Tipu Sultan, known as tiger of Mysore was a true soldier who made real efforts in restricting the expansion of British Empire in India. Tipu and his father Haider Ali defeated the British in two consecutive wars fought at Mysore on 1766 and 1782. Even though he was defeated in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war fought in 1790, he showed a great courage to fight the alliance of the British, Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas. He was a great leader having lot of respect among his subjects and had good relations with many international allies like the French, Amir of Afghanistan and Sultan of Turkey who helped him against his fight against the British.
Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu, the eldest son of Haider Ali was born on 20th November, 1750 at Devanahalli, near Bangalore. Since childhood Tipu was a brilliant child showing interest in academic career as well as in learning the art of warfare. Due to his ability and the interest shown in various activities he was given independent charge of important military and diplomatic missions at a young age of seventeen. He was of religious nature and respected other religions apart from his own religion. He was a good administrator taking personal interest in the execution of infra structural development and promoting commerce and trade in his kingdom.
Mysore prospered and grew to a great level under the efficient administration of Tipu. The increasing strength of Mysore created an insecure feeling among the neighboring states resulting in a controversy between the Marathas and Tipu. The Marathas were defeated and offered very lenient peace terms by Tipu, in order to win their friendship.
Tipu sultans sword is very much popular in the history. He had lost his sword in a war with the Nairs of Travancore during the battle of Nedumkotta. Tipu was defeated in this battle. Under the leadership of king Kesavadas the Nair army again attacked and defeated the Mysore army. Maharaja Dharma Raja presented the sword of Tipu sultan to the Nawab of Arcot as a gift. From Arcot it went into the custody of the British and was kept at London. While displayed by the Wallace collection at Manchester Square in London it was purchased by an Indian businessman and brought back to India.
Once Tipu went for hunting in the forest with a French friend and came face to face with a tiger. Unfortunately his gun failed to fire and his dagger was dropped on the ground. Meanwhile the tiger attacked Tipu. Instead of getting panicked showing great courage, Tipu picked up the dagger and killed tiger with it. This valor of Tipu earned him the title Tiger of Mysore. Tipu had an emblem of a tiger on his banners and even on some arms and weapons.
After winning the first three wars the fourth war proved to be a difficult one, since it was an attack by a united enemy with a strong force on their side. The East India Company had 26,000 soldiers, a column supplied by the Nizam of Hyderabad consisting of ten Battalions and over 16,000 cavalry plus the soldiers sent by the Marathas. So the British force numbered to around 50,000 soldiers, whereas Tipu sultan was having only 30,000 soldiers. Tipu Sultan fought like a tiger but died a Martyrs death in this war trying to defend his capital city. The tiger of Mysore fought till the end for the cause of Mysore.
Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu, the eldest son of Haider Ali was born on 20th November, 1750 at Devanahalli, near Bangalore. Since childhood Tipu was a brilliant child showing interest in academic career as well as in learning the art of warfare. Due to his ability and the interest shown in various activities he was given independent charge of important military and diplomatic missions at a young age of seventeen. He was of religious nature and respected other religions apart from his own religion. He was a good administrator taking personal interest in the execution of infra structural development and promoting commerce and trade in his kingdom.
Mysore prospered and grew to a great level under the efficient administration of Tipu. The increasing strength of Mysore created an insecure feeling among the neighboring states resulting in a controversy between the Marathas and Tipu. The Marathas were defeated and offered very lenient peace terms by Tipu, in order to win their friendship.
Tipu sultans sword is very much popular in the history. He had lost his sword in a war with the Nairs of Travancore during the battle of Nedumkotta. Tipu was defeated in this battle. Under the leadership of king Kesavadas the Nair army again attacked and defeated the Mysore army. Maharaja Dharma Raja presented the sword of Tipu sultan to the Nawab of Arcot as a gift. From Arcot it went into the custody of the British and was kept at London. While displayed by the Wallace collection at Manchester Square in London it was purchased by an Indian businessman and brought back to India.
Once Tipu went for hunting in the forest with a French friend and came face to face with a tiger. Unfortunately his gun failed to fire and his dagger was dropped on the ground. Meanwhile the tiger attacked Tipu. Instead of getting panicked showing great courage, Tipu picked up the dagger and killed tiger with it. This valor of Tipu earned him the title Tiger of Mysore. Tipu had an emblem of a tiger on his banners and even on some arms and weapons.
After winning the first three wars the fourth war proved to be a difficult one, since it was an attack by a united enemy with a strong force on their side. The East India Company had 26,000 soldiers, a column supplied by the Nizam of Hyderabad consisting of ten Battalions and over 16,000 cavalry plus the soldiers sent by the Marathas. So the British force numbered to around 50,000 soldiers, whereas Tipu sultan was having only 30,000 soldiers. Tipu Sultan fought like a tiger but died a Martyrs death in this war trying to defend his capital city. The tiger of Mysore fought till the end for the cause of Mysore.