Tracing the Ancestry of Hyder Ali
The rise of Hyder Ali from an ordinary soldier to the ruler of a kingdom is a fascinating chapter in modern history. Hyder Ali Khan assumed control of Mysore in 1761, becoming its de facto ruler.
"Mysore was the cradle of one of the most daring and successful adventurers recorded in the annals of the East, and perhaps the most formidable adversary whom the British ever encountered in that region," says Bowring.
"Hyder Ali was perhaps the greatest soldier ever born in India," notes W. B. Beatson. "So remarkable was his genius that it has been compared with that of Frederick II of Prussia and other great European statesmen."
"This eastern hero was one of those men who appear to be destined to perform great actions. Endowed with a good understanding and great personal courage and that ardour which despised all dangers and difficulties that came in the way of his aspiring ambition," wrote Charles Mayo.
"With the exception of Hyder Ali, the native princes, at one time or another, had been compelled to submit to terms dictated by the East India Company. Only Hyder Ali was never decisively defeated or subjugated by the East India Company and only he consistently negotiated with the British as an equal," highlighted Alexander Charles Baillie.
Hyder Ali is distinguished in Indian history for his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a prominent position through his exceptional military skills and abilities. Despite being illiterate, he acquired extensive knowledge of the art of war and politics. Under him Mysore became the most powerful and extensive kingdom in South India.
Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan posed the greatest threat to the British East India Company in India. Both father and son defeated the British numerous times during the Anglo-Mysore wars.
This post attempts to trace the ancestry and childhood of Hyder Ali Khan until his entry into the Mysore army.
Hyder Ali was born to Fateh Ali Khan Naik and his third wife, Razia Begum. His stepmothers were Saidani Bibi and Chand Bibi (sister of Razia Begum). Hyder had four stepbrothers: Muhammad Bhalool, Muhammad Wali, and two others named Muhammad Ali.
The lineage of Hyder Ali is a subject of debate, with conflicting accounts regarding his birth year and birthplace. Historians place his birth year anywhere between 1717 to 1722, while there is a general consensus that he was born at Budikote, situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka. According to Dutch Governor Adrian Moens, Hyder's birthplace may be Cholbalapur, likely referring to Chota Ballapur (modern Chikkaballapur). French author M.M.D.L.T. claims that Hyder was born at Devanahalli.
The French historian Joseph Michaud describes Hyder Ali's childhood as follows: "Hyder Ali was the son of a cavalry officer of the Mughal Empire. He passed a part of his childhood at Delhi and he found himself in this capital of India when Nadir Shah carried thither the terror of his arms. The sight of the triumphs of Thamas Kuli Khan (Nadir Shah) kindled his ardent imagination and he appeared armed with a sword, at an age when others are acquainted only with the toys of the nursery. His father had fought several campaigns in the pay of the Raja of Mysore."
Numerous documents support the claim that Hyder's ancestors came from Arabia. According to Ma'asir al-Umara, Hyder's ancestry can be traced back to Abdulla Sahib of Medina, who belonged to the Qureshi tribe.
Hyder's great grandfather, Sheikh Wali Muhammad Bhelol, with his two sons migrated from Mecca to South India and settled at Kohir in the state of Telangana, during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah of Bijapur (r: 1626-1656). After the death of Sheikh Bhelol, his son Muhammad Ali Khan and his family moved further south to Kolar.
Kolar was one of the districts in the province of Sira, established in 1687 as the capital of the Mughals in the Deccan. It consisted of seven parganas: Basavapatna, Budihal, Sira, Penugonda, Doddaballapur, Hoskote and Kolar, along with tributary states like Harapanahalli, Kondarpi, Anegundi, Bednore, Chitradurga, and Mysore.
Muhammad Ali's eldest son, Fateh Ali, began his career serving a Naik of Kolar. Fateh Ali excelled in military campaigns, leading the Subahdar of Sira to appoint him as a Naik, and afterwards the Faujdar of Kolar. Razia Begum's brother, Ibrahim Sahib, held a position in the service of the Killedar of Bangalore under the Raja of Mysore. The celebrated Benki Nawab was the son of Ibrahim Sahib.
Fateh Naik died in a battle around 1728, leaving behind two sons, Shahbaz and Hyder, as well as a debt of 10,000 varahas owed to the Subahdar of Sira. The Subahdar began to press repayment of the loan. In distress, Hyder and his elder brother Shahbaz having pledged the women of the family as surety for the dues, sought help from their maternal uncle Ibrahim Sahib.
In those days, the Raja of Mysore was merely a nominal king and the government was controlled by two Dalavai brothers, Devarajaiya and Karachuri Nanjarajaiya. Ibrahim Sahib used his influence with Dalavai Devaraja, the minister of Mysore, and managed to clear the debt.
Subsequently, the family relocated to Mysore, where Shahbaz enlisted in the Mysore army. Eventually, Hyder also joined his brother's troops. Thus the family came to have a secure footing in Mysore.
Fateh Naik was buried at Kolar beside his parents and other family members. In remembrance of his father, Hyder named his eldest son Fateh Ali Khan, who later became renowned as Tipu Sultan.
The tomb at Kolar was originally intended to be the final resting place of Hyder Ali as well. However, his body was ultimately taken to Lal Bagh in Srirangapatna and interred in a grand mausoleum built by Tipu himself, now known as Gumbaz.
