Tripura Merger Agreement

The State of Tipra was one of the ancient princely states of the world. According to the 'Rajmala', or the Chronicles of Tripura was ruled continuously by as many as 184 Tripuri Kings with sovereign and independent status prior to its merger with the Indian Union in 1949, the last King being Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Debbarma. His successor Kirit Bikram Debbarma was a minor and only 13 years at that time, is still living today as a living Royal Symbol of Tipra history. King Bir Bikram died in 1947. Then, Council of Regency was formed to run the administration under the Presidentship of Queen Kanchanprabha Devi, mother of Kirit Bikram. Within few months after the unnatural demise of King Bir Bikram Kishore, Tipra faced a great crisis and there was a threat both from internal and external forces.

The President of the Council of Regency was under severe pressure and was bound to opt to join the Indian Union. In the meantime, the Queen on the advice of the Government of India had to dissolve the Council of Regency and became herself as the sole Regent on 12 January, 1948, and after about more than a year she had sign the Tripura Merger Agreement on 9 September, 1949. Thereafter, Tipra became a part of Indian Union from 15 October, 1949 AD and was administered by the Chief Commissioner as a 'C' Category State.

Tripura Merger Agreement

AGREEMENT made this the ninth day September 1949, between the Government-General of India and His Highness the King of Tripura.

WHEREAS in the best interest of the State of Tripura as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State be or under the authority of the Dominion Government:-

It is hereby agreed as follows:-

Article - I

The King of Tripura hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the fifteenth day of October 1949, thereafter referred to as the said day.

As from the said day the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.

Article - II

The King shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from revenues of the State annually for his privy purse the sum of Rupees Three lakhs and thirty thousand (Rs. 3,30,000/-) free of taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Rules and his family, including and other ceremonies etc. and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.

The said sum be drawn by the King in four equal installments in advanced at the beginning of each quarter from the State Treasury or at such other treasury as may be specified by the Government of India.

Article - III

The King shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State property) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.

The King will furnish to the Dominion Government before the 10th October 1994, an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balances held by him as such private property.

If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the King or State property, it shall be referred to a judicial officer qualified to be appointed as High Court judge and the decision of that officer shall be final and binding on both parties.

Article - IV

The King shall be entitled to all the personal rights, privileges, immunities and dignities enjoyed by him as the Ruler of Tripura, whether within or without the State, immediately before the 15th August, 1947.

Article - V

All the members of the King's family including Her Highness the Rajmata shall be entitled to all the personal privileges, dignities and titles enjoyed by them, whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.

Article - VI

The Dominion Government guarantees the succession according to law and custom to the gaddi of the State and to the King's personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles.

Article - VII

No inquiry shall be make by or under the authority of the Government of India and no proceedings shall lie in any court of Tipra against His Highness the King of His Highness the Regent whether in a personal capacity or otherwise in respect of anything done or committed to be done by them under their authority during the period of the Regency administration of the State.

Article - VIII

* The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the public services of Tipra on conditions which will be no less advantageous than those on which they were serving before the date on which the administration of Tripura is made over to the Government of India of the payment of reasonable compensation.

* The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leaves salaries sanctioned by the Government of His Highness the King to members of the public services of the State who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement before the date on which the Administration of Tipra is made over to the Government of India.

Article - IX

Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India on proceedings civil or criminal shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purporting to be one in the execution of his duties as a servant of the State before the day on which the administration is made over to the Government of India.

In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, adviser to the Government of India in the Ministry of States appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and His Highness Queen Kanchanprava Devi, Queen Regent of Tipra has appended her signature on behalf of His Highness King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur Debbarma, the minor Ruler of Tipra his heirs and successors.

Dated New Delhi, The 9 September, 1949.

Message by the then Minister of Home Affairs

Mention may be made here that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the then Minister of Home Affairs, gave the following message on the occasion of the Merger of Tipra on 15 October, 1949.

"The State of Tipra, with the isolated situation yet occupying a position of strategic importance of the Eastern borders of India, has an ancient history and a rich culture. The partition of the country has, however, brought in each train for this small State a host of problems, which, in the present State of its development was impossible for it to solve on its own resources. The State has potentialities and the sources, which it tapped and properly exploited, would be an asset to the country. For all there reason, the Government of India and Her Highness, the Maharani Regent acting on behalf of Minor Ruler, came to the conclusion that in the interest of the welfare of the State and of the country as a whole, it was essential that the Centre should make itself directly responsible for its administration and its well being. I am most grateful to Her Highness for having come to this agreement. Her was not any easy task in the peculiar circumstance in which she found herself. I am sure that providence will reward her for the courage and boldness with which she has taken this decision. To the people of Tipra, I can only say this: though far (and remote) from the capital city of the country, will always claim our attention and we shall do our best to ensure that its link and connection with the main land are strengthened and it comes nearer to us. They will not stand-alone to battle with the manifold problems that confront them. They will have the resources and the assistance of the Centre on which they can count. With their cooperation and help we hope that we shall deal with their problems efficiently and effectively. May God bless our joint effort with success."

External links

* [http://www.tripura.nic.in Official site of present Tripura state]

References

Sardar Patel's Correspondence :- Vol-8, p-530-531).