When did the Tipra movement occur? Who was the King of Tripura that time? Name two leaders of Tipra movement?

Discuss the causes and nature of Tipra movements?

 Introduction

The Tipra Rebellion took place in 1850 AD. Ishan Chandra Manikya was the king of Tripura at this time. The two leaders of this rebellion were Parikshit and Kirti.

 Background

On the death of Krishnakishore Manikya in 1849 AD, Prince Ishanchandra Manikya ascended the throne of Tripura on 1 February 1850 AD. At the inauguration of Ishanchandra Manikya, the British government demanded 125 gold coins as Nazar. After much debate, one hundred and eleven gold coins were accepted as Nazar. On his accession, Ishanchandra Manikya appointed his next brother Upendrachandra Tagore as Yuvaraj and the eldest son Brajendrachandra Tagore was appointed Barathakur.

Cause of Rebellion

After ascending the throne, Ishanchandra Manikya faced severe financial crisis. His father Krishnakishore Manikya's debt of eleven lakh rupees fell on his shoulders. In this situation he appointed Balaram Hazari, a strict man as Dewan. Balaram Hazari and his brother Shridam Hazari started collecting the revenue strictly. Dewan Balram Hazari's major works were –

 1) Relieve the king from financial crisis.

 2) To meet the constant financial needs of the luxurious and extravagant Prince Upendra Chandra. For this purpose, Balaram Hazari not only collected the revenue strictly, but started burdening the subjects in various ways. His brother Shridam Hazari was his main helper in this matter. The tyranny of these two brothers caused protests among the people.

 Meanwhile many of the royal family who did not like Balaram's appointment as Dewan and were jealous of Ishanchandra Manikya secretly started fueling the revolt of the subjects.

Rebellion

Eventually fed up with the rule and exploitation of Dewan Balaram Hazari and his brother Sridam Hazari, a group of Tipra and Kuki communities united under the leadership of two chieftains named Kirti and Parikshit and attacked Balaram Hazari's residence one night in April 1850 AD. Balram Hazari was killed by the rebels after being intercepted by his guards. Balaram Hazari escaped for his life but Sridam Hazari was killed by the rebels. This rebellion of 1850 AD is known as Tipra Rebellion.

Suppression of insurgency

 Suppression of the Rebellion The rebellion was finally suppressed by the action of the King's army. Many of the rebels were captured and one of their heroes, Kirti Yuvraj, was killed by a secret assassin sent by Upendrachandra.

 After the suppression of this rebellion, Balaram became displeased with the Hazari king Ishanchandra Manikya for some reason and secretly started his secret talks with some soldiers like Rammanikya Varman, Kaptan Sardar Khan and Choban Khan. Fortunately, Maharaj Ishanchandra came to know about the conspiracy in advance. He deposed Balaram Hazri and exiled him from the state along with other conspirators. Brajamohan Tagore was then appointed Dewan in his place to manage the state and the zamindari.