Mizoram Travel and Tourism Guide

Like the adjacent states in north East India, there exist many theories about origin of the Mizos. The folklores are still prevalent among the tribes but most historians agree that the ancestors of tribes inhabiting the state presently, hailed from China.

They came into Indian territories as part of a great Mongoloid migration which took place from 16th to 18th century. The first waves of Mongoloid tribes coming to Indian territories from China were called Kukis. They were followed later by New Kukis and Lushai tribes respectively. In the 18th and 9th century the tribes staying in present day Mizoram were engaged in rounds of raids and endeavor to mark territories.

After the British rule, the area was named as Lushai Hills district. This also marked conversion of the tribes into Christianity. Post independence, Mizoram was made a part of Assam. The tribes formed Mizo National Front in 1961 and movement gained momentum in subsequent years to make the region a union territory and state. It was made a union territory in 1972.

Finally after a long reign of armed struggle for statehood and sovereignty, Mizoram gained statehood in 1986. Mizoram is one of the states of Northeast India, with Aizawl as its capital. The name is derived from Mi (people), Zo (Belonging to the people of Mizoram/Lushai Hills) and Ram (land), and thus Mizoram implies "land of the hill people".

In the northeast, it is the southern most landlocked state sharing borders with three of the seven sister states, namely Tripura, Assam, Manipur. The state also shares a 722 kilometer border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar.Like several other northeastern states of India, Mizoram was previously part of Assam until 1972, when it was carved out as a Union Territory.

It became the 23rd state of India, a step above Union Territory, on 20 February 1987. Perched on the southernmost tip of the north eastern region, Mizoram occupies and area of great strategic importance. It is flanked by Bangladesh on the west and Myanmar on the east of south sharing a total of 722 km international boundary with the two countries.

It also shares its borders with three states – Assam, Tripura and Manipur. Mizoram became the 23rd state of Indian Union in February 1987. For over two decades, it has experienced peace and steady progress. Mizoram Peace Accord signed in 1986 has the distinction of being the most enduring and successful Peace Accord in the history of Independent India.

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