The history of Mamit is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of the Lushai Hills and the Mizo people. For centuries, the dense forests and steep ridges of western Mizoram were inhabited by various tribes practicing shifting agriculture (Jhum) and living in deeply knit village communities governed by local chieftains.
During the late 19th century, the British Empire annexed the region, incorporating it into the Lushai Hills district of Assam. Following Indian independence in 1947, the area remained a part of Assam until the Mizo National Front's movement led to the creation of the Union Territory of Mizoram in 1972, and ultimately full statehood in 1987. Throughout this period, Mamit grew from a traditional village settlement into an important regional node.
Mamit's modern political and administrative identity was solidified on March 11, 1998, when the Government of Mizoram reorganized its administrative districts. The western portion of the Aizawl district was carved out to create the new Mamit district, with Mamit town designated as its headquarters. In recent decades, the town has acted as a locus for regional peace-building and integration, particularly concerning the resettlement and rights of minority communities such as the Bru (Reang) and Chakma populations living in the wider district.