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A relook of Tippu's sword
By A. Sadananda Pai
Some people of Mysore region and all seculars eulogise Tippu Sultan ?as a patriot, warrior, freedom fighter and martyr?, who fought four wars against the British and died fighting in 1799. ?He did not destroy temples but sanctioned grants and did not forcibly convert Hindus?-they aver. While they condone usurpation of Mysore Maharaja?s throne by Hyder Ali, Tippu?s father, they are united behind the Karnataka government, which left no stone unturned in tracing the descendants of Tippu in Kolkata and other places to provide them with due royal honours. But they are disinterested in tracing the descendants of Vijayanagar Emperor (of Karnataka ) whose mighty empire was mercilessly destroyed by three Sultans. The British were generous enough to give Tippu?s two sons large jagirs in Kolkata and wealth to lead a royal life. To crown all these, two secular Jnanpith awardees praised Tippu for his good acts in and out of season. Thus, after The Sword of Tippu, now it is the turn of Tippu?s Dreams.
A real patriot and freedom fighter would either fight alone or convince, win over and unite neighbouring princes before confronting a foreign power, for example, Chanakya, Kittur Rani Chennamma, Rana Pratap and in 1857 leaders like Tantia Tope. If he was sincere in driving out the British, Tippu would have united all the small princes and fought unitedly against the foreigners. But he fought more against numerous small principalities, especially in Malabar than he fought against the British. His repression drove them to seek British help. In the wake of his tyrannical march, he destroyed numerous temples, looted people and put to his sword those who resisted or refused to get converted. Is this the hallmark of a real patriot and freedom fighter?
Even today, the people of Malabar recollect Tippu's military expeditions with a tinge of horror. It is told that the idol of the deity of Guruvayoor temple, was taken to Ambalapuzha in south Kerala, fearing Tippu?s attack. Tippu even marched far south twice towards Travancore but had to retreat both times. This was made possible because only Travancore was a considerably large kingdom extending from Cochin upto Kanyakumari, which was already established by King Marthanda Varma, by annexing numerous small principalities of that region. During Marthanda Varma?s successor?s regime, Tippu?s attacks took place, which were repulsed under the able guidance of Diwan Raja Keshavadas. Had it not been so united, Tippu would have easily marched over whole of that region too and reached south upto Kanyakumari, causing greater destruction.
Charmed by the seculars? words, people of Mysore region are unaware of the above horrible facts. Having understood the cruel bent of mind in young Tippu, Haider had advised him not to antagonise his own subjects, if he wanted to survive and prosper, because a ruler draws strength from them. Tippu, the shrewd ruler, needed no better advice. So non-harassment of his own subjects is not a compliment to Tippu. On the other hand, as a conqueror, he was an extremely horrifying marauder for his neighbouring kings. Apparently he did not possess a repenting heart like that of Ashoka the Great. By perseverance had he won over the numerous princes as a true patriot would and unitedly fought against the British, what a happy change would he have brought about?
But that was not to be and in the end he had to gift the whole of Malabar to the British. To drive away the British, he joined with the French, yet another foreigner.
Tippu, who had faith in astrology, gave grants to temples, etc., on the advice of astrologers as penance for the bad period that he was passing through.
Simply put, Tippu, the avaricious conqueror, terrorised the numerous small princes and as he showed no mercy at all, they turned to the British with SOS, as aapatdharma would demand. Consequently, Tippu had to face the British-a situation created by himself. Tippu may be a courageous warrior and also a martyr, but his patriotism is apparently a tainted one.
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