Mizoram Information
Mizoram is situated on the extreme South of North Eastern India. It is a land of unending natural beauty. It is a land of hills, the highest being Blue mountain at 2165 metres. The hills are covered with bamboo and banana trees here along with then a wonderful array of pine trees. The forests in this region also house some of the rarest varieties of orchids found only in this region of the country. The presence of some major rivers like Tlau, Tlawng, Turini, Serlui and Mat and some picturesque lakes is also a high point of Mizoram’s beauty.
The early history Mizoram is not muchly recorded. It is believed that the Mizos migrated to this region hundreds of years ago. The earliest Mizos who migrated to India were known as Kukis. During the period 1750-1850, migrations leds to settlements in the hills. The tribal groups were grouped and governed under a hereditary chieftainship. Mizoram became a part of the territory of British India in 1891, though the administration of the villages was left to the local chieftains. After India became independent. Mizoram continued to be part of Assam. In 1961, the Mizo National Park front was formed with the goal of achieving independence for greater Mizoram. As a result the district was carved out of Assam and raised to the status of a Union territory on January 21, 1972. In 1987, Mizoram became the 23rd full fledged state of the country.
In the Pre-British days, Mizo youths over the age of 15 had to stay in bachelor’s dormitories known as Zawlbuk where the received training in tribal welfare wrestling, hunting and village government. The boys who went to the Zawlbuk emerged as complete men. The training was intensive and strenuous and strict discipline war maintained in these dormitories.
The dances of Mizoram get their inspiration from the natural beauty of the hilly terrains. The Khuallam dance of Mizoram is known as the dance of guests. Males wearing a traditional costume called puandum perform it. Both males and females perform the Cheraw dance. The use of bamboo staves is a unique trait of this dance that was performed by the warriors of yore. Boys and girls perform chheihlam dance using bamboo tubes and drums. Zangtalam is another fascinating dance that is accompanied by deft drummers.
Mizoram General Information
Capital
The capital of Mizoram is Aizawl.
Districts
There are 8 districts in this state.
Language
The principal languages spoken by the people are Mizo and English.
State Bird
Mr. Hume’s pheasant is this state’s bird.
State Animal
Hoolock Gibbon is this state’s Animal.
State Flower
This state’s flower is Red Vanda.
Dampa Tiger Reserve
The Dampa tiger reserve is the biggest wildlife sanctuary in the western part of Mizoram state on the international border with Bangladesh. It has variety of rare and endangered animals in abundance, including of course, tigers! Here, evergreen forests and deciduous forests are found along with steep precipitous hills, deep valleys, jungle streams, rippling rivulets and natural salts licks.