The history of India and the Indian National Movement are undeniably intertwined. One particular figure who significantly influenced the course of the country’s fight for liberation is Tipu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore. His life, leadership, and contributions to the resistance have been scrutinized in recent news following a controversy about naming a playground after him in Mumbai.
Who Was Tipu Sultan?
Born in November 1750, Tipu Sultan was more than just Haidar Ali’s son; he was also a great warrior. His education was extensive, with fluency in languages like Arabic, Persian, Kanarese, and Urdu. Mysore, under his leadership and that of his father (1761-1782), saw exponential growth in strength.
Tipu Sultan’s Ascent to Power and Administrative Innovations
Succeeding his father, Tipu Sultan ruled from 1782 to 1799. During his reign, he introduced a series of administrative modifications which included a new type of coinage, the implementation of a Mauludi lunisolar calendar, and a reformed land revenue system that became the driving force behind the Mysore silk industry.
Military Innovations Under Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan adopted western military methods such as artillery and rockets whilst maintaining traditional Indian weapons like war elephants. He organized his army akin to the European model and used Persian command words. Although he hired French officers to tutor his soldiers, he never permitted them to become a pressure group. In recognition of the importance of a naval force, he established a Board of Admiralty and had plans for a fleet of 42 ships. Despite establishing three dockyards at Mangalore, Wajedabad, and Molidabad, his naval plans did not come to fruition.
Tipu Sultan’s Battles Against The Marathas and British
Tipu Sultan’s military prowess was evident in his battles against the Marathas. In 1767, he commanded a cavalry corps in the Carnatic (Karnataka) region of western India and continued to fight against the Marathas until 1779.
His involvement in the Anglo-Mysore Wars also demonstrated his strategic abilities. The British viewed him and his father as ambitious and potentially dangerous rulers. They were involved in four wars with Mysore, resulting in various treaties. In the final Battle of Seringapatam, Tipu Sultan died defending his capital city.
Other Noteworthy Achievements and Contributions
Apart from his military accomplishments, Tipu Sultan was a patron of science and technology. He is often recognized as the ‘pioneer of rocket technology’ in India due to his creation of a military manual explaining rocket operations.
His embrace of democracy is seen through his support for French soldiers in establishing a Jacobin Club at Seringapatam in 1797. He himself became a member of the club and allowed himself to be addressed as Citizen Tipu.
The Subsidiary Alliance Under Lord Wellesley
The Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Wellesley in India in 1798. It was a system that compelled the ruler of an allied Indian state to pay for the upkeep of the British army in return for protection. However, this policy often led to interference in the internal affairs of the allied state despite promises of non-interference. The requirement to pay an arbitrarily-fixed subsidy frequently disrupted the economy and impoverished the state’s population. Yet, while it drained the Indian states, it allowed the British to maintain a sizeable army.
