Mango tree branches -embedded into the ground / Tipu sultan's green reforms
raghu ananth
Mango tree branches –
embedded into the ground. Tipu Fort, Palakkad,
Kerala, We noticed this
magnificent & huge mango tree that seemed to occupy a large part of the
lawn. It is unique in the
sense that two of its branches, strong and thick had sprung out and had
embedded themselves into the ground, becoming thicker and moved up again making
for a nice, comfortable resting place. We could,
however, not get any information about how old this tree was or who had planted
it. We believe this tree should have some connection with Tipu Sultan and we
could recollect few of them from our past visits to the old forts of Srirangapattana, Bekal in Kasargod
Kerala, Vellore in Tamil nadu, Nandi
hills, Tumkur and Lal bagh in Bangalore. Three
mango trees planted by him in Lal Bagh bear fruit even today. During Tippu
sultan's reign, mango trees along with plum, jack, coconut, plantain,
lime, orange, fig and other fruit trees were planted in many of the farms
and gardens. The Green initiatives by
Tipu Sultan are quite interesting and appreciable. Here are few of his novel measures/ records we collected from the internet. 1. His administration of
justice was linked to environment, where convicts were made to plant trees and
rear them. For petty offence such plants were suggested which would grow fast,
and for grave offence, those that would take long, like jamun, mango, coconut. Tipu's punishment for
offences is very significant. In 1792, he passed a regulation which stated,
"the Rayats of your district convicted of offences are at present fined by
the government. In future these fines shall be commuted, and that the offender
in place of every pagoda of the fine adjudged against him shall plant two mango
trees and two trees of large jamun in front of his village and to water and
tend them till they are of the height of three derras". This novel method
of punishment created a green revolution in Mysore which is recorded by Moore. 2. Tipu's
own interest in horticulture, two hundred years ago. from Tipu Sultan’s
circular to all Amildars, 1788. For instance, one
Amildar has decided that where peasants are convicted of certain minor offences as are only punishable
by fines, such fines can be commuted if the person charged with the fine agrees
to plant two mango and two almond
trees in front of the village, and water and tend them till they are the height
of three feet. We approve of such measures. 3. I met one farmer named Syed Ghani khan. He
grows 116 varieties of mango in his 20 acre farm near mysore. He grows not just mangoes but along
with that he proudly grows 80 varieties of rice. He shared a small story. These
mango trees were planted by his Grandpa who served in Tippu sultan’s army. And
he also mentioned that Tippu used to get mangoes only from his farm. Tasting
116 varities of mango .. not many get to do this.. “Its good to be the King” http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053117980300.htm http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2006/02/230-year-old-piece-of-history-axed.html
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mani nair
Thanks for sharing.
Mani.
> of threefeet. We approve of such measures.
> 3. I met one farmer named Syed Ghani khan. He
> grows 116 varieties of mango in his 20 acre farm near mysore. He grows not
> just mangoes but along
> with that he proudly grows 80 varieties of rice. He shared a small story.
> These
> mango trees were planted by his Grandpa who served in Tippu sultan’s army.
> And
> he also mentioned that Tippu used to get mangoes only from his farm. Tasting
> 116 varities of mango .. not many get to do this.. “Its good to be the King”
>
> http://www.timescontent.com/tss/showcase/preview-buy/14723/Travel/Mango-tree-Lalbagh-Botanical-Garden-Bangalore-Planted-by-Tipu-Sultan-travel-travel-and-tourism-tourist-spot.html
>
> http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053117980300.htm
>
> http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2006/02/230-year-old-piece-of-history-axed.html
> */
>
>
> The INTERNET now has a personality. YOURS! See your Yahoo! Homepage.