Tipu Sultan The life and reign of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India during the late 18th century, embody a legacy of innovation, military prowess, and resistance against British expansion. Tipu Sultan's rule was marked by pioneering advancements, including innovative rocket artillery, administrative reforms, and economic initiatives that significantly impacted Mysore's development. Both victories and setbacks characterized his confrontations with the British East India Company and neighboring powers. Despite achieving notable successes in battles against the British and signing treaties like the Treaty of Mangalore, Tipu Sultan faced ongoing conflicts and territorial losses. His efforts to rally support from foreign allies against British influence, while formidable, ultimately did not prevent his eventual defeat in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. Tipu Sultan's death defending Seringapatam marked the end of his resistance against British rule. However, his legacy endures as a symbol of courage, innovation, and a genuine commitment to protecting his kingdom's sovereignty against colonial forces. His life story remains a significant part of India's historical narrative, illustrating the complexities of resistance and resilience in the face of imperial expansion. Early LifeTipu Sultan, born in Devanahalli, present-day Bangalore Rural district, on December 1, 1751, was named after the saint Tipu Mastan Aulia of Arcot. Despite his father Hyder's lack of formal education, he was determined to provide his eldest son with an extensive education and early exposure to military and political affairs. Tipu began taking on significant diplomatic and military responsibilities from the age of 17, becoming his father's crucial aide in the conflicts that established Hyder as the dominant ruler of southern India.  Hyder Ali, Tipu's father, had risen to power within the Kingdom of Mysore, and Tipu's mother, Fatima Fakhr-un-Nisa, was the daughter of Mir Muin-ud-Din, the governor of the fort of Kadapa. Tipu received a diverse education under capable tutors, learning Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Kannada, Beary, Quran, and Islamic jurisprudence, as well as acquiring skills in riding, shooting, and fencing. Early Military CareerTipu Sultan, depicted with his war coat and a flintlock blunderbuss, exemplified a keen interest in military advancements during his early years. Under the guidance of French officers employed by his father, Tipu Sultan received military training. At the age of 15, he joined his father in the First Mysore War against the British in 1766. By 16, he led a cavalry unit during the invasion of Carnatic in 1767, showcasing his early military prowess. Additionally, he demonstrated bravery in the First Anglo-Maratha War from 1775 to 1779. Alexander Beatson provided a physical description of Tipu Sultan, noting his stature, physique, and distinct facial features, portraying a dignified countenance. The onset of conflicts saw Tipu Sultan's active involvement. In 1779, when the British captured Mahé, which Tipu Sultan had protected, his father, Hyder Ali, initiated an invasion of the Carnatic to expel the British from Madras. During this campaign, Tipu Sultan decisively defeated Colonel William Baillie in the Battle of Pollilur, capturing many soldiers and forcing a retreat by Sir Hector Munro. Further, Tipu Sultan's military understanding was evident in his victory over Colonel Braithwaite at Annagudi in 1782, seizing all the artillery and taking the entire enemy detachment prisoner. His successes continued as he seized Chittur from the British in December 1781. These experiences solidified his understanding of the evolving threat posed by the British in India. Upon Hyder Ali's death in December 1782, Tipu Sultan ascended to power in a modest coronation ceremony. Recognizing the British as a formidable adversary, he sought alliances with the Marathas and the Mughals to counter their advances. The Second Mysore War concluded with the 1784 Treaty of Mangalore, marking a pivotal moment in Tipu Sultan's efforts to navigate the challenges posed by colonial powers in India. Ruler of MysoreAs Tipu Sultan assumed the title of Badshah or Emperor of Mysore in 1780, he asserted his authority by initiating coinage. Clashes Involving the Maratha ConfederacyConflicts arose between Tipu Sultan and the Maratha Empire, with historical roots in earlier clashes involving his father, Hyder Ali. The Marathas, led by Peshwa Madhavrao I, had previously defeated Hyder Ali, compelling him to acknowledge the Maratha Empire's supremacy in 1764 and 1767. Despite these defeats, Tipu Sultan sought to challenge the Marathas' authority. In an attempt to free Mysore from the Maratha treaty obligations, Tipu Sultan targeted several Maratha-held forts in Southern India, refusing to continue the tribute promised by his father. This defiance led to confrontation and the Maratha-Mysore War. The conflict saw various engagements:
Ultimately, the conflict concluded with the Treaty of Gajendragad in March 1787. According to the terms, Tipu Sultan returned territories captured by Hyder Ali to the Maratha Empire. He released certain regions to their previous rulers and ceded Badami to the Marathas. Additionally, Tipu Sultan agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Marathas for a stipulated period and received recognition of his authority. However, the Marathas betrayed Tipu Sultan later by supporting the British East India Company during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, leading to the British takeover of Mysore. The Invasion of MalabarThe Mysorean invasion of Malabar in 1766 marked Tipu Sultan's initial military engagement at the age of 15 when he accompanied his father, Hyder Ali. However, after the Siege of Tellicherry in North Malabar, Hyder Ali began losing ground in the region. Tipu Sultan later intervened from Mysore to reclaim control over Malabar. Despite efforts, after the Battle of the Nedumkotta (1789-90) and due to the monsoon floods, stiff opposition from Travancore forces, and news of a British attack in Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan withdrew. Third Anglo-Mysore WarThe Third Anglo-Mysore War erupted in 1789 when Tipu Sultan contested Dharma Raja of Travancore's acquisition of two Dutch-held fortresses in Cochin. Despite massing troops and attacking Travancore, the staunch resistance of the Travancore army prompted the Maharajah to seek aid from the British East India Company. Lord Cornwallis rallied Company forces, forming alliances to oppose Tipu Sultan. The conflict saw Tipu Sultan initially regaining territory but facing significant challenges as his opponents advanced on multiple fronts. Despite successful tactics of disrupting British supply lines, Cornwallis managed to force Tipu Sultan into negotiations. In the 1792 campaign, Tipu Sultan's adversaries, well-supplied and united, compelled him to cede half his territories and deliver two of his sons as hostages until he paid the stipulated war indemnity to the British.  Napolean's Attempt at a JunctionIn 1794, supposedly supported by French Republican officers, Tipu Sultan purportedly played a role in establishing the Jacobin Club of Mysore. This club allegedly aimed to create laws aligned with the principles of the French Republic, with Tipu Sultan adopting the title of Citizen Tipoo and even symbolically planting a Liberty Tree. However, historian Jean Boutier suggested in a 2005 paper that the East India Company might have exaggerated the club's existence and Tipu's involvement to justify British military intervention against Tipu. Napoleon's interest in invading Egypt included aspirations of establishing a connection with India to counter British influence. His plan involved securing a French presence in the Middle East and potentially uniting with Tipu Sultan. He assured the French Directory that upon conquering Egypt, he would establish ties with Indian leaders and collaborate against British-held territories. There were even discussions about sending a force from Suez to India to join forces with Tipu Sultan against the British. However, Napoleon's strategy met with failure due to setbacks like the Siege of Acre in 1799 and the Battle of Abukir in 1801. FamilyThe mausoleum that encompasses Tipu Sultan's tomb stands as a testament to Islamic architecture. The foreground displays Tipu Sultan's distinctive flag. Located adjacent to his mother's and father's graves, Tipu Sultan's tomb at Srirangapatna reflects his family's historical lineage, claiming descent from Muhammad. This lineage is evident in their names, containing titles like Sayyid and Wal Sharif. Tipu Sultan had multiple wives, among whom Sindh Sahiba was renowned for her beauty and intelligence. Her grandson, known as His Highness Shahzada Sayyid walShareef Ahmed Halim-az-Zaman Khan Sultan Sahib, continues the family legacy. The British relocated Tipu's family to Calcutta, and many of his descendants still reside there. Some descendants have expressed concerns about the political exploitation of Tipu Sultan's name for divisive purposes. DeathDuring the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, multiple forces converged on Mysore in 1799, with British troops joined by Arthur Wellesley besieging the capital Srirangapatna. The East India Company's soldiers, totaling over 60,000 with around 4,000 Europeans and the rest Indians, faced Tipu Sultan's outnumbered force of about 30,000. The betrayal of Tipu Sultan's ministers, collaboration with the British, and weakening of the fortress walls facilitated the British advance. As the British breached the city walls, French advisers suggested to Tipu Sultan an escape through secret passages to continue the fight from other forts, but he declined, famously stating, "Better to live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep." Tipu Sultan met his end at the Hoally Gateway, around 300 yards from the northeast corner of Srirangapatna Fort. His burial took place the following day at the Gumaz, near his father's grave. Some individuals within the British East India Company suspected the Nawab of Carnatic, Umdat Ul-Umra, of covertly aiding Tipu Sultan during the conflict, leading to inquiries seeking his removal after 1799. In Britain, Tipu Sultan's demise sparked widespread celebrations, with authors, artists, and playwrights commemorating the event. His death even prompted a public holiday declaration in Britain. Changes Made by Tipu SultanDuring his rule, Tipu Sultan implemented significant administrative changes, introducing a new calendar and coinage system and establishing seven government departments. His military innovations in rocketry were particularly noteworthy. Mysorean Rocket Under Tipu Sultan's leadership, Rocket artillery brigades, known as Cushoons, were meticulously organized. He expanded the number of service members within these brigades from 1500 to nearly 5000. The Mysorean rockets utilized by Tipu Sultan were later enhanced by the British and were subsequently employed during