Tipu Sultan’s assault on men, material and temples
is well known by now, but a lesser known atrocity by him was the destruction he
caused to Tonnur Lake, popularly known as Tonnur kere located in Mandya
district. This lake was named as ‘Moti Talab’ by Nasir Jung, the Subedar
of the Deccan in view of the crystal clear water ever present in this lake. The
waters are so clear that one can see the pebbles at the bottom of the lake.
Popular notion today
attributes the modern Moti Talab to Tipu Sultan! People also believe that he repaired
the lake, but facts speak otherwise. A dig into the history of this lake shows
that Tipu Sultan was the only person to have caused extensive damage to this
lake which was subsequently repaired by the British. In a short period of 200
years after that, the atrocity was forgotten or twisted deliberately with the
result the one who breached it was credited with having repaired it! And the
motive for the breach was his hatred for Hindus, as expected.... Read on here for the full article.
