Aizawl
Aizawl (English: /aɪˈzɔːl/;[2] Mizo: [ˈaɪ̯.ˈzɔːl] ) 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.
Aizawl | |
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Clockwise from top: Aizawl city view, Solomon's Temple, Dengthuama Stadium, Lengpui Airport terminal, ATC Mizoram, Aizawl Bazar | |
![]() ![]() Aizawl Location of Aizawl in India ![]() ![]() Aizawl Aizawl (India) ![]() ![]() Aizawl Aizawl (Asia) | |
Coordinates: 23°43′38″N 92°43′04″E | |
Country | ![]() |
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 (2011) | |
• Total | 293,416[1] |
• Density | 2,253/km2 (5,840/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Mizo and English |
• Additional Spoken | other Chin-Kuki-Mizo languages |
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] |
Etymology
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 into a larger town and then a city. Aizawl has become the centre for the road network in Mizoram connecting the north and south, east and west. More than 25% of Mizoram's population resides 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
![](../I/Aizawl%252C_Mizoram_-_panoramio.jpg.webp)
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
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 include Hinduism 4.14%, Islam 1.52%, Buddhism 0.45%, Others 0.09%, Sikhism 0.03% and Jainism 0.02%.[1] and 0.11% of 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 smaller Christian denominations. 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). 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).[11] Rainfall is mostly concentrated between April and October, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in May, July, August and September. The remainder of the year is notably drier.
Climate data for Aizawl (1981–2010, extremes 1973–2010) | |||||||||||||
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cityscape
Economy
The economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The major banks are also located in the city. A 3-star category hotel, Hotel Regency, has recently been launched 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.
Transport
Air
![](../I/Lengpui_Airport_Building.JPG.webp)
Aizawl is connected by air transport through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl.[14] The airport provides connectivity to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Shillong and Imphal, operated by Air India, Go First and IndiGo. A helicopter service by Pawan Hans[15] was started in 2012 and connects the city with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Hnahthial.[16][17]
Rail
Mizoram is connected to the national network by a railway up to Bairabi; the government has also begun constructing a broad gauge Bairabi Sairang Railway connection for better connectivity in the state.[18] 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 minibuses are on regular service as city buses.. For local conveyance 2 wheeler taxi are also available.
Media
Newspaper: The major media in Aizawl in the Mizo and English languages are:[19]
Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programmes at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.[26]
Education
![](../I/Mizoram_University_Entrance.JPG.webp)
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, Government Aizawl North College, J. Thankima College also provides undergraduate courses. Mizoram Law College provides education to people who seek profession in Law.[27] Indian Institute of Mass Communication and National Institute of Technology Mizoram has already started operations. Zoram Medical College is inaugurated on 7 August 2018 in Falkawn.[28]
Sports
![](../I/Lammual_Stadium.jpg.webp)
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:
- Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is located at Mualpui in Aizawl.[29]
- Hawla Indoor Stadium is the largest indoor stadium with basketball, badminton and boxing facilities.
- Lammual stadium is a single tier stadium. The stadium under construction will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 spectators.[30]
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.[31]
Neighbourhoods (Vengte)
- Aizawl Venglai
- Armed Veng
- Bawngkawn South/Chhim Veng
- Bethlehem Veng
- 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
See also
References
- "Aizawl City Census 2011 data". census2011.co.in. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- "Definition of Aizawl". The Free Online Dictionary. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
- "Aizawl City Population". census2011.co.in. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- K. C. Kabra (2008). Economic Growth of Mizoram: Role of Business & Industry. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180695186.
- "The Making of Aijal". Archived from the original on 12 November 2013.
- Hamlet Bareh (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Mizoram. Mittal Publications. pp. 206–216. ISBN 978-81-7099-787-0.
- Chetri, Pratap. "Aizawl Gets Its First Municipal Council". Eastern Panorama. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- Dr. L.H.Chhuanawma. "Aizawl Municipal Council". T Romana College. Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- Pachuau, Joy (13 April 2015). The Camera as a Witness. Cambridge. p. 139. ISBN 9781107073395.
- "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.
- "Aizawl - the State Capital". Mizoram. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
- "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.
- "Aizwal Climatological Table 1971–2000". India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- Shulevitz, Uri (2008). How I learned geography. Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780374334994. OCLC 123766698.
- "Mizorama Helicopter Service Tur Chief Minister in Hawng". Mizoram DIPR. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- "Nilaini atangin 'Helicopter Service". The Zozam Times. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- "Mizoram Chhunga Helicopter Service Scheduled Thar". DIPR: Govt of Mizoram. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- PTI. "Broad gauge track project in Mizoram to be over by March 2015". CNN IBN Live. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- "Accredited Journalists". DIPR Mizoram. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- "Vanglaini - Mizo Daily Since 1978". vanglaini.org. Archived from the original on 1 April 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- "The Zozam Times". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- "The Aizawl Post". Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- "Virthli". Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- "The Mizoram Post". Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- "Zozam Weekly". Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
- "AIR buatsaih FM Zoawi chu le". Vanglaini. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- The Mizoram University Act of 25 April 2000 Archived 3 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- "Central Health Services Leh Aiims Doctor Ten Chief Minister HMU". DIPR. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- tirhkahthawla. "Mualpui Stadium Design". misual.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
- "Lammual-ah Gallery sak hna tan dawn ta". The Zozam Times. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- "Aizawl will host the third edition of Xchange North East Youth NGO summit from October 3rd to 5th,2018". Archived from the original on 4 September 2018.
External links
![](../I/Commons-logo.svg.png.webp)
Aizawl travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Aizawl Official Website