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| Tipu sultan's gold-plated throne.dailymail.co.uk |
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| Silver plague honoring Tipu Sultan,.dailymail.co.uk |
Tipu Sultan (20 November 1750–4 May 1799) of Mysore, as discussed in some my earlier posts, stood in the way when the British East India company wanted to take over certain unconquered southern parts of India to complete the total capture of the Indian subcontinent. Because Tipu was not only brave and innovative but also a highly spirited warrior who was quite conversant with the various aspects of warfare. Naturally, unperturbed by the big army of the English company, he firmly stood the ground against the hegemony of the English in this part of the land and despised their oppressive rule in the subcontinent. Not to be intimidated by their artillery power and military maneuvers, Tipu fought three wars bravely against them and only in the fourth battle in April-May 1799 at his capital Srirngapatna (now part of Karnataka state close to Mysore city), the English company's army emerged victorious. In conspiracy with some people in the Mysore kingdom, the British finished him and his saga of courage and war exploits came to an end on the 4th of May 1799 at the age of 48. He earned the nick name ''The Tiger of Mysore''. For further reading about him, please refer to: https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2016/07/amazing-warrior-tipu-sultan-and-some.html
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gem-encrusted tiger head from Tipu Sultan's throne India.in.pinterest.com |
Among the most valuable, innovative and personal items of Tipu Sultan, be they jeweled sword handles, sheaths, hand daggers, hand guns, etc., it is the gold-plated throne that is believed to have been made between 1787–93 is the most fascinating one. ''The throne was the most spectacular object which was therefore lost and is known only through descriptions.'' It was not sent back to London as it was made from pure gold. Instead it was destroyed and distributed among the company officers. 'The spoils of war were kept by them as war trophies '
The custom - made throne is said to have had a natural resin core and is covered with gold sheets. The main features of the throne with eight jeweled tiger heads (some historians believe it may be 10) are: the collar around the base has three bands of gems, that included polished, foiled cabochon rubies at the bottom; .above it, a band of polished cabochon emeralds with overlapping gem stones and small cusped claws extending onto the surface of the emeralds; and above, an another band of foiled, polished cabochon rubies. The inspiring feature is the stippled surface is highlighted as a result of its design - it is symmetrically set on either side of the center line with foiled table-cut diamonds, foiled cabochon rubies and foiled cabochon emeralds of varying sizes. The larger rubies are set on the eyes and the tongue, the teeth set with foiled table-cut diamonds and ears projecting above the head is decorated with engraved lines and punch work. The head mounted on a black marble pedestal with four gilt-metal claw and ball feet and a partial appliqué inscription in gilt metal the head 6.9 cm. high and 338 g.; total height with pedestal 17.5 cm.(vide:notesonindianhistory.com).
Following the fall of Tipu, the fort at Sirangapatna came under the British control. The British soldiers in the hour of excitement and melee became unruly and began to loot and grab whatever valuable things they could lay their hands on, though some of the most important items were reserved for the British Royal. They searched the palace and the entire fort, looking for gold jewelry, gems and treasures. The famous golden throne, on which Tipu never sat, was broken up so that the elements could be shared among themselves, much to the disapproval and dismay of Col. Lord Wellington. whose troop made the siege successful. The throne was broken up so quickly and little is known about the fate of the remaining throne relics, including 5 jeweled tiger heads.
Tipu's gold throne was broken up at the order of the Prize Committee to the regret of the Governor-General. Arthur Wellesley wrote: "It would have given me great pleasure to send the whole throne entire to England, but the indiscreet zeal of the Prize Agents of the army had broken that proud moment of the Sultan's arrogance into fragments before I had been apprised even of the existence of such a trophy" (quoted in Buddle, Rohatgi and Brown, 1999, p. 25). Some years later in 1842, Surgeon-Major Pulteney Mein, an eye-witness, wrote in response to an article in a journal, which had reported the siege, that "this gorgeous throne was barbarously knocked to pieces with a sledge hammer", such was their eagerness (Moienuddin, 2000, p. 49) vide: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17854/lot/370/
Among the three surviving tiger-heads, large gold tiger head from the front of the throne is now at Windsor Castle along with yet another famous attraction — jeweled bird called Puma (Indian Eagle), a symbol of luck and bravery. Puma bird also called the bird of Paradise, was specially made for Tipu Sultan as wished by him. Back in London it was presented to Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III. The other jeweled tiger head acquired by the second Lady Clive in India, is at Powis Castle, a medieval castle/ fortress and grand country mansion near Welsh pool, in Powis, Wales. (vide: www.notesonindianhistory.com).
