After ‘backlash’, reference to Vokkaliga chieftains removed from arch erected ahead of PM Modi’s Mandya visit

While historians have pointed out that Tipu Sultan fought against the British rule, the BJP and its supporters have allegedly been making attempts to set a narrative that he was a “mass murderer” of Hindus and demolished temples to build mosques. While Mandya district, with its dominant Vokkaliga community, is a strong bastion of the JD(S) and Congress, the BJP has been making several attempts to make inroads in the region with its Hindutva ideology.

Historians say Tipu Sultan was killed by the British during the Anglo-Mysore war in 1799, but recently a controversial book, authored by Addanda Cariappa, has claimed that he was killed by Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda.

Karnataka Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan had also triggered a row recently after he spoke at a rally in Mandya and asked people to “finish off” Congress leader Siddaramaiah the way “Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda finished off Tipu Sultan”.

Siddaramaiah responded by saying that he respected Tipu Sultan like he did warrior queen Kittur Rani Chennamma, freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna and others. He later sought the minister’s resignation saying Narayan had no “moral right to continue in the Cabinet”. The minister later claimed his remarks were misconstrued and expressed regret if they hurt the Congress leader.

What historians say

According to N S Rangaraju, a retired professor of ancient history and archeology at Mysore University, “Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda were soldiers of Hyder Ali who actually saved and protected Tipu and his mother from the clutches of the Marathas in one of the wars. However, during the fourth Anglo-Mysore War – during which Tipu died – it was actually a treaty between one Lakshmamanni, the British, Marathas and the Nizams which led to the meticulous planning of the attack against Tipu, including the time, place and other strategies. It is because Tipu’s army was so powerful and impenetrable that no two individuals could kill him effortlessly.”

Tipu Sultan was the son of Hyder Ali, a professional soldier of humble origins, who started out as a junior officer in the army of the Wodeyar king of Mysore and rose rapidly before ultimately taking power in 1761.

Tipu was born in 1750 and, as a 17-year-old, participated in the first Anglo-Mysore War. He subsequently fought against the Marathas and in the Second Anglo-Mysore War of 1780-84. Hyder Ali died during the war and Tipu succeeded him in 1782. The war ended with the Treaty of Mangalore as per which Tipu had the upper hand. He engaged the British East India Company forces in four rounds of fighting during 1767-99.