112-450: The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram , India. Chapchar Kut is estimated to have started in 1450–1700 A.D. in a village called Suaipui. The festival apparently originated when the hunters came back to the village empty handed, to make up for the disappointment, the Village chief proposed an impromptu feast with rice beer and meat. Since then, every year the festival had been repeated by
224-517: 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
336-585: A Vakiria. Chai dance has its origins in this festival. Today, the festival is observed in the last part of February or the early part of March when the trees and bamboos felled for jhum are left to dry and the shifting cultivators have time to relax and enjoy. The Main activities which are done during the Chapchar Kut are: 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
448-645: 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
560-665: A convenient meeting place for all chief circles. It would last seven to ten days and, in an advisory capacity, make decisions offered to the superintendent. In April 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army had occupied much of Colony of Burma and pushed the British back into the Northeastern Regions of India. Superintendent of the Lushai Hills, Major Anthony Gilchrist McCall, brought 300 tribal chiefs and asked them to join in
672-607: 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
784-451: A guarantee of full market price if a second replacement rug of high quality could be submitted. The Imperial Tobacco Company assisted with the enterprise of cotton industries under the resident manager in India, R.G Baker who offered to accept first grade rugs as gifts in the coupon system of the company. This eased the trouble of marketability and exportation in the hilly and rugged terrain of
896-424: A joint organizer and managing director of the venture to cultivate craftsmanship and broader market opportunities to export loom products. The British policy of diminishing chieftain power by granting chieftain rights to collaborators and other individuals increased the number of chiefs from 60 to 400 in the 1890s to the 1930s. The large number of chiefs required a system of coordination and consultation. This led to
1008-433: 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
1120-476: A railway to transport rice aid, and the lack of markets in the Lushai Hills meant access to rice would take a journey of a few days, provided one could afford to do so. The British government in the Lushai Hills employed two policies to combat the onset of the Mautam famine. The first policy aimed at reducing the invasive rat population by announcing incentives for killing rats. Up to 179,015 rat tails were produced for
1232-631: A reduction of resistance among the tribes. This achievement was partly attributed to the efforts of missionaries. The mautam famine struck the Lushai Hills in 1911, which was approximately 30 years after the previous mautam famine in 1882. The harvests of 1909-1910 were exceptional due to well-distributed rainfall and benefitted Aizawl the most. However, in 1911, the Bamboo flowered, and rats began to proliferate in population as early as March. By June 1912, crops such as maize and millet were destroyed by rats shortly before ripening. The lack of infrastructure, such as
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#17328769582361344-412: 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
1456-498: A reputation as a pioneer instead of an ordinary infantry unit. Within the span of a few years, Loch had removed the improvised structures and abandoned village remnants into a station of well-constructed stone houses with corrugated iron roofs, proper doors and windows. The North Lushai Hills and the South Lushai Hills were merged in 1898. The Northern administration absorbed the South Lushai Hills, and its South Lushai Battalion
1568-423: A safeguard against the failure of rice crops. A cottage industries Organisation was financed privately by the district officer and his wife, who was personally versed in textiles. The decision to privately finance the cotton industry in the Lushai Hills stemmed from the central government's reluctance to invest in a venture and a need to curb Christian revivalism growing in communities. In the months of leisure in
1680-406: A sizeable population of Mizos and their ethnic cousins. Chapchar Kut used to be celebrated to thank the gods for saving the people from harm during the clearing of forest on hill slopes for jhum cultivation at the beginning of a year. The festival used to be observed with a lot of drinking and eating. On the first night the young men and women would dance all night. The women would come dressed wearing
1792-683: A voluntary bond with the British Crown and to sign a promise to join in a "Total Defence Scheme" (TDS) of the area. McCall was recalled under protest by the Governor of Assam Andrew Clow in May 1943, his position being transferred to Shillong instead. However, in his absence, the Total Defence Scheme was held throughout the war. McCall argued that without loyalty to the British, the TDS would collapse and that
1904-563: 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
2016-477: 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
2128-714: 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
2240-420: 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
2352-452: 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
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#17328769582362464-448: 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
2576-518: 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
2688-488: The Chin-Lushai Expedition establish the territories under British sovereignty. The outcome of the Chin-Lushai Expedition saw the region subdivided into two sections. The North Lushai hills were administered by a political officer stationed at Fort Aijal under the Assam Government . The South Lushai Hills were under the administration of a political officer stationed at Fort Treager. This political officer reported to
