60-528: Aizawl district is one of the eleven districts of Mizoram state in India . The district has 5 R.D. Blocks, Aibawk, Darlawn, Phullen , Thingsulthliah and Tlangnuam. The district has 14 legislative assembly constituencies. These are Tuivawl , Chalfilh , Tawi , Aizawl North 1 , Aizawl North 2 , Aizawl North 3 , Aizawl East 1 , Aizawl East 2 , Aizawl West 1 , Aizawl West 2 , Aizawl West 3 , Aizawl South 1 , Aizawl South 2 and Aizawl South 3 . According to
120-515: A literacy rate of 98.5%. 23°44′00″N 92°43′00″E / 23.7333°N 92.7167°E / 23.7333; 92.7167 This article related to a location in the Indian state of Mizoram is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mizoram Mizoram is a landlocked state in northeastern India , with Aizawl as its capital and largest city. It covers an area of 21,087 square kilometres (8,139 sq mi) which 91% of
180-517: A 22.8% growth since 2001 census; still, Mizoram is second least populated state of India . The sex ratio of the state is 976 females per thousand males, higher than the national ratio 940. The density of population is 52 persons per square kilometre. The literacy rate of Mizoram in 2011 was 91.58 per cent, higher than the national average 74.04 per cent, and second best among all the states of India. About 52% of Mizoram population lives in urban areas, much higher than India's average. Over one third of
240-645: A body formed for famine relief in 1959, later developed into a new political organisation, the Mizo National Front (MNF), in 1961. On 28 February 1966, the Mizo National Front launched an uprising in Aizawl to declare independence from India. The Indian government retaliated with coordinated air bombings in the only instance to happen on Indian soil on 5–6 March on Aizawl and subdued the uprising. The Mizo National Front turned to underground operations within
300-607: A form of subsistence agriculture . The chiefs were the absolute rulers of their respective clans' territories ( ram ), although they remained under the nominal political jurisdictions of the rulers of Manipur, Tripura and Burma. Prior to 1889, the year that the British Raj gained political control over Mizoram through the Chin-Lushai Expedition , there were many reports of head-hunting in the Mizoram area via tribal raids led by
360-433: A preferential treatment as a means to accelerate their integration with mainstream society. Languages of Mizoram in 2011 Mizo and English are the official languages of the state. Religion in Mizoram (2011) The majority (87%) of Mizos are Christians in various denominations, predominantly Presbyterian . Mizoram has a significant Theravada Buddhist population of 8.5%, who are mainly Chakma people , making them
420-412: A region where cyclones and landslides can cause weather-related emergencies. Mizoram has the third highest total forest cover with 1,594,000 hectares (3,940,000 acres), and highest percentage area (90.68%) covered by forests, among the states of India, according to 2011 Forest Survey of India. Tropical semi-evergreen, tropical moist deciduous, subtropical broadleaved hill and subtropical pine forests are
480-866: Is Khonu Msung , or Mount Victoria, in southern Chin State, which reaches 3,053 metres (10,016 ft). The Chin Hills–Arakan Yoma montane forests ecoregion has diverse forests with pine , camellia and teak . Falam is the largest town in the Chin Hills, lying at their southern edge. The Chin Hills are the eastern part of the Patkai Range , which includes the Lushai Hills and runs through Nagaland in India, as well as part of Burma. The Lushai Hills are frequently discussed with
540-563: Is Chhimtuipui, also known as Kaladan (or Kolodyne). It originates in Chin state in Burma and passes through Saiha and Lawngtlai districts in the southern tip of Mizoram, goes back to Burma's Rakhine state. Although many more rivers and streams drain the hill ranges, the most important and useful rivers are the Tlawng , Tut , Tuirial and Tuivawl which flow through the northern territory and eventually join
600-477: Is also home to many reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The state has two national parks and six wildlife sanctuaries – Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) National Park, Dampa Tiger Reserve (largest), Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Murlen National Park, Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary. Mizoram has a population of 1,091,014 with 552,339 males and 538,675 females. This reflects
