Aizawl
Encyclopedia
Aizawl is the capital of the state of Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...

 in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. With a resident population 228,280 (26% of the population of Mizoram), it is the largest city within the state. It is also the center of all important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat. The population of Aizawl strongly reflects the different communities of the ethnic Mizo people.

History

In 1890, Officer Dally of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at the site that is now Aizawl, to support Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against the tribals. On Dally's recommendation, Aizawl was selected as the site of a fortified post that Colonel Skinner had been ordered to construct. The troops constructed stockades and buildings at the site.

Aizawl was the site of a tribal uprising in 1890, and was besieged from 9 to 28 September. Robert McCabe, Deputy Commissioner of the Lakhimpur district
Lakhimpur district
Lakhimpur is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at North Lakhimpur.- History :...

, restored order in the area and forced 15 tribal chiefs to surrender. After this, more troops were stationed at Aizawl. Another uprising in 1892 was also quelled by McCabe.

The city later became the headquarters of the 1st Assam Rifles
Assam Rifles
The Assam Rifles are one of the Paramilitary forces of India. The unit can trace its lineage back to a paramilitary police force that was formed under the British in 1835 called Cachar Levy. Since then the Assam Rifles have undergone a number of name changes before the name Assam Rifles was finally...

 (AR). During the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising
March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising
The March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising was a revolt against the Government of India, aimed at establishing a sovereign state for the Mizos. On 1 March 1966, the Mizo National Front made a declaration of independence, after launching coordinated attacks on the Government offices and security...

, the Mizo National Front
Mizo National Front
Mizo National Front is a regional political party in Mizoram, India. MNF emerged out of the Mizo National Famine Front, which was formed by Pu Laldenga to protest against the inaction of the Indian central government towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of the Assam state in 1959. It...

 (MNF) members took control of the city and the AR headquarters at the center of the city was besieged. The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on the town, following which the MNF withdrew to Lunglei
Lunglei
Lunglei is a town, situated in the south-central part of Mizoram state, northeastern India. Lunglei, sometimes spelled Lungleh, literally meaning 'bridge of rock' got its name from a bridge like rock found in the riverine area around Nghasih - a small tributary of the river Tlawng...

.

Geography

Aizawl is located north of the Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Cancer
The Tropic of Cancer, also referred to as the Northern tropic, is the circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith...

 in the northern part of Mizoram. It is situated on a ridge 1,132 metres (3715 ft) above sea level, with the Tlawng river valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...

 to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east.

Climate

Aizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under the koppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...

, Aizawl features a humid subtropical climate
Humid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...

 albeit a more moderate version of the climate. In the summer the temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees Celsius, and in the winter 11-21 degrees Celsius.

Civic Administration

The Aizawl Municipal Council is incharge of Civic Administration of Aizawl City. It was formed in 2010 with 19 Members. The Congress ZNP party Coalition was voted to power with 10 members and is being Administered by one Council Chairman, Vice Chairman and three Executive members.

Demographics

India census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

, Aizawl had a population of 228,280. Males constitute 50.80% of the population and females made up the remaining 49.20%. Mizos from various tribes make up the majority of the population. Christianity
Christianity in India
Christianity is India's third-largest religion, with approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.3% of India's population. The works of scholars and Eastern Christian writings and 14th century Portuguese missionaries created an illusion to convert Indians that Christianity was introduced to...

 is the dominant religion in the city. Presbyterians
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...

 make up the majority of the population. However, there are also significant numbers of the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....

, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, United Pentecostal Church and Roman Catholics in the city. There are also some cultural based Christian sects. Hinduism and Islam are also represented in very small numbers in the city population.

Economy

The Economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by Government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The Major Banks are also located within Aizawl.

Air

Aizawl is connected by Air through Lengpui Airport
Lengpui Airport
Lengpui Airport is an airport in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.The airport is connected by daily flights with Kolkata and Guwahati and three flights a week with Imphal and is located at a distance of 32 km from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram...

 which it is situated near Aizawl. The Airport provides connectivity to Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...

