Tipu Sultan
A Great Ruler
By Prof.
Sheik Ali
(Former Vice Chancellor of Goa &
Mangalore Universities)Significance Of Tipu's Life
Vision and mission in life
Political freedom from British
Alliance of the Indian powers
Technology, Commerce, Industry &
Education |
 |
Industry in Karnataka and Foreign
tie ups
Embodiment of Hindu - Muslim unity
Membership with Jacobin Club
Tipu's contribution to rocket
technology |
Embodiment of Hindu - Muslim unity
An important aspect of his regime is his secular policy. Gandhiji wrote in
Young India that Tipu was an embodiment of Hindu-Muslim unity.
His letters to Sringeri Mutt speak volumes of his deep
respect towards Hindu religious establishments. He furnished
Shri Shankaracharya with funds to reinstall the displaced
image in the Sharada temple. He gave several articles of
silver to Lakshmikantha temple and to many other temples. |
Silver Vessel presented to Ranganatha Temple by
Tipu |
Ranganatha
temple at Srirangapatna was hardly a stone-throw from his palace from
where he listened with equal respect to the temple bell and the Muezzin's call from the
mosque. His civil list included quite a few non-Muslims in higher
posts, besides the lower cadres which were almost entirely manned by them.
Therefore, to say that Tipu was not tolerant is highly erroneous. If he was harsh on
the Nairs of Malabar, the Christians of Mangalore, and the Raja of Coorg, that was because
of political reasons as they were allied with the British. He did not spare the muslim
Mopillas and Mahadevis either in the interest of law and order. He attacked the Nawabs of
Savanur, Cuddapah and Kurnool, and was more hostile towards the Nizam than towards the
Marathas. His harshness was politically motivated and not religiously
inspired.
For a long time the colonials distorted our history to suit their imperial interests. They
called our uprisings as mutinies, our heroes as villains, and our freedom fighters as
usurpers and terrorists. The need is great to remove this wrong impression.
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