The Sword of Tipu Sultan

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The Sword of Tipu Sultan
The Sword of Tipu Sultan DVD cover.jpg
DVD cover of The Sword of Tipu Sultan
Created byNumero Uno International
Based onThe Sword of Tipu Sultan
by Bhagwan Gidwani
Written byBhagwan Gidwani
Directed by Sanjay Khan and Akbar Khan
Starring Sanjay Khan
Malvika Tiwari
Maya Alagh
Deepika Chikhalia
Anant Mahadevan
Mukesh Rishi
Shahbaz Khan
Composer Naushad
Country of origin India
Original languagesHindustani
Hindi
Urdu
No. of episodes60
Production
Producer Sanjay Khan
Production locationsPremiere Studio, Mysore
Cinematography Basheer Ali
Running timeapproximately 45 minutes
Original release
Network DD National
Release25 February 1990 (1990-02-25) 
14 April 1991 (1991-04-14)

The Sword of Tipu Sultan is an Indian historical drama that was first broadcast on the DD National in February 1990. Based on a novel by Bhagwan Gidwani, this drama was based on a fictional portrayal of the life and times of Tipu Sultan, the 18th century ruler of Mysore. The series was widely praised for its casting and grandeur. [1]

Contents

Production

The television drama was produced by the company Numero Uno International owned by movie director and producer Sanjay Khan. [2] Akbar Khan, Sanjay Khan's brother, directed the first 20 episodes over a span of 18 months. [3] The remaining episodes were directed by Sanjay Khan, and he also played the leading role of Tipu Sultan. A total of 52 episodes were shot, some of them in the Premier Studios in Mysore, Karnataka. Whereas, the music was composed by legendary Naushad and was photographed by Basheer Ali.

The drama was based on a novel of the same name, written by the Montreal-based author Bhagwan S Gidwani. [4] The novel was a best-seller, having sold about 200,000 copies, translated into many languages and reprinted in 44 editions. Apart from being the author, Gidwani also wrote the screenplay and script for the 60 episodes. The last few episodes were shot after the fire accident, a few years later. Other prominent actors who were chosen for this drama included Seema Kelkar, Anant Mahadevan, Mukesh Rishi, Shahbaz Khan and Deepika Chikhalia.[ citation needed ]

Cast

Broadcast

The drama was first telecast in Hindi on the Doordarshan channel in February 1990. It was dubbed into Telugu and broadcast on ETV in 1996. In 2001, it was also telecast on Star Plus. [5] The episodes were dubbed in Bengali and broadcast on BTV in the early 1990s and into Tamil and broadcast on the DD Podhigai channel in 2006. [6] In the BTV broadcast, certain portions of dialogue were censored. Outside the subcontinent, the drama was shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom during the early 1990s. Other countries included Iran, Indonesia and Mauritius. An original pack of 12 DVDs was later released. [7]

A still from The Sword of Tipu Sultan with Sanjay Khan as Tipu Sultan (right) with Kanwaljeet Singh The Sword of Tipu Sultan still.jpg
A still from The Sword of Tipu Sultan with Sanjay Khan as Tipu Sultan (right) with Kanwaljeet Singh

Controversies

Fire

A major fire accident took place on 8 February 1989, in the Premier Studios of Mysore where the drama was being shot. Unavailability of firefighting equipment and ignorance of fire safety standards have been quoted as the major reasons. [8] Loose wiring and absence of ventilators were further causes for the fire to spread. Instead of fire-proofing material, the walls had gunny bags and the temperature rose to around 120°C (248°F) because of huge lights being used for the shooting. All these factors contributed to the massive fire; the final death toll was 62. Sanjay Khan himself suffered major burns and had to spend 13 months in hospital and undergo 72 surgeries. An ex-gratia amount of Rs.5000 was paid to the victims. [9]

Awards

For his work on this drama, Sanjay Khan received the Gem of India Award. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tipu Sultan</span> Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1782 to 1799

Tipu Sultan, commonly referred to as Sher-e-Mysore or "Lion of Mysore", was the Indian Muslim ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery. He introduced a number of administrative innovations during his rule, including a new coinage system and calendar, and a new land revenue system, which initiated the growth of the Mysore silk industry. Tipu was also a pioneer in introducing Channapatna toys. He expanded the iron-cased Mysorean rockets and commissioned the military manual Fathul Mujahidin. He deployed the rockets against advances of British forces and their allies during the Anglo-Mysore Wars, including the Battle of Pollilur and Siege of Srirangapatna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyder Ali</span> First Sultan and de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore

Hyder Ali was the Sultan and de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born as Hyder Ali, he distinguished himself as a soldier, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers. Rising to the post of Dalavayi (commander-in-chief) to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, he came to dominate the titular monarch and the Mysore government. He became the de facto ruler of Mysore as Sarvadhikari by 1761. During intermittent conflicts against the East India Company during the First and Second Anglo–Mysore Wars, Hyder Ali was the military leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom of Mysore</span> Monarchy in India (1399–1947)

The Kingdom of Mysore was a realm in the southern part of Deccan Plateau traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 by two Hindu brothers, in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. From 1799 until 1950, it was a princely state, until 1947 in a subsidiary alliance with British India. The British took direct control over the princely state in 1831. Upon accession to the Dominion of India, it became Mysore State, later uniting with other Kannada speaking regions to form the state of Karnataka, with its ruler remaining as Rajapramukh until 1956, when he became the first governor of the reformed state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Anglo-Mysore War</span> Conflict in India between the Sultanate of Mysore and the British East India Company

