Aizawl(English:/aɪˈzɔːl/;[5]Mizo:[ˈaɪ̯.ˈzɔːl]), formerly known asAijal,is thecapital cityand the most populous city ofMizoram,India.[6]It is also the fourth largest city innortheast India,afterAgartalaandImphal.[7][8]It is situated atop a series ofridges,with an average elevation of around 1,132 metres (3,714 feet) abovesea level.[9]In 2024, the city has an estimated population of 405,000 people.[3][10]
Aizawl
Aijal | |
|---|---|
Clockwise from top: aerial view of Aizawl at night,Solomon's Temple,AR Ground Stadium, terminal ofLengpui Airport,Aizawl Theological College,Aizawl at day | |
| Nickname(s): | |
  Aizawl Location of Aizawl in India  Aizawl Aizawl (India)  Aizawl Aizawl (Asia) | |
| Coordinates:23°43′38″N92°43′04″E/ 23.72722°N 92.71778°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Mizoram |
| District | Aizawl |
| Government | |
| • Body | Aizawl Municipal Corporation |
| • Mayor | Lalrinênga Sailo(MNF) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 129.91 km2(50.16 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,132 m (3,714 ft) |
| Population (2024) | |
| • Total | 405,000[3] |
| • Rank | 1st inMizoram |
| • Density | 2,253/km2(5,840/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | MizoandEnglish |
| • Additional Spoken | otherKukish languages,Nepali. |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30(IST) |
| PIN | 796001 |
| Telephone code | 0389 |
| Vehicle registration | MZ-01 |
| Sex ratio | 1025 females per 1000 males♂/♀[4] |
| Climate | Cwa |
| Literacy | 98.36%[4] |
Etymology
editThe wordAizawlis a combination of twoMizowords: "ai" meaning "cardamom"and" zawl "meaning" flatland "or" plain. "Therefore," Aizawl "could roughly translate to" the field of cardamom. "This name may have historical significance or could refer to the characteristics of the area before urbanisation.[11]
History
editPre-colonialism (before 1889)
editIn 1871–72, Kalkhama (recorded by the British as Kalkhom), aMizoChief, exhibited disorderly behavior, prompting the British to establish an outpost. This outpost, initially founded by Suakpuilala, the Chief ofReiek,later evolved intoAizawlvillage. Situated a mere 14 kilometress fromSairangand accessible via flat-bottomed boats, it served as a strategic location, with the Li Bial stream.[12]
Colonial Aijal (1889-1948)
editIn 1889, Officer Dally of theAssam Police,accompanied by 400 men, arrived in Aizawl village to assist Colonel Skinner's troops during aBritish military operationagainst the Mizo natives. Aizawl was subsequently chosen as the site for a fortified post on Dally's recommendation, leading Colonel Skinner to oversee its construction. The troops erected stockades and other essential structures, establishing a significant military presence in the area. In the same year, Fort Aijal was established, a small village that became the capital of British administration inNorth Lushai Hills.[13]
Aijal was formally established on 25 February 1890 asFort Aijal.[14]
Aizawl swiftly emerged as the administrative and religious hub for the Mizos, following the establishment of the Welsh Mission Society headquarters in the city. This led to a surge in population as Aizawl Bazar evolved into the primary commercial center of theLushai Hills region.[13]
Contemporary Aizawl (1948-present)
editCapital ofMizo District,Assam, India (1948-1972)
editThe once modest village, situated on a level hilltop, underwent rapid expansion, transforming into a rugged and uneven settlement. The intensification of theMautam faminein the late 1950s prompted an influx of people seeking sustenance and opportunities, further fueling Aizawl's growth. Nearby villages like Chaltlang and Durtlang soon became absorbed into the expanding urban landscape, marking the transition of Aizawl into a modern cityscape by the early 1960s.[15]
1966 Mizo National Front Uprising
editThe expansion of Aizawl came to an abrupt halt in the mid-1960s due to the turmoil caused by theMizo Independence Movement,spearheaded by theMizo National Front(MNF), which engaged in open conflict with theGovernment of India.However, a pivotal and tragic event unfolded in Aizawl in March 1966, marking a dark chapter in its history.
