Tipu Sultan and the Christians

This paper investigates the relationship of Tipu Sultan of Mysore with the Christians of southern India, with the objective of clearing up some historical misunderstandings and misconceptions. It argues that Tipu's encounters and dealings with the Christians of both European and Indian origin were in accordance with the spirit of his times and also had a political dimension, often neglected by historians. It also maintains that Tipu did nothing more than the Portuguese, the French, the English and the Marathas did or had done.