Tales of Haidar Ali Of Mysore

Haidar Ali of Mysore is a familiar figure to every student of Indian History. The story of his life is well-known and needs no repetition here. Though over a hundred and twenty years have elapsed since his death, he is yet a popular personage in all Southern India. There are several tales told of him everywhere in Mysore and the adjoining British districts and of these only a few select ones are included in the present collection. These give a more vivid picture of the great soldier of fortune than pages of written history can. This is, of course, the utility of all folk-tales told of great personages. Though no particular order has been observed in the arrangement of the tales, it will be seen easily that they include those relating to his bringing up, rise, conquests, religious toleration and death. Of these, two have been published in one form or another in the Madras Review and a few others have been selected from the works of contemporary writers. I have no doubt people will be interested in reading these tales of one of India's greatest military heroes.