In an effort to suppress the MNF's advances, on March 5-6th, the Government of India launched a devastating bombardment of Aizawl and its surrounding areas, resulting in significant loss of life.[16]By this point, Aizawl had already been largely evacuated, with many seeking refuge in the nearby jungle. This unprecedented act of the Indian government, to conduct airstrikes in its own territory in urban areas, remains the first in Indian history.[15][17]
Capital of Mizoram Union Territory (1972-1987)
editAizawl continued to be the capital ofMizoramafter gaining the status of Union Territory. The UT status provided opportunities for economic growth and development in Aizawl. The city emerged as a key commercial and trade centre in the region, withBurmeseethnicChinimmigrants seeking better job opportunities in Aizawl.[18]
Capital of State of Mizoram (1987-present)
edit
Statehood provided Aizawl with enhanced access to resources, funding, and developmental schemes from the central government. This facilitated the implementation of infrastructure projects, such asLengpui Airport,educational initiatives, healthcare programs, and poverty alleviation measures aimed at fostering socio-economic growth and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
Geography
editAizawl is located in north of theTropic of Cancerin the northern part of Mizoram. It is situated on a ridge 1,132 metres (3715 ft) above sea level, with theTlawngrivervalleyto its west and theTuirialriver valley to its east.[19]
Civic Administration
edit
The Aizawl Municipal Corporation is the authority of civic administration of Aizawl city.[20]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.[21]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.[22]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.[23]
Demographics
editAs of 1910, there were 777 army personnel in Aizawl from different parts of North India as well asNepal.The Gurkha's among the soldiers eventually settled in Aizawl.[24]
As of the2011 Census of India,[25]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.Christianityforms majority of the city population about 93.63%.[4]Other minority religions includeHinduism4.14%,Islam1.52%,Buddhism0.45%, Others 0.09%,Sikhism0.03% andJainism0.02%.[4]and 0.11% of peoples did not state their religion.[4][needs update]
Climate
editAizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under theKöppen climate classification,Aizawl features ahumid subtropical climate(Cwa). In summer, temperatures are moderately warm, averaging around 20–30 °C (68–86 °F). In winter, daytime temperatures are cooler in comparison to the rest of the year, averaging around 11–21 °C (52–70 °F).[26]
| Climate data for Aizawl, elevation 950 m (3,120 ft), (1991–2020, 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) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.3 (73.9) |
24.8 (76.6) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.8 (83.8) |
28.0 (82.4) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.0 (80.6) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.3 (81.1) |
27.2 (81.0) |
26.0 (78.8) |
23.8 (74.8) |
26.6 (79.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.3 (52.3) |
13.0 (55.4) |
16.4 (61.5) |
17.5 (63.5) |
18.7 (65.7) |
19.5 (67.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.1 (68.2) |
19.6 (67.3) |
19.1 (66.4) |
15.9 (60.6) |
12.6 (54.7) |
16.9 (62.4) |
| 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) | 9.1 (0.36) |
19.4 (0.76) |
71.5 (2.81) |
134.2 (5.28) |
322.5 (12.70) |
311.0 (12.24) |
326.6 (12.86) |
342.2 (13.47) |
337.9 (13.30) |
173.0 (6.81) |
42.5 (1.67) |
10.6 (0.42) |
2,100.5 (82.70) |
| Average rainy days | 0.8 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 7.9 | 14.1 | 17.3 | 18.9 | 18.7 | 15.3 | 10.0 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 111.5 |
| Source:India Meteorological Department[27][28] | |||||||||||||
| Aizawl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Transport
editAir
edit
