Exhibition at Tipu's Bangalore palace, on till tomorrow, brings to public view priceless memorabilia from the warrior-king's last days

The saddle cloth on which warrior-king Tipu Sultan died a martyr, complete with bloodstains, is finally on display at Tipu's summer palace in Bangalore.u00a0

The exhibition, which also has Tipu's personal copy of the Koran, coins and other memorabilia, will continue till tomorrow (May 26). The exhibits will then be locked in the treasury and displayed every year in May in memory of Tipu's martyrdom.

As reported in MiD DAY on May 4, the bloodstained clothes were found in a godown in Gunjam and this is the first time they've been displayed to the public.

Journey to Gunjam

GO SEE: A copy of the Koran, a dagger, a jug, a pistol and a bowl, all from Tipu's time, at his summer palace in Bangalore PICS/SATISH BADIGER

Tipu's finance minister Diwan Poornaiah is the reason why the treasures are still in India. Poornaiah, the only one with access to Tipu's belongings, is believed to have escaped to Tamil Nadu after Tipu's death, saving it from the East India Company.

However, Poornaiah, who was later elevated as diwan by the British, was dogged by bad luck, leading to the loss of lives and property.

On consulting astrologers, Poornaiah's descendants were told that the cause of their misfortune was Tipu's secret treasure. The family secretly returned the belongings to authorities at Gunjam 20 years ago.

But officials of Hazrath Tipu Sultan Wakf Estate, Gunjam, Srirangapatna, were cagey about the details.

"They were with Diwan Poornaiah's family. That's all I can tell at the moment," said Aziz Ulla Baig, chief of the board.u00a0u00a0

PIECE OF HISTORY: This saddle cloth is stained with Tipu's blood. He was killed by the British in 1799 pics/Satish Badiger How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story Chidambaram assumes charge as Home Minister› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT