I. HISTORY:
Mizoram literally means 'land of the hill people'. 'Mizo' means people living in highland and 'ram' means land and thus means 'land of Mizos'. Mizoram is a land-locked State, sharing borders with Bangladesh to the west and Burma in the east. It also shares borders with Tripura, Assam and Manipur in the north. Like other North Eastern States, Mizoram was a part of Assam called Mizo District. It became Union Territory in 1972 after carving out of Assam. Mizoram then became a full fledged State on 20th February 1987 with 53rd Constitutional Amendment of 1986.
Before the advent of British Government, Mizo tribes lived in an autonomous village having village heads in their respective village. These tribal village chiefs enjoyed absolute power and eminent position in the Mizo society. There were many occasions when these tribals raided against one another and many head-hunting occurred during this time. Mizo chiefs always attacked tea garden in British India which prompted invasion of British India and in 1850, Colonel LIster invaded Mizo villages and raided more than 800 tibal houses and by 1895, Mizo hills came under the full control of British India.
II. GEOGRAPHY:
Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes. Phawngpui Tlang also known as Blue Mountain is the highest peak in Mizoram with 7250 feet above sea level. There are few higher peaks like Sakawrhmuituai, Nauzuarzo, Ngur and Tawi etc.
The biggest river is Chhimtuipui, also known as Kolodyne which originates in Myanmar and runs through Siaha and Lawngtlai District and goes back to Myanmar. The most important river is Tlawng River which is most useful and most navigable in Mizoram which flows through the northern side of the State and joins Barak River in Assam. There are numerous rivers like Tuirial, Tuirial, Tut, Khawthlang Tuipui, Khawchhak Tuipui etc.
Palak Dil is the most biggest and most spectacular lake in Mizoram located in Siaha District. It is about 30 hactres. Palak Dil area is covered with thick forest and the Forest Department of Mara Autonomous District Council offers Nature Trail. Various species of birds and migratory birds can be found in the area. Another notable lake is Tam Dil near Saitual village, Rung Dil near Suangpuilawn. However, the most significant lake among the Mizos is Rih Dil, which is located in Rih Khawdar in Myanmar. It was significant among Mizos because Mizos believed that any departed soul passes through this lake before making their way to Pialral or Heaven.
III. CLIMATE:
Mizoram has a mild climate with relatively cool in summer and not too cold during winter. But the climate during summer has become progressively warmer due to climate change. Mizoram is influenced by monsoon with heavy rains from June to September. The climate pattern of Mizoram is moist tropical to moist sub tropical with average annual rainfall is 254 centimetre annually. Mizoram is a region of cyclone and landslides which make weather related emergencies during monsoon period. The best time to visit Mizoram is September to April.
IV. DEMOGRAPHY:
Mizoram has a population of 10,91,014 with 552,339 males and 538, 675 females according to Census of 2011. The sex ratio is 976 females per 100 males which is higher than national average of 940 females. The density of population is 52 persons per square kilometre. The literacy rate of Mizoram is 91.33% which again higher than national average of 74.04%. Mizoram is the most literate State after Kerala. About 52% of population live in urban areas and more than one-third of total population of Mizoram live in Aizawl District.
V. ETHNIC GROUPS:
Mizos are classified as Scheduled TRibes by the Government of India giving a preferential treatment in the matters of jobs, education etc as a means to accelerate their integration to mainstream society. There are many tribal ethnic groups in Mizoram. These group of ethnic groups are collectively called Mizos as they are culturally and linguistically linked to each other. The Mizo people are spread throught out the North Eastern States, Myanmar and Bangladesh and they are differently called and known according to their place of residence. The major tribes among Mizos are Ralte, Pachuau, Chawngthu, Tlau, Mara, Lai, Paihte, Thahdo, Hmar, Darlong, Chakma etc.
VI. LANGUAGE:
Mizo, English and Hindi are official languages of the State. Mizo is widely spoken and lingua franca among the Mizo people as all Mizos are technically fluent in Mizo language. There are other dialects including Hmar, Mara, Lai, Paihte, Darlong etc. The major languages spoken as per Census 2011 are Mizo with 734,901, Chakma 96,972, Lai 51406, Kuki 45,754, Mara 42,754, Hmar 29,587 and Paihte with 23,183
VII. RELIGION:
87% of population practiced Christianity with various groups of denomination. There is a 8.5% of population among Chakma Buddhist who practiced Therevada Buddhism and Hindu 7.2% as per Census 2011. Among Christians, Presbyterian Church is the largest denomination followed by Baptish Church of Mizoram, United Penticostal Church, The Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Kohhran, Evangelical Church of Maraland, Roman Catholic, Independent Church of India, Evangelical Free Church of India, Kohhran Thianghlim etc.
VIII. ADMINISTRATION:
Mizoram has 11 Districts namely Aizawl, Champhai, Hnahthial, Khawzawl, Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Mamit, Saitual, Siaha and Serchhip.
The State has 12 Civil Sub Divisions namely -Sakawrdai, Tlabung, Tipa, Sangau, Chawngte, West Phaileng, Kawrthah, Vairengte, Kawnpui, Ngopa, Thenzawl, North Vanlaiphai.
It also has 26 RD Blocks - Tlangnuam, Aibawk, Darlawn, Phullen, Thingsulthliah, Ngopa, Khawzawl, Champhai, Khawbung, Hnahthial, Bilkhawthlir, Thingdawl, Sangau, Lawngtlai, Bungtlang South, Chawngte, Lunglei, Lungsen, Bunghmun, West Phaileng, Zawlnuam, Reiek, Siaha, Tipa, Serchhip and East Lungdar.
There are three Autonomous District Councils - Mara Autonomous District Council at Siaha, Lai Autonomous District Council at Lawngtlai, Chakma Autonomous District Council at Chawngte. There is also Sinlung Hills Council in Aizawl District with headquarters at Sakawrdai.
IX. GETTING TO MIZORAM:
Mizoram is connected by air from Kolkata by Air India. The lone airport Lengpui Airport serves as the link between Mizoram and Kolkata. Go Air and Indigo Airlines are also planning to connect Mizoram from Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Imphal from October 2019.
Mizoram can also be accessed by road through National Highway No 54 via Silchar. Mizoram State Transport Buses, Private Buses and Private Maxi Cabs are available from Guwahati, Silchar etc.
X. ENTRY FORMALITY:
Visitors to Mizoram are required to obtain Inner Line Permit. The Inner Line Permits are available in the Offices of the Resident Commissioner, Government of Mizoram in New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar. Those arriving by air at Lengpui Airport can also obtain Inner Line Permit on Arrival.
Foreigners are required to register themselves at Lengpui Airport on arrival and at Foreigners Registration Office within 24 hours of arrival which is now mainly done online. Citizens of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi before visiting the State.
