Podcasts about Tipu Sultan

Following the lightning-fast two-hour fall of the pete, Lord Cornwallis found himself trapped in a gruelling logistical nightmare against the strongest fortress in Mysore. From March 12 to 20, 1791, the siege of Bangalore Fort became a high-stakes chess match of engineering versus endurance. In the first of this two-part special, Ramjee Chandran details the tactical brilliance of the Madras Sappers, the devastating psychological warfare of Tipu Sultan's advanced iron rocket corps, and the elegant, high-stakes piece of midnight battlefield theatre that set a trap under the noses of the Mysore gunners. Key Details from the Script: The Deceptive Two-Pronged Feint: Immediately following the loss of the pete, Tipu Sultan launched a calculated counterattack led by generals Qamardeen Khan and Syed Sahib. A visible decoy column staged a distant cannonade to the north-east of the fort to distract the British, while Qamardeen quietly swung his primary force around to infiltrate the pete. Cornwallis anticipated the ruse, shifted the 76th and 36th Regiments to intercept them, and inflicted over two thousand Mysorean casualties, forcing a permanent retreat. Turning Geometry Against Stone: On March 12, the methodical, systematic reduction of the fort began under Captain Alexander Kyd of the Bengal Engineers. Rather than a blind bombardment, the Sappers utilised advanced tactical gun placements: enfilade batteries fired along the length of the walls to sweep multiple defensive works at once, while ricochet batteries skipped low-angle cannonballs off the ground to bounce over protective parapets. By March 16, the first major structural cracks emerged east of the Delhi Gate. The Silver-Bearded Aggressor: Defending the fort was Bahadur Khan, an aged killedar revered for his temperate life and a beard where "every hair vied with silver in whiteness." Khan refused to play a passive defense; he launched ferocious sallies (sudden infantry sorties) that inflicted heavy British casualties and successfully used rocket volleys to completely obliterate two of Cornwallis's irreplaceable 18- and 24-pounder heavy siege guns. The Logistics Death Spiral: Beyond the fort walls, Cornwallis faced an absolute crisis of forage. Tipu Sultan's scorched-earth strategy left the surrounding countryside entirely bare, making fodder unbuyable at any price. With hundreds of transport bullocks starving to death daily, the British siege train—dependent on tens of thousands of animals to move heavy shot, water, and artillery—faced a ticking clock toward total collapse. The Ancestor of the National Anthem: The iron-cased Mysore rockets bedeviling the British camp were highly refined explosive weapons stabilised by long bamboo poles. Years later, a British officer named William Congreve would reverse-engineer captured Bangalore designs to create the "Congreve rocket"—the exact weapon used against Napoleon and the historical inspiration behind the "rockets' red glare" in the American national anthem. The Grand Theater of the Phantom Camp: On the night of March 16, Cornwallis acted on a critical intelligence tip. He quietly ordered his cavalry horses and riders down into a natural hollow, rendering them completely invisible to the fort's lookouts. Crucially, he left the empty tents standing. In the darkness, British infantry crawled into the vacated lines, crouching low behind earthworks directly underneath the decoy camp, waiting for the unsuspecting Mysore gunners to open fire on a ghost target at dawn. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

The high-stakes gamble of Cornwallis's ghost camp pays off at dawn, exposing a hidden web of espionage and bribery run by William Read and Thomas Munro within the Mysorean ranks. But as the siege pushes toward its absolute limit, the fate of Bangalore comes down to a desperate midnight assault on March 21, 1791. In the conclusion of this two-part special, Ramjee Chandran chronicles the harrowing final hours of the campaign: the elite "Forlorn Hope" navigating a two-foot-wide causeway under a sky illuminated by Mysorean fireballs, the tragic collapse of an exhausted garrison, and the heroic death of Killedar Bahadur Khan. Key Details from the Script: The Ghost Camp Success: At dawn on March 17, Mysorean gunners unleashed a devastating, carefully targeted artillery salvo directly into Cornwallis's cavalry lines. Though the barrage tore through the canvas tents and churned up the landscape, the tents were entirely empty. Cornwallis's deception saved thousands of cavalry horses from being slaughtered, preserving British mobility for the rest of the campaign. The Espionage of Read and Munro: To bypass the slow Madras administration, Cornwallis relied on Captain William Read and a young, language-proficient officer named Thomas Munro to run a sophisticated network of hircarrahs (intelligence runners). They successfully bribed and cultivated paid informants deep inside Bahadur Khan's own staff, mapping out Mysore's heavy batteries in real-time. (A historical detour: during this period, Munro translated a Persian manuscript containing the "pound of flesh" story that predated Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice). The Arithmetic of Fatigue: Expecting an immediate British assault on March 20, Tipu Sultan threw 700 elite dismounted cavalrymen into the fort as reinforcements. The defenders stayed awake in a state of high alert for over 24 hours, maintaining constant fire. When the assault failed to materialise during the day of the 21st, the garrison succumbed to profound exhaustion—leaving them unable to hold watch when the true midnight attack finally commenced. The Blank Cartridge Deception: On the day of the assault, the British concentrated heavy fire on the towers overlooking the eastern curtain wall breach near the Delhi Gate. For one full hour leading up to the attack, Colonel Giles ordered his men to switch to blank cartridges. The continuous noise and smoke successfully kept the defenders pinned away from the walls while allowing the storming parties to quietly slip into position undetected. The Path of the Forlorn Hope: At 11:00 PM under absolute secrecy, the "Forlorn Hope"—a sergeant, twelve men, two lieutenants, and thirty elite soldiers—led the advance. To reach the breach, they had to cross a narrow, 100-yard causeway that the defenders had cut through, leaving a ledge just two feet wide. Soldiers crossed in single file in total darkness before the fort erupted with defensive blue lights and explosive fireballs that illuminated the night like the noon sun. The Fall and the Tragedy: Led by the Forlorn Hope and supported by the Madras Sappers carrying scaling ladders, the British fought their way up the jagged breach, igniting brutal hand-to-hand combat across the ramparts. Within an hour, the fort fell. In the chaotic aftermath, retreating garrison troops collided with a crowd of sheltering women and children in a narrow gateway; unable to distinguish between them in the dark, British troops killed over 1,400 people. The Death of a Hero: The silver-bearded Killedar, Bahadur Khan, fought to his final breath, sustaining nearly as many wounds "as were inflicted on Caesar in the capitol." Impressed by his gallantry, the British offered his remains to Tipu Sultan, who wept and requested he be buried where he fell. The British buried the veteran defender with full military honors, attended by senior Muslim officers from the British ranks. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

While history books fixate on the dramatic midnight breach of the Bangalore Fort, the entire Mysore campaign was actually decided two weeks earlier in the blood-soaked streets of the commercial city. On March 7, 1791, Lord Cornwallis launched a brutal, house-to-house assault on the Bangalore pete—a fortified manufacturing powerhouse of over a hundred thousand citizens. In this episode, Ramjee Chandran uncovers the terrifying reality of 18th-century urban combat, the tactical genius of the pete's defenses, and the tragic fall of Colonel Moorhouse, whose legendary death at the Yelahanka Gate was immortalized by British art but fundamentally misplaced by history. Key Details from the Script: The Forgotten Metropolis: Most historians skip straight to the fort's midnight breach, but the pete of 1791 was a massive, fortified industrial city in its own right. Inhabited by roughly 108,000 people, it featured its own water grid fed by the Dharmambudhi tank, vast granaries, and a taramandala—one of Tipu Sultan's advanced state armaments factories utilizing water- and wind-driven boring machines. Cornwallis's Two-Phase Gambit: Recognizing that the pete was the logistical heartbeat of the region, Cornwallis calculated that the fort could not be taken first. The British strategy required capturing the marketplace, grain supplies, and repair yards to feed and sustain his starving army before turning their heavy guns on the fortress walls. The Yelahanka Gate Wall of Fire: At dawn on March 7, British redcoats and Bengal sepoys hacked through jungle-like overgrowth to storm the pete. While the Doddapete barricade fell to a swift bayonet charge, the advance ground to a bloody halt at the northern Yelahanka Gate, where Mysore forces unleashed a devastating crossfire from flanking towers and residential rooftops. The Sacrifice of Colonel Moorhouse: Stranded under heavy fire, Colonel Moorhouse—the revered founder of the Madras Sappers—refused to retreat. He brought heavy 18- and 24-pounder siege cannons to point-blank range to deliver a simultaneous shattering salvo against the teak doors. Moorhouse was shot twice in the body, continued commanding, and was killed after two more balls shattered his head and chest. The Whiskers Charge: Moorhouse's guns successfully punched a gap in the masonry just wide enough for one man. As Lieutenant Ayre squeezed through the opening first, the sidelined General Medows casually cheered him on like a spectator at a cricket match, famously shouting to the 36th Regiment Grenadiers: "Well done! Now, whiskers! Support the little gentleman!" before stepping in to take command. Brutal and Secret Urban Warfare: Once inside, the British cleared the narrow lanes, warehouses, and shops in two hours of fierce, undocumented hand-to-hand combat. Though British accounts largely omitted the grim details of the urban slaughter, the pete fell at the cost of 130 British lives, completely undermining Tipu's scorched-earth strategy by handing Cornwallis the markets and water lines he desperately needed. The Historical Error of Robert Home's Painting: Robert Home's masterpiece, "The Death of Colonel Moorhouse," created a centuries-long tradition claiming Moorhouse died at the eastern Ulsoor Gate. Modern historical mapping reveals this is entirely wrong; Moorhouse actually fell at the northern Yelahanka Gate, which stood where the modern Mysore Bank building stands today—miles away from the Ulsoor Gate Police Station. Tipu's Enraged Retaliation: Stunned by the rapid loss of his industrial hub, an enraged Tipu Sultan refused to concede the city. He immediately ordered a massive counterattack, dispatching an entire division from Basavanagudi under General Qamardeen Khan with strict mandates to recapture the pete at all costs. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode features a deep-dive discussion into sensitive and complex historical events, religious histories, and political figures. The insights and analyses presented are those of the guest, based on their research, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the production team or host. Something Bigger does not intend to offend, defame, or hurt the sentiments of any individual, community, or religious group. Our goal is to facilitate nuanced academic exploration and peaceful civic discourse.In this insightful episode of Something Bigger, we dive deep into the complexities of Indian history, exploring how the impact of colonialism, manipulated historical narratives, and the layered legacy of figures like Mahatma Gandhi continue to shape modern India's national identity and future.About the Guest: Dr. Vikram Sampath is a highly acclaimed historian, author, and fellow of the Royal Historical Society, widely recognized for his rigorous archives-based research into Indian history. Specializing in biographies and historical reconstructions that challenge mainstream, post-colonial consensus, he has penned definitive works on figures like V.D. Savarkar and Gauhar Jaan, as well as explorations of India's forgotten regional resistance movements.HighlightsThe Weight of Colonial Legacy: The British colonial apparatus systematically dismantled and reframed India's historical narrative to instill a psychological "loser complex," effectively capturing the minds of the colonized to legitimize foreign rule.The Whitewashing of Traumas: Critical and uncomfortable historical realities, including the brutal destruction of ancient universities like Nalanda and the severe nature of the Islamic conquests, have been historically suppressed under the guise of maintaining contemporary social harmony.The Myth of Solely Nonviolent Success: While Mahatma Gandhi's mass movements successfully galvanized the public consciousness, India's independence was a dual-track victory heavily accelerated by aggressive, armed revolutionary movements and the pivotal 1946 naval mutinies.Gandhi's Enigmatic Scrutiny: Stripped of hagiography, Gandhi emerges as an incredibly complex, patriarchal political patriarch who utilized deep emotional manipulation (such as fasts unto death) to enforce his worldview and conducted highly controversial personal lifestyle experiments.TimestampsIntroduction to Historical Manipulation – 00:00The Impact of Invasions on National Psyche – 00:27The British Colonial Project and the "Loser Nation" Myth – 02:15A Nation vs. A Nation-State: Emotional Connect Beyond Borders – 03:40The Suppression of Medieval Traumas & Ancient Universities – 04:27The Holocaust and Apartheid Models – 06:15Intergenerational Trauma – 08:30The Fragmented Reality of Modern Indian Identity – 10:38The Case of Tipu Sultan and Controversial Historical Monikers – 21:11How Education and Historians Warped the Mainstream Narrative – 24:40The Unsung Warrior Kings & Five Centuries of Indian Resilience – 28:15The Historian as a Blind Man Describing the Elephant: A Lesson in Humility – 01:04:12

