Our great nation, Bharat has witnessed many personalities who evoke completely polarized opinions. While some regard them as role models, others view them as villains. One such figure is Tipu Sultan, whose few good deeds or gestures have been glorified so much that his dark side often remains concealed.
Birth & early life
Tipu Sultan was born on 01 December 1751 in Devanahalli. His mother was Fatima Fakhrunnisa Begum and his father was Hyder Ali, the Sarvadhikari and Dalavayi of the Mysore Empire. At that time, the ruler of Mysore was merely a figurehead, as the real power rested with Hyder Ali.
Education & early career
Although Hyder Ali was uneducated, he ensured his son received a good education by arranging for qualified teachers. Under their guidance, Tipu Sultan became proficient in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic, and became a master of horse riding, shooting, and fencing. By 17, Tipu began assisting his father in military campaigns and diplomatic missions.
As De facto ruler
After his father’s death, Tipu Sultan assumed real power of the Mysore Empire and on 29 December 1782, at the age of 32, he declared himself the king. Even during his time, the kings of the Wadiyar dynasty remained mere puppet rulers and all authority was concentrated in Tipu’s hands.
Destruction of Mandirs
Indeed, Tipu Sultan did not cause any harm to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Mandir of Srirangapatna, but historical accounts suggest that he destroyed or looted several other temples. It is believed that under his rule approximately 800 temples were destroyed.
The very ancient and famous Thirunavaya Mandir was destroyed and looted by Tipu’s army. Apart from this, the destruction of the Keraladheeswaram, Thrikkandiyur and Thriprangatu Mandir of Vettum region was very terrible.
After breaking the murti of Thrikkavu Temple, Tipu converted it into an ammunition depot. The vigraha of the very famous and sacred Sri Guruvayur Mandir was also shifted to Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Swamy Mandir due to the fear of invasion by Tipu. The damage caused to Perumparampu and Marandira Mandirs in Edappadu can be seen even today. Besides, Sukapuram Mandir was also badly damaged. Apart from this, many Mandirs of Zamorin of Calicut were also vandalized and looted.
Forced conversions & extreme tortures
A huge number of forcible conversions also took place during Tipu’s reign in which the Mysorean invasion of Malabar was a major event. It is said that he converted around 100,000 Hindus during this campaign. The Nairs of Seringapatam also had to go through extreme torture due to their adherence to Hindu Dharma and strong Martial Traditions. Approximately 30,000 Nairs were taken captive (including children and women) with only a few returning alive. Kodavas also had to go through a similar fate. They were subjected to forced deportations and massacres.
Captivity & executions
Tipu Sultan’s atrocities were not limited to Hindus only. A large number of Mangalorean Catholics also had to undergo extreme hardships during his rule. It is estimated that around 60,000 Catholics were taken captive, out of which only 15-20,000 survived and 30 churches were also destroyed.
In conclusion, declaring such a person a freedom fighter would be nothing less than a profound insult to the legacy of those who resisted him or suffered at his hands.
