THE MANIKYAS OF TRIPURA (IMPORTANT KINGS)

THE MANIKYAS OF TRIPURA (IMPORTANT KINGS)

1. CHENGTHUNG FA/MAHA MANIKYA (1225-1250): Chengthung-Fa's nicknames were Kirtidhar and Singhatoongha-Fa. His father's name was Dharmadhar. The momorable incident of his reign was the battle of 1240. It occurred between Chengthung-Fa and Hiravanta Khan. The king was very hesitant and about to surrender. Then his queen Tripura Sundari led the soldiers and won the battle. Chengtoon Pha was the first king who took the title "Manikya' as Maha Manikya.

         The Manikya Dynasty in Tripura started from Maha Manikya. Maha Manikya (1400-30), who is believed to be the 1st historical dated King. His original name is believed to be Chheng Thung Fa. The rulers gave up their title 'FA' and took the title 'MANIKYA'.

2. RATNA FA (1325-1350): Owing to the protest of the elder brothers, Ratna Fa had to leave the kingdom and sheltered in the court of Mughisuddin Tughral Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. At last with the help of the Nawab, Ratna Fa became the King of Tripura and was given the title Ratna Manikya. He was the first king to be entitled 'Manikya' by the Nawab. Ratna Manikya gifted a lot of jewellery and elephants to the Nawab. Ratna Manikya was first king of Tripura who introduced the coin. But the era of the coin is controvertial. Ratna Manikya was the first king of Tripura who sheltered the Hindu Bengalese in his kingdom.

3. DHARMA MANIKYA (1431-1461): Maha Manikya's son Dharma Manikya issued a copperplate on Chaitra Sankranti in April 1459. That copperplate is the most important document in the history of Tripura. Dharma Manikya was not present at his father's deathbed. At that time he was at Varanasi on pilgrimage. Messengers were sent to Varanasi to bring back Dharma Manikya on public interest. He took steps to strengthen his troops. In his recruitment, most of the soldiers were Tripuri and Bengalee Hindus. He increased the number of forts at different parts of Tripura. At that time the Head Priest or 'Chantai' Durlabhendra was present there. Dharma Manikya planned to conquer Comilla, Lalmai hills and Maynamati. Crossing Gomati, he occupied the region. Then Dharma Manikya became a protector of the Hindus, who were afraid of the Muslims. He engaged two Brahmins namely Sukreswar and Baneswar who wrote 'Sri Raj Ratnakaram' (Rajmala) in Sanskrit. He ordered to dig three very big tanks with same name 'Dharmasagar' at three different places - Rangamati, Kaila-garh and Comilla. Like his ancestors Adi Dharma Fa and Swadharma Fa, Dharma Manikya too granted lands to the Brahmins. He died of Small pox. He had two sons Dhanya and Pratap.

4. DHANYA MANIKYA (1490-1515) : After Pratap Manikya, his brother Dhanya Manikya became king of Tripura. An abnormal situation made the prince fugitive. He trembled at the approach of any person, at the arrival of any messenger. In search of the prince, the soldiers, servants, messengers and ministers set out. But they could not discover where Dhanya had been hiding. When the soldiers guaranteed about the security of Dhanya, the foster mother found out Dhanya from the house of Priest.

          Dhanya deeply observed the behaviour of the soldiers. He had to marry Kamala Devi, the daughter of the Commander of Chief. He along with the priest secretly planned to kill the arrogant and proud officers of the royal army. Dhanya pretended of serious illness and the news of his illness was spread out. When the unarmed officers had made farewell salute bowing down their heads, they immediately fell into death. Dhanya Manikya was fortunate to have two strong Reang officers Ray Kachag and Ray Kacham. There was a spirit of nationalism and patriotism in his army. The Bengalee soldiers came to be known as Kathi-Chhoa Tipra or Laskar. He completed the annexation of Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, Brahmanbaria and Shylet. At that time, Hussain Shah was the Nawab of Bengal. He sent his soldiers against Tripura king in 1512 to 1514 under the commander Gour Mallik and Haitan Khan but they were defeated every time. Their elephants, horses, boats and all were washed away by the massive flow of water of the Gomati. A girl named 'Balagama' (Joan of Arch of Tripura) inspired the Tripura soldiers for the war. These wars were held in Kaila garh (Kasba), Chaygharia, Jamir Khali and the bank of the Gomati. The old and displayed cannon in Kaman Chowmuhani was seized by Tripura's army from Hussein Shah. Ray Kachag and Ray Kacham led the expedition. Dhanya Manikya defeated the Kuki also and took the

