Tiger of Mysore

Tipu Sultan forever remained a silver lining in the modern history as the only ruler in modern Indian history who not only challenged the might of imperialist Britishers but was also able to snatch some glorious victories from their jaws.A defeat,ultimately,merged with his death in 1799.He did not led down his arms until he had breath,holding the highest ideals of bravery and kingship being followed in our country through ancient times.And his death was not only a result of fate but by the collaboration of mighty 'traitors' Maratha chieftains with the British Army.Apart his deewan too was bought by the Britishers.This as much is the recorded history of at least his last period,sufficient to earn him a place among the greatest rulers India ever had and the biggest challenge England ever faced in their colonialism of India.Only yesterday I had the pleasure of learning,after his icon was displayed in the R-Day parade that he was the 'traitor of Mysore'.Tipu Sultan ever bowed to the Britshers,no historical record suggest that.What is indeed controversial is his history before he became the nightmare of the Britishers.His zeal for his religion or conquest lead him to commit heinous crime against Hindus or Christians,including destruction of temples and ethnic cleansing of entire communities on suspect for being faithful to his enemy Hindu kings.But,Tipu Sultan was no Aurangzeb fighting for establishing the supremacy of Mughal Empire.He was a king fighting to protect India from foreign clutches.In fact,he later changed his anti-Hindu stand so that he gets enough support across the religious lines for his chivalry against Britishers.He was one of the rare Indian rulers of modern history who recognized the importance of navy in the changing world scenario and developed a powerful fleet along India's west coast.The diplomatic capacities of the ruler was exceptional in Indian history.Although Indian rulers frequently invited rulers from Afghanistan and further East to settle their scores over enemy states,Tipu Sultan read the world order right and forged an alliance with none other than powerful competitors of Britishers in world market,French.That European upstir slowing down French help should always be remembered as a lost chance of Indian independence.But Tipu Sultan was not the one who was much concerned with allies tuning hostile or stab by his own people.He fought alone against the colonization of our country when all odds had turned against him,even building probably the world's first missile.The history will certainly be kind to him while remembering the atrocious of his successors in Indian might,Britishers or even the selling of national soul by the Maratha chieftains.He may was a religious fanatic,but his exemplar and inspiring courage in India's fight against world order will certainly ensure the 'Tiger' will not be bestowed an honour below the jackal,both being wild and preying,Tiger commands respect for his valor that jackal lacks.His life is best summed in his own quote "It is far better to live like a lion for a day than to live like a jackal for a hundred years".