Mizoram is a picturesque land endowed with immense natural beauty, and is situated on the hills of the north-eastern corner of India. The awesome splendor of this beautiful land has never ceased to fascinate the people visiting this place. With a plethora of flora and fauna, green mountainous terrains adorned with pine forests, varied landscapes, gurgling streams and waterfalls and of course, the warm hearted people, Mizoram has always been one of the favourite tourist destinations of north-eastern India.

The name of this state is derived from two words viz., 'Mizo' meaning "Man of the hill" or the "Highlander", and 'Ram' meaning "land". Thus the name 'Mizoram' stands for the "Hill people's Land". This state is bordered on the west by Bangladesh and on the east and south by Myanmar. It also shares its domestic borders with the states of Assam, Manipur and Tripura. With a pleasant climate, which is cool in summers and not too cold in winters, and scenic environs, Mizoram is an ideal place to be one with nature. Its capital is the beautiful city of Aizawl, located at about 4000 ft above sea level.

HISTORY

The history of Mizoram dates back to 300 years ago, when the Mizo people are believed to have settled here. The Mizos belong to the Mongoloid race and hence it is presumed that these people came from China. Before their influx into the Indian sub-continent, they inhabited the Shan state of Burma. Eventually, two of the tribes Lushai and Himar, migrated to India and occupied what came to be known later as Lushai Hills.

In 1891, the British annexed Mizoram, and this was when the region came to be known as 'Lushai Hills.' Under the British rule, it was a part of Assam, and later, with independence, it became a district of Assam. The name Lushai Hills persisted till 1972, when Mizoram became a Union Territory. During this time, agitation for a separate state by the Mizo National Front, spread like fire. This eventually led to the signing of the historic Mizoram Peace Accord in June 1986 between the Central Government, led by the Late Rajiv Gandhi and the Mizo National Front. Thus was created the state of Mizoram on 20th February 1987.

The origin of the Mizo rebellion is linked with an interesting fact. It all began with a natural crises called 'Mautam', which occurs every 50 years. During this, the bamboo forests of Mizoram flower and they attract a huge number of rats, which devour rice fields and vegetable gardens, leading to famine. A similar situation arose in 1959, which was followed by a two-year famine. When the government failed to take a substantial stand on the situation, it inspired a bank clerk named Laldinga to turn his Mizo Famine Front, working for the famine affected people, into the Mizo National Front. This Front fought for 20 years, for independence from what they saw as an inept and uncaring Indian administration. Finally, in June 1986, a peace deal was made which led to the creation of the third youngest state of the Indian Union, named Mizoram, in 1987.