2800-506: 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
2912-619: 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
3024-825: The Mizo District with the political efforts of the Mizo Union in the Lushai Hills District (Change of Name) Act, 1954. The Lushai people and the British colonial area started to engage in war in September 1826. About ten miles south of Tlawng river , traveled a Mizo village leader named Buangtheuva (known to the British as "Bungteya") and his troops, who then invaded the Sylhet forest's timber. In addition to taking some slaves home, they slaughtered an unknown number of people. Thus,
3136-558: 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
3248-484: 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. British rule in the Lushai Hills British rule in the Lushai Hills , spanning from the late 1889 to the 1947, commenced with the Chin-Lushai Expedition of 1889-90 leading to the formal establishment of
3360-577: 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,
3472-514: The 1901 census recorded 45 Christians amid a population of 82,000, and only five were baptized church members. The traditional Mizo tribes possessed talent in Mizo handicraft in cotton weaving. While the Bengal Home Industries Association of Calcutta attempted to leverage this talent, no agreement was reached. The District Officer took the initiative in commercializing and educating Mizo labourers in cotton production skills as
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3584-531: 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
3696-558: 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 ,
3808-661: 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
3920-524: The British came to perceive the Lushais (then known as Looshais ) as a vicious and barbaric tribe as a result of this event. After the annexation of Cachar in 1832, the British became close in proximity to several Kuki tribes and clans. Reports of the time show a friendly relationship between Lushai and Cacharis, who pursued trade and other exchanges. However, the individual choices of select chiefs, such as Lalsuthlaha, to raid villages deteriorated relations. It
4032-449: 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,
4144-436: The British to guarantee boundaries of their dominion and assure security of their subjects and possessions. As the border was too informal with the chiefdoms, the British declared a unilateral declaration with the inner line. One of the objectives of this regulation is to prevent the holding of land and assimilation of their culture and tradition beyond this inner line by 'strangers'. The Inner Line has, for this reason, protected
4256-535: 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
4368-557: The Japanese. The Lushai tribesmen were trained by Australian military personnel, such as Colonel Percival Augustus Parsons, in guerilla warfare. The scheme was successful as the Japanese retreated from the borderlands of India in late 1944. On 11 January 1894, the first missionaries entered the Lushai Hills, known as James H. Lorrain and Frederick W. Savidge. It took both missionaries five years to baptise their first two converts. The meagre gain from their efforts convinced Robert Arthington ,
4480-695: The Labour Corps personnel were made under one-year contracts, which timed out before the end of the war. Attempts to extend the term of contractual obligations were unsuccessful and led to many returning home. In the end, 2029 men of the original 2,100 returned. Deaths were attributed to the novelty of a sea journey to mainland Europe, disease, casualties from bombings and grenades in the course of labour work and ammunition handling. Lushai Labour Corps personnel were also active in Arras for demolition work, even deployed to regions such as Mesopotamia , Greece , Lucknow and
4592-546: The Lushai Hills district. It was derived initially after the Lushai Expedition under section 2 of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873. It was an attempt to exercise political control over the Lushai Hills and chiefdoms. The rationale was to prevent traders, merchants, farmers and subjects from crossing into Lushai territory and deteriorating relations with the chiefdoms. This would also allow for
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4704-643: The Lushai Hills from commercial exploitation of land and forest resources from merchants, traders and other tribes. Superintendent McCall was the administrator of the Lushai Hills district from 1933 to 1943. His administration saw four major innovations in the Lushai Hills. These were the Ten Point Code, the Welfare System under the aegis of the Red Cross, the Lushai Hills Cottage Industries and
4816-498: The Lushai Hills had proposals of amalgamating the Zo-Kuki tribes into a single administrative unit rather than maintaining a division between Chin Hills and (North and South) Lushai Hills. The conference was held at Fort Williams, Calcutta on the 25–29 January 1892. It was under the presidency of Charles Alfred Elliott who was the governor of Bengal. Five resolutions were adopted as a result of
4928-505: The Lushai Hills would not resist Japanese occupation if the British military were to retreat as they did in British Malaya , Singapore and Colony of Brunei . The Total Defence Scheme involved guerilla warfare , strategic abandonment of villages, scorched earth tactics with denial of food and water, booby traps , destruction of bridges and exclusive information supplied to British authorities. McCall explicitly states to Chiefs to arm
5040-412: The Lushai Hills. Dokhuma Sailo moved his village to Tripura, and Hrangvunga Sailo also moved 200 families under him out of the territory to Tripura. Famine relief also saw missionaries and the early church volunteering to distribute aid and food relief from stockade depots. Missionaries would also help sign loan papers as guarantors so individuals could receive the rice aid. The fallout of the famine saw
