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{{Short description|Protected megalith site in Mizoram, India}}

{{Infobox archaeological site
| name = Lungphun Ropui / Lianpui Menhirs
| native_name = Lungphun Ropui
| native_name_lang = lus
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Mizoram#India
| map_caption = Location in Mizoram, India
| location = [[Lianpui]], [[Champhai district]], [[Mizoram]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|23|15|25|N|93|20|59|E|region:IN-MZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| type = Megalithic memorial stones
| area = approx. site area not specified
| material = Stone
| built = Probable pre‑Christian era; site notification began 2021
| epochs = Possibly Iron Age
| cultures = Pre‑Christian Mizo traditions
| excavations = Inspection & documentation 2021–2025
| archaeologists = Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
| condition = Preserved
| ownership = Government of India
| management = [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
| public_access = Yes
}}

'''Lianpui Menhirs''' (also known as ''Lungphun Ropui'') is an archaeological megalithic site near the village of [[Lianpui]] in [[Champhai district]], [[Mizoram]], India. It consists of 114 intricately carved [[Menhir|menhirs]], arranged in ceremonial alignments. It was declared as Mizoram’s second centrally protected [[Monuments of National Importance (India)|Monument of National Importance]] by the Archaeological Survey of India on 14 July 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui menhirs monument of national importance |work=The Assam Tribune |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-declared-monument-of-national-importance-by-asi-1585298 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

== History and declaration ==
The formal process to designate Lungphun Ropui began on 9 February 2021 with a Gazette notification under the [[AMASR Act|Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958]], followed by a two-month objection period.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mizoram: ASI declares Lungphun Ropui a Monument of National Importance |work=Sentinel Assam |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/mizoram-news/mizoram-asi-declares-lungphun-ropui-a-monument-of-national-importance |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref> ASI Director (Monuments) A.M.V. Subramanyam inspected the site on 7 July 2025, before the final declaration was issued on 14 July 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lungphun Ropui declared monument of national importance, only second in Mizoram |work=India Today NE |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/lungphun-ropui-declared-monument-of-national-importance-only-second-in-mizoram-1246510-2025-07-18 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

== Feaures and significance ==
It contains 114 menhirs, carved with symbols and images including human figures, birds, animals, mithun heads, gongs, lizards, and other motifs.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui menhirs monument of national importance |work=PTI/ThePrint |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://theprint.in/india/asi-declares-mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-monument-of-national-importance/2694668 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref> The stones are aligned in eight axes — four running north‑south and four east‑west — suggesting a deliberate ceremonial layout.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui menhirs monument of national importance |work=Nagaland Post (via PTI) |date=19 July 2025 |url=https://nagalandpost.com/asi-declares-mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-monument-of-national-importance/ |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref> The largest menhirs measure approximately 1.87 m in height and 1.37 m in width.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui menhirs monument of national importance |work=The Assam Tribune |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://assamtribune.com/north-east/mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-declared-monument-of-national-importance-by-asi-1585298 |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

The carvings belong to pre‑Christian Mizo iconography, reflecting traditions predating colonial and missionary influences.<ref>{{cite news |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui megalithic site of ‘national importance’ |work=EastMojo |date=17 July 2025 |url=https://eastmojo.com/mizoram/2025/07/17/asi-declares-mizorams-lianpui-megalithic-site-of-national-importance/ |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref> The alignment and carving patterns indicate a structured ritual or communal symbolism in early Mizo culture. This site complements other similar megalith complexes in Mizoram, including [[Kawtchhuah Ropui]] in Vangchhia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Historic Lianpui village near Myanmar awaits recognition |work=The Times of India |date=21 March 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/historic-lianpui-village-near-myanmar-awaits-recognition/articleshow/119314306.cms |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref>

== Tourism and preservation ==
Following the ASI declaration, government plans include developing visitor infrastructure such as fencing, walkways, signage, restrooms, and drinking-water facilities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mizoram: ASI declares Lungphun Ropui a Monument of National Importance |work=Sentinel Assam |date=18 July 2025 |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/mizoram-news/mizoram-asi-declares-lungphun-ropui-a-monument-of-national-importance |access-date=25 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2025-07-18 |title=ASI declares Mizoram’s Lianpui menhirs monument of national importance |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mizoram/asi-declares-mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-monument-of-national-importance/article69827720.ece |access-date=2025-07-27 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Kawtchhuah Ropui]] (Vangchhia menhirs – Mizoram’s first ASI site)
* [[Champhai district]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://assamtribune.com/north-east/mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-declared-monument-of-national-importance-by-asi-1585298 Assam Tribune coverage on Lianpui Menhirs]
* [https://theprint.in/india/asi-declares-mizorams-lianpui-menhirs-monument-of-national-importance/2694668 ThePrint/PTI report]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lianpui Menhirs}}
[[Category:Champhai district]]

Lianpui Menhirs - Revision history

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