Episode 3: Tipu Sultan, The Tiger of Mysore

Related Images  (all images are subject to copyright of their respective institutions):

Portrait of Tipu Sultan, c.1792, currently at the British Library, London

Throne of Tipu Sultan, destroyed by the British, sketch at Powis Castle & Museum (Image Courtesy: Anna Tonnelli)

Huma Bird (Bird of Paradise), c.1787-91, once the apex of Tipu's Throne (Image Courtesy: Royal Collection Trust, UK)

Tiger Head from Tipu's Throne (Image Courtesy: Royal Collection Trust)

Tiger Musical Automaton (Massy Tiger), Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Seringapatam Medal, provided to all on the British side who participated in the last Anglo-Mysore War

Seen here is the British lion overpowering the Mysore tiger.

Tipu's Image from 2017 Republic Day in the state of Karnataka's parade (Image Courtesy: Hindustan Times, 2017)

Did Tipu Sultan truly circumcise adult men to convert them into Muslims? Or, was he the generous benefactor of the Sringeri Matha, a Hindu monastery in the interiors of Karnataka? Why did he write down his dreams in such vivid and fanciful ways? Why did he hate the British so much? What is his connection to Bengaluru International Airport?!

Tipu is perhaps one of the most controversial figures in Indian history. His life, a narrative of battles, bravery, cruelty, and sorrow is the stuff of cinemas and legends. This podcast covers Tipu's birth, battles, faith and patronage, perceived and actual faults as an eighteenth-century empire builder, and his untimely and anticlimactic death.

In this episode, we discuss the history and myths associated with one of India's most controversial historical figures, Tipu Sultan. 

For additional references and external links, scroll down. 

References:
Brittlebank, Kate. 2016. Tiger: the life of Tipu Sultan. Juggernaut Books.
Brittlebank, Kate. 1997. Tipu Sultan's search for legitimacy: Islam and kingship in a Hindu domain. Delhi, India: Oxford University Press.
Habib, Irfan. 2014. State and diplomacy under Tipu Sultan documents and essays. New Delhi: Tulika.
Tipu Sultan, and Abul Basher Mahmud Husain. 1957. The dreams of Tipu Sultan. Karachi: Pakistan Historical Society. (Available online at Archive.org, link)
External Links:
Tipu's Tiger, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Tipu Sultan's Pistols, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
President Kovind says Tipu Sultan died a historic death, BJP angry, Hindustan Times, October 2017
Tipu Sultan Controversy, NDTV, November 2017
Analyzing Tipu Sultan's Dreams, Scroll, March 2018