Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb unveiled a statue of Maharaja BirBikram Manikya in Dharmanagar today, Maharaja Kirat Bikram Kishore, who was the nominal king for two years till the state’s merger into India in 1949. Since he was a minor during this time, the state was governed by a Council of Regency headed by his mother.
Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman is considered the father of modern architecture in Tripura, as the entire planning of present-day Tripura was initiated during his rule. He is also considered one of the pioneers in land reforms. In 1939, he reserved land for the local Tripura tribals, which was later instrumental in the creation of the Tripura autonoumus district council. He also built the first airport in Tripura, which is today the second busiest airport in the entire northeast.