660-714: Is also host to a variety of fauna, just like its sister northeastern Indian states. Mammal species observed in the Mizoram forests include slow loris ( Nycticebus coucang ), red serow ( Capricornis rubidus ), which is the state animal, goral ( Nemorhaedus goral ), tiger ( Panthera tigris ), leopard ( Panthera pardus ), clouded leopard ("Neofelis nebulosi"), leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ), Bengal fox ( Vulpes bengalensis ), and Asiatic black bear ( Ursus thibetanus ). Primates seen include stump-tailed macaque ( Macaca arctoides ), hoolock gibbon ( Hylobates hoolock ), Phayre's leaf monkey ( Trachypithecus phayrei ) and capped langur ( Trachypithecus pileatus ). The state
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#1733092366771720-420: Is covered by forests. Jhum cultivation, or slash-and-burn practice, was a historic tradition in Mizoram and a threat to its forest cover. This practice has reduced in recent decades, due to a government-supported initiative to support horticultural crops such as pineapple and banana plantations. Mizoram is host to numerous species of birds, wildlife and flora. About 640 species of birds have been identified in
780-452: Is influenced by monsoons , raining heavily from May to September with little rain in the dry (cold) season. The climate pattern is moist tropical to moist sub-tropical, with average state rainfall 254 centimetres (100 in) per annum. In the capital Aizawl, rainfall is about 215 centimetres (85 in) and in Lunglei , another major centre, about 350 centimetres (140 in). The state is in
840-448: Is the fifth smallest state of India with 21,087 km (8,142 sq mi). It extends from 21°56'N to 24°31'N, and 92°16'E to 93°26'E. The tropic of cancer runs through the state nearly at its middle. The maximum north–south distance is 285 km, while maximum east–west stretch is 115 km. Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. As many as 21 major hill ranges or peaks of different heights run through
900-409: The 2011 census Aizawl district has a population of 400,309, roughly equal to the nation of Brunei . This gives it a ranking of 557th in India (out of a total of 640 ). The district has a population density of 113 inhabitants per square kilometre (290/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 24.07%. Aizawl has a sex ratio of 1009 females for every 1000 males, and
960-518: The Barak River in Cachar District . The rivers have a gentle drainage gradient particularly in the south. Mizoram has a mild climate, being relatively cool in summer 20 to 29 °C (68 to 84 °F) but progressively warmer, most probably due to climate change, with summer temperatures crossing 30 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures ranging from 7 to 22 °C (45 to 72 °F). The region
1020-506: The Deputy Commissioner and District magistrates , with village chiefs in advisory role. The political and judiciary powers of chiefs were neither final nor exclusive, thereafter. Rulings could be appealed to courts staffed with British officials. After India gained independence from the colonial rule, the region was granted autonomous status in 1952, where Mizo people formulated their own laws and delivered judicial decisions. The region
1080-619: The First British invasion , burning down a Lusei village of 800 tribal houses and freeing 400 Thadou captives. British historical records on the Mizo Hills state that similar inter-ethnic tribal raids continued for decades after the First British Invasion. Such raids would be for the purpose of seeking out loot, slaves or retaliation for earlier lost battles. The Mizo Hills became part of British India in 1889 split between Assam in
1140-558: The Mizo people forming the majority. Early civilisations in Mizoram are believed to have thrived around 2,400 years ago, with significant archaeological evidence uncovered in the Vangchhia region. Following this, Tibeto-Burman-speaking peoples gradually migrated from the Chin Hills in present-day Myanmar. These groups formed organised chiefdoms and adopted jhum agricultural practices . By
1200-528: The grassroots of democracy and leadership in Mizoram. The state has a chief minister, council of ministers with a portfolio of ministries responsible for different priorities and role of the government. Chin Hills The Chin Hills are a range of mountains in Chin State , northwestern Burma (Myanmar) , that extends northward into India 's Manipur state. The highest peak in the Chin Hills
1260-627: The 18th century, various clans in the region united to form the Mizo identity, becoming the dominant inhabitants of the area, introducing the Mizo language , culture , and the Sakhua religion . In the mid-19th century, the British conducted a series of military expeditions to assert control over the region, Mizoram was annexed by the British in 1895 and incorporated into the Assam Province . Under British rule,
