Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan (1750-1799 AD) (Part 4)

RELIGIOUS POLICY OF TIPU SULTAN :-

Tipu Sultan was a ruler of state in India with majority of Hindus. He ruled for 17 years. He was a devout Muslim, but his religious policy was clear that he treated all his subjects as equal. In his state he was the first ruler to ban Alcohol consumption not on religious grounds. He knew he cannot rule in a largely Hindu state without their support, so he worked for the welfare of both Hindus and Muslims in his state.

Any ruler appoints his ministers and officers who are trustworthy and loyal to him. We can easily find numerous Hindu Ministers and officials in his state.
Diwan Puraniah was the most enlighten name in the history who is his "Mir Asaf" (Prime Minister), Krishna Rao was his Minister of post and police, Moolchand and Sujan Rai were his chief agents at Mughal court, with this we can understand that how he treats Hindus that for a Muslim Supreme Power he send two Hindu officials as his representatives. His own security chief was Suba Rao also a Hindu. On a diplomatic mission he sent Appaji Ram and Srinivas Rao to the Peshwa at Poona.

"Who are my people? All of them-- Yes those that ring the temple bells and those that pray in the mosque -- they are my people and this land is their and mine" these words of Tipu are enough for his Religious tolerance and equality.

In South India Temples had been  active centres in all the affairs, Tipu knew it better we found numerous historical records that he supported a number of Hindu temples. The Editor of Mysore Gazzeter Prof. Srikantiah mentioned 156 temples to whome he gives annual grants. During his reign he issued 34 Sanads(deeds) of endowment to temples in his state.

Tipu gifted magnificent gifts of gold, silver and valuable jewelry to many temples such as :

1.Srikanteshwara Temple in Nanjanguda is having a jeweled cup presented by Sultan.
2.He gave a greenish Linga to Ranganatha Temple at Srirangapatna. This temple is very close to his palace.
3. Sultan gifted 4 cups, a plate and spitoon in silver to Lakshmikanta temple at Kalale.
4. When the Marthas looted Srirungeri Mutt and took the statue of Sarathadevi, Sankaracharya seek assistance from Tipu, a bunch of 30 letters found in Kannada between the Sultan and Jagadguru(Sultan addresses Sankaracharya as Jagadguru). He sent his general Syed Mohammed to give protection to the Mutt and rebuild the plundered Temple, gave financial help. This continues till his last breath. In one of the letters he wrote "PEOPLE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST SUCH A HOLY PLACE ARE SURE TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR MISDEEDS"
This is a vivid example of his character and policy towards other faiths.

5. On the request of French he built a church in Mysore the first church in Mysore.

We can find a number of such examples in the history. But Tipu was portrait as a religious fanatic which is a clear lie. Few people states the incidents of Malabar inavasion, Coorg campaign. Historian points out that those who narrated such incidents are all British, or Prisoners captured by Tipu. They are getting rewards from company. And Tipu was harsh enough for his enemies, and those who helped his enemies against him. This is a simple fact that you can not tolerate your enemies and their supporters. Tipu take harsh steps against Nizam of Hyderabad, Mappila Muslims, Mahadevi Muslims and Nawab of Sawanur don't you know that? In the same way he take on Malabar Christians and Coorg Hindus who helped British against Sultan and this is of no difference in any of kingdom's doctrine to love friends and hate enemies.

If you are so loyal to British writers see what B. A Saletare described "Tipu Sultan as a defender of Hindu Dharma" Praxy Fernandes wrote about Sultan "An enlightened monarch who followed a secular policy towards his subjects"
Those who portray him as Religious fanatic are just intended to raise a moral support against him and can easily kick him out.

Apart from controversies Tipu Sultan is considered as a Real hero in all of the history books who stood against the British expansion and resisted successfully till his last breath. British accepted Him as a toughest rival in their history. And we treated him "FIRST FREEDOM FIGHTER" Mahatma Gandhi father of Nation praised him too. He was a hero, He is a hero and he will be a hero.
HISTORY IS HISTORY

Happy TIPU DAY or TIPU JAYANTI.
10-11-2018

Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan (1750-1799 AD) (Part 3)

Achievements of Tipu Sultan :-

I. Military Achievements :

Tipu's first Military achievement was happen to be at the early age of 15 when he was succeeded to curb the rebellion at Poligur and forced the rebellions to surrender.

Tipu play a vital role in First Anglo Mysore war (June 1767 AD), he was successful in the diplomatic task assigned to convince Nizam of Hyderabad to join his father against the British, at the time when Nizam seems to join British.

At the age of 17 he was given a nominal charge of a battalion under his military instructor Ghazi Khan. Tipu marched to Madras leading the detachment and threatened the British by seeking at the doorstep of British headquarters. His father appreciated him for his efforts.

Tipu actively participated in the Maratha-Mysore war (1769-72 AD), he continued the Guerilla warfare tactics of his father, he was successful to cut the connections between Maratha Convoys and their capital Poona.

