To the southernmost outpost f the North East India, is the land of the highlanders, Mizoram . It is known as the land of the Blue Mountains. A winding moutain road takes you into forests and bamboo-covered hills of Mizoram. Encirled by the Indian states of Manipur, Assam and Tripura and countries such as Myanmar and Bangladesh this state has a diverse culture and tranquility. Evergreen ranges of Mizoram hills with blooms of exotic flora and dense bamboo jungles rise sharply from the plains of Assam in a north south direction. These hills and plunging gorges are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls. Mizoram is lagely mountainous and its capital is Aizawl.

History of Mizoram
The origin of the history of Mizos is mysterious. Their history is marked by a series of raids and expeditions. It is said that the Mizos came from Shinlung or Chhinlungsang, which is believed to be the Chinese city situated close on the Sino-Burmese border. They first settled in the Shan area and lived there for about 300 years and then moved to the Kabaw Valley around 8th century. The Mizos who earlier migrated to India were known by the name Kukis. The last of the Mizo tribes to migrate to India were the Lushais. The Mizo Hills were declared as part of British India in 1895. The areas including Lushai Hills were declared as backward tracts. It was during the British rule that there was a political awakening among the Mizo and as a result in 9th April 1946, the first political party, the Mizo Common People`s Union was shaped.

Geography of Mizoram
Mizoram is a gorgeous land of hills, rivers and lakes. 21 hills of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state. The highest peak, `Phawngpui` (Blue Mountain) towers 2,065 meters above the sea level. Mizoram is the most multicolored topography among all hilly areas in the country.

Economy of Mizoram
Mizos are agriculturists and practice jhum-cultivation. All their activities revolve round this cultivation. The crops grown in the jhum are mixed. The principal crop is paddy, maize, cucumber, beans, arum, ginger, mustard, sesame, cotton etc. After clearing the burnt jhum, seeds for paddy are sown. Two types of paddy seeds are sown in the same field as early paddy and principal paddy. Tapioca, sugarcane, cotton, pulses and oilseeds are also cultivated. Pulses like cowpea, rice beans and oilseeds crops like sesame, mustard and soybean too are cultivated.

Mizoram enjoys a tropical and sub-tropical climate. Principal crops grown in Mizoram are orange, banana and pineapple. The climate in the state is suitable for the cultivation of spices as ginger, turmeric, chilly, pepper, cinnamon, large cardamom and citronella. The state also grows cash crops like coffee, rubber and tea.

Districts of Mizoram
The major districts of Mizoram are Aizwal, Lunglei, Chhimtuipui, Lawngtlai, Mamit, Kolasib, Serchhip, Champhai.

Aizwal has an area of 3,576.31sqkm and the population is 339812. Lunglei has an area of 4,538.00 sqkm and a population of 137155. Chhimtuipui has an area of 1,399.90 sqkm and a population of 60823. Lawngtlai has an area of 2,557.10sqkm and a population of 73050. Mamit has an area of 3,025.75sq km and a population of 62313. Kolasib has an area of 1,382.51sqkm and a population of 60977 and Serchhip has an area of 1,421.60sqkm and a population of 55539. Champhai has an area of 3,185.83 sqkm and a population of 101389.

Demographics of Mizoram
The majority of the people are ethnic Mizos. The Mizo tribes living in different parts of northeastern states of India live with unity. The Mizos are divided into many tribes. The largest among them are the Lushai, which comprises of two- thirds of the states population. Other Mizo tribes include Mara, Hmar, Pawi, Ralte.