the Napoleonic Wars. Acknowledged as the originator of the world's first war rocket, Tipu Sultan was praised by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, in his Tipu Sultan Shaheed Memorial Lecture in Bangalore in 1991. The British captured two of these rockets at Srirangapatna, displaying them at the Royal Artillery Museum in London. Tipu Sultan's military prowess was widely recognized, with historian Dr Dulari Qureshi depicting him as a swift and fierce warrior king who appeared to fight on multiple fronts simultaneously. He successfully subdued numerous petty kingdoms in the south and notably emerged as one of the rare Indian rulers to defeat British armies. Tipu Sultan's father, Hyder Ali, laid the groundwork for Mysore's use of rocketry, making crucial advancements in both the rockets themselves and the strategic deployment of rocket launchers in his army. Tipu Sultan significantly expanded the rocket capabilities, deploying up to 5000 rocketeers at a time after Hyder's demise. The rockets utilized by Tipu Sultan during conflicts like the Battle of Pollilur were notably advanced, employing iron tubes for propellant containment, resulting in enhanced thrust and extended range (up to 2 km). British accounts detailed the impactful use of these rockets during wars. During the climactic Battle of Srirangapatna in 1799, British shells struck a rocket magazine, causing a powerful explosion that released a towering cloud of black smoke and exploding white light. Following Tipu's defeat, the British acquired numerous Mysorean rockets, significantly influencing their rocket development, notably inspiring the creation of the Congreve rocket used in the Napoleonic Wars. Navy In 1786, mirroring his father's initiatives, Tipu Sultan opted to construct a navy, planning a fleet of 20 battleships armed with 72 cannons each, alongside 20 frigates armed with 65 cannons. By 1790, he appointed Kamaluddin as his Mir Bahar and established extensive dockyards at Jamalabad and Majidabad. Tipu Sultan formed a board of admiralty comprising 11 commanders serving a Mir Yam, with each Mir Yam leading 30 admirals, each commanding two ships. He mandated the use of copper bottoms for the ships, a concept suggested to him by Admiral Suffren, which significantly prolonged the ships' lifespan. Army Haidar and Tipu found themselves in a continuous cycle of battles, necessitating the establishment of a disciplined standing army. To achieve this, Rajputs, Muslims, and capable tribal individuals were recruited for full-time service, replacing the local militia known as the Kandahar force, which had an agricultural background and was part of the previous Mysore army. The alteration in the composition of the local militia, particularly the exclusion of Vokkaligas who had long participated in wars, along with increased taxes replacing their previous rent, indirectly led to the implementation of the Ryotwari system. With their former slaves now enlisted in the army in certain regions, the Ryots were unable to rely on them for agricultural tasks. In addition to shouldering higher taxes, the Ryots had the added burden of providing for the upkeep and marriages of these former slaves. Consequently, this shift contributed to the decline of the institution of slavery within Mysore. Economy Tipu Sultan's rule during the late 18th century marked the pinnacle of Mysore's economic prosperity. Collaborating with his father, Hyder Ali, he initiated an extensive economic development program aimed at augmenting Mysore's wealth and revenue. Under his leadership, Mysore surpassed Bengal Subah to become India's dominant economic force, boasting highly productive agriculture and textile manufacturing that elevated the region's average income to five times the subsistence level. Among his notable contributions, Tipu Sultan laid the groundwork for the construction of the Kannambadi Dam (now known as Krishna Raja Sagara or KRS dam) on the Kaveri River. However, its actual construction began much later, in 1938. This dam became a crucial source of drinking water for the inhabitants of Mysore and Bangalore. The inception of the Mysore silk industry is attributed to Tipu Sultan's reign. He dispatched an expert to Bengal Subah to study silk cultivation and processing, leading to the development of polyproline silk in Mysore. The rise of Channapatna toys owes much to Tipu Sultan's patronage. While these toys existed before his reign and were historically given as gifts during Dusshera celebrations, Tipu's admiration for arts, particularly woodwork, elevated their prominence. Tipu Sultan earned recognition as a pioneer in road construction, especially in Malabar, connecting various cities during his military campaigns. Foreign Relation In terms of foreign relations, Tipu Sultan engaged in diplomatic missions to France, the Ottoman Empire, the Sultanate of Oman, the Zand Dynasty, and the Durrani Empire. Despite nominal allegiance to the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, he sought the inauguration of the emperor and navigated his diplomatic ties meticulously to fortify Mysore's position. His correspondence with other nations included attempts to seek assistance against the British East India Company, particularly from the Ottoman Empire and Afghanistan. However, due to various geopolitical reasons and conflicts faced by these nations, some of Tipu Sultan's efforts did not yield significant support. Religious Policies Tipu Sultan's religious policies and his relations with Hindu temples and communities have been a