One of the greatest Victories of Tipu was in the Second Anglo Mysore War (1780-84 AD) In the battle of Polilur, Tipu defeated Colonel Baillie who marched to join Sir Hector Munro many britishers were killed and many were captured alive. Munro determined to reach Baillie but when he heard of his defeat in the Hands of Tipu he was forced to flee to Madras, abandoning his artillery in a water tank at Kanchipuram. This was probably the best and most memorable example of his military competence. One of the key factor of this victory were Mysorean Rockets.

After the death of his Father Nawab Haider Ali in 1782,he ascended the throne of Mysore. And then worked hard to stop the British expansion. In his reign He fought a series of battles against British East India Company, with their Allies Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad. Tipu was strong enough to stand against the biggest armies.

In the third Anglo Mysore war (1789-92) Tipu gave a tough challenge to his opponents British, Maratha and Nizam but unfortunately forced to sign a humiliating treaty called "Treaty of Srirangapatnam" returned the captured lands, pay heavy war indemnity and send two of his sons as hostage to the British. What a Iron man he was!

Tipu never forget this humiliation and tried every possible measure to get assistance from the Indian rulers and foreign forces but he failed to form an alliance against British. And finally this leads to the Fourth Anglo Mysore war.
British army with their allies and specially one of the Coward and traitor  minister Mir Sadiq raided Srirangapatnam, But Tipu Determined to fight till his last breath and get martyrdom on May 4th 1799 for the cause of Mother land.

II. Administrative reforms :

In the reign of Tipu Sultan, he introduced major reforms, he introduced a new calender, new coinage and seven new government departments.

Tipu Considered as the innovator of World's first war rocket rightly said by the Former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

Tipu build his own navy consisting of 20 battleships of 72 cannons and 20 frigates of 62 cannons.

He was keenly interested in developing his state. He built roads, bridges, public buildings, ports etc. During his reign Mysore reached its highest economic zenith. He took initiatives to develop Mysore Silk Industry.

Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan (1750-1799 AD) (Part 2)

Personality of Tipu Sultan :-

Tipu was the worthy son of his courageous father Nawab Haider Ali, being an illiterate he gave all type of education to his son Tipu. He learned all of the available subjects including islamics, science, mathematics etc. His father arranged his military training including riding, archery, swordsmanship, shooting, war tactics etc.

He grew up seeing his father gaining power in the Mysore state. He was the right arm for his father which gave him enough strength. At the early age of 15 he joined his father in the battle field, and then till his last breath he fought courageously for the sake of mother land.

Physical Appearance : "His stature was about five feet eight inches, he had a short neck, square shoulders, and was rather corpulent, his limbs were small, particularly his feet and hands, he had large full eyes, small arched eyebrows and an aquiline nose, his comolexion was fair and the general expression of his countenance, not void of dignity"

Tipu was fond of learning and reading, his father gifted him a library which is having books on different subjects, languages, religion and regions. One of the first copies of French Constitution was sent to Tipu at that time. His personal library had more than 2000 books. He wrote a book namely "Fathul Mujahideen" which includes his war tactics.

Tipu Sultan, with his dignified personality and simple lifestyle was more than just an ordinary leader. He was greatly respected by his people and earned the trust of various international allies such as French, Amir of Afghanistan and the Sultan of Turkey to assist him in his fight against the British.

He was aware of the danger causing due to British in India. He foresaw that if we can't stop them now, we will never be. He was the first Indian ruler who gave enough resistance to them and died in the battle field.

Tipu was not only a Ruler but a devoted Muslim, performing all the way his religion and customs want. Muslims believe that he was also a SUFI. Being a Sufi or Sufi Muslim he was kind enough with his subjects and loving all others.

Tipu perceived as a Tiger and every single attribute of the Great heroic personality replicates this, he uses Tiger as his symbol, flag, sword, gun, rifle, also famous "Tipu's Tiger" a model made up of wood hunting a British soldier. Truly he was worthy of using such things.

Indeed Tipu Sultan is regarded as the greatest personalities in history. He earned his name by his will to live like a tiger.

Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan(1750-1799 AD)(Part 1)

Brief introduction :-

Name : Fateh Ali Tipu

Titles  : Sultan, Tiger of Mysore, Missile Man, Freedom Fighter etc.

Father : Nawab Hyder Ali

Mother : Fakhr un Nisa

Born : 10-11-1750 AD

Place : Devanahalli

Coronation : December 1782 AD

Achievements :
1.Successful resistance and Victories against British and allied forces. For ex: Second Anglo Mysore War September 1782 AD.
2. Invention of Rocket artillery
3. New Coinage system
4. Mauludi calendar
5. New Land revenue system etc.

Quotation : "IT IS BETTER TO LIVE ONE DAY AS A TIGER THAN HUNDRED YEARS AS A JACKAL"

Languages Known : Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Kannada, French etc.

Foreign Relations : Napoleon Bonaparte of France, Sultan of Turkey, Amir of Afghanistan.

Vision: Evacuation of British from Mother land and built a self dependent country.

Martyrdom : 04-05-1799 AD

Tipu Sultan is not a personality to be  introduced, but we are attempting to figure out to let you know the Son of Soil, Role model for Freedom Fighters, World's first Missile man, a Good administrator, kind ruler, and Braveheart soldier.

To be continued.....

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