Example of contemporary Mysore silk – photo by Lindie Ward
Tipu Sultan (1751-1799) ruled the 6 million inhabitants of the Kingdom of Mysore from his magnificent palace in Srirangapatna in southern India. Tipu was well educated in the arts, sciences, languages and military strategy, and in particular was a lover of fine textiles. During his reign he initiated the growth of the important Mysore silk industry.
At that time, 80% of Britain’s lucrative India trade concerned finely crafted textiles. Closely aligned with the French East India Company, which vied for a share of India’s massive textile wealth, Tipu and his father successfully fought the British East India Company, winning three Mysore wars from 1766. From 1782 Tipu became the most powerful ruler of the British era in India, until his defeat by the British at the end of the century.
Before the arrival of the East India Companies, India controlled 25% of world trade, with textiles being a major component of this. Ruthless British commercial tactics first profited from, then reduced, the Indian textile industry dramatically, by stealing their techniques and manufacturing in Britain, resulting in unimaginable wealth for British political and military elites.
Lindie Ward
As a Curator at the Powerhouse Museum, Lindie Ward worked on a variety of design exhibitions.
Since retirement she has assisted the National Trust with its collections and exhibitions. At the Trust she was invited to contribute to the exhibition ‘Tales from the East’ at Old Government House, which traced the life of Governor Macquarie and his time in India. Through that exhibition and her work at the Powerhouse, she became fascinated with Indian textiles and the life of the Maharaja, Tipu Sultan, the focus of this talk.
Tipu Sultan, by GF Cherry (creative commons)
Cost: Taasa Members $25 Non-members: $35. Light refreshments will be served.
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