Tale of an ancient land - Tripura

Mythology

Thousands of years ago, there was a kingdom called ‘Kirata Rajya’ (land of tribal hunters) in the hilly terrain of forests below Himalaya. The people of the kingdom were great hunters and lived in the forest full of tusker elephants, tigers and Rhinos away from civilization. Aryan sages mentioned them as asura (demons) in their scriptures. The Kiratas were follower of Lord Shiva. King Daitya, a pious ruler, cared for his people and maintained order in the kingdom. He had a son named Tripur. Tripur was a brave warrior who descended the throne after his father’s death. Like many powerful kings, he became arrogant and ruthless about his people. Murder, destruction spreading terror became his pastime. People of the forest kingdom were peace loving and religious. They did not know how to revolt. At last, when the torment crossed the limit of tolerance, they decided to pray to Lord Shiva, the ultimate savior. Lord Shiva, pleased with the prayer of his beloved Kiratas asked their desire. Kiratas pleaded for his intervention in the reign of Tripur. Lord Shiva appeared in front of Tripur and asked him to change his attitude. Tripur blinded by over buoyancy challenged the Lord instead. Angry Lord emerged as fierce Tripurantaka Killed Tripur with his Trishul. The queen of Tripur, Heeravati had a virtuous son named Trilochon. Lord Shiva blessed and declared him the king of the land. He was renamed as Shivrai (Subrai) after the Lord. During the reign of Tripur, the land was named after him as ‘Tripura’.

Tripurantaka

Ancient History

In History, Tripura can be traced back to the age of Mahabharata (around 5000 yrs ago). The great battle of Kurukshetra was fought between two clans Kaurava (Duryodhan being the King) and Pandava (Yudhishthira the King). Commander in Chief of Kaurava was the legendary warrior prince Bhisma. He had three commanders, Drona, Bhagadatta and Vrihatbala (king of Kosala) fighting under his command. Tripura Army represented one of the divisions of the army of King Virhatbala. In later years, the then king of Tripura, Chitrayudh was subjugated by Sahadeva, the youngest Pandava brother as a consequence of capturing the sacred horse of Ashwamedh yagna (ceremony to prove supremacy of power) of King Yudhishthira.

The earliest trace of the history of Tripura can also be found in the Ashokan pillar inscriptions.

‘Rajamala’, a chronicle of kings of Tripura written in Bengali verse, was written by the Brahmins in the court of Dharma Manikya. This throws light on the lineage of the earlier rulers of Tripura.

The first name in ‘Rajamala’ is Chandra which signifies that the Tripura rulers were Chandravanshi (lunar line of kings). The earliest king is said to be ‘Pururoba’.

Medieval History

The history of Tripura points out that around the 7th Century the Tripuri Kings with the title of 'Fa' (meaning father), ruled from the Kailashahar region in North Tripura. Subsequently, Ratna Fa (Ratna Manikya), the founder of a new dynasty of Indo-Mongolian origin assumed the title of Manikya in 1280. The greatest king of this dynasty was Dharma Manikya (1431–62). This lineage continued till Tripura was merged with Indian Union in 1947.

But the reign of Manikya dynasty was not always free of trouble; neither the title ‘Manikya’ came without price. During the Mohammedan period, like many other Hindu kings Tripura also faced constant military threat from the rulers of Delhi. It started with Bengal subadar (at the court of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban) invading the land in the pretext of Tripuri subjects robbing his people. This time he was defeated by the king; unknown and difficult terrain being the main reason. Around 10 years later, in 1279 A.D; King Hari sent one of his younger sons Ratna (considered to be most intelligent and worthy of the throne) to venture in the outside world for gaining experience. Ratna visited and resided at the court of Bengal Subadar Togral Khan. While, Ratna was in Bengal; king passed away. The eldest son ascended the throne. Ratna was shattered with the news and approached subadar to help him gaining the kingdom. Togral was too eager to help as he found an excellent opportunity to win over Tripura; with the prince at his side.

Togral attacked Tripura with a numerous army, this time with the full knowledge of the territory. He defeated the king, devastated the land and plundered the inhabitants. Ratna was crowned the new king and titled as ‘Manikya’ (priceless gem) signifying the great ruby he presented to Togral (apart from great wealth and 100 elephants).

Subsequently, Sultan Ilyas Shah of Bengal again attacked Tripura during the reign of Pratap Manikya (son of Ratna Manikya) and collected booty.

