Agartala

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Agartala
আগরতলা (Bengali)
আগরতলা (Kokborok)
—  capital  —
Ujjayanta Palace
Agartala
Location of Agartala
in Tripura
Coordinates 23°30′N 91°30′E / 23.50°N 91.5°E / 23.50; 91.5Coordinates: 23°30′N 91°30′E / 23.50°N 91.5°E / 23.50; 91.5
Country India
State Tripura
District(s) West Tripura
Population

• Density

 5,20,879 (2011 census) )

• 6,251 /km2 (16,190 /sq mi)
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)
Area

• Elevation

 58.84 km2 (23 sq mi)

• 12.80 metres (42.0 ft)
Website tripura.nic.in

Agartala (Bengali: আগরতলা Agortôla, Kokborok: আগরতলা) is the capital of the Indian state of Tripura and is the second-largest city in North-east India after Guwahati in terms of municipal area as Well as population. It is situated in North-east India. It lies on the Haroa River and is located 2 km from Bangladesh. Agartala has temples and palaces. As per 2011 census, Population of Agartala city has exceeded 5,12,000. The population of Agartala was 367,822 in 2004 after the municipal expansion[1] (189,327 in the 2001 census).[2]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Foundation

The ancient capital of the then Princely State ‘Swadhin Tripura’ was at Rangamati (Udaipur, South Tripura) by the bank of the river Gomati. In 1760 it was shifted by the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Manikya Bahadur (r.1829-1849) of Manikya Dynasty[3] to present old Agartala by the bank of the river Howrah and was named ‘Haveli’. Due to frequent invasion of the Kuki's and also to keep easy communication with the British Bengal, the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Manikya started the process of shifting the capital from Old Haveli to New Haveli (present Agartala ) in 1849.

During the British Raj, Agartala was the capital of the erstwhile 'Hill Tippera' state, it became a municipality in 1874-75, and in 1901 had the population of 9,513.[4]

[edit] Agartala Municipality

The Agartala Municipality was established during the reign of Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya (1862–1896) within an area of 3 square miles (8 km2) having a population of only 875 by a royal proclamation in the last part of 1871. Mr. A.W.S. Power, the first British political agent for Tipperah was also appointed as the Chairman of the Agartala Municipality in 1872 who held office from 1872-73.

[edit] Planned city

Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur is called the founder of the planned city of Agartala. During the 1940s the town area was re-organised in a planned manner with new roads and a market building.

[edit] Geography and climate

Agartala
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
9.1
 
26
10
 
 
20
 
29
13
 
 
59
 
33
19
 
 
182
 
34
22
 
 
316
 
33
24
 
 
455
 
32
25
 
 
386
 
31
25
 
 
313
 
32
25
 
 
225
 
32
24
 
 
165
 
31
22
 
 
40
 
29
17
 
 
8.4
 
26
11
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: IMD

Agartala is situated in a plain along the Haora River, though the city also extends to the low lying hills on its northern parts.

Agartala has a monsoon influenced humid subtropical climate with large amounts of rain almost all year. The city experiences long, hot and wet summers, lasting from April to October. Average temperatures are around 28 °C (82 °F), fluctuating with rainfall. There is a short, mild winter from mid-November to early March, with mostly dry conditions and average temperatures around 18 °C (64 °F).

[edit] Demographics

As of the 2001 Indian census,[5] Agartala had a population of 189,327. Males constituted 50% of the population and females 50%. Agartala has an average literacy rate of 85%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 52% of the males and 48% of females literate. 8% of the population is under six years of age.

[edit] Historical population

In 1941 Agartala had a population of 17,693.[6] By 1991 the population had risen to 157,358.[7]

Growth of Agartala City.

