Originally published in 1893, Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan talks about two distinguished rulers of southern India who vehemently fought against British colonialism and played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Mysore Empire. Written by Lewin. B. Bowring, this book is an attempt to trace the career of Haidar Ali and his equally remarkable son, Tipu Sultan. The first, distinguished by energy, enterprise, and daring which enabled him to seize a throne, and the second by his bigotry, his hostility to the English, and the meaningless obstinacy which cost him his crown and his life. It also discusses the struggle between the English and the French in southern India and the siege of Seringapatam. A major portion of this book is about Haidar Ali, his administrative, military and diplomatic tactics followed by Tipu Sultan's military inventions which he used in the struggle against the British occupying forces in south India.