Among the most prominent of these artefacts is the famed wooden mechanical tiger of Tipu Sultan, widely known as the Tiger Automaton or Tipu’s Tiger. Originally seized from Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, the artefact depicts a tiger attacking a European soldier. It is currently preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where it stands as one of the most recognised symbols of colonial-era looting.
In addition to the automaton, several elements from Tipu Sultan’s golden throne, including a tiger’s head and a mythical Huma bird motif, are preserved within the British Royal Collection. These items are housed at Windsor Castle and other royal repositories. Historical records indicate that these artefacts were taken during wartime and later presented as gifts to British officials and members of the royal family. Manuscripts, books, and copies of the Quran belonging to Tipu Sultan are also held in institutions such as the British Library and various museums in the United Kingdom.
The Anglo-Mysore conflict between Tipu Sultan and the East India Company culminated in the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799, in which Tipu Sultan was defeated. Following his death, British forces reportedly looted his palace and treasury, seizing vast quantities of gold coins, weapons, jewellery, and ceremonial objects. Among these were Tipu Sultan’s sword, armour, helmet, and other military equipment of significant historical value.
Another major category of artefacts taken during the British colonial period includes sculptures from the Amaravati Buddhist stupa in present-day Andhra Pradesh. Excavated during 19th-century British-led archaeological work, these ancient carvings—collectively referred to as the Elliot Marbles—are approximately 2,000 years old. They depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and various Buddhist symbols. These artefacts are currently housed in the British Museum.
A significant Buddhist relic, the Sultanganj Buddha, a massive bronze statue weighing over 500 kilograms and dating back approximately 1,500 years, was discovered in 1861 during railway construction in the Sultanganj region of Bihar. Following its discovery by British engineers, it was transported to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the United Kingdom, where it remains on display today. It is considered one of the largest surviving metal Buddha statues in the world.
Adding to the list of Mughal-era treasures held abroad is a white jade wine cup associated with Emperor Shah Jahan. Crafted around 1657, the nephrite jade cup was originally part of the Mughal imperial treasury. It was taken to Britain by colonial officials in the 19th century and is now preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The artefact is regarded as a remarkable example of Mughal craftsmanship and artistic refinement.
The renewed attention triggered by recent political remarks has once again placed the question of cultural restitution and historical ownership at the centre of international discourse, highlighting the extensive presence of Indian heritage artefacts in British institutions.
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