Discover Mizoram [23rd State]: A Comprehensive Guide to the Jewel of Northeast India

Mizoram at a Glance

Category	Details
Location and Geography	Latitudes: 21° 58′ N to 24° 35′ N Longitudes: 92° 15′ E to 93° 29′ E
	Area: 21,087 sq. km North-South Length: 277 km East-West: 121 km
Inter-State Borders	Assam – 123 km Tripura – 277 km Manipur – 95 km
International Borders	Myanmar – 404 km Bangladesh – 318 km
Climate	Winter Temperature: 11°C – 21°C Summer Temperature: 20°C – 30°C
Average Annual Rainfall	250 cm
Population	Total Population: 10,91,014 Males: 5,52,339 Females: 5,38,675
Sex Ratio	975 females per 1,000 males
Capital and Administration	Capital: Aizawl Districts: 11 Assembly Constituencies: 40
Parliamentary Representation	Rajya Sabha – 1 seat Lok Sabha – 1 seat
Current Representatives	Lok Sabha – Shri C. Lalrosanga Rajya Sabha – Shri K. Vanlalvena
Chief Minister	Shri Lalduhoma
Governor	Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati
Literacy and Development	Literacy Rate: 91.85% Highest Point: Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) – 2,210 meters
State Symbols	State Animal: Serow (Saza) State Bird: Hume’s Bartailed Pheasant (Vavu) State Flower: Dancing Girl (Aiting) State Tree: Mesua ferrea (Nahar/Herhse)
Longest River	Tlawng River – 185.15 km

State Symbols of Mizoram

• State Animal: Serow (Saza)
• State Bird: Hume’s Bartailed Pheasant (Vavu)
• State Flower: Dancing Girl (Aiting)
• State Tree: Mesua ferrea, also known as Nahar (Herhse)

Formation of Mizoram State

Timeline
Became a Union Territory	1972
Indian Parliament passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill to grant statehood to Mizoram on	August 5, 1986
Mizoram was formally declared a state on	February 20, 1987

• Pre-Statehood Era: Before its statehood, Mizoram was known as the Lushai Hills District, a part of Assam. This region was a district under British India, established in 1898 by merging the North Lushai Hills and South Lushai Hills. The Mizo chieftainship system was abolished in 1952.
• Post-Independence and Union Territory Status: After India gained independence in 1947, the Lushai Hills District continued to be part of Assam. The region was upgraded to a Union Territory in 1972.
• Transition to Statehood: The Indian Parliament passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill and a bill to grant statehood to Mizoram on August 5, 1986.
• Inauguration of Mizoram State: Mizoram was formally declared a state on February 20, 1987. The Chief Secretary of Mizoram, Lalkhama, announced the new state’s status at a public ceremony in Aizawl’s Parade Ground. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Aizawl to inaugurate Mizoram, and Hiteshwar Saikia was appointed as the first Governor of the newly formed state.

The formation of Mizoram marked the end of a prolonged period of conflict and the beginning of a new era of peace and development for the region.

Brief History of Mizoram

• Mysterious Origins: The origins of the Mizos, like many tribes in Northeast India, are unclear. They are generally believed to have migrated from China as part of a larger Mongoloid wave. They possibly originated from Shinlung or Chhinlungsan, located near the Yalung River in China.
• Migration Journey: The Mizos first settled in the Shan State and later moved to the Kabaw Valley and the Chin Hills around the mid-16th century. The earliest Mizos who arrived in India were known as Kukis, followed by the New Kukis, and finally, the Lushais.
• Tribal Raids and British Rule: In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Mizos were involved in several tribal raids and retaliatory expeditions. In 1895, the Mizo Hills were formally declared part of British India. In 1898, the North and South hills were united and Lushai Hills district was formed. Aizawl became its headquarter.
• British Administration: In 1919, the Lushai Hills, along with other hill districts, were declared a Backward Tract under the Government of India Act. In 1935, these tribal districts were designated as Excluded Areas, giving them a certain degree of autonomy.
• Political Awakening: The first political party in the region, the Mizo Common People’s Union (later renamed Mizo Union), was formed on April 9, 1946, during British rule. After independence, the Mizo Union advocated for the inclusion of all Mizo-inhabited areas in the Lushai Hills.
• Autonomy and District Council: Following recommendations from the Bordoloi Sub-Committee, some autonomy was granted to the Mizos under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This led to the establishment of the Lushai Hills Autonomous District Council in 1952 and the abolition of the traditional chieftainship system.
• Demand for Separate State: In 1955, tribal leaders from Northeast India, unhappy with the recommendations of the States Reorganization Commission (SRC), formed a new political party, the Eastern India Union (EITU), in Aizawl. They demanded a separate state for all the hill districts of Assam.
• Transition to Mizoram: After India gained independence in 1947, the Lushai Hills became a district under the Government of Assam. In 1972, the district was upgraded to a Union Territory and renamed Mizoram. Mizoram became a full-fledged state of India in 1986.

Geography of Mizoram

Physiographical Divisions

• The landscape of Mizoram can be broadly divided into several distinct physiographic regions. These regions ranging from high mountain ranges to fertile valleys, shows the diverse topography of the state.
• Its topography is characterized by a series of steep hills, deep valleys, and rolling landscapes.
• The state is crisscrossed by 21 major hill ranges, which run from north to south. The average elevation of these hills ranges from 1,000 meters in the west to about 1,300 meters in the east, with some peaks reaching over 2,000 meters.
• The Phawngpui or Blue Mountain, the highest peak in Mizoram, is revered in local folklore and a popular destination for trekkers and nature lovers.

