Photo: Internet

Nowadays, rockets and rocket launchers are some of the most indispensable components of the post-modern warfare. However, the first successful deployment of rockets in the battlefield dates back to 17th century. Indian Muslim ruler Hyder Ali and his son, the legendary Tipu Sultan, have been credited by the historians as the inventors of first iron-cased, thrust rockets. During their struggle against the British East India Company, Tipu Sultan brought the concept of using thrust-rockets fitted with blade, sword and explosives to fight the larger British army. Once fired from an iron-made casing, these missiles travelled several metres through air and exploded behind the enemy lines creating havoc and confusion among enemy soldiers. It has been recorded that one of these rockets destroyed the ammunition store of Colonel William Baille resulting in a humiliating British defeat in the second Anglo-Mysore war (1780-1784). However, due to treachery of his own courtiers, Tipu Sultan was finally defeated in 1799 by the British army in the 4th Anglo-Mysore war. After the fall of Tipu Sultan, the British army captured 600 launchers and 9000 rockets and started a research project to develop these missiles. Based on the technology of Mysorean rockets, the British army developed Congreve rockets which were used massively in the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 against the American defenders. American soldiers were so overwhelmed by these new weapons that these rockets are mentioned in the national anthem of the United States, “The Star Spangled Banner” as:  “And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air.” In fact, Tipu Sultan's rockets, which were used to thwart colonial invasion, laid the foundation for modern missile technology that is now dominating the global war industry.