Mizoram was inhabited by the tribal groups of Tibeto-Burmese race.
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.
Agriculture is the main occupation of this region. 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. The influence of the British also extended to conversion
into Christianity. After independence of India, Mizoram persistent to be
part of Assam. In 1966 the Mizos resorted to the use of armed struggle
to put forth their demands to set up a homeland. It was in 1986 that
peace was established and Mizoram joined the main torrent with the
Indian Union.
The Early Mizos
The earliest Mizos, who migrated to India were known as Kukis, the
second batch of immigrants were called New Kukis. The Lushais were the
last of the Mizo tribes to migrate to and settle down in India.
The 19th Century Mizos
The Mizo history in the 18th and 19th century AD is marked by many
events of tribal raids and vindictive expeditions of security. The
recorded history of the Mizo people begins only in the late 19th
century, when they came into contact with the British who were occupying
the neighbouring region of Assam. Mizo Hills were formally declared as
part of the British-India by a proclamation in 1895. North and south
hills were united into Lushai Hills district in 1898 with Aizawl as its
headquarters.
The Mizos, the inhabitants of the state, belong to the Mangolian race
and seem to have settled at first in Myanmar (Burma). After leaving
Myanmar, they proceeded westwards into India and occupied the Lushai
Hills. Under the weight of the British Missionaries many Mizos converted
to Christianity. The majority of the tribes in the state is Christians
and speaks mizo and English.
The 20th Century Mizos The people of Mizoram entered the 20th century, but with little
knowledge. They were feared tribes; very superstitious and performed
sacrifices; they had no fixed homes, led nomadic lives; they had no
script or currency. And yet, there has been enormous progress made
during this century.
The formation of Mizoram State took place on 20th February, 1987.Chief
Secretary Lalkhama read out the proclamation of statehood at a public
meeting organised at Aizawl's Parade Ground. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
flew in to Aizawl to inaugurate the new state. Hiteshwar Saikia was
appointed as Governor of Mizoram.
The Physiology of Mizoram
High hills, deep gorges, running rivers and swirling streams and Blue
Mountains make up the landscape of Mizoram. The highest peak is 2165 m
above sea level. The average height of the hills is 700 m and they all
run in ridges from north to south. The rivers, running through Mizoram
are Tlawang, Sonai, Tuivawl, Kolodine and Kamaphuli. The evergreen hills
contain timber trees, bamboo and wild bananas. Orchids, begonias,
rhododendrons and geraniums flowers make up the brilliant colours of the
flora of the state.
Mizo Traditional Land System
Even before the advent of the British, Mizo people
seem to have had a proper social order and a systematic political
structure. Each village had its own governance, where the Chief
commanded the highest authority in administration and judicial powers.
The Chiefs were helped by elders called ¡®Lal Upa.¡¯
In the traditional Land System, the land belonged to the community under
the stewardship of the Chief. Each village had vast areas of land, and
every inhabitant of the village was entitled to live, cultivate and
hunt. Each village had boundaries separating one village jurisdiction
from the other, which were normally natural boundaries like rivers or
hills. The area of a village land varied from village to village,
sometimes depending on the size of the population. However, each village
had sufficient land to meet people¡¯s needs.
Every villager had a sense of ¡®ownership¡¯ of the land. No one,
including the Chief, claimed private ownership of the land and no
individual had separate pastoral holdings of land. But the Chief was
overall in charge of the land and the village.
Sacred Grove
Mizos called the sacred grove Ngawpui. Each village has its own
sacred grove, the size varies from village to village. No tree is allowed to be cut in the Sacred Grove, except for those trees
that showed signs of age and decay. Sacred Groves are undisturbed
natural vegetation scattered in small pockets all over Mizoram providing
food and sustenance to people and animals alike.
Sacred Grove is a home for animals, natural objects such as rivers,
rocks, mountains, bamboo, plants and trees. Sacred Grove is also a home
of gods and goddesses. Those spirits were named ¡°Ramhuai.¡± The goddess
of animal Lasi and the goddess of nature Chawngtinleri lived there along
with many other spirits.
The concept of the sacredness of plants reflects the unity of life in
nature, in the sense of communion and fellowship with the divine as the
centre and source of life. The sacred trees are said to be deeply rooted
in the ancient religious, cultural and economic life of the Mizo people.
Sacred Groves were associated with beliefs, taboos and folklores which
have helped in conserving the relict flora and fauna of the regions. By
conserving the flora and fauna, the local communities have conserved
valuable genetic resources and species, which can be used in further
afforestation programmes. The most important aspects is the retention of
often sizeable patches of forests from few hectares to a few hundred
hectares as inviolable Sacred Groves.
