Q. With reference to Haidar Ali, the de-facto ruler of Mysore, consider the following statements:
1.He established a modern arsenal with French assistance at Dindigul and was the first Indian ruler to organize his army entirely on Western European lines.
2.Though wielding sovereign power, he retained the traditional title of Dalavayi (Commander-in-Chief), formally acknowledging the titular authority of the Wodeyar king.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: C
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Haidar Ali established an arsenal at Dindigul (modern Tamil Nadu) with the help of French experts to modernize his army, introducing European discipline and training for his infantry and artillery corps. This was a pioneering effort among Indian rulers of the time.
- Statement 2: Correct. Haidar Ali became the Sarvadhikari (Chief Minister) or Dalavayi (Commander) and de-facto ruler in 1761, but he wisely did not formally depose the Wodeyar dynasty, maintaining the façade of their traditional rule until 1796, when Tipu Sultan formally declared himself Sultan after the death of the Hindu ruler.
