Aizawl

Aizawl (English: /aɪˈzɔːl/;[2] Mizo: [ˈʌɪ̯.ˈzɔːl] (listen)) is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. Aizawl was officially established on 25 February 1890. With a population of 293,416,[3] it is the largest city in the state. It is also the centre of administration containing all the important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat. The population of Aizawl strongly reflects the different communities of the ethnic Mizo people.

This article is about the municipality in Mizoram, India. For its namesake district, see Aizawl district.

Aizawl
Capital
Montage of Aizawl City Clockwise from top left: Pachhunga University College Entrance gate, Solomon's Temple in Aizawl, Aizawl Bazar, Night View of Aizawl, Lengpui Airport Building
Aizawl Location of Aizawl in India Show map of Mizoram Aizawl Aizawl (India) Show map of India Aizawl Aizawl (Asia) Show map of Asia
Coordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E
Country	India
State	Mizoram
District	Aizawl
Government
• Body	Aizawl Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	P.C. Lalhmingthanga (MNF)
Area
• Total	457 km^2 (176 sq mi)
Elevation	1,132 m (3,714 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	293,416[1]
• Density	234/km^2 (610/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Mizo
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	796001
Telephone code	0389
Vehicle registration	MZ-01
Sex ratio	1025 females per 1000 males ♂/♀[1]
Climate	Cwa
Literacy	98.36%[1]

History

In 1871–72, the disorderly conduct of Khalkom, a Mizo chief, compelled the British to establish an outpost that later became the Aizawl village.[4] The post had been established by Suakpuilala, the Chief of Reiek and it was only 14 kilometres from Sairang from where one could travel by flat bottomed boat. In 1890, officer Dally of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at Aizawl to support Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against the Mizo 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.[5] In 1892-95 Aizawl became accessible from Silchar by fair weather road under the supervision of Major Loch.

The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on the town during the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising, following which the MNF withdrew to Lunglei.[6] Until 1966, Aizawl was a large village but the regrouping of Mizo villages after the uprising made it become a larger town and then a city. Aizawl has become the centre of road network in Mizoram connecting the north and south, east and west. More than 25% of the Mizoram population reside in Aizawl.

Geography

Aizawl is located in north of the Tropic of Cancer 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 to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east.

Civic Administration

Aizawl city

The Aizawl Municipal Council is the authority of civic administration of Aizawl city. It was formed in 2010 with 19 Members when the Congress-ZNP party coalition was voted to power in the state legislative assembly. The AMC office is being administered by one council Chairman, Vice-Chairman and three executive members.[7] It consists of 19 elected members representing 19 wards of the city and others appointed by the Governor of Mizoram. One-third of the total membership is reserved for women, these six seats shall be rotated after every five years. The tenure of the council is five years. There is a Ward Committee in every ward that consists of a Chairman, who is an elected councillor from that ward, and two members each from all the local council within the ward. There are 78 local councils having a term of five years.[8]

Demographics

Religion in Aizawl
Religion			Percentage
Christianity			93.63%
Hinduism			4.14%
Islam			1.52%
Buddhism			0.45%
Not Stated			0.11%
Others			0.09%
Sikhism			0.03%
Jainism			0.02%

As of 1910, there were 777 army personnel in Aizawl from different parts of North India as well as Nepal. The Gurkha's among the soldiers eventually settled in Aizawl.[9]

As of 2011 India census,[10] Aizawl had a population of 293,416. Females constitute 50.61% of the population and males made up the remaining 49.39%. Mizos from various tribes make up the majority of the population. Christianity forms majority of the city population about 93.63%.[1] Other minority religions are Hinduism 4.14, Islam 1.52, Buddhism 0.45, Others 0.09%, Sikhism 0.03% and Jainism 0.02%.[1] 0.11% peoples did not state their religion.[1]

Presbyterians make up the majority of the population. However, there are also significant numbers of the Salvation Army, 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.