Year Population Area
1901 6,415 3 square miles (8 km2)
1911 6,831 3 square miles (8 km2)
1921 7,743 3 square miles (8 km2)
1931 9,580 3 square miles (8 km2)
1941 17,693 3 square miles (8 km2)
1951 42,595 3 square miles (8 km2)
1961 54,878 3 square miles (8 km2)
1971 100,264 3 square miles (8 km2)
1981 132,186 10.94 km²
1991 157,358 15.81 km²
2001 188,540 16.02 km²
2004 367,822 58.84 km²
2011 512,264 (8,00,000 approx) 58.84 km² ((Greater Agartala Planning Area: 92 s. km)

[edit] Neighbourhoods

A road in Agartala

Agartala city consists of many Paras, which means "locality" in Bengali. Each neighbourhood or para is usually a municipal ward or division also.

Agartala town hall

[edit] Localities

Neighbourhoods of the city include:

  • Banamalipur
  • Dhaleswar
  • Pratapgar
  • Math Chowmuhani
  • Kashari Patti
  • Ker Chowhamani
  • Kaman Chowmuni
  • Krishnanagar
  • Radha Nagar
  • Shibnagar
  • Ramnagar
  • Joynagar
  • Abhoynagar
  • Arundhutinagar
  • Gol Bazar
  • Gurkha Basti
  • Kunjaban
  • College Tilla
  • Indranagar
  • Bholagiri
  • Arundhuti Nagar
  • Bhati Abhoynagar
  • 79 Tilla
  • New Capital Complex
  • GB Bazar
  • Amtali
  • Badhar Ghat
  • Collegetila
  • Jagaharimura
  • Lake Chowmuni
  • Ganaraj Chowmuni
  • Durjoynagar
  • Bardowali
  • Bottala
  • Melarmath etc.

These areas are subdivided into residential blocks, such as Banamalipur which is divided into North Banamalipur, Madhya Banamlipur, South Banamalipur, etc.

[edit] Extensions

From 2004 the Agartala Municipal Council has been further extended, taking 16 Grams of Dukli R.D.Block, seven Grams of Mohanpur R.D.Block and two Grams of Jirania R.D.Block with area of 43 km2. and 1,78,495 population in addition to the 16 km² and population of 200,000 in 2001 census.[8][9]

[edit] City administration

The Agartala city is managed by the Agartala Municipal Council, AMC, which divides the city into wards. Each ward has an elected ward representative or municipal councillor. For postal administration the city is divided into postal zones.

[edit] Municipal wards

Ward No. Para/location
1 Mulla Para, Bitter Ban, Bhati Abhoynagar, Radhanagar
2 Kunjaban Colony, Ujan Abhoynagar, Sukanta Palli
3 Shyamali Bazzar, Jagatpur, G.B. Kumari Tilla, Indranagar
4 Dhaleswar Nutan Palli, Dhaleswar (Part), Chandrapur (Part)
5 Uttar Banamalipur
6 Krishnanagar(Part), Banerjee Para, Batkhara Office, Lake Chowmuhani
7 Krishnanagar (West & South)
8 Ranjit Nagar, Kalikapur, Rampur, Joynagar (W), Joypur, Ramnagar (North)
9 Ramnagar (Part), Joynagar (Purba & Madhya)
10 Ramnagar (South), West Joynagar
11 Police Quarter Complex, M.B. Tilla, Surjya Para, Mission area, Barman Tilla
12 Bhattapukur, Sardar Pukur, Milan Sangha, Bardowali, Kabiraj Tilla, Madhya Para
13 Melarmath, Battala, Gandhighat, Town Bardowali, Master Para, Rabindra Palli, Office lane
14 Dim Sagar, Palace Compound, Banamalipur (Part), Santi Para, Khosh Bagan, M.G. Bazar, Madhya Para, Gangail, Krishnagar South
15 College Tilla (Part), Jagahari Mura, Town Paratapgarh
16 Shibnagar (Part), Banamalipur (Part), College Tilla (Part)
17 Shibnagar (East), Dhaleswar(Part), College Tilla (Part)

[edit] Politics

Agartala assembly constituency is part of Tripura West (Lok Sabha constituency).[10]

[edit] Economy

The city is the state capital. Most of the population is employed in the state and central government, and other government owned enterprises.

