By Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
Tipu Sultan, Sher-e-Mysore is among India's greatest kings and the only ruler apart from his father Hyder Ali, who defeated the British owned East India Company.
Those who had no hero in 18th, 19th century & their ancestors or groups didn't fight British, played no part in movements during freedom struggle but allied with British, will have problem with Sher-e-Mysore.
If only he'd got real support from Nizam & Marathas or other native states, EIC won't have been able to take over India.
Unfortunately, even in North India and Rajasthan [Rajputana], no state went against the British.
East India Company exploited, looted, destroyed economy, causing famines & millions of Indians died. For 200 yrs Indians subjugated, mistreated on own land. Tipu Sultan alone fought & defeated British, then got martyred in battlefield.
Sultan e Shaheed, Fateh Ali Tipu Sultan still gives nightmares to people two centuries after his death. There is no bigger hero in the subcontinent in the last 300 years. Hence, he is remembered, loved and his role in independence struggle of India, is unparalleled.
For the right-wing, there is no such personality. The kings and other rulers compromised, succumbed or allied with the British, let alone fight. The scheming heads of princely states felt that they would buy time and save themselves.
But for the British imperialists, Tipu Sultan was their main opponent as he was crystal clear and had seen the ambitions of the colonialists who had come from far away, appeared in the beginning as traders and later raised their own army.
Hyder Ali defeated the British. The East India Company suffered crushing, humiliating defeats in the battles. After Hyder Ali, his son Tipu kept the EIC ambitions in check. However, his appeals to Marathas and Nizams to form an alliance, were not reciprocated.
Tipu fell down due to treachery. British EIC had learnt that bribe to local officials and luring the people with promises of money, gold and power, would make them switch sides. Tipu's close confidantes were bought and after a long period, he attained martyrdom.
As soon as Mysore fell, the British forgot all their promises and quickly eliminated other 'friendly' forces too. The Sikh power and the Maratha power were also eliminated. East India Company was now ruling the huge territory in India.
Hence, unable to digest the heroics and greatness of Tipu and his bravery, the right wingers try to target him, raise non issues, make false claims, allegations and oppose him in frustration. But this history can't be changed. Tipu's greatness can't be challenged.