Climate

Aizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under the Köppen climate classification, Aizawl features a humid subtropical climate (Cwa) but very rainy. In the summer the temperature ranges from 20–30 °C (68–86 °F), and in the winter 11–21 °C (52–70 °F).[11]

Climate data for Aizawl (1981–2010, extremes 1973–2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	29.5 (85.1)	33.8 (92.8)	34.6 (94.3)	35.5 (95.9)	34.2 (93.6)	33.6 (92.5)	33.2 (91.8)	32.2 (90.0)	32.7 (90.9)	33.1 (91.6)	32.8 (91.0)	28.5 (83.3)	35.5 (95.9)
Average high °C (°F)	23.4 (74.1)	24.4 (75.9)	27.6 (81.7)	28.7 (83.7)	28.0 (82.4)	27.1 (80.8)	26.8 (80.2)	27.5 (81.5)	27.2 (81.0)	27.2 (81.0)	26.9 (80.4)	23.5 (74.3)	26.4 (79.5)
Average low °C (°F)	11.7 (53.1)	13.3 (55.9)	16.5 (61.7)	17.7 (63.9)	19.1 (66.4)	19.9 (67.8)	20.0 (68.0)	20.4 (68.7)	19.9 (67.8)	19.1 (66.4)	16.2 (61.2)	12.9 (55.2)	17.2 (63.0)
Record low °C (°F)	6.1 (43.0)	7.3 (45.1)	9.6 (49.3)	11.7 (53.1)	12.2 (54.0)	15.2 (59.4)	12.0 (53.6)	16.2 (61.2)	16.7 (62.1)	13.5 (56.3)	10.0 (50.0)	8.0 (46.4)	6.1 (43.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	9.2 (0.36)	24.6 (0.97)	81.3 (3.20)	150.6 (5.93)	306.1 (12.05)	284.7 (11.21)	329.1 (12.96)	338.7 (13.33)	321.1 (12.64)	176.8 (6.96)	52.1 (2.05)	15.9 (0.63)	2,092 (82.36)
Average rainy days	0.7	2.1	4.3	8.2	13.6	17.0	18.7	19.0	14.9	9.5	2.7	0.9	111.4
Source: India Meteorological Department[12][13]

Aizawl
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     13     20 11     23     22 13     73     25 16     168     27 18     289     26 18     406     26 19     320     25 19     321     26 19     305     26 19     184     25 18     43     23 15     15     21 12 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: WMO
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.5     69 53     0.9     71 55     2.9     77 60     6.6     80 64     11     79 65     16     78 66     13     78 66     13     78 66     12     78 67     7.2     76 64     1.7     73 59     0.6     70 54 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Cityscape

A panoramic view of Aizawl taken from Zemabawk, Aizawl

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. A 3-star category hotel, Hotel Regency, has recently been inaugurated at Zarkawt, a central location within the city. It provides a much-needed hospitality service for tourists and business visitors to Aizawl. There are several other hotels apart from Hotel Regency. Those include - Hotel Sangchia located in Zarkawt, Hotel Grand located in Zarkawt, Hotel Floria located in Dawrpui, Ritz Hotel located in Canteen Kual, Tourist Lodge located in Chaltlang, Chawlhna Hotel located in Zarkawt, Riakmaw Inn located in Zarkawt, Hotel Ahimsa located in Zarkawt, and other numerous affordable hotels.