5152-490: The Lushai Hills. The saleability of rugs increased from 20% and began to compete with substandard rugs in the broader market. The product was now considered higher quality under hand spun cotton, tightly stuffed and bound by the woof. Lushai craftsmen in cotton industries were being sent to Calcutta to Dr. Boege, a general manager of a trading company, for training in synthetic saying. The growing industry prompted Governor of Assam Robert Reid and his spouse to become patrons with
5264-634: The Lushai tribes.By 1900, there were three government schools and one mission school. These schools operated with the Lushai language and taught arithmetic, Hindi and English. 45 villages out of 93 in Aizawl had the light of literacy with British support. Initial intentions for education was to instruct in Bengali but this proposal was deflected by Welsh missionaries who saw the parallels of Bengali imposition in Lushai Hills to English imposition in Wales. Medical infrastructure
5376-573: 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
5488-543: 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
5600-523: 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
5712-549: The Ottoman vilayet of Basra . Returning from the war encouraged veterans to join the Assam Rifles , Assam Regiment and Indian Army Hospital Corps. In Aizawl, a memorial was constructed shortly after the war to commemorate the deaths of 71 Labour Corps volunteers. Exposure to foreign cultures in the course of the war redeployments also began to bring home new ideas of westernization and modernization. Some of these developments were
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#17328769582365824-584: 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
5936-680: The Viceroy Landsdowne . While Landsdowne favoured the recommendation, the council was evenly split. The opposition of the former Chief Commissioner of Burma Charles Crosthwaite with knowledge of the Chin-Lushai tracts worded a strong argument against the district's creation. A decision was made on 2 August 1892 in a telegraph to the Chief Commissioner of Rangoon, stating that the Chin Hills would remain under Burma. The legacy of this decision
6048-526: The Village Welfare System was twofold. The first reason was that it was an egalitarian way of bringing people together socially on the subject of health. The second reason was to encourage the Chiefs to cooperate on an uncontroversial matter. The stipulation held legitimacy by allowing the villages to join the welfare system voluntarily but being obligated to follow the rules upon joining. Village welfare
6160-631: 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
6272-458: 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
6384-441: The army and police's ability to curb insurgency and raiding. Roads between Sairang - Silchar were constructed and another connecting Aijal to Serchhip . Bridges across rivers were also constructed to improve mobility during monsoons and rainy reasons. The total expenditure for public works amounted to Rs 80,000. The British administration set up schools imparting literacy to both sepoys and young individuals of both genders from
6496-531: The border of Cachar . The spelling of Lushai became standardized with the Progressive Colloq. Exercises in Lushai Dial. 3 by Thomas Herbert Lewin. Lewin claimed that Lu denotes head and sha or shat denotes cutting, which would imply the tribe is named as decapitators, a title supportive of the fact that the tribes had a reputation for headhunting . This view was rebuked by John Shakespeare who argued
6608-433: The bravest with guns and rifles and not directly confront enemies but to rely on knowledge of the terrain for effective ambush tactics . The Total Defence Scheme functioned on an asymmetrical warfare doctrine as a result. McCall's scheme was made in mind that tribal people did not possess up-to-date arms, were not professionally trained in military affairs and lacked vital air support and reconnaissance in comparison with
6720-523: The church take on the role of medical relief for the cholera outbreaks, taking in orphans and the destitute. The operations were funded by the Lushai Famine Funds mission directors and other donors. The efforts of the missionaries also saw the growth of Chrisitanity. In 1912, up to 80 villages had churches and 1,800 converts in total. The outbreak of World War One saw few Mizo men take the initiative to enlist, with numbers of enlistment increasing with
6832-449: 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,
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#17328769582366944-479: The commissioner of Chittagong who was under the Bengal Government . Paramilitary units were established to pacify the recently conquered tribes effectively in unfamiliar terrain. The North Lushai battalion was founded for this reason, and by 1898, the strength of civil and military police in North and South Lushai came to about 1106 personnel. The British also began to invest into local infrastructure to improve
7056-451: The conference. The first resolution stated a majority opinion supported the idea of a single administrative unit of the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills preferably under the Chief Commissioner of Assam. The second resolution delayed the urgency of the creation of a single Chin-Lushai District on the opposition of the Chief Commissioner of Burma Alexander Mackenzie , stating it should not be taken immediately. The recommendation ultimately reached
7168-503: The construction of the Reid House to provide offices, workspace, stock rooms, packing and dyes. This supplied dyes for free with a specially trained dyer. The interests and influence of the Reid house promoted second cash bows to villages, improved employability and social status of women, employed the disabled and crippled, revival of Lushai hand-looming culture, and encouragement of research into
