The Ralte clan is found scattered in the Lushai villages to the north of Aizawl, India. About 200 years ago the Raltes lived mostly near Champhai. Mangkhaia was an important Ralte chief there. He was killed in course of events following his clash with a Lushai chief. Mangkhaia's memorial stone has been famous throughout these hills. The Raltes zealously maintained their individual identity and resisted absorption into the folds of the Lushais. Aizawl (population 339,812) is the largest city as well as the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. ... Champhai is a border town in Mizoram state of Republic of India. ...

Origin of the Raltes

Regarding their origin, the Raltes trace their descent from Pu Songthu/ Chongthu, the common progenitor of the Vaiphei, Thado, Chongloi, Hangsing etc. . The Vaipheis , also being descended from Pu Songthu, claim the Raltes/Galte as their sub-clan. The old Ralte dailect is closely akin to Vaiphei. Among the Vaipheis, the Duhlian of the Khaute/Khauva clan regarded the Raltes as descended from Pu Chinmang, an elder brother to Pu Paulut and Pu Khala (progenitor of Duhlian/Dulian, Nunga and Keivom clans). Oral traditions mention names like Kotzawl, Thangmual, Thanghem, Dimpi, Dimlo, Suklui ,Khawzim etc. The Raltes mainly divided themselves into four clans namely - Kawlni, Siakeng, Khelte and Lelhchhun. The Vaiphei, which falls under Mongoloid stock, is one of the many Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar tribes. ... The Vaiphei, which falls under Mongoloid stock, is one of the many Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar tribes. ...

(i)Kawlni or Colney- Talbawk, (ii)Siakeng- Kaizong and Tongtual, (iii)Khelte- Hmaimawk, Lutmang, Singlu, Siarchuang, Thatsing, Vankeu, Vohang, Vohlu, Zahlei and Zaucha. (iv)Lelchhun.

The Vaipheis regarded the Raltes/Galtes as their sub-clans and claim that the Raltes are descended from Khauva, the progenitor of the Khaute [ Khuanghau {Tualtung, Tungnung, Tungdim & Tunglut}, Khuangdal, Khuangmang {Mangvuk( Ngulvung & Thavuk), Mangtong etc. }], Senchong/Sentong (Chontung, Chonlut, Chonmang, Chonlu etc. ),Neitham [Chonniang, Singphun, Hangmi(Lupho, Lupheng, Ngoilu & Misau)], Neihsial (Haulai, Thagen, Lengen, Nunthuk etc.), Vanglua( Ellu, Hatlei, Hatlang, Langel, Hatzaw etc.), Duhlian ( Khala, Keivom, Nungate etc.)etc. Khauva is said to have two younger brothers viz. Khaupho( the progenitor of Hoinge clan) and Khauza or Buite or Berhvate[ the progenitor of the Zomsing, Thuksuang, Faihriem ( Bapui, Khawkhiang, Khawlum, Tualai, Tuadal, Tusing etc), Chunthang (Vangsia, Khawlhring, Paute etc), etc]. Many historians noted that the Raltes used to lived in Khawzim, the former Vaiphei capital in Myanmar which was destroyed by the Pois. According to the Vaipheis, with the destruction of Khawzim, many clans of the Vaipheis like the Raltes, Faihriem, Khiangte, Khawlhring etc. scattered in different areas and came to live within the fold of other Zo tribes or came to exist as an independent clan.