Aizawl is connected by air transport throughLengpui Airportwhich it is situated near Aizawl.[29]The airport provides connectivity toKolkata,Delhi,Guwahati,Agartala,ShillongandImphal,operated byAir India,Go FirstandIndiGo.A helicopter service byPawan Hans[30]was started in 2012 and connects the city withLunglei,Lawngtlai,Saiha,Chawngte,Serchhip,Champhai,Kolasib,Khawzawl,NgopaandHnahthial.[31][32]
Rail
editMizoram is connected to the national network by a railway up toBairabi;the government has also begun constructing a broad gaugeBairabi Sairang Railwayconnection for better connectivity in the state.[33]
TheAizawl Monorailsystem was proposed in 2011, but as of 2024, it is still uncertain whether the project will proceed with implementation.[34][35][36]
Media
editNewspaper:The major media in Aizawl in the Mizo and English languages are:[37]
Radio: All India Radioalso has a studio that host programmes at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.[44]
Education
edit
Tertiary
editPachhunga University Collegewas among the earliest colleges founded in 1958.Aizawl College,the second oldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975.Hrangbana Collegewas 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 Universityestablished 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, Mizoramlocated in Durtlang,Aizawl West College,Government Aizawl North College,J. Thankima Collegealso provides undergraduate courses.Mizoram Law Collegeprovides education to people who seek profession in Law.[45]Indian Institute of Mass CommunicationandNational Institute of Technology Mizoramhas already started operations.Zoram Medical Collegeis inaugurated on 7 August 2018 in Falkawn.[46]
Sports
edit
Footballis the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. The professional football club of the cityAizawl F.C.competes inI-League.Some of the important sporting facilities in Aizawl are:
- Rajiv Gandhi Stadium,with a seating capacity of 20,000, is located at Mualpui in Aizawl.[47]
- Hawla Indoor Stadiumis the largest indoor stadium withbasketball,badmintonandboxingfacilities.
- Lammualstadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.[48]
| Team | Sport | League | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mizoram football team | Football | Santosh Trophy | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |
| Aizawl F.C. | Football | I-League | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium |
| Chanmari F.C. | Football | Mizoram Premier League | Lammual |
| Chawnpui F.C. | 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.[49]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"'Zofate Jerusalem': MNF hopes to ride Mizo nationalism wave post-Manipur, to another term ".27 October 2023.
- ^"Zawlkhawpui senmei chan ni".
- ^ab"Aizawl, India Metro Area Population 1950-2024".macotrends.net.Retrieved4 April2024.
- ^abcde"Aizawl City Census 2011 data".census2011.co.in.Retrieved17 May2018.
- ^"Definition of Aizawl".The Free Online Dictionary.Retrieved31 October2013.
- ^"About District | Aizawl District, Government of Mizoram | India".
- ^"Top 10 Most Populated Cities in North-east India".negreens.com. 10 November 2019.
- ^"North-east India - Emerging Urbanisation".urbanecology.com.
- ^"Mizoram Tourism".
- ^"Aizawl Population 2024".worldpopulationreview.com.Retrieved4 April2024.
- ^"Mizoram Tourism".
- ^K. C. Kabra (2008).Economic Growth of Mizoram: Role of Business & Industry.Concept Publishing Company.ISBN9788180695186.
- ^ab"The Making of Aijal".Archived fromthe originalon 12 November 2013.
- ^"Mizoram Tourism".Retrieved16 February2024.
- ^ab"The Beautiful Hill Top City of Aizawl".26 October 2021.
- ^Dr. J. V. Hluna, Rini Tochhawng (2012).The Mizo Uprising: Assam Assembly Debates on the Mizo Movement, 1966-1971.Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. xix.ISBN978-1-44384042-2.
- ^Hamlet Bareh (2001).Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram.Mittal Publications. pp. 206–216.ISBN978-81-7099-787-0.
- ^"Chin Refugees Myanmar Receive Mixed Welcome india".
- ^"Aizawl - the State Capital: Mizoram".mizoram.nic.in.Retrieved6 November2023.
