The capital city of Tripura, Agartala, is more than just an administrative hub — it is a place where the echoes of royal courts, cultural exchange, and spiritual traditions still linger in everyday life. From its tribal origins to its transformation into a royal capital and finally into a modern city, Agartala’s history mirrors the story of Tripura itself.

Early Roots: The Tribal Heartland

Before becoming a formal city, the Agartala region was home to the indigenous Tripuri people, part of the Tibeto-Burman group. The fertile land, bordered by hills and rivers, made it an attractive settlement area. Tribal traditions, centered on the worship of nature and deities like the Chaturdasha Devta, shaped the early cultural fabric. The kingdom was ruled by the Manikya dynasty, with its capital in Udaipur. For centuries, Agartala remained a smaller settlement under their domain.

The Shift of the Capital

The real transformation of Agartala began in the late 18th century, when King Krishna Manikya (1760–1783) shifted the capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. This move was made for strategic reasons, as Old Agartala was closer to the plains of Bengal and safer from hill invasions. Later, during the reign of Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya, the capital was once again shifted to New Agartala. This marked the birth of the modern city.

The Royal Era and Agartala’s Growth Story

Agartala flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries under the Manikya kings, who embraced both tradition and modernity. The Ujjayanta Palace, built between 1899–1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, became the city’s defining landmark. Surrounded by Mughal-style gardens and lakes, the palace still dominates the city’s skyline.

Temples abound in the city, including Jagannath Bari, Lakshmi Narayan Bari, and the Chaturdasha Devta Temple. Being close to Bengal, its rulers were deeply influenced by the Bengal Renaissance. Under Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, Agartala saw planned urban development. He established schools, an airport, and modern institutions, leaving a lasting legacy.

Agartala and Its Merger with India

In the wake of India’s independence, Agartala was at the center of historic change. After the death of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore in 1947, his widow Maharani Kanchan Prava Devi signed the Instrument of Accession on 15th October 1949, merging Tripura and its capital into the Union of India.

Today, Agartala is a living blend of history and modernity. The Neermahal and its royal temples still narrate its glorious past. At the same time, the city has grown into an educational hub with Tripura University and a cultural center promoting the local tribal language, Kokborok. Agartala also serves as a gateway for trade with Bangladesh.

Agartala’s journey from a tribal settlement to a royal capital and now to a modern state capital reflects the resilience and adaptability of Tripura’s people.