In February 1791, Charles Cornwallis marched out of Fort St. George with a singular obsession: total redemption for his humiliating defeat at Yorktown. His target was Bangalore, the heavily fortified, stone-hewn "gatekeeper" of the Mysore plateau. But moving a massive army of twenty-one thousand troops, sixty-seven war elephants, and an unyielding battering train required an astronomical forty thousand bullocks—all racing against a strict four-month window before the monsoons turned the roads to impassable mud. In this episode, Ramjee Chandran details Cornwallis's brilliant flanking manoeuver through the narrow Mugali Pass, a thick morning fog that brought two rival armies face-to-face, a bloody cavalry clash, and the tactical miscalculation by Tipu Sultan that brought the legendary Madras Sappers to the unbroken walls of Bangalore. Key Details from the Script: The Invisible Plaque: Hidden on the curved stone masonry of the Delhi Gate at Bangalore Fort, a tiny plaque marks the exact spot where the British broke through on March 21, 1791—an event that fundamentally birthed the cantonments and modern layout of the city today. The bustling modern road beneath it was once the fort's formidable defensive moat. The Ghost of Yorktown: Driven by the lingering shame of surrendering to George Washington a decade prior, Cornwallis refused to manage this war from a distant desk. He took personal, aggressive command from the front, determined to establish an advanced base at Bangalore to permanently break Tipu Sultan. The Logistics of an Empire: The scale of the British marching column was staggering. Accompanied by thousands of camp followers, it included a massive artillery train of eighteen-pounder siege guns—each weighing two and a half tons. Managing forty thousand bullocks that required constant fodder and water meant Cornwallis had to conquer Bangalore before the June monsoons arrived. The Mugali Pass Deception: Expecting the British to use the predictable southern entry points like the Gajalhatti Pass, Tipu Sultan concentrated his forces there. Cornwallis executed a brilliant feint, feigning south before pivoting sharply north to haul his heavy guns up the narrow Mugali Pass defile, bloodlessly placing his entire army onto the high ground of the Mysore plateau. The Vanishing Fog: As the British advanced rapidly, capturing Kolar and Hoskote, Tipu's guerrilla horsemen—the irregular "looties"—harassed their flanks under the cover of dense, blinding fog. On March 5, the mist suddenly lifted like a cinematic reveal, leaving both massive armies staring directly at one another across a narrow, unpassable marsh. A Bloody Prelude: The standoff shattered the next morning on March 6 when Tipu's forces ambushed a British detachment. A fierce counter-charge by British cavalry was devastated by Mysorean rockets and musketry. Senior British commander Colonel Floyd was shot in the face and narrowly rescued by a corporal, leaving the British with over two hundred men dead and three hundred irreplaceable horses lost. Tipu's Fatal Miscalculation: Believing the thick stone walls of Bangalore Fort could endure a prolonged siege that would exhaust British supplies, Tipu left the fortress under the command of his Killedar, Bahadur Khan, and 8,000 troops. Tipu retreated to Kengeri to orchestrate external ambushes. However, he failed to gauge the unique methodology of the Madras Sappers—combat engineers specialising in tunneling parallels and mapping geometric weak points. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

Before Lord Cornwallis's army could ever march on the plateau, the outcome of the Third Anglo-Mysore War hung precariously on the decisions made inside a single room in Pune. In this episode, Ramjee Chandran takes us behind the scenes of a high-stakes diplomatic chess match. Two rival embassies—the British led by Charles Warre Malet, and Mysore led by Tipu Sultan's top negotiators—competed fiercely for the ultimate prize: ten thousand elite Maratha cavalry riders. From nocturnal meetings with the "Maratha Machiavelli," Nana Phadnavis, to a public state humiliation and a sophisticated network of paid informants, discover how the British narrowly leveraged territorial greed against a prophetic warning to secure the Triple Alliance that sealed Bangalore's fate. Key Details from the Script: The Cavalry Mandate: Cornwallis's approaching army was heavily encumbered by massive siege artillery required to smash the fortifications of Bangalore and Seringapatam. Moving at the slow crawl of bullock carts, they desperately needed the highly mobile Maratha cavalry to act as a defensive screen against Tipu Sultan's fast-raiding light horsemen, known as "looties". The Nocturnal Shadow Race: The British Resident at Pune, Charles Warre Malet, spent sleepless months enduring an agonizingly prolonged negotiation process. The stakes reached a fever pitch as he literally passed Tipu's seasoned emissaries in the streets, knowing they were holding secret midnight conferences with the Maratha administration. The Prophecy of Mysore: Tipu's seasoned diplomats, Qutub-ud-din Khan and Ali Raza Khan, arrived at court armed with fully paid-up historical debts and a shockingly accurate historical warning. They warned the Marathas that the British would never willingly stop absorbing territory, telling them: "If Mysore falls, the Marathas are next"—a prophecy that materialized exactly within thirty years. The Maratha Machiavelli: Sitting at the center of the storm was the calculating chief minister Nana Phadnavis. Acutely aware that both warring empires needed him more than he needed them, he masterfully used delays as a tactical weapon to gather intelligence, drive up the bidding war, and weigh his options. Bribery, Grievances, and Espionage: To shatter the deadlock, Malet operated aggressively within the fluid parameters of 18th-century Deccan politics. He planted active networks of informants to track internal court factions, distributed British funds to sympathetic ministers, and explicitly guaranteed that an alliance with the British was the only way to militarily recover the fertile Doab territories previously taken by Mysore. The Public Snub and Final Deal: The ultimate diplomatic crisis occurred on June 8, 1790, when the Peshwa deliberately insulted Malet by granting Tipu's ambassadors a lavish, highly public state audience. Despite the deep personal humiliation, Malet persevered. By February 1791, the tangible promise of immediate land recovery triumphed over Tipu's risky long-term vision, cementing the ten thousand cavalry soldiers needed to safely march on Bangalore. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

One line is all we need in history records that Charles Cornwallis invaded Bangalore in 1791. But behind that single line lies a sweeping story of defeat, humiliation, and a decades-long struggle for redemption. In this episode, Ramjee Chandran charts Cornwallis's journey from his agonizing, ghosted surrender to George Washington at Yorktown to his arrival in India as a powerful, dual-mandate ruler. When the initial British campaign of 1790 crumbles under the brilliant guerrilla tactics of Tipu Sultan, Cornwallis realizes he cannot run a war from a desk in Calcutta. Stepping into the field himself, he gathers a massive force, bypasses Tipu's traps, and sets his sights squarely on his first major objective on the plateau: the fortified arsenal town of Bangalore. Key Details from the Script: The Stain of Yorktown: On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis skipped his own surrender ceremony to George Washington, claiming illness and sending a subordinate to hand over his sword—cementing his status as the face of a historic national disgrace. The Trenton Irony: A decade before Cornwallis marched into Mysore to fight Tipu, his father Hyder Ali was celebrated as a hero in revolutionary America; during victory toasts in New Jersey, toast number eleven was explicitly dedicated to Hyder Ali. The "Incorruptible" Nobleman: Despite losing the American colonies, Cornwallis used his aristocratic lineage to rebuild his career, famously earning a reputation for absolute integrity by repeatedly denying corrupt financial favors to the Prince of Wales. The 1790 Failure: The war's opening phase under General William Medows was an utter disaster for the British. Tipu used the monsoon terrain and fast-moving light cavalry ("looties") to run circles around the British, leaving over a thousand colonial soldiers sick before a major battle was even fought. The Masterstroke Strategy: Realizing his generals were thoroughly outmatched, Cornwallis arrived in Madras in December 1790 to take personal command. He consolidated 21,000 troops and planned a surprise flanking maneuver through the rugged Mugali Pass to bypass Tipu's scorched-earth defenses. Bangalore First: Cornwallis understood the geography perfectly; to open the road to Tipu's capital at Seringapatam, he first had to conquer the critical fortified hinge and arsenal town of Bangalore. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

