A commemorative postage stamp on Tipu Sahib, ruler of Kingdom of Mysore (1982-99) [a part of ‘Personalities Stamps Series‘] :

Issued by India

Issued on Jul 15, 1974

Issued for : The Posts & Telegraphs Department deems it a privilege to bring out a stamp in the memory of this great son of India.

Description of Design : The stamp is vertical and depicts the portrait of the personality.

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Light Plum

Denomination : 50 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.56 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Watermark : Printed on unwatermarked Adhesive stamp paper

Quantity printed : 2 Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing process : Photogravure

Designed and printed at : India Security Press

Name : Badshah Nasib ad-Dawlah Sultan Fateh Ali Khan Bahadur Tipu

Born on Nov 20, 1750 at Devanahalli, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Died on May 4, 1799 at Srirangapatna, Mandya, Karnataka, India

About : 

• Tipu Sultan has a distinct place in our history as a defender of the country’s freedom. He was the only ruler of his period who had a clear vision of the ultimate aim of British policy. He fought valiantly for maintaining his independence and preferred death to dishonour.
• Born on May 20, 1750, he was named Tipu after Saint Tipu Mastan Aulia. From the early age of 15, he was sent by his father, Haidar Ali of Mysore, on military campaigns against the English, the Nizam and the Marathas, with whom Haidar Ali was constantly at war. Tipu displayed great dash and courage in these campaigns. He defeated the English in several battles and was able to make an honourable peace with them through the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784. Still he was not allowed to rest in peace. The English succeeded in winning over the Nizam and the Marathas against him. In 1790, they formed an alliance and invaded Tipu‘s kingdom. He fought bravely but was overwhelmed. Consequently, he lost half of his kingdom. This greatly weakened him and paved the way for his final overthrow and death in 1799.
• As a ruler Tipu believed in the Indian tradition that the people constituted “a unique trust held for God the real Master”. He had a high sense of duty to his office. An able administrator he ushered in prosperity in his kingdom by economic management of material resources. He initiated measures for the development of commerce and for checking frauds and other malpractices. He pioneered road building in Malabar. He imposed restrictions on lavish expenditure on marriages and festivals and abolished the custom of human sacrifice.
• Tipu was a patron of art and learning. His library consisted of a large number of manuscripts in various languages. His currency was adorned with the finest calligraphic designs. He was a patron of music and dancing and had a great love for architecture. He was liberal in his views and catholic and broadminded in his outlook.

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