Inner Line Permit (ILP)

Domestic tourists require the Inner Line Permit (ILP) for entry into Mizoram, for persons other than government employees. ILP can be obtained from the Liaison Officers in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar. It can also be obtained on arrival at the Lengpui Airport (nearest airport to Aizawl).[14]

Foreign nationals have to register themselves at the office of the Superintendent of the Police (CID/SB) of Mizoram within 24hours of arrival. However, citizens of China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before entering the state.[14]

Transport

Air

Lengpui Airport

Aizawl is connected by air transport through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl.[15] The airport provides connectivity to Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Guwahati Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Shillong Airport and Imphal Imphal Airport. Air India is the airline which services Lengpui Airport. A helicopter service by Pawan Hans[16] was started in 2012 and connects the city with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Hnahthial.[17][18]

Rail

Mizoram is connected by railroad up to Bairabi, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with broad gauge railway track, near Aizawl. The government has also started a broad gauge Bairabi Sairang Railway connection for better connectivity in the state.[19] There is also the plan for 5 km long Aizawl Monorail running between Zemabawk to Kulikawn.

Road

Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 540, with Agartala through National Highway 40 and with Imphal through National Highway 150. The yellow-and-white taxis are widely available; Maruti cars are most widely used. Privately owned blue-and-white mini buses are on regular service as city buses.

Media

Newspaper: The major media in Aizawl in Mizo and English Language are:[20]

Vanglaini,[21] The Zozam Times[22] The Aizawl Post.[23] Khawpui Aw Virthli[24] The Mizoram Post[25] Zoram Tlangau

Mizo Arsi Mizo Express Zawlaidi Zozam Weekly[26] Zoram Thlirtu Sakeibaknei Entlang

Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programmes at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.[27]

Education

Mizoram University Entrance

There are both state and private schools. Parochial schools are run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India (Synod), several Roman Catholic (St. Paul's Higher Secondary School, Mary Mount School, St. Lawrence School, St. Mary's School) religious orders and the Seventh-day Adventists (Helen Lowry). Kendriya Vidyalaya, Aizawl, is another school run by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, the school situated close to Zembawk. Other schools include Home Missions School, Mount Carmel School, Oikos Higher Secondary School.

Tertiary

Pachhunga University College was among the earliest colleges founded in 1958. Aizawl College, the second oldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Hrangbana College was established in 1980, located in Chanmari, Aizawl, it has 57 teaching staffs with 22 non-teaching staffs and more than 2,000 students in commerce and arts departments. Mizoram University established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the colleges in Mizoram. Mizoram University also provides post-graduate education as well as B.Tech education and other departments. ICFAI University, Mizoram located in Durtlang, Aizawl West College, Aizawl North College, J. Thankima College also provides undergraduate courses. Mizoram Law College provides education to people who seek profession in Law.[28] Indian Institute of Mass Communication and National Institute of Technology Mizoram has already started operations. Plans are being made to start a medical college in Falkawn.[29]

Sports

Lammual

Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. Some of the more important playing facilities in Aizawl are:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl.[30]
2. Hawla Indoor Stadium is the largest indoor stadium with basketball, badminton and boxing facilities.
3. Lammual stadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.[31]

Team	Sport	League	Venue
Mizoram football team	Football	Santosh Trophy	Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui
Aizawl F.C.	Football	I-League	Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Mualpui
Chanmari F.C.	Football	Mizoram Premier League	Lammual
Dinthar Football Club	Football	Mizoram Premier League	Lammual/Vaivakawn field

Aizawl hosted the third edition of Xchange North East Youth NGO summit from October 3 to 5, 2018.[32]

Neighbourhoods

Aizawl Venglai Armed Veng Armed Veng South Bawngkawn Bawngkawn Hmar Veng Bawngkawn South/Chhim Veng Bethlehem Bethlehem Vengthlang Bungkawn Bungkawn Vengthar Central Jail Veng Chaltlang Chaltlang North/Lily Veng Chawlhhmun Chanmari Chanmari West Chawnpui Chhinga Veng Chite Veng College Veng Dam Veng Dawrpui Dawrpui Vengthar Dinthar Durtlang	Durtlang Leitan Durtlang North Electric Veng Edenthar Hunthar Hlimen I.T.I. Veng Kanan Khatla Khatla East Khatla South Khatla West (New Secretariat Complex) Kulikawn Laipuitlang Lawipu Veng Luangmual Maubawk Melthum Mission Veng Mission Vengthlang Muanna Veng Nursery Phunchawng Ramhlun Venglai Ramhlun North Ramhlun South Ramhlun Vengthar Ramhlun Sports Complex Ramthar Ramthar North	Rangvamual Republic Veng Republic Vengthlang Saikhamakawn Sakawrtuichhun Salem Veng Saron Selesih Tanhril Thakthing Tlangnuam Tlangnuam South Tuikhuahtlang Tuikual South Tuikual North Tuithiang Tuivamit Upper Republic Vaivakawn Venghlui Venghnuai Zarkawt Zemabawk Zemabawk North Zonuam Zotlang Zuangtui

