Who first took the title of Manikya?

 The title of Manikya was first taken by Maha Manikya, who ruled the kingdom of Tripura from about 1400 to 1431. Maha Manikya was a Tripuri chief who founded the kingdom after establishing dominance over neighboring tribes in the early 15th century. He is further thought to be the first holder of the title "Manikya", taken in recognition of a historic victory over the neighboring Bengal Sultanate. The dynasty which he founded continued using the title until Tripura's merger with India in 1949.

The title of Manikya

The title of Manikya is derived from the Sanskrit word "manikya", which means "jewel". It is believed that Maha Manikya was given this title by the Sultan of Bengal in recognition of his victory over the Bengal Sultanate. The title was also seen as a symbol of the Manikya rulers' divine right to rule.

The title of Manikya was hereditary, and it was passed down from father to son. The Manikya rulers were a powerful and influential dynasty, and they ruled Tripura for over 500 years. They were patrons of the arts and sciences, and they built many temples and other religious structures. They also played an important role in the defense of Tripura against foreign invaders.

The title of Manikya is still used today by the descendants of the Manikya rulers. The current titular Maharaja of Tripura is Manikya Kirit Bikram Kishore Deb Burman. He is the great-great-grandson of Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya, who ruled Tripura from 1862 to 1896.

The title of Manikya is a reminder of the rich and long history of Tripura. It is also a symbol of the power and prestige of the Manikya rulers. The title is still held in high esteem by the people of Tripura, and it is a source of great pride for them.

In addition to Maha Manikya, there are two other rulers who are sometimes credited with being the first to take the title of Manikya. These are Ratna Manikya I and Dharma Manikya I. However, there is some debate about whether these rulers actually existed.

Ratna Manikya I is mentioned in the Rajmala, the royal chronicle of Tripura. The Rajmala states that Ratna Manikya I was the son of Mukut Manikya, who ruled Tripura in the early 14th century. However, there is no archaeological evidence to support the existence of Ratna Manikya I.

Dharma Manikya I is also mentioned in the Rajmala. The Rajmala states that Dharma Manikya I was the son of Maha Manikya. However, there is also no archaeological evidence to support the existence of Dharma Manikya I.

It is possible that Ratna Manikya I and Dharma Manikya I were real rulers, but it is also possible that they were fictional characters created by the authors of the Rajmala. Without more evidence, it is impossible to say for sure who first took the title of Manikya.

However, regardless of who first took the title, the title of Manikya is a significant part of the history of Tripura. It is a reminder of the power and prestige of the Manikya rulers, and it is a source of great pride for the people of Tripura.