Story Of Tipu Sultan, The 'Tiger Of Mysore' Whose Tales Of Bravery Are Larger Than Life

A man with many names Tipu Sultan, also referred to as Tipu Sahib or the Tiger of Mysore, is renowned for his bravery in the wars against the British East India Company. Loved by many, hated by others, Tipu Sultan is certainly the emperor remembered for various reasons including his extraordinary tales of bravery and courage.

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The eldest son of Sultan Hyder Ali of Mysore, Sultan Fateh Ali Khan Shahab was born on 20 November 1750. After assisting his father in the battle of 1766 at the delicate age of 17, the Sultan was unstoppable. A believer in innovation, Tipu introduced coinage, a new Mauludi lunisolar calendar, and a new land revenue system that led to the growth of the Mysore silk industry. But, that is not all.

During the time when the British left no stone unturned in taking over power in every field possible, the fearless Tipu got gun makers, engineers, clock makers and other experts from France to Mysore. He then set up his own manufacturer of bronze cannons, ammunition and muskets.

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To assert his power, Tipu used Tiger images on his golden throne, textiles, coins, swords, and his soldier's uniforms. And that's how, Tiger came to be associated with him. There's one more legend according to which one day, while hunting in a forest, Tipu Sultan was faced with a tiger. He wanted to shoot the animal but his gun didn't work and at the same time, just as the tiger attacked him, Tipu Sultan's dagger also fell on the ground. But the quick-wit and brave Sultan quickly picked up the dagger and killed the tiger. From then on, he came to be known as "The Tiger Of Mysore."

In the era where rulers were fighting against each other, wanting to capture as much land as possible, Tipu was the only Indian ruler who identified the British as the real threat to India.

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The first advancement against the Britishers that Tipu Sultan made was when he encountered Colonel Baillie and then defeated. The foremost victory for Tipu sultan came when he defeated Colonel Braithwaite near Tanjore and then seized Chittoor from the British.

Tipu Sultan assumed power on December 22, 1782.

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The third Anglo Mysore war saw Tipu Sultan attack the Raja of Travancore in order to capture two forts in Cochin but was met with stiff resistance from the Tranvancore troops. The British, seeing this as an opportunity, came to the Travancore's rescue. However, later, British East India Company were prevented by Tipu Sultan From advancing further after they seized Coimbatore. Tipu became a real threat to the Brits.

1791 was the year when Britishers took Bangalore and tried to capture Srirangapatnam, Tipu¡¯s kingdom. The son of the soil, Tipu, destroyed the local resources due to which British now no longer had access to supplies this way. However, a year later Britishers were successful and seized Tipu¡¯s territory.

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