Was Tipu Sultan a freedom fighter?
In the last few years alone, a former chief minister and a high-court judge have weighed in on this question, but what about the ordinary citizens of this country? Where do we stand on this question? In the run-up to the 72nd anniversary of India's independence, let us walk through two centrally protected monuments, now known as Bangalore Fort and Tipu Sultan's Palace, and try to answer this question for ourselves.
We will begin the walk at the fort that the East India Company successfully laid siege to in 1791 during the third Anglo-Mysore War—a siege that precipitated the fall of Bangalore and presaged 150 years of (indirect) British rule over the city.
We will then walk over to the palace, about half a kilometre away. The construction of this palace was begun by Hyder Ali and ultimately completed by his son, Tipu Sultan. At the palace, we will also see a small exhibit dedicated to the life of Tipu Sultan and his many accomplishments
We will end the walk with an answer to this contentious question and then invite the participants on the walk to offer their opinions.
This guided tour is free.
