Seringapatam Medal 1799

This silver medal was commissioned by the East India Company to reward its troops who took part in the capture of Seringapatam, capital of Tipu Sultan, the famous 'Tiger of Mysore'. This ended the Fourth Mysore War (1799) and removed one of the main blocks to the British conquest of India.

The medal shows the British lion triumphing over Tipu's tiger. The Arabic inscription on the pennon reads, 'The Victorious Lion of God'. On the reverse, Seringapatam is depicted under attack.

Originally, the medals were minted in England in 1801 and sent out to India for distribution to both native and European troops from the Bombay and Madras Presidencies. It was issued in gold, silver, bronze and pewter depending on a recipient's rank.

However, a second issue (shown here) was struck in Calcutta in 1808, for award only to Indian troops of the Bengal Presidency. The Presidency, apparently unaware of the original award criteria which included Europeans, instead followed the precedent set by the earlier Company campaign medal for the Deccan (1778-1784) and awarded medals in gold to native officers and silver to native non-commissioned officers and other ranks.