Notable People

• Zoramthanga, Politician, current Chief Minister of Mizoram
• Lal Thanhawla; Politician, Ex-Chief Minister
• Brig. Thenphunga Sailo (L); AVSM, PVSM, VSM Padma Shree, Ex-Chief Minister
• Lalsangzuali Sailo (L); Padma Shree, Singer/Songwriter
• Jeremy Lalrinnunga; Weightlifter
• H.T. Sangliana IPS Rtd.; ex-Police Officer, Politician
• Lalnghinglova Hmar; Freelance Journalist, Politician, Inspirational Speaker, Honorary Secretary of Mizoram Football Association

See also

• Tourism in North East India
• Advanced Research Centre for Bamboo and Rattan Aizawl

References

1. "Aizawl City Census 2011 data". census2011.co.in. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
2. "Definition of Aizawl". The Free Online Dictionary. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
3. "Aizawl City Population". census2011.co.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
4. K. C. Kabra (2008). Economic Growth of Mizoram: Role of Business & Industry. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180695186.
5. The Making of Aijal Archived 12 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
6. Hamlet Bareh (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram. Mittal Publications. pp. 206–216. ISBN 978-81-7099-787-0.
7. Chetri, Pratap. "Aizawl Gets Its First Municipal Council". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
8. Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma. "Aizawl Municipal Council". T Romana College. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
9. Pachuau, Joy. The Camera as a Witness. Cambridge. p. 139. ISBN 9781107073395.
10. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
11. "Aizawl - the State Capital". Mizoram. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
12. "Station: Aizwal Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 17–18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
13. "Aizwal Climatological Table 1971–2000". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
14. "Inner Line Permit (ILP): Mizoram". mizoram.nic.in. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
15. Shulevitz, Uri, 1935- (2008). How I learned geography. Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780374334994. OCLC 123766698.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. "Mizorama Helicopter Service Tur Chief Minister in Hawng". Mizoram DIPR. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
17. "Nilaini atangin 'Helicopter Service". The Zozam Times. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
18. "Mizoram Chhunga Helicopter Service Scheduled Thar". DIPR: Govt of Mizoram. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
19. PTI. "Broad gauge track project in Mizoram to be over by March 2015". CNN IBN Live. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
20. "Accredited Journalists". DIPR Mizoram. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
21. "Vanglaini - Mizo Daily Since 1978". vanglaini.org. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
22. "The Zozam Times". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
23. "The Aizawl Post". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
24. "Virthli". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
25. "The Mizoram Post". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
26. "Zozam Weekly". Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
27. "AIR buatsaih FM Zoawi chu le". Vanglaini. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
28. The Mizoram University Act of 25 April 2000 Archived 3 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
29. "Central Health Services Leh Aiims Doctor Ten Chief Minister HMU". DIPR. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
30. tirhkahthawla. "Mualpui Stadium Design". misual.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
31. "Lammual-ah Gallery sak hna tan dawn ta". The Zozam Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
32. "Aizawl will host the third edition of Xchange North East Youth NGO summit from October 3rd to 5th,2018".

External links

• Aizawl travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Aizawl Development Authority
• Aizawl Official Website
• Regency Aizawl Official Website