The historic association between 6 Assam Rifles and the state of Tripura dates back to the pre-independence era when the Battalion was known as the 1st Bir Bikram Manikya Tripura Rifles (1st BBM Tripura Rifles). This state force of Tripura played a significant role during World War II, particularly in the battles of Arakan I and II against the Japanese forces.
In recognition of their heroics, the chief of the Utanu tribe in Burma presented a 200-year-old Burmese bell cast in bronze to Jemadar Maher Singh Thapa of 1 BBM Tripura Rifles, with the intention of it being handed over to the King of Tripura. This bell symbolized the bond between the Battalion and the state of Tripura.
Following India’s independence, the state force was re-raised as 6 Assam Rifles in 1950. To commemorate the historic association, Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi presented a replica of the Burmese bell to Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, the royal scion of Tripura. The original bell is now housed in the Director General Assam Rifles Museum in Shillong, serving as a reminder of the long-standing connection between 6 Assam Rifles and the state of Tripura.
