Mizoram

Capital : Aizawl
Principal Languages : Mizo (Official), English (Official), Bengali, Lakherh

Geography :

Located on the far branch of northeast India, Mizoram touches Assam and Manipur on its north, Myanmar on its south and east, and Bangladesh and Tripura on its west. Stretching from north to south, the Mizo Hills cover most all of the tiny Indian state. In fact, most of the state is nearly 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level, with the highest peak being the magnificent 7,103 foot (2,165 meter) tall Blue Mountain. Furthermore, many major rivers (including the Sonai, Tlwanag, Kolodine, and Kamaphuli) carve the state.

Important Cities - Towns and Religious - Tourist Place :

Aizawl hilly city (religious and cultural centre of Mizo), Champhai (beautiful resort on the Myanmar border), Chhimtuipui, Lunglei, Saiha, Situal Forest around), Wantawng Fall (near hill station of Thenzawl).

Climate :

With the Tropic of Cancer running right across it, Mizoram enjoys a pleasant temperate climate. This is the result of the combining forces of its elevation and its geographic location on Earth. Helping keep temperatures at a comfortable level and maintain the mystic natural wonder of the state's gorges and mountains, Mizoram receives about 118 inches (300 cm) of rainfall each year. As with most Indian states, this rainfall is heaviest during the monsoon season.

Location :

One of the eastern-most States, Mizoram lies between Bangladesh and Myanmar (Burma). Tripura, Assam and Manipur border is on the north.

Culture :

Experts believe that the original inhabitants of Mizoram originated from northwestern China, the culture that emerged is distinct to the state and its people. Tribal life dominates the existence of the Mizos, with the main tribes being the Lushais, Pawis, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Himars, and Kukis. Each village has two centers of focus: the chief's house and the zawlbuk (the community house for the young, unmarried men of the village). The great majority of Mizos are Christians (mostly Protestant), but there are also Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim minorities. The Chakmas, a nomadic tribe of the state, practice a mix of Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism. Despite these variances and outside influences, there is a unifying Mizoram culture. For example, all Mizo tribes follow the traditional ethics code of tlawmngaihna, which states that every Mizo has the duty to be hospitable, kind, unselfish, and helpful to the disadvantaged. Mizos also celebrate many common holidays, though religious celebrations are the most festive. Chapchar Kut occurs after the clearing of jungles for cultivation of crops, Pawl Kut (December) marks the end of abundant grain harvests, and Mim Kut (after September's corn harvest) honors the dead. Celebrations typically include zealous merriment and dancing, like the bamboo dance called the Cheraw. Celebrations also include the traditional foods of the state. Mizo cuisine is unlike the rest of India in that it includes abundant meat consumption and contains few spices. Above all, the locally made wine plays a role in holiday festivities

History :

The Lushai Hills, sandwiched between Burma in the cast and south and Bangladesh in the west, was christened Mizoram when it became a Union Territory in 1972. By a Constitutional Amendment in 1986, the Union Government decided to confer full Statehood on Mizoram, which became the 23rd State of the Indian Union with effect from February 20, 11987.

Economy :

Roughly 75% of Mizoram's population is involved in agriculture. Traditional farming techniques involved an eight-year slash and burn cycle, but as populations grow and land becomes more scarce, use of this method and crop yields have diminished. The state's biggest crops are a special fibreless ginger, as well as rice, corn, mustard, sugarcane, sesame, and potatoes. With poorly developed infrastructure, the state has no major industries, only small-scale ones, including sericulture, handicrafts, furniture making, oil refining, grain milling, and ginger processing.

States and Union Territories of India