Dharma Manikya I (1431 – 1462), the greatest king of Manikya dynasty succeeded from Maha Manikya and ruled for more than 30 years. Dharma Manikya was an able king and a shrewd military commander. Samsuddin Ahmed Shah, the sultan of Bengal invaded his dominion and extracted a great sum of money and elephants. Dharma avenged it by counter attacking Samsuddin and plundering his capital Sonargaon. He extended his kingdom over part of Bengal (Comilla and Chittagong), Assam and Myanmar. He also patronized art and culture and introduced the use of Sanskrit language in Royal court. ‘Rajamala’, the chronicle of Kings was also written in his court.

Dhanya Manikya (1490 – 1520) ascended the throne of Tripura after death of his brother Pratap Manikya. He was a legendary military commander and remembered in history for thwarting Muslim incursions into Tripura not once but thrice.

General Chaychag Rai attacked and captured Bengal garrison at Chittagong in 1512 on King’s command. Ala-ud-din Husain Shah, independent ruler of Bengal countered by sending Husain Shah Sharqi of Jaunpur (taken asylum in Bengal, escaping wrath of Sultan Bahlul Lodi of Delhi) with a vast army to attack Tripura. In this battle, Tripura army constructed a dam across Gumti River, drying up the lower bed of the river. When the Bengal army started crossing the dried bed of the Gumti the Tripura Army cut the dam causing the river to overflow its banks. The Muslim army was thrown into confusion when Chaychag attacked them and compelled them to retire. Later Gaur Malik and Haitan Khan (commanders of Bengal Army) were also defeated consecutively in 1513 and 1514 with the help of King of Arakan. At last, Sultan Hussain Shah himself led an army and after a successful battle at Kasba, conquered a part of Tripura.

 Dhanya Manikya expanded Tripura's territorial domain well into Eastern Bengal establishing control over entire Comilla district and parts of Sylhet, Noakhali and Chittagong districts of Bangladesh. Like Dharma Manikya he also continued patronizing art and culture specially sanskrit literature. Several sanskrit inscriptions of his time were found in different temples of the kingdom, including Tripureshwari temple (a Shakti Pith).

Coin of Dhanya Manikya inscribed in Sanskrit language in Bengali script

Ananta Manikya (1565 – 1567) the son of Vijay Manikya ascended the throne with the help of an ally Gopi Prasada in preference to an elder brother. He married a daughter (Ratnavati) of Gopi immediate after. Ananta continued to be engaged in a long drawn out battle with the King of Arakan initiated by his father. In 1567 the defeated king took refuge to Ratnapur where he was strangled to death by assassins employed by his father in law.

Udaya Manikya (1567 – 73) a former cook in the service of King Vijaya Manikya; rose to the power after his death. After capturing the throne adopted the name ‘Udaya Manikya’. He renamed the capital from Rangamati to Udaipur in his own honour.

Amar Manikya (1577 – 86) succeeded the throne from Jai manikya. His noted exploit was excavating a huge lake in Udaipur named Amar sagar. Control over Chittagong became the bone of contention between Kings of Tripura and Arakan during his reign. In 1580 Amar Manikya seized Chittagong from Pathans and held it till 1582. Around 1582 Adam Shah, a cheiftain of an Arakan tribe, rebelled against King Sikandar Shah and took refuge to Tripura. Sikandar Shah demanded his immediate handover which Amar Manikya turned down. Enraged Arakan king attacked Chittagong, defeated crown prince Rajdhar and proceeded towards Udaipur. During the battle, prince Jujhadhar was accidentally killed by his own elephant, Rajdhar was also wounded by a shell. The victorious Arakan army invaded capital Udaipur, Amar Manikya retreated to Dhoomghat. He committed suicide fearing further humiliation and left his countrymen unprotected from the imperious enemy. Sikandar Shah and his men plundered Udaipur.

Jashodhar Manikya (1601 – 1618) succeeded from his father Rajdhar Manikya. During his reign Mughal Emperor Jahangir was ruling India, Bengal was part of the Empire. Constant threat from Portuguese pirates compelled Bengal Subadar to shift his seat from Sonargaon to Decca. Eventually, Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang (Bengal subadar) determined to crush the pirates and disarm the kings patronizing them. Kings of Tripura were known for appointing portuguese soldiers in their army, since, the time of Amar Manikya. This provoked Fath-i-Jung to appeal to the Delhi court for marching army against Tripura. Jahangir was advised to seize the opportunity to create a source for supply of war elephants for the Empire. Around 1618, Mughal Army invaded Tripura and crushed the army. Jshodhar was taken captive along with booty of wealth and elephants and deported to Delhi. Jashodhar Manikya was offered freedom and restoration on condition of paying an annual tribute of elephants which he declined and headed to Vrindavan on his release. The disheartened King died a lonely death in the Kunj of Rash Behari (the family God), where the ashes of departed Tripura Kings are buried till date.

