The great king of Mysore was the sole personality who understood the real intentions of the British behind reducing the Rajas to the status of pensioned Nawabs. After failing to secure the support from Nizam and Marathas, Tipu Sultan planned to make alliance with Turkey, Afganistan, France and Iran. Behind the foreign policy of Tipu Sultan, there were two major purposes viz. to eliminate the British from the Indian power with the help of foreign power including political and military support from them. Another purpose was to make the economic betterment of the country and establish economic contacts with those countries. Another major aim behind making a strong bond with foreign countries was to curb the power of the British in the political, social and commercial sections of Indian life. Being one of the sources of precious commercial commodities, Mysore remained a place of great commercial importance. To improve the commerce and trade of Mysore and as a whole of India, Tipu also developed commercial relation with Pegu, Muscat, Ottoman Empire, Jeddah, Basra, Armenia, Ormuz and China. Turkey being one of the major foreign forces was included in the foreign allies of Tipu Sultan. By sending ambassador to Constantinople in 1784 Tipu received favourable response from them. With the aim of terminating a political and military treaty against the English, Tipu in 1785, conserved an expanded embassy of four persons. The treaty between Mysore and Turkey had five clauses. The clauses specified that Turkey was to provide help to assist Tipu in the making of gun and cannon, another mentioned about the trading systems in Basra for acquiring similar trade benefits in Mysore. It has also been mentioned that the decline in the east was fastened by the negligence of commerce and industry. In spite of the fact that the emissaries were treated with courtesy in Constantinople, but the major matter of the treaty was circumvented. Russia, at this point of time, was preparing to attack Turkey. Under such circumstances the Turks were in no mood to enrage the British by supporting India. As a result the Indian ambassadors had to return disappointed. The foreign policy of Tipu Sultan specifies his relationship with the French from whom he received maximum support during any threat. Aware of the fact that the British were planning to establish their empire in India and affecting harmony among the princes, Tipu made an alliance with the French to curb the power of the British. The French being the early rivals of the British, developed hostile relationship and with the time, the resentment towards each other increased. This did not end till 1914, the year of the First World War. Due to the animosity that developed between the French and the British, Tipu took the advantage to make an alliance with the French and provoke the Europeans to take up war against each other. Though the constant threat of the British was still existent, Tipu’s alliance with the French and their overall presence in almost all segments of Tipu’s administration with sheer hatred against the British, assured him about the reoccurrence of the days of American independence in India. Apart from being close alliance with the French, Tipu had developed union with Afghanistan. Before coming in contact with the ruler of Afghanistan Zaman Shah, Tipu had a negotiation with Kabul to seek military support to stand against the British. After arrival of Zaman Shah in India in 1799, the British directed an action on his western boundary. The British made it possible by provoking the Persians to attack Afghanistan in his absence. Later by sending off the Shia from Moradabad to Iran, Lord Wellesley successfully obviated the impending danger. In addition to that, Tipu had a good relationship with Iran. With the aim of forming good commercial relations with Iran, Tipu had also wished to restart the old trade routes via Iran to Europe. He also intended to set up commercial centres in Iran which would provide same trade benefits to the Persians dwelling in Mysore. Though Tipu was trying to grab the impression of the Shah of Iran for the betterment of political and commercial contacts, Tipu’s fabricated plans were once again demolished by the British with the device of Shia-Sunni differences. Due to the superior diplomacy of the British, Tipu failed to form international contacts for his political and military purposes. Out-break of French Revolution may be cited as another reason of his failure. Under these circumstances, Tipu Sultan failed to secure the support of French, Afghanistan or Turkey. Barred by several hindrances, Tipu’s plans remained unsuccessful and with time they ushered British dominance in India. |