We Lost the Motherland

The sun rose over Srirangapatna, but it brought no warmth, no hope. The mighty fortress, once the seat of a proud and independent kingdom, now stood under the flag of the British Empire. Mysore, the last great resistance against colonial rule in the south, had fallen. The dream of sovereignty had died with Tipu Sultan, and the land that had once roared like a tiger now lay in silence, mourning its lost protector.

Scene 1: The British Take Control

Location: Durbar Hall, Tipu Sultan's Palace

General Lord Wellesley stood in the grand hall where Tipu had once held court. The air was heavy with the scent of burnt wood and blood, remnants of the fierce battle that had raged just days before. British officers and East India Company representatives gathered around as Wellesley addressed them.

General Wellesley: (Surveying the room) "Gentlemen, the throne of Mysore is empty. The tiger of Srirangapatna is no more. This land now belongs to the British Crown."

A murmur of approval spread through the room. The British had fought long and hard for this moment. But not all shared in the triumph.

Major John Malcolm, a pragmatic officer, stepped forward.

Major Malcolm: (Hesitant) "Sir, the people of Mysore will not accept this easily. Tipu was more than just a king to them. He was their protector."

Wellesley turned to Malcolm with a smirk.

General Wellesley: "Then we shall remind them who their new masters are."

He gestured to a group of British officers standing nearby.

General Wellesley: "Issue an order: all remaining Mysorean soldiers are to be disarmed. Those suspected of allegiance to Tipu shall be arrested or exiled. The people will fall in line soon enough."

The officers nodded and left to carry out their orders.

Malcolm, however, lingered for a moment, watching as soldiers replaced the royal banners of Mysore with the Union Jack. He couldn't shake the feeling that something vital had been lost—something no conquest could replace.

Scene 2: The People Mourn

Location: A Small Village Outside Srirangapatna

In a modest home, a group of Mysoreans sat in silence. The news of Tipu Sultan's death had spread like wildfire, and grief had settled over the people like a heavy cloud.

An elderly man, Ustaad Rahim, a former soldier in Tipu's army, clenched his fists as he stared at the floor.

Ustaad Rahim: (Voice trembling) "The tiger is gone… and with him, our freedom."

A young woman, Fatima, wiped her tears.

Fatima: (Softly) "What will become of us now? Will we be slaves in our own land?"

A teenage boy, Yusuf, looked up with fire in his eyes.

Yusuf: (Defiant) "No! We must fight! We cannot let the British rule over us!"

Rahim sighed and placed a hand on Yusuf's shoulder.

Ustaad Rahim: "Bravery without strategy is suicide, my son. Tipu fought until his last breath, but even he could not stop the tide. The British have won, for now."

Yusuf lowered his gaze, frustration evident on his face.

A frail old woman, Ammi Jaan, spoke up, her voice filled with sorrow.

Ammi Jaan: "Tipu Sultan said, 'It is far better to live like a tiger for a day than to live like a jackal for a hundred years.' He chose his fate. But what of us? How will we survive under these foreigners?"

Rahim exhaled deeply.

Ustaad Rahim: "We will endure, Ammi Jaan. We will remember. And one day, another tiger will rise."

Scene 3: The Fate of Mysore

Location: British Military Headquarters, Srirangapatna

A few days later, British officials convened to decide Mysore's fate.

British Officer: "The question remains—who shall rule Mysore now?"

Malcolm, still unsettled by the brutality of the conquest, cleared his throat.

Major Malcolm: "The people will never accept direct British rule. Tipu's sons still live. If we are wise, we should place one of them on the throne as a puppet."

Wellesley scoffed.

General Wellesley: "Tipu's sons? The very bloodline that defied us? No, Malcolm, we need someone weaker—someone who will bow to us without question."

Another officer leaned in.

British Officer: "Perhaps the Wodeyars? They ruled before Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan seized the throne."

Wellesley nodded.

General Wellesley: "Yes. The Wodeyars. They will serve as our vassals. The people will have their 'king,' but we will hold the true power."

And just like that, Mysore's independence was buried.

Scene 4: The Last Remnants of Tipu's Legacy

Location: Tipu Sultan's Mausoleum

A small crowd had gathered at Tipu Sultan's final resting place. His body had been laid to rest beside his father, Hyder Ali. Even in death, he remained among warriors.

Among those present was a man in his late fifties, dressed in a simple but dignified tunic. He knelt before the grave, whispering a prayer.

A British soldier nearby sneered.

British Soldier: "Still mourning your dead king, old man?"

The man looked up, his eyes burning with quiet fury.

Man: "You may have taken his throne, but you will never take his legacy. One day, you will understand that."

The soldier laughed and walked away, but the words lingered in the air.

As the people of Mysore mourned their loss, a single thought burned in their hearts: the tiger was gone, but his roar would echo through the ages.

End of Chapter 20

This chapter captures the sorrow of Mysore's people, the ruthless transition of power, and the enduring spirit of Tipu's legacy. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments!