Champhai | |
|---|---|
Town | |
 Champhai, Mizoram, from south, with Zotlang in the foreground. Taken from Ruantlang, across the Champhai Valley, with the town of Champhai stretched along the hill in the distance and the village of Zotlang in the foreground | |
| Nickname: Rice Bowl of Mizoram | |
  Champhai  Champhai | |
| Coordinates:23°27′22″N93°19′44″E / 23.456°N 93.329°E /23.456; 93.329 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Mizoram |
| District | Champhai |
| Government | |
| • Type | District Administration |
| • Body | Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Champhai |
| Area | |
• Total | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,678 m (5,505 ft) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 44,000 |
| • Density | 4,400/km2 (11,000/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Mizo |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 796321 |
| Telephone code | 03831 |
| Vehicle registration | MZ-04 |
| Climate | Subtropical highland |
| Website | champhai |
Champhai is the third largest town inMizoram,[1]northeast India and is one of the oldest settlements founded by theMizo people that initially served as a capital for theHmar dynasty.[2] Located near theIndia–Myanmar border, it facilitatescross-border trade and serves as a hub for trade and commerce in the region.
Unlike most urban places in Mizoram, Champhai is situated in a valley and on top of a small hill. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,678 meters (5,505 feet) above sea level. It had an estimated population of 44,000 in 2023.
TheHmar people are credited to be the first settlers of Champhai, until they left the place and theRalte people came in to later occupy it.[3] Old stone structures, such as theSikpui Lung (a monolith associated with a particular festival of theHmar people) can still be found to this day.[4] The inscription on the monolith reads:
Rough Translation:
Champhai was the headquarters ofLalbura Sailo, son ofVanhnuailiana, a Mizo Chief against whom the British Expedition of 1871–72 was directed. It was accorded the status of a fort during theBritish period.[5] The Champhai Valley was once a lake and was gradually silted to obliterate the lake. The soil of the plain was still uncultivated during theLushai Expedition of 1872.[6] Irrigated rice cultivation started in Champhai in the year 1898 encouraged by theBritish Colonial Authorities to supply rice for their soldiers and laborers. As of 1922, there was only 1 shop in Champhai.[7] On 1 March 1966, theMizo National Front declared independence of Mizos unilaterally and attacked theAssam Rifles post at Champhai.[8]
In March 1988, Champhai hosted the First Zomi Convention, organised byThenphunga Sailo in conjunction with T. Gougin of theZomi National Congress in Manipur. The meeting saw the birth ofZo Reunification Organisation (ZORO).[9][10]
As with all other districts, general administration of all aspects of polity and economy are headed by theDeputy Commissioner(DC) of the district. All district level Government undertakings including the police are under the purview of the DC. The current (2023) DC of Champhai District is James Lalrinchhana, a senior officer of theMizoram Civil Services.[11]
In law enforcement, the DC is assisted largely by theSuperintendent of Police (SP) who is the district head of all policing matters in the district. He/she functions closely with the Deputy Commissioner and reports to the DC on all law enforcement related matters of the district. The current (2023) DC of Champhai District is Lalrinpuia Varte, a senior officer of the Mizoram Police Service.[12]
The economy of Champhai is mainly agriculture and border trade. Champhai is also the main trading centre ofMizoram with goods like clothes, silverware and electronics imported fromMyanmar[13] through the trading post in Zokhawthar.[14]
The Major Media in Champhai are:[15]
A helicopter service byPawan Hans[16] has been started which connects the Aizawl with Champhai.[17] The distance between Champhai andAizawl is 194 km and is connected with regular service of bus and maxi cab.[18]
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