Originally broadcasted on Feb 1990 The sword of Tipu Sultan is based on the novel of same name by Bhagwan S Gidwani. It chronicles the life stories of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The novel is regarded as being historically accurate. The series was one of the best-pictured and most popular of its time. When the British tried to colonize India, after initial resistance they rapidly gained control over large parts of India until they reached the south where initially Hyder Ali then his son Tipu Sultan kept them at bay for decades. Tipu was regarded as a highly skilled general and warrior and is credited with the invention of rockets and navy in India. His small army was able to hold the combined forces of the British East India Company and the Marathas away and held sway over the Deccan. Tipu faced and was killed in Srirangapatnam at the Battle of Srirangapatna.