The origins of Serchhip lie in early Mizo tribal settlements. Like much of Mizoram, the area was historically inhabited by various Mizo clans who practiced shifting agriculture (jhum) and lived in closely-knit, fortified hill villages. The name "Serchhip" is believed to derive from citrus trees ("Ser") found at the top ("chhip") of the first hill settled by the founders.
During the late 19th century, the region fell under British administration as part of the Lushai Hills district of Assam. The arrival of Christian missionaries shortly thereafter profoundly transformed the social and cultural landscape. This era saw mass conversions, the introduction of the Latin alphabet for the Mizo language, and the establishment of formal education—a foundation that eventually led to the town's modern literacy milestones.
Following India's independence in 1947, Serchhip remained part of Assam until Mizoram became a Union Territory in 1972 and subsequently a state in 1987. Serchhip's significance grew steadily, and it was officially carved out of the larger Aizawl district to become a separate district headquarters in 1998, a move that accelerated its administrative and infrastructural development.
