Volume 4 | Issue 2 | April - May
2010 |
Tipu Sultan – A Ruler Ahead Of His Time
Dr. K.K.N. Kurup
When trade and agriculture had been promoted by the state, through various methods including tax concessions, his treasury could face any financial situation without much difficulty. In Malabar, he tried to introduce a ryotwar agrarian system, first of its kind in the region. This policy invited the animosity of traditional landed class. A large number of staff were engaged in the process of revenue assessment.
The policy of state irrigational system with proper canals was much innovative one. He even suggested to construct a canal linking the sea and a pilgrimage centre in Ottoman empire by his government. However, it was not materialized. Recently a foundation stone with his name had been unearthed from the site of Kannambadi dam which showed his genius in irrigational activities. In Malabar, he constructed a few canals for transportation of military personnel and commodities.
His diplomatic missions to Paris, and Ottoman empire were first of its kind sent by a ruler in the 18th century. These missions were seeking exchange of personnel, trade concessions, etc. Further, he was asking for exchange of technical know-how through specialists and craftsmen to develop the industries in Mysore. However, there was no proper result as expected by him due to the inferior quality of the craftsmanship at that time in Central Asia and Europe. This policy was quite new to the contemporary rulers.
He had introduced a state library with rare collections including manuscripts from all over the world. In fact, it was looted by the soldiers of the Company after his fall. His interest in gardening was highly appreciated by his enemies also. Sometimes he got imported plants for his garden in Mysore and Bangalore. He patronized Kannada by using it as an official language for communication. His Sringeri letters are good examples for this state policy.
As a social reformer, he wanted to introduce breast cloth for women in Malabar. It was also misinterpreted as a policy of religious conversion by certain sections of Malabar society. Even now the roads which are used for transport and communication in Malabar had originated from his state policy. Even the Company had praises for such activities. His administration was attending these strange policies in a time when the state and its people were facing frequent wars from the neighbouring states and from the Ease India Company. Out of the 16 years of his administration, 13 years he had been in the pitched battles to safeguard his territorial possessions. His policies were much ahead of his times and they highlighted the quality of a prodigious genius well versed in state craft.
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Dr. K.K.N. Kurup - Former Vice Chancellor, Calicut University, Director General, Centre for Heritage Studies, Cultural Affairs Department, Govt. of Kerala.
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Address: Poomalika,
Chombala P.O.,
. Kozhikode Dt.
, Pin-673308
e-mail: kknkurupchs@gmail.com