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#17330923667711320-531: The 1959–60 mautam famine. The Mizo National Famine Front, a body formed for famine relief in 1959, later developed into a new political organisation, the Mizo National Front (MNF) in 1961. The Front sought sovereign independence for the Mizo territory, staging an armed insurrection with the 28 February 1966 uprising against the government. The revolt was suppressed by the government of India, which carried out airstrikes in Aizawl and surrounding areas. Assam state
1380-558: The 2001 census) and a modernised traditional Mizo religion called Hnam sakhua , which places a special emphasis on Mizo culture and seeks to revive traditional Mizo values while opposing the influence of Christianity on Mizo people. A total of 1,367 people practised the Mizo religion according to the 2001 census. This number included, in addition to the original Mizo religion (755 people), adherents of other tribal religions such as Lalchhungkua (279), Lalhnam (122), and Nunna Lalchhungkua (211). Originally village land, locally called ram ,
1440-713: The British Empire, the number of tribal chiefs had increased to over 200. The educated elites among the Mizos campaigned against the tribal chiefdoms under the banner of the Mizo Union . As a result of their campaign, the hereditary rights of the 259 chiefs were abolished under the Assam-Lushai District ("Acquisition of Chief's Rights") Act, 1954. Village courts were re-implemented in the Mizo region along with other parts of Assam. Few Christian missionaries came to Mizoram during
1500-449: The British colonial times. Thousands of their descendants are now residents of Mizoram. According to 2011 census, Mizoram had 1,036,115 people (nearly 95% of total) classified as Scheduled Tribe , the highest concentration of protected tribal people in all states of India. This demographic classification, given to Mizoram tribes since the 1950s, has provided reservations and extra resources in education and government job opportunities,
1560-614: The Burman on the plains of the Myittha and Chindwin rivers, as well as each other. In 1888, the British began a military campaign to end these raids which resulted in pacification of the province by 1896, and it was administratively added to Burma as a special division. In the Second World War the hills formed a point of armed conflict between Japanese forces and a combined British and Indian force. This Chin State location article
1620-508: The Chin Hills as the topography, people's culture and history are similar. The southern prolongation of the Chin Hills is the Arakan Range (Arakan Yoma) , stretching as well from north to south. Historically the area of the range has been populated by the Chin people who like their neighbours to the west are a Laimi people . In addition to subsistence agriculture the Chin raided the villages of
1680-535: The District Council in Assam. The tribal leaders in the northeast were unhappy with the final SRC recommendations and met in Aizawl in 1955 to form a new political party, Eastern India Tribal Union (EITU) . In the 1950s, the fears of Assamese hegemony and perceived lack of government concern led to growing discontent among the Mizos. The Mizos were particularly dissatisfied with the government's inadequate response to
1740-573: The Mizo Hills with his troops to punish a Palian tribal chief for raiding British interests in India. A few years later, Captain Lester was wounded in a battle with the Lusei tribe in the region that is now Mizoram. In 1849, a Lusei tribal raid killed 29 members of the Thadou tribe and added 42 captives to their clan. Colonel Lister retaliated in 1850, with the co-operation of the Thadou tribe, an event historically called
1800-543: The Mizos" or "Mizo land". The origin of the Mizos , like those of many other tribes in the northeastern India, is shrouded in mystery. The people living in the Mizo Hills were generally referred to as the Cucis or Kukis by their neighbouring ethnic groups which was also a term adopted by the British writers. The claim that 'The Kukis are the earliest known residents of the Mizo hills area,' must be read in this light. The majority of
1860-578: The North and Bengal in the South. Practices such as head-hunting were banned in Mizoram as well as neighbouring regions. The northern and southern Mizo Hills became the Lushai Hills, with Aizawl as their headquarters by declaring the whole area as an "excluded area" till India got independence from the British. At the time of the British conquest, there were around 60 chiefs. By the time India gained independence from
