Aizawl

Aizawl (Mizo: ), formerly known as Aijal, is the capital city and the most populous city of Mizoram, India. It is also the third largest city in northeast India, after Guwahati and Agartala. It is situated atop a series of ridges, with an average elevation of around 1,132 metres (3,714 feet) above sea level. In 2024, the city has an estimated population of 405,000 people.

Etymology
The word Aizawl is a combination of two Mizo words: "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.

Pre-colonialism (before 1889)
In 1871–72, Kalkhama ( recorded by the British as Kalkhom ), a Mizo Chief, exhibited disorderly behavior, prompting the British to establish an outpost. This outpost, initially founded by Suakpuilala, the Chief of Reiek, later evolved into Aizawl village. Situated a mere 14 kilometress from Sairang and accessible via flat-bottomed boats, it served as a strategic location, with the Li Bial stream.

Colonial Aijal (1889-1948)
In 1889, Officer Dally of the Assam Police, accompanied by 400 men, arrived in Aizawl village to assist Colonel Skinner's troops during a British military operation against 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 in North Lushai Hills.

Aijal was formally established on 25 February 1890 as Fort Aijal.

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 the Lushai Hills region.

Capital of Mizo District, Assam, India (1948-1972)
The once modest village, situated on a level hilltop, underwent rapid expansion, transforming into a rugged and uneven settlement. The intensification of the Mautam famine in 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.

1966 Mizo National Front Uprising
The expansion of Aizawl came to an abrupt halt in the mid-1960s due to the turmoil caused by the Mizo Independence Movement, spearheaded by the Mizo National Front (MNF), which engaged in open conflict with the Government of India. However, a pivotal and tragic event unfolded in Aizawl in March 1965, marking a dark chapter in its history. In an effort to suppress the MNF's advances, the Government of India launched a devastating bombardment of Aizawl and its surrounding areas, resulting in significant loss of life. 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.

Capital of Mizoram Union Territory (1972-1987)
Aizawl continued to be the capital of Mizoram after 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, with Burmese ethnic Chin immigrants seeking better job opportunities in Aizawl.

Capital of State of Mizoram (1987-present)
Statehood provided Aizawl with enhanced access to resources, funding, and developmental schemes from the central government. This facilitated the implementation of ambitious infrastructure projects, such as Lengpui 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
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
The Aizawl Municipal Corporation 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. 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.

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.

As of the 2011 Census of India, 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%. Other minority religions include Hinduism 4.14%, Islam 1.52%, Buddhism 0.45%, Others 0.09%, Sikhism 0.03% and Jainism 0.02%. and 0.11% of peoples did not state their religion.

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. In winter, daytime temperatures are cooler in comparison to the rest of the year, averaging around 11 - 21 C.

Air
Aizawl is connected by air transport through Lengpui Airport which it is situated near Aizawl. 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 was started in 2012 and connects the city with Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Chawngte, Serchhip, Champhai, Kolasib, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Hnahthial.

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.

The Aizawl Monorail system was proposed in 2011, but as of 2024, it is still uncertain whether the project will proceed with implementation.

Media
Newspaper: The major media in Aizawl in the Mizo and English languages are:


 * Vanglaini,
 * The Zozam Times
 * The Aizawl Post.
 * India Today NE
 * Khawpui Aw
 * Virthli
 * The Mizoram Post
 * Zoram Tlangau
 * Mizo Arsi
 * Zalen
 * Zawlaidi
 * Zozam Weekly
 * Zoram Thlirtu
 * Sakeibaknei
 * Entlang

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

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. 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.

Sports
Football is 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 city Aizawl F.C. competes in I-League. Some of the important sporting facilities in Aizawl are:
 * 1) Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, with a seating capacity of 20,000, is located at Mualpui in Aizawl.
 * 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.

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