Birendra Kishore Manikya

Birendra Kishore Manikya Biography

Birendra Kishore Manikya served as the king of princely state Tripura from November 25, 1909 to 1923. He succeeded Radha Kishore Manikya who is remembered as one of the architects of modern Tripura who constructed many educational institutions and Ujjayanta Palace. When Birendra Kishore ascended the throne of the kingdom of Tripura, he was 26. Birendra Kishore Manikya is known for his administrative reforms, welfare activities and consistent attempt to spread education. He was also an artist known for his songs and paintings.

When he ascended the throne on November 25, 1909 as the ruler, he made many administrative reforms. He divided the state into ten administrative units on the model of subdivisions. He also introduced the system of civil service examinations for recruiting young people for different administrative levels. It was introduced in the same year – 1909, beginning with creation of the post of chief secretary. He reconstituted the State Civil Service in 1909 for recruitment of high officials. Thus Police Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Police posts were introduced for the first time. It was during the ruling time when Police department was separated from Revenue Department.

The new Arms Act and the Penal Code Amendment Act were passed in 1911. He also engaged a few detectives alongside a senior inspector. However, only a few cases were reported. He was instrumental in exploring the potential of tea cultivation in Tripura for the first time. He gave a formal licence to the Burma Oil Company in 1916 to explore oil, natural gas and minerals in Tripura. Before that a survey was also conducted. He founded the Ujjayanta Drama Company and a few of his paintings - "Sannyasi", "Jhulon" and "Banshi Badan” are popular. Pushbanta Place, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 'Durga Bari' and 'Lal Mahal' of Ujjayanta palace are his main constructions. He organised a grand reception for Rabindranath Tagore at Agartala after his Nobel Prize win. The reception was done at newly built Pushbanta Place which at present serves as Governor’s office.

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Updated: September 24, 2017