Why is Tipu relevant now? Should we bother about historic personalities who are long dead and gone?
That is almost like asking whether history is relevant at all as the discipline deals with characters long dead and gone! In the case of people like Tipu Sultan they become relevant because they are made into a political football by the acrimonious politics of our times. Ever since the Congress Government started the Tipu Jayanthi in 2014 to commemorate his birth anniversary, it caused great angst to several communities in Karnataka, whose ancestors had suffered his brutalities. The BJP did its share of ridiculous myth-making as a counter, talking about Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda as his killers—all with an eye to target the Vokkaliga vote bank. In all of this, I felt that it was truly a historian's responsibility to set the record straight, bring the facts on the table and present the unvarnished truth of Tipu Sultan, as he was, with warts and all.
While growing up in Kerala, there was a dichotomy in the narrative we heard about Tipu Sultan. The textbooks, the Doordarshan series and the academic narrative of that time portrayed him as a great hero who fought against the East India Company and a secular icon, while the collective memory talked about a different picture. Which is the truth?
This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 15, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express Hubballi.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MRPL Reports 28% Decline in Net Profit to ₹304 Crore
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) reported a 28% decline in its net profit to ₹304 crore for the third quarter of FY25.
IT cos see revival in discretionary demand, deal wins
IT services companies have now started witnessing early signs of revival in discretionary spending and CEOs of top IT companies are optimistic about strong deal wins in coming quarters.
Tax sops likely for brownfield projects
FACED with slow uptake in private investment, the government may announce some tax sops in the Budget this year for encouraging new investments by companies.
Sinner beats dizziness, Rune in round four
JANNIK Sinner battled dizzy spells on Monday to reach an Australian Open quarter-final against Alex de Minaur, admitting a long interruption when he accidentally broke the net was \"big, big luck\".
Bengaluru to Host 3-Day Millet Fair From Jan 23
Representatives from nearly 10 countries and agriculture ministers and bureaucrats from over 25 states in India will take part in the International Trade Fair - Organics and Millets 2025, Karnataka Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy has said.
Farmers reunite jungle kittens with their mother in 11-hour op
In an extraordinary display of love for animals, farmers at Holehadagali village in Ron taluk of Gadag district reunited jungle kittens who had got separated from their mother.
Meghalaya Mob Attempts to Attack School, Curfew Imposed
CURFEW was clamped in areas falling under the Mawkynrew village in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district on Monday following an incident of mob violence involving a school.
UP nod to RDA in cabinet meeting at Maha Kumbh likely
The proposed meeting of Yogi cabinet at Mahakumbh on Wednesday, January 22, is likely to provide a major boost not only to the economic development of Prayagraj but also to neighboring districts.
Axar Steps Into A New Role
Now part of the leadership group, the all-rounder doesn't feel the need to prove to anyone
Beer prices up, breweries told to cut sugar content
BEER prices have been revised in the state. The revised prices came into effect on Monday.