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1920-584: The Surma Group and Tipam Formation such as sandstone, siltstone, mudstone and rare pockets of shell limestone. The eastern part is the Barail Group. Mizoram lies in seismic zone V , according to the India Meteorological Department; as with other northeastern states of India, this means the state has the highest risk of earthquakes relative to other parts of India. The biggest river in Mizoram
1980-631: The Welsh missionary David Evan Jones starting in 1894. By the time India gained independence from British Empire , some 80% of Lushei tribe people had converted to Christianity . The Mizoram Presbyterian Church is one of the constituted bodies of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of India at Shillong in Meghalaya ; it became the dominant Christian group in north Mizoram hills. In
2040-411: The area is covered by forests, making it the most heavily forested state in India . With an estimated population of 1.25 million in 2023, it is the second least populated state in India . With an urbanisation rate of 51.5% it is the most urbanised state in northeast India , ranking fifth in urbanisation nationwide. It shares 722-kilometre (449 mi) of international borders with Bangladesh to
2100-449: The colonial period knowing that the rural hill population was busy fighting among different tribes. The missionaries propagated Christianity with the support of the British government. As a result, majority of the population converted to Christianity and changed their faiths without any resistance. The Mizos were particularly dissatisfied with the government's inadequate response to the 1959–60 mautam famine. The Mizo National Famine Front,
2160-537: The forested regions of Mizoram and utilised towns and villages as logistic points and other guerrilla operations. This led to the army to pursue displacement policies in which villages were grouped and moved close to highways. The insurgency would continue to operate at lower levels until the signing of the Mizo Accord in 1986. In 1971, the government agreed to convert Mizo District into a Union Territory, which became Mizoram in 1972. In 1986, Mizoram Peace Accord (1986)
2220-632: The highest forest cover as a percentage of its geographical area of any Indian state, being 84.53% forest. Mizoram terrain is, according to the Geological Survey of India, an immature topography, and the physiographic expression consists of several almost north–south longitudinal valleys containing series of small and flat hummocks, mostly anticlinal, parallel to sub-parallel hill ranges and narrow adjoining synclinal valleys with series of topographic highs. The general geology of western Mizoram consists of repetitive succession of Neogene sedimentary rocks of
2280-541: The historical immigration patterns. Different tribes and sub-tribes arrived in the present Mizoram, in successive waves and settled down in different parts of the state. Further, as they arrived, there were raids, fear of raids and intertribal feuds. The resulting isolation and separation created numerous tribes and sub-tribes. Other than tribal groups, other ethnic groups inhabit Mizoram including Bengalis and Nepalis . Nepali Gorkhas , for example, were encouraged to settle in Aizawl area and other parts of Mizoram during
2340-693: The inhabitants of the interior and inaccessible mountain tracts. Sometimes grouped as Kuki-Chin tribes, The First batch were called Old Kukis, which are the Biate , Ranglong and the Hrangkhol , and the second batch that followed include Lushei (or Lusei), Paite , Lai , Mara , Ralte , Hmar , Thadou , Shendus, and several other. The Bru ( Reang ), Chakma , Tanchangya are some non-Kuki tribes of Mizoram, with some suggestion that some of these are Indo-Aryan in their origins. The Bnei Menashe tribe claim Jewish descent. The diversity of tribal groups reflects
2400-647: The introduction of administrative reforms and the spread of Christianity significantly impacted Mizo society. After India gained independence in 1947, Mizoram remained part of Assam as the Lushai Hills District . After the Assamese Government 's negligence of the Mizos during the famine , insurgency was led by the Mizo National Front in the 1960s which culminated in the signing of the Mizoram Peace Accord in 1986. On 20 February 1987, Mizoram
2460-469: The largest religious minority in the region, followed by Hindus at 2.7% according to the 2011 census. There are several thousand people, mostly ethnic Mizo, who have converted to Judaism claiming to be one of the lost Judaic tribe group Bnei Menashe , with descent from the biblical Menasseh . The major Christian denomination is the Mizoram Presbyterian Church , which was established by
