Hyder Ali Khan (Kannada: ಹೈದರ್ ಅಲಿ; Hindi: हैदर अली, Urdu: حيدر علی خان‎), Haidarālī; 1721 – 7 December 1782) was the sultan and de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers. Rising to the post of Dalavayi (commander-in-chief) to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, he came to dominate the titular monarch and the Mysore government.