Traditional Mizo villages were often fortified, reflecting:

Inter-tribal rivalries
Defense against wild animals
British colonial influence
A love for architecture

The correct answer is: a) Inter-tribal rivalries.

Traditional Mizo villages were often fortified to protect the villagers from attack by other tribes. The fortifications were made of stone, wood, and bamboo, and they often included a moat and a wall. The villages were also located in strategic locations, such as on hilltops or near rivers, to make them more difficult to attack.

The other options are incorrect because:

  • b) Defense against wild animals is not the main reason why traditional Mizo villages were fortified. While wild animals were a threat to the villagers, they were not as much of a threat as other tribes.
  • c) British colonial influence did not have a significant impact on the design of traditional Mizo villages. The villages were built in the traditional Mizo style, which was not influenced by British architecture.
  • d) A love for architecture is not the main reason why traditional Mizo villages were fortified. The villages were built for protection, not for aesthetic reasons.