Tripura: The Culturally Rich Land Of “Three Cities”

Tripura, a small state in Northeast India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and scenic beauty. According to Hindu mythology, Tripura means the land of three cities, which was constructed by the Asura (demon) architect Mayasura. It is the third-smallest state in India, covering 10,491 km² with a population of about 3.67 million.

Bordered by Assam and Mizoram to the east and Bangladesh to the north, south, and west, Tripura is home to 19 tribal groups and a majority Bengali population. The state’s official languages are Bengali, English, and Kokborok.

Agartala, the capital and largest city, serves as the administrative and cultural hub. Historically ruled by the Manikya Dynasty, Tripura joined independent India in 1947. Despite its isolation and economic challenges, Tripura has a high literacy rate and a vibrant mix of traditional and mainstream Indian cultural practices.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the fascinating aspects of Tripura.

History of Tripura

The name Tripura is linked to the Hindu goddess Tripura Sundari and a king named Tripur. Tripura Sundari is revered at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur. Legend credits Tripur as a mighty ruler in the area. Some believe the name Tripura possibly originates from the Tibeto-Burman language Kokborok. Other names like Tipra, Tuipura, and Tippera are also used and might relate to the local people. Some suggested it could mean "near the water," reflecting its past proximity to the Bay of Bengal.

Tripura's rich history includes mentions in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Ruled by the Twipra Kingdom, it saw 179 kings reign over time. The kingdom's borders changed, reaching south to the Sundarbans, east to Burma, and north to Assam's Kamarupa kingdom. Muslim invasions began in the 13th century, leading to Mughal influence by 1733. Under British rule, it became a princely state with its district in British India, with the capital shifting from Udaipur to Agartala.

After India's independence in 1947, Tripura became a Part C state, later transitioning to a Union Territory before gaining full statehood in 1971. The partition of India caused economic challenges for Tripura, with longer transport routes isolating the state. The migration of Bengali Hindus during and after the Bangladesh Liberation War led to tensions with the indigenous Tripuri people, sparking violence and insurgency.

However, efforts to establish peace, including the creation of a tribal autonomous district council, have helped to reduce conflict. Today, Tripura remains peaceful, though sporadic incidents like mosque attacks in 2021 remind of past tensions.

Geographical Overview

Tripura, nestled in North East India, is part of the Seven Sister States, surrounded by Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Bangladesh. Though small in size, covering about 10,491.69 square kilometres, it boasts diverse landscapes of hills, valleys, and plains.

The state's topography features five hill ranges and several valleys, creating a unique geographical makeup. Its highest point, Betling Shib, reaches 939 meters. Rivers like Khowai, Dhalai, and Manu originate here, enriching the land with their waters. The region's geological history spans from the Oligocene to the Holocene epochs, shaping its soils and terrain.

Tripura has a tropical savanna climate with distinct seasons. Monsoons bring heavy rains, sometimes causing floods. Winter temperatures range from 13 to 27 degrees Celsius, while summer heats up to 24 to 36 degrees Celsius. According to reports, the state faces high risk from wind and cyclones.

With more than half its land under forest cover, Tripura is a biodiversity hotspot. Its flora includes Dipterocarpus, Artocarpus, Sal (Shorea robusta), bamboo, and cane, while its fauna features diverse mammals like elephants, bears, leopards, clouded leopards, and various bird and primate species. Wildlife sanctuaries like Sipahijola and national parks such as Clouded Leopard and Rajbari protect this rich natural heritage, drawing visitors and researchers.

Administration and Politics

Tripura underwent significant administrative changes in January 2012, when four new districts – Khowai, Unakoti, Sipahijala, and Gomati – were created, adding to the existing four. Alongside, six new subdivisions and five blocks were established. Each district, headed by a collector or magistrate, oversees subdivisions and blocks, further divided into Panchayats and town municipalities. Currently, the state comprises eight districts, 23 subdivisions, and 58 development blocks.

The state operates under a parliamentary system with executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Tripura Legislative Assembly comprises 60 elected members, with the Chief Minister leading the executive branch. Tripura sends representatives to both houses of the Indian parliament. Political dynamics have seen shifts over the years, from Indian National Congress's long reign to Left Front dominance, culminating in recent victories for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The state also grappled with insurgency, notably the Tripura rebellion, which led to the enforcement and subsequent repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.

Economic Landscape

Tripura's economy has grown in recent years, with its gross state domestic product reaching ₹640 billion (US$8.0 billion) in 2022-23, recording a 10.38% increase over the previous year. The state's economy is mainly agrarian, with over half of its population dependent on agriculture, despite only 27% of the land being available for cultivation due to hilly terrain and forest cover. Rice dominates crop cultivation alongside potato, sugarcane, and jute crops.

