Tripura Tripura the second smallest in the country with a population of a mere 3 million was once part of a large Hindu Kingdom conquered by the Mughals in 1733. It was taken over by the British in 1808, became a Union Territory of India in 1956 and a full state in 1972. Previously a princely state, and subsequently a Union Territory of Independent India, Tripura was elevated to the status of a state on January 21, 1972. Tripura is largely a Bengali community, inspite of the 19 Scheduled Tribes, that form a major chunk of the population. Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Christianity are the main religions followed in Tripura. The tribals, with a rich and varied culture, belong mainly to the Reang, Chakma, Halam and Usai communities. The majority of tribals live in elevated houses of bamboo called 'Tong'.