Tipu’s Tree of Liberty
The Tree of Liberty planted by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore (1782–1799), symbolised his progressive and revolutionary outlook during a period of intense political transformation in both India and Europe. Inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, this act reflected Tipu’s admiration for liberty, equality, and fraternity, as well as his efforts to modernise Mysore and establish diplomatic ties with revolutionary France. The “Tree of Liberty” thus became both a political and ideological symbol of his defiance against British imperialism and his vision for an independent, sovereign Mysore.
Background: Tipu Sultan and His Political Vision
Tipu Sultan, the eldest son of Hyder Ali, ruled Mysore from 1782 until his death in 1799 during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War. His reign was marked by military innovation, economic modernisation, administrative reform, and resistance against British expansion.
Tipu viewed himself as not merely a regional monarch but a modern ruler with an international outlook. He developed close diplomatic relations with powers such as the Ottoman Empire, Persia, and France—countries that shared his opposition to British imperial dominance.
During the late 18th century, the spread of revolutionary ideas from France profoundly influenced global politics. Tipu, seeking allies against the British, welcomed French officers and political envoys into his court and showed enthusiasm for the principles of the French Revolution, which advocated liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The Arrival of the French and Revolutionary Influence
By the early 1790s, revolutionary France had become a republic following the fall of the monarchy in 1792. The new French government sought to spread its revolutionary ideals and forge alliances against monarchical and colonial powers, including Britain.
In 1797, a delegation of French soldiers and officers arrived in Mysore from Mauritius. They brought with them the revolutionary spirit of the French Republic, complete with symbols such as the tricolour flag and the Tree of Liberty, which had been planted across France and its colonies as an emblem of freedom from tyranny.
These French representatives pledged allegiance to both the French Republic and Tipu Sultan, declaring a symbolic union between Mysore and the Republic in their common struggle against Britain.
Planting of the Tree of Liberty
The planting of Tipu’s Tree of Liberty took place at Srirangapatnam (Srirangapatna), the capital of Mysore, around 1797–1798. The ceremony was modelled on similar revolutionary rituals conducted in France and its overseas territories.
According to historical accounts, the event involved:
- The raising of the French tricolour flag alongside Tipu’s emblem.
- The planting of a tree, referred to as the Tree of Liberty, symbolising the growth of freedom and the alliance of revolutionary ideals between France and Mysore.
- Proclamations of fraternity between the citizens of Mysore and the French Republic, affirming mutual resistance against tyranny and colonial domination.
French officers in Tipu’s service reportedly formed a small “Jacobin Club” at Srirangapatnam, similar to those in revolutionary France, and even saluted Tipu as “Citizen Tipu”, a gesture blending revolutionary terminology with royal authority.
The Tree of Liberty thus stood as a living symbol of Tipu’s commitment to anti-imperialist cooperation and reformist governance.
Political and Ideological Significance
The Tree of Liberty in Mysore carried deep political and ideological implications:
- Symbol of Anti-Colonial Defiance: By associating himself with the French Republic and its revolutionary symbols, Tipu declared his opposition to British imperial domination in India. The act represented a bold statement of independence at a time when most Indian rulers were either subdued or allied with the British.
- Expression of Modernity: Tipu’s acceptance of revolutionary ideals reflected his broader commitment to modernisation and reform. He introduced new administrative systems, military innovations, and economic policies aimed at strengthening Mysore’s autonomy and efficiency.
- Alliance with France: The planting of the Tree of Liberty signified a political alliance—actual and symbolic—between Mysore and revolutionary France. Tipu sought French military support to drive the British out of India and restore balance in the subcontinent.
- Ideological Fusion: The event reflected a fusion of Eastern monarchy and Western republicanism. While Tipu remained a monarch, his openness to revolutionary ideas revealed his understanding of global political currents and his readiness to adapt them to Indian conditions.
British Reaction
The British East India Company viewed Tipu’s alliance with revolutionary France and the symbolism of the Tree of Liberty with deep suspicion. In the context of Britain’s own war against France in Europe, any Indo-French collaboration was seen as a direct threat to British interests in India.
Reports of the French tricolour being raised in Mysore and of Tipu being hailed as “Citizen Tipu” alarmed the British authorities in Madras and Calcutta. They interpreted these actions as signs of an impending Franco-Mysorean conspiracy to overthrow British power in India.
This perception became one of the pretexts for the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1798–1799), launched by the British under Lord Wellesley, who was determined to eliminate Tipu’s influence and prevent any French resurgence in India.
The Fall of Tipu Sultan and the Fate of the Tree
The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War ended in 1799 with Tipu Sultan’s death during the Siege of Srirangapatnam. After his defeat, the British dismantled many symbols associated with his rule, including the Tree of Liberty, which they regarded as a dangerous emblem of revolutionary subversion.
With Tipu’s death, the brief experiment in revolutionary symbolism and Indo-French fraternity in India came to an end. However, the episode left a lasting impression on contemporary observers and later historians as a rare instance of a South Asian ruler engaging directly with European revolutionary thought.
Historical Interpretation
The episode of Tipu’s Tree of Liberty has been interpreted in multiple ways by historians:
- As a Political Gesture: Some scholars see it as a diplomatic manoeuvre aimed at securing French support rather than an ideological conversion to republicanism.
- As a Symbol of Progressive Thinking: Others interpret it as evidence of Tipu’s openness to global currents of reform, modernity, and resistance against imperialism.
- As Colonial Propaganda: British chroniclers often exaggerated the event to portray Tipu as a dangerous revolutionary influenced by “foreign ideas,” thereby justifying their invasion of Mysore.
