Currency: Indian Rupees

Official languages: Mizo

he origin of the Mizos, like those of many other tribes in the North Eastern India is shrouded in mystery. The generally accepted as part of a great Mongoloid wave of migration from China and later moved out to India to their present habitat.

It is possible that the Mizos came from Shinlung or Chhinlungsan located on the banks of the river Yalung in China. They first settled in the Shan State and moved on to Kabaw Valley to Khampat and then to the Chin Hills in the middle of the 16th century.

The earliest Mizos who migrated to India were known as Kukis, the second batch of immigrants were called New Kukis. The Lushais were the last of the Mizo tribes migrate to India. The Mizo history in the 18th and 19th Century is marked by many instances of tribal raids and retaliatory expeditions of security. Mizo Hills were formally declared as part of the British-India by a proclamation in 1895. North and south hills were united into Lushai Hills district in 1898 with Aizawl as its headquarters.

The process of the consolidated of the British administration in tribal dominated area in Assam stated in 1919 when Lushai Hills along with some other hill districts was declared a Backward Tract under government of India Act. The tribal districts of Assam including Lushai Hills were declared Excluded Area in 1935.

It was during the British regime that a political awakening among the Mizos in Lushai Hills started taking shape the first political party, the Mizo Common People's Union was formed on 9th April 1946. The Party was later renamed as Mizo Union. As the day of Independence drew nearer, the Constituent Assembly of India set up and Advisory Committee to deal with matters relating to the minorities and the tribals. A sub-Committee, under the chairmanship of Gopinath Bordoloi was formed to advise the Constituent Assembly on the tribal affairs in the North East. The Mizo Union submitted a resolution of this Sub-committee demanding inclusion of all Mizo inhabited areas adjacent to Lushai Hills. However, a new party called the United Mizo Freedom (UMFO) came up to demand that Lushai Hills join Burma after Independence.

Following the Bordoloi Sub-Committee's suggestion, a certain amount of autonomy was accepted by the Government and enshrined in the Six Schedule of the constitution. The Lushai Hills Autonomous District Council came into being in 1952 followed by the formation of these bodies led to the abolition of chieftanship in the Mizo society.

The autonomy however met the aspirations of the Mizos only partially. Representatives of the District Council and the Mizo Union pleaded with the States Reorganization Commission (SRC) in 1954 for integrated the Mizo-dominated areas of Tripura and Manipur with their District Council in Assam.

The tribal leaders in the North East were laboriously unhappy with the SRC Recommendation s : They met in Aizawl in 1955 and formed a new political party, Eastern India Union (EITU) and raised demand for a separate state comprising of all the hill districts of Assam. The Mizo Union split and the breakaway faction joined the EITU. By this time, the UMFO also joined the EITU and then understanding of the Hill problems by the Chuliha Ministry, the demand for a separate Hill state by EITU was kept in abeyance.

Mizoram has a mild climate, being relatively cool in summer 20 to 29 °C (68 to 84 °F) but progressively warmer, most probably due to climate change, with summer temperatures crossing 30 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures ranging from 7 to 22 °C (45 to 72 °F).

Citizens of most countries, including the United States, need a visa to visit India which should be arranged in advance. Full details can be found at The Government of India website (http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/). Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not need a visa, while some nationalities may get them upon arrival.

Aizawl is the base of Mizoram. It is well connected with major cities like Guwahati and Kokata by air, road and rail. Here is how to reach Mizoram.

By Air : Aizawl has a domestic airport and is well-connected to many cities like Guwahati, Imphal and Kolkata through regular daily flights. Flights to Dimapur and Agartala also operate from Aizawl.

By Train : Mizoram is connected through its rail head in Bairabi in Kolasib District.

By Road : Mizoram is connected through National Highway 54 from Silchar, Assam. Mizoram State Transport buses ply regularly from Aizawl to Guwahati, Silchar and Shillong.

Before you leave on your holiday, there are at least four health-related things you should do. Please check the handbook for specifics, but for now, here’s the short list:

Step 1: Check with the CDC for their recommendations for the countries you’ll be visiting.

Step 2: Have a medical checkup with your doctor.

Step 3: Pick up any necessary medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Step 4: Have a dental and/or eye checkup. (Recommended, but less important than steps 1-3.)

We recommend avoiding packing any plastic bags in your luggage before flying to Kenya. You should also remove any items purchased at departure airports from their bags before boarding. Double check your luggage before disembarking in Kenya and leave any plastic bags on the plane.

DO

In case of need or desire to overstay, you are advised to contact the nearest Foreigners' Regional Registration Office.

It is advisable to avail of pre-paid taxi/auto-rickshaws or pay by meter or ask for the fare chart.

Advisable to shop at the Govt. Emporia/Fixed Price Shops to ensure quality and reasonable prices.

Check power voltage before using electrical instruments (220/240 V are available in India)

Keep your valuables in hotel lockers/safe deposit vaults

You are advised to contact the nearest India Tourism Office/State Govt. Tourist Office or Government approved Travel Agents/Tour Operators for local sight seeing and excursion tours.

Fast Trains/Intercity express are available between several tourist centers. Consult the Railway Information Office or India Tourism Office/State Govt. Tourist Office.

Always hire a Govt. approved tourist guide who invariably carries an identity card.

Check about photography permissions/video filming at any monument. Contact the nearest India Tourism Office/State Govt. Tourist Office

Change money only at the Authorised Foreign Exchange Outlets/Banks/Hotels and insist on receipt for money changed.

For guide map of the city/tourist information, contact the nearest India Tourism Office/State Govt. Tourist Office

STD/ISD/FAX facilities are available at small outlets in all parts of the country with yellow sign boards

Observe local tradition/customs while visiting religious places

There is prohibition on liquor in a few states. Check details from the nearest Tourism Office about the same.

Smoking not allowed in public places and vehicles in some states.

Do not buy goods from road side unless and until you feel satisfied

All state government has their own handicraft stall and all good tour operators include it in their itinerary. Try to buy from Government stall only for genuine handicraft.

DON'T

Don't encourage beggars

Don't accept food/drinks from strangers

Export of Indian Currency is banned

Don't be coerced into shopping by touts/guides/cab/taxi drivers or strangers

Don't bye articles made from rare/endangered species of animals which are banned