title of Tripurendra' and 'Vijayendra'. He built Tripureswari temple at Matabari (Udaipur) in 1501 and dug a pond named Kamala Sagar (after his queen Kamala) at Kasba area. He died of small pox in 1515. His queen Kamal Devi became Sati with him.

5. VIJAY MANIKYA (1528-63): Manikya was Deva Manikya's son and Indra Manikya's stepbrother. First he was imprisoned by Indra Manikya. After the death of Indra Manikya, he became the king. Mughal emperor Akbar was junior contemporary of Vijay Manikya. Vijay Manikya was controlled by chief commander Daitya Narayan, so he had to marry Lakshmi, the daughter of Daitya Narayan. Madhav was the husband of Lakshmi's elder sister. Madhav, after the consultation with Vijay Manikya, was able to kill Daitya Narayan. To take revenge of his father's death, Queen Lakshmi also killed Madhav and at last she was exiled by the angry king Vijay Manikya.

          Vijay Manikya enlisted two more communities Afghan Muslim and the Khandait Kshatriya community of Orissa besides the Tripuris and the Bengalees. During his reign, Tripura army consisted of huge infantry, elephant, cavalry and navy. It was referred in Ain-i-Akbari of Abul Fazl (Akbar's court poet). He conquered Sylhet in 1539. After that, he defeated the Khasia and the Jayantia. Vijay's next expedition was in Chittagong and he took his control in Meherkul. Kala Nazir was appointed the chief commander of Vijaya Manikya. When Kala Nazir was killed by the troops of Bengal, the Tripura soldiers also killed Mubarak Khan, the general of Gaud. Daud Khan, the Sultan of Bengal, was bound for an agreement with Vijay Manikya. He also controlled the rebel Halam people. A traveller Sir Ralf Fitch also referred the reign of Vijaya Manikya. His great achievements were one pond and one temple at Hirapur. He installed the sacred image of Vishnu entitled Hira Gopinath. The Mahadev Dighi in Udaipur was dug and the direction of the Burima River in Bishalgarh was changed during his reign. The name of the river was 'Vijay'. He sent his elder son Mukunda to the king of Orissa. Then Ananta Manikya, the younger son, became the only successor of the crown of Tripura.

6. UDAY MANIKYA (1567-1573): Gopi Prasad occupied the throne and changed his name from Gopi Prasad to Uday Manikya. He transferred the name of the capital from Rangamati to Udaipur. To avoid the widow-daghter's blood-shot eyes, Udai Manikya left the old capital and built one at a village called Chandrapur to the south of Tripureshwari Temple. He dug a big tank named Chandra Sagar and a temple named Chandra Gopinath Mandir in Chandrapur. Uday's administration was tyrannical and unpopular. A terrible battle was fought in Khandal between the soldiers of Tripura and Bengal during his reign. Uday Manikya died of an illness caused by poisonous drinking. His reign proved one of the worst in the history of Tripura.

