alternatehistory.com

(The Vellore mutiny)
During 1806,in the small town of Vellore, in the south of India, several British Indian soldiers, or sepoys, mutinied against their British overlords because of a perceived attack on their traditions (Hindus were not allowed to wear saffron on their foreheads and Muslims were not allowed to wear beards, among other things.) Although this mutiny was on a large scale, it didn't work out. But what if it did?
In this timeline, the French, hoping to gain some more of India and regain the territories which they had lost in 1803, assisted the Indians with the mutiny, which was led by Fateh Hyder and Muizuddin, the eldest sons of Tipu Sultan ( an important and powerful Sultan who had allied with the French against the British in Mysore, and whose family was kept in Vellore). Fateh Hyder was declared Sultan of Vellore, and gave the French a few more territories such as the Yelagiri hills.His and Muizuddin’s aims was to build an empire in South India, however he was only able to get a few nearby territories before their deaths. Nevertheless, they still sowed the first seeds of rebellion among the Indians.

View attachment 471007

Sultan Fateh Hyder Sultan Sahib of Vellore (-1815;ruled 1806-1815)


Sultan Muizuddin Mohammad I of Vellore (1774-1818 ; 1815-1818)
View attachment 471008
Sultan Ghulam Mohammad I of the Deccan (1796-1872; ruled 1818-1872)
Ghulam Mohammad I was kept in Vellore fort as a prisoner, and was to be deported to Calcutta around the same year of the Vellore Mutiny, which was lead by his brother. He was given the throne at the tender age of 22, and was famous for his military achievements.
But that's not the end. As you can see, this isn't only the beginning of this long and epic story. What will become of this? Stay tuned for part 2...