The five-year peace between Mysore and the East India Company was never a truce; it was simply a race to rearm. Ramjee Chandran breaks down the high-stakes geopolitical chess match that shattered the Treaty of Mangalore. Enter Lord Charles Cornwallis, a general eager to erase the shame of his surrender to George Washington at Yorktown. When the small state of Travancore strategically provokes Tipu Sultan by purchasing two Dutch forts, the "Tiger of Mysore" is forced to defend his vital lifeline to the sea. Discover how a dispute over a thorn-filled ditch and a frantic farcical hiding game by the Raja of Cochin unleashed the formidable Triple Alliance—setting the stage for the Third Anglo-Mysore War and the eventual landlocking of Tipu's empire. Key Details from the Script: The Looming Shadow of Bangalore: During the five years of uneasy peace following 1784, Tipu heavily fortified Bangalore—transforming it into an essential garrison town, arsenal, and the ultimate strategic hinge between the Carnatic plains and the Mysorean interior. Cornwallis's Mandate: Arriving in 1786, Lord Cornwallis found a disorganized Madras Presidency. Haunted by his defeat in the American War of Independence, he was impatient to neutralize Tipu but required a legitimate casus belli (justification for war) to void the existing treaty. The Provocation: In 1789, the British-aligned Kingdom of Travancore purchased two Dutch forts (Cranganore and Ayacottah) that sat in territory subordinate to Mysore. This commercial deal effectively placed a British-protected enclave right on Tipu's western flank, threatening his only access to global maritime trade and French assistance. The Anxious Farce: Sensing the impending storm, the Raja of Cochin (a Mysore vassal) tried to avoid choosing sides. When Tipu summoned him, the Raja feigned illness and locked himself in a room to escape Tipu's visiting minister. The Invasion: On December 29, 1789, diplomatic patience expired. Tipu breached the defensive lines of Travancore. By April 1790, he launched a full-scale invasion, dismantling their fortifications and sending 200 captured cannons back to Bangalore. The Triple Alliance: Cornwallis seized his trigger. Through the relentless backroom diplomacy of British Resident Charles Warre Malet in Pune, the British successfully bought, flattered, and maneuvered the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad into a massive, multi-front coalition against a structurally isolated Mysore. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

How does a man transition from a "flogged prince" to a revolutionary sovereign? Ramjee Chandran explores the formative trauma and brilliant administrative mind of Tipu Sultan. Following the death of Hyder Ali, Tipu inherited a state designed for perpetual war and set about the impossible task of making it thrive in peace. From the public humiliation that defined his sense of discipline to the creation of a "modern" bureaucracy that even the British would eventually copy, this episode reveals Tipu as a "scientist-king" operating in a feudal world—a ruler who demanded absolute obedience because he had felt the lash of it himself. Key Details from the Script: The Public Flogging: In 1771, a teenage Tipu was publicly whipped on Hyder Ali's orders for disobeying military commands during a battle. The act was calculated "theatre" to prove that military discipline superseded blood loyalty. Fiscal Revolution: Tipu systematically dismantled the palegar system—hereditary chieftains who had acted as semi-independent despots—and replaced them with a salaried, accountable bureaucracy. The Peasant's Win: By removing middleman corruption, Tipu nearly doubled state revenues while actually reducing the tax burden on individual peasants. The British Debt: British officials like Thomas Munro were so impressed by Tipu's revenue system that they used it as the foundation for the colonial Ryotwari settlement across South India. The Scientist-King: Unlike his illiterate father, Tipu was an intellectual who spoke four languages, owned a 2,000-volume library, and entertained (or terrified) British officers with demonstrations of electricity and physics. Ending the Fiction: In 1786, Tipu abandoned the charade of Wadiyar rule, formally declaring himself sovereign and eventually winding up the institution of the Maharaja altogether by 1796. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

How does a man transition from a "flogged prince" to a revolutionary sovereign? Ramjee Chandran explores the formative trauma and brilliant administrative mind of Tipu Sultan. Following the death of Hyder Ali, Tipu inherited a state designed for perpetual war and set about the impossible task of making it thrive in peace. From the public humiliation that defined his sense of discipline to the creation of a "modern" bureaucracy that even the British would eventually copy, this episode reveals Tipu as a "scientist-king" operating in a feudal world—a ruler who demanded absolute obedience because he had felt the lash of it himself. Key Details from the Script: The Public Flogging: In 1771, a teenage Tipu was publicly whipped on Hyder Ali's orders for disobeying military commands during a battle. The act was calculated "theatre" to prove that military discipline superseded blood loyalty. Fiscal Revolution: Tipu systematically dismantled the palegar system—hereditary chieftains who had acted as semi-independent despots—and replaced them with a salaried, accountable bureaucracy. The Peasant's Win: By removing middleman corruption, Tipu nearly doubled state revenues while actually reducing the tax burden on individual peasants. The British Debt: British officials like Thomas Munro were so impressed by Tipu's revenue system that they used it as the foundation for the colonial Ryotwari settlement across South India. The Scientist-King: Unlike his illiterate father, Tipu was an intellectual who spoke four languages, owned a 2,000-volume library, and entertained (or terrified) British officers with demonstrations of electricity and physics. Ending the Fiction: In 1786, Tipu abandoned the charade of Wadiyar rule, formally declaring himself sovereign and eventually winding up the institution of the Maharaja altogether by 1796. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

What if everything you've been told about Tipu Sultan is incomplete?In this new episode of The Growth Mindset Podcast, we go beyond emotional narratives and uncover the real personality, vision, and leadership mindset of one of India's most debated rulers.Was he a hero? A villain? Or something deeper that modern narratives fail to capture?With researcher and author Salim Khan, we break down:The colonial distortion of historyThe Islamic mindset behind leadership and powerWhy Muslim unity and narrative control matter todayAnd what today's Muslim youth must learn from Tipu Sultan's lifeThis episode is not just about history.It's about identity, truth, and the future of the Ummah.⏱️ Episode Breakdown:02:05 – Who Was Tipu Sultan? (Real Introduction)04:17 – Hero or Villain? The Truth Behind the Debate05:50 – How Colonial History Manipulated the Narrative10:53 – How to Find Truth in History (Islamic Perspective)16:17 – The Most Underrated Quality of Tipu Sultan17:48 – Did Tipu Sultan Invent Rockets? (Shocking Truth)20:52 – Why the British Feared Him So Much22:06 – Betrayal That Changed Indian History23:50 – Divide & Rule: How India Was Broken27:00 – Muslim Ummah: Unity vs Division Explained30:10 – Blindly Following Leaders? Major Red Flags32:14 – Real Power in Islam: Control vs Aggression38:40 – Advice for Muslim Youth (Powerful Message)42:50 – Social Media: Distraction or Weapon?44:24 – Are You Consuming or Contributing?45:26 – What Jihad REALLY Means Today48:36 – The Power of Positive Thinking in IslamStay Connected with The Growth Mindset Podcast:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/silawath_irshad/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/TheGrowthMindsetwithSilawathIrshadFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/silawathirshad/LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/silawathirshad/Connect with Our Guest – Salim Khan:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qalamaurkagaz/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/qalamaurkagazWebsitehttps://qalamaurkagaz.com/

In this deeply personal episode, Ramjee Chandran looks past the battlefield to the man on the throne. Tipu Sultan was perhaps the most forward-thinking ruler of his age—a man of strong contrasts—yet he remained fundamentally alone. Discover Tipu's desperate, decade-long diplomatic quest to find allies in Versailles, Istanbul, and Cairo. From the "citoyen" who looked to Revolutionary France to the tragic intercepted letter from Napoleon Bonaparte, this episode explores the structural isolation that defined Tipu's reign and the bitter truth that while he had many followers, he had no true friends to warn him when the walls began to crumble. Key Details from the Script: The Diplomatic Desert: Unlike his father, who managed a "Grand Alliance," Tipu found himself isolated as the Marathas and the Nizam shifted toward the British. Global Ambition: Tipu sent grand embassies to the Ottoman Sultan in Istanbul and King Louis XVI in Versailles, seeking military alliances and trade links that never fully materialized. The Napoleon Connection: Napoleon Bonaparte actually wrote a letter to Tipu from Cairo in 1799, promising to liberate him from the British. However, the British intercepted it, and Tipu died never knowing how close his "alliance" had come. Technological Modernizer: The script highlights Tipu's "state trading corporation" with offices in Oman and Kutch, his 2,000-volume library, and his use of windmills to bore cannon barrels. The "Jacobin" Sultan: Tipu's fascination with the French Revolution led to the "Jacobin Club of Mysore," where he was reportedly addressed as "Citizen Tipu," though the alliance was more symbolic than strategic. The Bitter End: Tipu's loneliness was his undoing. As Ramjee notes, "when the walls fell, the followers surrendered or fled. The friends—had there been any—might have warned him." We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

The Second Anglo-Mysore War did not end only with a British loss, but with a scene that the East India Company would spend decades trying to erase from history. Ramjee Chandran explores the final months of the conflict, where Tipu Sultan—now the sovereign of Mysore—forced the British to their knees on the coast of Mangalore. Discover the internal power struggle between the Madras and Bengal Presidencies, the "unqualified surrender" of British prestige, and the dying warning Hyder Ali left for his son: that the British were an enemy that could not be negotiated with, only endured. This episode marks the peak of Tipu's power and the beginning of his absolute isolation. Key Details from the Script: Tipu's Baptism: Taking command in 1782, Tipu inherited a war that was already two years old. He didn't just maintain his father's momentum; he intensified it, focusing on the strategically vital Malabar Coast. The Siege of Mangalore: For nine months, Tipu pinned down a British garrison. When they finally surrendered due to starvation and disease, Tipu dictated the terms from a position of absolute strength. The "Commissioners of Peace": Lord Macartney, Governor of Madras, sent three commissioners to Tipu's camp. In a massive blow to British ego, Tipu made them wait for days and treated them as petitioners rather than equals. The Treaty of Mangalore (1784): This was the last time an Indian power dictated terms to the British. It required the mutual restitution of all conquests and the release of all prisoners, essentially resetting the clock but leaving the British humiliated. Warren Hastings' Fury: The Governor-General in Bengal was so outraged by the "humiliating" terms signed by Madras that he tried to repudiate the treaty, calling it a "hollow and injurious peace." Hyder's Dying Words: Tipu entered this peace with his father's final clarity: "I cannot dry up the sea." He knew the British would return to reclaim their lost credibility. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests. © 2026 Ramjee Chandran. All right reserved.

