Tripura

Princely States

Rajmala is the royal chronicles of Tripura and they were put to writing during the reign of Dharma Manikya(1431-1462). The book being written in the traditional Hindu way doesn't give much information about the early origins of the kingdom from the traditional way. Tripura Buranji, on the other hand, written by Ratna Kandali and Arjun Das, officers of Ahom kingdom in 1720s proposes Bodo origins for Tripura's ruling line unlike the traditional narrative set by Rajmala.

The ruling line traces its origin to Yayati through his son Drhyu who became the king of Kirata Lands. The book places states his kingdom was bounded by the river Tairang on the north, Acaranga on the south, Mekhali on the east, Koch and Vanga on the west and he ruled from Trivega on the bank of Kapila river. A descendant of his, Daitya lived for thousands of years and had a son, Tripura. He was named so because he was born in Trivega country. He was very cruel and anarchy prevailed because of him. Dejected, his father abdicated the throne and left the kingdom to do tapas.

On the other hand, because Tripura is a Mahapitha of Sati where her right leg fell and the goddess here is called Tripura Sundari, the kingdom is called Tripura. The Bhairava for the Pitha is called Tripuresa. This dynasty is mentioned in Sabha Parva in Sahadeva's conquests. Traipuras fought on the side of Kauravas in Mahabharata.

Tripura was an arrogant and cruel king – he didn't follow the path of Dharma and was always bent on war. He killed elephants and horses for nothing and people for trivial reasons. He took away women and seized property of his liking. He subdued all the rulers of the hill states. He treated him to be the equivalent to god and forbade sacrifices and offerings to gods. And when Lord Siva visited him, he didn't recognize him and made the Lord angry – Lord Siva struck him on his chest with his Trisula and in his dying moments he recognized the Lord of the three worlds and attained Moksha. His kingdom collapsed with his death and people had no option but to beg in neighbouring countries only to be insulted. They went to the mountains in a body and prayed to Lord Siva for protection and succour. He ordered King Tripura's wife Hiravati to pray to Madana for a son and to her was born with three eyes in the resemblance of Lord Siva. He came to be known as Trilochana but people called him Subadai. His dynasty came to be known as Tripura Dynasty.