11 Pierced bubris at Family Tomb

©Anne Buddle

Pierced Decoration Of Tiger Stripes Window with pierced decoration, from the tomb of one of Tipu's family at Vellore. Modern photograph; 1984

		lthough very under-stated, the elongated shapes of this window seem to suggest the bubri motif. This was normally reserved solely for Tipu's use, but its use here on a family tomb would be entirely appropriate. After the Fall of Seringapatam in 1799, Tipu's family were detained in the Fort at Vellore, and in a walled enclosure, some 1.2 km East of the Fort, are the family tombs of Bakshi Begum (d.1806) widow of Haidar Ali; Mirza Raza, who married one of Tipu's daughters; and Padshah Begum (d.1834), Tipu's wife. The presence of Tipu's sons at Vellore has often been cited as one of the causes of the uprising which took place there in 1806. In fact, the instructions of Sir John Craddock, prohibiting the wearing of caste marks and beards, were probably a far more significant issue. Nevertheless, after this episode, Tipu's family were transferred to the capital, Calcutta, where they received settlements of land and pensions. These are detailed in an "Account of the Receipts and Expenditure of the Appropriated Mysore Deposit Fund" and of the "Disbursements on account of the families of Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sultan," including "Memorials from Prince Gholam Mahomed," one of Tipu's sons, "Despatches to the Court of Directors of the East India Company" and "any Dissents recorded by Members of the Council of India". A comprehensive record of Tipu.s family and descendants, to great grandchildren, is also included. Descendants of Tipu still live in Calcutta today. to gre