March 31, 2022
2 mins read

Painting of Tipu’s win over British sold for £630,000

Tipu showed that the Indians could fight back, that they could win the first time that a European army is defeated in India is this Battle of Pollilur,” he explains…reports Asian Lite News

A vividly illustrated painting depicting a historic victory of Mysore ruler Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan over the East India Company in 1780 went under the hammer in London on Wednesday for whopping 630,000 pounds.

‘The Battle of Pollilur’, which took place on September 10, 1780 as part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, was the centrepiece of the Arts of the Islamic World and India sale at Sotheby’s auction house.

As a visual record of the battle and to commemorate his victory, Tipu Sultan had commissioned a painting of the Battle of Pollilur as part of a large mural for the newly-built Daria Daulat Bagh in Seringapatam in 1784.

“What this painting has is the terror and anarchy and violence of battle. It’s arguably the greatest Indian picture of the defeat of colonialism that survives. It’s unique and fantastic artwork,” said Sotheby’s expert William Dalrymple, author of ‘The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company’.

“Tipu Sultan was probably the most effective opponent that the East India Company ever faced. Tipu showed that the Indians could fight back, that they could win the first time that a European army is defeated in India is this Battle of Pollilur,” he explains.

According to the auction house, three existing copies of the original Pollilur painting are known three details in a miniature in the Baroda Museum, 24 preparatory paintings depicting sections of the series, and the complete panorama sold this week, comfortably beating its lowest guide price of £500,000.

The painting extends over 10 large sheets of paper, nearly 32 feetlong, and focuses in on the moment when the East India Company’s ammunition tumbril explodes, breaking the British square, while Tipu’s cavalry advances from left and right, “like waves of an angry sea,” according to Mughal historian Ghulam Husain Khan.

At Pollilur, Tipu Sultan known as the Tiger of Mysore inflicted on the East India Company what has become known as the most “crushing defeat” ever and the painting captures the “sheer energy” of that victory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTFTWW3itRk

Another highlight at the auction was “A gem-set and enamelled gold shield” from 19th century Jaipur, which outperformed its guide price range of between 40,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds to go under the hammer for 258,300 pounds.

“This magnificent shield must have been crafted to commemorate a particular event; several shields were presented to the Prince of Wales during his visit to India in 1875-76, all luxuriously enamelled and set with precious stone,” Sotheby’s said.

“The colour scheme and the motifs in the roundels are comparable to contemporaneous Jaipur craftsmanship,” it said.

ALSO READ-Karnataka to tone down Tipu content in school syllabus

Previous Story

Won’t resign, will fight till last ball: Imran

Next Story

Who is Shehbaz Sharif?

Latest from UK News

Stalin to Deliver Oxford Address in Tamil

During the Germany leg of his trip, Stalin oversaw the signing of 26 MoUs worth Rs 7,020 crore, expected to generate more than 15,000 jobs in Tamil Nadu…reports Asian Lite News Tamil

Celebration of 10th Ganesh Utsav in Swindon

The Swindon Hindu community has kickstarted the 10th Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav celebrations, an iconic event across South West England and Wales. The festivities commenced with the grand welcome of Aagman Mirawnuk (procession)

Fulham Robbed?

The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s first home win of the season, lifting spirits at the Bridge after an indifferent start to the campaign Chelsea picked up a much-needed home victory with a

Kenya Blaze Bill Burns British Army

The £2.9 million settlement follows a lawsuit over a devastating wildfire started accidentally by British soldiers during training exercises in 2021 Britain’s government has, for the first time, agreed to pay millions
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK to auction Tipu’s throne finial worth £1.5 Mn

The decision on the export licencing application for the finial

‘When one paints first, what emerges is evolution’

Considered one of the finest art teachers in the country,