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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.
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.
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