Tipu Sultan

Tipu was born near Bangalore on 1 Dec 1751, the son of Hyder Ali, the Muslim ruler of Mysore. He was well educated and became his father’s most trusted military commander. His father’s introduction of rockets was continued and developed under Tipu’s leadership. He succeeded his father as ruler of Mysore in December 1782. He is regarded as a hero in Indian history for his determination to rid the country of British rule which at that time was through the East India Company. He fought them successfully in the Second Mysore War but lost the Third Mysore War, surrendering his two sons as hostages to Lord Cornwallis in 1793. Tipu allied himself with Napoleon and employed French officers in his well trained army. Apart from his military skills (he was known as the Tiger of Mysore) and his famed cruelty and perfidy, Tipu was a very effective administrator. He increased agricultural and industrial output, regarded as the initiator of the Mysore Silk industry. He drew up plans for the building of the Kannambadi Dam but it was not built until 1938 when it proved to be a great boon, providing drinking water for a large area. He also built roads, developed coinage and launched the Mysore navy. The Fourth Mysore War saw his downfall and defeat. He was killed at the Battle of Seringapatam (Srirangapatna) on 4 May 1799.

Regimental Details