"Mysore was the cradle of one of the most daring and successful adventurers recorded in the annals of the East, and perhaps the most formidable adversary whom the British ever encountered in that region," says Bowring.
"Hyder Ali was perhaps the greatest soldier ever born in India," notes W. B. Beatson. "So remarkable was his genius that it has been compared with that of Frederick II of Prussia and other great European statesmen."
"This eastern hero was one of those men who appear to be destined to perform great actions. Endowed with a good understanding and great personal courage and that ardour which despised all dangers and difficulties that came in the way of his aspiring ambition," wrote Charles Mayo.
"With the exception of Hyder Ali, the native princes, at one time or another, had been compelled to submit to terms dictated by the East India Company. Only Hyder Ali was never decisively defeated or subjugated by the East India Company and only he consistently negotiated with the British as an equal," highlighted Alexander Charles Baillie.
Hyder Ali is distinguished in Indian history for his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to a prominent position through his exceptional military skills and abilities. Despite being illiterate, he acquired extensive knowledge of the art of war and politics. Under him Mysore became the most powerful and extensive kingdom in South India.
Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan posed the greatest threat to the British East India Company in India. Both father and son defeated the British numerous times during the Anglo-Mysore wars.
This post attempts to trace the ancestry and childhood of Hyder Ali Khan until his entry into the Mysore army.
Hyder Ali was born to Fateh Ali Khan Naik and his third wife, Razia Begum. His stepmothers were Saidani Bibi and Chand Bibi (sister of Razia Begum). Hyder had four stepbrothers: Muhammad Bhalool, Muhammad Wali, and two others named Muhammad Ali.
The lineage of Hyder Ali is a subject of debate, with conflicting accounts regarding his birth year and birthplace. Historians place his birth year anywhere between 1717 to 1722, while there is a general consensus that he was born at Budikote, situated in the Kolar district of Karnataka. According to Dutch Governor Adrian Moens, Hyder's birthplace may be Cholbalapur, likely referring to Chota Ballapur (modern Chikkaballapur). French author M.M.D.L.T. claims that Hyder was born at Devanahalli.
The French historian Joseph Michaud describes Hyder Ali's childhood as follows: "Hyder Ali was the son of a cavalry officer of the Mughal Empire. He passed a part of his childhood at Delhi and he found himself in this capital of India when Nadir Shah carried thither the terror of his arms. The sight of the triumphs of Thamas Kuli Khan (Nadir Shah) kindled his ardent imagination and he appeared armed with a sword, at an age when others are acquainted only with the toys of the nursery. His father had fought several campaigns in the pay of the Raja of Mysore."
Numerous documents support the claim that Hyder's ancestors came from Arabia. According to Ma'asir al-Umara, Hyder's ancestry can be traced back to Abdulla Sahib of Medina, who belonged to the Qureshi tribe.
Hyder's great grandfather, Sheikh Wali Muhammad Bhelol, with his two sons migrated from Mecca to South India and settled at Kohir in the state of Telangana, during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah of Bijapur (r: 1626-1656). After the death of Sheikh Bhelol, his son Muhammad Ali Khan and his family moved further south to Kolar.
Kolar was one of the districts in the province of Sira, established in 1687 as the capital of the Mughals in the Deccan. It consisted of seven parganas: Basavapatna, Budihal, Sira, Penugonda, Doddaballapur, Hoskote and Kolar, along with tributary states like Harapanahalli, Kondarpi, Anegundi, Bednore, Chitradurga, and Mysore.
Muhammad Ali's eldest son, Fateh Ali, began his career serving a Naik of Kolar. Fateh Ali excelled in military campaigns, leading the Subahdar of Sira to appoint him as a Naik, and afterwards the Faujdar of Kolar. Razia Begum's brother, Ibrahim Sahib, held a position in the service of the Killedar of Bangalore under the Raja of Mysore. The celebrated Benki Nawab was the son of Ibrahim Sahib.
Fateh Naik died in a battle around 1728, leaving behind two sons, Shahbaz and Hyder, as well as a debt of 10,000 varahas owed to the Subahdar of Sira. The Subahdar began to press repayment of the loan. In distress, Hyder and his elder brother Shahbaz having pledged the women of the family as surety for the dues, sought help from their maternal uncle Ibrahim Sahib.
In those days, the Raja of Mysore was merely a nominal king and the government was controlled by two Dalavai brothers, Devarajaiya and Karachuri Nanjarajaiya. Ibrahim Sahib used his influence with Dalavai Devaraja, the minister of Mysore, and managed to clear the debt.
Subsequently, the family relocated to Mysore, where Shahbaz enlisted in the Mysore army. Eventually, Hyder also joined his brother's troops. Thus the family came to have a secure footing in Mysore.
Fateh Naik was buried at Kolar beside his parents and other family members. In remembrance of his father, Hyder named his eldest son Fateh Ali Khan, who later became renowned as Tipu Sultan.
The tomb at Kolar was originally intended to be the final resting place of Hyder Ali as well. However, his body was ultimately taken to Lal Bagh in Srirangapatna and interred in a grand mausoleum built by Tipu himself, now known as Gumbaz.
Comments