7280-489: The creation of the District Chief's Durbar. Each Chief will ascend to the durbar by signing a document affirming loyalty to the British Crown and the Lushai people. The durbar was designed for chiefs to become responsible for studying the conditions and lives of people under their jurisdiction and to unify the Chiefs in looking after the wellbeing of the Lushai people in general. The Durbar was assigned to meet twice yearly at
7392-413: The despisement of those who wouldn't volunteer by courtships and belles of the villages. In April 1917, 2100 Lushai Men marched out in the 27th Indian Labour Corps under four companies. Other entitlements such as a lifetime exemption from an annual housing tax, coolie labour quotas and an ability to tour abroad also proved popular for Lushai manpower. Missionary and government publications also propagandized
7504-505: The festival no longer objected to the festival as it felt that traditional culture was disappearing. Chapchar Kut is now held annually in the Month of March. People dance, perform skits, play musical instruments to celebrate their beloved festival with the aims of bringing camaraderie among the people. Oral traditions say Chapchar Kut was first celebrated in Seipui village in adjoining Myanmar that has
7616-484: 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)
7728-417: The government as a result. The second policy was to distribute food relief. This was decided as the Lushai Hills lacked any local markets to purchase rice from. The government allocated 585,000 rupees and ordered rice from independent merchants and shopkeepers to transport them from Sairang to Aizawl and Demagiri to Lunglei. Food grains were issued to the needy on the condition of repayment with interest. This
7840-572: 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
7952-541: 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
8064-461: The inauguration of the Chief's Durbar. These innovations were introduced to unify the Lushai identity and to support Governor of Assam Robert Reid's vision of transforming the excluded tribal zones into a separate Crown Colony. Reid's plan received considerable political interest but was dropped at the onset of World War Two. The Ten Point Code was established and taught in schools to children. The purpose
8176-693: 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
8288-647: 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
8400-466: The introduction of short hair and European dress. Articles such as those by Lalsailova in Mizo leh Vai suggested that rural readers consider moving to Aijal for the purpose of progress ( hmasawnna ). Mizo labourers also brought back crop seeds such as mustard, which changed traditional Mizo cuisine to French fusion in the post-war era. In 1925, the Inner Line Regulation was amended to protect
8512-422: The jhumming cycle, labourers would spend time producing a rug made of unspun, white, tufted, local cotton. The Lushai Hills Cotton Industries began to train and upskill Mizo labourers into looming craftmanship which as a domino effect led to craftsmen spreading these teachings to other villagers. Quality control of rug productions would see only 20% of rugs marketable and profitable. As a measure, rejections carried
8624-469: 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
8736-460: 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
8848-529: 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
8960-532: The most important of all Lushai chief invasions, having a tremendous influence on the lives and future of the Lushai people. James Winchester, the tea owner of Alexandrapur, was killed, and the Mizos kidnapped his daughter Mary Winchester ( Mizo : Zolûti ). The British retaliated by organising an expedition to rescue the hostages. The expedition turned out a success and the hill tribes agreed to negotiate peace terms. The peace lasted until 1888, when tribes resumed raiding British enterprises and settlements, which saw
9072-449: The name Lushai to be an eponym of a chief or ancestor of the Lushai clans. It is also argued that the name is a purely Lushai language word, that Lu means head and shei means long, as a reference to how the hair knot makes the head appear elongated. Theories have also proposed that the name is Burmese derived and means people ten . The name Lushai continued as the name of the district past Indian independence before becoming changed into
9184-610: The opportunity to fight abroad. Further recruitment initiatives were halted due to the Kuki Uprising in the bordering regions against continued recruitment. The Corps was deployed in Marseilles as La Valentine camp. The camp was built up with a canteen and a cinema over time. Labour Corps were also often accompanied by missionaries, for the Lushai Labour Corps, Reverend James Herbert Lorrain accompanied them. The contracts to
9296-585: The patron of the Arthington Aborigines Mission, to move to the next hill tribe. Before the departure of Lorrain and Savidge, D. E Jones, a missionary under the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist mission, joined them. Jones struggled with obtaining results from his efforts, and many of his converts would be expelled shortly after being received into communion. His later converts would also leave on their own volition in 1904–1905. In seven years,
9408-531: 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
9520-434: 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
9632-605: The relocation of the Silchar Police Battalion. Local resources such as quarried stone led to installing of bungalows and barracks. Superintendent Captain Granville Henry Loch, with a Khasi contractor, expanded the settlement. Loch was a soldier but possessed experience as an engineer. Loch trained his own men in quarrying and shaping stone. He used sepoys in greater numbers and instructed them in masonry , carpentry and roadmaking. This initiative lent his battalion
