Pachhunga Hmar

Pachhunga Hmar (died 1962), commonly referred to as Pachhunga, was an Indian businessman, politician, and philanthropist from the Lushai Hills (present-day Mizoram). Known as "Mizo Hausapa" (Mizo for "The Rich Mizo Man"), he was regarded as the 'wealthiest person' in Mizoram during his era. He served as the first President of the Mizo Union, the first political party of the Mizo people. He was instrumental in the founding of Aijal College, later renamed Pachhunga University College in his honour now the oldest and largest institution of higher education in Mizoram.

Early life and business Pachhunga belonged to the Hmar tribe, one of the major ethnic groups within the broader Mizo community. His reputation as the region's wealthiest businessman lent prestige to the new party. Despite this individual victory, the Mizo Union won 17 of 18 constituencies overall. The UMFO delegates — Lalmawia, Pachhunga, Hmingliana, and R. Zuala — represented the pro-Burma accession stance, while the Mizo Union delegation argued for integration with India. The conference and its delegations are documented in S.K. Chaube's Hill Politics in North-east India.

Philanthropy and educational legacy

In 1957, with many Mizo youths completing secondary education but having no college opportunities in the region, J. Malsawma and H.K. Bawichhuaka established an "Organising Board" to pursue the creation of a college. The board's first meeting was held at Pachhunga's house in Dawrpui. Pachhunga, by then widely recognised as a philanthropic entrepreneur, was appointed chairman of the Organising Board.

The college, named Aijal College, was inaugurated on 15 August 1958 — Indian Independence Day. Following Pachhunga's death in 1962, his son Lalhmingthanga, who had served as Treasurer of the Organising Board, donated ₹10,000 to the college in his father's memory. In recognition, the institution was renamed Pachhunga Memorial College (PMC).

The college later underwent several name changes — to Pachhunga Memorial Government College (PMGC) in 1965, Pachhunga Government College in 1977, and finally to Pachhunga University College (PUC) in 1979 when it became a constituent college of North Eastern Hill University. It is now a constituent college of Mizoram University, a central university, and is consistently ranked among the top 100 colleges in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).

Personal life Pachhunga belonged to the Hmar tribe and had a son, Lalhmingthanga, who served as Treasurer of the Aijal College Organising Board and made the memorial donation that led to the college being named after his father. He was known by the honorific title "Pu" and the nickname "Mizo Hausapa" (The Rich Mizo Man), reflecting his standing as the wealthiest Mizo of his era.