Tripura
This article has been sourced from an authoritative, official readers who wish to update or add further details can do so on a ‘Part II’ of this article. |
Contents |
The source of this article
INDIA 2012
A REFERENCE ANNUAL
Compiled by
RESEARCH, REFERENCE AND TRAINING DIVISION
PUBLICATIONS DIVISION
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Tripura
Area : 10,491.69 sq km
Population : 31,99,203 (Census 2001) 3,671,032 (Prov. Census 2011)
Capital : Agartala
Principal Languages : Bengali and Kokborak
HISTORY
Tripura has its unique tribal culture and a fascinating folklore. The history of Tripura can be learnt from ‘Rajmala’ chronicles of king Tripura and writings of historians. There are references of Tripura even in the Mahabharata and the Puranas. According to ‘Rajmala’, the rulers were known by the surname ‘Fa’ meaning ‘father’. There is a reference to rulers of Bengal helping Tripura kings in the 14th century. Kings of Tripura had to face frequent Mughal invasions with varying successes. They defeated the Sultans of Bengal in several battles. Nineteenth century marked the beginning of the modern era in Tripura when king Maharaja Bir Chandra Kishore Manikya Bahadur modelled his administrative set-up on the British India pattern and brought in various reforms. His successors ruled Tripura till 15 October 1949 when the State merged with the Indian Union. Initially, a part 'C' State, it became a Centrally administered territory with the re-organisation of States in 1956. In 1972, Tripura attained the Status of a full-fledged state.
Tripura is strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Encircled almost on three sides by Bangladesh, it is linked with Assam and Mizoram in the north-east.
1941 Constitution
The Times of India, Jun 18 2015
`Princely Tripura's constitution is older than Ambedkar's'
Biswendu Bhattacharjee
The princely state of Tripura had a written constitution which had all the fundamental provisions of the present Indian Constitution. Tripura Law Training Institute and Research Centre director Sankari Das on Wednesday published the constitution with commentaries, detailing its similarities with the present Constitution. Tripura law minister Tapan Chakraborty released the book.
“The last king of Tripura, Bir B ikram Kishore Manikya, had notified the constitution having 68 articles, seven parts and three schedules in July , 1941. It came into being at least nine years before the Indian Constitution was adopted,“ said Chakraborty .
The king's constitution covers all important provisions and articles of the present Constitution, including The Preamble, gender neutrality, emergency provi sions and judicial institutions. It appears that many things, including terms in the Indian Constitution, were borrowed from the king's constitution.
“The Tripura king's constitution had clearly described the provision of disqualification of membership in legislative assemblies for criminal offences in Article 24(i)(e). Later, this provision got a place in the Representation of People Act, 1951. But still it is not fol lowed properly ,“ he said.
Moreover, even when many countries did not ensure voting rights for women, Article 25(ii) of Tripura Constitution, during the British rule, made it clear that no woman shall be disqualified to be a voter or a candidate for election as member, by reason only for her sex, if otherwise qualified, said Chakraborty .
According to Tapas Dey , one of the associates of the Tripura Royal family , king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya had understood that absolute monarchy would not sustain for long after his visits to Europe and America.He had a meeting with Hitler before the World War II started.
By that time, the Indian freedom struggle had also gained momentum which made him realize that citizens need to be given limited powers to run the administration.
“With this background, the king formed a constitu tion drafting committee headed by him in 1939. His visionary zeal and exposure helped him to bring out such an excellent constitution in democratic spirit under monarchy ,“ added Dey .
While comparing both the constitutions, it appears that not only the articles and provisions, even narration and terms, were similar to the Tripura constitution, Das told the media.
The Tripura Constitution also had `interpretation' provision like that in the present Constitution (Article 367) besides resemblance with the judiciary and executive, council of ministers, chief minister, khash adalat (high court) and many more, said Das.
“It is quite astonishing that during the British rule, the Tripura King, in his written constitution, had made a core concept of democracy , which finds its concrete manifestation through the idea of representation,“ added Das.
AGRICULTURE
The economy of Tripura is primarily dependent on agriculture. 24% land of the State is being utilized by this sector. And as per the Census of 2001, 51% population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.
IRRIGATION
Tripura is a predominantly hilly State having geographical area of 10,49,169 hectare. Amid the undulating terrain the recently assessed Land under cultivation is 2,55,241 hectares. Presently assessed Irrigable Land is 1,17,00 hectares. Area brought under Irrigation is 1,08,646 hectares up to 31st March, 2011, which is 92.86% of Irrigable area and 42.57% of cultivable land.
TOURISM
Tripura is a small but picturesque State in the North Eastern Region of the country. The area of the State is about 10,491,69 sq kms. To its North, South and South East Tripura have an international boundary with Bangladesh while to its East; it shares a common boundary with two Indian States of Assam and Mizoram. There are 19 ethnic tribes, Bengali, Manipuri and others, inhabit this panoramic tiny State.
The scenic beauty of Tripura, its rich and varied culture, archaeology and architecture, its handloom and handicraft which is exquisite in color, excellent in design and craftsmanship, its verdant forests, and lakes, its excellent bracing climatic conditions, its enhancing and abounding floral treasures and panoramic view points and above all its very hospitable ethnic population are so attractive that any one who visits the State once cannot resist his temptation to come offender.
GOVERNMENT
Governor : Dr. D.Y. Patil
Chief Secretary : Shri S.K. Panda
Chief Minister : Shri Manik Sarkar
Jurisdiction of High Court: Falls under Guwahati High Court Agartala Bench
AREA, POPULATION AND HEADQUARTERS OF DISTRICTS
S. No. District Area (sq km) Population Headquarters (As per Prov. 2011 Census)
1. North Tripura 2,820.63 5,90,913 Kailashahar
2. South Tripura 2,151.77 7,67,440 Udaipur
3. West Tripura 2,996.82 15,32,982 Agartala
4. Dhalai 2,552.47 3,07,868 Jawaharnagar,
Ambassa
Total 10,491.69 31,99,203
