Indian Sword Sells for Record Breaking Millions at Auction

The bedchamber sword of Tipu Sultan, an 18th-century king famous for his role in wars in southern India, has sold for $17.4 million at auction in London, breaking the record for an Indian and Islamic object sold at auction. Tipu ruled the kingdom of Mysore in southern India between 1782 and 1799, earning the title “Tiger of Mysore” for the ferocity with which he defended his realm. The sword, found in the private quarters of his palace after he was killed by British forces in 1799, was presented to British Major General David Baird as a token of his courage.