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2520-460: The length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and there. The average height of the hills to the west of the state is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). These gradually rise up to 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) to the east. Some areas, however, have higher ranges which go up to a height of over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). Phawngpui Tlang also known as the Blue Mountain, situated in
2580-529: The most common vegetation types found in Mizoram. Bamboo is common in the state, typically intermixed with other forest vegetation; about 9,245 km (44%) of the state's area is bamboo bearing. The state and central governments of India have cooperated to reserve and protect 67% of the land covered by forests, and additional 15% by management. Only 17% of the land is non-forested area for cultivation, industry, mining, housing and other commercial human activity. Satellite data suggests 91% of state's geographical area
2640-531: The population of Mizoram lives in Aizawl district , which hosts the capital. The great majority of Mizoram's population consists of several ethnic tribes who are either culturally or linguistically linked. These ethnic groups are collectively known as Mizos ( Mi means People, Zo meaning the name of a progenitor; Mizo thus is People of Zo origin ). Sometime in the 16th century CE, the first batch of Mizo crossed Tiau River and settled in Mizoram and they were called as Kukis by Bengalis . The term Kuki mean
2700-434: The poverty line, with 35% rural poverty as of 2014. The state has about 871 kilometres of national highways, with NH–54 and NH–150 connecting it to Assam and Manipur respectively. It is also a growing transit point for trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh. The term Mizoram is derived from two Mizo words: Mizo and ram . 'Mizo' is the endonym of the native inhabitants and 'ram' means 'land'. Thus "Mizoram" means "land of
2760-483: The southeastern part of the state, is the highest peak in Mizoram at 2,210 metres (7,250 ft). About 76% of the state is covered by forests, 8% is fallows land, 3% is barren and considered uncultivable area, while cultivable and sown area constitutes the rest. Slash-and-burn or jhum cultivation, though discouraged, remains in practice in Mizoram and affects its topography. A report by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2021 states that Mizoram has
2820-483: The southern hills of Mizoram, the Baptist Church had the dominant following. According to 2011 census report, there are 93,411 people (8.51%) who follow Buddhism in Mizoram. The Chakmas and Tanchangya have been Buddhist for many centuries According to the 2011 census, there were 30,136 Hindus in Mizoram or about 2.75% of the population. There are also a few Mizos who practice Judaism (866 according to
2880-1074: The state, many of which are endemic to the Himalayan foothills and southeast Asia. Of the birds found in Mizoram forests, 27 are on the worldwide threatened species lists and eight are on the critically endangered list. Prominent birds spotted in Mizoram include those from the families of Phasianidae , Anatidae , Ciconiidae , Threskiornithidae , Ardeidae , Pelecanidae , Phalacrocoracidae , Falconidae , Accipitridae , Otididae , Rallidae , Heliornithidae , Turnicidae , Burhinidae , Charadriidae , Scolopacidae , Jacanidae , Laridae , Columbidae , Psittacidae , Cuculidae , Strigidae , Caprimulgidae , Apodidae , Alcedinidae , Meropidae , Bucerotidae , Ramphastidae , Picidae , Pittidae , Laniidae , Campephagidae , Dicruridae , Corvidae , Paridae , Hirundinidae , Cisticolidae , Pycnonotidae , Sylviidae , Timaliidae , Sittidae , Sturnidae , Turdidae , Dicaedae, Chloropseidae , Ploceidae , Motacillidae , Fringillidae , Nectariniidae and Muscicapidae . The state
2940-457: The state. Mizoram is a highly literate agrarian economy . Slash-and-burn farming, also known as jhum , is the most common form of farming in the state. In recent years, the jhum farming practices have been steadily replaced with a significant horticulture and bamboo products industry. The state's gross state domestic product for 2012 was estimated at ₹ 69.91 billion (US$ 840 million). About 20% of Mizoram's population lives below
3000-567: The state. Mizoram's population is predominantly made up of Mizo or Zo tribes, comprising about 83.4% of the state's population, with other significant communities including the Chakma (8.5%) and Tripuri (3%). Due to the prolonged civil conflict in Myanmar , Mizoram has also seen an influx of Burmese communities , especially from the Chin ethnic group, which have sought refuge in the region, with an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Burmese refugees residing in
