The Sword of Tipu Sultan

The film is a dramatised version of a book by Baghwan.S.Gidvani with the same title. Another film version also uses the title "the adventures of Tipu (Tippoo) Sultan". The story is based on the 18th Century ruler of the kingdom of Mysore in southern India. He was a most eccentric character and is one of India's most famous Indian independence fighters or Patriots.

Most of the book and film is based on historical facts and it is well known that the Sultan Tipu (Tippoo) was a very brave leader who fought not only the British East India company but many of their allies as well. His reputation for courage and leadership is legendary as is his treatment of his subjects. Due to the historical nature of the film, it is very violent and involves scenes which are certainly unsuitable for children. That said it is a must see film, especially if you are fond of war films or Historical dramas.

Inspite of having a decision from Mumbai high court and enforcing it doesn't mean that the plaintiffs were right. Their claim that the novel written by Bhagwan Gidwani is a fiction and has nothing to do with facts and real life of Tipu Sultan is nothing more than ignorance. What needs to be explained is that what is the difference between a Fiction and Historical novel. A fiction is a story that is completely made up and has nothing to do with facts whereas a historical novel or historical fiction can be written in such a style where the author using his imagination fictionalizes the story based on true history. The entire Sub-continent and all Indian, Pakistani and British historians know that Tipu Sultan was a person in history who was born in Mysore, ruled Mysore and fought the British for freedom. Off course, Tipu Sultan and his legacy are an integral part of 18th century's British-Indian history so how is that possible that Bhagwan Gidwani's novel "The Sword of Tipu Sultan" has nothing to do with facts. It doesn't make sense at all, however, there are or could be some historical inaccuracies in that book and some events or short stories presented in the book and Drama Serial may not be historically factual. 2nd thing is that I have watched "The Sword of Tipu Sultan" a number of times but nowhere on the serial I have seen this notice that "This drama serial is a total work of fiction and has nothing to do with facts and real life of Tipu Sultan however, when starting, it does say that "it is based on a fiction or novel by Bhagwan S Gidwani and there is a huge difference between the former note and later note. So since Tipu Sultan himself was a real historical figure how can his history be fiction, so the claim of plaintiffs who filed petition against the telecasting of this wonderful drama serial is just self-contradictory. As far as the petition filed in the court against the telecasting of historical drama serial, that was just a propaganda by extremist Hindus who want to bring the character and the history of "Tipu the great" to distortion. But even majority of Hindus in India even today remember Tipu Sultan as the greatest freedom fighter and most brave king Indian sub-continent ever produced.

He massacred on a very high scale. They presented him like a warrior but the truth is .....

When your Tipu came face to face with 800 Travancore Nairs, all his bravery turned to dust.

His forces were utterly routed. His soldiers killed.

When Travancore reinforcements came, Tipu was saved by his Chelas. He fled the battlefield.

Turned cripple due to injuries.

The Sword of Tipu Sultan is one of the classic shows of Indian Television from the '80s and '90s.

It is remarkable in its historical accuracy and attention to detail. The acting is superb, direction insuperable (by Indian standards), and the adaption from Gidwani's work is brilliant.

The show is considered violent and anti-British by many. I must, however, point out that the title of the show is "The Sword of Tipu Sultan," not the "Garden of Tipu Sultan." The show depicts a period in Indian history when numerous petty kings and Nawabs were fighting British expansionism. Violence and wars were a part of everyday life in India, especially in those states faced by British conquest, as Tipu's was.

At the same time, there is more to the show than just violence and wars. It shows the life of the people, commoners, nobility and the British, and the tragedy and joy associated with it.

I have watched the show in its entirety twice on Doordarshan, India's national TV channel, and I would love to watch it again.

10/10.

After reading the actual history it becomes clear that the intention of the creator of the series was to whitewash the atrocities commited by Tipu Sultan on Hindus. The fact that Tipu converted lakhs of Hindus and hundreds of Christians to Islam has been cleverly removed from this version.

The initial words of inscription on sword of Tipu are - "My victorious sabre is lightning for the destruction of the unbelievers. Haidar, the Lord of the Faith, is victorious for my advantage. And moreover, he destroyed the wicked race who were unbelievers."