Aizawl

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.

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.

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]

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 the 2011 Census of India,[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.

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]

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.

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]

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

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

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.

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]

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

• 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

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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aizawl.

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