- ^"Home | Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC)".amcmizoram.com.Retrieved12 February2024.
- ^Chetri, Pratap."Aizawl Gets Its First Municipal Council".Eastern Panorama.Retrieved14 August2012.
- ^"Profile | Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC)".amcmizoram.com.Retrieved11 September2024.
- ^Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma."Aizawl Municipal Council".T Romana College. Archived fromthe originalon 28 May 2013.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^Pachuau, Joy (13 April 2015).The Camera as a Witness.Cambridge. p. 139.ISBN9781107073395.
- ^"Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)".Census Commission of India. Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2004.Retrieved1 November2008.
- ^"Aizawl - the State Capital".Mizoram. Archived fromthe originalon 7 October 2013.Retrieved9 November2012.
- ^ "Station: Aizwal Climatological Table 1991–2020"(PDF).Climatological Normals 1991–2020.India Meteorological Department. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 8 April 2024.Retrieved7 July2024.
- ^ "Aizwal Climatological Table 1971–2000".India Meteorological Department.Retrieved5 February2020.
- ^Shulevitz, Uri (2008).How I learned geography.Farrar Straus Giroux.ISBN9780374334994.OCLC123766698.
- ^"Mizorama Helicopter Service Tur Chief Minister in Hawng".Mizoram DIPR. Archived fromthe originalon 12 December 2013.Retrieved14 August2012.
- ^"Nilaini atangin 'Helicopter Service".The Zozam Times.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2015.Retrieved20 August2012.
- ^"Mizoram Chhunga Helicopter Service Scheduled Thar".DIPR: Govt of Mizoram. Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2015.Retrieved23 September2015.
- ^PTI."Broad gauge track project in Mizoram to be over by March 2015".CNN IBN Live.Archived fromthe originalon 26 January 2013.Retrieved13 August2012.
- ^"The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Northeast | Monorail project for Aizawl".18 May 2018. Archived fromthe originalon 18 May 2018.Retrieved12 February2024.
- ^"Mono Rail And Cable Car in Aizawl?".Retrieved12 February2024.
- ^"AIZAWL KHAWPUI TAWT LUTUK TIHZIAHAWM NGAIHTUAH".dipr.mizoram.gov.in.Retrieved12 February2024.
- ^"Accredited Journalists".DIPR Mizoram. Archived fromthe originalon 19 June 2013.Retrieved5 September2012.
- ^"Vanglaini - Mizo Daily Since 1978".vanglaini.org.Archived fromthe originalon 1 April 2014.Retrieved30 June2010.
- ^"The Zozam Times".Archived fromthe originalon 7 January 2014.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"The Aizawl Post".Archived fromthe originalon 3 January 2014.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"Virthli".Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2013.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"The Mizoram Post".Archived fromthe originalon 11 November 2013.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"Zozam Weekly".Archived fromthe originalon 18 May 2014.Retrieved7 September2012.
- ^"AIR buatsaih FM Zoawi chu le".Vanglaini.Archived fromthe originalon 29 May 2014.Retrieved27 August2012.
- ^The Mizoram University Act of 25 April 2000Archived3 August 2012 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Central Health Services Leh Aiims Doctor Ten Chief Minister HMU".DIPR. Archived fromthe originalon 1 February 2014.Retrieved15 August2012.
- ^tirhkahthawla."Mualpui Stadium Design".misual.com. Archived fromthe originalon 27 May 2013.Retrieved14 August2012.
- ^"Lammual-ah Gallery sak hna tan dawn ta".The Zozam Times. Archived fromthe originalon 15 April 2013.Retrieved16 August2012.
- ^"Aizawl will host the third edition of Xchange North East Youth NGO summit from October 3rd to 5th,2018".Archived fromthe originalon 4 September 2018.
External links
edit
Aizawltravel guide from Wikivoyage- Aizawl Official Website
- Aizawl Municipal Corporation