[edit] Public sector

Major PSUs in Agartala are:

  • ONGC
  • GAIL
  • BSNL
  • NEEPCO [1] (North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited)
  • TSECL (Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited)

[edit] Private sector

The main business area of the city is the Gol Bazaar and Kaman Chowmuhani area, which has shops, bazaars, banks, etc.

Major Indian banks serving Agartala:

Private companies serving Agartala:

The major commodities exported from Agartala are tea, rubber and gas/LPG.

[edit] Demography and culture

The city mainly consists of Tripuris, Bengalis, Kokborok Language and the Bengali language predominates in the city. The main festivals of the city such as Durga Puja and Saraswati puja reflect the influence of the culture of the Bengalis. There is a very good relationship between the different communities and tribes in Tripura. So more or less every festival is enjoyed by every community of people.

There is also a population of the native Tripuri people in the city. Among the native Tripuri festivals, the most famous are Kharchi and Garia Poojas. Bengali people also participate in kharchi puja. Kharchi puja is basically the puja of 14 Hindu deities including Durga, Laksmi, Saraswati, Ganesh, Shiva, Bramha, Vishnu etc.

[edit] Languages

Kokborok is the main language of tribal peoples of Tripura.Its said like that one of the king from Manikya dynasty invited the Bengali's from Bengal (modern-day Bangladesh) which surrounds Tripura. More on after the Bangladesh war, many Bengali people came to Tripura. Now the Bengali is the main language spoken in Agartala. Even many tribal people use Bengali, Tripuri, Manipuri, Chakma, Hindi, and English.

[edit] Religion

Laxmi Narayan Bari temple in the Palace Compound

Hinduism is the dominant religion and there are many temples across the city.

Islam, Christianity and Buddhism are the other religions followed in the city.

The major places of religion are listed below:

[edit] Temples

Some prominent temples are:

  • Laxmi Narayan Bari temple in the Palace Compound.
  • Jagannath Temple.
  • Ram Thakur's Ashram in Banamalipur.
  • Durga Bari Temple in the Palace Compound
  • Pagla Debata Temple, Agartala Old Motorstand
  • Satsanga Bihar, Krishnanagar
  • Kalibari Temple in the Palace Compound
  • Loknath Temple, Laxminarayanbari Road
  • Umamaheshwar Temple(Shibbari), Central Road
  • Ramkrishna Mission, Math Chowmani (Near Dhaleswar), Gandhi Ghat & Amtali
  • Bhavatarani Temple, Melarmath

[edit] Mosques

One Prominent Mosque is:

  • Gedu Miyar Masjid

[edit] Monastery

  • Benuban Bihar, Kunjaban

[edit] Churches

  • Agartala Baptist Church, Arundhutinagar, the oldest church in Agartala
  • Agartala City Baptist Church, Krishnanagar
  • Capital Baptist Church, Gurkhabasti
  • City Baptist Church, Melarmath
  • Khakotor Baptist Church, Abhoynagar
  • St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Durjoynagar
  • Presbyterian Church, Shyamali Bazaar

[edit] Transport

[edit] Road

National Highway 44 connects Agartala to Assam and the rest of India by road. The highways (NH44, NH 44A) connects Agartala with Silchar (317 km), Guwahati (599 km), Shillong (499 km), Dharmanagar (200 km) and Aizawl (443 km). A bus service connects it to Dhaka (150 km).

Agartala is well connected by road to other parts of Tripura state. National highway 44 has been extended to the south, thus improving the road connectivity between Agartala and south Tripura. Buses, Jeeps, Trekkers and SUVs are the most popular public carriers, and cars and vans are usually used for private hire.

The main mode of transport within the city consists of a network of cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws and buses.

[edit] Airport

Agartala is connected by air, via Agartala Airport which connects it to other cities in India. There are direct flight connections to Kolkata, Imphal, Delhi, Silchar, Aizwal, Guwahati, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Agartala airport is the second busiest airport in north east India after Guwahati.

