Lunglei

Lunglei is a major hill town in south-central Mizoram. The name “Lunglei” literally means “bridge of rock,” linked to a bridge-like rock formation once found in a riverine area near Nghasih. In the British era, Lunglei became strategically important and served as the headquarters (often described as the “capital”) of the South Lushai Hills from 1889 to 1898; in 1898, the South and North Lushai Hills administrations were united.

Before the 1947 Partition, Lunglei benefited from trade and movement toward Chittagong (now in Bangladesh), which helped it develop as a commercial and educational centre for the region. Connectivity remained difficult for decades—records note that the first jeepable road to Lunglei was built only in the 1950s.

Lunglei also witnessed a major moment in Mizoram’s political history: on 1 March 1966, the MNF declared unilateral independence and attacked the Assam Rifles post at Lunglei, capturing the local administration and seizing government treasury money. After Mizoram became a Union Territory (1972), Lunglei was organized as one of the key districts for administration in the region.