Aizawl
—  capital  —
Aizawl Location of Aizawl in Mizoram
Coordinates	23°25′N 92°56′E / 23.42°N 92.94°E / 23.42; 92.94Coordinates: 23°25′N 92°56′E / 23.42°N 92.94°E / 23.42; 92.94
Country	India
State	Mizoram
District(s)	Aizawl
Population • Density	291,822 (2011[update]) • 234 /km2 (606 /sq mi)
Sex ratio	1024 females per 1000 males ♂/♀
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	4570 km2 (1764 sq mi) • 1,132 metres (3,714 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 796001 • Telephone • +0389 • Vehicle • MZ
Website	aizawl.nic.in

View of Aizawl

Aizawl (Hindi: आइजोल) is the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. With a resident population 291,822, it is the largest city within the state. It is also the center of all important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat. The population of Aizawl strongly reflects the different communities of the ethnic Mizo people.

History[link]

In 1890, Officer Dally of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at the site that is now Aizawl, to support Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against the 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.^[1]

Aizawl was the site of a tribal uprising in 1890, and was besieged from 9 to 28 September. Robert McCabe, Deputy Commissioner of the Lakhimpur district, restored order in the area and forced 15 tribal chiefs to surrender. After this, more troops were stationed at Aizawl. Another uprising in 1892 was also quelled by McCabe.

The city later became the headquarters of the 1st Assam Rifles (AR). During the March 1966 Mizo National Front uprising, the Mizo National Front (MNF) members took control of the city and the AR headquarters at the center of the city was besieged. The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on the town, following which the MNF withdrew to Lunglei.^[2]

Geography[link]

Aizawl is located 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.

Climate[link]

Aizawl has a mild, sub-tropical climate due to its location and elevation. Under the koppen climate classification, Aizawl features a humid subtropical climate albeit a more moderate version of the climate. In the summer the temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees Celsius, and in the winter 11-21 degrees Celsius.^[3]

Civic Administration[link]

The Aizawl Municipal Council is incharge of Civic Administration of Aizawl City. It was formed in 2010 with 19 Members. The Congress ZNP party Coalition was voted to power with 10 members and is being Administered by one Council Chairman, Vice Chairman and three Executive members.

Demographics[link]

As of 2001^[update] India census,^[4] Aizawl had a population of 228,280. Males constitute 50.80% of the population and females made up the remaining 49.20%. Mizos from various tribes make up the majority of the population. Christianity is the dominant religion in the city.^[5]

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.

Economy[link]

The Economy of Aizawl is basically sustained by Government services as it is capital of Mizoram. The Major Banks are also located within Aizawl.

Transport[link]

Air[link]

Aizawl is connected by Air through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl. The Airport provides connectivity to Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport , Guwahati Airport and Imphal Airport. Air India, Kingfisher Airlines, Jet Airways are the three regular airlines which operate flights to and from Lengpui Airport. The North East Shuttle also links the state with Guwahati. You can also reach Aizawl Via Silchar Airport in Assam. The Government is also undertaking a project for a helicopter service within the state.

Rail[link]

Mizoram is connected by Railroad up to Bairabi, there are plans to connect Bairabi with Sairang with Broad Gaurge Railway track, near Aizawl.

There is also the plan for 5km long Aizawl Monorail running between Zemabawk to Kulikawn.

Road[link]

Aizawl is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40 & with Imphal through National Highway 150. The Yellow & White Taxis are widely available, Maruti Taxis are widely used. The Blue & White Mini bus is being operated by Private operators.

Sports[link]

Football is the most popular sport in Mizoram with a number of footballers playing in national leagues in different parts of India. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is currently being constructed at Mualpui, Aizawl. Basketball, Badminton & Boxing are also popular in Aizawl with mini indoor stadiums in different parts of the city.

Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lal Thanhawla officially inaugurated the Artificial Turf (grass) laid at Aizawl Lammual, also known as the Assam Rifles (AR) Ground in Aizawl city on Monday, February 28, 2011.

Media[link]

• Newspaper: The Major newspapers are local dailies in Mizo Language such as 1)Vanglaini, 2)The Zozam Times, 3)The Aizawl Post.

• Television: The State Run Doordarshan provides both national & local coverage. Local news in Mizo language is also transmitted by LPS and ZONET. LPS Channel 1 is now viewable in several states of India and neighbouring Countries.

• Radio: All India Radio also has a studio that host programs at scheduled hours. FM Zoawi is a popular radio station in Aizawl.

Education[link]

Education in Aizawl was mainly run by missionaries. Schools run by the Baptist Church of Mizoram, the Presbyterian Church of India, several Roman Catholic religious orders & the Seventh Day Adventists are among the best schools in Aizawl. Pachhunga University College was among the earliest college founded in 1958. Aizawl College, the second eldest college in Aizawl City was established in the year 1975. Mizoram University established in 2001 provides affiliation to all the Colleges in Mizoram. Plans are being made to start a medical college, a National Institute of Technology & Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

External links[link]

• Aizawl Development Authority
• Aizawl Official Website

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aizawl

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