Fish farming has also grown remarkably, with Tripura producing surplus fish seeds. Rubber and tea are key cash crops, with Tripura ranking second in India for natural rubber production. The state is well-known for its handicrafts, especially hand-woven fabric and bamboo items.

While the industrial sector is still developing, Tripura holds substantial natural gas reserves, with ongoing exploration and production by entities like ONGC. Tourism is also becoming increasingly important, adding to the state's revenue.

Despite progress, Tripura faces challenges like poverty, poor infrastructure, and high rural unemployment. However, the Government's efforts to promote industrialisation and reduce poverty through schemes and policies have seen some success, but more action is needed to tackle these persistent problems.

Transportation Facilities

Transport in Tripura includes air, rail, road, and water routes. Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala connects the state to big Indian cities, and helicopters fly to towns and remote areas. The railway, which started in 1964, now reaches Agartala and links it to Lumding in Assam. There are plans for a new railway to Akhaura in Bangladesh to improve connections. National Highway 8 is Tripura's main road link to the rest of India, along with NH 108. Waterways are used, especially in rural areas. Since Tripura shares a border with Bangladesh, there's bilateral trade and transportation, including a bus service to Dhaka and proposed railways. Despite rules, illegal movement across the border still happens.

Media and Communication Landscape

Media and communication in Tripura are varied. Doordarshan runs a TV station in Agartala, along with several local channels. The print media scene includes 56 newspapers, mainly in Bengali, with popular titles like Ajkal Tripura. A study by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication showed that TV, radio, and newspapers effectively spread information. Big telecom companies like Airtel, Vi, Jio, and BSNL offer comprehensive coverage, with more mobile connections than landlines. BSNL alone had over 325,000 GSM mobile service connections in 2011, showing how much Tripura relies on mobile communication.

Healthcare Overview

Tripura's healthcare system, managed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, offers universal coverage through a network of primary, secondary, and tertiary care facilities. With 17 hospitals, 11 rural hospitals, and 79 primary health centres, the state also embraces alternative medicine like homoeopathy and Ayurveda.

While some residents opt for private healthcare, Tripura's reliance on government facilities exceeds the national average. Despite challenges, the state's healthcare indicators, such as birth and infant mortality rates, outperform the national average. However, the state faces health risks from diseases like malaria and Japanese encephalitis, requiring continuous monitoring and response efforts.

Education and Sports

Tripura has an impressive literacy rate, hitting 87.75% in the 2011 census and later rising to 94.65%, the highest in India according to a 2013 survey. The state offers diverse education options with schools linked to boards like CISCE, CBSE, etc.

Students usually follow a 10+2+3 system, selecting streams like liberal arts, commerce, or science for higher education. With over 4,000 schools and institutions, such as Tripura University and medical colleges, the state emphasises accessible and quality education.

In sports, football and cricket are popular, with Agartala hosting yearly club football championships. Tripura's cricket team competes in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. The state actively joins national and regional games, showcasing talent in various sports. Renowned athletes like Somdev Devvarman, who won gold at the 2010 Asian Games in tennis, and Dipa Karmakar, the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 2016, hail from Tripura, highlighting its sporting excellence globally.

Demographics of Tripura

Tripura, the second most populous state in North East India, boasts a population of 3,671,032 according to the 2011 census. With a sex ratio of 961 females per thousand males and a literacy rate of 87.75%, above the national average, the state showcases progressive demographics. Indigenous Tripuris constitute around 31.78% of the population, with Bengalis representing about 70%. Tripura's diverse ethnic landscape includes 19 recognised tribal groups with distinct languages and cultures.

Hinduism is the primary religion, followed by Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism. The state's demography also reflects historical events like the influx of Bengali refugees during the Partition of Bengal in 1947 and the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, significantly impacting its composition and social dynamics.

Cultural Tapestry

Tripura's culture is a vibrant mix of diverse groups, each adding to its rich heritage. It's home to Tripuri communities like Tripura, Debbarma, and Jamatia, as well as migrant tribal groups like Chakma, Garo, and Mizo. Bengali culture, deeply rooted here, blends with indigenous traditions, making it a lively mix of customs.

Local craftsmanship shines in handicrafts, especially bamboo and cane works, while music and dance are key parts of celebrations. Traditional dances like Goria, Hojagiri, and Lebang showcase the cultural spirit, and festivals like Durga Puja and Kali Puja reflect Hindu beliefs.

Historical sites like Unakoti and Devtamura highlight centuries-old sculptural heritage, blending Buddhist and Brahmanical influences. Alongside indigenous art, Tripura embraces mainstream Indian music and dance, with talents like Sachin Dev Burman shaping the cinematic music scene.

The state's cultural tapestry, woven with diverse traditions and artistic expressions, showcases its rich heritage and communal harmony.

With its rich cultural tapestry, diverse demographics, and stunning landscapes, Tripura stands as a testament to the intertwining of history, tradition, and modernity in Northeast India.