Hyder Ali

Hyder Ali Biography

Hyder Ali was the Sultan of Kingdom of Mysore. He was born in 1721 as Hyder Naik. He is always regarded as one of the most efficient rulers of South India before Indian independence. Though he was illiterate, through his administrative acumen and military skills he earned a significant position in the political map of India. His son, Tipu Sultan is always regarded as one of the great freedom fighters against British, from royal family. He was friendly against French to keep British at distance and and used the services of French workmen. But fight against his neighbouring states was quite common during that time. Through his military skills he was able to expand his kingdom bordered by the Krishna River in the north, the Eastern Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west.

Still now, exact birth date of Hyder Ali is a subject of debate. A few historians believe that his ancestors are from Persia while another group argues that his Muslim ancestors are from Afghanistan. But Hyder himself claimed descent from Arabian tribe, Quraysh tribe - the tribe of the prophet Muhammad. His father, Fatah Muhammada was a commander of 50 men in the bamboo rocket artillery in the army of the Nawab of Carnatic. Later he became a powerful military commander of Wodeyar Rajas of the Kingdom of Mysore. Hyder Ali was his fifth child from Fatah Muhammada’s second wife.

Hyder Naik later became proficient in military eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers. With his skills, he raise to the post of commander-in-chief to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II. But very soon he dominated over the kings and overthrew Khande Rao, the king of Mysore. Hyder Ali founded the Sultanate of Mysore and formally styled himself Sultan Hyder Ali Khan in the year 1761. Over the next few years Hyder expanded his territories to all regions around him and made it the most powerful kingdom of South. His wars with Marathas and First Anglo-Mysore War in August 1767 against East India Company are equally famous. Hyder Ali died in his camp on 6 December 1782 due to cancer growth and his son Tipu Sulthan took over the power. 

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Updated: September 24, 2017