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Mizoram

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Mizoram, state, north-east India, bordered by Myanmar to the east and south, Bangladesh to the west, and by Manipur, Assam, and Tripura states to the north. The southernmost of the hill states of India, Mizoram was part of Assam State until 1972 when it was made a union territory. It became a full state in February 1987. The area of Mizoram is 21,081 sq km (8,139 sq mi). The state capital is Aizawl.

Mizoram means “Land of the Highlanders” and the Mizo Hills, which dominate the state's topography, rise to more than 2,000 m (6,560 ft) near the Burmese border. Aizawl is 1,220 m (4,000 ft) above sea level. The hill slopes are covered with dense evergreen forests rich in valuable timber trees, bamboo, wild banana, and flowers—including orchids, begonias, and geraniums. Narrow rivers run through the gorges. The climate is moderate, with an annual average temperature of about 20° C (68° F).

The population of Mizoram is 891,058 (2000), giving an average density of 42 people per sq km (109 per sq mi). Aizawl's population is about 154,000. Society is tribal and largely based round villages. The chief's house and the bachelors' dormitory (zawlbuk) are the focus of village life. Mizo and English are the official languages; Mizo is written in Roman script introduced by the British. The state has one of the highest literacy rates in India. More than 80 per cent of the population professes Christianity; the region was converted by missionaries during the 19th century. There are Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu minorities. The nomadic Chakmas practise a combination of Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism. About three-quarters of the population earn their living from agriculture. Both terraced and shifting cultivation are practised; rice, maize, and vegetables are the main crops. Small-scale irrigation projects are being developed to increase the crop yield. Mizoram's isolation and poor internal communications are reasons why there is no significant industry. However, sawmills, handwoven textiles, and handicrafts are important sources of income.

Mizoram has a single chamber Legislative Assembly of 40 seats, and sends two members to the Indian national parliament—one each to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and the Lok Sabha (lower house). Little is known of Mizoram's early history. In the 18th century the Mizo tribes, formerly called the Lushai, developed an autocratic political system based on hereditary chieftains. Britain formally annexed the area in the 1890s. As the Lushai Hills District it was incorporated into Assam in 1898. It remained part of Assam after Indian independence, being renamed the Mizo Hills District in 1953. The emergence of an independence movement, the Mizo National Front, in 1966 led the Indian central government to take over administration of the Mizo Hills in 1972. Fighting continued until 1986. Under the terms of the peace accord, Mizoram was granted statehood in February 1987. Other terms, however, were not implemented and spasmodic unrest has continued.

Taken fromMicrosoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia. © 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation.