Brief History of Tripura with Manikya Dynasty Details with MCQ

 HISTORY OF TRIPURA

Brief History of Tripura.

·       Manikya Dynasty → 

ü  Ratna Manikya

ü  Govinda Manikya.

ü  Dhanya Manikya.

ü  Ishan Ch. Manikya.

ü  Bir Ch. Manikya.

ü  Radha Kishore Manikya.

ü  Birendra Kishore Manikya.

ü  Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya.

    The State of Tripura, in northeastern India, has a long history. The Twipra 

Kingdom at its peak included the whole eastern region of Bengal from the 

Brahmaputra River in the north and west, the Bay of Bengal in the south 

and Burma to the east during the 14th and 15th centuries AD.

 

    The last ruler of the princely state of Tripura was Kirit Bikram Kishore 

Manikya Bahadur Debbarma who reigned from 1947 to 1949 Agartala after 

whom the kingdom was merged with India on 9 September 1949, and the

 administration was taken over on 15 October 1949.

 

    Tripura became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956, and attained the 

status of a full-fledged state on 21 January 1972.

Tripura has 8 districts, reorganized in 2012 from the earlier 4 

Districts & Headquarters:

·       West Tripura – Agartala (State Capital)

·       Sepahijala – Bishramganj

·       Khowai – Khowai

·       Gomati – Udaipur

·       South Tripura – Belonia

·       Dhalai – Ambassa

·       Unakoti – Kailashahar

·       North Tripura – Dharmanagar

Largest district: Dhalai (~2,400 sq. km)

Smallest district: Unakoti (~592 sq. km)

Administrative units: 8 districts, 23 subdivisions, 58 development blocks

·               Tripura is a state located in North-East India.

·               It shares its borders with Bangladesh, Mizoram, and Assam.

·               Bangladesh surrounds Tripura on the north, south, and west.

·               The state has an international border of about 856 km, which forms nearly 84% of its total boundary.

·               Tripura is connected with the rest of India by National Highway-8, linking Guwahati to Sabroom via Agartala.

·               NH-8 is currently being upgraded to four lanes to improve connectivity.

·               Area: 10,491.69 sq. km (3rd Smallest State in India)

·               Population: 36,73,917 (Census 2011)

·               Capital: Agartala

·               Average Altitude: 12.80 metres

·               Official Languages: Bengali, Kokborok, English

·               Other Languages: Mogh, Chakma, Halam, Garo, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Manipuri, Hindi, Oriya, etc.

·               Literacy Rate: 87.2% (Census 2011)

Manikya Dynasty & Modernization of Tripura

🔹 Early Manikya Rule

·               Tripura ruled by Manikya dynasty since medieval period

·               First Manikya King: Ratan Manikya (AD 1279)

·               Feudal administration; revenue collection was main focus

·               Tribal population backward, dependent on primitive agriculture

·               Heavy taxation led to tribal unrest and revolts

Ratna Manikya I (15th Century) 

·               Reorganized the feudal administrative system of Tripura.

·               Adopted Bengal–Islamic administrative patterns.

·               Brought Brahmins and Kayasthas from Gour (Bengal) to Tripura.

·               Promoted Hinduism, Bengali language, and Bengali culture.

·               Introduced the first coinage system in Tripura

·               First ruler to officially adopt the title “Manikya”, reportedly conferred by the Nawab of Bengal.

Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660–1676)

·               Bhubaneswari Temple: Built between 1667 and 1676.

·               Located on the banks of the Gomati River at Udaipur (then the capital of Tripura). A fine example of 17th-century Bengali temple architecture.

·               Shuja Mosque, Comilla: Constructed for the Muslim population .

·               Completion of the third part of Rajmala, the royal chronicle of Tripura, during his reign.

·               His life and ideals inspired Rabindranath Tagore’s plays Rajarshi and Bisarjan, especially the theme of banning animal sacrifice at the Bhubaneswari Temple.

·               Maintained diplomatic relations with the Mughal Empire.

·               To preserve Tripura’s de facto independence, he agreed to send an annual tribute of five elephants to the Mughal emperor.

·               Despite internal conflicts and a period of exile due to rivalry with his brother Chhatra Manikya, he maintained peace and administrative stability.

·               Issued silver coins during his reign.

·               Some coins bore the name of his queen Gunavati.

Dhanya Manikya (c. 1490–1515 CE) 

·               Tripura Sundari Temple (1501 AD), Udaipur: Originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu, later consecrated to Goddess Tripura Sundari after a divine dream. Recognized as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

·               Kamalasagar Kali Temple: Built on a hilltop in the late 15th century.Houses the image of Mahishasuramardini, worshipped as Kali.

·               Expanded Tripura’s territory into Eastern Bengal.

·               Assisted by generals Rai Kwchak and Rai Kosom.

·               Established control over: Entire Comilla district. Parts of Sylhet, Noakhali and Chittagong.

·               Successfully resisted Sultan Husain Shah of Bengal.

·               Defeated the Kuki chief of Thanangchi.

·               Extended eastern frontier up to the borders of Burma (Myanmar).