subject of controversy. While some sources cite instances of his donations to temples and his appointment of Hindus to key administrative positions, others highlight incidents of religious persecution against Hindus and Christians, stirring debates about his religious tolerance. Persecution of Kodavas Outside Mysore The incidents of persecution against Kodavas outside Mysore, particularly his role in the attack on the Kodavas and their subsequent capture, remain contentious, with varying accounts offered by historians. The Coinage SystemTipu Sultan's coinage system stands out as one of the most intricate and captivating series ever minted in 18th-century India. The coinage in South India dates back to ancient times, evolving through various gold pagodas and silver rupees, bearing influences from South Indian and Persian styles. Haidar Ali, during his rule (1761-1782), introduced pagodas with Persian inscriptions and a handful of rare gold mohurs and silver rupees, always minted in the name of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II. Continuing this legacy, Tipu Sultan issued pagodas, mohurs, and rupees featuring entirely new inscriptions. His reign witnessed the introduction of innovative Persian names for different denominations, reflecting on both gold and silver coins and occasionally on copper ones. In copper coinage, denominations like Qutb, Akhtar, Bahram, Zohra, Othmani, or Mushtari were introduced by Tipu Sultan, each representing celestial entities or historical figures, enriching the coinage's symbolism. The silver denominations followed a similar trend, incorporating names like Khizri, Kazimi, Ja'fari, Bâqiri, Abidi, Imami, and Haidari, linking to significant personalities or religious figures. Tipu Sultan's gold coins, namely Faruqi, Sadîqi, and Ahmadi, were named after historical Islamic figures, embodying the rich cultural and religious tapestry of the time. Notably, the large gold coin shifted from the mohur to the four-pagoda with the change in the calendar system, showcasing a transition in the monetary standards during his reign. His coinage legacy encapsulates a blend of historical references, celestial bodies, and religious connotations, illustrating Tipu Sultan's keenness to reflect diverse cultural and religious influences within the monetary system of his kingdom.  Assessment and LegacyOpinions about Tipu Sultan remain deeply divided, often stirring strong emotions. Historically, Indian National Congress-led governments have celebrated his legacy, preserving monuments and artifacts from his era. Conversely, the Bharatiya Janata Party has held critical views. Official Indian educational materials recognize him as a "freedom fighter," honoring him among other 18th-century rulers who opposed European powers. In a notable address during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka state secretariat Vidhana Soudha, President Ram Nath Kovind in 2017 praised Tipu Sultan's bravery in battling the British. Kovind highlighted his pioneering role in developing and using Mysore rockets, a technology later adopted by Europeans. Across borders, Tipu Sultan is also revered as a hero in Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed admiration for Tipu Sultan, hailing him as a champion of freedom. Additionally, Tipu Sultan's support for art forms, such as Ganjifa cards, stands as a testament to his patronage. His encouragement played a crucial role in preserving this art form, with Ganjifa cards from Mysore now holding the prestigious GI Tag. Tipu Sultan JayantiIn 2015, under the leadership of then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from the Congress party, the Government of Karnataka initiated the celebration of Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary as "Tipu Sultan Jayanti." This was declared to be an annual event observed on November 20. Initially, the Minority Welfare Department in Karnataka officially organized the celebration, but the Kannada Culture Department later took it over. However, the subsequent Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ordered the cancellation of these celebrations on July 29, 2019, citing incidents of violence during previous Tipu Jayanti events, as highlighted by legislators from Kodagu. In opposition to the cancellation, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP, alleging their actions stemmed from hatred toward minorities. He defended Tipu Sultan as a Mysore king and a freedom fighter against the British. Siddaramaiah highlighted Tipu's contributions, mentioning the groundwork laid for the Krishna Raja Sagara dam and efforts to advance industry, agriculture, and trade during his reign. In the past, no JD(S) leaders, including then Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, attended the event, leading to its disruption. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, in Lok Sabha, previously criticized the BJP and RSS for opposing the celebration of Tipu Sultan Jayanti, questioning their willingness to celebrate Nathuram Godse while objecting to Tipu Sultan's commemoration. ConclusionTipu Sultan's life and legacy are a tapestry of complex and multifaceted narratives. Regarded by some as a brave warrior and a pioneering figure in military technology, he is celebrated for his resistance against British colonialism. His reign witnessed innovations in various spheres, from economic advancements to the introduction of new coinage systems and patronage of art forms. Next TopicToni morrison |
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