9744-483: 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
9856-483: 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
9968-1074: 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
10080-457: 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
10192-567: 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
10304-475: 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 -
10416-513: The two administrative districts (North Lushai Hills, South Lushai Hills) in 1889 and continued through the integration of the regions into the province of Assam with both districts being merged as the Lushai Hills until India gained independence in 1947. After the Chin-Lushai Expedition of 1889-90 , South Lushai Hills was occupied in 1889, and the following year, it was formally annexed, becoming part of Bengal Presidency . North Lushai Hills
10528-481: 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
10640-477: The village of Suaipui and spread on to other villages. Chapchar Kut was first revived in 1962 on a grand scale in Aizawl, however it was discouraged when it was felt that it did not adhere to Christian values and rekindling the pre Christian cultural practices like drinking of rice beer, however, it was continued in 1973 on a mass scale sans animistic practice and cheraw dance . Even the Church which had been critical of
10752-473: 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
10864-507: 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
10976-1050: 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
11088-469: Was also established to maintain the health of soldiers. This service extended to the civilian population with free medical provisions that affected the image of the Raj in the tribes. In 1896, the British constructed a big hospital in Aizawl and medicines were distributed freely to the chiefs. The conduct of the British in the Lushai hills functioned parallel to a welfare state . The beginnings of British rule over
11200-484: Was also occupied in 1889, and became part of British Assam . On 1889, the two districts merged and continued to be part of British Assam. On 1912, it was put into British India 's Assam Province . The Lushai hills are named after the Lushei clan. The name of the tribes became a colonial misnomer which applied to all of the Mizo tribes. The earliest recorded documentation was in 1862 which described Lhooshai Kukis living on
11312-495: Was amalgamated on 13 April 1989 and renamed the Lushai Hills Military Police Battalion. The merger also saw the political headquarters of the South Lushai Hills, Fort Treagor, decommissioned due to water scarcity. Lieutenant Colonial John Shakespear functioned as the first superintendent of the Lushai Hills district. By 1900, several forts were decommissioned, and military police unit numbers were reduced with
11424-526: Was difficult due to the lack of monetization of the economy at the time. To deal with this phenomenon, the British resorted to forced labour. Labourers were pooled from several villages to work on expanding Aizawl as a city by building roads, bungalows, offices and water storage tanks to combat water scarcity. Even if an individual had not taken a loan personally for food relief, they would become obligated to participate in forced labour to pay off another's debt. In retaliation, some villages and chiefs moved out of
11536-552: Was finalized in the 1937 split of Burma and India under the Government of India Act 1935 , which established an international boundary between the two countries, splitting the Zo-Kuki tribes. Fort Aijal was founded in 1890 on an abandoned village site. It functioned as a barracks for two columns of the forces from the Chin Lushai Expeidition with fortifications improvised from locally harvested teak trees. The Fort grew with
11648-406: 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
11760-479: 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
11872-463: Was introduced due to the fact that only 3% of the Lushai population had access to permanent contact to amenities. The civil surgeon was in charge of the village welfare system, who oversaw all matters of public health and living conditions for the benefit of the villagers. The village welfare committees function under the guidance of the Red Cross district committee in Aizawl. All committee decision-making
11984-722: 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
12096-455: 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
12208-420: 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
12320-463: Was thought that the British invaded the Lushai Hills not because of any commercial desire but due to a series of Mizo invasions to the plains . The Lushai chiefs relentlessly and viciously invaded Chittagong , Cachar , Tripura , Sylhet , and Manipur between the end of 1870 and the beginning of 1871. Up to 20 invasions were said to have occurred during this time. The raid of Katlichhera and Alexandrapur by Sailam chief Bengkhuaia appeared to be
12432-411: Was to cultivate Lushai identity for potential nationhood and preservation of Mizo culture and customs. The code was also implemented into choirs, poetry and song. The welfare committees in villages also recite two points of the code every monthly meeting. The code was also intended to remedy traits of Lushai culture that were backward and incohesive for a national identity. The rationale for implementing
12544-402: Was unanimous and implemented by the villagers in religious, social, and technical harmony. All welfare committees have the village chief as president, leaders of the church and school, pensioners, and two village women and two village men in membership. The Lushai Hills Cotton Industry initiative was too risky for government funds and was privately financed by McCall and his wife, who formed as
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