Meanwhile, the kingdom was ruled by the Mughal Governors till 1621. Afterwards, lack of interest in the administration and outbreak of an epidemic forced them to withdraw from Tripura securing the supply of annual tribute. This led to interregnum during the period from 1621 to 1626.

In 1626 Kalyan Manikya ascended the throne and the Manikya dynasty continued to rule Tripura.

Modern History

British Era

Mughal invasion and consequent subjugation of Tripura gradually resulted in shrinkage in the territory. In 1621 Mughal withdrew from Tripura, annexing the plain land to the Empire. By the time the British came to rule Bengal in the 18th century Tripura was limited  to only the Tripura District (present Comilla District in Bangladesh) and Hill Tripura (present Tripura state in India). The Tripura district was known as ‘Chakla Roshanabad’ and the King recognized as a Zamindar (landlord) of it paying revenue to East India Company. Interestingly, income from Roshanabad was much higher (even after paying revenue) than that of the entire state of Hill Tripura.

Dispute over succession of Throne continued even in British era, this time disgruntled prince approaching East India Company as previously done to Muslim rulers. This allowed an excellent opportunity to the Company to interfere in the affair of the state. Most serious of these succession disputes happened in 1809 that established British influence in independent Tripura.

King Krishna Manikya shifted his capital to old Agartala in 1761 and died childless in 1783; appointing Rajdhar Thakur (later Rajdhar Manikya on his death) as his heir.

Rajdhar Manikya (1783 – 1804) announced Durgamoni Thakur as his heir to the throne. In last league of his rule appointed son Ram Ganga as the Governor of Chakla Roshanabad.

Ram Ganga continued enjoying supreme power over the Zamindari even after his father’s death and started paying revenue to East India Company independently. The Revenue officials of Bengal recognized him as the De facto King. Later on, he seized the throne of Tripura and ruled for the period 1804 to 1809. In the meantime Durgamoni fled Tripura and appealed to the high officials of the Company to claim his right to the throne. The matter was moved to court and Ram Ganga’s investiture as King was withheld. Finally, in 24^th March, 1809 the Calcutta High Court, one of the three highest courts (Madras, Bombay, Calcutta) in British India gave verdict in Durgamoni’s favour.

Accordingly, he was invested the Kingship of Hill Tripura as well as Zamindary of Roshanabad. Durgamoni assumed the name Durga Manikya and reigned till 1813 uninterrupted.

But fate played a cruel joke with the King. Being childless, he went on a pilgrimage to Varanasi bestowing the charge of the State to Ram Ganga. He was traveling by river route in his Royal Barge. On his way towards varanasi, near Patna on the sacred Ganges he took his last breath due to cholera. The throne he won out of such a long battle went back to his contender again.

Ram Ganga became Ram Ganga Manikya and ruled till 1826.

Krishna Kishore Manikya (1830 – 49) ascended the throne after death of his uncle Kashi Chandra Manikya. He moved his capital from old Agartala to new Agartala in 1835.

Maharaja Bir Chandra Kishore Manikya (1862 – 96) succeeded on death of his elder brother Ishan Chandra Manikya in 1862. He reigned under a council of regency till March 1870 and then was invested with full ruling power. In 1867, He was granted a permanent salute of 13 Guns and a tittle ‘Maharaja was bestowed on him in 1877. He helped British army in Lushai Expedition in 1871 – 72 actively as well as giving passage to the Army via Kailashahar. He established Agartala municipality in 1871 and Umakanta Academy, the first school for western studies in 1890.

Bir Chandra Manikya was a man of astounding character. He was an able administrator, strict disciplinarian, great visionary, modern in outlook, yet very traditional at heart. History remembers him as the architect of modern Agartala. Among many things, he was passionate about photography and poetry. A photograph taken in 1880 of the king alongside his beloved third wife Manamohini Mahadevi confirms his interest in photography. He was the first king of India to organize an annual photographic exhibition in his palace. His love for poetry and Bengali literature drew him towards Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1882, when Tagore was merely in his early 20. ‘Bhagna Hriday’ (Broken Heart), one of Tagore’s early works greatly moved the King. He sent his Bengali minister Shashibhushan Sinha to poet’s Calcutta residence (Jorasanko) with his felicitation. He later invited Tagore to accompany him in his Kurseong trip in 1884.

