Hyder Ali was the founder of Mysore state and he ruled there from 1761 to 1782. He fought twice against the East India Company and defeated it. After the death of Hyder Ali, his son Tipu succeeded him in 1788.

Tipu Sultan not only strengthened the kingdom but extended it by conquering other territories. He became a threat to the Company because he structured Mysore state on modern lines and challenged the growing power of the Company. Thus the English started negative propaganda against Tipu and he was portrayed as a fanatic Muslim who forcibly converted Hindus and demolished their temples.

Tipu remained a controversial figure during the colonial period. However, new research shows that he was a liberal and tolerant ruler. He gave the Hindus equal rights and also treated Christians with great tolerance.

Both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan had fully realised the expansionist motive of the Company and in order to be able to compete with the Company, Tipu trained his army on the European model. He also set up factories to manufacture modern weapons. Realising the importance of navy, he prepared a fleet to counter the Company’s naval power. He also made efforts to improve the agriculture sector of his state by introducing new irrigation techniques and granted concessions to peasants.

Tipu established factories to expand the industrial sector and build trade relations abroad. Tipu was keen to adopt modern technology and for this purpose built diplomatic relations with France and asked the authorities there to send experts to educate his people and introduce them to new inventions. After the French Revolution, Tipu supported the new government and hoisted its flag in his capital.

Tipu, instead of compromising with the Company, resisted the combined forces of the Company, the Nizam of the Deccan state and the Mahrattas. He was defeated and the British levied a huge compensation of three crore rupees on Tipu Sultan and took his two sons as hostage until he paid his dues. Despite these losses, Tipu didn’t give up and after some time he again attacked these three forces and instead of surrendering, preferred to fight. In 1799, he was killed in the battlefield fighting against the invaders.

Tipu Sultan is also known as the Tiger of Mysore as he didn’t give up and fought bravely with the British. When he was dead, his body was still warm and gave an impression of being alive to the British officers. After the occupation of Mysore, the Company possessed Tipu’s library and his personal belongings which were sent to Calcutta and England.