The first lesson that any serious practitioner of the discipline of history learns is that events and persons can be studied meaningfully only when placed in a historical context. The same with any discussion on Tipu’s approach to language. To begin with Tipu cannot be seen as the ruler of ‘Karnataka’, since Karnataka as a linguistic state is a modern creation and the product of a process of evolution in which Tipu’s kingdom marked a specific historical stage. The boundaries of Tipu’s kingdom encompassed parts of present-day Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa, indicating that he ruled over a multi-lingual territory. In any case linguistic identities developed during the course of the national movement and were linked, among other things, to the standardisation of vernaculars through education and printing. Prior to this, the language of governance and/or religion differed from the language of everyday speech. The Scindias and Holkars used Marathi and Persian in their official documents though these were not the languages of the common people of Malwa. Finally, the extensive use of Kannada by Tipu for official purposes is well-documented.

Ultimately what is being targetted is Tipu as an icon of the anti-colonial struggle. Tipu’s place in history has to be judged primarily in terms of the prolonged contest between Mysore and the East India Company. The Company had to engage in four Anglo-Mysore wars, from 1766-1799, to subjugate Mysore. The relentless struggle of Haidar Ali and Tipu against the Company assumed epic proportions due to Mysore’s ability to mobilise military resources on a scale that made it a real contest. Tipu’s modernization of the army, the adoption of advances in technology and the skilful deployment of rockets forced the British to update their own military organisation involving massive financial commitment. Tipu’s defeat paved the way for the subjugation of the Marathas, and ensured the supremacy of the Company by the beginning of the 19th century.

... contd.