The correct answer is: c) Late 19th century.
The British annexation of the Mizo hills occurred primarily during the late 19th century. The British East India Company first came into contact with the Mizos in the early 18th century, but it was not until the late 19th century that they began to make serious efforts to conquer the region. The British were motivated by a number of factors, including the desire to control the trade routes through the hills, to prevent the Mizos from raiding British territory, and to Christianize the Mizos.
The British launched a series of campaigns against the Mizos in the late 19th century, and by 1890 they had succeeded in conquering the region. The Mizos were forced to sign a treaty of submission, and the British began to administer the hills directly. The British brought a number of changes to the Mizo hills, including the introduction of Christianity, Western education, and a new system of government.
The British annexation of the Mizo hills had a profound impact on the region. The Mizos were forced to adapt to a new way of life, and the British brought many changes to the region. However, the Mizos also retained a strong sense of their own identity, and they continue to play an important role in the region today.
Option a) is incorrect because the British did not have much contact with the Mizos in the 17th century.
Option b) is incorrect because the British did not have much contact with the Mizos in the 18th century.
Option d) is incorrect because the British annexation of the Mizo hills occurred primarily during the late 19th century, not the early 20th century.