CM Dr Saha highlights Maharaja Bir Bikram's vision as Foundation of Modern Tripura

Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha has paid glowing tribute to the Manikya royal dynasty, describing Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur as the architect of modern Tripura whose foresight shaped the state’s development, cultural identity, and eventual integration with India.

Speaking at a BJP workers’ meeting in Agartala on Wednesday, Saha said that the contributions of kings and rulers to India’s nation-building were long overlooked after Independence. He noted that recognition began during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and gained momentum under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Chief Minister highlighted Bir Bikram’s role in accelerating modernization efforts initiated by his predecessors, Radha Kishore Manikya and Birchandra Manikya, pointing to his emphasis on planned urban development, education, and cultural patronage. He cited the layout of Ramnagar, the road connecting Ujjayanta Palace to Maharajganj Bazaar, and the establishment of MBB College as examples of Bir Bikram’s vision for a modern Tripura.

Saha also recalled the close cultural ties between the royal family and Rabindranath Tagore, spanning three generations. He mentioned the family’s financial support for Visva-Bharati University and the Tripura connections reflected in Tagore’s works such as Visarjan, Rajarshi, and Mukut. 

He further emphasized Tripura’s unique cultural fabric, enriched by tribal, Manipuri, and Bengali traditions, and remembered the contributions of music maestro S.D. Burman, nurtured under royal patronage.

Reflecting on history, Dr Saha noted that Bir Bikram passed away in 1947, just before Independence. With his successor still a minor, Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi led the Regency Council, continuing his vision and ensuring Tripura’s integration with India.

State BJP president Abhishek Debroy, also present at the meeting, echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, calling Bir Bikram the “architect of modern Tripura.” He pointed out that the BJP began commemorating the Maharaja’s birth anniversary at party offices even before 2018, and later initiatives included naming the Agartala airport after Bir Bikram and installing his statue there. 

Debroy highlighted the Maharaja’s emphasis on girls’ education, cultural development, and institution-building, noting his plans for a university and the establishment of multiple schools during his reign.

Both leaders concluded that Bir Bikram’s legacy remains inseparable from Tripura’s modern development, cultural identity, and historic integration with India, asserting that his vision continues to inspire the state’s journey toward prosperity and self-reliance.