Tripura
The former princely state of Tripura (Hill Tipperah)
finds mention in ancient Indian texts such as the Mahabharat and
the Ain-l-Akbari and a pillar erected by King Samudragupta, now
in Allahabad. The history of this proud kingdom is recorded in
the Rajmala, the state chronicle maintained by Brahmin purohits.
Ruled once by a series of 183 kings, the kingdom reached its zenith
in 1490 under Dhanya Manikya. In time Hill Tipperah was to come
in conflict with the Mughal governors of Bengal during the decline
of that great empire.
Much of what had been the outer reaches of Tripura,
were lost to the British when they took over Bengal. The kingdom
of Tripura was eventually absorbed into the Indian Union in 1947.
Tripura has been greatly influenced by Bengal
(parts of which were once an integral part of the kingdom) culturally
and spiritually; Bengali was the court language. So don't be too
surprised if driving along the roads you espy shrines dedicated
to Kali, the important deity of Bengal.
The cultural and religious learnings of about
twenty different tribal communities, in addition to all this makes
Tripura a wonderful amalgam of cross-cultural diversity. Though
each ethnic community enjoys its own individual cultural strengths,
this melting point is often refe
rred to as a laboratory of
exotic cultural synthesis. This tiny state is now emerging slowly
into India's tourism arena.
The beauty of the erstwhile princely state of
Tripura stems from the splendour of its natural setting and its
dazzling heritage. No great peaks punctuate the skies, nor are
its major rivers such as the Khowai, Manu and Gornti any match
for the mighty Brahmaputra. Yet its verdant expanses and rich
forestlands have been a great attraction to people down the centuries
and for tourists down the decades it offers a plethora of delightful
attractions in its cavalcade of historic palaces, rock cut carvings,
stone sculptures, Buddhist and Hindu holy places, wildlife sanctuaries
and tribal people. Poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, an honoured
guest found its pollution-free, eco-friendly environment, pleasant
climate and tranquility the perfect retreat to compile some of
his works here. Blending into the hills and valleys, the villages
are a tapestry of rich ethnic traditions.
A series of low ranges running in a northwest
to southeast direction dissect the state, with elevations progressing
gradually from 100 ft- 3000 ft from southwest to northeast. Bangladesh
with whom the state had deep linkages before India's partition
is tucked around it from three sides.
Of the 19 hill tribes who dominate its terrain,
the Tripuris are the largest while the Reangs, who came in from
Chittagong, are the second largest amongst the tribes living in
the state. Other tribes include the Jamatia, Noatia, Darlong,
Halam, Garo, Chakma and Kalai.
For the visitor, Tripura (one of the relatively
unknown holiday destinations of the North East) is a bundle full
of surprises. Its cross-cultural ethnic diversity, its ancient
temples, its vast tracts of natural beauty and its rich tradition
of handicrafts are tempting enough to draw the discerning holiday
maker.
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Tripura - Information on Fairs & Festivals,
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