Mizoram

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.

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.