Ex-IAS officer Rinsanga calls for rethinking of the Mizo historical timeline

Aizawl: Retired IAS officer Rinsanga has called for a critical re-examination of Mizo ancestry and migration narratives in light of new archaeological findings that challenge conventional historical timelines.Delivering the keynote address on “Rethinking Our Historical Timeline” at the 45th annual conference-cum-seminar of the Mizo History Association (MHA), held at ICFAI University, Mizoram, Rinsanga urged scholars to adopt a scientific and interdisciplinary approach to reconstruct Mizo history with greater accuracy.He noted that written Mizo history began relatively late, with Rev. Liangkhaia’s Mizo Chanchin (1938) marking the first comprehensive documentation of the community’s past.

Citing the Archaeological Survey of India’s excavations at Vangchhia (2015-2018), Rinsanga said the findings suggest that the Mizo region may have supported an advanced civilization much earlier than the accepted migration period of 1350-1750 CE.“Carbon dating conducted by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow (600 CE), and BETA Lab, Miami (1485 CE), indicates a sophisticated pre-colonial society that far predates our current understanding,” he said, quoting the ASI report that described Vangchhia as reflecting “the glorious past of the Mizo community.”

Rinsanga also lauded the late P Rohmingthanga and the INTACH Mizoram Chapter for bringing the site to public attention in 2010, which led to its declaration as a nationally protected monument in 2014.The inaugural function, chaired by prof JV Hluna, vice-president of MHA, featured the release of ‘Historical Journal Mizoram’ by the chief guest. Prof Ginlianlal Buhril, vice-chancellor of ICFAI University, delivered the welcome address, while Benjamin Ralte, secretary, presented the annual report.

Prof Sangkima, president of MHA, delivered the presidential address.Founded on Sept 23, 1980, under the leadership of Darchhawna, the Mizo History Association has grown into one of Mizoram’s foremost academic societies dedicated to the scientific study and documentation of Mizo history. Registered in 1981, the association now has nearly 300 Life Members and continues to receive support from the state art & culture department and the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).The MHA’s annual conferences have become vital platforms for historical discourse, while its peer-reviewed publication, ‘Historical Journal of Mizoram’, remains a key avenue for Mizo historical scholarship.This year’s conference, held under the theme “Emerging Trends in Mizo History”, features 35 research papers to be presented across nine technical sessions. Ralte expressed gratitude to the host institution and participants, reaffirming the Association’s enduring mission to pursue historical truth and preserve Mizo cultural heritage.