7. AMAR MANIKYA (1577-1586): Amardey or Amar Manikya was Dhanya Manikya's grandson, Dev Manikya's son and Vijay Manikya's stepbrother. He was an old man at the time of his accession. His chief queen was Amaravati. Amar Manikya dug a very large tank named Amar Sagar at Udaipur and it assumed the character of Rajasuya Yagna. Amar Manikya's expedition was held against Balaram Chakraborty of Bhulua and Sayyad Musha of Taran in Sylhet. Amar Manikya's son Rajdhar defeated the Muslims of Sylhet on the bank of the river Surma (Kamalpur) and dug a big tank there named 'Rajdhar Sagar'. A newly constructed temple at Comilla 15 was dedicated to Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra. Amra Manikya marched his soldiers against the Mughals (Akbar) on behalf of Isha Khan of Sarail near Meghna. At that time he selected a site at the upper course of the Gomati and a capital was built named Amarpur. He dug a big tank in Amarpur also which name was Amarsagar. He built a temple on its bank named Chandi Mandir. The Mogs of Arakan attacked Tripura and plundered the southern side of Tripura during the reign of Amar Manikya. In the battle Amar Manikya's youngest son Yubak Narayan or Yujha Singha was killed by the Mog soldiers. The Tripureshwari temple was also partially damaged by the Mogs. Amar Manikya was very depressing for the quarrelling among the princes for the crown and committed suicide taking opium near the bank of the Manu. Amar Manikya was the first king who entitled 'Narayan' to the princes. Poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote the drama 'Mukut' after Amar Manikya's sons.

8. YASODHAR MANIKYA (1600-1623): Rajdhar's son Yasodhar Manikya became the king of Tripura. Yasodhar Manikya engaged a huge army in an expedition against Bhulua Zamindar Gandharva Narayan and controlled the Bhulua country. During the reign of Jahangir, the Mughal army captured Dhaka and named it 'Jahangir Nagar'. Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor, came to know about the plenty of elephants in Tripura. He ordered Yashodhar Manikya to supply elephants for the Mughals. But Yasodhar Manikya refused to send the elephants for the Mughals. Then the Mughal soldiers led by Ibrahim Khan marched towards Udaipur in 1618 and defeated and imprisoned Yasodhar Manikya. Tripura was under the Mughals for about three years (1618-1620). The Mughal soldiers looted the wealth of the people and cheerfully and openly enjoyed the pleasures of rape and killed many people. They prohibited the worship of the Chaudda Devata and the Tripureshwari Kali. They encouraged the Mullas, Pirs and Fakirs to convert many Hindus to Islam by forcing them to eat beef. At that time two important events saved Tripura from permanent annexation to the Mughals. The Mughals had to leave Udaipur, Meherkul near the Meghna for terrible epidmic of 1620. Another incident of great significance was the rebellion of Shah Jahan against Jahangir. Later the imprisoned Yasodhar Manikya was sent to Jahangir's court. Jahangir gave Yosadhar the permission to go back to his kingdom, but the king requested to permit him to visit Kashi, Mathura and Vrindavan. At last Yasodhar Manikya did not return in his kingdom and died in Vrindavan during meditation. Yasodhar Manikya had no son or brother or nephew or grandson. English East India Company was established in India during the reign of Yasodhar Manikya.

9. KALYAN MANIKYA (1624-1660): After the death of Yasodhar Manikya, the ministers and the generals in council selected Kalyandev who was in the military service of Yasodhar. Kalyandev took the title of Kalyan Manikya. Kalyan Manikya was determined to protect the country from external attacks and to assert the sovereignty of Tripura. He employed soldiers and spies and founded police stations and forts. Earlier, the Mogs destroyed the tower of the Tripureswari Temple and the Mughals damaged tanks and temples. Later Kalyan Manikya repaired the tanks and temples. He dug a big tank named Kalyan Sagar beside Tripureswwari Temple. He wanted to set up a town at Kalyanpur in Khowai. Kalyan Manikya was the first king of Tripura to start copper inscription in Bengali. Prince Shuja, the Mughal Prince Governor of Bengal, demanded a large number of from Tripura as tributes. Kalyan Manikya refused to submit the to the illegal demands of the Mughals. Then the Mughals attacked Tripura and Kalyan's son Nakshatraray was sent as the first hostage to the Mughals. Then Govindadev was formally declared Yubaraj and next successor. The king bestowed upon the princes the title of "Thakur". Kalyan Manikya had three queens and five sons - Govindadev, Jagannath, Yadav, Rajballav and Nakshatraray and died in 1660.

