The connection began in 1882, when Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya, grieving the loss of his beloved queen Maharani Bhanumati, found solace in the poetic sorrow of a young Rabindranath Tagore’s Bhagna Hriday. Deeply moved by the poem’s emotional depth, the Maharaja sent his minister all the way from Agartala to Jorasanko, Kolkata, to personally confer upon Tagore the title of “Great Poet.” This act of reverence marked the beginning of a unique and enduring friendship between the poet and the royal house of Tripura.
Maharaja Bir Chandra was not only a ruler but also a man of remarkable artistic inclination—a painter, a photographer, a musician, and a scholar of Vaishnav literature. His admiration for Tagore was more than literary; it was an investment in the cultural future of India. When Tagore’s early works met with harsh criticism, it was Birchandra who expressed his willingness to buy a printing press to support the poet’s publications. Their shared vision created a bond that withstood time and political change.
Following Birchandra’s death, his son Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya carried forward this relationship with equal enthusiasm. A statesman with a deep appreciation for Tagore’s intellect, Radhakishore sought his advice on matters of governance and diplomacy. The poet, in turn, became an unofficial advisor to the Tripura court, offering guidance not only in literary and educational pursuits but also in statecraft. It was during this period that Radhakishore generously supported Tagore’s dream of establishing Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan, granting an annual donation of Rs. 1,000—an amount that continued for nearly five decades, until the last reigning monarch, Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, passed away.
The contributions of the Tripura royals extended beyond monetary support. Several students from Tripura were sent to Santiniketan with scholarships, strengthening the academic and cultural exchange between the state and Bengal. Tagore's respect for the royal family was reciprocated with honours; Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore conferred upon him the title "Bharat Bhaskar" just three months before the poet’s death in 1941.
Tagore’s visits to Tripura left indelible marks on its landscape and literature. He visited the state seven times, the last being in 1926, when he stayed at the picturesque Pushpabanta Palace, built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya. Nestled atop a hillock in Agartala, the palace, which doubled as a royal studio and guesthouse, now stands as a testament to the cultural renaissance supported by the Manikya kings. It is currently being developed as a national-level museum and cultural centre, reflecting the enduring legacy of Tagore’s presence in the region.
The spiritual and cultural landscape of Tripura also found its way into Tagore’s literary works. The ancient Bhubaneswari Temple at Udaipur, built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya, inspired both his novel Rajarshi and his celebrated play Bisharjan. These works not only immortalized the temple but also wove the essence of Tripura’s heritage into the fabric of Bengali literature. The poet's words continue to resonate among the people of the state, both tribal and non-tribal, who cherish his legacy as a cultural bridge between Northeast India and the wider world.
Even the iconic Ujjayanta Palace, a majestic symbol of Tripura’s architectural grandeur, bears the imprint of Tagore. It was he who named the palace “Ujjayanta,” meaning “victorious” or “glorious,” reflecting the poetic grandeur with which he viewed the royal family and their vision for their state.
In today’s literary and historical discourse, Rabindranath Tagore’s connections with places like Shantiniketan and Kolkata are well documented. However, his deep association with Tripura deserves greater recognition. It was in this small princely state, far from the bustling literary circles of British India, that Tagore found not only admirers but also collaborators, patrons, and friends who believed in his genius long before the world acknowledged it.
As we honour Tagore on his punyatithi—the day of his passing—it is time to also honour the land and lineage that stood beside him in his journey. From the poetic solace that sparked the first royal contact, to the policy discussions that shaped state governance, and the literary inspirations that brought Tripura into the heart of Bengali literature—this bond remains a profound chapter in India’s cultural history.
Let us remember Tagore not just as a poet of the nation, but as a friend of Tripura, whose legacy still whispers in the wind through the woodlands, temples, and palaces of this beautiful northeastern state.
