Tripura

Tripura

History of Tripura

Tripura is a Sanskrit word which means three cities. Tripura’s name is mentioned in the Mahabharata, the Puranas and the Edicts of Ashoka. Twipra kingdom ruled this region for centuries. Tripura was a princely state in British India. After Indian Independence in 1947, a part of present day Tripura was part of East Pakistan. On September 9th 1949, Tripura became a Union Teritory and got the status of state on 21st January 1972.

Geography of Tripura

Tripura is located on the north eastern part of India. Tripura share international borders with Bangladesh and national borders with Assam and Mizoram. It is spread in an area of 10492 sq kms, making it the third smallest state in the country. The maximum width in north-south direction is 184 kms and 113kms in east west direction. Betling Shib in the Jampui range is the highest point in the state at an elevation of 939 meters.

Government and Administration of Tripura

For administration purpose Tripura is divided into eight districts, 23 subdivisions and 45 development blocks. Left Front and the Indian National Congress are the major political parties in the state. Tripura High Court takes care of the Jurisdiction which was established in 2013. Tripura legislative assembly consists of 60 seats. Tripura contributes two members to the Indian Assembly in which one is reserved for Scheduled Tribe.

Language and culture of Tripura

Tripura handicrafts are famous throughout the country. Items are made up of Bamboo and cane. Music and dance play an important role in the culture of the state. Bengali, Manipuri, Debbarma, Tripura, Jamatia, are some of the major dominant ethnic group in the state. Sarinda, chongpreng and sumui are some of the famous musical instruments in the state. Goria dance, mamita dance, Jhum dance, lebang dance and mosak sulmani dance are the dances forms of Tripura. Bengali is widely spoken in the state followed by Tripuri, Hindi, English, Kokbork, Reang, Jamatia, Chakma, Halam, Mog and Kuki. Saimar, is spoken by only four people in one village, as of 2012.

Educational Status in Tripura

Literacy are of the state was approxmateily 95% in the year 2014, which is the highest among all states. Tripura has one Central University i.e., Tripura University and one private university. Tripura houses 15 general colleges, three engineering colleges, two medical colleges, three nursing colleges, three polytechnic colleges, one law college, one Government Music College, one College of Fisheries, Institute of Advance Studies in Education, one Regional College of Physical Education and one art college.

Economy of Tripura

Tripura’s GSDP was 129.47 billion in the year 2010-2011. Teritory sector contributed maximum share to the state’s economy in the year 2009. Tripura’s economy mainly depends on agriculture in which maximum people depend on agriculture. Only 27 per cent of the state’s land is available for cultivation. Rice is the major corp. Potato, rubber, tea, sugarcane, mesta, pulses and jute are the major cash crops of the state. Industrial sector is underdeveloped. Brickfields and tea industry are the only two organised sectors in the state. According to ONGC’s estimation, the state has 400 billion cubic meters reserves of natural gas in which 16 billion cubic meters is recoverable.

Tourism in Tripura

Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is spread in approximately 400 sq km, and houses sylvan water body. Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary is a small sanctuart in 85 sq kms which is rich in natural forests and dense glades. Tripura Government Museum exhibits the rich history of the state. Bhuvaneswari Temple is situated on the banks of river Gomati, which was built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya during the period 1660-1675. Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 pithasthanas of the Hindus, which is built in Bengali-Hut style. Kamalasagar Kali Temple also known as Kasba Kali Bari, is a famous picnic spot in state and near to Bangladesh border.

Festivals Celebrated in Tripura

Kharchi Puja is a weeklong royal Puja which is celebrated in the month of July. Ker Puja is celebrated after fortnight of Kharchi Puja and is a traditional tribal festival. Garia Puja is a harvest festival which is celebrated on 7th April. Ganga Puja is new rice festival which is celebrated in the moth March/April. Apart from these all the major festivals in India are celebrated.