Season 3 begins with a heartbeat that has stopped, but a war that refuses to pause. Ramjee Chandran reveals the high-stakes drama following the death of Hyder Ali in December 1782. While his body lay cold, his inner circle—led by the brilliant minister Purniah—staged an elaborate deception to keep the army from fragmenting. Follow the 400-mile desperate ride of Tipu Sultan as he races to claim his inheritance before the British, or his own rivals, can seize the moment. This is the story of how a kingdom held its breath for days, and how the "Military Capital" of Bangalore prepared for its most enigmatic ruler. Key Details from the Script: The Final Illness: Hyder Ali succumbed to a "cancerous ulcer" or carbuncle on his back on December 7, 1782, near Chittoor. The Great Deception: To prevent a mutiny or a British advance, Hyder's death was kept a state secret. His body was embalmed and placed in a sealed palanquin, while servants continued to deliver "meals" and "medicines" to his tent. Purniah's Gamble: The Brahmin minister Purniah was the architect of the stability, managing the army's payroll and movements for days to ensure a smooth transition of power. The Race for the Throne: Tipu Sultan was 400 miles away on the Malabar Coast when he received the secret summons. He performed an incredible feat of endurance, riding night and day to reach the main camp. The Transition: When Tipu finally arrived, the secret was broken. He was hailed as the new ruler not just by right of birth, but by the sheer force of his presence and the loyalty his father had cultivated in the troops. Legacy of a Lion: The episode reflects on Hyder's transformation of Bangalore from a provincial town into a stone-fortified, industrialized military pivot celebrated as far away as Philadelphia and the nascent United States. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

In the grand Season 2 finale, Ramjee Chandran takes a step back from the smoke of the Carnatic wars to look at the 243-year journey of Bangalore itself. From a quiet granite plateau granted to a minor chieftain named Kempe Gowda in 1537, to the formidable "military capital" of 1780, discover why this city became the ultimate prize in Southern India. This episode bridges the gap between the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire and the rise of the Mysorean military machine, setting the stage for the dramatic death of Hyder Ali and the high-stakes inheritance of Tipu Sultan. Key Details from the Script: The Long Arc: Season 2 spans 243 years, tracing the evolution of Bangalore from an empty plateau to the hub of a 90,000-man army. Geographic Defiance: Bangalore lacked a major river or natural harbor, yet it became essential because of its "strategic intentionality"—it was a city built by design, not by accident. The Military Machine: By 1780, the city hosted a massive arsenal at Taramandalapete, French hussars, and a sophisticated rocket corps that nearly broke the British East India Company. A Contested Prize: Every power in southern India—the Marathas, the Mughals, the British, and the Mysoreans—eventually decided they could not afford to leave Bangalore in anyone else's hands. The Secret of the Palanquin: The episode teases the start of Season 3: Hyder Ali is dead, but his ministers are keeping it a secret, transporting his body in a closed palanquin as if he were merely resting. Tipu's Inheritance: The season ends with Tipu Sultan inheriting a war and a set of enemies that will give him "no quarter and no time." We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

While Hyder Ali and the British East India Company began their titanic struggle, a young man moved through the early campaigns in the shadows, watching and learning. Ramjee Chandran introduces Tipu Sultan, the figure who would become the central protagonist of the Mysore story. This episode explores Tipu's upbringing, his early military baptism at the gates of the Bangalore pete, and his surprising fascination with global technology. Discover the "modernizing technocrat" who saw the world through the lens of mechanisms and science, preparing for a war that would eventually define the fate of South India. Key Details from the Script: The Emerging Figure: Tipu Sultan is introduced as a figure present but not yet prominent during the early campaigns of the First Anglo-Mysore War, observing the collision of Mysorean mobility and British discipline. A Baptism of Fire: One of Tipu's first independent military actions involved a daring raid on the Bangalore pete, where he outwitted a superior British coalition that was left without a "plan B." The "Technocrat" Ruler: Unlike many feudal lords of his time, Tipu was obsessed with how things worked. He viewed his state through the lens of technology and R&D. The Taramanala Factory: Tipu utilized the Taramanala factory in the Bengaluru pete not just for production, but as a research and development lab for advanced weaponry. Scientific Curiosity: When the British later seized Srirangapatna, they found Tipu's personal collection of European telescopes, barometers, thermometers, and mathematical instruments. The Modern Advantage: Tipu believed that understanding the "mechanisms behind the visible surface of the world" could give Mysore an edge over adversaries who relied solely on numbers and money. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234⁠⁠ iHeartRadio: ⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/⁠⁠ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to ⁠⁠hob@explocity.com⁠⁠. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

