Sword

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On display at V&A South Kensington

South Asia Gallery, Room 41

Artist/Maker	Unknown
Place of origin	Mysore (made)

This steel sword overlaid with gold decoration bears the name of Tipu Sultan of Mysore (r. 1782-1799). It was taken from his armoury in 1799 when his capital fell in the Siege of Seringapatam and his palace was plundered, before the contents were formally divided between the victorious British soldiers. It was bought by this museum in 1884 for £8.

Object details

Category	Arms & Armour
Object type	Sword
Materials and techniques	steel overlaid with gold Watered Steel Gold
Brief description	Sword (shamshir) Steel overlaid with gold inscribed in Persian with the name of Tipu Sultan. Probably Iran, late 18th century with gold decoration added in Mysore.
Physical description	Steel with Iranian-style hilt overlaid with gold; curving watered steel blade inscribed and overlaid with gold decoration.
Dimensions	Length: 37.5in Length 3 feet 1 1/2 inches
Gallery label	149 Sword Mysore, 1780-1799 When Tipu was defeated, British soldiers sacked Mysore and divided the spoils. This steel sword was taken from the royal armoury. The Persian inscription states that it was Tipu’s own weapon. Steel overlaid with gold V&A: IS.72-1884 (2009) SWORD: Steel overlaid with gold inscribed in Persian as being the personal sword of Tipu Sultan. Mysore?, Late 18th century. SWORD Steel overlaid with gold Probably Iran, with gold added in Mysore 18th century IS.72-1884 A gold inscription on one side of the blade names Tipu Sultan. In 1884 when the museum bought the sword, it was said to have been taken at the fall of Seringapatam(27/9/2013)
Object history	Taken at the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799.
Summary	This steel sword overlaid with gold decoration bears the name of Tipu Sultan of Mysore (r. 1782-1799). It was taken from his armoury in 1799 when his capital fell in the Siege of Seringapatam and his palace was plundered, before the contents were formally divided between the victorious British soldiers. It was bought by this museum in 1884 for £8.
Collection	South & South East Asia Collection
Accession number	IS.72-1884

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Record created	July 31, 2008
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O164712/sword-unknown/

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