Lungphun Ropui in Mizoram declared a monument of national importance by ASI

Carved menhirs at Lungphun Ropui, Mizoram, now a Monument of National Importance protected by ASI. (Image: Mizoram Tourism)

In a landmark recognition of Mizoram’s lesser-known antiquities, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has officially designated Lungphun Ropui, situated in the modest hamlet of Lianpui in Champhai district, as a Monument of National Importance. With this distinction, Lungphun Ropui joins Kawtchhuah Ropui in Vangchhia as only the second site in the state to enjoy such protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958—a legislative shield that seeks to preserve India's cultural and historical patrimony.

A Site Etched in Stone and Memory

Located some 54 kilometres southeast of Champhai town, Lungphun Ropui is neither ostentatious nor widely celebrated in the tourist playbook—yet therein lies its quiet gravitas. The site is distinguished by a modest but compelling ensemble of ancient menhirs—tall, carved stones erected centuries ago, bearing motifs and symbols that speak, albeit cryptically, of the social customs, beliefs, and funerary traditions of early Mizo tribes.

Far from ornamental, these vertical stones serve as durable narrators of an era otherwise preserved largely in oral lore. The unique stone carvings etched onto these megaliths have long captivated scholars, anthropologists, and cultural custodians, who interpret them as reflections of a people’s spiritual life and their reverence for ancestral memory.

A Long Road to Recognition

The journey to national recognition has not been swift. The first formal move toward preservation was initiated in 2021, when a preliminary notification appeared in the Gazette of India. It took sustained advocacy, administrative will, and scholarly commitment for the process to culminate in an official declaration on July 14, 2025. Notably, ASI Director (Monuments) A.M.V. Subramanyam visited Lianpui just a week earlier to oversee the final formalities.

Behind the scenes, decades of perseverance carried the cause. Carol VLMS Dawngkimi, Director of the Mizoram Art & Culture Department, credited the achievement to the late Shri P. Rohmingthanga, IAS (Retd.), whose tireless efforts laid the groundwork for this outcome. Equally instrumental was Rin Sanga, IAS (Retd.), Convener of INTACH Mizoram, who revealed that the first appeals to protect Lungphun Ropui date back to 2010.

Lungphun Ropui in Mizoram (Image: Mizoram Tourism)

Preservation Meets Promotion

With its elevated status, Lungphun Ropui now stands at the cusp of transformation—not through aggressive tourism, but by careful conservation and curated access. ASI has announced plans to install essential infrastructure, including fencing, walkways, sanitation units, and drinking water provisions—measures designed to safeguard the site’s integrity while allowing for respectful visitation.

While infrastructural upgrades remain in the pipeline, the declaration itself is likely to draw attention from heritage travellers, anthropologists, and those who favour slow, intentional exploration over hurried sightseeing. Lungphun Ropui’s understated allure lies in its geographical seclusion, historical resonance, and its resistance to the spectacle that so often accompanies archaeological landmarks elsewhere.

A Quiet Step into India’s Archaeological Mainstream

For a state often overlooked in the national imagination of ancient history, Mizoram’s inclusion in ASI’s pantheon is both timely and long overdue. Beyond the immediate benefits of protection and potential tourism revenue, this recognition also amplifies calls to preserve other archaeologically significant locations in the state—such as Dungtlang, Farkawn, and Lungphunlian—which remain unprotected yet culturally rich.

More than a mere designation, Lungphun Ropui’s new status gestures toward a larger movement to reclaim and revalue the Northeast’s pre-colonial past—a past not just of tribes and hills, but of artistry, spiritual depth, and enduring stone testimonies.

(With inputs from ANI)