Sir Thomas Munro , 1st Baronet ( 27 May 1761 - 6 July 1827 ) was a Scottish soldier and statesman . He served with his regiment during the hard - fought war against Haidar Ali (1780-1783 ) , and again in the first campaign against Tipu Sultan ( 1790 - 1792 ) . He was then chosen as one of four military officers to administer the Baramahal , part of the territory acquired from Tipu , where he remained for seven years learning the principles of revenue survey and assessment which he afterwards applied throughout the presidency of Madras .