The major airlines are Air India, Jet Airways (Operating Codeshare and Konnect Flights), Jet Lite (formerly known as Sahara Airlines), Indigo Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, and Spicejet.

[edit] Railways

Agartala has been connected to other cities in India since June 2008. The foundation stone for the 119 km Kumarghat-Agartala railway project was laid in 1996 by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

Agartala is the second capital city (after Guwahati, Assam) in the northeast to be connected to the country's railway network.

A rail link between Agartala and Akhaura, Bangladesh was approved by the Government of India in September 2011.[11]

[edit] Communications

[edit] Telecommunications

List of Telecom companies serving Agartala:

[edit] Radio stations

[edit] Television

Doordarshan (DD) has a television station in Agartala. Akash Tripura is a television channel in Agartla. It is a full time Agartala based news channel.

[edit] Newspapers

Bengali-language media is dominant in the city. Major news publications are:

  • Dainik Sambad (Bengali)
  • Dainik Arohan (Bengali)
  • Syandan Patrika (Bengali)
  • Tripura Darpan (Bengali)
  • Tripura Times (English)
  • Ajker Fariad (Bengali)
  • Daily Desher Katha (Bengali)
  • Manush Patrika (Bengali)
  • Tripura observer (English)
  • Shokalbela (Bengali)

[edit] Education

Agartala has educational institutions, schools and colleges, and a university.

[edit] Universities

[edit] Colleges

[edit] Schools

Umakanta Academy

[edit] Sports

Many sports and games are played. Favourite is football with its own city football league with clubs from the neighborhoods and localities. Tripura has a state team which plays in the Eastern division of the Ranji Trophy Championship, the national cricket competition of India.

The main stadiums are the Badarghat Stadium, College Tilla Cricket Stadium and the Umakanta Academy Mini-Stadium.

[edit] Tourism

[edit] Places of interest

Ujjayanta Palace
    • College Tilla - Maharaja Bir Bikram College, Tripura University buildings, football ground, international cricket stadium, picturesque lush landscapes and serene natural lakes. Its also a National Bird Sanctuary
    • Ujjayanta Palace - Palace of the Tripura kings, now converted to state legislative assembly.
    • Jagannath temple — Hindu temple of Vaishnava school of thought.
    • Umamaheswar temple — Hindu temple of Shaiva and Shakti(durga).
    • Venuban Budhha Vihar
    • Krishna Mandir
    • Puratan Agartala
    • Malancha Niwas
    • Sipahijala Zoo
    • Neermahal (Palace amidst a natural lake,Rudrasagar)
    • Pilak (Buddhist sculpture of 7th & 8th century)
    • Unokoti
    • Kamalasagar
    • Jampui Hill (The Kashmir of Tripura which produces Oranges)
    • Rose Valley Amusement Park, Amtali

    [edit] Parks

    • Rabindra Kanan
    • Children's Park
    • Nehru Park
    • kishans park
    • Rose valley park

    [edit] Museums

    • Tripura State Museum at Post Office Chowmuhani.

    [edit] References

    1. ^ Agartala Municipality Statistics, provided by the AMC(Agartala Municipal Council) at the Government of Tripura website
    2. ^ Indian Census
    3. ^ Genealogy of Tripura Kingdom Queensland University.
    4. ^ Agartala The Imperial Gazetteer of India, 1909, v. 5, p. 70.
    5. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
    6. ^ Columbia-Lippincott Gazeteer. p. 18
    7. ^ Cohen, Saul B.,ed. Columbia Gazeteer of the World (New York: Columbia University Press, 1998) p. 26
    8. ^ Agartala Municipality Statistics
    9. ^ Agartala Statistics and future outlook
    10. ^ "Assembly Constituencies — Corresponding Districts and Parliamentary Constituencies" (PDF). Tripura. Election Commission of India. http://archive.eci.gov.in/Febse2003/background/S23/rptListofAC_Dist_PC.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-08. 
    11. ^ http://twocircles.net/2011sep21/india_approves_new_railway_link_bangladesh.html

    [edit] External links

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