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| Sunday, 22 January 2006 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Different Outlook
Tipu Sultan: Tiger of Mysore Part II by Arefa Tehsin
Holy Quran says Tipu is documented as saying that religious tolerance is the fundamental tenet of the Holy Quran. He further said in his Declaration (1787) that "The Quran calls upon you not to revile the idols of another religion for it says: Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah, lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance". Young India, a magazine edited by Mahatma Gandhi wrote in 1930 "Fatehali Tipu Sultan of Mysore is represented by foreign historians as a fanatic who oppressed his Hindu subjects and converted them to Islam by force. But he was nothing of the kind. The Archaeological Department of Mysore State is in possession of over thirty letters by Tipu to the Shankaracharya of Shringeri Math...he asks the Shankaracharya to offer prayers for the welfare and prosperity of his own realm as for that of the whole universe. And finally he asks the Shankaracharya to return to Mysore, for the presence of good men in a country brings down rain and makes for good cultivations and plenty." Tipu made lavish gifts of land and other things to Hindu temples." The Commander-in-Chief of Tipu's army was a Brahmin Hindu named Krishna Roa and so was his Prime Minister Purnia. He daily visited the temple of Lord Ranganatha located inside the fort of Srirangapatnam before having his breakfast. And what more, he founded a church in Mysore on the request of the French. Fame The Sword of Tipu Sultan by B. S. Gidwani, on which a popular TV serial was made, is a masterpiece narrating and recapturing the fascinating and timeless tale of the Tiger of Mysore. The author was inspired to write about the book when in a foreign land by a foreigner he came to know that the sultan was one of the few kings in the world who died in the battlefield and that too by choice. In an online poll on The Novelist of the Century conducted by a literary magazine, Bhagwan S. Gidwani was rated second for this novel (The Hindu, Jan 3, 2000). Another suggested writing is the deeply researched article 'Tipu Sultan as Defender of Hindu Dharma' by B.A. Saletore throwing light on the inter-community relations in medieval India. Tipu Sultan was also one of the founders of the Jacobin Club, which exalted Republican principals. This was a great inconsistency from his contemporaries who didn't tolerate socialistic or liberal views. He went as far as to call himself Citizen Tipu Sultan. Being up-to-date with the happenings and scientific developments around the world and being a patriotic revolutionary, he hailed the American war for Independence. He also corresponded with Napoleon Bonaparte. He was a man evidently ahead of his times. He staunchly believed in law and condemned war crimes as is mentioned in his decree in 1783, repeated in 1785, 1787 and possibly more often. "Looting a conquered enemy enriches a few; impoverishes the nations and dishonours the entire army", held Tipu Sultan. His allies It took no less than the treachery of his trusted commanders, triple alliance of British, Marathas and Nizam, short-sightedness of his contemporaries, the gold of the British (not their military supremacy or gallantry) and the breach of the treaty by British of the Third Mysore War to bring the living legend his doom , and pave the way for satisfying the ambitions of the British in India. Tipu was having his lunch when he got the news of the storming of Srirangapatnam on that fateful day - May 4 1799. The sudden disaster did not dampen his spirits. He fought and died like a soldier clinging to his dignity, faith and beliefs, till his last breath, bearing 8 bullets in his chest and one in the head. He chose not to save himself, but to be a martyr for his country and his cause. His body was recovered lying amidst several bodies of soldiers, still holding his sabre. The Tiger had fallen. The fate of the Indian subcontinent had sealed. He had lived up to what he often said, "It is better to live two years like a tiger than live 200 years like a jackal..." |
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One of the most salient qualities of the Emperor was that he was a
secular person to the core. His religious tolerance was exemplary. However,
since in our part of the world the history has been written with the
coloured vision and intent of the Britishers, Tipu was posed to be a
bloodthirsty tyrant, a misconception that many in India have come to
believe. 
