Lot Essay
Tipu Sultan, born in 1753, was the son of Haydar Ali, Sultan of Mysore. Instructed by French officers in his father's employ, he commanded a corps of cavalry in the Carnatic War of 1767 and later distinguished himself in the Maratha War of 1775-79. In December 1782 he succeeded his father, and following his defeat of the British (1st Mysore War, 1780-84) made peace in 1784. Following territorial expansion, the British declared war on him in 1799 culminating in Tipu's defeat at Seringapatam on May 4th the same year.
Throughout his rule Tipu showed great ability as a leader and innovator introducing his own calendar and currency
The tiger and tiger-stripe motif (bubri) reflect the Ruler of Mysore's obsession with this animal which is found in his weapons, his furniture and even his wardrobe. Of the weapons, swords, guns, pistols, cannon and mortars are recorded. The tiger was further incorporated into his name, as well as that of his father, and also served as a kind of armorial bearing
The inscriptions on the blade include a Persian distich and Tipu Sultan's note of ownership, and read in translation:
My blade, foundation of victory, has become the lightning of the souls of the unbelievers
Sultan Haidar is a sure helper in victory [and the year] 1221
God is greatest: Muhammad
Government of Khudadad [that is Tipu Sultan] in the capital Patan [Seringapatam]
The inscriptions on the hilt consist of verses from the Qur'an petitioning God's help against the unbelievers, and invocations to Allah, Muhammad and 'Ali
This previously unrecorded sword appears to be one of only five others of this type so far recorded. All are gold-inlaid but have minor differences in their decoration. See M. Archer, C. Powell and R. Skelton, Treasures From The Clive Collection At Powis Castle, p. 47, No. 34 (illustrated in colour); Y.K. Miller, 'La selle et le sabre de Tippoo-Sultan' and 'Sur l'attribution des armes de Tipoo Sahib' (in Russian) in Soobshchenya Gosudarstvennogo Ermitazha, 10 (1956), pp. 45-47 and 11 (1957), pp. 59-60 respectively; and Tigers round the Throne - The Court Of Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), exhibition catalogue, Zamana Gallery, 2 August - 14 October, 1990
Throughout his rule Tipu showed great ability as a leader and innovator introducing his own calendar and currency
The tiger and tiger-stripe motif (bubri) reflect the Ruler of Mysore's obsession with this animal which is found in his weapons, his furniture and even his wardrobe. Of the weapons, swords, guns, pistols, cannon and mortars are recorded. The tiger was further incorporated into his name, as well as that of his father, and also served as a kind of armorial bearing
The inscriptions on the blade include a Persian distich and Tipu Sultan's note of ownership, and read in translation:
My blade, foundation of victory, has become the lightning of the souls of the unbelievers
Sultan Haidar is a sure helper in victory [and the year] 1221
God is greatest: Muhammad
Government of Khudadad [that is Tipu Sultan] in the capital Patan [Seringapatam]
The inscriptions on the hilt consist of verses from the Qur'an petitioning God's help against the unbelievers, and invocations to Allah, Muhammad and 'Ali
This previously unrecorded sword appears to be one of only five others of this type so far recorded. All are gold-inlaid but have minor differences in their decoration. See M. Archer, C. Powell and R. Skelton, Treasures From The Clive Collection At Powis Castle, p. 47, No. 34 (illustrated in colour); Y.K. Miller, 'La selle et le sabre de Tippoo-Sultan' and 'Sur l'attribution des armes de Tipoo Sahib' (in Russian) in Soobshchenya Gosudarstvennogo Ermitazha, 10 (1956), pp. 45-47 and 11 (1957), pp. 59-60 respectively; and Tigers round the Throne - The Court Of Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), exhibition catalogue, Zamana Gallery, 2 August - 14 October, 1990