A version of this essay has been published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/iran-war-no-winners-oil-de-dollarisation-global-impact-13992276.htmlWar is hell, we all know, and it's bad for everybody, but there is – usually – a winner. After more than three weeks of the Iran war, I am beginning to believe that there are no winners here, only losers. The principals are overextending themselves, and will suffer as a consequence. Innocent or not-so-innocent bystanders are suffering significant collateral damage.Some are getting hurt more than others, so it's mostly a question of degree: but the bottom line is that this is war that is just not good for anybody. As usual, Henry Kissinger had a useful aphorism: “It's a pity both sides can't lose”, quoth he. (Hat tip to reader Sudarshan M). Well, Henry, both sides are losing this one, so take heart: your wish has come true.Someone made the analogy of going to Family Court with a dispute: there are no winners, as the father, mother, and the children, will all suffer, whatever the outcome. It is best in that situation to listen to a counselor and solve your problems amicably. Similarly, it would be good to find a neutral intermediary to help iron out a ceasefire in this war, too.In a way, this war is the classic idea of irresistible force meeting an immovable object, thus leading to a stalemate, as Walter Russel Mead suggested in the Wall Street Journal.First, the toll on the belligerents, in alphabetical order:* Iran. It is creditable that Iran has held out against the might of the US war machine for three weeks and more. My belief is that they can keep it up for a while longer, because they have been preparing for this eventuality for some decades, ever since the 1979 crisis in which they held Americans hostage for 444 days. They are taking, and will take, horrendous losses, but it will be difficult to completely overthrow the Islamist regime. Among other things, Iran is a large country, about half the size of peninsular India.* The US attack on Kharg Island's military targets (but not its oil terminals) has shown that Iran's oil exports could be in jeopardy, pushing global prices up.* Just like their proxy Hamas, it appears Iran has built extensive tunnel complexes, veritable underground labyrinths, where they are hiding all sorts of things, including fast patrol boats. Their military assets are doubtless ensconced in these tunnels which makes them hard to locate and possibly quite mobile.* Israel. Iran's consistent rhetoric that Israel doesn't deserve to exist leads to fears that Iran's nuclear arsenal (if and when built) will be primarily aimed at Israel. This, and troubles with Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas, have led to massive Israeli human intelligence penetration of Iran (as seen in the Stuxnet incident as well as the effective strikes on the Ayatollahs and Hamas, including the pager incident). But Israel is also believed to be taking heavy losses, which it can ill afford, although information has been tightly censored. There were apparently missile attacks near Israel's nuclear sites at Dimona as well.* The US. The original idea of a decapitation strike that would lead to a rapid regime change as the Iranian public rose up and anointed a new leadership (one more acceptable to the US), was questionable, as I pointed out fairly early. It appears that the CIA and US intelligence have just one playbook, which they used more or less successfully in Iraq, Libya, etc. But that was never going to work in Iran, and now the US is stuck with a tar-baby and may be quietly seeking de-escalation and an off-ramp.* Talk of a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2500 American soldiers re-deployed from Japan means “boots on the ground” followed inevitably by that dreaded word, “body bags”. The troops will be meant to keep Hormuz open, or perhaps to capture Kharg Island. Whether they can achieve these is unclear right now.* However, overall it appears that the US' capacity to coerce other countries through economic means is declining, as suggested by the FT in “The era of US dominance in economic warfare is over” on March 17th.Now for the others in the firing line and in the periphery:* The GCC, consisting of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. They have taken the brunt of the Iranian drone and missile attacks, and their oil and gas exports, and economies, are affected by the closure of the Straits of Hormuz. But more alarmingly, their food and water supplies may also be affected, and they are, being desert nations, highly dependent on imported items via the blockaded Hormuz, and critically dependent on their desalination plants. Keeping the Straits of Hormuz open may be critical for them. They have been with human casualties, infrastructure damage, and reputational damage as well. In particular, Dubai, which has been a magnet for high-net-worth individuals, is affected.* Lebanon and Jordan. Lebanon was hit by Israeli fire, and Jordan by Iranian fire, although they are mostly bystanders. Israel has been responding to increased activity by Iranian proxy Hezbollah, and Iran has sent drones and missiles towards Jordan as part of general horizontal escalation.* Pakistan and Turkey. These are wild card nations in the conflict. So far they have not (yet) been affected badly, but they have to walk a tightrope. On the one hand, it is very likely that Pakistan has offered logistical and intelligence support to the US in its air attacks on Iran. On the other, as a fellow-Islamic nation, Iran has, under both the Shah and the mullahs, consistently supported Pakistan (especially against India).* Furthermore, if there is a ground assault on Iran, it will probably involve Balochis from Pakistan and Kurds from Turkey, both attempting to capture land in, respectively, the Sistan and Baluchistan Province, and the heavily Kurdish regions of Iran bordering Turkey.* Turkey, as a NATO member, is obligated to support the US, despite its Islamist leadership which is duty-bound to side with the fellow-Islamic Iranian regime. The traditional Sunni-Shia split, which has been exacerbated by Shia Iran attacking Sunni Gulf nations, sharpens the dilemma for both nations. (Meanwhile, Pakistanis slaughtered 400 Afghans by bombing a hospital, but they get a free pass from, e.g. the BBC.)* The United Nations. It has been rendered superfluous. Nobody even called for a Security Council meeting condemning the war. This is the latest in a long process wherein whatever the UN, or many other multilateral organizations do or say has become immaterial. The UN, hit by a budget crunch, might as well be shut down.* Europe and Britain. The EU and NATO have been noticeably absent in the discussions about the war. Of course, they are likely to be affected by the increase in hydrocarbon prices. In fact, their folly in shuttering their nuclear power plants in pursuit of vague ‘green' goals has put them at the mercy of Russian oil and gas. In particular, the virtual shutting out of Britain from the entire war is notable, considering that their Whitehall has long managed to treat the US Deep State as their vassals, ‘master-blaster' style.* Russia. Even though Russia has long been friendly with Iran, it has desisted from doing anything that could bring it into direct conflict with the US. Russia is probably supplying satellite and other reconnaissance data as well as spares for existing systems (such as the S-300 air defense batteries, Su-35 fighters) and possibly Iranian-designed Shahed drones as well. Interestingly enough, Russia may be the one possible winner in the war, considering its oil is now a coveted commodity, prices have soared, and there is less attention being paid to its Ukraine war. Europe, China and India are ever-more dependent on Russian oil, and the windfall profits may be sustainable. The US may even lift its sanctions and bring Russia back into the Western fold.* China. There are wins and losses for China, but in sum it may also be a bit of a winner.* The loss is in energy security: China has lost Venezuelan oil as well as access to Iranian oil, but they have overland pipelines from Russia, as well as access to Russian tankers at sea. Besides, they have a massive strategic petroleum reserve (1 billion barrels), so it should be manageable, for a while at least. Cuba, their reliable ally in the US' backyard, is now back to the wall with the US enforcing a blockade.* On the other hand, they have acquired a significant military edge: US munitions inventory has been getting depleted at a furious rate, so much so that if China were to attack Taiwan now, the US would be hard pressed to intervene. Even US THAAD (Theater High Altitude Air Defense) systems are being cannibalized: after four of their radars in the GCC were damaged, the US is forced to scavenge for them from their South Korean bases. Now comes news that China is massing both civilian ships and military aircraft near Taiwan, quite possibly a precursor to an actual invasion.* Unfortunately for China, their weapons systems don't seem to have performed very well in Iran, just as they didn't in Operation Sindoor. There are sarcastic posts on X, especially about their radar that looks like a big grille and is supposed to detect stealth aircraft, but didn't quite work.* China has also been on the horns of a dilemma, as it were: what would Xi do when Trump visits in April while in the midst of a war with one of China's principal allies? It would be “damned if you do, damned if you don't”. If China were to greet him warmly, it would send a negative message to Iran, as well as its other Belt and Road Initiative partners. If China were to treat Trump coldly, then trade wars will continue. Fortunately for Xi, Trump decided to delay his visit; perhaps he intends to continue the war well into April, or maybe he thought he'd be too much at physical risk. It's interesting to speculate on why Trump did this, but of course it may have been just whimsy.* India. This war is pretty much a disaster for India from every perspective. Being dependent on Persian Gulf oil and gas for everything from transportation to household cooking fuel to raw material for plastics to APIs for pharmaceuticals leaves India particularly exposed. There are other big vulnerabilities:* The $50 billion in remittances sent back yearly by 10 million Indians toiling away (often in very difficult circumstances) in that area, in addition to the personal hardships these migrants will face, including life and death situations.* Despite large increases in renewable energy, the major energy input, especially in transportation, continues to be imported oil and gas. Households have largely switched from wood-burning stoves to (admittedly much less polluting) bottled or piped gas. At the very time that electricity demand is peaking (e.g. AI data centers and railways), this disruption may have severe consequences.* The feedstock for agriculture is increasingly petroleum-based, and disruptions in fertilizer availability may cause production costs to skyrocket. Increased transportation costs will make vegetables and grains more expensive for those states (such as Kerala) that depend on internal transfers from producing states. In the short run, some agricultural commodity prices have collapsed as their primary markets in the Persian Gulf are inaccessible due to the Hormuz blockade. Basmati rice prices are down by Rs 5-10/kg according to LiveMint.* Trade through Chabahar Port (where India's $120 million investment is at risk) to Central Asia bypassing Pakistan, will likely grind to a halt* The dramatic increase in the price of oil (from around $60 per barrel to $100-$120, and threatening to go higher) is a huge ‘tax' on India, and a transfer of wealth out of India, which may reduce GDP growth by as much as 1-2%, and push inflation up to 4-5% (according to the Economic Times).* The ‘Goldilocks moment' of low inflation and high growth is possibly over.* The one positive for India will be the increasing importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which is basically the old Spice Route,, e.g. containers from Mundra and Vizhinjam to Dammam in Saudi Arabia or Jebel Ali in the UAE, then by rail to Haifa in Israel, and onwards to Piraeus in Greece by sea.* There is really no obvious benefit to India if the war continues, and therefore it is in India's interest to try to be an ‘honest broker' intermediary which has reasonably good relations with all the belligerents as well as the frontline GCC states. India could use its diplomatic goodwill to try to bring the war to a quick close, thus pursuing its own interests as well as something in the larger good of the global economy.There are a couple of other notable points in this war. One is from systems theory, and the other is from 18th century colonial British machinations in India; and finally a speculation about the future of the US economy and even the US nation.Distributed SystemsSystems theory suggests that distributed systems are far more resilient than centralized systems, because they may have redundant mechanisms that come into play when the primary mechanism is knocked out. Iran has anticipated decapitation strikes on its leadership, and the danger that signals intelligence from their foes may tap into all communications. Therefore, it appears they have created a system where 31 independent IRGC military commands have the autonomy to take local decisions without a go-ahead from a central authority.This means it will be relatively hard to quell all resistance, as some commands may fight on even if large parts of the country are conquered. It makes their actions also more unpredictable and potentially more dangerous.It is interesting to compare this to the sudden collapse of the Persian Sasanian Empire to invading Arab Muslim armies in the 7th century, when they were conquered in a space of no more than twenty years. Even though there were other factors like imperial exhaustion from constant wars and long supply chains for the Arab armies, the contrast with the Hindu resistance (of several hundred years in Sindh) suggests that the decentralized nature of the Hindu kingdoms played a significant role in their ability to fend off the Muslims for centuries.The Tipu SyndromeIn the late 18th century, imperial Brits pulled off a particularly clever ploy in southern India. Tipu Sultan, Muslim king of Mysore, invaded Malabar in a combination of religious jihad and economic loot. He was intent on both forced conversion and on the loot of Hindu temples in Malabar, which had grown rich from millennia of the trade in spices, especially black pepper. As Sanjeev Sanyal suggests, temples were banks and venture capitalists to trading guilds.Britain did conduct some desultory campaigns against Tipu, who was allied with the French, but did not accomplish much. In the end it was the desperate breaching of a natural dam on the Periyar by Travancore forces in 1790 that forced Tipu to retreat, as his artillery, munitions and supplies were flooded and swept away. Of course, then the British charged the entire cost of the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War to ‘ally' Travancore, bankrupting it.Next, the British attacked Tipu's headquarters, Srirangapatnam, killed him, and took all the loot. In other words, Tipu did all the dirty work in collecting the booty from the temples, and the British got it all in one stroke. And looked good, at least in their own propaganda, for killing a tyrant.A very similar thing happened in 1973. Arab oil states quadrupled oil prices (from $3/barrel to $12), imposing a massive strain on hapless developing countries such as India, leading to severe distress. Under the 1974 US-Saudi agreement, oil sales were to be only denominated in US dollars, thus leading to the ‘petrodollar' accumulation with OPEC. They recycled this money via buying US Treasury bonds, and especially via buying US arms, to the delight of the Military-Industrial Complex.Thus the net effect of the 1973 oil crisis was a large transfer of wealth from the developing countries to OPEC. The US economy did not suffer greatly (despite long lines at gas stations) and in fact US deficits were funded by petrodollars for the last several decades. This is why any move to de-dollarize oil sales is strongly resisted by the US.Summary: Oil and the petrodollarAt the end of the day, American wars always seem to go back to simple ideas: control of oil, and the prevention of de-dollarization. It makes sense: why not use economic and military heft in pursuit of the national interest? Those who go against this learn a big lesson, to their discomfiture: Saddam Hussein in Iraq wanted to trade oil in Euros, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya wanted to create a new pan-African currency in which to trade oil, Nicolas Maduro was trading in yuan and stablecoin, Ayatollah Ali Khameini has been selling in yuan mostly, and not at all in dollars. That meant they all had a Damocles' sword hanging over their heads.Putin and Xi are undesirables too, but then they have nuclear arsenals, which everybody has to respect.The dollar has been hegemonistic ever since Bretton Woods. Even allies learn to respect American sensitivity over the currency. The Japanese economy, once growing at a blistering pace, was ruined after the Plaza Accord of 1984, which set the yen-dollar exchange rate artificially high. Japan lost its mojo and is yet to recover, forty years later.Tailpiece: The end of many eras?Balaji Srinivasan, formerly a Silicon Valley VC, a thought leader and a supporter of ‘Network States' and crypto, posted this intriguing tweet on March 17th. I don't necessarily agree with his framework of (US) ups and downs (see diagram) or his assertions: he surely paints a grim picture for the US, including de-dollarization. He openly wonders if the US itself will survive in its present form.The AI-generated podcast courtesy notebookLM.google.com is at 3000 words, 18 March 2026 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Ramjee Chandran explores how Hyder Ali sought to neutralize the British East India Company's greatest strength: its maritime dominance. Facing a superior military power, Mysore didn't just react; it studied the problem and built a coherent, systematic response. By securing the Canara coast and establishing a formidable navy, Hyder Ali and later Tipu Sultan aimed to deny the British their maritime monopoly. From the shipyards of Mangalore to the strategic alliance with France, discover how Mysore became the only 18th-century Indian state capable of meeting the British on their own terms—at sea. Key Details from the Script: The Strategy of Neutralization: Hyder Ali identified maritime hegemony as the basis of British power and sought to neutralize it through two main answers: a strong navy and a strategic relationship with France. The Mysore Navy: While often overlooked in history, the Mysore Navy was a "coherent, systematic, serious response" to British expansion, involving a fleet built for strategic purposes rather than just coastal defense. The Hukmnamah of 1796: This document by Tipu Sultan later formalized the naval strategies and structures that Hyder Ali had begun on the Canara coast. The Global Chessboard: The Mysore strategy was designed to convert the opponent's strength into a liability by challenging the British maritime monopoly that their entire power in India depended upon. The Gathering Storm: By the end of this period, the fleet was built, arsenals were stocked, and the British coalition was forming—with two battalions and six cannon specifically committed to the objective of reducing the fort of Bangalore. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

How did a company of London merchants, originally obsessed with the price of pepper, end up commanding an army larger than that of most European nations? Ramjee Chandran explores the pivotal transformation of the East India Company during the mid-18th century. This episode tracks the shift from "counting house to counting territory," centered on the shockwaves of the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and the acquisition of the Diwani of Bengal. We see how the Company's new-found wealth in the North provided the "sinews of war" necessary to turn its sights toward the formidable challenge of the Mysore plateau and the gates of Bengaluru.Key Details from the Script: The Plassey Pivot: The Battle of Plassey (1757) wasn't just a military victory; it was a hostile corporate takeover of an entire province. It gave the Company the keys to the richest treasury in India. The Diwani Rights (1765): The Mughal Emperor granted the Company the Diwani—the right to collect all land revenue in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. Overnight, the Company became a "sovereign merchant," using Indian taxes to buy Indian goods and fund Indian wars. The Contractual Soldier: Unlike traditional Indian armies built on personal loyalty to a commander, the Company developed "Sepoy" regiments. Their loyalty was contractual and permanent, creating a disciplined machine that could be relied upon for sustained campaigns. The North Funds the South: The immense wealth extracted from Bengal provided the capital the Company needed to sustain the long, expensive wars against Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the South. Parliamentary Anxiety: Back in London, the British government began to fear the "Nabobs"—Company servants who returned home with unimaginable wealth—leading to the first attempts to rein in the corporation. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ iHeartRadio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hob@explocity.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

https://theprint.in/politics/hero-or-traitor-tipu-sultan-debate-back-in-maharashtra-congress-accuses-bjp-of-double-standards/2855841/

आज असम दौरे पर प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी, PM मोदी को आएगा तारिक रहमान के शपथग्रहण का न्योता, BJP सांसद का राहुल गांधी को खुला चैलेंज, मुंबई के मुलुंड (पश्चिम) के एलबीएस रोड पर आज निर्माणाधीन मेट्रो का स्लैब गिरने से एक व्यक्ति की मौत, महाराष्ट्र के मालेगांव में डिप्टी मेयर के कार्यालय में Tipu Sultan की तस्वीर लगाए जाने पर विवाद, खालिस्तानी आतंकी गुरपतवंत सिंह पन्नू की हत्या की साजिश रचने के मामले में भारतीय नागरिक निखिल गुप्ता को 24 साल की जेल की सजा और अमेरिका और ईरान के बीच परमाणु कार्यक्रम को लेकर चल रही बातचीत के बीच तनाव फिर चरम पर. सुनिए सिर्फ़ 5 मिनट में, शाम 4 बजे तक की बड़ी ख़बरें

இந்திய வரலாற்றில் தைரியம், எதிர்ப்பு, தன்னம்பிக்கை என்ற வார்த்தைகள் வந்தால், ஒரு பெயர் கர்ஜித்து ஒலிக்கிறது — மைசூரின் புலி, திப்பு சுல்தான்.

For centuries, many people have repeated the claim that “The sword spread Islam.” But what does actual history say? In this powerful conversation, Pablo, a historian specializing in Andalusian, Ottoman, and Mughal history, breaks down one of the biggest myths about Islam using academic sources, historical data, and on-the-ground evidence from Spain, Crete, Egypt, Cyprus, Sindh, Kerala, and beyond.This episode uncovers:Why did so many Jewish and Christian communities welcome Muslim ruleWhy forced conversion is historically unproven and inaccurateHow Islamic governance protected minoritiesWhy did people voluntarily embrace IslamHow Arab traders brought Islam to India long before any conquestThe real story behind Aurangzeb, Jizya, and Mughal ruleWhy modern Muslims must reclaim their intellectual legacyIslamic history is not just dates and dynasties — it is a story of justice, coexistence, courage, and dignity. And it is time Muslims learned their history from real historians.The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:“Allah grants gentleness for anything that is added to it.”[Sahih Muslim]This episode is a reminder that Islam's greatest strength has always been its justice, its ethics, and the hearts it transforms.If you want history, evidence, and truth — this is the episode for you.EPISODE BREAKDOWN00:00 – The biggest myth about Islam's spread03:12 – Why entire nations welcomed Muslim rule06:41 – Andalus: The treaty that changed everything09:58 – Egypt & Sindh: What history textbooks don't teach14:20 – When heavy taxation pushed people toward Muslims17:06 – India before “conquest”: The forgotten truth20:36 – Aurangzeb, Jizya & the distortion of Mughal history25:48 – Pablo's journey: From Christianity to Islam32:10 – Why people accepted Islamic culture willingly38:33 – The story of the Mughal Empire43:15 – Tipu Sultan, technology & the Mysore shock48:52 – The Muslim world's lost intellectual power54:20 – How modern Muslims can reclaim their identitySTAY CONNECTED WITH THE GROWTH MINDSET:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silawath_irshad/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGrowthMindsetwithSilawathIrshadFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silawathirshad/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silawathirshad/You can get in touch with Pablo here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablotalks_/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PabloTalks_

Send me a messageChris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.The British victory over Tipu Sultan, the "Tiger of Mysore", during the 4th Anglo-Mysore War, at the battle of Seringapatam 1799.Ways You Can Support My Channel:Become A PatronMake A DonationSupport the show

An edited version of this essay was published by Deccan Herald at https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/decoding-trump-s-tariff-tantrums-3694626, as the editor downplayed the ‘vote chori' INDI alliance story and the atrocities by Tipu on Hindu Kerala. Last month, I wrote here about India's splendid diplomatic isolation, but my prediction became fact sooner than I expected, with President Trump's withering attacks on India. Biden drove Russia into China's arms over Ukraine; Trump seems intent on driving India into China's arms; and Ukraine isn't even Asia's problem, but a likely Chinese invasion of Taiwan would beThere are at least four different ways in which one could rationalize the Trump position:* A negotiating opening gambit to soften up India* Frustration from the lack of leverage against Presidents Putin and Xi* Part of a regime-change operation planned by the Deep State* A desire to force manufacturing and investment to move back to the USI hope it is a combination of 1 and 2, and that better sense will prevail before a mutually-beneficial Indo-US relationship is damaged beyond repair. However, there is a non-trivial chance that, with prompting by Britain's Whitehall (which created Pakistan in the first place to keep India in check), the US Deep State has decided to target India.I wrote a couple of years ago that the Deep State, intimidated by China's rise, might accept a condominium with it, giving each a sphere of influence. China gets Asia and the Indian Ocean; the US gets the Americas, Europe and the Atlantic; and they share the Pacific. India, Japan, Australia (i.e. the Quad), and ASEAN become Chinese vassals. So like the Vatican-brokered Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 that divided the world between Spain and Portugal!There is also the anti-Thucydides Trap, wherein the incumbent power (the US), instead of resisting the rise of the challenger (China), helped it grow, deluding themselves that China would be benign. However, both are now employing all possible means against new challenger India's rise, including trying to balkanize the latter.That is Scenario 3, the Deep State playbook of ‘color revolutions' against governments they don't like for whatever reason. The continuous INDI Alliance efforts to stir up linguistic or caste-based divisions in India, along with the recent ‘Vote Chori' fuss to delegitimize India's democracy, are part of the toolkit: declare a regime undesirable, then topple it. In 2024 they almost succeeded, but not quite. They will keep trying.Scenario 4 makes a strange sort of sense. Trump realizes the US erred badly in relinquishing manufacturing to China, and wants to pull it back; also he has no interest in India becoming a new manufacturing power. Similarly, the ‘deals' forcing Japan, the EU, Korea et al to invest billions of dollars in the US (and Ukraine, which lives on charity, has promised to spend $100 billion in the US!) are extortionate: a sort of neo-imperialism.The effort to browbeat India into buying more US weapons is part of this: Trump aide Peter Navarro grumbled that India buys 36% of its armaments from Russia. He omitted to mention that this is down from 70+% a decade ago. Sadly, US armaments and aerospace products (e.g. the F-35 and Boeing 787s) are now seen as not so reliable.The moral posturing about India's purchases of Russian oil leading to deaths of Ukrainians is downright bizarre. It's just business, Trump aide Scott Bessent, why repeat INDI's Ambani-Adani mantra? Remember your own ‘robber barons' and “What's good for General Motors is good for America”? There are many examples of profit above morals.One is the 1973 oil price crisis, when OPEC suddenly quadrupled crude oil prices, forcing a massive transfer of wealth from developing countries, quite likely causing starvation deaths. The US could have persuaded (or bullied) OPEC into preventing the price rise. But it didn't. Why? Because those petro-dollars were recycled into buying American weapons. The Military Industrial Complex prospered. No morality there.There is an earlier parallel. Tipu Sultan invaded Kerala in the 1780s with a reign of terror, massacres, loot of Hindu temples, pillage, forced conversions and so on. The British did nothing, despite a treaty with Travancore. After Tipu had amassed all the looted treasure in one place, the British killed him, and stole all of it themselves. The British came out smelling of roses because they killed a tyrant, and they had the loot. Two birds, one stone. No morality there, either.Given all this, there's one thing India needs to do urgently: gain leverage, a bargaining chip. China has rare earths, OPEC has oil. India should use the 100,000 H1-B folks who are likely to be forced out from the US to gain leverage through first-class software products.760 words, 20 Aug 2025, updated 21 Aug 2025 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe

