Special security for Tipu's War costume

The Karnataka government is getting expert help to secure, curate and display the quilted garment Tipu Sultan wore on the day he died fighting the British

Officials met today in Srirangapatna and discussed ways to safeguard Tipu Sultan's priceless war dress, found in a dump last week.

They met State Wakf Board chairman Khalid to discuss when to exhibit the war costume.

The quilted kurta-like garment was found in a dump at the Srirangapatna palace, 110 km from Bangalore.

As reported in MiD DAY yesterday, May 24 is when the costume will be on display at Tipu's Bangalore summer palace.

A historian said the garment could fetch Rs 30 crore if it got to the auction market, but since it is in the government's hands, it is most likely to be archived in a secure museum.

Officials are meeting the Archaeological Survey of India today to discuss the modalities of exhibiting the invaluable piece of history. Tipu Sultan died in battle wearing the dress, which has become brittle with the passage of over two centuries.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and wakf minister Mumtaz Ali Khan will take part in the exhibition inauguration.

THE Sultan blog wars on www.mid-day.com

The exclusive MiD DAY story about the discovery of Tipu's war dress excited browsers, scores of whom discussed it on our website. Here are some posts:

Guest:u00a0 Irrespective of who Tipu Sultan was, it is our moral duty to preserve history and have an objective, truthful and a fair assessment of the historical facts. Let's not be carried away by extreme political views of fanatics who are available by the hundreds, but rather evaluate history in its proper perspective.

Guest: One of the greatest freedom fighters India ever had. Better than even Mahatma Gandhi!!

Guest: You cannot compare Gandhi to Tippu. Tipu fought to save his kingdom, not to eleminate Brits. But Gandhi fought to eleminate Brits from India.

Guest: Of course Tippu fought to save his kingdom. He could have fought to save India if it was united India. He fought with Brits nearly 150 years before Gandhi started his movement. India was divided into so many princely states and ruled by Maharajas and Kings. His first aim was to save his kingdom then unite the princely states of india.

Guest: He was the only WALL between India and the British. Whenever he used to build a MOSQUE he built a TEMPLE beside it. That kind of ruler you will never get in history and also in future.

Guest: The British wouldn't have lasted as long as they did had not the Peshwas helped them in defeating Tipu. Tipu Sultan was amongst the foremost freedom fighters of India and the greatest warrior of all.

Guest: The reason why the Peshwas helped the British is because of the atrocities committed by Tipu. Not only was he responsible for the killing of thousands of Christians in Mangalore but also Brahmins and others. Tipu was nowhere compared to his father Hyder Ali when it came to diplomacy and justice for all. He was a fanatic and a highly intolerant man. The finding of his memorablia makes no difference to anyone except to the Tipu Sultan Wakf board.

Guest:u00a0 Truth always hurts :-). Congress has changed historyu00a0... No one can save India. So-called secular parties are taking full advantage of foolish people like you.

Guest: British divided people of India and ruled. The divide and rule policy is still functioning in India where people still believe in lies made up by British against great people like Tipu Sultan.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

(These are lightly edited transcripts from www.mid-day.com)