HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Before merger to Indian dominion on October 15, 1949, the princely state of Tripura was an independent kingdom under the Tripuri or Borok dynasty as independent ruler in the world history is the only instant seen in Tripura where about 185 kings ruled simultaneously.

According to the chronicle of Tripura, Rajratnakaram written in Sanskrit  by Sukerswar and Vaneswar and Rajmala written in Bengali by Kailash Chandra Singha and Kali Prasanna Sen it is narrated the ancient history of Tripura. It is also mentioned that during the Mahabharata period, the social and cultural relation between Aryan-Tripuri/Borok took place. Stories of Koch, Devayani, Hirimba and other indicate these relation. It is opined by historian that the character of Siva or Mahadev is known as Subrai among the Tripuri/Borok and Sukracharya represent the Tripuri/Borok king as well as Borok/Boro group of people. They are narrated as Kiratas in Mahabharata while Dr. Suniti Kumar Chartterjee called them the Indo-Mongoloids.

  Mr. B.N. Bordoloi quoted in his book, Tribes of Assam, Part–I  that Mongoloids were described to be Kiratas in the Mahabharata and other Hindu scripture like Kalika Purana and Yogini Tantra.

The Kokborok speaking Tripuri/Borok people are the branch of the Boro people belongs to Sino-Tibetan linguistic group, racially Mongoloids. The Tripura word express geographical area where the indigenous inhabitants are living called themselves Borok which comes from Boro or Bodo ethnic group of  people. The Boro or Bodo comes from Bod, the ancient name of Tibet. In this contest, it may be quoted from Mr. Buchman Hamilton, Perhaps the word Bod may relates with Tibetan word Bod.

  It may be further mentioned the contents of Mr. Endle, It is worth considering whether the Bodo may not be related with old name of Tibet Bod. The language of Bodo ethnic community belongs to Tibeto-Burman linguistic family indeed.

  In the seventh centuries, the Chinese pilgrim Hiu-En-Tsang visited eastern zone of India sub-continent. He wrote in his traveling note U-Ka-Si that there was a big kingdom having rich culture and highly developed language of the Boro people.

  Mr. Marko polo and Dr. B. K. Baruah has certified in his book, A Cultural History of Assam (Early Period) to Bodo people as Tibeto-Burman linguistic group.

  Therefore, the indigenous people of Tripura are racially known as Borok or Boro or Bodo and they are also known as Tripuri according to the geographical identity.

Regent Kanchan Prava Devi – the widow of late Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Debbarma of Tripura, she signed the Merger Agreement with Indian Union in October 15, 1949. The then under age prince Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahahur Debbarma is alive as symbol of Tripuri/Borok dynasty at present.