King Bir Chandra Kishore with Manamohini Mahadevi

Radha Kishore Manikya (1896 – 09) ascended the throne on his father’s death in 1896. He carried the legacy of modernizations in Tripura by reorganizing the Police Department. He relieved Police from revenue collection duty (as practiced previously).

King Radha Kishore Manikya was a great patron of modern education. He set up the R.K.I.school of Kailashahar, donated funds towards construction of Victoria college of Comilla in Bangladesh. A full-fledged medical unit in ‘R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital’ in Calcutta was set up with his financial assistance. Despite being under stiff financial crisis on account of a devastating earthquake; the king anonymously sponsored the scientific research of Jagadish Chandra Bose in England costing around 50,000 rupees.

He also continued to be in association with Rabindranath. Over the year they became close friends with great mutual respect. Tagore first visited Tripura in 1900 during his reign. The King supported Visva-Bharati University with an annual grant of Rupees 1000.

The new Agartala Palace was built by him after the old palace totally demolished due to earthquake in 1897. It took three years and 10 million rupees to construct ‘Ujjayanta Palace’ as fondly named by Tagore.

King Radha kishore with Rabindranath

Kirit Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909 – 23) became king after death of his father Radha Kishore Manikya in 1909. He continued reforms in the revenue system, the courts, police, and army. He also built roads, hospitals and schools and sent his sons and brothers to be educated in modern institutions outside the state.

King Birendra Kishore Manikya

Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya (1923 – 47), the last King of the princely state of Tripura succeeded the throne at the age of fifteen in 1923. He ruled under the guidance of the Council of Regency till 1927 (being a minor) and finally was coronated in 1928 to rule independently. Bir Bikram kishore was an exalted personage of nobility, refinement and courage that distinguished him among the rulers of Manikya Dynasty.

He was the first among the Manikyas’ to travel extensively in Europe and America. His visit to the modern cities around the world motivated him to plan for a modern Tripura.

He introduced modern architecture in Tripura (built Agartala Airport), promoted modern education (founded Maharaja Bir Bokram College at Agartala) and pioneered in land reforms. In 1939, he reserved land for the local Tripura tribals. He introduced tea plantation in the state to improve economy.

The King was Commander-in-Chief of the Tripura State Forces, an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel in the Indian Army, Honorary Colonel of the 5th (Bengal Presidency) Urban Infantry Territorial Army, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Society of Literature.

His interest in military affairs helped British army greatly during World War II. As the War in Burma reached India's borders and the Japanese threatened invasion, the Tripura army served with distinction and honour, winning several decorations for gallantry including 39/45 stars, Burma stars, IGS medals etc. Bir Bikram’s younger brother Captain Ajjayanta Kishore Deb Burman died in the war in 1943 fighting along with his force.

The king was a poet of his own right. Dramas written by him (‘Chand Kumudini’ and Sri Radhakrishner Lila Vilas’) were staged in Calcautta. He carried his association with Rabindranath and Shantiniketan till the very end of his life.

King Bir Bikram lived a glorious life that ended abruptly at the age of thirty nine in May 17, 1947; only three months before the Independence of India. His contribution in modernization and development has made him immortal in the History of Tripura.

King Bir Bikram Kishore

After his death in 1947, a Council under the leadership of his widowed wife Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi took over the charge of the administration on behalf of minor prince Kirit Bikram (aged 13 at that time). Maharani signed an agreement for merger of Tripura with the Indian Union on September 9, 1947, following which administration of the state was transferred to the government of India on October 15, 1949. That marked the end of the kingdom of Tripura. Tripura was recognized as a State on January 21, 1972.

Note: Love for history and the land of Tripura prompted me to pen down the story of a land never ruled by invaders. The story of mythology and earlier history are not widely available, hence, tried to gather information from different sources and framed it as logically as possible. I humbly apologize for any possible mistake. Following are the references that I used:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripura_(mythology)
www.royalark.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Tripura
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultanate_of_Bengal
www.tripura.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaunpur_Sultanate

‘A History of Arakan past & present’

Dr. Mohammed Yunus

http://www.kaladanpress.org (Arakan rule in Chittagong by S.M.Ali)

‘Sanskrit studies in Tripura’, by Dr. Sitanath Dey

Journal Named ‘Migration in the last 100 years of Manikya Rule in

Tripura’ by Prof. Nilanjan De (published in IJSST)

The lushai Expedition’ by R.G.Woodthrope

‘Tagore telegram shows special relationship with Tripura kings’ from www.thehindubusinessline.com

http://www.educationworldonline.net/index.php/page-article-choice-more-id-1099 Fragrant hills of Tripura by Syed Sajjad Ali

http://www.tripurainfo.com