Joined the Ben by Foot to Srirangapatna 22 Sep, 2024 with the knowledgeable Mansoor Ali & a great group of fellow history enthusiasts. It was an exceptional & enjoyable trip.
The tour started at 7am with a delicious breakfast. Our drive in a new tempo traveller was comfortable and smooth.
Tipu's history started unfolding with Mansoor's master class at Srirangapatna's Darya Daulat Bagh. We heard about his father, his birth, battles, valour, his generousity to temples. Most of all we heard about the first few wars of independence to drive the British from Southern India - about how he had to give his sons to the British as surety because he could not pay them what they wanted. Mansoor also told us about how Tipu was defeated because of traitors within his court.
We covered all these events by visiting the places these events happened - the Masjid, Fort, Lal Mahal, Ranganathaswamy temple, where Tipu fell in battle and finally his resting place at the Gumbaz.
History is never so interesting as when you have an expert like Mansoor tell the story & make it interesting.
Would highly recommend taking tours and walks with Mansoor if you want to learn the history & architecture of places and if you want to eat delicious local food. I have gone on many walks, but can say that no one knows more history & makes the stories as interesting as Mansoor.
Have only been to two walks with him, intend doing all.