Culture and history info

History

One of the earliest kings of Tripura was Patardan B.C. 1900, long before the Manikya Dynasty. According to folklore, Chitrarath, Drikpati, Dharmapha, Loknath Jivandharan were important kings during the time of B.C. in Agartala.

In the past, Tripura served as the capital to several Hindu kingdoms. Although a timeline of the rulers has not been found, records reveal that the area has been ruled by as many as 179 Hindu rulers, starting from the mythological King Druhya to the last King of Tripura, Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya. Tripura also came under Maghal rule. The state came under the governance of the British in 1808.

Much later the ancient capital of the then princely state 'Swadhin Tripura' was at Rangamati (Udaipur, South Tripura) by the bank of the river Gomati. In 1760 it was shifted by the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Manikya Bahadur (r.1829–1849) of Manikya Dynasty to present old Agartala by the bank of the river Haora/Saidra and was named 'Haveli'. Due to frequent invasion of the Kukis and also to keep easy communication with the British Bengali, the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Manikya started the process of shifting the capital from Old Haveli to New Haveli (present Agartala) in 1849.

During the British Raj, Agartala was the capital of the 'Hill Tippera' state; it became a municipality in 1874–75, and in 1901 had a population of 9,513. The princely state always remained as cake piece to the British and many other invaders. For example, when Arakhan soldiers attacked the old capital of the state the king of Tripura responded by defeating the entire troop. The Agartala Municipality was established during the reign of Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya (1862–1896) within an area of 3 square miles (8 km2) having a population of only 875 by a royal proclamation in the last part of 1871. A.W.S. Power, the first British political agent for Tipperah was also appointed as the Chairman of the Agartala Municipality in 1872 who held office from 1872 to 1873. The municipality located at the crossing of latitude N 23 –50' and longitude E 91-17' covering 3 km2 area during that period.

Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman is called the founder of the planned city of Agartala. He had gone for a tour in the United Kingdom and after returning to his kingdom he decided that he would make Agartala in the image of the UK. During the 1940s the town was re-organised in a planned manner with new roads and a market building.

The estimated population of Agartala was 5,22,603 in 2014 after the municipal expansion (189,327 in the 2001 census).

From 1901 to 1971 the city remained in a negligible development progress with only an 8 km2 or area but from 1981 Agartala started to expand and increase its connectivity in various fields along with its city area with 58.84 km2, greater Agartala is planned as of 2011 with an additional of 92 km2. Agartala had a different type of history from the earlier times of the epic days as it was a princely state and was connected with Bangladesh. Though the East India Company had not arrived in the princely capital of the state but they always remained in a certain in capturing and ruling. The East India Company had set their base of North East India in the Assam province with Shillong as their capital.

The Nobel laureate Indian (Bengali) poet Rabindranath Tagore or Robindronath Thakur visited the city more than once and also built a house that still exists. The historical book Rajmala contains incidents and historical stories of Agartala.

Culture

Like in other Indian states, there is mixed religion in Agartala. Hinduism is the dominant religion and there are many temples across the city. The whole city is nestled with tents catering to a variety of themes. Christianity is a widespread faith as well, with Christma  being a very busy time of the year. Agartala is also known for its tribal festivals like Kharchi, and Garia Puja.

Temples

Some prominent temples are:

• Tripureswari Matarbari, Udaipur, South Tripura
• Lakshmi Naryan Temple, the Palace Compound
• Jagannath Temple 
• Ram Thakur's Ashram in Banamalipur
• Durga Bari Temple in the Palace Compound
• Pagla Debata Temple, Agartala Old Motorstand
• Motorstand Shani Mandir
• Satsanga Bihar, Krishnanagar
• Ker Chowmuhani Shiv-Kali temple
• Kalibari Temple in the Palace Compound
• Iskcon Temple (Hare Krishna Temple)
• Baba Loknath Temple, Laxmi Narayan Bari Road
• Umamaheshwar Temple (Shibbari), Central Road
• Ramkrishna Mission, Math Chowmani (near Dhaleswar), Gandhi Ghat and Amtali
• Bharat Sevashram Sangha
• Bhavatarani Temple, Melarmath
• Universal Prayer Hall at the Ramakrishna Mission Dhaleswar Complex in Agartala

Mosques

• Gedu Miyar Masjid
• Jame Masjid, Bhati Abhoynagar (West)
• Rangamati Darul Ulom Jame Masjid

Monasteries

• Benuban Vihar, Kunjaban

Churches

Catholic Church of Nandangagar parish, Don Bosco

• Union Baptish Church, Arundhutinagar, the oldest church in Agartala
• Agartala City Baptist Church, Supari Bagan
• Khakotor Baptist Church, Abhoynagar
• Hallelujah Baptist Church, Gurkha Basti
• Capital Baptist Church, Nandannagar
• Palace Baptist Church, Palace Compound
• Aguli Baptist Church, TRTC
• Noyung Baptist Church, Haradhan Sangha
• St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Church, Durjoynagar
• Don Bosco Catholic Church, Nandannagar
• Catholic Church, Mariamnagar, the first Christian community in Tripura
• Presbyterian Church, Shyamali Bazaar
• Believers Eastern Church, Advisor Chowmuhani
• Evangelical Christian Fellowship, Red Cross Building, IGM Hospital Complex
• Trinity Worship Center, Rathore Bhawan, North Gate, Palace Compound