History-Culture and Coinage of Samatata and Harikela (Volume I)

‘Rajendra Kirtishala’ is going to organize a National Seminar and a coin exhibition on ‘Samatata and Harikela’ from 2nd to 4th September, 2006 at Agartala, Tripura.  On this occasion we have decided to publish a book on history, culture and coinage of ancient Samatata and Harikela.  I personally believe that sufficient broad based research work are yet to be undertaken on Samatata and Harikela.  So, we to throw some light it in our exhibition cum seminar on these little known aspects.  My opinion is that a large part of present Tripura was under the rule of Samatata and Harikela.  In the Allahabad stone inscription pillar of Samudra Gupta there is mention "Rulers of neighbouring states" -which included Kamarupa in Assam and Samatata in the delta region of lower Bengal.  Secondly, we also find the name ‘Samatata’ in copper plate inscription of Bainya Gupta of 506-7 A.D and also in one silver coin, discovered and preserved in my collection.  In one copper plate inscription of Bainya Gupta of c. 506-507 AD there is also mention of the name of ‘Samatata’.  So many Samatata coins are also found in different part of Tripura except North Tripura including Dhalai District.  "Devaparvata"  was the city and capital of ‘Samatata’.  It was in the southern part of Mainamati hill.  Later, there was a temple of Tripura king in "Chandinamura" (?).  Mainamati was also the center of different dynasties.  In the later part of mid-middle century, the Mainamati )Lalmai/Red sand hill or Tillas) area was subsumed under the kings of Tripura.  After Mughal victory, this area was under them after 1618 A.D…