Western Hills

• Location: The western part of Mizoram.
• Elevation: Around 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).
• Features:
  • Characterized by lower hills compared to the eastern region.
  • The terrain is relatively gentle, with rolling hills and small valleys.
  • This region is more accessible and suitable for agriculture, particularly jhum (shifting) cultivation.

Central Mountain Ranges

• Location: Central Mizoram, running from north to south.
• Elevation: Ranges between 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) to 2,000 meters (6,600 feet).
• Features:
  • Home to some of the highest peaks in the state, including Phawngpui (Blue Mountain), which stands at 2,065 meters.
  • The ranges are steep and rugged, creating a challenging terrain.
  • These mountains are part of the larger Patkai range and were formed due to the collision of tectonic plates.
  • The area is prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon season.

Eastern Hills

• Location: Eastern Mizoram, along the Myanmar border.
• Elevation: Higher than the western hills, with some peaks exceeding 2,000 meters.
• Features:
  • The terrain is more rugged and less accessible compared to the western hills.
  • The region is densely forested.
  • The eastern hills are also important for the numerous rivers that originate here and flow towards the west and south.

River Valleys

• Location: Scattered throughout the state, particularly between the mountain ranges.
• Features:
  • The valleys are narrow and steep-sided, with fertile land suitable for agriculture.
  • Major rivers such as the Tlawng, Tuirial, and Kolodyne flow through these valleys.

Plains

• Location: Found sporadically across Mizoram.
• Features:
  • The plains are relatively small and scattered, often located at the base of hills or along riverbanks.
  • These areas are intensively cultivated, mainly for rice and other staple crops.
  • Due to the limited flat land, these plains are highly valued for agriculture and settlement.

Geology

• Mizoram lies at the junction of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the country. The state falls under Zone 5, the highest risk zone for earthquakes in India.
• The hills and ranges of Mizoram are composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly sandstone, shale, and siltstone. These rocks are relatively young.
• The folded structure of these hills, formed by the collision of tectonic plates, makes the landscape rugged and complex. Due to this geological activity, the region is prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon season.

Type of Soil

• The soil in Mizoram is generally sandy loam and clay loam, which is heavily leached due to the steep slopes and heavy rainfall. This makes the soil porous and less rich in minerals. However, the state’s topography supports a variety of vegetation, from dense tropical forests in the valleys to bamboo groves on the hillsides.

Vegetation

• The vegetation in Mizoram varies with altitude. Lower regions are covered with tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, while temperate forests dominate the higher elevations.

Important Rivers of Mizoram

Name of River	Length (Kms)	Source	Course in Mizoram	Mouth
Tlawng	185.15	Originates in the hills of Zopui in the western part of Mizoram.	Flows through the northern part of the state, passing through Aizawl and Mamit districts.	Joins the Barak River in Assam.
Tiau	159.39	Originates in the Chin Hills of Myanmar.	Forms the international boundary between Mizoram and Myanmar for a significant part of its course.	Eventually merges into the Kaladan River in Myanmar.
Chhimtuipui (Koladyne)	138.46	Originates in the Chin State of Myanmar.	Flows through southern part of the state, passing through Lawngtlai and Saiha districts.	Flows into Myanmar, joining the larger Kaladan River.
Khawthlangtuipui (R.Karnaphuli)	128.08	Originates in the Mizo Hills near Lunglei.	Flows through the western part of the state, draining the areas around Lunglei.	Merges into the Karnaphuli River, which eventually empties into the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh.
Tuichang	120.75	Originates in the eastern hills of Mizoram.	Flows northwards through the Champhai district in eastern part of the state.	Joins the Tlawng River.
Tuirial	117.53	Originates in the hills near the town of Sairang in Aizawl district.	Flows through the northern part, through Aizawl district.	Merges with the Barak River in Assam.
Tuichawng	107.87	Originates in the western hills near Lunglei.	Flows through the western part of the state, passing through Lunglei district.	Joins the Khawthlangtuipui River.
Mat	90.16	Originates in the hills near Phullen village in eastern Mizoram.	Flows through Champhai district, known for its fast-flowing nature.	Joins the Tuipui River.
Tuipui	86.94	Originates in the hills near the India-Myanmar border in southern Mizoram.	Flows through Saiha and Lunglei districts in southern Mizoram.	Merges into the Chhimtuipui (Koladyne) River.
Tuivawl	72.45	Originates in the hills near Aizawl.	Flows through the Aizawl district in northern Mizoram, passing through lush forested areas.	Joins the Tlawng River.
Teirei	70.84	Originates in the hills of northern Mizoram.	Flows through Mamit district in the northern part of the state.	Joins the Tlawng River.
Tuirini	59.57	Originates in the hills near Aizawl.	Flows through the Aizawl and Kolasib districts.	Joins the Barak River in Assam.
Serlui	56.33	Originates in the hills near Saitual in Aizawl district.	Flows through the central part of Mizoram, passing through Saitual and Kolasib districts.	Merges into the Barak River in Assam.

Tourism in Mizoram

• Will be updated soon.

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Tripura	Manipur

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