Aizawl: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has officially declared the ancient megalithic site at Lianpui village in Champhai district, Mizoram, as a Monument of National Importance.
Lianpui, a small hilly village located approximately 54 km southeast of Champhai town, is home to Lungphun Ropui, a significant cluster of megaliths believed to hold immense historical and archaeological value. These stone structures, concentrated in the eastern region of Mizoram, offer insight into the cultural and ritual practices of early settlers in the region.
The formal notification declaring the site’s national importance was issued by the Ministry of Culture (ASI) on July 14, 2025, following years of preliminary research and assessment. The process began with a preliminary notification published in the Gazette of India on February 9, 2021, under notification number S.O. 577(E). This marked the start of the statutory procedure required under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 for declaring protected monuments.
On July 7, 2025, ASI Director (Monuments) A.M.V. Subramanyam visited Lianpui village and met with various local elders and community leaders. During his visit, he confirmed that the final steps toward formal declaration were in progress and that the village’s unique megalithic structures were indeed set to receive national recognition.
The final declaration under sub-section (3) of Section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, now grants the site official protection. It ensures that Lungphun Ropui and its surrounding area will be conserved as a cultural heritage site of national significance.
This recognition not only protects the site under federal law but also paves the way for further archaeological study, preservation efforts, and potential tourism development that respects the cultural legacy of the Mizo people.
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