Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 Geography of Indo-Myanmar boundarywith special reference to Mizoram: An Analytical study *LalmalsawmaRalte. **Prof.Vishwambar Prasad Sati Assistant Professor Department of Geography Government Hrangbana College Mizoram University Abstract The main objectives of the present study are: (i) to identify the basis of evolution of Indo-Myanmar boundary with reference to Mizoram (ii) to examine the geographical basis of Indo-Myanmar boundary with reference to Mizoram (iii) to study the Eastern Boundary of Mizoram (South to North) and (iv) to study the Southern Boundary of Mizoram : Mizoram – Myanmar (West to East).The geographical location of Mizoram is of great significance and forms an ideal field of geographical study. Mizoram shares international borders with Myanmar in the east and south (404 km) and Bangladesh in the west (306 km). This has divided the Mizo’s and their associated clans. It has a complex north-south trending mountainous terrain which is thickly forested. Along with its inaccessible and isolated nature, the southern margins and the trijunction points(Mizoram – Tripura – Assam, Mizoram – Manipur – Assam, Mizoram – Bangladesh – Tripura and Mizoram – Myanmar – Bangladesh ) have formed an important core of activities at the time of insurgency. This is the reason why this frontier has attained strategic and geopolitical significance. Keyword: Indo-Myanmar, Boundary, Eastern Boundary of Mizoram, Southern Boundary of Mizoram INTRODUCTION The term ‘boundaries’ are often used interchangeably with frontiers. In fact, boundaries are lines demarcating the outer limits of territory under the sovereign jurisdiction of a Nation-State. It implies the physical limit ofa sovereignty and jurisdiction of a state. It is a manifestation of integration and is oriented inwards. Its characteristics are as follows: Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2021 Page No: 560 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 1. It is appropriate concept for the modern state where all that is within the boundary is bound together by common law, economy, physical features, idea or creed with the government or central authority in effective control of the territory and activities within the boundaries. 2. It is an outer line of effective control of the central government keeping the enemy out and the resources in. 3. It is a legal-political phenomenon which is not created but fixed by the political decision makers. 4. It signifies differences in goal, ideology, structure, interests, etc. from those of the neighboring states. In comparison to boundary, border is peripheral land of a country, adjacent to the international boundary. It can also be called frontier. In fact, border is a relative term. Relative to the point from where it is looked at. For example, the entire North East is a border land in terms of India as a whole. But within the North East, the peripheral areas along the international boundary are considered as border. On the other side of the international boundary, contiguous to our border. On the other side of the international boundary, contiguous to our border, lies the border zone of the neighboring country. Therefore, border is never a singular entity. It is always in contexts of the neighbor’s border. It means borders of two neighboring countries exist together. Mizoram shares international borders with Myanmar in the east and south (404 km) and Bangladesh in the west (306 km). This has divided the Mizo’s and their associated clans. It has a complex north-south trending mountainous terrain which is thickly forested. Along with its inaccessible and isolated nature, the southern margins and the trijunction points ( Mizoram – Tripura – Assam, Mizoram – Manipur – Assam, Mizoram – Bangladesh – Tripura and Mizoram – Myanmar – Bangladesh ) have formed an important core of activities at the time of insurgency. This is the reason why this frontier has attained strategic and geopolitical significance. The important characteristics of the state of Mizoram can be summed up as: 1) It has a predominantly mountainous terrain. 2) It is predominantly consisted of tribal population. 3) It has predominantly subsistence agriculture with widespread Jhum Cultivation. 4) Its socio-economic profile is confined to tribal structure. Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2021 Page No: 561 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 5) The economy is agro-based household goods churned out in the homes mainly cater to the local needs. 6) The tribal population is predominantly Christians and highly politicized. Significant non-Christian elements in the south-western part of the state have added to the tendency of balkanization of the state. