Renowned historian and former Vice-chancellor of Goa and Mangaluru Universities, Prof B Sheik Ali passed away on Thursday in Mysuru after a brief illness. He was 98.
A well-known authority on Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, Prof B Sheik Ali was the author of more than 30 books on various aspects of the history of Karnataka and India.
Born on November 10, 1925, Prof Ali obtained BA (Hons.) from the University of Mysore in 1945 before finishing his MA from the same university in 1946. His work on the reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu began in Aligarh in 1949 when Mohammed Habib, a well-known mediaeval Indian historian at the time, encouraged him to pursue the topic. After obtaining his PhD from Aligarh, he followed it up with a second one from the University of London in 1960. In addition to founding the Karnataka History Conference, he presided over the 47th session of the Indian History Congress in 1986.
During his academic career, he began to take on administrative responsibilities and held vice chancellor positions at the universities of Goa and Mangalore.
He was successful in exposing the lies spread about Tipu Sultan.
Tipu Sultan, a Great Martyr, British relations with Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, Islam, a cultural orientation, History: Its Theory and Method, History of the Western Ganges, and Goa Wins Freedom: Reflections and Reminiscences, are some of Prof Sheik Ali’s well-known publications.
He was the recipient of various awards and honours, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the Sir Syed Award by the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, and the Golden Jubilee Award by Mysore University, among others.
He is survived by his son, daughter and relatives and friends.
