Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary of the Tiger of Mysore, Sultan Fateh Ali Khan Shahab, also known as Tipu Sultan being observed today.
Tipu Sultan was born on the 20th of November 1750 in present day rural Bangalore. Illiterate himself, his father Hyder Ali, wanted his eldest prince to receive the best education, thus high importance was given to Tipu’s education, political affairs, and military affairs. His first war in fact was at the age of 15 when he accompanied his father against the British in the First Mysore War in 1766. He commanded a corps of cavalry in the invasion of Carnatic in 1767 at age 16. He also distinguished himself in the First Anglo-Maratha War of 1775–1779.
At 17, Tipu was given independent charge of important diplomatic and military missions. He was his father’s right arm in the wars from which Haidar emerged as the most powerful ruler of southern India. Tipu was renounced a king on the 29th of December 1782. His rule brought about changes, the repercussions of which can still be felt in some parts of the country.
