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HISTORY OF
TRIPURA
 Origin: The origin of the name of Tripura is still a subject of argument among
historians and researchers.
According to the 'Rajmala", Tripura's celebrated court chronicle, an
ancient king named 'Tripur' ruled over the territorial domain known as 'Tripura'
and the name of the kingdom was derived from his name. A school of
historians, however, challenge this story and identify 'Tripur' as and
imaginary and a historical character.
Many researchers explain the name 'Tripura' from its etymological
origin: the word 'Tripura' is a compound of two separate words, 'Tui'
(water) + 'Pra' (near) which in totality means 'near water'. The
geographical location of the state with it's close proximity to the vast
water resources of Eastern Bengal (present Bangladesh) coupled with the
generic identity of the state's original inhabitants as 'Tipra' or 'Twipra'
apparently justify this explanation of the state's name. Except 'Rajmala'
there is no authentic document to base Tripura's history upon even
though a plethora of archaeological and numismatic evidences have helped
reconstruct the history of the state over the past five centuries.
Development in Tripura proper was slower than in other princely states,
largely because of poor economic conditions. State revenues were
supplemented by the Raja's zamindari in British Bengal, but these were
not enough for more than the very basic reforms.
It is only with the reign of Maharaj Bir Chandra Kishore, in the last
part of the nineteenth century that the first tentative steps towards
reform and development began. However, no determined programme emerged
until the reign of Maharaj Kirit Birendra Kishore during the second
decade of the twentieth century. Perhaps due to his modern education his
outlook may have been more receptive to change.
Despite modest means, he reformed the revenue system, the courts,
police, and army, built roads, hospitals and schools. He contracted
marriages with several Nepalese princesses and sent his sons and
brothers to be educated in modern institutions outside the state. Many
of these princes acquire skills precious to the administration and
development of their homeland.
Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore's early death in 1947 left his throne to his
fourteen year old son, Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore. This was a crucial
time, not only because of British withdrawal and the subsequent
uncertain status of the princes, but also due to the birth of East
Pakistan. Tripura faced an immediate refugee problem, which brought
conflict between the people, severe strain on the administration and
threatened to exhaust the meagre resources of the state.
HOW TO REACH TRIPURA
By Air : Tripura has only one airport at Agartala that connects the place
with Guwahati and Calcutta.
By Rail :
Tripura has no railheads inside the state. The nearest
railheads are at Kumarghat (140 km from Agartala) and Silchar (180 km)
in Assam
By Road :
The National Highway 44 connects most of the places of Tripura
via Shillong. The state transport corporation and private tour operators
run regular buses that connect the state with the nearby towns and
cities both within and outside the state.
By Bus : Agartala, the capital of Tripura, is connected by regular bus services
with all subdivisional towns of Tripura. Besides, bus service is also
available from Silchar, Guwahati, Karimganj and Shillong.
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