Maharaja Bir Chandra Manikya (1838–1896), who ruled Tripura from 1862 to 1896, is remembered as a visionary modernizer and cultural patron of the state. Often called the “Father of Modern Tripura,” he introduced progressive reforms in administration, law, and education. He established Agartala as the capital in 1862, laying the foundation for its urban development, and promoted Western-style education by opening schools and encouraging modern learning among both tribal and non-tribal communities. A patron of arts and literature, Bir Chandra Manikya was also closely associated with Rabindranath Tagore, whose visits to Tripura greatly enriched Bengal’s literary and cultural ties with the state. His reign marked the transition of Tripura from a traditional princely state to a modern administrative entity, paving the way for the reforms carried forward by his successors.