Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, killed
On May 4, 1799, Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, was killed during the Siege of Seringapatam
in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Tipu Sultan
From the Indian Personalities 1974 series
Issued by India Post July 15, 1974
Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, (now in modern-day Karnataka, India), was known as the “Tiger of Mysore”. He played a pivotal role in the Anglo-Mysore Wars against the British East India Company, grinding their expansion to a halt for years.
After becoming Sultan of Mysore in 1782, Tipu continued his kingdom’s fight against British colonial aspirations. During the wars, Tipu was a skillful ad innovative leader who pioneered the use of rocket artillery in battles. The Sultan was a strong administrator who introduced a number of administrative reforms, a new coinage system, a land revenue system, and a calendar. He also oversaw the growth of a lucrative silk industry.
The Sultan’s complex and divisive legacy also included reports of brutal treatment of people who he viewed as enemies and “infidels”: “When his occupation of the region, Tipu is said to have rampaged temples, killing ‘infidels’ and conducting mass conversions”. Explained! Why Tipu is a controversial figure in Karnataka – Oneindia News
Portrait of Tippoo Sultan, watercolor on paper, 26 x 20.6 cm (Freer Gallery of Art)
Tipu Sultan’s rule was marked by his relentless efforts to push back British colonial demands and maintain his people’s independence, which led to significant conflicts such as the Battle of Pollilur and the Siege of Srirangapatna. Despite his efforts, he was defeated during the Siege of Seringapatam and died on May 4, 1799. He was buried in Srirangapatna, present-day Mandya, Karnataka.
He is remembered for his military tactics, administrative skills, and his staunch opposition to British rule in India. Tipu Sultan is a controversial figure in India, admired for his resistance against colonialism and criticized for his harsh methods against his adversaries. If you’d like to read more on this ‘Can’t Pick & Choose History’: Scholars on Tipu Controversy (thequint.com) has a brief fascinating breakdown on why so much divisive debate continues to swirl around Tipu.
Explained! Why Tipu is a controversial figure in Karnataka – Oneindia News is another article that goes a more in depth about Tipu’s “dark history”.
If you have a subscription to The India Express, this is another good source for information on Tipu and his legacy. Tipu Sultan: How history remembers him, why controversy doesn’t forget him | Explained News – The Indian Express and The competing narratives of Tipu: What they say, and why | Explained News – The Indian Express. These are paywalled, but if you have access, they are good explanations on Tipu.