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Mizoram |
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Information about Mizoram
Mizoram, the land of the blue mountain is one of the
youngest states in the country situated in the
north-eastern part of India. Mizoram is perched like a
lonely state on the southernmost tip of the north
eastern border of India. Mizoram is bordered by Burma in
the east and south, Bangladesh and Tripura in the west
and Assam and Manipur in the north. Mizoram is mainly a
Christian populated state. Mizoram occupies an area of
21,087 square kms, and supports a population of over
five Lakh who are known as 'Mizo'. The capital of
Mizoram is Aizawl, a picturesque town built in tiers
along the hill. Aizawl is located at nearly 4,000 feet
above sea level, and a religious and cultural center of
the Mizos. The climate is not uniform in the entire
state. The valleys are warm and humid while the higher
ridges are delightfully cool and pleasant even in the
hot season of the year. The temperature ranges from 20
to 29 degree Celsius in summer and 11 to 20 degree
Celsius in winter. There is something about the people,
the blue hills rolling endlessly, clear blue skies, the
lay of the land, white painted houses perched on bamboo
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the edge of
steep gorge and the temperate climate that makes every journey
into Mizoram a pleasurable experience.
History of Mizoram
Very little is known about the early history of Mizoram.
Between 1750 and 1850, the Mizo tribes formerly known as
Lushai migrated from the nearby Chin Hills and subjugated the
indigenous population. These tribes were assimilated into
their own society. The Mizos were the group of tribesmen
related to the Shans, who came to India. The Mizo developed an
autocratic political system based on some 300 hereditary
chieftainship. The tribes of Mizoram remained unaffected by
foreign political influence until the British annexed Assam in
1826 under the Treaty of Yandabo. It was not annexed until the
early 1890s, and come under British control after two decades.
For the first few years after the British annexation, Lushai
hills in the north remained under Assam while the southern
half remained under Bengal. Both these parts were later
combined in 1898 into one district called Lushai Hills
District under the Chief Commissioner of Assam. With the
implementation of the North-Eastern Reorganization Act in
1972, the Lushai Hills District was known as Mizoram and it
became a Union Territory. Due to the historic memorandum of
settlement signed between Government of India and the Mizo
National Front in 1986, Mizoram became the 23rd state of the
Indian Union on 29th February, 1987. The state has eight
districts. The raiding of British tea plantations which
carried on until around the end of the last century led to the
introduction of the Inner Line Permits which gave free access
to missionaries to visit the area. |
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Geography of Mizoram
Evergreen forests, exotic flora and fauna, and the hilly
areas are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and their
tributaries and various silvery streams. The hills with
an average height of 900 meter, run in ridges from north
to south. These ridges vary from about 3,000 feet to
7,000 feet. The steep hills are cut apart by rivers
creating deep and narrow gorges. Besides a small portion
lying in the plains, the entire state is full of ranges
running in the north-south direction. The highest peak,
the blue mountain locally known as "Phawngpui" that
means vast meadow is about 2,065 m in height. The plains
are mostly located in the eastern part of
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like Champhai
(about 7-km in length and 3-km in width) and Vanlaiphai (about
6-km in length and 3-km in width). Through this land mass of
hills and plains flow the main 13 rivers, which irrigate and
render the soil fertile for cultivation.
People of Mizoram
The people of Mizoram are known as 'Mizos'. The term 'Mizo' is
made of two words, 'Mi' means man and 'Zo' means hills. Thus
Mizo means a "hill man". The Mizos are simple, happy,
carefree, contented, generous and freedom-loving people. The
Mizos are also known as the ‘Songbird of the North east'. The
Mizos enjoy a rich culture, and are passionately drawn to
dance and songs.
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Dances of Mizoram
The main dances of Mizoram are Cheraw, Khuallam, Chheih Hla (Chheih
lam) and Sawlakia. Cheraw is dedicated to the departed souls
of mothers who died at childbirth so that she may enter the
abode safely. In this dance, the dancers use bamboo sticks.
Khuallam is a dance which is done in the honour of visitors
and guests. Chheihlam is a dance which is done over gallons of
rice beer. Sawlakia is the traditional dance of the Mara.
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Festivals
of Mizoram
The three main festivals of Mizos are Chapchar Kut, Mini Kut
and Pawl Kut. Chapchar Kut is the greatest and traditional
spring festival observed after completion of the cutting down
of the jungles. This festival is celebrated in the beginning
of March with dances and feasts. In this festival, the Mizos
dressed in traditional Mizo costumes perform the most famous
Cheraw dance. Mini Kut is the maize festival celebrated in
September after the maize harvest is dedicated to the departed
souls. Pawl Kut is observed after the harvest in December and
devoted to children's welfare. During these festivals,
villagers sing, dance and feast in thanksgiving.
Places in Mizoram
Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram has different places of
interest. Some of the worth visiting places in Aizawl are
Mizoram State Museum, Vantawng Water falls, Palak Lake,
Phawngui mountain, Pukzing Cave, Tamdil Lake, Dampa Sanctuary,
Champhai, Lunglei, Siaha. The Mizoram State Museum is situated
on the top of the McDonald Hill. It has an interesting
collection of historical relics, ancient costumes and
traditional implements. Durtlang is the gateway to Aizawl and
one of the highest points in town. From here one can have a
panoramic view of the city of Aizawl spread out in all its
splendour.
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Art
& Craft of Mizoram
The Mizo art and craft items can be treasured. Mizoram
has rich and colourful range of handlooms. The Mizos are
born weavers and the intricate designs created by them
are a delight. Puandum, one of the most important
handlooms of the Mizos, are made from cotton and are
handmade. Hnika, made from silk or cotton, is also one
of the finest handlooms of the Mizos. Bamboo and cane
play a vital role in their lives. Most of the houses are
made of bamboo, and various items like cane furniture
and household items are carved out of bamboo. The main
shopping attraction of Mizoram is the Khumbeu ceremonial
Bamboo hat, which is made of waterproof wild Hnathial
leaves. Bara Bazaar is the main shopping center in
Aizawl. All handicrafts and handloom items, Chinese
toys, Taiwanese electronic gadgets and Burmese fabric
are available here. This shopping area has shops on
either side, and the majority of them are run by women.
Wildlife Sanctuaries in Mizoram
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Mizoram,
being a thickly wooded state, has a very wide range of flora
and fauna. The Himalayan Maple and bamboo are one of the most
important trees in Mizoram. It is also the home of various
rare species of orchids. Mizoram is home to a large family of
birds and animals, moths and butterflies. There are various
wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Mizoram like
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary,
Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Phawngpui National Park,
Murlen National Park, Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary, Palak Wildlife
Sanctuary and Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary.
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