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| Tipu Sultan’s throne, India. notesonindianhistory.com |
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| Tipu Sultan’s throne. notesonindianhistory.com |
Tir-bits:
The 4th Angelo-Mysore war of 1798-99, a brief note:
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| .4th Angelo-Mysore war (1798-99).notesonindianhistory.com |
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| 4thAngelo-ysore war (1798–99),Srirangapatna.en.wikipedia.org |
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| Death of Tipu Sultan-1799, Srirangapatna fort.in.pinterest.com |
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| Col.Bailey's dungeon Tip's fort, India asibengalurucircle.in |
In the decisive war, the East India company's army that had 60000 troops had an edge over Tipu's army that had just 35000 soldiers and was outnumbered (the army strength was 4:1). Unlike Tipu Sultan, the English company had the backing of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas. The latter launched an invasion from the north. Consequently, Tipu had to face two enemies at the same time. Against the odds, he fought bravely, unmindful of the outcome. The British, at last, won a decisive victory in the Siege of Seringapatam (1799) when Tipu was shot dead by a soldier. Tipu was already wounded and was taken in a palanquin by his soldiers. through one of the recesses of the gate, Tipu, carrying his famous sword, wounded the British soldier when he tried to attack him near the gate. But the soldier shot Tipu with his musket on the left of his chest. The brave warrior fell dead on the soil of his fort. In the aftermath of the fall of Tipu Sultan, much of the remaining Mysorean territory was annexed by the British, the Nizam and the Marathas. The remaining area, around Mysore and Seringapatam, was restored to the Indian prince belonging to the Wodeyar dynasty, from whose forefathers Hyder Ali, father of Tipu Sultan had illegally seized the kingdom and became the de facto ruler.
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| Srirangapatna.Tipu Sultan's body found here, en.wikipedia.org. |
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| Tipu Sultan, Duke Wellington's first worthy enemy. dailymail.co.uk |
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| The Duke of Wellington's former home, London. dailymail.co.uk |
Above image: The Duke of Wellington's former home Apsley House on Hyde Park Corner where he hosted grand events to commemorate the historic battle. For the Duke, the Tiger of Mysore Tipu Sultan was his first worthy adversary on his way to Waterloo. Unfortunately against his wish his troops plundered the city and palace, returning to Britain with the spoils of war. A collection of these items went on on sale at London auction house Bonhams..............
The British East India company was responsible for the establishment of British dominion after their victories at the Battles of Plassey (1757) and Buxar (1764) and later the Anglo-Mysore Wars (1766–1799), the Anglo–Maratha Wars (1775–1818), and finally the Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845–1849) helped the English company consolidate the British claim over South Asia, resulting in the British Empire in India. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Mysore_Wars). Patriotic Indians had to wait till August 1947 to breathe fresh air of freedom and to see the departure of the British.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2009/apr/04/tipus-throne-finial-sold-for.html
https://toshkhana.word(vide: www.notesonindianhistory.com)press.com/2015/05/17/chair-of-the-khudadad-sarkar-the-throne-of-tipu-sultan/
https://www.notesonindianhistory.com/2019/03/facts-on-tiger-throne-of-tipu-sultan.html
https://www.notesonindianhistory.com/2019/02/in-afternoon-of-4th-may-1799.html
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/17854/lot/370/ )
https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/contested-legacy/article7911857.ece
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2019/03/18/tipu-sultan-gold/
