The throne of Tipu Sultan

In Indian history, the throne had a special place in minds of the rulers, the people and the empire. Three such thrones had become popular and were known to the common man. 


The first was the legendary throne of Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Legends, stories were passed on by way of books and word of mouth. In modern times, a television serials  was telecasted popularly know as 'Vikram Betal', And 'Raja Bhoj'. Amar Chitra Katha issued the comic book 'Vikramaditya's throne' for the children, which we grew up reading.
However, evidences and details about the throne became history, history became legend and legend, myth. 


The second throne was the Peacock throne which belonged to Emperor Shahjahan of the Mughal Empire. This throne was one of the most treasured mughal artifacts and the pride of the empire. Nadir Shah plundered the red fort in 1738 and took away this throne and other mughal treasures with him to Persia. The French jeweller Tavernier, who saw Delhi in 1665, described the throne as of the shape of a bed (a "takhteh" or platform), 6 ft. by 4 ft., supported by four golden feet, 20 to 25 in. high, from the bars above which rose twelve columns to support the canopy; the bars were decorated with crosses of rubies and emeralds, and also with diamonds and pearls. In all there were 108 large rubies on the throne, and 116 emeralds, but many of the latter had flaws. The twelve columns supporting the canopy were decorated with rows of splendid pearls, and Tavernier considered these to be the most valuable part of the throne. Estimates of its value varied between Rs. 40 million (Bernier) and Rs. 100 million (Tavernier).The original peacock throne is now lost in the sands of time and a replica was made in its place. There were rumours that the throne was broken down during the various revolutions that took place in Persia after Nader Shah's death and was broken down by miscreants. Thus resulting in the loss of one of India's biggest treasured artifact.


However, what many Indians did not know and which was never taught in schools, was that there was a third throne known in the erstwhile state of Mysore, and that, was the throne of Tipu Sultan, the de facto ruler of Mysore or Sultanate -e-Khudadad. Most of us got to know him through our text books in schools and through the famous television serial 'The Sword of Tipu Sultan' telecasted in the late 80s and early 90s.  He was also given credit for being the inventor of rockets for military applications and recently came into media limelight when Mr.Vijay Mallya brought one of his swords back to India. 

The original throne was octogonal in shape and had 8 tiger head finials at each bend and had a tiger head in the centre. It had an umbrella with a 'Huma' bird mounted on top of it. 
After Tipu was defeated in 1799, the invading forces of the East India Company and Hyderabad ransacked the palace and pillaged the city of Srirangapatnam. Even before the Duke of       Wellington, Lord Wellesley was informed      about the throne, it was broken down by the soldiers as spoils of war. The Lord intended to present it to the King George III as a gift and mark of victory. The east India Company estimated the price of the throne to be worth 30,000 Star Pagodas, a form of standard currency issued by the Madras Presidency and was in circulation in Southern India at that time. This coin was made of gold and weighs 3.4g. 
After it was taken to England , the remains of the throne was stored in various castles of England and then came into limelight after Sotheby's auctioned one of the finials for 389,600 pounds. Presently, there are only three gem crested finials left in the world today from a total of eight pieces, the rest being lost or destroyed. The central tiger head and the huma bird still lie in England awaiting its final fate. I sincerely hope an Indian gets it back to where it should rightfully belong, India.