Mysore King Tipu Sultan

Mysore King Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary recently stirred up debates as leaders from AIMIM, Congress, and CPI(M) celebrated him as India’s “First Freedom Fighter” and a “Great Hero.” On the other hand, the BJP and other right-leaning organizations have consistently labeled the 17th-century Mysore ruler as a “Religious Bigot” who was “Anti-Hindu and Anti-Kannada.” The contrasting views on Tipu Sultan’s legacy have once again become a focal point in political discussions.

About Tipu Sultan

Born in November 1750, Tipu Sultan was Haidar Ali’s son and a great warrior, also known as the Tiger of Mysore.
He was a well-educated man fluent in Arabic, Persian, Kanarese and Urdu.
Mysore had grown in strength under the leadership of powerful rulers like Haidar Ali (ruled from 1761 to 1782) and his famous son Tipu Sultan (ruled from 1782 to 1799).
Tipu introduced a number of administrative innovations during his rule, including his coinage, a new Mauludi lunisolar calendar, and a new land revenue system which initiated the growth of Mysore silk industry.
Embracing western military methods like artillery and rockets alongside traditional Indian weapons including war elephants, he ensured his forces could overwhelm his Indian rivals and match the British armies sent against him.

Maintenance of Armed Forces

He organized his army using the European model but used Persian words of command.
Even though he sought the assistance of French officers to train his soldiers, he made sure they didn’t become a dominating influence.
Recognizing the significance of naval power, he established a Board of Admiralty in 1796.
His vision included a fleet of 22 battleships and 20 large frigates.
To support his naval ambitions, he set up three dockyards in Mangalore, Wajedabad, and Molidabad.
Unfortunately, despite his efforts and plans, the intended outcomes did not materialize.

Fought Against Marathas

In 1767, Tipu led a group of horse-mounted soldiers in battles against the Marathas in the Karnataka region of western India.
Between 1775 and 1779, Tipu engaged in multiple conflicts against the Marathas, showcasing his military leadership and involvement in the Carnatic region.

Role in Anglo-Mysore Wars

The British saw Haidar and Tipu as ambitious, arrogant and dangerous – rulers who had to be controlled and crushed. Four wars were fought with Mysore.

1767-69: Treaty of Madras.
1780-84: Treaty of Mangalore.
1790-92: Treaty of Seringapatam.
1799: Subsidiary Alliance.

Only in the last – the Battle of Seringapatam – did the Company ultimately win a victory. Tipu Sultan was killed defending his capital Seringapatam. Mysore was placed under the former ruling dynasty of the Wodeyars and a subsidiary alliance was imposed on the state.

He was also a patron of science and technology and is credited as the ‘pioneer of rocket technology’ in India.
He wrote a military manual (Fathul Mujahidin) explaining the operation of rockets.
Tipu was a great lover of democracy and a great diplomat who gave his support to the French soldiers at Seringapatam in setting up a Jacobin Club in 1797.
Tipu himself became a member of the Jacobin Club and allowed himself to be called Citizen Tipu.
He planted the Tree of Liberty at Seringapatam.