Champhai

Champhai (Pron:/tʃamˈpʰaɪ/) is a border town in Mizoram state, in far eastern India. It is the headquarters of Champhai district, one of the eight districts in the state. It is located on the Indo-Myanmar border and is situated in a strategically important location. Because of this, it is the main business corridor for India and Myanmar in the area.

The area of Champhai is 3,185.83 square kilometres (1,230 sq mi). The average annual rainfall is 1,814 millimetres (71.4 in).

History

Champhai was the headquarters of Lalbura Sailo, a Mizo Chief against whom the British Expedition of 1871-72 was directed. It was accorded the status of a fort during the British period.

Economy

The economy of Champhai is mainly on agricultural. It has a flatland measuring 113 kilometers long and 48 kilometers in width for wet rice cultivation which can produce 19,200 quintals of rice per year. 10,000 quintals of grape were cultivated in 2011 alone churning 20,000 bottles a year. These are the two main agricultural products. Champhai is also the main trading center of Mizoram with goods like clothes, silverware and electronics imported from Myanmar through the trading post in Zokhawthar.