The land / geography and population of Tripura
 |
| Tripura |
Describe the land / geography and population of Tripura.
Land / Geography:
Tripura is the smallest state in northeastern India which is presently located between 22.58 'and 24.31' north latitudes and between 91.10 'and 92.22' east longitudes. It is bounded on the north by Sylhet district of Bangladesh, on the south by Nayakhali and Chittagong districts, on the east by Kachar district and Mizoram of Assam and on the west by Comilla district and Nayakhali of Bangladesh. It has an international border of 850 km. And connected to other parts of India by 201 km. As Bangladesh has an international border on three sides, Tripura maintains connectivity with the rest of India only through Assam in the north-east. Tripura has a surface area of 10492 sq km and a population of 26,56,208 as per 1991 census and 31,91,179 as per 2001 census.
In history, the former state of Tripura was much larger than it is now. Chakla rationalism was their zamindari under the Maharajas of Tripura till 1947 AD and till 1932 AD it was an integral part of the state and was under the direct rule of the kings.
Tripura is the third smallest state in India. November 1, 1956. Tripura was declared a United Kingdom (Union Territory) and was accorded the status of a full state on January 21, 1972. Tripura is mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Puranas. In Ashaka's column inscriptions, Tripura is referred to as the "Frontier Kingdom" and Tripura may claim to be the oldest of the Indian states. According to British Office records, Tripura is commonly described as "Hill Tipperah" and sometimes as "Independent Tippearah". During the reign of the Delhi Sultanate and during the rule of Meghalaya, there were many attacks on Tripura from neighboring Bangladesh. But the kings of Tripura were able to defend their independence. Tripura maintained its uniqueness as a princely state.
Various districts and subdivisions ঃ The state of Tripura is covered by mountains and valleys like Apurba Chitra. There are deep and green valleys which enhance the beauty of its landscape. The state is connected to other parts of India by a single road which extended through the hills to the border of Kachar district of Assam. The eight districts of the state are-
1) west Tripura
2) north Tripura
3) south Tripura
4) Dhalai
the state has been divided into 8 districts, 23 subdivisions and 58 development blocks—with effect from 21 January 2012, after a Government of Tripura Decision, out of which the newly created districts are 4, subdivisions 6, development blocks 5. The four new Districts are Khowai Unakoti, Sipahijala and Gomati; the six new sub-divisions are Jirania, Mohanpur, Kumarghat, Panisagar, Jampuijala and Karbook; the five new development blocks are Yuvarajnagar, Durga Chawmuhani, Jolaibari, Silachari and Lefunga.
Topography: Tripura can be divided into seven special features about place description. These are -
(1) Hill Range.
(2) River.
(3) Lake.
(4) Hillock (small hill).
(5) Valley.
(6) Lunga (lunga).
(7) Flat Land.
 |
| Jamoi hill |
(1) Hill Range: There are seven notable hills in Tripura. These are Jampui, Shakhantat, Devatamura, Atharmura, Sardeng and Baramura. Their height was very high from west to east and each hill increased its height from south to north. The average distance between each of the two hills is 15 km. The difference between the height of the mountain on the level of the sea is 50 feet to 3000 feet.
 |
| Gomati river |
(2) Rivers: There are many rivers in Tripura. The water of the river is discharged to the nearby area and the silt becomes fertile in the soil and other debris. The rivers of Tripura are submerged in rain water. But during the drought, all the water dries up and the rivers become narrow and it is difficult to navigate without the mouth of the river. Some of the notable rivers of Tripura are Gamati, Howrah, Feni, Khayai, Dhalai, Juri, Langai, Muhuri, Manu and Deo. The Gamati river is the largest river. Like the Ganges in northern India, Gamati is considered the holiest of all the rivers in Tripura. The source of this river is Tirthamukh where there is a beautiful Dumbur waterfall which is very important among the holy places. Among the rivers Khayei, Dhalai, Manu, Juri and Langai are flowing to the north and the rivers flowing to the west are Gamati, Muhuri and Feni.
 |
| Dumbur Lake |
 |
| Rudrasagar Lake |
(3) Lake: Tripura is famous for its Rudrasagar and Dumbur lakes. Rudrasagar is 53 km south-east of Agartala. Located away. Dumbur Lake is located in Gandachhara subdivision and a part of it is in Amarpur subdivision. The distance from Agartala to Dumbur Lake to the south-east is 100 km. Mr. Apart from these, there is no such significant lake here. Udaipur has two lakes called Harijala and Dakruajal.
(4) Hillock (Small Hills): Tripura is a hill state. Natural in any placeThe locals call the height Tila. These hills are full of wood forests, bamboo and bushes. The local lakes used some hills as their habitat. The hills of Tripura can be considered as six hills which are full of natural resources. These small hills are often used by the tribes for zoom farming.
 |
| Raima valley |
(5) Valley : Valley is formed between lowland Ara hills and river discharge areas. These are very fertile and used by the tribes. From time to time they are used as pastures for the production of paddy, jute, spinach, cotton etc.
