Hero or Villain?

Historical narratives about the Mysore Sultans, Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, have long been the subject of debate. Haider Ali, who rose from the ranks of a common soldier, took control of the Mysore kingdom from the Wodeyars in 1761. Amongst the two, Tipu Sultan has been particularly venerated, with discussions about his legacy reigniting periodically, especially in the context of official commemorations.

Pushpa Kurup’s latest book Malabar, Mysore and a Tale of Two Sultans critically examines the sultans’ role in South Indian history. Drawing on a broad range of historical sources, she argues that while they played a significant part in resisting British expansion, viewing them as martyrs in the struggle for India’s independence would be rather far-fetched.

Her research is supported by extensive site visits exploring the trajectory of the sultans’ military campaigns. The book particularly focuses on Malabar, where these campaigns had lasting consequences. While conflicts between local rulers were not uncommon, Kurup suggests that the Mysorean invasions introduced a new level of disruption.

The period from 1767 to 1799 saw four Anglo-Mysore wars, culminating in Tipu Sultan’s death. After his death, the British restored the Mysore kingdom to the Wodeyars. Kurup portrays this era as one of intense conflict, with widespread military confrontations and economic upheaval. She details the motivations behind Mysore’s expansionist policies and examines how Tipu Sultan sought to extend his influence through alliances with foreign rulers.

Kurup suggests that the Mysorean invasions weakened the rulers of Malabar and drove them into the hands of the British. The Sultans invaded Malabar, Bidanur, Coorg, Mangalore, and other regions to plunder wealth and enforce conversions to Islam. Tipu Sultan ordered the wholesale destruction of pepper vines, thereby disrupting Malabar’s 3,000-year-long pepper trade. Mysore’s Paghat invasion resulted in the surrender of jewellery from the famed Hemambika temple and the royal house of Palghat. Distressing cruelties were inflicted upon the Zamorin of Calicut and the Kolathiri Raja of Chirakkal (Kannur).

The author mentions two specific instigations that led to the Malabar invasions. Firstly in 1757, Raman Komu Achan of the Tharoor svaroopam of Palghat, fearing that the Zamorin would take over his fiefdom, sought the help of Haider Ali, who was then a mere Naik with his own private army. The next invitation was issued in 1763 by Ali Raja Kunhi Amsa II of the Arakkal Kingdom of Kannur. By then Haider Ali was the de facto ruler of Mysore.  While the first invasion of 1758 was a brief incursion, the second was truly devastating (1766). Several Nair chieftains and Namboothiris sought refuge in Travancore. Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma provided them sanctuary and staunchly refused Tipu’s pleas to hand them over. Tipu’s 1789 invasion of Travancore met with defeat at the hands of the Travancore army on the banks of the Periyar River.

The book contains oral histories as well as descriptions of the lives of several remarkable contemporaries of the sultans such as Velluva Kammaran Nambiar aka Ayaz Khan, Velu Nachiyar, Queen of Sivaganga, Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, and Velu Thampi Dalawa of Travancore.

Kurup also examines Tipu Sultan’s contributions in areas such as military innovation, administration, and temple patronage, in particular his support for institutions like the Sringeri Mutt. She also presents accounts of forced population movements, conversions, and conflicts with the Marathas, the Nizam and the poligars of the Tamil country.

A particularly intriguing section explores Tipu Sultan’s letters and hukumnamas. Tipu also authored a Military Manual, an interesting Memoir, and a Dream Book, in which he recorded his dreams in his own hand. The author also examines his family life and court culture, shedding light on his personal world.

Kurup asserts that Tipu was a megalomaniac and a dreamer, harbouring numerous illusions that fuelled his grandiose plans. She concludes that Tipu Sultan was a complex historical figure—an ambitious ruler and a bold military strategist but also a leader whose campaigns had profound consequences for the regions he governed. She suggests that a nuanced understanding of this legacy is essential, cautioning against both glorification and vilification.

This well-researched work offers valuable insights into a pivotal chapter of South Indian history, encouraging readers to engage with the period’s complexities. It is a book worth reading and a good addition to libraries.

 

bookBritish imperialismMysoreTipu SultanVelu NachiyarWodeyarsAyaz Khan