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Border landscape and boundary formations between India and Myanmar coincide with the British annexation of the North Eastern regions in 1826 by the treaty of Yandaboo, 1826. Burmese withdrew from Manipur (which they invade in 1821) and from the territories that now form the parts of Bangladesh. The border of Myanmar and Mizoram on the Indian side was 404 km long and involved the Mizo Groups and the Chins. Till 1966, the border was calm. But with the rise of Mizo insurgency and the active Chin movement in the Burmese side, the border area become volatile. Further south in the Mizo Hills, where mountain ranges and river valleys run parallel to each other from north to south, the border lies some distance along the river, the Tuisa, Tiau, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2021 Page No: 562 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2021 Page No: 563 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 and the Boinu, all the tributaries of Kaladan which drained the eastern Mizo Hill into the Bay of Bengal through Myanmar. The history of Mizoram before the British annexation of the territory is rather obscure. They had close contacts with the tribes, living in the Chin Hills of Myanmar because it is the same place from where Mizos emigrated to the present territory. Apart from they were linguistically, ethnologically and culturally akin to the tribes living in those areas. The people are socially, ethnically and culturally related with the people living on the other side of the border. Though they are divided by a boundary line they could not totally severe the old link. Many have their own kits and kins, many have matrimonial relations. Economic changes are also carried out. LITERATURE REVIEW Some of the useful books which provide us useful information about the boundary between India- Myanmar are as follows: Sukhwal,B.L. (1971) in his book entitled “A Political Geography” says that the India-Myanmar boundary is about 1,450 kms long from its southern extremity to its northern end which is tri-junction of the boundaries of India, Myanmar and China. The boundary line passes through deeply forested hill country, with the Mizo Hills, Manipur and Nagaland on the India side the Chin Hills, Naga Hills and Kachin State on the Myanmar side. Appadorai,A and Rajan, M.S. (1985) published a book entitled “India’s Foreign Policy and their relations” and briefly states that flanking the North eastern part of India, Myanmar shares an approximately 900 miles border with it. Besides, similar racial strains that can be found on either side, this geographical proximity has given rise to many links, which are deep-rooted. Trade routes overland and by sea had long been established and India influence in religion, culture and the arts can be traced to ancient times. Tirtha, R. (2000)in his book, “Geography of India”says that there is 960 miles India- Myanmar border, extending from the limits of the Himalayan ranges southwards roughly along the watershed between the Brahmaputra and Irrawaddi river system, has only been demarcated recently. The border passes through the mountainous territory inhabited by several tribal groups such as Nagas and Mizos. Distinct in culture, language and race from the plains people of the Brahmaputra Valley, these tribesmen have shown considerable independence from the Indian and Burmese authorities and have occasionally used Burmese Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2021 Page No: 564 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930 territory as a staging point for anti-Indian activities; often abetted by communist guerrillas in Myanmar. In the pacification programme of these border the Indian government, as has been noted, yielded to political pressure and created the state of Nagaland in 1963 as a cultural- political ‘homeland’ for the Nagas, and the centrally administered territory of Mizoram in 1972. Prasad, R.N. (1987) in his book, “Government and Politics in Mizoram” says that the history of Mizoram before the British annexation of the territory is obscure. They had close contact with the tribes living in the Chin Hills of Myanmar because it is the same place from where Mizos emigrated to the present territory. Apart from, they were linguistically, ethnologically and culturally akin to the tribes living in those areas. Barua, S.N. (1992) in his book entitled “Tribes of Indo-Myanmar border: A Socio- Cultural History” says that the people are ethnically and socio-culturally related with the people living on the other side of the border. Though they are divided by a boundary line they could not totally severe the old link. Many have their own kits and kin. Many have matrimonial relations. Economic exchanges are also carried out. Chatterjee, S .(1985) in his book entitled “Mizoram under the British Rule” says that the Chin Hills came under the control of British Army during the Chin-Lushai expedition 1889- 1890, but the government of Myanmar did not know correctly the exact area of the Chin hills district. In 1893-94 the Chief Commissioner of Myanmar appointed a Boundary Commission to demarcate the Manipur Chin Hill boundary.