Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan (20 November 1751 – 4 May 1799), popularly known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India. A brilliant military strategist, reformer, and staunch opponent of British colonialism, Tipu played a major role in resisting the British East India Company during the late 18th century.

Tipu Sultan

File:Tipu Sultan portrait.jpg
Portrait of Tipu Sultan
Born	20 November 1751 (age 273) Devanahalli, Kingdom of Mysore (present-day Karnataka, India)
Nationality	Indian
Education
Alma mater
Occupation	Ruler of Mysore, Military Leader
Years active	1782–1799
Known for	Resistance against British, Military Innovations, Economic Reforms
Notable works	Development of military rocket artillery, Modernized Mysore’s administration, Fathul Mujahidin (Manual on military training)
Awards	Posthumously honored in various Indian states as a freedom fighter; Statues and stamps issued in his name
Spouse(s)	Ruqayya Banu, Fatima Fakhr-un-Nisa, Khadija Zaman Begum
Children	12 (incl. Fateh Hyder, Sultan Padshah)
Parents	Hyder Ali (father), Fakhr-un-Nissa (mother)
Religion	Islam
Website	Official Karnataka Portal (Tipu Sultan section)

Early Life

Tipu Sultan was born in Devanahalli, near modern-day Bengaluru, to Hyder Ali, a powerful military commander who later became Sultan of Mysore. Tipu received early education in military tactics, languages, and science under the guidance of French officers and Indian scholars.

Accession to Power

After the death of Hyder Ali in 1782 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, Tipu Sultan succeeded him as the Sultan of Mysore. He continued the struggle against the British and introduced many reforms in administration, finance, and military organization.

Reforms and Administration

Tipu Sultan implemented several modern policies:

• Established state trading depots and factories
• Introduced a new coinage and calendar
• Promoted sericulture and agriculture
• Maintained a strong standing army with rocket artillery

He was one of the first Indian rulers to recognize the importance of industrialization and science.

Military Campaigns

Tipu fought four major wars known as the Anglo-Mysore Wars against the British:

• First & Second Wars – Fought alongside his father, Hyder Ali
• Third War (1790–1792) – Lost half his kingdom to the British and their allies
• Fourth War (1799) – Died fighting in the Battle of Srirangapatna

Tipu forged alliances with the French and the Ottoman Empire in hopes of driving out the British from India.

Death

Tipu Sultan died a heroic death on 4 May 1799 while defending his capital, Srirangapatna, during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. He was later buried with honors at the Gumbaz Mausoleum.

Legacy

• Revered as a patriot and martyr by many Indians
• Criticized by others for religious intolerance and harsh governance
• Inspired later freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi

Tipu Sultan remains a controversial yet heroic figure in Indian history. Statues, schools, and roads across India bear his name.

Notable Contributions

• Military Rockets: Developed iron-cased rocket artillery later used by the British in the Napoleonic Wars
• Economic Reforms: Encouraged trade and built state monopolies
• Science & Tech: Advocated for modern weapons and technology transfers with France

In Popular Culture

• Featured in several books, documentaries, and television series
• Subject of plays and historical novels like The Sword of Tipu Sultan
• Annual celebrations on 20 November (Tipu Jayanti) observed in Karnataka

See Also

• Hyder Ali
• Anglo-Mysore Wars
• Srirangapatna
• British East India Company