More Inspiration- The Tipu’s Tiger
Since starting this blog I have done several posts regarding movies, locations and items that great inspiration for things to be translated into Role-Playing Games (the most recent being The Heksenfluit)
In today’s post we take a look at unique musical instrument that would be a perfect for a bard centric adventure - The Tipu’s Tiger.
The Tipu's Tiger is a unique and fascinating object that has captured the attention of historians, art lovers, and museum-goers around the world. This extraordinary piece of art is a wooden automaton that was created in the late 18th century in India, during the reign of the powerful ruler Tipu Sultan. It depicts a tiger attacking a European soldier, and it is known for its intricate details and innovative mechanical movements.
The Tipu's Tiger is named after Tipu Sultan, who was a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. He was known for his military prowess, his interest in science and technology, and his love for art and culture. He commissioned the creation of the Tiger in the late 1700s, and it was likely built by his court artisans.
The Tiger is made of carved wood and is about 2.7 meters long and 2 meters tall. It is hollow and has several hidden compartments that contain mechanical parts, such as gears and pulleys, that allow the Tiger to move and make sounds. The most remarkable feature of the Tiger is that it produces sounds that mimic the roar of a real tiger and the groans of a dying man. This is achieved by a series of bellows and pipes that are hidden inside the Tiger's body.
The Tiger depicts a scene of a tiger attacking a European soldier, and it is believed to be a political statement by Tipu Sultan against the British colonialists who were trying to conquer his kingdom. The soldier is shown wearing a red coat, which was the uniform of the British East India Company, and his face shows a look of fear and pain. The tiger, on the other hand, is depicted in a powerful and aggressive posture, with its mouth open and its claws extended.
The Tipu's Tiger was acquired by the British East India Company after Tipu Sultan's death in 1799, and it was brought to England as a trophy of war. It was displayed in several museums and private collections before it was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 1880, where it remains on display to this day.
The Tipu's Tiger is a masterpiece of art and engineering that showcases the creativity and ingenuity of Indian artisans and their mastery of mechanical devices. It is also a symbol of the complex history of colonialism and resistance in India, and it continues to fascinate and inspire people around the world.