Culture of Mizoram
Mizoram is close to the Indo-Bangladesh border and the Indo-Myanmar border. The closeness to the international borders has made Mizoram a blend of various tribes that migrated from China, Myanmar (the erstwhile Burma), and the other parts of the Northeast. The Mizo people belong to a Mongoloid race associated to the Shaans of Myammar (Burma). The Lushai, Hmars, Paithes, Raltes, Pang, Mara, Lakher, Kukis and Pawis of Mizoram are the tribes who were the believers of the Pathan. With the immigration of the British and the settling of the Christian missionaries in the region, most people converted to Christianity. Due to the influence of the British in this region, most of the population speaks in English besides Mizo. The nomadic Chakmas practice a mix of Hinduism, Buddhism and Animism. The Mizo code of ethics states that everybody should be hospitable, kind, unselfish and helpful to others. They believed in self-sacrifice. The Mizos had no class difference and no discrimination on the grounds of sex. Members in the village take part in occasions like birth of a child, marriage, and death. The traditional crafts of Mizoram are weaving, cane and bamboo work. The Mizo women weave traditional designs and patterns on their looms.

The major festival of the Mizo`s are

Mim Kut - this festival is celebrated during the months of August and September. It is celebrated by drinking rice-beer, singing, dancing, and feasting. Samples of the years harvest are consecrated to the departed souls of the community.

Chapchar Kut - this festival is celebrated during March after the competion of the most hazardous task of Jhum cultivation.

Pawl Kut- This festival celebrated in December to commemorate the end of harvest season.

Flora and Fauna in Mizoram
Mizoram lies on the northeastern corner of India. The green environment of Mizoram is the home for a rich variety of flora and fauna. The state has dense and thick bamboo forests. Mizoram is evergreen throughout the year. There are a variety of orchids here. There are fine flora and bright flowers, which attract tourist`s attraction. The highest peak known as the Blue Mountain is a garden of rhododendron of arboretum and veitchianum species.

Deer, tiger, leopard, elephant and gibbon inhabit the forest area of Mizoram. Mizoram has a variety of wild life accumulated mostly in the Dampa Sanctuary, established in 1976 at the northwestern tip of Mizo hills. There are also a wide range of insects, mollusks and crustaceans. There are about 1,000 species of insects, 12 species of Butterflies and Moths, 20 of Beetles, 13 of Mollusks and various types of Snails. Seven species of Owls, 10 of Pheasants, 12 of Hawks and Eagles, 11 of Bulbuls belonging to 13 families, nine of Egrets and Herons too exist here. The mammals consist of Black and Wild Bear Tiger, Leopard, Gibbon, Chinese Pangolin, Clawless Otter, Porcupine and Mongoose.

Transport in Mizoram
Mizoram has only one airport, the Lengpui Airport near Aizwal. This airport can be reached from Kolkota by Air within 40 minutes. We can reach Mizoram from Kolkata via Silchar Airport.Mizoram can be also easily reached by train via Silchar.

Media in Mizoram
Mizoram`s media is growing quickly. Private cable channels are available. The big players in the cable market are JB cable network, LDF Cable, Eldo Zenith Links from Lunglei and LPS, Zonet and Skylinks from Aizawl. Other major media players are the press, All India Radio, Doordarshan and local cable TV operators.

The important literary publications are Directorate of Information and Public Relations ,Vanglaini, Newslink, English Daily , The Zozamtimes, The Highlander, English Daily ,Lelte , Music in Mizoram, Zolife .

The major cellular service operators include cellular phone companies like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Airtel and Reliance. The radio stations available are All India Radio Government Station and Adventist World Radio.

Sports in Mizoram
The Mizoram State Sports Council deals with the State Level Sports Associations. It gives financial aids to Sports Council and looks after their welfare and promotions by giving financial Aids to them. It is also entrusted with the construction of Sports Infrastructure like playgrounds, Indoor Stadium etc.

To involve the Students of +2 Schools and Colleges in the Social and Voluntary works, the "National Service Scheme" or the NSS was established. An Institution is allotted NSS Units according to the strength of students. In every Institution there are NSS Programme.

More on Mizoram
Cities of Mizoram
Costumes of Mizoram
Folk Dances of Mizoram
Museums of Mizoram
Tribes of Mizoram