Tipu Sultan was the Muslim ruler of the south Indian state of Mysore (now part of Karnataka state) from 1782. Known as “the Tiger of Mysore”, this powerful ruler was able to play the opposing forces of the British East India Company, the French and the Marathas off against each other in the last quarter of the XVIII century.

He fought against the British during the First Mysore War in 1767 and defeated British troops during the Second Mysore War in 1782, forcing them to sign the Treaty of Mangalore. Finally, in May 1799, the British stormed Seingapatam, Tipu’s capital. They broke through the city walls, defeated the Sultan’s forces and killed him. The battle marked a crucial turning point in the British East India Company’s military policy, changing from defensive to offensive. This sword is a trophy of the Battle of Seringapatam and bears an inscription indicating that it comes from Tipu Sultan’s armoury.



From Seringapatam, Karnataka, India, AD 1790s.
L. 97,5 cm.
Gift of Major-General Augustus W.H. Meyrick.