This week we deep dive into how ravens and wolves work in tandem to survive and how Tipu Sultan's beef with the English led to the greatest piece of hater art ever commissioned. A listener email explains how sharks have been around longer than Saturn's rings!Episode Tabs:Ravens and Wolves – Friends or Enemieshttps://centerofthewest.org/2022/10/13/ravens-and-wolves-friends-or-enemies/Tipu's Tigerhttps://smarthistory.org/tipus-tiger/Listener Tabs:Dusty analysis shows Saturn's rings are younger than sharkshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/12/saturn-rings-age-younger-planet-sharks/Even Rainbows Have a Dark Sidehttps://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pointing-at-rainbows-tabooEmail your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7aSUPPORT THE SHOW and get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Description - In the latest episode of SparX, your host, Mukesh Bansal, welcomes author and historian Vikram Sampath to discuss the contents of his book “Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum.” He shares stories not only from Tipu Sultan's reign and but also a background about his father Hyder Ali. We hear some unheard stories where Vikram paints a picture of truth and reality bringing to light Tipu's unsee sides. Chapters - About SparX by Mukesh BansalSparX is a podcast where we delve into cutting-edge scientific research, stories from impact-makers and tools for unlocking the secrets to human potential and growth. We believe that entrepreneurship, fitness and the science of productivity is at the forefront of the India Story; the country is at the cusp of greatness and at SparX, we wish to make these tools accessible for every generation of Indians to be able to make the most of the opportunities around us. In a new episode every Saturday, our host Mukesh Bansal (Founder of Myntra and Cult.fit) will talk to guests from all walks of life and also break down everything he's learnt about the science of impact over the course of his 20-year long career. This is the India Century, and we're enthusiastic to start this journey with you.Follow us on our Instagram:   / sparxbymukeshbansal  Also check out our website: https://www.sparxbymukeshbansal.com You can also listen to SparX on all audio platforms!Fasion | Outbreak | Courtesy EpidemicSound.com

टीपू सुल्तान: हीरो या खलनायक? टीपू सुल्तान का म्यूज़िकल टाइगर टॉय क्या खेल था या चेतावनी? वह वीर योद्धा था या निर्दयी शासक? चार युद्ध, ब्रिटिशों से संघर्ष, और 1799 में वीरगति. लेकिन कोडागु के लोग उसे अत्याचारी क्यों मानते हैं? क्या उसने जबरन धर्म परिवर्तन करवाया? इस पर चर्चा करेंगे इतिहासकार डॉ. विक्रम संपत, जिनकी किताब ‘टीपू सुल्तान: द सागा ऑफ मैसूर' चर्चा में रही, देखिए पूरा एपिसोड ‘पढ़ाकू नितिन' में. Disclaimer: इस पॉडकास्ट में व्यक्त किए गए विचार एक्सपर्ट के निजी हैं.

In this engaging episode of the Bharatvaarta Podcast, host Sharan is joined by Dr. Vikram Sampath to discuss his latest book on the controversial history of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan's contrasting reigns. The conversation covers various aspects including Tipu Sultan's controversial policies, the methodological challenges of historical writing, and the nuances of presenting an impartial account in a polarized field. Dr. Sampath also shares insights into the importance of documenting contemporary lives for future historians and discusses his initiatives to support upcoming historians through the FIHCR (Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research). Topics: 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Meet Dr. Vikram Sampath 01:36 The Haider and Tipu Saga 03:47 Balancing Historical Perspectives 05:23 The Craft of a Historian 05:34 Tipu Sultan's Documentation 07:21 Contemporary and Oral Sources 18:05 Comparing Haider and Tipu 26:49 Tipu's Language Policies 30:55 Tipu's Dreams and Interpretations 34:34 Toxic Masculinity and Treatment of Women 37:24 Historical Movies and Controversies 39:29 Challenges in Indian Historical Cinema 42:21 Religious Policies and Temple Grants 51:07 Role of Brahmins and Administrators 55:21 Controversial Historical Figures 57:52 Future of Historical Research 01:04:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

"Savarkar was a great rationalist. The surprising thing is how such a rationalist went completely off the rails in regard to other matters. His writing is full of villains and among the villains are the Buddha, all Buddhists, whom he considered hereditary traitors, Ashoka, Akbar, Tipu Sultan, and then Gandhiji. On the question of Godse and Apte there was no doubt that they were his acolytes, they were his worshippers. Sardar Patel said the problem was that once you create an atmosphere then you don't have to tell anybody to go and assassinate; he reads your lips. You just have to see the publications Savarkar was patronizing... They were only penning hatred and it was all centered on one man -- Gandhiji. Savarkar felt that the Marathas were the real legatees of the Mughal empire and then the damn outsiders, the British, slyly took over. The same thing happens in his own life . He thinks he is the heir to Lokmanya Tilak and then this outsider Gujrati comes and takes the whole prize away. This great disappointment in his life gets centered on one man and becomes hatred. Today, Gandhiji is a great inconvenience because he embodies Hinduism, the collective memory of our people. If Savarkar's line is pursued, then India will become a dismembered nation like Pakistan; society will be riven by hate. This eternal search for purity always ends in that. The difference between Indic religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism from Semitic religions is that ours is an inner-directed search. Everything - pilgrimages, idol worship, mantras etc. is to aid this inner search. When you marry it to the State, religion becomes an instrument of the State. You only have to look at the Jewish religion when Gaza is to be bombed - it just becomes an instrument. Secularism is a way of keeping the purity of religion. It's not anti-religion. Keep religion and the State separate. That is why my book ends with this appeal - Save Hinduism from Hindutva" - Arun Shourie, author, 'The New Icon; Savarkar and the Facts' talks to Manjula Narayan on the Books & Authors podcast.

Sir Thomas Munro (1761–1827) was a distinguished British administrator and soldier who played a pivotal role in shaping British governance in India. Born in Scotland, he joined the British East India Company in 1779 and quickly gained recognition for his military and administrative skills. Munro participated in key conflicts, including the Third Anglo-Mysore War, where he proved instrumental in securing British victories against Tipu Sultan. He is best remembered for his tenure as the Governor of Madras Presidency (1820–1827), during which he implemented significant reforms. Munro pioneered the Ryotwari system, a land revenue system that dealt directly with individual farmers, bypassing middlemen and ensuring a more equitable taxation process. His approach was rooted in his deep understanding of Indian society, which he studied extensively. A firm believer in justice and fair treatment, Munro was known for his empathetic administration and efforts to improve the lives of the people under his governance. He was knighted in 1825 for his services. Tragically, he succumbed to cholera in 1827 while touring the northern districts of Madras. Munro's legacy endures as a symbol of effective governance and reform in colonial India, and his statue still stands in Chennai as a testament to his contributions. KiranPrabha narrates most interesting parts of Thomas Munro's life in this episode.

In this podcast, Kushal speaks with Vikram Sampath about his book, "Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760–1799)." Follow them: Twitter: @vikramsampath Book: https://amzn.in/d/a5gxVgo #tipusultan #islamism #mughals ------------------------------------------------------------ Listen to the podcasts on: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kushal-mehra-99891819 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rVcDV3upgVurMVW1wwoBp Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-c%C4%81rv%C4%81ka-podcast/id1445348369 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-carvaka-podcast ------------------------------------------------------------ Support The Cārvāka Podcast: Buy Kushal's Book: https://amzn.in/d/58cY4dU Become a Member on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPx... Become a Member on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carvaka UPI: kushalmehra@icici To buy The Carvaka Podcast Exclusive Merch please visit: http://kushalmehra.com/shop ------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Kushal: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kushal_mehra?ref_... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KushalMehraO... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarvakap... Koo: https://www.kooapp.com/profile/kushal... Inquiries: https://kushalmehra.com/ Feedback: kushalmehra81@gmail.com

Tipu Sultan, Aurangzeb of South, Fact-Checked on Tipu Jayanti by Vikram Sampath | Book Discussion

In the wake of Culloden, much of Scotland was on its knees. Crippled by defeat and the subsequent backlash of the British government, along with famine and poverty, they were in dire need of new horizons. The nascent British Empire would provide it. The Scottish Highlanders had developed a fearsome reputation during their struggles against the English, and would prove just as indomitable fighting for Britain in India. Yet, in more ways than militarily, India was to become a treasure trove of opportunity, enrichment and conquest for the Scots. From their domination of the East India Trading Company, to some of the men credited with cementing imperial rule in India, and the Highlander Regiments who took on the ferocious Tipu Sultan in the South, Scots involvement in all spheres of the British Empire in India was momentous. It also made them very rich… how controversial, then, is Scotland's Indian involvement? In today's episode, William and Anita are joined by historian Andrew MacKillop to discuss the colourful history of Scots and India. To fill out the survey: survey.empirepoduk.com To buy William's book: https://coles-books.co.uk/the-golden-road-by-william-dalrymple-signed-edition Twitter: @Empirepoduk Email: empirepoduk@gmail.com Goalhangerpodcasts.com Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Producer: Callum Hill Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We hope that you can join us to discuss this historical fiction audiobook. Here is the NLS annotation: Loot DB 115153 James, Tania. Reading time 8 hours, 45 minutes. Read by Shawn K. Jain. A production of National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. Subjects: Historical Fiction Description: “Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu’s sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate–and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create–will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu’s palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.. Your facilitator for this group is Michelle Bernstein (hamletsweetlady@gmail.com).

Episode 240 is a story from History about Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, who struck terror in the hearts of the British during the four Anglo-Mysore wars, with advanced rocket technology! Transcript and show notes: https://sfipodcast.com/history-tipu-sultan-ep-240/ Music: https://www.purple-planet.com #sfipodcast #TipuSultan #Tipu #TigerOfMysore #Mysore #BritishEastIndiaCompany #BritishRaj #AngloMysoreWars #HistoryOfIndia #IndianHistory #Wodeyar --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/storiesfromindia/message

Vikram Sampath and Aabhas Maldahiyar join Sanjay Dixit for an analysis of the Gyanvapi, the true face of the Mughals and putting out the front of Tipu Sultan as the tyrant he was in this TJD Podcast!

