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Mizoram
Mizoram History
Mizoram was inhabited by the tribal groups of Tibeto-Burmese
race. During the period 1750-1850 migrations led to
settlements in the hills. The tribal groups were governed
under a hereditary chieftainship. The Lushais are the most
predominant tribe besides a few others like Panei, Lakher,
Chakma, Riang. Agriculture is the main occupation of this
region.
During the British period, Mizoram became a part of the
territory of the British India in 1891 though the
administration of the villages were left to the local
chieftains. The influence of the British also extended to
conversion into Christianity.
After independence of India, Mizoram continued to be part
of Assam. In 1966 the Mizos resorted to the use of armed
struggle to put forth their demands to set up a homeland.
It was in 1986 that peace was established and Mizoram
joined the main stream with the Indian Union.
Mizoram Geography
Mizoram is situated between 21-58o to 24o 29' north
latitude and 92o 29' to 93o 22' east longitude. The tropic
of Cancer passes near the capital, Aizawl town.
Mizoram occupies the north east corner of India. In shape
it is rather like a narrow and inverted triangle. It is
bounded on the north by the district of Cachar (Assam) and
the state of Manipur, on the east and south by Chin Hills
and Arakan (Myanmar) on the west by the Chittagong hill
tracts of Bangladesh and the state of Tripura.
Mizoram borders three states of India - Assam , Manipur
and Tripura. Its geographical borders with Assam, Manipur
and Tripura extended over 123 km, 95 km and 66 km,
respectively. Mizoram is a land of hills. The hills run in
ridges from north to south. They have an average height of
900 metres, the highest point being the Blue Mountain
(2165 metres).
Mizoram Economy
The economic life of the Mizos has always been centered
around jhum or shifting cultivation. The crops grown in
the jhum are mixed. The principal crop is paddy and others
are maize, cucumber, beans, arum, ginger, mustard, sesame,
cotton etc. After clearing the burnt jhum, seeds for crops
other than paddy are sown.
Towards the end of April near the full moon time, paddy is
sown. Mainly two types of paddy seeds are sown in the same
field - early paddy and principal paddy. Yield of early
paddy is rather poor but it ripens early and provides
sustenance till the principal paddy is harvested.
There is vast scope for cultivation of tapioca, sugarcane,
cotton, pulses and oilseeds in the state.
Some pulses like cowpea, rice beans and French beans are
cultivated in the jhums. Oilseeds crops like sesame,
mustard and soybean are growing well in the state. |