10. GOVINDA MANIKYA (1660-1661): Prince Govindadev, the eldest son of Kalyan Manikya, ascended the throne of Tripura and took the title 'Govinda Manikya'. After a few months, the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb sent a letter to Govinda Manikya to arrest and hand over Shuja to Mir Jumla, the commander of Mughal soldiers. Then Govinda Manikya tactfully avoided the problem because he refused to arrest Shuja and helped to escape from his kingdom. Shuja presented his Nimcha sword and a ring of diamond to Govinda Manikya. Shuja took shelter in Arakan kingdom but he started conspiracy to seize the throne of Chandra Sudharma, the king of Arakan. Then Shuja had to leave the Arakan kingdom. In 1660, Govinda Manikya started constructing a temple and his loyal brother Jagannathdev used to supervise the work and it was completed within one year. The temple was Jagannath Temple of Udaipur in 1661. His step brother Nakshatraray wanted to king with the help of Raghupati, the priest of Bhubaneswari Temple which was built by Govinda Manikya. Hearing this news, Govinda Manikya along with his queen Goonabati Devi left Udaipur and used to live with Reang people. After that, he took shelter in the court of the king of Arakan. But he had to leave the court.

11. RATNA MANIKYA II (1685-1712): Ratna Manikya II became the king of Tripura for the second time after Narendra Manikya. He appointed Champak Roy as 'Yubaraj' and Ghanasyam Thakur was appointed Bada Thakur and hostage to the Mughal Court. Ratna's sister Dvitiya excavated big ponds in Meherkul and Udaipur. She constructed a hanging bridge (daul Setu) and established an image of Chandika at Chandimura. Ratna Manikya arranged to bring a beautiful idol of Kalika Devi Varanasi in northern India and installed the idol in a new temple at Comilla. One saint popularly known as Giri Maharaj used to worship the Devi. Ratna Manikya started to build 'Sateraratna Mandir' with 17 towers at Comilla. But it was not completed during his reign. Krishna Manikya completed it. Swargadev Rudra Singha, the king of Assam, sent Anandiram Medhi, Ratna Kandali and Arjun Das Bairagi to Tripura in 1709. Arjun Das Bairagi wrote a book named 'Tripur Desher Kathalekha' about Tripura. Then Ratna Manikya sent Rameswar Bhattacharya Nyayalankar and Udaynarayan Biswas for Assam. Rudra Singha arranged a grand reception for the Tripura envoys in 1711. Ghanasyam Thakur started conspiracy and succeeded against Ratna Manikya. Ratna Manikya was killed in a planned fire 1712 by wet- nurse Ganga Narayani. The queens of Ratna became Sati.

12. DHARMA MANIKYA II (1713-1725): Mahendra Manikya's brother Durjay Singha ascended the throne under the title 'Dharma Manikya'. Assamese envoys Ratna Kandali and Arjun Das Bairagi were sent to Tripura for the third time during his reign. The army of Tripura became bankrupt so he first looked after the vulnerable administration. The king appointed Chandramani to the post of 'Yubraj'. He dug a number of tanks named 'Dharma Sagar' at Meherkul, Chattagram, Kashba and Dharmapur. He kept many Brahmans busy in reading to him the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and other scriptures and also in translating the Mahabharata. One Brahman named Dwija Swarupananda was sent to Assam for the collection of a book 'Srimat Bhagavat'. Manipur king Pamheiba invaded against Tripura during the reign of Dharma Manikya. After the success he was known as 'Takhelmamba' or 'Tripura Vijayi'. Mughal soldiers also marched against him for the collection of elephants. He took shelter in the Jungle also. In this situation he was a worshipper of Goddesss Sakti (Durga). He prayed to the Goddess for the cause of salvation. At last he breathed his last in 1725.

