Tipu Sultan’s sword fetches over $17 million at London auction

London, May 26 : Erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultans Bedchamber Sword had sold for more than 14 million pounds ($17 million) at an auction in London.Described as "one of the worlds rare artefacts", the swords sale was conducted by Bonhams -- a privately owned international auction house in London -- on Tuesday, achieving 14,080,900 pounds against an estimate of 1.

5 million to 2 million pounds.The auction house said the sword was found in Tipu Sultans private quarters of his palace after he was killed by British forces on May 4, 1799.

Following his death, the sword was presented to British Major General David Baird as a token of his courage, according to Bonhams.The auction house said that the swords "extremely rare calligraphic hilt is a masterpiece of late-18th century Indian manufacture, intricately inlaid in gold with fine calligraphic invocations to God".

"The English inscription to the blade, presumably added by Baird or a descendant, explains how it was found in Tipu Sultans bedchamber following the fall of Seringapatam (now Srirangapatna) and presented to the General as a trophy of his victory."On the spine of the blade, a gold inlaid inscription reads Shamshir-e Malik or The Sword of the King.

"The sword has an extraordinary history, an astonishing provenance and unrivalled craftsmanship," CNN quoted Nima Sagharchi, group head of Islamic and Indian Art at Bonhams, as saying in the statement."It was no surprise it was so hotly contested between two phone bidders and a bidder in the room.

We are delighted with the result," he added.According to Bonhams CEO Bruno Vinciguerra, the "spectacular sword is the greatest of all the weapons linked to Tipu Sultan still in private hands".

"Its close personal association with the Sultan, its impeccable provenance traceable to the very day it was captured, and the outstanding craftsmanship that went into its manufacture make it unique and highly desirable," he added.#Tipu #Sultans #sword #fetches #London David #Mysuru .