Tipu, Sultan of Mysore

Tipu Sultan (1750–1799) was ruler of the South Indian state of Mysore, where he built a sophisticated and modern court around his palace at Seringapatam. Tipu spent much of his reign engaged in hostilities against the British. In 1792 a peace treaty was signed, but the discovery of secret communications with Napoleon brought about a renewed British campaign against him, culminating in the storming of Seringapatam on 4 May 1799. At that time, Sultan's magnificent treasury and library were ransacked by British forces and many of his personal effects were seized. Military and colonial officials presented the finest of these objects to George III and other members of the royal family.