The Tiger of Mysore

Nawab Saadatullah Khan I, originally named Muhammad Sayyid, was born in Bijapur into a Nawayat Konkani Muslim family. His father’s name was Muhammad Ali. In his early years, Saadatullah Khan entered administrative service under the declining Bijapur Sultanate, and later under the Mughal Empire. Recognised for his loyalty and capability, he rose in the ranks of the Mughal administration, eventually becoming a trusted officer in the Deccan region. In 1700, the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb appointed him as the Subahdar (governor) of the Carnatic region. This area stretched over much of present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of southern Andhra Pradesh. Though he was technically under the control of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Saadatullah Khan began asserting more direct authority over the Carnatic. By 1710, he moved the seat of power from Gingee to Arcot, which he fortified and developed into a political and military stronghold. This marked the beginning of Arcot as the capital of the Carnat...

The morning had barely broken when we began our journey toward the long-forgotten ruins of Jagadevi Fort, tucked away in the silent, sun-baked hills near Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. This was not the kind of place that showed up on maps or travel brochures. There were no signboards, no tourists, no paths cleared for footsteps. Only the curious words of a local elder had guided us here—his voice trembling with age as he told stories of how once, during the fiery storms of the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the fort of Jagadevi had witnessed the echo of distant drums and perhaps even the footprints of Hazrat Tipu Sultan’s men. That whisper of history was enough to pull us in. As we left our vehicle behind and began our trek on foot, the path immediately turned into a test of both strength and spirit. The route was unforgiving, swallowed in thick shrubbery and tangled vines, crawling with the raw essence of the wild. Dry branches clawed at our clothes, the earth beneath was cracked and s...

The Forgotten Map: Bangalore Through the Eyes of the East India Company During the Third Anglo-Mysore War Hidden within the vaults of colonial history lies a fascinating map — a meticulously hand-drawn cartographic record of Bangalore created by the East India Company during the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792). More than just a military document, this map tells a layered story of conquest, resistance, and a city caught between two empires — that of Hazrat Tipu Sultan and the growing power of the British East India Company. A City at the Crossroads of Empire By the late 18th century, Bangalore (Bengaluru) was no longer just a quiet town on the Deccan plateau. It had become a strategic military hub, nestled between the larger dominions of the Nizam, the Marathas, and the British-controlled Madras Presidency. Under the rule of Hyder Ali and later his son, Hazrat Tipu Sultan, Bangalore had been transformed into a fortified stronghold — complete with massive stone walls, deep...

Bellary Fort , located in the city of Ballari (formerly Bellary) in Karnataka, is one of the significant historical forts of South India. It is known for its strategic military importance and its link with the Mysore Sultanate, especially during the reign of Hazrat Tipu Sultan. Built on top of the Ballari Gudda (a large rocky hill), the fort offers a commanding view of the surrounding plains and served as a crucial stronghold for rulers in various periods. Historical Background The fort was originally constructed by Hanumappa Nayaka, a feudal ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire, in the 16th century. Its design took advantage of the natural rocky landscape of the region. Later, the region came under the control of various powers, including the Bijapur Sultanate and the Marathas, until it was finally taken over by Hyder Ali, the father of Hazrat Tipu Sultan, in the mid-18th century. Role of Hyder Ali Hyder Ali realized the strategic importance of Bellary Fort and decided to i...