After taking permission from his father Tipu reached in his personal palace. Queen Runia was standing there to welcome him. She took him to bedroom and said. “I am proud of you my lord. Today every corner of Mysore is humming with slogans of victory. I feel pride that I am your wife.”
“Your good wishes are the key of my success, my dear.” Tipu sat on the bed keeping his elbow on the pillow said, ‘‘I got victory today. God knows for tomorrow.”
“Victory shall be your’s my lord.’’ Queen started combing her fingers in his hair.
‘‘If my brother were with me my courage would have increased hundred times. In battle field I felt it seriously. The British soldiers who returned alive might have not gone back.”
Hearing Tipu queen Runia became sad.
Tipu continued “I tried my best to reform him but he is not ready to give up. But whatever he may be he is my younger brother. If tomorrow he comes to fight in favour of Nizam or British I shall perhaps unable to tackle him.”
“I am feeling depressed?” Runia said.
“Don’t lose heart queen. Have faith in God.”
Suddenly a personal attendant spoke from behind the curtain, ‘‘Deewanji wants to see the prince.”
Tipu startled. He stood at once and said, “I just met Deewan. Now what has happened…let me see.” Tipu rush towards the door.
In the hall Deewan was standing restlessly.
“What is the matter Deewanji.” Tipu asked hurriedly.
Deewan said, ‘‘Hyderabad army has surrounded Mysore, Tubharjang and younger prince Karim Shah also with the army.”
“For a moment Tipu stood like an idol. Then he asked, “Has Kamruddin returned from Maharashtra?”
“Yes. Some time back.”
“What news did he bring?”
“Queen of Maharashtra has denied to stand by us.”
“I knew it.”
“But her Prime Minister Nana Pharnavis with his small army is coming shortly to help us.”
Tipu take a deep breath and said, ‘‘Deewanji, You alongwith Kamruddin manage supplies through secret routes. It seems battle will last long.”
Deewan went off.
Tipu returned to his bedroom and narrated the situation to queen Runia.
After informing Tipu Deewan came in Hyder Ali’s palace, who was conversing with Kamruddin who returned from Maharashtra.
Kamruddin gave him his report.
Hyder Ali said “What’s the problem Deewan? You seem puzzled. I feel you have not brought good news.”
“Your are right Your Highness.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Hyderabad army has invaded Mysore.”
“What?”
“Yes sir. Army chief Tubharjang and our younger prince too came with him to fight us.”
“He is not prince of Mysore but an enemy. His head also will be chopped by swords of my soldiers.”
“What is order for me?”
“I accept God’s will.”
“But Your Highness our army is very small.”
“But passion is not. Passion wins the war. Nana Pharnavis is reaching here soon for our help.”
Suddenly a huge explosion shattered the atmosphere. All people sitting in the hall shuddered and looked each other frightened.
“It seems Nizam armies have attacked.”
Hyder Ali got angry. “Coward, they are attacking at sleeping tigers. Deewan get ready for war.”
Deewan moved back speedily. After taking permission Kamruddin to followed him. After coming out Deewan informed him that prince has ordered to collect supplies.
“Alright Sir.” Kamruddin said, ‘‘I deploy some soldiers on this task. You alongwith Tipu be ready for war.”
Tipu was worried. He was unable to understand what to do.
He was walking in his chamber restlessly.
Then Deewan entered there.
Tipu came to him quickly, “Deewanji, enemy again attacked again.”
“I know it prince. This is a British trick. We also have to retaliate.”
“Come on.”
Then both came to the army camps and start organising the army. City dwellers had got up and young men had come out on roads with their weapons.
At every point soldiers had been deputed. It was midnight. At this time it was preferred not to go to battle field by opening the main gate Enemy started shelling the city. But all lives inside the city were safe.
Tipu was of the view that in the morning main gate should be opened for the Mysore fighters to encounter.
In the morning Mysore army came out as locust flock and spread in the battle field. They made two protection posts. On one post Tipu was present and Kamruddin was with him to assist. On the other post Hyder Ali and Deewan was facing the enemy. Army of the East India Company was fighting with their full strength.
General Demonson was leading his army. He was encouraging his soldiers—“Play havoc over Mysore. Nizam army also has reached to help you.”
Nizam army was backing the British.
Enemy cannons were shelling heavily. Due to its sound the elephants of Mysore army became unsteady, horses split asunder and ran away.
Company Govt. Artillery was huge in comparison of Mysore. But still then Mysore army was fighting without any fright with full capability.
Tipu’s sword started to kill the enemy soldiers.
Kamruddin’s sword too taking blood-bath.
Hyder Ali although had reached threshold of old age, but yet he had courage as young man. During battle he faced General Demonson and said “English dog! Beggar! Timid! You are showing your valour by attacking at sleeping tigers. Now face the live tiger! Today I will not let you alive.”
Demonson has possessed a gun in hand. He was firing blindly. But seeing Hyder Ali suddenly he was frightened.
Tubharjang was at his back. He was slaying Mysore fighters deceptively.
When Hyder Ali’s saw him, he got furious. He growled and said, “Deceptive idiot, traitor of nation Tubharjang, I will slay you before the British.” Hyder Ali flashed his sword and attacked Tubharjang. But Tubharjang escaped. He cried, “Their is still time to make peace with British. War will be stopped.”
“You traitor! Shut up you dirty tongue.” Hyder Ali again attacked Tubharjang. Now General Demonson came to senses. This time he fired without wasting a moment.
Hyder’s hand stopped in air. Bullet pierced his chest. He fell down from the horse as a chopped tree and breathed his last.
There was commotion in British army—“King of Mysore has been killed?”
“General Demonson had shot him.”
When Mysore soldiers heard this news they lost their courage and morale.
But Deewan of Mysore became so smart that waving his sword he pushed the British soldiers back and very smartly lift the dead body of Hyder Ali at the horse back and ran away.
There were tears in his eyes but lava of hatred was engulfing in his heart. Whosoever British soldiers came in his way he slaughtered him.
Battle was stopped.
British army returned to their camps and Nizam army also.
Mysore army was returning towards the fort.
British and Nizam armies were celebrating while there was clamour in Mysore fort.
Tipu embraced the dead body of Hyder Ali and said, “I told you not to go in battle field, but you ignored. Now who will encourage me.”
Deewan and Kamruddin solaced him. Queen Runia too was in sorrow. Women of the royal family were beholding her.
Seeing their parents in grief Tipu’s both sons started sobbing. When none could hold Tipu then queen Runia solaced him and said, “My lord! This is not the time to weep. Tears are not shed on Hero’s death. We must proud of his death. He was hit on his chest. He died like a brave soldier.”
Tipu stopped weeping.
He stood with a jerk and taking his sword out of sheath said, “Father! I shall avenge your death. I declare that till I am alive the enemy forces