Tipu's memorabilia to go under the hammer

London: The memorabilia of the 18th century Indian ruler Tipu Sultan, who fought and bitterly opposed British rule, is being auctioned in London fetching record prices.

Twenty four rare paintings depicting the renowned Battle of Pollilur in India, the battle in which Tipu Sultan defeated the East India Company, sold for more than 5 crore rupees in an auction by Sotheby's in London.

This is the pictorial account of one of the worst defeats the British suffered on the subcontinent. But then in 1799, they went on to defeat Tipu Sultan in the battle of Seringapatam where he was killed.

Another piece from Tipu's treasure, a gem-encrusted gold finial from the Tiger of Mysore's golden throne, goes under the hammer today.

There were eight such finials originally on the Tipu's throne which was smashed and parts of it looted after his defeat in the battle of Seringapatam. Three are known and have survived, one was auctioned last year but bought by a non-Indian, so this piece of India's history did not make its way to the country. Perhaps this time it will be bought by an Indian.

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"It is expected to fetch 200-300000 pounds," said Matthew Haley, Historian.

Tiger of Mysore's sword was bought by Vijay Mallya and returned to India 200 years after the British took it away at an auction in 2003.

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