Mizoram State Information

Capital : Aizawl.

Districts :8

Languages: Mizo, English.

Introduction to Mizoram

Mizoram is a state situated on the extreme south of northeastern India, it is a land of

unending natural beauty with a variety of flora and fauna. The word “Mizo” means
highlander. The state of Mizoram is a storehouse of exotic flora and fauna. The hills
here could be seen covered with bamboo and banana trees along with a wonderful
array of pine trees. The forests here also house some of the rare varieties of orchids
that are found only in this region of the country. Under the British administration,
Mizoram was known as Lushai Hills district. In 1954 by an Act of Parliament, the name
was changed to Mizo Hills district. In 1972, when it was made into a union territory, it
was named Mizoram. Mizoram became the 23rd state of the Indian union on February
20,1987

Geography of Mizoram

Mizoram is located between 21-58o to 24o 29' north latitude and 92o 29' to 93o 22' east
longitude. The tropic of Cancer passes near the capital, Aizawl town. Mizoram occupies
the north east corner of India. It is bounded on the north by the state of Assam and the
state of Manipur, on the east and south by Chin Hills and Arakan (Myanmar), and on the
west by the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh and the state of Tripura. Mizoram
borders three states of India - Assam , Manipur and Tripura. Its geographical borders
with Assam, Manipur and Tripura extended over 123 km, 95 km and 66 km,
respectively. Mizoram is a land of hills. The hills run in ridges from north to south. They
have an average height of 900 meters, the highest point being the Blue Mountain (2165
meters).

Brief History of Mizoram

Not much early history recorded of Mizoram. It is believed that the Mizos migrated to
this region hundreds of years ago. The tribal groups of Tibeto-Burmese race inhabited
Mizoram.

During the period 1750-1850 migrations led to settlements in the hills. The tribal groups
were governed under a hereditary chieftainship. The Lushais are the most predominant
tribe besides a few others like Panei, Lakher, Chakma, Riang. During the British period,
Mizoram became a part of the territory of the British India in 1891 though the
administration of the villages was left to the local chieftains.
After independence of India, Mizoram continued to be part of Assam. The district was
carved out of Assam under the reorganization act of 1971 and raised to the status of a
union territory on January 21, 1972. In 1987, Mizoram became the 23rd full-fledged
state of the country.

Government of Mizoram

Pu Zoramthanga, of Mizo National Front, is the Chief Minister of Mizoram.

Districts of Mizoram

Mizoram has 8 districts: Aizwal, Lunglei, Chhimtuipui, Lawngtlai, Mamit, Kolasib,

Serchhip and Champhai

Economy of Mizoram

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of the state. The jhum (shifting) cultivation of
the state produces a number of varieties of agricultural products ranging from paddy to
pineapples. The principal crop is paddy and others are maize, cucumber, beans, arum,
ginger, mustard, sesame, cotton etc. After clearing the burnt jhum, seeds for crops other
than paddy are sown. Towards the end of April near the full moon time, paddy is sown.
Mainly two types of paddy seeds are sown in the same field - early paddy and principal
paddy. Yield of early paddy is rather poor but it ripens early and provides sustenance till
the principal paddy is harvested.

Mizoram is not a highly industrialized state. The traditional industries of weavers and
blacksmiths played an important role but most of their products are for home
consumption and very little come to the market. Mizoram has plenty of raw materials for
industry mostly from forest, agriculture and horticulture. Some ginger and fruit
processing plants have come up in the state. A State Government undertaking -
Mizoram Food and Allied Industries Corporation has been set up to develop, industries
based on agro-horticultural products. Apart from the ginger, maize and fruit juice plants,
there is potential for setting up different industrial projects based on locally produced
fruits, tea, coffee, chillies, oilseeds, sugar cane, meat, milk, etc. The local crafts
including Mizo hats, side bags, floor rugs, aprons, cane works and Mizo shawls have
become very popular all over India. The tourism industry is also picking up well in
Mizoram.

Mizoram Travel Information

Mizoram has many destinations to visit---- Phawngpui, Sibuta Lung, Phulpui Grave,
Memorial of Chhingpui, Pangzawal, Mangkahia Lung, Tomb of Vanhimailian,
Tualchang, Eastern Villages, Lungvandawt, Khawnglung Run, Buddha's Image,
Thangliana Lung, Suangpuilawn, Thansiama Sena Neihna, Aizawl, Caves and Lakes.
The Museum and Mini Zoological Garden at Aizawl, Bung (a picnic spot), and Paikhai
are worth a visit. Besides this, the Tamdil natural lake (located 60 km away from
Aizawl), the Vantawng falls (137 km from Aizawl) and Champai (204 km from Aizawl)
are some other tourist sites of the state. Mizoram has a number of places which are of
historical interest and are associated with folklore, legends and stories which are
passed on from generation to generation.

Rivers of Mizoram

There are number of rivers in Mizoram. The important rivers in the northern part of the
state are the Tlawng (Dhaleshwari), the Tuirial (Sonai), and the Tuivwal, which flow
northwards and fall in the Barak river in Cachar district in Assam. These three rivers,
particularly the Dhaleshwari, are navigable for considerable stretches. In the southern
part of the state the Chhimtuipui (Kolodyne) is an important river having four tributaries-
the Mat, the Tuichang, the Tyao and the Tuipui.

Education of Mizoram

The British first introduced education in the form of reading and writing in the area. The
initiative in spreading education was taken by the Christian missionaries. The first
school in Mizoram was started by the missionaries in Aizawl in 1897. Spread of
education in Mizoram was adversely affected by the migratory habits of the Lushais.

The Government's attention to education increased significantly after independence.

Earlier the efforts were mainly to increase primary education. Quite a number of primary
schools were gradually upgraded to middle and high school level. The number of
educational institutions is keeping pace with the thirst of the Mizos for formal education.
The state also have different training cum production centers and cover courses such
as silk spinning and weaving, cotton spinning and weaving, soap making, oil extraction,
carpentry, cane and bamboo works etc.

Food of Mizoram

The food of the state differs from the rest of the country. People here are mostly non-
vegetarian and prefer to eat meat. Moreover, the usual meal is not so spicy but plain in
taste retaining the nutritious value of the food. The locally made wine is a favorite of all.

Arts & Culture of Mizoram

Mizo art and craft items are worth treasuring. Mizo women are born weavers and the
intricate designs created by them are a treat to the eyes. The choice of bright colors in
everything is a unique feature of Mizo art and crafts. The exclusive cane and bamboo
furniture of Mizoram is marked by innovative designs.

The native people of the state are called Mizos, meaning the highlanders. They are of
Mongolian origin, believed to have migrated from northwestern China. With the passage
of time, a number of people with their own culture and tradition and belonging to diverse
ethnicity have made this state their home. The music and dance of Mizoram differs from
community to community. The most popular of the dances is the Cheaw Dance,
performed on bamboo checks and requires a very smooth rhythm between the dancers
and the instrumentalists.

Festivals of Mizoram

There are three main festivals in a year. Festivals are called Kut in Mizo language. The
three Kuts are Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut. All the three festivals are
connected with agricultural activities. The festivals are celebrated with feasts and
dances.

Costumes of Mizoram

The attire of the people here is unique. In the case of women, the upper portion of their
body is covered with fine woven cloth in the form of a shirt or blouse and the lower
portion is covered by a finely woven and intricately designed sarong. The sarongs
sometimes are very heavy due to the design work on its borders. The men generally
wear a colorful shirt and a wraparound piece of cloth around their waist similar to a
dhoti.