3060-475: The tribes classified as "Mizo" today most likely migrated to their present territories from the neighbouring countries in several waves, starting around 1500 CE. Before the British Raj , the various Mizo clans lived in autonomous villages. The tribal chiefs enjoyed an eminent position in the gerontocratic Mizo society. The various clans and subclans practised slash-and-burn, locally called jhum cultivation -
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#17330923667713120-481: The village chieftains. Head-hunting was a practice which often involved the ambushing of a rival tribe, the taking of slaves and the cutting off of the heads of the defenders. These heads would sometimes be displayed at the entrances to the tribal village of the victors. Some of the earliest records of raids and intertribal conflicts are from the early 19th century. In the 1840s, Captain Blackwood of Britain marched into
3180-473: The west, and Myanmar to the east and south, with domestic borders with the Indian states of Assam , Manipur , and Tripura . One of the two official languages and most widely spoken tongue is Mizo , which serves as a lingua franca among various ethnic communities who speak a variety of other Tibeto-Burman or Indo-Aryan languages . Mizoram is home to the highest percentage of scheduled tribes in India, with
3240-507: Was administered as the Lushai Hills district of Assam , while southern Mizoram was part of Bengal . In 1898, the southern part was transferred from Bengal to Assam. The colonial power retained the chiefs and Mizo customs, including the socially stratified hereditary transfer of political power. In 1937, under Section 6 of the Scheduled District Act, the British administration consolidated executive and legislative political power to
3300-1002: Was agreed between the Government and the MNF. In 1986, the Indian Parliament adopted the 53rd amendment of the Indian Constitution, which allowed for the creation of the State of Mizoram on 20 February 1987, as India's 23rd state. Mizoram was given two seats in the Parliament , one each in the Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha . Mizoram is a landlocked state in North East India whose southern part shares 722 kilometres long international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and northern part share domestic borders with Manipur, Assam and Tripura. It
3360-412: Was granted full statehood, becoming the 23rd state of India. Mizoram is predominantly Christian , with about 87% of the population practicing Christianity , mainly Protestant denominations such as Presbyterian and Baptist . It is one of the three states of India with a Christian majority (87%). Other religions such as Buddhism (8.51%), Hinduism (2.75%), and Islam (1.35%) are also practised in
3420-479: Was held on 16 February 1987. Elections have been held at 5-year intervals since then. Elections were held for 40 seats of legislative assembly on 28 November 2018. The voter turnout was 80%. The Mizo National Front led by Zoramthanga was elected to power. Kambhampati Hari Babu is the governor of Mizoram since November 2021. The Mizoram State Legislative Assembly has 40 seats and the Village Councils are
3480-722: Was renamed as Mizo District within Assam State in April 1954 and in that year, the institution of hereditary chieftainship was abolished, and instead village courts/council were set up. The representatives of the Lushai Hills Autonomous District Council and the Mizo Union pleaded with the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) to integrate the Mizo-dominated areas of Tripura and Manipur with
3540-455: Was split, re-organised into multiple political regions, Mizo hills area was declared Mizoram after the insurgency, and it received status as a Union Territory in 1972. A Peace Accord was signed between central government and insurgent groups of Mizoram on 30 June 1986. Per the accord, insurgents surrendered their arms and Mizoram became the 23rd state of India in 1986, formalised the following year. The first election of Mizoram Legislative Assembly
3600-469: Was the property of the tribal chief. The institution of chieftainship began in the 16th century. Each village behaved like a small state, and the chief was called Lal . The rule was hereditary, and there were no written laws (the first script for Mizo language was developed by Christian Missionaries Lorraine and Savidge about 1895). After annexation by the British in the 1890s, the northern part of Mizoram
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