'Shown In Derogatory Manner': Former Karnataka Minister Stirs Row Over His Defence Of Tipu Sultan

Former Karnataka minister KN Rajanna has sparked a political debate by controversially claiming that the historical figure, Tipu Sultan, initiated the foundation of the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam.

Speaking from Tumakuru, Rajanna strongly defended the 18th-century ruler, stating: “They show Tipu in such a derogatory manner… According to what I have read, he was the one who started the Kannambadi dam (the initial name for the Krishna Raja Sagara).”

Rajanna said Tipu Sultan laid the groundwork for the dam, which was later completed during the reign of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.

“After that, it was completed during the time of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. When it was to be completed during his time, there was a financial problem,” he said.

Describing the financial sacrifice of the Maharaja, he said: “They took the gold from the house and sold it in Bombay,” further mentioning the 1924 agreement with the erstwhile British Government and Tamil Nadu, adding, “we should not forget this.”

His claim, however, contradicts established historical records. While historians and heritage experts acknowledge an inscription suggesting Tipu Sultan had a vision for building a dam in the area, they argue that claiming he laid the foundation stone for the present KRS dam is a historical stretch.

According to official state records, the dam, as it stands today, was conceptualised and built under the patronage of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in the early 20th century. The foundation and construction are universally credited to Sir M Visvesvaraya, the then Diwan of Mysore, under the patronage of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in the early 20th century (construction began around 1911), more than a century after Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799. The initial dam/anicuts at the Kannambadi site were significantly older, but the massive reservoir project is firmly placed in the Wadiyar era.

The former minister continued his praise by highlighting Tipu Sultan’s contributions to agriculture and industry. He emphatically called him the “Father of Silk” in the state.

“Tipu is the father of silk. The first silk crop…the Sultan kaddi was brought by him,” he said, adding that Tipu Sultan brought the silkworm variety from Persia.

He noted that in areas like Ramanagara, Muslims are predominantly involved in silk farming and trade.