 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is an airport located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, serving the greater Kolkata metro area. The airport was originally known as Dum Dum Airport before being renamed in the honour of Subhas Chandra Bose...

 , Guwahati Airport and Imphal Airport
Imphal Airport
-World War II:Imphal Airport was a major Allied supply base. The Allies could fly men, equipment and supplies into the airstrips at Imphal so although cut off by land, the town was not without a lifeline...

. Air India
Air India
Air India is the flag carrier airline of India. It is part of the government of India owned Air India Limited . The airline operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. Its corporate office is located at the Air India Building at Nariman...

, Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is Kingfisher House in Vile Parle , Mumbai. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red....

, Jet Airways
Jet Airways
Jet Airways is a major Indian airline based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is India's largest airline and the market leader in the domestic sector. It operates over 400 flights daily to 76 destinations worldwide. Its main hub is Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, with secondary hubs at Delhi,...

 are the three regular airlines which operate flights to and from Lengpui Airport
Lengpui Airport
Lengpui Airport is an airport in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.The airport is connected by daily flights with Kolkata and Guwahati and three flights a week with Imphal and is located at a distance of 32 km from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram...

. The North East Shuttle also links the state with Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...

. You can also reach Aizawl Via Silchar Airport
Silchar Airport
Silchar Airport is located in Silchar in the state of Assam, India. It was constructed by the British during the World War. The airport is situated on the foothills of the Barail range. It is the fourth busiest airport of the north-eastern India next to Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal...

 in Assam. The Government is also undertaking a project for a helicopter service within the state.

Rail

Mizoram is connected by Railroad up to Bairabi
Bairabi
Bairabi is a census town in Kolasib district in the state of Mizoram, India. It is also the railhead of Mizoram, 130 km from the Capital, Aizawl.- Demographics :...

, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with Broad Gaurge Railway track., near Aizawl

Road

Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar
Silchar
Silchar is the headquarters of Cachar district in the state of Assam in India. It is the economic gateway to the state of Mizoram and part of Manipur. It is south east of Guwahati. The city of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance and is the second largest city in the state of Assam...

 through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40 & with Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....

 through National Highway 150. The Yellow & White Taxis are widely available, Maruti Taxis are widely used. The Blue & White Mini bus is being operated by Private operators.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl. Basketball, Badminton & Boxing are also popular in Aizawl with mini indoor stadiums in different parts of the city.

Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla officially inaugurated the Artificial Turf (grass) laid at Aizawl Lammual, also known as the Assam Rifles (AR) Ground in Aizawl city on Monday, February 28, 2011.

Media

The Major newspapers are local dailies in Mizo Language such as Vanglaini, The Zozamtimes & The Aizawl Post. The State Run Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...

 provides both national & local coverage. Local news in Mizo language is also transmitted by LPS and Zonet.LPS Channel 1 is now viewable in several states of India and neighbouring Countries. All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...

 also has a studio that host programs at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.

Education

Education in Aizawl was mainly run by missionaries. Schools run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India, several Roman Catholic religious orders & the Seventh Day Adventists are among the best schools in Aizawl. Pachhunga University College
Pachhunga University College
Pachhunga University College is a constituent college of Mizoram University, a central university established by an Act of Parliament of India. Founded in 1958, it is the oldest and a premier college in the entire state of Mizoram, India. It is situated in College Veng, a locality located at the...

 was among the earliest college founded in 1958. Aizawl College
Aizawl college
-History:Established ‘Aizawl College’ in 1975 by a team of philanthropic citizens meeting at the Office chamber of the then Legislative Assembly Speaker, Dr. H.Thansanga, on the 13th. January 1975, Aizawl College was formally inaugurated by Pu Ch.Chhunga, the first Chief Minister of Mizoram...

, the second eldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Mizoram University
Mizoram University
Mizoram University was established on July 2, 2001, by the Mizoram University Act, 2000 of the Parliament of India as a Central University the President of India as its Visitor...

established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the Colleges in Mizoram. Plans are being made to start a medical college, a National Institute of Technology & Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

External links

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