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| Tipu Sultan's bedchamber sword indiatimes.com |
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| Tipu Sultan's bedchamber sword trending/news |
Above image: Tipu Sultan's bedchamber sword personally owned by the famous ruler of Mysore (Mysuru). ''The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship,” according to Nima Sagharchi, head of the Islamic Arts section group,Bonhams..........................
London's famous auction houses Bonhams and Christie's in the past decades conducted many widely publicized awe-inspiring auctions on India related items - artifacts, jewelry, gemstones, et., taken away by the British officials and military personnel of the East India company during their wars with the Sultans and Maharajahs across India. Countless of them were either looted as souvenirs or spoils of war by the British to whom honesty is an anathema. Recently, in the third week of May 2023 auction house Bonhams held an exciting auction - called Islamic and Indian Art sale that got the attention of collectors of antique and war weapon items from many countries.
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| Tipu Sultan shutterstock.com |
It was a beautiful sword of the 18th century ruler of Mysuru, Tipu Sultan, a sworn enemy of the British. Because of its personal association with the famous ruler often tagged as the Tiger of Mysore. It was sold for whopping $17.4 million ( over GBP 14 million) at an auction. Tipu Sultan's Bedchamber Sword, a part of Tipu's personal arsenal, created new auction record in the UK and according to Bonhams unquestionably it is among the finest and most important of weapons with a proven personal association with the ruler.
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| Tipu Sultan's bedchamber sword edition.cnn.com |
As to the description of the sword, the Bonhams Auction House has mentioned that it is a fine gold-koftgari-hilted steel sword which was made by Mughal swordsmiths using the model of German blades imported in to India in the 16th century. It is adorned with meticulously crafted gold calligraphy, featuring symbols representing five divine qualities and two invocations to God. The sword was presented to Major General David Baird by Colonel Arthur Wellesley (later Duke Wellington) presented Tipu’s ‘Bedchamber Sword’ in recognition of his vital role and exceptional leadership qualities during the and assault on Seringapatam, where Tipu Sultan was killed, Bonhams said in their release.
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| Tipu Sultan's bedchamber sword imesofindia.indiatimes.com |
Above image: The sword was owned by former Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya who bought it from Baird's family in an auction at Dix Noonan Webb in September, 2003. Mallya paid 150000 British pounds for it. The bestowal was significant because Baird had been Tipu’s prisoner for three years and was ill-treated in his dungeon in the fort at Srirangapatna and gave a slip at the right time and crossed over to Madras presidency. Later he took part in the Anglo-Mysore wars along with Duke Wellington. The Noonans catalogue says this single-edge straight sword is a special one because calligraphic hilts were “amongst the rarest type of hilt from the Indian subcontinent. It was more or less a ceremonial/state sword and Tipu never used it in the battles.
The fine gold koftgari hilted steel sword was referred to as sukhela, which is an emblem of authority. Its inspiring craftsmanship and unique production technique make it highly desirable by the bidders. This fabled sword was found in the private bedchamber of Tipu in his Palace. Ever alert as he was known to sleep in a hammock with a sword and two pistols on his side, to confront the sudden attackers, Tipu's sword has inscriptions on the blade - "the Sword of the Ruler." Despite being a controversial figure as of to day, his courage, innovative war weapons and military leadership remain etched in the pages of Indian history.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100560488.cms?