13: SHAMSHER GAZI (1748 - 1760): Shamsher Gazi was born in 1712 at Kungur village under Dakshin Shik Pargana. While working as a 'Teshildar' under Nasir Mohammad he was blessed by a 'Pir' to conquer Dakhin Shik Pargana and Tripura also. He married Zamindar Nasir Mohammad's daughter 'Daiya Bibi'. After the death of Vijay Manikya, Shamsher Gazi marched to Tripura and defeated Krishna Mani to capture the throne of Udaipur. It was referred in the book of 'Gazinama' written by Sheikh Manohar. Shamsher Gazi was a notorious plunderer in the districts of Tipperah, Noakhali and Chittagong. Having obtained authority in Pargana Dakhinsik, he proclaimed himself ruler of Chakla Roshnabad and agreed to pay revenue to the Moghals. He dug great tanks in Dakhinsik, his native Pargana and named after himself. Shamsher was at the same time generous with his plunder to both Hindus and Muslims. He built some forts in the different places of Tripura. Gazir Kot in Sonamura and Killaghat near the Feni river were built during that reign. Shamsher Gazi set up Banamali Thakur, the elder son of Gadadhar Thakur, with the title of Lakshman Manikya but the people of Tripura refused to accept the king. Krishnamani and other zamindars petitioned Nawab Mir Qasim against Shamsher Gazi. The Nawab took no time to accept Krishmani's claim to the throne. Shamsher Gazi was arrested under the order of Nawab and executed in Murshidabad in 1760.

14. KRISHNA MANIKYA (1760-1783): Mukunda Manikya's son and Indra Manikya's brother Krishnamani ascended the throne and took the title Krishna Manikya in 1760. Earlier he had been forced to leave Udaipur in 1747 by Shamsher Gazi Krishnamani and used to move the Manu valley, Kailashahar, Dharmanagar and Heramba kingdom. At last he returned to get the power in 1760 after the death of Shamsher Gazi. Krishna Manikya shifted the capital from Udaipur to Puran Haveli or Old Agartala in 1761. The present Chaturdash Devta Temple at Khayerpur was built during his reign. Krishna Manikya dug a pair of tanks at Kalikaganj alias Radhanagar near Akhaura. A beautiful temple between the two tanks was dedicated to Radha and Madhab in 1776. The temple had five towers. So it was popularly known as Pancharatna Mandir. He completed the construction of a temple dedicated to Seventeen Jewel shrine at Jagannathpur near Comilla which was started by Ratna Manikya. He built another temple dedicated to Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra. The king constructed at a palace at Jaganathpur. Ralph Leeke was the first Resident of East India Company for Tripura. He passed his old days in uttering the name of Krishna. He used to listen to the Mahabharata and other puranas from a Brahman named Hari Narayan. He had no sons and died on 11th July 1783.

15. KRISHNA KISHORE MANIKYA (1830-1849): Krishna Kishore, son of Ramganga, ascended the throne in 1830. He nominated Ishan Chandra as Yubaraj at the age of two years and six months. He nominated his son Upendra Chandra as Bada Thakur. He was idle and extravagant in character. He spent very lavishly and threw away money with both hands. His most important achievement was shifting of capital from old Agartala to Nutan Haveli or New Agartala in 1838. The Kukis committed major raids in 1836, 1843, 1844, 1846, 1847 and 1849 on the subjects of Zillah Tipperah and Khandal. He was a polygamist and had many wives, nine sons and 15 daughters. His wives were Ratnamala, Chandrakala, Purnakala, Bidhu Mukhi, Akhileswari, Sudakshina and Sulakshana. His sons were Isanchandra, Upendrachandra, an incidence of Birchandra, Nilkrishna, Chakradhvaj, Madhavachandra, Yadavchandra, Suresh Krishna and Sivchandra. His life ended by lightening shock in 1849. He left a large family behind him, an empty treasury, a corrupt bureaucracy, a week administration and a lot of problems.

16. ISHAN CHANDRA (1849-1862): Ishan Chandra Manikya ascended the throne on 1" February 1850. He appointed his brother Upendra Chandra as 'Yubaraj' and son Brajendra Chandra as 'Bada Thakur. He was offered 'Khelat' by the East India Company with the exchange of 111 gold coins. Krishna Kishore left an empty treasury and a heavy burden of debt of eleven lakhs of rupees.

