Buddhism in Mizoram
Buddhism is the second largest religion in the Indian State of Mizoram. It is followed by 8.51% of its population. There are 93411 Buddhists in Mizoram.[1] Most of the Buddhists in Mizoram are Chakmas [2] Most of them live in the autonomous region called Chakma Autonomous District Council and follow the Theravada branch of Buddhism.[3]
History
An archaeological study in 2023 discovered 8th century CE Hindu and Buddhist-influenced sculptures at Kolalian village in the Mamit district.[4]
The Chakma people, who mainly follow Buddhism, have been in the state for centuries. The Chakmas had resided on the region near Tlabung, which was then under the Chittagong Hill Tracts under British Administration. In 1892, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Sir Charles Elliot merged Chakma inhabited Demagiri (Tlabung) and the surrounding areas into the Lushai Hills. In the Uiphum Tlangdung region, there was a small population of Chakma. The migration of Chakmas to this region started in 1940s.[5] In 1960s many Chakmas from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh migrated to the Mizoram and other neighbouring Indian states after their lands were submerged by the filling of Kaptai dam and due to the communal violence. Some also migrated to Mizoram to escape from religious persecution in Bangladesh. In 1972, when Mizoram became a State, the Centre government granted the Chakmas tribes autonomy by creating Chakma Autonomous District Council.[6][7]
Demographics
In 2001 Census, Buddhism constituted 7.93% of the State's population.[8] It increased slightly to 8.51% in the 2011 Census.[1]
About 91.7% or 88,885 Chakmas follows Buddhism.[9]
District wise Buddhist Population
| District[10] | Percent |
|---|---|
| Aizawl | 0.39% |
| Lawngtlai | 43.72% |
| Saiha | 0.18% |
| Serchhip | 0.09% |
| Mamit | 14.27% |
| Champhai | 0.12% |
| Lunglei | 17.06% |
| Kolasib | 0.13% |
Subdivision wise Buddhist Population
| District | Block | Buddhist population | Percentage of total population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawngtlai | Chawngte | 41,715 | 92.07% |
| Lawngtlai | 3,438 | 8.88% | |
| S. Bungtlang | 6,387 | 37.29% | |
| Lunglei | Lungsen | 18,019 | 46.18% |
| West Bunghmun | 9,219 | 49.00% | |
| Mamit | Zawlnuam | 5,785 | 12.26% |
| West Phaileng | 6,532 | 30.65% |
See also
References
- 1 2 "C-01: Population by religious community, Mizoram - 2011". Census Department, Government of India. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ↑ "In Mizoram, political parties likely to field Chakmas despite diktat by influential NGOs". Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ↑ "Why the BJP is gaining popularity in some parts of minority-dominated Mizoram". Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ↑ "ASI to survey 8th Century Hindu-Buddhist sculptures found near Assam-Mizoram border". Hindustan Times. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ↑ Doungel, Prof Jangkhongam (2020). "Evolution of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) and its Constitutional Basis". Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences. 11 (1): 4. doi:10.5958/2321-5828.2020.00004.2.
- ↑ "In Mizoram, the BJP depends on the Chakmas to make its debut in the state assembly". Scroll. 7 October 2022.
- ↑ Ramcharan, Bertrand; Brett, Rachel; Clark, Ann Marie; Parker, Penny (2023-01-01). The Protection Roles of Human Rights NGOs: Essays in Honour of Adrien-Claude Zoller. Brill | Nijhoff. p. 335. doi:10.1163/9789004516786_023. ISBN 978-90-04-51678-6.
- ↑ "Total population by religious communities". Censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
- ↑ "Christianity among the Scheduled Tribes of the Northeast Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland". Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- 1 2 "Mizoram Religion Census 2011". Retrieved 7 October 2022.