“It is better to live as a tiger for a day than as a sheep for a hundred years.” – Tipu Sultan.
This August running until 11 January 2026, The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) is showcasing one of its biggest landmark exhibitions – a lost dynasty that once thrived on impactful innovation, and pioneering an ideology that sought to advance civilisation into the industrial age. And in the face of evolution, Tipu Sultan’s rebellion against the East India Company, bolstered by a dynamic duality from learned to cutting-edge advancement embodies both the wisdom of Haider Ali, his boldness of innovation, and Tipu Ali’s fight to preserve India’s sovereignty.
Between distinguished art looted, that upscaled the tireless mission of imperialism and a war emerging from colonist resistance, IAMM revives the last vestiges of the Mysore rulers, all but overshadowed by the breadth of India’s historic narrative – they were heroes who fought to the very end to preserve cultural affluence and technological breakthrough. However, there is a strange irony across the bandwidth of war, from the copious bloodshed and lives lost, brokered by leaders banking on gold and land, only for the remnants of opulent craftsmanship to outlast the dynasty themselves.
Craftsmanship That Stood The Test Of Time
Sophocles, an ancient Greek tragedian once said, “You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an idea.” And so, if the rules that bound man’s ephemerality, consequently it is by the works of explicable craftsmanship and masterful design, that man’s redemption should transcend mortality through art and groundbreaking invention.
Therefore, in conjunction with IAMM’s intervention to revive India’s long lost rulers, and their contribution that unveiled the early days of industrialisation, this narrative explores the forgotten history tied to formerly silent artefacts bearing witness to the follies of power and the fragility of human ambition.
More Than A Day As A Tiger
‘More Than a Day as a Tiger: The Legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore (1761–1799)’ is the compelling exhibition title that captures the enduring spirit of a dynasty. It reflects the age-old distinction between glory and tragedy, unveiling the profound legacy forged amid the spoils and scars of war.
The Gem-set finial from the throne of Tipu Sultan
In such rare occasions do the unequivocal differences of heritage tapestry collide in magnificent finial design, an indelible fragment of noble grandeur that survived India’s colonial timeline. Among the rare quartet still preserved, is the gem-set tiger head, that once adorned Tipu Sultan’s legendary throne. Its resplendence is an act of provocative defiance, with the tiger symbolising the persona used by the British to chronicle Tipu, and which the fearless sultanate embraced in decorative recalcitrance.
This blend between Mughal and southern Indian artisanry speaks to a cultural synthesis of sovereignty, resilience, and pride amid the tides of colonial encroachment. It also bears witness to what remains of the Mysore throne – destroyed and broken apart for its immaculate gem-stones and artistic brilliance against the forces that sought to erase it.
Pair of Bronze Cannons Made for Tipu Sultan
Looting came easy, once the imposition of greed facilitated the possessions of a proud sultanate, whose ambitions repulsed British colonialism. The Mysore’s cannons bore the heavy weight of the monarchy’s most revered heirlooms – keepsakes that held resemblance to the spoils of war. Manufactured in Srirangapatna, its design correlates with the rebellion against Britain imperial conquest, and as such stands as testament to the implications of war. The cannons that came in a pair were relocated to Powis Castle, the ancestral home of the descendants of ‘Clive of India,’ and after over two centuries, they departed from Wales, only to take up a new residence at the IAMM.
Discover More Untold Stories
Explore a captivating collection of artefacts – from cannons and guns to portraits — that reveal the legacy of a sovereign who fell amid the turmoil of war. During this period, IAMM will also host workshops along with sessions where curators and conservators share their insights.
When: Until 11 January 2026
Where: Special Gallery 2, Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Jalan Lembah Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission:
Adults: RM20
Students & Malaysian Senior Citizens: RM10*
Children below 6: Free
*Students must present a valid ID.