(7) Lunga: The low land in the middle of a hill or six hills is called Lunga. In fact they are fertile and produce good grains or crops. This land is generally suitable for plowing.
(6) Flat Land: Although Tripura is a hilly state, there is a huge flat land in the intermittent hills. For the cultivation of this flat land Very useful.
Soil: There are different types of soil in Tripura. The soil of six hills or hilly lands is not fertile. Usually its soil is loamy, but the soil of lungs or valleys is very fertile alluvial soil and therefore very suitable for production of paddy, jute, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables. Satsent land is muddy soil or swamp land. 54.5% of the land area is forested, only 24.3% is easily accessible for agriculture.
 |
| Flora of Tripura |
Flora: Tripura has its own natural forest resources. Forests are of a mixed type and vary in most. The forests of Tripura were diverse throughout the hills. Shawl, teak, sundhi, jarul, senal, garjan, kadai, gamai, chamal, nageswar etc. were planted in the forest. There are many different types of cane found in the forests of Tripura. Different types of medicinal plants are available. There are also some tea gardens in the forest. Rubber cultivation has also started and rubber in Tripura is famous all over India. The tea gardens of Tripura produce quality tea.
 |
| Monkey |
Fauna : Tripura has been famous for its animal resources since ancient times. Elephants, deer, tigers, leopards, bears, pigs, monkeys, buffaloes, beji, bats, wood cats, etc. are commonly found in the forests of Tripura. There are also different types of birds in the forests of Tripura. They are crows, pigeons, taetas, bulbuls, Indian mountain carcasses, pigeons, wild jackals, storks, vultures, kites, tia etc. Different types of fish, crabs and turtles can be seen in different lakes and rivers of Tripura.
Climate: Tripura is the land of tropical climate. The climate here Usually hot and humid. The highest average temperature is in May-June, 35 ° C (Celsius) and the lowest average 10.5 ° C (Celsius) from December to January. The average rainfall is about 230 cm (centimeters) per year. The monsoon usually starts in April and lasts till September. Summer starts in March and lasts till May and extends to 3/4 months (May to August) when monsoon starts. The happy season lasts only two months (September and October). Then begins the winter which lasts until February.
 |
| Peoples of Tripura |
Peoples of Tripura: Among the peoples of Tripura, there are two main ethnic elements. As of 2001 India census, Tripura had a population of 31,99,203, of which 1,93,426 were tribal. In other words, 31% of the Mate population belongs to the tribal community. Tribes of Tripura include Tripuri or Tipra, Riang, Jamatia, Nayatiya, Kuki, Halam, Chakma, Mug, Lusai, Garo, Munda, Orang, Santal, Uchai, Khasia, Bhil, Chaimal, Bhutia and Lepcha. These nineteen have been documented as Scheduled Tribes. The Tripuris are called Tipras who are the original inhabitants of the state. Tripuris are the majority among the tribes. Mate made up just over 16% of the population and 56% of the state's tribal population. The Tripura royal family and the ruling class belonged to the Tripuri tribe. The Tripuris were divided into two, the Old Tripuri and the Desi or New Tripuri. Apart from the royal family and the ruling class, most of the old Tripuris lived in the hills. They were divided into twelve titles by the Raj government to perform various functions of the state.
The native or new Tripuris lived in the plains and their society and culture were influenced by the Bengali society and culture. Evidence of this can be found in the interest in Bengali language and literature and in the introduction of Bengali language in administrative work and in the practice and favor of Bengali poetry in the form of court literature. Many believe that this class originated from a combination of old Tripuri and Bengali. The Lashkar community belongs to this category. There were some among the Tripuris who were close to the royal family and they were known as Tagore. They live in and around Agartala. They are very advanced in education and some of them are in high positions again. Writers, singers, engineers, teachers, professors and doctors are also seen among them. There is another class of Tripuris who live on hilly slopes The nature of their financial status or profession was not so advanced. They were accustomed to zoom farming. They make a living by collecting wood from the forest and selling bamboo and vegetables. The girls help the men in jum cultivation and weave clothes. Beside their traditional tantras and pigs, chickens. Their houses are made of bamboo and they build houses (tong houses) 5/6 feet high from the ground to protect them from the nuisance of wild animals.
