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{{#seo:
|title=Tipu Sultan – The Tiger of Mysore
|description=Tipu Sultan, known as the Tiger of Mysore, was a visionary ruler and military strategist who fiercely resisted British colonial rule in South India.
|image=Tipu_Sultan_portrait.jpg
|keywords=Tipu Sultan, Tiger of Mysore, Mysore Sultanate, Anglo-Mysore Wars, Indian freedom fighter, Tipu biography, Srirangapatna
}}

{{Infobox person
| name           = Tipu Sultan
| image          = Tipu_Sultan_portrait.jpg
| image_caption  = Portrait of Tipu Sultan
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1751|11|20}}
| birth_place    = [[Devanahalli]], [[Kingdom of Mysore]] (present-day [[Karnataka]], India)
| death_date     = {{Death date and age|1799|05|04|1751|11|20}}
| death_place    = [[Srirangapatna]], Mysore
| nationality    = Indian
| occupation     = Ruler of Mysore, Military Leader
| years_active   = 1782–1799
| known_for      = Resistance against British, Military Innovations, Economic Reforms
| awards         = Posthumously honored in various Indian states as a freedom fighter; Statues and stamps issued in his name
| spouse         = Ruqayya Banu, Fatima Fakhr-un-Nisa, Khadija Zaman Begum
| children       = 12 (incl. Fateh Hyder, Sultan Padshah)
| resting_place  = Gumbaz at [[Srirangapatna]]
| age_at_death   = 47
| parents        = [[Hyder Ali]] (father), Fakhr-un-Nissa (mother)
| religion       = Islam
| notable_works  = Development of military rocket artillery, Modernized Mysore’s administration, ''Fathul Mujahidin'' (Manual on military training)
| website        = [https://www.karnataka.gov.in Official Karnataka Portal (Tipu Sultan section)]
}}

'''Tipu Sultan''' (20 November 1751 – 4 May 1799), popularly known as the '''Tiger of Mysore''', was the ruler of the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] in South India. A brilliant military strategist, reformer, and staunch opponent of British colonialism, Tipu played a major role in resisting the British East India Company during the late 18th century.<ref>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tipu-Sultan</ref>

== Early Life ==
Tipu Sultan was born in Devanahalli, near modern-day Bengaluru, to [[Hyder Ali]], a powerful military commander who later became Sultan of Mysore. Tipu received early education in military tactics, languages, and science under the guidance of French officers and Indian scholars.<ref>https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/tipu-sultan-slain</ref>

== Accession to Power ==
After the death of Hyder Ali in 1782 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, Tipu Sultan succeeded him as the Sultan of Mysore. He continued the struggle against the British and introduced many reforms in administration, finance, and military organization.<ref>https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/tipu-sultan</ref>

== Reforms and Administration ==
Tipu Sultan implemented several modern policies:
* Established state trading depots and factories
* Introduced a new coinage and calendar
* Promoted sericulture and agriculture
* Maintained a strong standing army with rocket artillery

He was one of the first Indian rulers to recognize the importance of industrialization and science.<ref>https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/profiles/tipu_sultan.php</ref>

== Military Campaigns ==
Tipu fought four major wars known as the '''Anglo-Mysore Wars''' against the British:
* '''First & Second Wars''' – Fought alongside his father, Hyder Ali
* '''Third War (1790–1792)''' – Lost half his kingdom to the British and their allies
* '''Fourth War (1799)''' – Died fighting in the Battle of [[Srirangapatna]]

Tipu forged alliances with the French and the Ottoman Empire in hopes of driving out the British from India.<ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/11284791/Tipu-Sultan-Indias-lion-of-Islam.html</ref>

== Death ==
Tipu Sultan died a heroic death on 4 May 1799 while defending his capital, Srirangapatna, during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. He was later buried with honors at the Gumbaz Mausoleum.<ref>https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/tipu-sultan-the-tiger-of-mysore/article7091319.ece</ref>

== Legacy ==
* Revered as a '''patriot and martyr''' by many Indians
* Criticized by others for religious intolerance and harsh governance
* Inspired later freedom fighters like [[Bal Gangadhar Tilak]] and [[Mahatma Gandhi]]

Tipu Sultan remains a controversial yet heroic figure in Indian history. Statues, schools, and roads across India bear his name.

== Notable Contributions ==
* '''Military Rockets''': Developed iron-cased rocket artillery later used by the British in the Napoleonic Wars
* '''Economic Reforms''': Encouraged trade and built state monopolies
* '''Science & Tech''': Advocated for modern weapons and technology transfers with France

== In Popular Culture ==
* Featured in several books, documentaries, and television series
* Subject of plays and historical novels like ''The Sword of Tipu Sultan''
* Annual celebrations on 20 November (Tipu Jayanti) observed in Karnataka

== See Also ==
* [[Hyder Ali]]
* [[Anglo-Mysore Wars]]
* [[Srirangapatna]]
* [[British East India Company]]

== References ==
<references/>