the process of formation of the state of Tripura in the early period under the Manikya kings.

Manikya dynasty 

The process of formation of the state of  Tripura in the early period under the      Manikya kings.      

 

Answer: Description of the Dynasty of Tripura According to Rajmala, the Tripura dynasty, which belongs to the Chandra dynasty, has been on the throne of this kingdom since the time of Yudhisthira in the Mahabharata.  It is also said that a king of this dynasty introduced an era called Tripurabda in 590 AD.  Jayati, the sixth descendant of the Chandra dynasty, sent his son Druhya to the land of Kirat.  He conquered the country of Kirat and established a new dynasty called Tribeg in the Naogaon district of present day Assam.  The other king of this dynasty was Daitya, and the son of Daitya was Tripur. After the death of Trilachan, the son of Tripur, the capital was shifted to Dharmanagar on the banks of the Juri river during the reign of Raja Pratit of this dynasty.  Ratnamanik, the 25th descendant of Jujharfar, a descendant of Pratit, ruled in Tripura in the second half of the 15th century.  The Manikya kings at that time had the title 'Fa' which was also used by the Ahom rulers of Assam.  From the time of Ratnamanikya, the kings of Tripura used the title Manikya instead of Fa.  

Coin of Tripura dynasty 

Various factors behind the formation of a permanent state in Tripura: 

             

            There were some special factors behind the formation of a permanent cohesive state in Tripura under the leadership of the Manikya dynasty kings. 

(1) The formation of the state of Tripuri tribes  under the leadership of Dalpati with the title of  'Fa ' :

                 Although there is no way to know the veracity of Rajmala's account, the Tripuri tribe, led by a fa It can be assumed that he was able to form a state by entering Tripura through various counter-attacks.  This enabled the Tripuri tribes to become cohesive and increase their confidence in the Dalpati which helped the Dalpati to build a hereditary monarchy.  

(2) Compared to other tribes, Tripuri tribes are conducive to the formation of a cohesive state : 

              Initially, Tripura was mainly inhabited by the tribes of Tripuri, Riang, Jamatia and Kuki communities.  And each village or class had its own rural and regional system of governance.  As the Tripuri tribe was more cohesive and majority than the other tribes, they were able to bring other tribes under their control.  In some cases, they were coercive and in others, they were biased.  By recruiting powerful Jamatis into the army and making the mighty Halam tribes their loyal subjects with special social status.  This made security and state organization easier for the Tripuris.  

(3) Familiarity with the plains of the Tripuri tribe is conducive to the formation of the state: 

                  Where other tribes of Tripura were mountainous, the Tripuri tribe was plain oriented.  This gives the Tripuri tribe a chance to get to know the plains more than other tribes.  He got acquainted with the socio-economic and political organizations of the plains and took advantage of it.  

(4) The role of economy is conducive to state formation: 

                     Economy had a special role in the organization of Tripura state.  Like other tribes, Tripuri tribes were not accustomed to agricultural production as they were accustomed to zoom farming.  Therefore, it is difficult to get the required surplus foodgrains in the state administration, army and other jobs.  It seems that the trade relations with neighboring Bangladesh helped the Tripuri tribes to form the state of Tripura.  

(5) Financial gain from the utilization of forest resources helps in the formation of the state: 

                    It is known from the Rajmala made by Kailash Chandra Singh that they were entitled to abundant forest resources of Tripura like wood, bamboo, cane, chan and so on.  Was helpful.  Business was not unknown to them.  These items were taken to Bangladesh through the rivers Gemati and Manu in the state of Tripura.  On the other side of Gamati, first in Amarpur and later in Rangamati or Udaipur was once the capital of Tripura state.  

(6) The help of the Tripuris to the plain Bengal in the tribal conflict is conducive to the formation of the state: 

               The state of Tripura and the adjoining plain Bengal have been in contact with each other since ancient times. In this case, the Lakers of the plain Bengal seem to have played a leading role in the accumulation of forest resources in Tripura.  However, the Tripuri tribal community was particularly benefited by such commercial exchanges.  Because they lived mainly near special trade routes.  Moreover, they were skilled in weaving, wood work, cane work and other cottage industries from other tribes. The Kukis often plundered the plains of Bengal adjoining the state of Tripura.  And the Riang and Jamatia communities usually lived in deep forests.  Naturally, this region of Bengal had good relations with the Tripuri tribe.  Therefore, during the tribal conflict, the Tripuris, with the overall help and support of plain Bengal, finally succeeded in forming a state and establishing a monarchy.  

(7) The method of tax collection and the rule of the respective chiefs of the clans: 

                           The chiefs of different clans used to pay their taxes by accepting the subordination of the Manikya kings.  The Kukis who accepted the dominance of the Tripura dynasty are known as Halams.  It is said that the Halams dominated the region before the reign of the Tripura dynasty.  That is why cookies or halams were given special status in the program called 'Hasam Bhajan' organized by the royal court on Vijaya Dashami.  Manikya kings even gave the title of king to some cookie chiefs.  The highest official of the Riang was Rai.  He was practically the real ruler of the Riang community in the name of Manikya Narpati.  In fact, by paying taxes and showing allegiance to the Manikya kings, the chiefs of the different groups ruled their respective groups according to their own customs and traditions.  