·               Kamala Sagar Lake: A massive tank excavated and named after Queen Kamala Devi.

·               Dhanyer Dighi: Large water tank built to commemorate victory over the Nawab of Gour.

·               Dhanya Manikya represents the golden age of medieval Tripura.

Maharaja Ishan Chandra Manikya(1849-1862)

He was the son of Krishna Kishore Manikya. His son Nabadwipchandra Dev Burman was a noted Indian sitarist and Dhrupad singer and the father of composer S. D. Burman and grandfather of another composer R. D. Burman. Thus, he is the great grandfather of the famous Bollywood composer R. D. Burman.

·               He was the reigning king during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 and is credited with handling the Tipra Revolt during his tenure.

·               He originally built the Ujjayanta Palace in 1862, though the structure was later destroyed by an earthquake in 1897 and rebuilt by Radha Kishore Manikya.

·               He married three queens from Manipur: Muktabali, Chanu Jatiswari, and Chandreswari.

·               Upon his death in 1862, his brother Bir Chandra Manikya took the throne instead of Ishan Chandra's own sons. 

Period of Modernization (1862–1947)

1️⃣ Birchandra Manikya (1862–1897)

·               Architect of Modern Tripura

·               Introduced modern judicial system (civil & criminal laws)

·               Started registration and stamp system

·               Abolished slavery and Sati

·               Controlled Jamatia revolt (1863)

·               Patron of Rabindranath Tagore

·               Known as ‘Vikramaditya of Modern Tripura’

2️⃣ Radha Kishore Manikya (1897–1909)

·               Continued modernization reforms

·               Reformed education system

·               Improved health, police & agriculture

·               Introduced land reforms, reduced Dewans’ oppression

·               Built Victoria Memorial Hospital, Agartala

·               Patron of Santiniketan, Visva-Bharati

·               Established free college (later closed under British pressure)

·               Promoted Vaishnavism

·               Formed Executive Council & Amatya Sabha

·               Established R.K.I. School at Kailashahar.

·               Donated funds for Victoria College, Comilla.

·               Tagore first visited Tripura in 1900 during his reign.

·               Provided an annual grant of ₹1000 to Visva-Bharati University.

·               Built Ujjayanta Palace (Nuyungma) between 1899–1901.Cost:₹10 

·               lakh. Constructed after the 1897 earthquake destroyed the old palace..

·               The name Ujjayanta Palace was given by Rabindranath Tagore.

3️⃣ Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909–1923)

·               Continued modern administrative reforms

·               Divided state into 10 administrative divisions

·               Introduced Civil Service Examination

·               Implemented Arms Act (1911) and Penal Code Amendment

·               Developed tea industry, agriculture school

·               Gave oil exploration license to Burma Oil Company (1916)

·               Established silk weaving industry

·               Built Ujjayanta Drama Company

·               Constructed Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Durga Bari) and Pushbanta Palace

·               Reorganized State Civil Service

·               Title of ‘Maharaja’ granted in 1919

4️⃣ Bir Bikram Manikya (1923–1947)

·               Ascended throne officially in 1927

·               Promoted agricultural reforms, banned Jhum cultivation

·               Introduced Vidyapattam Plan (rural education)

·               Improved communication system

·               Promoted Buddhism, built Buddhist temple (1946)

·               Introduced major reforms in 1939:

·               Rajya Sabha (Privy Council)

·               Mantri Parishad

·               Legislative Assembly

·               Village Unions (Mandalis)

·               Financial administration & audit

·               Draft Constitution of Tripura (1941) – not implemented due to World War-II

Regency Period & Integration

·               Council of Regency (1947) led by Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi

·               Signed Instrument of Accession: 13 August 1947

·               Tripura merged with Indian Union on 15 October 1949

·               Became Part ‘C’ State in 1950

·               Regent introduced non-official ministers → step towards democratization

1. When was the Agartala Municipal Council elevated to the Municipal Corporation?

👉 Answer: 21st January, 2014

2. When was the Manikya dynasty founded?

👉 Answer: 1280 AD

3. Who was the first king of the Tripura Dynasty?

👉 Answer: Ratna Fa

4. The first Political Agent was appointed in Tripura during the reign of:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya

5. Arrange the following kings of Tripura according to their correct chronological 

order (oldest → newest): Krishna Manikya, Krishnakishore Manikya, Amar Manikya,

 Govinda Manikya

👉 Answer: (iii) Amar Manikya → (iv) Govinda Manikya → (i) Krishna Manikya → 

(ii) Krishnakishore Manikya

6. Among the following Maharajas of Tripura to whom Rabindranath Tagore wrote 

his maiden letter?

