than two weeks in July. Large quantities of small and big
firearms including LMGs and rifles were received from them.

While the MNF kept its part of the bargain, the Centre initiated efforts to raise the
status of Mizoram to a full fledged State. A constitution Amendment Bill and
another to confer statehood on Mizoram was passes in the Lok Sabha on 5 August
1986.

The formalization of Mizoram State took place on 20th February, 1987.Chief

Secretary Lalkhama read out the proclamation of statehood at a public meeting
organised at Aizawl's Parade Ground. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi flew in to
Aizawl to inaugurate the new state. Hiteshwar Saikia was appointed as Governor of
Mizoram.

PLACE OF INTEREST :
There are quite a number of places in Mizoram which may be described as 'must
see' for tourist sports, anyone wishing to see a little more than the conventional
tourist sports, anyone interests to know about the local culture and traditions is
advised/expected to to do /visit some of the Mizoram's historic memorials and
fabled caves scattered all over the State. Traveling in Mizoram, not unlike in any
other mountainous regions, is pain staking and little hazardous at times, but it has its
own rewards.

Blue Mountain: The Highest peak in Mizoram, The Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) is
situated in Chhimtuipui district overlooking the bend of the river Koldyne
(Chhimtuipui) close on the state's border with Myanmar. The peak 2,157 metre in
height and encircled by bamboo groves at the top where there is a level ground of
about 200 hectares, offers a grand view of the height hills and the meandering
undulated valleys. The woods around are home to various species of beautiful and
rare flora and fauna.

Pukzing Cave: The largest cave in Mizoram, it is situated at Pukzing village near
Marpara in the district of Aizawl district (Mamit). Legend has it that cave was
carved out of the hills with the help of only a hair pin by a very strong man called
Mualzavata

Milu Puk: In the Mizo language, puk means a cave. Situated near Mamte village
over 100 kms, from Lunglei town, the Milu Puk, which is a large cave, was found
many years ago to contain heaps of human skeleton.

Lamsial Puk: Sitiuated near Farkawn village in Aizawl (Champhai) district, the
cave as a silent testimony to a battle between two neighboring villages in which
many lost their lives. The bodies of the fighters from village Lamsial are said to
have been kept in the cave.

Kungawrhi Puk: Another cave in Aizawl district, it is situated on a hill between

Farkawn and Vaphai Villages. According to the folktales, a beautiful young girl by
the name of Kungawrhi was abducted and kept confined in the forlorn cave by some
evil spirits when she was on her way to her husband's village. Kungawrhi, however,
was later rescued by her husband from the prison of the spirits.

Sibuta Lung: Erected about three hundreds years ago by a tribal chief, this
memorial stone is named after him. The memorial offer a story of jilted love and
lust for revenge. Having been rejected by a girl he fell headlong in love with, Sibuta
went mad for revenge and decided to raise a memorial to himself in a manner which
displayed an insane mind. A huge rock awash with the blood of three people
sacrificed by Sibuta was carried over a distance of 10 km from the Tlawng river.
Darlalpuii, a beautiful young girl, was crushed alive in a pit dug to erect the
mausoleum. The memorial was raised over Darlai who lost her life under weight of
the stone.

Phulpui Grave: A tale of love and tragedy also hangs by this grave located at
Phulpui village in Aizawl District. Tualvungi, a raging beauty in her time, was
married to Zawlpala, the Phulpui chief. She was later forced by circumstances to
marry Phuntia, chief of another village. But Tualvungi could not forget her first
love. She came to Phulpui years after Zawlpala's death, hah a pit dug by the side of
his grave and persuaded an old woman to kill and bury there.

Chhingpuii Memorial: Raised to the memory of a young woman called Chhingpuii

who was exceedingly beautiful, it is situated between Baktawng and Chhingchhip
villages on the Aizawl - Lunglei Road. Chhingpuii, born to an aristocratic family,
selected Kaptluanga as her husband from among her many suitors. But her
happiness was short-lived, as a war broke out afterwards. Chhingpuii was abducted
and killed. A grief-stricken Kaptluanga took his own life. The stone memorial
reminds one of the legendary love story of Chhingpuii and Kaptluanga.

Mangkhai Lung: A large memorial stone, it was erected about three hundred years
ago at Champhai to the memory of a well-known Ralte chief, Mangkhaia.

Budha's Image: An engraved image of Lord Buddha, with those of dancing girls
on either side, was found at a site near Mualcheng Village about 50 km from
Lunglei town. The site also has another stone slab on which some human footmarks
and a few implements like spearhead and Dao are engraved. The area is close to the
Chittagong Hill Tracts which was under which the Buddhist influence a few
centuries ago. It is assumed that some visiting Buddhists from the Hill Tracts were
responsible for the Buddha engraving.
Suangpuilawn Inscriptions: A stone slab lie by a stream at Suangpuilawn village
in Aizawl district with strange words inscribed on it. The inscription remain to be
deciphered till date. However, it is believed that the inscription were done by some
people who inhabited the area in ancient times.

Thangliana Lung: Captian T.H.Lewin was one of the first Englishmen to come to
Mizoram. The District Commissioner of the Chittagong Hills Tracts, who entered
Mizoram by way of Demagiri (Tlabung) in 1865, became so popular with the local
tribesmen that as a mark of respect, he was called Thangliana which meant 'greatly
famous'. He lived with the Mizos for nine years and authored the first Lushai book.
His memorial stone at Demagiri remains as evidence of the extent of his popularity
with the Mizos.

Source: Govt of Mizoram