Agartala, 19th August 2026 : Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday paid tribute to Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur on his 118th birth anniversary, garlanding his statue at Zero Point in Agartala and recalling his significant role in shaping modern Tripura.
Describing Maharaja Bir Bikram as the “architect of modern Tripura”, Dr. Saha said his contributions to education, roads, urban development, administration and social reforms continue to influence the state.
“Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur is called the architect of modern Tripura. The less we speak about his contributions, the less it seems,” the Chief Minister said.
Dr. Saha said the Maharaja possessed a broad and progressive outlook, strengthened by his exposure to different parts of India and abroad. He also highlighted the ruler’s efforts to bring different communities together and promote inclusive development.
Recalling Agartala’s development, the Chief Minister said several roads, buildings and civic institutions were developed during Maharaja Bir Bikram’s reign. He also mentioned the Maharaja’s association with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who visited Tripura several times.
Dr. Saha said the BJP-led government since 2018 has taken steps to honour the contributions of the Manikya rulers and preserve Tripura’s historical heritage. He noted that the historic zero milestone at the site had been restored and the Maharaja’s statue installed there.
Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”, Dr. Saha stressed that development must go alongside preservation of heritage.
He urged the younger generation to learn about Maharaja Bir Bikram’s life and achievements, saying the state’s historical contributions should never be forgotten.
A detailed programme on the Maharaja’s life and legacy is scheduled at Rabindra Bhavan.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by BJP State President and MLA Abhishek Debroy, AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder, BJP State General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, Councillor Ratna Datta and others.
