Serchhip is the headquarters town of Serchhip district in the Indian state of Mizoram, and also the headquarters of Serchhip Sadar subdivision. It lies in the central part of Mizoram, and 112 km away from the State capital city of Aizawl. The district has the highest literacy all over India. The origin of the name comes from citrus trees found on top of the first hill of the then Serchhip village. The word meaning of Ser-chhip is 'citrus-on-top'. In addition to the former Serchhip village, the Town Area now included New Serchhip and Chhiahtlang villages.
History
The first settlement within Serchhip area can be traced back to Lallula, a Mizo chief, who set up a settlement at Kawlri. Lallula massacred Thlânrâwn Pawi at Zopui. After this incident, afraid of revenge from Thlânrâwn, he fled towards Artahkawn to Lunglei Zobawk. And from there, he migrated towards North, and reached Serchhip Kawlri. The second settlement at Serchhip was founded by Bengkhuaia, son of Lalpuithanga, Chief of Bâwngchâwm, a great Mizo chief. From Kawlri he made a raid on Assam valley (Alexandrapur and its attached areas) in 1871, captured Mary Winchester, a daughter of James Winchester, that led to the First Lushai Expedition in 1872.
Geography
Serchhip is located at . It has an average elevation of 888 metres (2913 feet). It lies between the two very important rivers of Mat and Tuikum. River Tuikum is a public drinking water for Serchhip and River Mat is an irrigation water for Zawlpui, the rice bowl of Serchhip. The annual temperatures range from a high of 34 °C to a low of 10 °C.
Economy
Agriculture is one of the important occupation. Being situated near Mat river valley, Serchhip is the main producer of cash crops in Mizoram, famous for its cabbages and mustards. The nonprofit organization Serchhip Thalai Pawl was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Serchhip.
Transport
Serchhip is connected by Pawan Hans Helicopter service from Aizawl. Serchhip is connected by road with Silchar through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40 & with Imphal through National Highway 150. Taxis, Auto rickshaws and Town Buses are available public transports in Serchhip.
Demographics
According to Population Census in 2011, 64,875 of which male and female were 32,824 and 32,051 respectively. There was change of 20.45 percent in the population compared to population as per 2001. In the previous census of India 2001, Serchhip District recorded increase of 17.82 percent to its population compared to 1991. The initial provisional data suggest a density of 46 in 2011 compared to 38 of 2001. Total area under Serchhip district is of about 1,421 km2. Serchhip District population constituted 5.95 percent of total Mizoram population. In 2001 census, this figure for Serchhip District was at 6.06 percent of Mizoram population.
Serchhip town itself accommodated 20,073 people as per Statistical Handbook of Mizoram 2008.
Public Health
The most challenging public health issues in Serchhip are Malaria and Cancer. HIV infection among general public also increasing alarmingly. The basic health and nutritional supplements for Infants and Children are provided by Anganwadi workers, which have help in reduction of Infant mortality and Malnutrition among the children.
Education
Average literacy rate of Serchhip in 2011 were 98.76 compared to 95.18 of 2001. If things are looked out at gender wise, male and female literacy were 99.24 and 98.28 respectively. For 2001 census, same figures stood at 96.21 and 94.11 in Serchhip District. Total literate in Serchhip District were 55,102 of which male and female were 27,893 and 27,209 respectively. In 2001, Serchhip District had 42,582 in its total region. Serchhip College is the only centre of higher education in the town. Government Serchhip College, established on 25 August 1973 is one of the foremost colleges established in Mizoram, currently offering Arts, Science and Computer subjects. There are two higher secondary schools (including Government Higher Secondary School, Serchhip) and numbers of high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. Privately owned schools also take very important role in the development of education in Serchhip. The most important contribution on high literacy in the Town comes from Anganwadi centres.
Media
There are 7 daily newspaper published in Serchhip. 3 cable are operated within the town and its nearby villages.