 |
| Tripuri girl |
 |
| Traditional dress |
Tribes other than Tripuri: In terms of numbers, Riang ranks after Tripuri. The Riang tribe is mainly divided into Meska or Mechka and Mardai or Maladai. This community has again turned into 6 Mate 14 points. The most important person or king of the Riang tribe is Roy. The vizier of the verdict is called Kachak. The heir of the verdict is called Chapia Khan. Jamatia ranks third in terms of numbers. In the past, Jamatias used to work as state soldiers. Many people think that the name Jamatia originated from the word Jamat or Jamaet. In the Jamatia society there were two socialists or sardars who were called sardars of Mulluk. Although the Noyatiya are divided into different stages, in the state of Tripura they are divided into six stages. Their chief is known as Rayaza. Halam is a branch of the tribal cookies. The cookies that subjugated the state of Tripura in ancient times later came to be known as Halam. They are also called Milakuki. At first the halams were divided into 12 points but later the number of points increased. The chiefs or socialists of the Halams, like the Riangs, take the titles of Rayakchak, Galim, etc. Cookies are commonly referred to as Darlong and Lusai. Cookies are also divided into different stages. Dalang and Lusai Kukira ruled their respective territories with the title of king given by Tripureshwar. The Chakmas rank fourth among the tribes of Tripura in number. Their original habitat is Arakan. Later they settled in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Tripura. Their chiefs are known as Dewans. Arakan is also the original home of the Maghs. The chiefs of the Maghs are known as Bemang Chowdhury, Tehsildar etc. The number of Khasia, Veel, Lepcha, Bhutia and Chaimals is very negligible in Tripura.
Language of the tribes: Different tribes have their own language. Tripuri or Kokbarak language is prevalent among Tripuri, Riang, Jamatia, Nayatiya and Halam in a few villages, Kalai, Rangkhal and Rupini. The Kokbarak language belongs to the ancient Baro language. The Baro language originally belonged to the Tibetan-Burmese branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language. Kukies, halams, mugs and Chakmas have their own distinct languages. Like Kokbarak , their language originally belonged to the Tibetan-Burmese branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language.
 |
| Garia puja |
 |
| Ker puja |
Religion of the tribes: Most of the tribes are Hindus but their own did not abandon the worship of the original deity. Chakma and Mogra are Buddhists. Many of the Kuki, Lusai, and Garo tribes have converted to Christianity. The various pujas of the tribes are worshiped as symbols of bamboo idols. The traces of their primitive customs are evident in all the Hindu deities worshiped by the tribes.
Other castes besides tribes: Apart from nineteen tribes, Manipuris and a large number of Bengalis live in Tripura. Many Manipuris came to Tripura in marriage with the kings of Tripura. Again a number of Manipuris migrated to Tripura when Manipur was invaded by Burma in the early nineteenth century. Like the Tripuri language, the Manipuri language originally belonged to the Tibetan-Burmese branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language.
It is known from Rajmala that the Manikya kings of Tripura brought a number of Bengalis to Tripura to assist in the administration. When the kings of Tripura became attracted to the Bengali language and culture, a large number of Bengalis came and settled in Tripura. The kings of Tripura tried to increase the revenue by encouraging the Bengalis, who were experienced in improved agriculture, to settle permanently in Tripura. Tripura had a small population and a lot of land. So at that time there was no problem of population growth. A number of Bengalis also came to Tripura for trade and commerce. 'After the partition of India, Bengalis became the majority in Tripura as a result of continuous influx of refugees from Bangladesh. However, many of them were tenants of Chakla Rationalism, the zamindari of the kings of Tripura.
Scheduled Castes: Apart from the nineteen tribes and Manipuris, there were some Scheduled Castes in Tripura who were almost all Bengalis. She came from Bangladesh in 1947 before or after the partition of India. Although there are 36 Scheduled Castes as per the recognition of the state, only 29 Scheduled Castes are mentioned in the 1971 census in Tripura. One tenth of the total population of the state is Scheduled Castes and important Scheduled Castes belong to - (1) Shudras; (2) potter; (3) laundry; (4) Patni or Majhi; (5) Jalia or Jale; (6) Chandal; (6) gardener; (6) Chamar; (9) Mahisyadas or farmers and traders and (10) Gaur or farmers and agricultural workers.
Most of the Scheduled Castes of the State live in rural areas and earn their livelihood through farming. Some of them are engaged in weaving, fishing, business and other occupations. In fact, the people of all the Scheduled Castes are following their own customs, culture and profession from where they originated while they were in their original habitat. The proportion of Scheduled Caste population is higher in West Tripura than in other 7 districts of the state.
Reference -
1)Tripura Vitamin, Guwahati 1931.
- S K Bhuyan
2)Rajmala, Comilla 1897.
-Koilash Chandra sen.
3)Srirajmala, Three Waves,
Agartala 1926-31
-Kaliprasanna sen.
4)Tripura the land and the people Tripura.
-G. Gan Choudhury.
5)British Relations with the State of Tripura (1760-1947 - Agartala - Cal - 1986
-H. K. Sur
***********
No comments