I. TIPRA REVOLT (1850): Yubaraj Upendra Chandra was arrogant, drunkard and tyrannical. He appointed Balaram Hajari as 'Diwan' for the improvement of the financial condition of the state. Balaram and his brother Sridam took advantage of the situation under the conspiracy of Upendra Chandra. The people of the state became distressed for the brutal revenue collection by two brothers. The Tripuries led by Parikshit and Kirti started revolt against them. It was called Tipra Revolt in 1850. He controlled the revolt strictly. Then a conspiracy was held against Ishanchandra by Upendra Chandra, Balaram, Sardar Khan and Chhoban Khan. He gave severe punishment to them. Upendra Chandra was expelled and Balaram Hajari was exiled from the state for the conspiracy against him. After a few days, Upendra Chandra died. Having expelled Balaram, he appointed Brajamohan Thakur who failed to control the situation.

          Another problem was created between him and the British through the control over the Feni river in Sabroom. As a result of the disputes, the royal tollhouse at Ramgarh was closed down and an alternative tollhouse was built at Amlighat near Srinagar on the north bank of the river Feni. In this situation, the royal administration in hills and plains was about to be collapsed and Chakla Roshnabad was about to be auctioned. Then a gentleman named Dakshinaranjan Mukhopadhyay from Calcutta (Kolkata) came to Agartala. He assured to improve the financial position of the crwon and made a prayer for the post of Prime Minister. But Prabhu Bipin Bihari Goswami, the preceptor (Advisor) of the king, came forward and objected to the appointment. In spite of being illiterate, Bipin Bihari was given the responsibility. He was partially successful in improving the financial condition. Ishan Chandra Manikya was the king of Tripura during the period of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

According to the British report, three companies of the 34th Native Infantry in Chittagong revolted suddenly on 18th November 1857 and released all the prisoners from the jail, killed one barkandaz (native constable) carried away all the treasure and left the station with government elephants. Crossing the Feni river, some of them entered into the Raja's territory. When it was informed to the king, some were arrested and handed over to the British authorities in Comilla where they were executed. Some of them escaped from Tripura. Babu Golak Chandra Singha, the father of Kailash Chandra Singha, was appointed political officer for this purpose. Thus the king saved the kingdom from the British attack. Though there was a rumour about the king's connectivity with the freedom fighters.

II. KUKI REVOLT (1860-1861): During the last years of Ishan

Chandra, some taxes like house agreement tax, tax on bamboo, crops were increased for the tribals including the Reang. Besides these taxes. they were in debt under the 'Mahajans'. At that time about 300-400 of Kuki community led by Ratan Puiya attacked Khandal, Chagalnaiya area. They used to plunder ornaments, utensils, iron istruments life cleaver, spade, sickle, knife, axe, and kidnap young ladies and girls and carry human heads. It was called Kuki Revolt (1860-1861). It was held not only in Tripura but also the area. The British under Captain Graham was sent to Agartala to talk with the king about the chronic problem of Kuki raids. The British administration established a strong police station at Chunaru Ghat but the king's attempt was not satisfactory. The British Govt. warned the king for his indifference and looked to him to establish police outposts, otherwise he would be held personally responsible. According to an agreement, Ratan Puiya tendered his submission to the British authority in Chittagong in September 1861. Ratan Puiya would be given 400 rupees every year by the British Govt. In spite of temporary peace, there was no permanent solution at that time.

          The Guru Bipin Bihari assumed the charges of administration from Ishan Chandra in 1855. The king was so ill that he could not declare of proclamation. His sons Brajendra Chandra, Nabadweep Chandra and Rohini Chandra were child in age. The king ordered to build a pucca palace at new Agartala. It took a few years to build the palace. The opening ceremony was scheduled to be held on 31 July 1862 and just after one day he died of rheumatism on 1" August 1862.