Timber felling was taboo for the Mizos, insuring tree preservation
through the ages. But collection of various non-wood produce and
sometimes of fallen leaves for manure was carried out, without
endangering the ecology of the people. The forests were considered the
property of the gods and goddesses of the villages in which they were
situated, and the trees, therefore, ought not to be cut without the
permission of the deity.
The absorption of ancient deities into Christianity, often followed by
church construction, was another early threat to Sacred Groves in
Mizoram. Modern forest policies replaced the Sacred Groves or led to
their decline.
The major threat to the groves arose from the state laying its claim
over all the forests, including the groves, under the British regime.
The state domination over the forests would have led to the villagers
losing their hold over the land.
Geography of Mizoram
Mizoram, land of the blue mountain, lies in the southernmost
outpost of the North Eastern states.
Neighbours Manipur, Assam and Tripura bound this tranquil little
state, but a part of it slips down between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Evergreen, flush with blooms of exotic flora, its hilly expanses are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and their tributaries and a cobweb of
silvery streams.
The climate in Mizoram is moderate. The annual average temperature at
Aizawl is 68° F (20° C). Rainfall occurs mainly during the southwest
monsoon (May to September), and the total annual rainfall in some areas
is as high as 100 inches (2,500 millimetres).
The hills are covered with thick evergreen forest containing valuable
timber trees, such as champak, ironwood, and gurjun. The forest provides
habitat for many animals, including elephants, tigers, bears, deer, and
wild buffalo.
Agriculture is the dominant economic activity. Both terraced cultivation
and jhum (shifting) tillage (in which tracts are cleared by burning and
sown with mixed crops) are practiced. Rice, corn (maize), cotton, and
vegetables are the main crops. The greater number of people farming has
reduced the traditional eight-year jhum cycle, and there has been an
accompanying decline in yields.
There are no major industries in the state. Small-scale industries
include sericulture, handloom and handicrafts industries, sawmills and
furniture workshops, oil refining, grain milling, and ginger processing.
Climate
The state gets a good rainfall. During rains the climate in the lower
hills is humid and enervating. Malarial fever was a common feature
during and after rains particularly in the lower area. It is quite cool
and pleasant on the higher hills, even during the hot season. A special
feature of the climate here is the occurrence of violent storms during
March-April. Heavy storms come from the north-west and they sweep over
the hills in the entire state.
Rainfall is generally evenly distributed. The crops seldom suffer from
drought. Mizoram, as a whole, gets an average rainfall of about 3,000 mm
with Aizawal town having 2,380 mm and Lunglei 3,178 mm.
Temperature in the state varies from about 12o C in winter to about 30oC
in summer. Winter is from November to February. There is generally no
rain or very little rain during the winter months. Winter is followed by
spring which starts at the end of February and continues till the middle
of April. In April, storms occur and the summer starts. In April and May
temperature goes up to 30oC.
The hills are covered by a haze. Heavy rains start in June and continue
upto August. September and October are the autumn months when the rains
cease and the temperature is usually between 19oC and 25oC.
Language
Mizoram :Mizo & English
Mizoram, in the local language, means the land of Mizos. Mizo itself
means highlander. 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.
HOW TO REACH MIZORAM
By Air
Nearest airport Aizawl
Aizawl is connected to Kolkata,
( 1 hr 45 min ) and lmphal ( 30min ).
Indian Airlines ( Alliance Air ) flights
Kolkata - Aizawl - Kolkata ( tue. thurs, sat )
Kolkata - Aizawl - Imphal - Aizawl - Kolkata ( mon, wed, fri )
Enquiries Tel 2573355
Reservation Tel 2341265, 2344733
By Rail
Nearest railhead Silchar in Assam ( 184 km away )
From Guwahati, travel to Silchar by Barak Valley Express, Cachar Express
or the Tripura Passenger. The journey takes about 19 hrs.
By Road
NH-54 connects Aizawl with the rest of the country through Silchar.
Buses and taxis are available from Silchar to Aizawl (6-8 hrs).
Night services are also available.
Aizawl is also accessible by road from Shillong and Guwahati.
Road Distances from Aizawl
Guwahati : 506 km Imphal : 374 km Kohima : 479 km Shillong : 450 km Agartala : 443 km
Note: For entry into Mizoram, people other than Government
employees, should obtain the Inner Line pass from the Liaison Officer,
Government of Mizoram, at Silchar or Calcutta.
The people of Mizoram entered the 20th century, but with little
knowledge. They were feared tribes; very superstitious and performed
sacrifices; they had no fixed homes, led nomadic lives; they had no
script or currency. And yet, there has been enormous progress made
during this century. 
No tree is allowed to be cut in the Sacred Grove, except for those trees
that showed signs of age and decay. Sacred Groves are undisturbed
natural vegetation scattered in small pockets all over Mizoram providing
food and sustenance to people and animals alike.
