Tipu Sultan's sword sold at record price

The sword of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the southern state of Mysore in the Indian subcontinent, was sold for 186 crore rupees.

Many have heard of the famous sword of Tipu Sultan, ruler of the southern state of Mysore in the Indian subcontinent. He showed great prowess in the war against the British. Tipu used to sleep in a hammock suspended from the ceiling of his bedroom, with this sword by his side. The famous sword of the famous Indian ruler of the 18th century was sold for 186 crore rupees at Bonhams auction house in London last Tuesday.

According to a CNN report, the auction house sold the sword for more than seven times the price it had hoped for. In a statement, Bonhams officials said this was the highest price ever for any Indian and Islamic heritage item sold at their auction house.

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of the southern kingdom of Mysore in the Indian subcontinent from 1782 to 1799. He showed so much prowess in defending his kingdom that he got the title 'Tiger of Mysore'.

Bonhams is said to have advocated the use of rocket artillery in war. During his reign, Mysore was the most economically dynamic state in India. On May 4, 1799, British forces attacked Mysore's capital, Seringapatam (present-day Srirangapatna), and killed Tipu Sultan.

After killing Tipu Sultan, his palace was looted by the British army. The sword is found in the palace courtyard. The sword was awarded to British Major General David Baird in commemoration of his bravery.

According to Bonhams, this sword is the most spectacular of the privately owned weapons still in memory of Tipu Sultan.