Sword

Description

Sword of Indian origin (likely Mysore), with tiger's head hilt presented by Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu (Tipu Sultan) to Captain Aeneas Mackay, c. 1780 - 1792, Mysore, India

Museum reference

M.2004.53

Object name

Sword, Scabbard

Production information

India, South Asia

Date

c. 1780 - 1792

Style / Culture

Indian

Materials

Gold

Physical description

Sword with curved single-edged blade featuring tiger heads worked in gold on the hilt, including the pommel, quillons and languet. The blade bears no maker's marks but there are a number of inscriptions. In Sunset at Sriringapatam scholar Mohammad Moienuddin identifies the inscriptions within the rosette as including the names of the four Caliphs as well as 'God is Great' and 'Muhammad' in Arabic. Moienuddin suggests the cartouche below the rosette identifies 'Tipu Sultan' as the owner of the sword, and that it appears to have been added at a later date.

Associations

Non-British forces, inc. Imperial and Colonial: Indian
Previous owner: Mackay, Aeneas, Captain, 1780 (fl.) - 1792 (fl.)
Previous owner: Tipu Sultan, 1750 - 1799
War: Siege of Seringapatam
Mysore, India, South Asia

References

Moienuddin, M. (2000) Sunset at Srirangapatam: After the death of Tipu sultan. London: Sangam Books.

On display

national war museum »
nw01 »
g001