This is a letter written by Prince Ghulam Muhammad Sultan, the fourteenth son of Tipu Sultan (1751-1799), the ruler of Mysore. The letter, dated 21st August 1868, is addressed to a British government official, Captain Peacock. After Tipu Sultan’s defeat in Seringapatam, the British deported the Sultan’s remaining family members to Calcutta. Prince Ghulam Muhammad… Read more »
This coin is a Double Silver Rupee of the Mysore Kingdom, minted by Tipu Sultan ( r. 1783-1799). Tipu Sultan ascended the throne of Mysore on 4th May 1783. He is recognized for his military prowess, administrative skills, and battle against the British during the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Tipu Sultan issued gold, silver, and copper coins… Read more »
Respected art historian of the Vijayanagara empire, Dr (Sr) Anila Verghese illustrates what makes the art and architecture of the era unique. Through objects from the Sarmaya collection, she points us in the direction of secrets and stories hidden in plain sight at Hampi
Sewandoorg (Savandurga) is a prominent hill in Karnataka. It was fortified in 1543 by an officer of the Vijayanagara kings. It was then acquired by the chief of Bangalore in 1570, with whom it remained until it was taken by Mysore in 1728. During Lord Cornwallis’ exploits in 1791, it was captured by the British.… Read more »
The walled city of Seringapatam or Srirangapatnam as it is renowned today was the capital of Mysore, under the Muslim rulers Haidar Ali (c.1722 – 1782) and his eldest son, Tipu Sultan (1753 -1799). The fortress was built near the Kaveri river and named after the ancient Hindu temple of Sri Ranganatha Swami, located at… Read more »
This Engraving by French illustrator and engraver Jean Duplessis-Bertaux is the Premier Tableau that depicts the siege of Seringapatam on the 4th of May, 1799. Jean Duplessis-Bertaux’s famous works include many representations of scenes of the French Revolution. Tipu Sultan’s formidable fortress at Seringapatam was breached after a month of relentless attacks by the British… Read more »
A mezzotint engraving produced by John Vendramini, this triptych illustrates three episodes from the final victory of the British over the Mysore state during the 4th Anglo-Mysore War (1798-99). Spanning nine feet across, it was created after a painting by Sir Robert Ker Porter, one of the first artists to depict this landmark episode in… Read more »
This photograph shows the Tipu Sultan Mosque in Calcutta. For several years in the 18th century, Tipu Sultan fought the East India Company’s formidable imperial policies with the help of his French alliance. He died in 1799, during the fourth and final Anglo-Mysore War that resulted in the fall of Seringapatam. After defeat in 1798,… Read more »
Listen in as Paul Abraham brings to vivid life the political events that went on behind the scenes of the Anglo-Mysore wars with the help of a rare book from the Sarmaya archive
Engraving or etching is the process of deriving a print on paper from an engraved surface made of wood, metal or stone. There are many ways to create an engraved print such as a linocut, woodcut or block-print—Indians have been printing in this way from the 16th century. Prints gained massive popularity because you could… Read more »
This is one of the interiors of Tipu Sultan’s summer palace situated in Seringapatnam called Dariya Daulat Bagh. The image shows a pillared collonade, and a double storied interior – a arched walkway surmounted by a balconied upper floor.
This is a gold fanam coin issued by Tipu Sultan in the year 1786. On the obverse side is inscribed the Persian letter “H” (for Haider Ali, Tipu’s father) inside a circle and dotted border. On the reverse side is inscribed the mint name, Calicut, in Persian and the date of issue.
This engraving after an original photograph by Bourne and Shepherd shows the mausoleum of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali in Seringapatam (now Srirangapatna), erstwhile capital of the Kingdom of Mysore.The domed mausoleum is seen situated on a raised platform in the middle of a landscaped garden. The tomb was first built by Tipu to hold… Read more »
This engraving is after a painting by James Hunter, from his collection of illustrations titled “Picturesque Scenery in the Kingdom of Mysore”. James Hunter worked for the Royal British Artillery in India and took part in the campaigns against Tipu Sultan. After the signing of the Treaty of Seringapatnam (Srirangapatna) , Hunter took permission from Tipu… Read more »
Love him or hate him, but you have to admit, the man had style
Snapshots of Tipu’s territory, as seen through the Sarmaya collection
Essential reading if you’re fascinated by the Tiger of Mysore
Understanding the complex character who once ruled a kingdom.
A magnificent work of art that details Tipu’s final moments