TRIPURA - Our Homeland

Enchanting Tripura Origin of name "Twipra" Agartala, the capital Hill Ranges of Tripura History of Tripura Economy of Tripura Demography of Tripura Tourist spots of Tripura

ENCHANTING TRIPURA HILL state of northeast India since 1972, formerly a princely state, between Bangladesh and Assam, Tripura is a state in North East India. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are Kokborok and Bengali. Formerly it was an independent Tripuri Kingdom known as HILL TIPPERAH or TWIPRA and was merged with India on 15th October 1949 by the Tripura Merger Agreement. Area : 10,491.69 sq km / 4,052.6 sq mi. Capital : Agartala. Population : 3,199,203 (as per Census 2001). Language : Kokborok and Bengali. Religion : Hinduism, Christianity, Tribal beliefs. Agriculture : Rice, millet, maize, cotton, tea, sugar-cane.

Physical Features

Four main valleys, separating hills which rise to about 1,000 m/3,300 ft; the south is forested; the Deo, Khowai and Dhalai (Twisakuphur) rivers drain northwards, while the River Gomati (Kormotwi) flows to the south.

Tripura is traversed by numerous ranges of hills, ranging in height from about 100 ft to nearly 4000 ft. These hills are generally covered with thick vegetation and dense forests, in fact, some parts in the interior the vegetation cluster together so thick that day light is obscured for many miles along. Track through these forests are soon obscured with the fast growing vegetation, especially during the rainy months so that one is often trackless in the interior. The low grounds, especially in the western portion of the State are marshy and boggy in places, which are positively dangerous to traverse.

Tripura, however, is drained by a system of rivers, and along these rivers good geological sections and admirable exposures of rocks are frequently seen.

Physiography

Tripura, a landlocked hilly state in the Northeastern part of India is surrounded on the north, west and south by Bangladesh. It is accessible to the rest of the country through the Cachar district of Assam and Aizawl district of Mizoram in the East. The state extends between 22º56' and 24º32' North latitudes and 90º09' and 92º10' East latitudes. Its maximum stretch measures about 184 km from north to south and 113 km from east to west with an area of 10,491.69 sq km Tripura is the third smallest state of the country.

Geography

Tripura is mainly a hilly territory with altitudes varying from 50 to 3080 ft above sea level, though the major population of the state lives in the plains. The state is located in the Bio-geographic zone of 9B-North-East Hills and possesses an extremely rich bio-diversity. The local flora and faunal components of Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions. There are 379 species of trees, 320 shrubs, 581 herbs, 165 climbers, 16-climbing shrubs, 35 ferns and 45 epiphytes.

Industries

Steel, jute, timber, rubber. Agriculture carried out on a rotational system in the rainforest, is being superseded by modern methods.

Transport and Communication

National Highway No. 44 is the life-line of the state. The state is connected with the rest of the country through Assam by a 67 km railway line. The capital Agartala, has an airport Agartala Airport, which is connected with Kolkata, Guwahati and Silchar.