Tipu
Sultan
A Great Ruler
Britanica Vol.
15 & Vol. 9
Significance Of Tipu's Life
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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 |
Tipu's contribution to Rocket Technology
.....By Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam |
Tipu Sultan and the art of Rocketry
.....NATURE / VOL 400 / 8
JULY, 1999 / www.nature.com |
Tipu's contribution to rocket technology
In the l8th century in
India. Haider Ali, prince
of Mysore, developed war rockets with an important change:
the use of metal cylinders to contain the combustion powder.
Although the hammered soft iron he used was crude, the bursting
strength of the container of black powder was much higher.
Thus a greater internal pressure was possible, with a resultant
greater thrust of the propulsive jet. The rocket body was
lashed with leather thongs to a long bamboo stick. Range was
perhaps up to three-quarters of a mile (more than a kilometer).
Although individually these rockets were not accurate, dispersion
error became less important when large numbers were fired
rapidly in mass attacks. They were particularly effective
against cavalry and were hurled into the air, after lighting,
or skimmed along the hard dry ground. Haider A1i's son,
Tipu Sultan, continued to develop and expand the use of rocket
weapons, reportedly increasing the number of rocket troops
from 1200 to a corps of 5000. In battles at Seringapatam in
1792 and 1799 these rockets were used with considerable effect
against the British.
|
Tipu's
contribution to Rocket Technology
.....By Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam |
Tipu
Sultan and the art of Rocketry
.....NATURE / VOL 400 / 8
JULY, 1999 / www.nature.com |
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