This historical novel tells the story of Tipu Sultan---the man, the lover, the soldier, the prince, the king. It speaks of those who loved and betrayed him; of his interactions with charming ladies and brilliant men; of his greatness and of the craftiness of his contemporaries; of the wit and folly of his times; and of the struggle of men and ideas in the march of history. Based on extensive research, The Sword of Tipu Sultan is an original contribution to historical literature which gives insights into the character of its hero, and the period in which he lived. Tipu, maligned by historians as a cruel and bigoted ruler, emerges here as a humane, enlightened ruler who believed that God is not confined to any one religion and that all religions therefore deserve equal respect. He was opposed to colonialism, welcomed the American Declaration of Independence and applauded the spirit of the French Revolution. The author establishes him as the first among modern Indian nationalists who knew that India was weakened not by outside powers but the decadence and disunity within. A vivid portrayal of the drama of Tipu's times, The Sword of Tipu Sultan captures the amazing spirit of the man who, in the midst of disaster, lost neither his dignity nor his faith. He chose to court death when he could have saved himself, for he firmly believed that his sacrifice would serve as an example for the future generations of India. Special Edition: With 30 exclusive illustrations, handpicked by the author, from the T.V. Serial which are not part of the Printed book.