The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–1769) was a conflict in India between the Sultanate of Mysore and the East India Company. The war was instigated in part by the machinations of Asaf Jah II, the Nizam of Hyderabad, who sought to divert the company's resources from attempts to gain control over the Northern Circars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglo-Mysore Wars</span> Conflicts mainly between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company (late 1700s)

The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of four wars fought during the last three decades of the 18th century between the Sultanate of Mysore on the one hand, and the British East India Company, Maratha Empire, Kingdom of Travancore, and the Kingdom of Hyderabad on the other. Hyder Ali and his succeeding son Tipu fought the wars on four fronts: with the British attacking from the west, south and east and the Nizam's forces attacking from the north. The fourth war resulted in the overthrow of the house of Hyder Ali and Tipu, and the dismantlement of Mysore to the benefit of the East India Company, which took control of much of the Indian subcontinent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanjay Khan</span> Indian actor, producer, director (born 1941)

Sanjay Khan is an Indian actor, producer and director known for his works in Hindi films and television. Sanjay Khan made his debut in Chetan Anand's 1964 film Haqeeqat, followed by the Rajshri film Dosti, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dharma Raja</span> Maharaja of Travancore from 1758–1798

Rama Varma I often referred to as Dharma Raja, was the Maharajah of Travancore from 1758 until his death in 1798. He succeeded his uncle Marthanda Varma, who is credited with the title of "maker of modern Travancore". During his reign Dharma Raja not only retained all the territories his predecessor had gained but administered the kingdom with success. He was addressed as Dharma Raja on account of his strict adherence to Dharma Sastra, the Hindu principles of justice by providing asylum to thousands of Hindus and Christians fleeing Malabar during the Mysorean conquest of Malabar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battles involving the Maratha Empire</span>

The Maratha Conquests were a series of conquests in the Indian subcontinent which led to the building of the Maratha Empire. These conquests were started by Shivaji in 1659, from the victory at the Battle of Pratapgad against Bijapur. The expansion of the empire was limited and interrupted by the Mughal conquests of south India by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb until he eventually died in 1707 in Deccan itself. Marathas were forced to defend their territories against the overwhelmingly strong Mughal army in the 27 years long Deccan wars. They were able to defend their territories and gain an upper hand over Mughals in the sustained conflict.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah</span> Nawab of Carnatic and Arcort

Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, or Muhammed Ali, Wallajah, was the Nawab of the Carnatic from 1749 until his death in 1795. He declared himself Nawab in 1749. This position was disputed between Wallajah and Chanda Sahib. In 1752, after several clashes, Chanda Sahib's forces and his French allies were expelled from Arcot, officially declaring Wallajah as Nawab on 26 August 1765. His reign was recognised by Mughal emperor Shah Alam II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krishnaraja Wodeyar III</span> Maharaja of Mysore from 1799–1868

Krishnaraja Wodeyar III was an Indian king who was the twenty-second Maharaja of Mysore. He ruled the kingdom for nearly seventy years, from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868, for a good portion of the latter period of which he was merely a nominal ruler. He is known for his contribution and patronage to different arts and music during his reign. He was succeeded by his biological grandson and adopted son, Chamarajendra Wadiyar X.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madhavrao II</span> 12th Peshwa of Maratha Empire

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The Treaty of Mangalore was signed between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company on 11 March 1784. It was signed in Mangalore and brought an end to the Second Anglo-Mysore War.

The captivity of Kodavas (Coorgis) at Seringapatam was the period of capture, deportation, and imprisonment of Kodava Takk speaking Coorgis Christians who rebelled against Tippu Sultan, the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, they (60,000-70,000) were caught during a number of attempts to suppress their rebellion in the 1780s.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mysorean invasion of Malabar</span>

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The Battle of Tiruvannamalai is one of the two successful battles fought by the Madras Army in the Carnatic along with the Battle of Chengam. It was fought on 25 September 1767 between the allied forces led by the East India Company against the troops of Hyder Ali. The allied forces of the English army were led by Colonel Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siege of Adoni</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gumbaz, Srirangapatna</span> Persian mausoleum in Karnataka, India

The Gumbaz at Srirangapattana is a Muslim mausoleum at the centre of a landscaped garden, holding the graves of Tippu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali (Middle) and his mother Fakhr-Un-Nisa. It was built by Tippu Sultan to house the graves of his parents. The British allowed Tippu to be buried here after his martyrdom in the Siege of Srirangapatna in 1799.

References

  1. "Lessons From History". Indian Express. 21 August 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2013.[ dead link ]
  2. "Numero Uno tie-up with Chandamama for TV series". Online edition of The Hindu Business Line, dated 2000-05-21. Retrieved 17 August 2007.[ dead link ]
  3. "I wanted Ash as Mumtaz Mahal". Rediff.com . 18 February 2003. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  4. "Sindhis in Canada". SindhiTrade.com. Retrieved 17 August 2007.[ dead link ]
  5. "Brave Heart". Online edition of The Tribune, dated 2001-02-11. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  6. Chitra Swaminathan. "The return of the Sultan". Online edition of The Hindu, dated 2006-05-20. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. The Sword of Tipu Sultan [ dead link ]
  8. "Film studios are fire traps: Experts". Online edition of The Times of India, dated 2004-02-21. 21 February 2004. Retrieved 17 August 2007.
  9. "Written Answers to Questions". Online webpage of the Parliament of India. Retrieved 18 August 2007.[ dead link ]
  10. "The Man behind". Online Webpage of Golden Palms Hotels and Spa. Retrieved 17 August 2007.[ dead link ]