17. Birchandra Manikya: During his time the Dewan of Tripura was NILMANI DAS. His wife's name was Bhanumati Devi. He is known as the 'Vikramaditya of Tripura'. The first political Agent of Tripura was appointed in his ten- ure. Mr. A.W.B Power came as the first political Agent of Tripura in 1871. The Jamatia Revolt was held during his time. The other social works he did was- abolishment of slavery system in 1877, abolish- ment of Satidaha Pratha in 1889 & abolishment of Titun System. He was also a born poet. He wrote Prem Marichika, Akal Kusum, Uchchash, Jhulan, Hori, Sohag etc. Kabyagrantha. He also helped Rabindranath by providing him Rajratnakar the writing of 'Rajarshi'. He also conferred the tile of 'Kabi' to Rabindranath for 'Bhagna Riday'

18. Radha kishor Manikya: The works of Radha Kishor Manikya are as follows: 

• Bengali became the official language of Tripura.
• Published the Tripura State Gazette in the year 1903.
• The first newspaper of Tripura 'Arun' came out in 1905. Separated the Police Administration and Revenue Administration in the year 1905. The post of S.P was created and J.C. Dutta was appointed as the first S.P of Tripura.)
• Land settlement Department created.
• General Degree College was opened.
• Also took interest in Silk Cultivation and sent Jogesh Chandra Choudhury to Japan for training.
• Bengal Technical institute, Jadavpur University, Victoria Uni- versity of Kumilla, R.G.Kar Madical College all these Institu- tions were financially assisted by Radha Kishore Manikya for proper blooming,
• He also translated Shilalipi Sangraha and Brihat Naradiya Puran in Bengali.
• Due to all this, Rabindranath Tagore as a token of love & re- spect dedicated his 'Kahini' Kabyagrantha in favour of Radha Kishor Manikya.

19. Birendra Kishore Manikya: 

• He constructed the following: Durgabari, Laxmi Narayanbari. Governor House, Lal Mahal etc.
• Establishment of Agricultural Training Institute, Tea Gardens (40), giving license to Burma Oil Company were some of his important works.
• The Governor General of Bengal Lord Carmaikel and Lord Ronalds arrived in Tripura during his tenure.
• First State Council of Tripura created by him.
• Public Prosecutor & Auditor post was created.
• The post of Tripura Civil Service was created in 1915.
• The post of Chief Secretary was also created in 1917.
• The State of Tripura was divided into ten sectors for better administration.
• It was during his time that secret activities of Anushilan Samiti started at Belonia & Udaipur.
• For better Education system he sent Soumendra Chandra Debbarma in America.
• Brajendra Kishore was appointed as the Secretary and Nabadwip Chandra as the minister also given appointment.)

20. Bir bikram Kishore Manikya:

• He was the member of Chamber of Princes.
• In the year 1930 & 1936 he met with Mussolini of Italy & Hitler of Germany respectively.
• He also met with the then U.S. President Roosevelt. Rabindranath Tagore was conferred with the title of "Bharat Bhaskar" by him.
• He also established the Privy Council.
• State Bank at Agartala was also inaugurated by him.
• In the Agartala Municipal area he tried to introduce Compul- sory Primary Education. Vidyapattan came out as an output of education.
• Tripura Rifle was his own creation, who were used by the Brit- ish in the Second world war.
• The Rail line was also setup in his tenure.
• For smooth functioning of administration he used to give titles to those efficient officer who worked hard.
• Grama Mandal was created by him which proves his decen- tralization tendency.
• He wrote to dramas namely 'Chand Kumudini'& 'Sri Radha Krishner Lila Bilash'.
• The Vidya Shastra Pith at Calcutta & Hitasadhanivaban at Tripura laid foundation due to his effort.
• The Anjuman -I-Islamia Institution of Bangladesh gave honour to him on his arrival at Kumilla on Bengali 8th of Bhadra, 1338 Bangabda.
• He constructed the Benuban Bihar in the year 1946. Other no- table construction of him are Nirmahal & M.B.B.College.
• It is during his period that the famous Reang Revolt of Tripura (1942-43) under the leadership of Ratan Mani Reang held.

Related Topic

Tripura History

Tripura Geography