Tipu Sultan’s Contested Legacy

Context: Recently, Tipu Sultan was in the news because of controversial remarks made by a few political leaders.

17feb2

Image Source: The Indian Express

Who was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu Sultan was the son of Haider Ali, a professional soldier of humble origins who started out as a junior officer in the army of the Wodeyar king of Mysore, and rose rapidly to ultimately take power in 1761.
Tipu was born in 1750 and, as a 17-year-old, participated in the first Anglo-Mysore War.
He subsequently fought against the Marathas, and in the Second Anglo-Mysore War of 1780-84.
Haider died while the war was on, and Tipu succeeded him in 1782.
The war ended with the Treaty of Mangalore, in which Tipu had the upper hand.
He engaged the British East India Company forces in four rounds of fighting during 1767-99.

Tipu Sultan’s Reforms:

Tipu is credited for the introduction of iron-cased rockets in warfare.
These rockets were used to devastating effects against much larger British armies, driving them to panic and disarray.
The British used Tipu’s models for their own rockets, which would go on to play an important role in the Napoleonic Wars.
Tipu Sultan also pioneered administrative and economic reforms. He introduced new coins, started a new land revenue system in Mysore, as well as introduced sericulture which continues to employ many Kannadigas to date.
Furthermore, it is claimed that upon hearing of the plight of lower caste women who were not allowed to wear blouses, Tipu personally supplied them with cloth.

News Source: Indian Express