In her new novel Loot, Tania James writes of a 17-year-old woodworker who's commissioned to build a tiger automaton for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan in the 18th century. The story is inspired by the real-life Tippoo's Tiger, one of the most famous sculptures in London's Victoria and Albert Museum. James' tale of colonization, war, love and art stretches across India and Europe – and as she tells NPR's Ari Shapiro, it continues to raise questions about historical artifacts and who should own them.

आज़ादी की राह सीरीज़ की इस कड़ी में सुनिए ब्रिटिश राज में टीपू की हार से लेकर कृष्णराज वोडेयार के शासन और आज़ादी तक की कहानी वकील और इतिहासकार सिद्धार्थ राजा की झुबानी। हमने तो काफी मज़े लेकर सुनी, अब आप भी सुनिए। From the fall of Tipu to the times of Krishnaraja Wodeyar to independence in 1947, what was the state of the princely state of Mysore? We hear the fascinating history of one of the well administered princely states in colonial India from Siddharth Raja, a lawyer and a historian, who narrates it with ease. Listen in. ***** Useful links  ***** The letter written by Krishnaraja Wodeyar in three different languageshttps://twitter.com/seemay/status/1269890465786036225 Siddharth Raja narrates the Vellore mutiny:https://soundcloud.com/siddharth-raja-183671949/tipu-sultans-sons-and-the-first-sepoy-mutiny-at-vellore-1806 Vidurashwatha Massacre, the Forgotten Jallianwala Bagh of South Indiahttps://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jallianwala-bagh-of-the-south-vidurashwatha-massacre-a-forgotten-chapter-in-the-history-of-country-s-freedom-movement-101618915177005.html ***** More in Azaadi ki Raah series  ***** भारत के सटीक नक़्शे कैसे बनें? The Himalayan task of mapping Indiahttps://youtu.be/Z27gbZlgq0I चलो याद करें संविधान की महिला रचयिताओं को। Founding Mothers of the Indian Republic ft. Achyut Chetanhttps://youtu.be/gkl389O21Ao आज़ादी की राह: स्वदेशी बनाम खुले व्यापार की १५० साल पुरानी बहस | Swadeshi vs Free Tradehttps://youtu.be/qny9dqwrDeg?si=WAVb4KdVxJ6djLhV ***  More Puliyabaazi on History **** EP73: 1857 की लड़ाई का आँखों देखा हाल. An Eyewitness Account of the 1857 War of Independence. https://youtu.be/E8SE6vSgQaQ?si=CYpCo6JfQ6BwpG8S ***************** Website: https://puliyabaazi.in Write to us at puliyabaazi@gmail.com Hosts: @saurabhchandra @pranaykotas @thescribblebee Puliyabaazi is on these platforms: Twitter: @puliyabaazi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puliyabaazi/ Subscribe & listen to the podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Castbox, AudioBoom, YouTube, Spotify or any other podcast app.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer, Actor and Content Creator Adeel Afzal is comes back on the podcast to discuss the side of the Pakistani Identity we seldom like to discuss, from Bhagat Singh to Ranjit Singh, from Quaid e Azam to Nehru, from Balochistan to the Pakistan Project, on this deep dive podcast we get into the weeds of the Pakistani identity. Why are we so afraid of our identity? Who are these colonized babus who hate our DNA? Why was Sir Syed awarded the title of Sir? Watch on this week's episode of The Pakistan Experience. The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperience To support the channel: Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912 Patreon.com/thepakistanexperience And Please stay in touch: https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1 https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperience https://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperience The podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikh Facebook.com/Shehzadghias/ Twitter.com/shehzad89 Chapters 0:00 Introduction 3:20 Indian Side of the Pakistani Identity 10:30 Who is scared of actual Pakistani History? 17:30 Balochistan 29:30 Hasan Nissar and Ganda DNA 34:00 Tipu Sultan, Indus and Hindus 40:00 Idea of Pakistan 44:30 Satire and Anwar Maqsood 48:00 Javed Chaudhry and Punjabiyo kee tehreek 55:00 Enforcing a singular Pakistani Identity 58:00 Babu Class and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan 1:07:50 Why do we not own Ranjit Singh? 1:14:17 Audience Questions

In her new novel Loot, Tania James writes of a 17-year-old woodworker who's commissioned to build a tiger automaton for the Indian ruler Tipu Sultan in the 18th century. The story is inspired by the real-life Tippoo's Tiger, one of the most famous sculptures in London's Victoria and Albert Museum. James' tale of colonization, war, love and art stretches across India and Europe – and as she tells NPR's Ari Shapiro, it continues to raise questions about historical artifacts and who should own them.

Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu's sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate--and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create--will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu's palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art. Tania James is the author of Atlas of Unknowns, Aerogrammes, and Other Stories, and The Tusk That Did the Damage. Her stories have appeared in Freeman's: The Future of New Writing, Granta, the New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, and One Story, and have been featured on Symphony Space Selected Shorts. The Tusk that Did the Damage was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Tania lives in Washing D.C. where she is an associate professor of English at George Mason University. Recommended Books: Hua Hsu, Stay True Marcy Dermansky, Very Nice Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea  *A video of a period expert playing Tipu's Tiger at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is available here Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu's sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate--and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create--will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu's palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art. Tania James is the author of Atlas of Unknowns, Aerogrammes, and Other Stories, and The Tusk That Did the Damage. Her stories have appeared in Freeman's: The Future of New Writing, Granta, the New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, and One Story, and have been featured on Symphony Space Selected Shorts. The Tusk that Did the Damage was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Tania lives in Washing D.C. where she is an associate professor of English at George Mason University. Recommended Books: Hua Hsu, Stay True Marcy Dermansky, Very Nice Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea  *A video of a period expert playing Tipu's Tiger at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is available here Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu's sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate--and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create--will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu's palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art. Tania James is the author of Atlas of Unknowns, Aerogrammes, and Other Stories, and The Tusk That Did the Damage. Her stories have appeared in Freeman's: The Future of New Writing, Granta, the New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, and One Story, and have been featured on Symphony Space Selected Shorts. The Tusk that Did the Damage was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Tania lives in Washing D.C. where she is an associate professor of English at George Mason University. Recommended Books: Hua Hsu, Stay True Marcy Dermansky, Very Nice Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea  *A video of a period expert playing Tipu's Tiger at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is available here Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu's sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate--and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create--will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe. Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu's palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art. Tania James is the author of Atlas of Unknowns, Aerogrammes, and Other Stories, and The Tusk That Did the Damage. Her stories have appeared in Freeman's: The Future of New Writing, Granta, the New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, and One Story, and have been featured on Symphony Space Selected Shorts. The Tusk that Did the Damage was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Tania lives in Washing D.C. where she is an associate professor of English at George Mason University. Recommended Books: Hua Hsu, Stay True Marcy Dermansky, Very Nice Rita Chang-Eppig, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea  *A video of a period expert playing Tipu's Tiger at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London is available here Chris Holmes is Chair of Literatures in English and Associate Professor at Ithaca College. He writes criticism on contemporary global literatures. His book, Kazuo Ishiguro as World Literature, is under contract with Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the co-director of The New Voices Festival, a celebration of work in poetry, prose, and playwriting by up-and-coming young writers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Tania James' novel Loot (Knopf 2023) is about a young woodcarver who is ordered by Tipu Sultan, ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in late 18th century India to carve a large wooden tiger. The tiger seems to devour a life-sized European man. As the apprentice of an alcoholic French clockmaker, Abbas has a short time to create this gift for the sultan's youngest sons after they return from being held captive by the British. Later, British forces attack Mysore, kill as many as they can reach, and ship everything of value back to England. Abbas survives the attack and then the sea and other adventures in order to reach Rouen, where his teacher's teacher lives. Spanning 50 years and two continents, Loot is a hero's quest, a love story, and an exuberant heist novel that traces the bloody legacy of colonialism across the world. Tania James is the author of the novels The Tusk That Did the Damage and Atlas of Unknowns and the short-story collection Aerogrammes. Her fiction has appeared in Freeman's, Granta, The New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, One Story, and A Public Space. Tania has been a fellow of Ragdale, MacDowell, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, and the Fulbright Program. She teaches in the MFA program at George Mason University and lives in Washington, D.C. When she's not writing, James likes to dance--whether it's the classical Indian dance form of kuchipudi or simply busting a move in her living room. Her favorite mode of transport is bicycle and her favorite place to chill is the terrace of the Martin Luther King Jr library. G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series and a prolific baker of healthful breads and pastries. Please contact her through her website (GPGottlieb.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Tania James' novel Loot (Knopf 2023) is about a young woodcarver who is ordered by Tipu Sultan, ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in late 18th century India to carve a large wooden tiger. The tiger seems to devour a life-sized European man. As the apprentice of an alcoholic French clockmaker, Abbas has a short time to create this gift for the sultan's youngest sons after they return from being held captive by the British. Later, British forces attack Mysore, kill as many as they can reach, and ship everything of value back to England. Abbas survives the attack and then the sea and other adventures in order to reach Rouen, where his teacher's teacher lives. Spanning 50 years and two continents, Loot is a hero's quest, a love story, and an exuberant heist novel that traces the bloody legacy of colonialism across the world. Tania James is the author of the novels The Tusk That Did the Damage and Atlas of Unknowns and the short-story collection Aerogrammes. Her fiction has appeared in Freeman's, Granta, The New Yorker, O, The Oprah Magazine, One Story, and A Public Space. Tania has been a fellow of Ragdale, MacDowell, the Sustainable Arts Foundation, and the Fulbright Program. She teaches in the MFA program at George Mason University and lives in Washington, D.C. When she's not writing, James likes to dance--whether it's the classical Indian dance form of kuchipudi or simply busting a move in her living room. Her favorite mode of transport is bicycle and her favorite place to chill is the terrace of the Martin Luther King Jr library. G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series and a prolific baker of healthful breads and pastries. Please contact her through her website (GPGottlieb.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Tipu Sultan's life is a hot topic in poll-bound Karnataka, and now his death is up for debate, with BJP arguing 2 Vokkaliga warriors killed him. But move seems to be backfiring.

Some people change the world for the better, and others make it worse. Either way, they make for curious stories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.