👉 Answer: Maharaja Birchandra Manikya

7. During whose reign was the official newspaper ‘Tripura State Gazette’ first published?

👉 Answer: Matraraja Radhakishore Manikya

8. Which Manikya king was a distinguished member of the Chamber of Princes?

👉 Answer: Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya

9. Where in Tripura was a 9th century A.D. colossal image of Avalokitesvara found?

👉 Answer: Pilak

10. Pushpabanta palace was built during the reign of which king?

👉 Answer: Matraraja Birendra Kishore Manikya

11. Tripura Era started from which year?

👉 Answer: 590 AD 

12. Who was Queen Tripura Sundari?

👉 Answer: Wife of King Kirtidhar 

13. Who was the last Chief Commissioner of Tripura?

👉 Answer: D.K. Bhattacharya 

14. Rabindranath Tagore died in which year?

👉 Answer: 1941 

15. Which king built Ujjayayanta Palace?

👉 Answer: Radhakishore Manikya 

16. Which king is known as ‘Rajashri’?

👉 Answer: Gobinda Manikya 

17. When did Tripura attain statehood?

👉 Answer: 21 January 1972 

18. When did Tripura merge with India?

👉 Answer: 15 October 1949 

19. When did the Tripura Legislative Assembly start its journey?

👉 Answer: 1 July 1963 

20. When did Tripura become Union Territory?

👉 Answer: November 1956 

21. From 1901-1905 and from 1907-1908 Umakanta Das was the minister of:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya 

22. ‘Ghar chukti’ tax was collected from the:

👉 Answer: Tribes who practiced Jhum cultivation 

23. In which year the postal service started in Tripura?

👉 Answer: 1875 

24. Tripura Merger Agreement was signed on:

👉 Answer: 9th September, 1949 

25. Who introduced the scheme of ‘Vidyapattan’ in Agartala?

👉 Answer: None of them

(Correct scheme initiator was Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya) 

26. Shri R K Roy, ICS took as the first Chief Commissioner of the State of Tripura on:

👉 Answer: 15th October, 1949 

27. Agartala Municipality was formed in:

👉 Answer: 1871 

28. Agartala High School was renamed as:

👉 Answer: Umakanta Academy 

29. Tagore’s first visit to Tripura was in:

👉 Answer: 1900 

30. Shifting of capital from ‘Puran Haveli’ to present Agartala took place in the

 year 1838 during the regime of:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya 

31. Under which Amendment of the Constitution did the provisions of the Sixth

 Schedule come into force in TTAADC?

👉 Answer: 49th Amendment 

32. The first Political Agent of the British Government of India in Tripura was:

👉 Answer: A. W. B. Power 

33. Rabindranath Tagore first visited Agartala during the reign of:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya 

34. ‘Taithung’ was the name of a:

👉 Answer: Slavery system prevailed in Tripura 

35. During the First World War the king of Tripura was:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya 

36. Name of the Buddhist temple (Vihara) established in 1946 at Agartala is:

👉 Answer: Benuban Vihara 

37. The ‘Raj Bhavan’ (Governor House) at Agartala was also known as:

👉 Answer: Pushpavanta Palace, in 2025 Rajbhavan renamed as Lok Bhavan.

38. Under which schedule of the Constitution is Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) functioning?

👉 Answer: 6th Schedule 

39. The king of Tripura as mentioned in ‘Mukut’, a drama written by 

Rabindranath Tagore, is:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Amar Manikya 

40. The Zamindari Right of Chakla Roshanabad was granted by the Nawab of 

Bengal to the ruler of Tripura during the reign of:

👉 Answer: Maharaja Dharma Manikya-II 

41. On which date High Court of Tripura was established?

👉 Answer: 23rd March, 2013 

42. Where in Tripura was a colossal stone image of Avalokiteshvara found?

👉 Answer: Pilak 

43. The first Olympian from Tripura was:

👉 Answer: Saraswati Dey Saha 

44. Which is the Capital of Tripura?

👉 Answer: Agartala 

45. Why Chabumura is famous for?

👉 Answer: Archaeological site of Devtamura 

46. Tripura became full-fledged state in the year:

👉 Answer: 1972 

47. When Tripura divided into 3 districts:

👉 Answer: 1st September, 1970 

48. When was the Tripura Panchayat Act passed for the first time?

👉 Answer: 1984 

49. First Railway Connectivity established in which year?

👉 Answer: 1964 

50. In which year Dhalai District was inaugurated?

👉 Answer: 15th April, 1995 

51. The first Post Office in Tripura was set up by which Tripura king?

👉 Answer: Birchandra Manikaya 

52. What was the old name of College Tilla, Agartala?

👉 Answer: Rasman tilla 

53. Which Tripura king committed suicide by taking poison being anguished at the conduct of his son?

👉 Answer: Amar Manikya 

54. Which Tripura king attacked Manipur?

👉 Answer: Dharma Manikya – II 

55. Who was the husband of queen Bhanumati of Tripura?

👉 Answer: Birchandra 

56. Which king of Tripura abolished the ‘Sati System’?

👉 Answer: Birchandra 

57. Who is the author of the book ‘Tripur Desher Katha’?

👉 Answer: Kaliprasanna Sen 

58. Rabindranath Tagore came to Tripura for the first time at the request of 

which Tripura king?

👉 Answer: Radha Kishore Manikya 

59. Which Tripura king built Nirmahal in the Rudrasagar Lake?

👉 Answer: Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya 

60. Who is the first Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly?

👉 Answer: Upendra Kumar Roy