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History of Tipu Sultan, The Tiger of

Mysore
1503
SHAR ES

Tipu Sultan, prominently known as Sher-e-Mysore (Tiger of Mysore) is

also given the sobriquet of Sher-e-Hind and Sher-e-Mashriq (Tiger of the
East). A legendary ruler, he not only opposed British rule in South India
but also played a major role in keeping the British forces away from
South India . He was one of those rare rulers who had the gumption to
challenge the British Government.

No wonder, the mighty Tippoo Sahib (as addressed by British) defeated

the foreign invaders in the First and Second Anglo Mysore War and even
dictated terms to the British in the subsequent Treaty of Madras and
Mangalore respectively.

Early Childhood
Tipu was born in the Bangalore area of Devanhalli to a military
officer Hyder Ali in the kingdom of Mysore in the year
1750. Hy der Ali and his wife Fatima Fakhr Un Nisa named their baby
as Fath Ali but often called him as Tipu after the local
saint Tipu Mastan Aulia. Tipu Sultans full name was Sultan Fateh Ali
Khan Shahab. Soon, Hyder Alis career progressed and in 1761 he became
the ruler of Mysore. Since, Hyder Ali had a political alliance with the
French, Tipu studied military tactics and strategies from the French.

He had some of the best tutors to teach him various subjects like
shooting, riding and swordsmanship. Perhaps that is why Tipu at a very
young age of 15 with only two to three thousand force could capture the
family of the Malabar chief. No wonder, the Malabar ruler surrendered
to only Hyder Ali because of Tipu Sultans successful invasion of Malabar.
Ghazi Khan, one of the main officer in the military of Haider Ali and also
a great warrior himself, personally tutored Tipu Sultan. He gave Tipu the
necessary military education which not only made Tipu a great soldier but
also a great General.

Tipu Sultan, the Great Ruler of Mysore

After Hyder Ali died due to Carbuncle in the year 1782, Tipu became the
new ruler of Mysore. This new ruler who had already fought two war
First Anglo Mysore and Second Anglo Mysore War under the leadership
of his father knew that British forces were a great threat to the
independent Kingdom of Mysore. He therefore focused more on
military advances especially Mysorean rockets which were successfully
used by his father in the Second Anglo Mysore War against the British.
The Famous Mysore Rockets
Mysorean missiles were iron cased rockets fitted with swords in them.
These rockets used to travel long, covering
various kilometers up in the air before launching down attacking the
enemies with sword. Although there were missiles in the
Europe, My sorean Missiles became famous due to their coverage and
destructive capacity. Hyder Alis Mysore rockets, undoubtedly, were very
advanced missiles than what the British had seen. Tipu Sultan had written
a Military Manual Fathul Mujahidin in which he explained the operation of
these Mysore Rockets. This was mainly due to the iron tubes which were
used for holding the rocket propellant. No wonder, it enabled
greater thrust and extended distance up to 2 km.
Mysore Missiles, the Father of Congreve
Rockets
In the year 1801, several of the Mysore rockets were sent to England in
the Roy al Arsenal lab for R&D by Col. (Later Sir) William Congreve.
Roughly, 4 years later in the year 1805, Royal Arsenal came up with their
first Congreve rocket only due to the Technology devised by Haider Ali
and his son Tipu Sultan. These Congreve Rockets helped the British
troops in the Napolenic Wars and also in the War of 1812. Not to forget,
the Battle of Baltimore in the year 1814 was won mainly due to these
rockets.
Congreve Rocket therefore was no brainchild of William Congreve as
widely considered. It is nothing but a modified version of Mysore Rockets,
invented by Haider Ali and widely used by Tipu Sultan, the pioneer when
it comes to utilizing rocket artillery. Congreve only did what Mahesh
Bhatt and Pritam do today.

Palaces of Tipu Sultan Across Bangalore

Bangalore Fort although built by Kempe Gowda of Vijay nagar Empire in
the 16th century, was renovated and made into a stone fort by Haider Ali
in 1761. At one point of time when British bombed the fort, Tipu Sultan
repaired it completely. However, the fort was captured by the British
after the third Anglo Mysore War. Currently, Delhi Gate and remnants of
bastions are the only two parts remaining of this once so powerful fort.

Within the Bangalore fort, there is a palace made of wood famously known
as Tipu Sultans Summer Palace which though started during the period
of Hyder Ali ended during the reign of Tipu Sultan. An example of Indo-
Islamic architecture, the walls of the palace are embellished by pretty
flower motifs. Currently, the fort is a tourist place in Bangalore near the
Kalasipalyam Bus Stand.
Tipu Sultan in his tenure also finished the construction of Lal Bagh
Botanical Garden in the Bangalore area which was started by his father
Haider Ali. The garden has a large collection of tropical plants as well as a
lake and an aquarium. Located in South Bangalore, it is one of the major
hot spot of Bangalore. The garden is made in the Mughal style and
comprises several plants and trees from various nations.
The Fourth Anglo Mysore War that led to
the Death of Tipu Sultan
Srirangapatnam, the island fortress was the capital of Mysore during the
18th century. It was so well organized with good trade routes that British
feared terrible consequences. In addition, the ruler of Mysore had an
effective army as that of British army. This led to four wars back to
back. Although the first two wars were won by the Ruler of Mysore, the
third had dire consequences Tipus two son aged 8 and 10 were detained
by the British forces. Finally, in the fourth, Tipu Sultan the ruler of
Mysore breathd his last in 1799 at Srirangapatnam.
The Sword of Tipu Sultan
After the death of Tipu Sultan the British forces took away the Sword
and Ring of Tipu Sultan as war trophies. Both the remnants of Tipu Sultan
where displayed in the British Musuem till 2004 after which Vijay
Mally a, the liquor baron bought the sword of Tipu Sultan in an auction.
Tipu Sultans one of the very first swords which he lost during the wars
with the Nair of Travancore is displayed at Manchester Square, London.

Why some in Karnataka love to Hate Tipu

Sultan?
Though Tipu Sultan is the hero of Mysore and South India, he is
considered as a villain in the region of Malabar, Mangalore and Coorg. All
the supporters of the ex Mysore king the Wodeyar strongly hated Tipu
Sultan as they blamed his father of betraying the king.

The Coorgis hate him too as they were of the opinion that Tipu Sultan was
trying to interfere in their kingdom. The people of Malabar hated Tipu
due to his invasion in the area at an early age. This was also one of the
reasons why British could invade the state of Mysore because the people
of these three areas helped British forces against Tipu. Yes, they
considered British as their friends and Tipu Sultan as their enemy.

By: Deepti Verma

Also See:

History of Coorg: Why it Loved the Greeks, the British But Hated
Tipu Sultan

The Decline of the Mauryan Empire

Aurangzebs Policies Towards Hindus

Did Mahatma Gandhi Sent Bhagat Singh to the Gallows?

Imag e Source: Tipu Sultan, Ang lo Mysore War, Mysorean Rockets, Tig er of
Mysore, Summer Palace, Tipu Sultan Sword quote

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