(8) Increased revenue in establishing private ownership of land is conducive to state organization: 

                    Some economists have given special importance to private ownership of land in mentioning the role of economy in the formation of a permanent state in Tripura.  The kings of Tripura not only established the personal ownership of the king over the lands of the entire state, they also recognized private ownership over the lands of the people of the plains.  He gave the Bengalis from the neighboring state the opportunity to settle in Tripura and gave them private ownership of their land.  Land production increased as the inhabitants of the plains cultivated the land by plowing.  As a result, the king's revenue increased considerably.  It was possible to form a permanent state organization, administrative system and a military force by collecting forest resources from the Jumiya people and levying trade taxes on various forest resources.  

(9) The beginning of the state rule in imitation of the Sultanate rule of Bengal : 

                    Fifteenth century In the beginning, the process of state formation and monarchical rule was introduced in Tripura.  As a result of the association with the Sultan in Bengal, the state rule began in imitation of the Sultanate rule.  From that time onwards, the people of neighboring Bengal were brought to the state under the royal patronage for permanent cultivation, agricultural production, carpentry and blacksmithing.  This gradually led to agricultural improvement, conservation of forest resources, expansion of trade and commerce, increase in revenue, etc.  This created the infrastructure for the development of a permanent royal, military and civilian administration.  According to Kailash Chandra Singh, the author of Rajmala, a number of administrative posts were created during Ratnamanikya's time in imitation of the Muslim system of government.  A high-ranking official named Subadar was the Chief of Army Staff and under him were Hazari, Jamadar and other cadres.  The king's prime minister was called a vizier.  The title of the police chief was Nazir.  Dewan was the head of the revenue department.  Bengalis were usually appointed as viziers.  However, other important posts were filled by members of the royal family.  

(10) The role of Hindu religion, culture and Brahmin scholars in the formation of the state: 

                    Some historians have mentioned the special role of Hindu religion, culture and Brahmin scholars in the organization of the state under the leadership of the kings of Tripura.  The beginning of the settlement, land-giving and other patronage of the Bahubramanas, Vaishyas and Kayasthas of plain Bengal in the state of Tripura during Ratnamanikya's reign can be called "Sanskritization of the Tripura Tribe" in the language of Dr. MN Srinivas.  The kings of Tripura took to heart the religion and culture of the majority Hindus of the plains.  This made it easier for the kings to gain the allegiance of the majority Hindu subjects in the plains.  As they welcomed and patronized the Brahmin Pandits, the Brahmin Pandits gave special help in organizing their state.  

(11) The introduction of Bengali language in government work is conducive to the formation of the state: 

                        In Kirat John Kirti   Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay writes that the Indo-Mangaliya Tripura royal family and royal court became closer to Bengal in terms of religion and culture and Bengali and Sanskrit became the language of religion and culture of the Tripura people.  As a result, there has been a gradual change in the tribal system of governance, in agricultural production, in cultural activities, in religious activities.  The Tripuris embraced this change and sought to improve their state structure, administration and position.  As a result, the state administration began to be energized by the arrival and settlement of Bengalis, increased production through sustainable farming, conservation of forest resources and other natural resources.  

(12) Neighboring strong state support for state security and protection: 

                      Neighboring strong states were needed for the security and safety of the newly formed state.  Elephants were needed in the military forces of the Sultans of Bengal.  The security of Tripura was secured when the sultans recognized the state of Tripura as a tributary state in exchange for elephants.  It is known from Rajmala that Dharmamanikya sent his youngest son Ratnafa to the court of the Sultan of Gaur as the guardian of the state of Tripura.  With the help of the Sultan's army, Ratnafa united and coordinated the various regions of the hill Tripura.  He received the title of Manikya by gifting the Sultan an elephant and a precious gem. 

                     Ratnamanikya gained the security of the state by temporarily acknowledging some allegiance to the Sultan or Gaureshwar.  From the time of Dhanyamanikya, Tripura became completely independent and the state expanded. 

                  Lastly, following the Muslim rule and military system, the kings of Tripura organized and strengthened their kingdom.  Thus the process of formation of the state of Tripura is particularly seen in the early fifteenth century.  At this time the Tripura rulers established their authority by defeating the tribal groups like Riang, Kuki, Jamatia, Halam etc.  This was made possible by the majority of the Tripuri community, their association with neighboring Bengal, business exchanges, private ownership of land, collection of forest resources, collection of revenue, imposition of import-export tax, etc.

Reference -

1) Rajmala 1896- Kailash Chandra singha.

2) Sri Rajmala 1926-31 - Kaliprasanna sent. 

3) Tripura the land and people - G. Gan Choudhury .

4) Tripura under the rules of Manikya - Noliniranjan Roy Choudhury. 

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