Note 10 — THE SERINGAPATAM MEDAL,[10] 1799.

For the specimen of the ribbon of the Seringapatam medal I have to acknowledge my obligations to Albert Woods, Esq., Lancaster Herald, and Inspector of Regimental Colours, who has furnished me with much valuable information on this and other points. From a letter addressed to him by the gallant General Sir James L. Caldwell, G.C.B, now in his 91st. year, in reply to a query on this subject, the following interesting particulars have been afforded:—When the medal was issued no ribbon accompanied it, but the recipients were given to understand that it was to be of a deep yellow colour, and about an inch in width. This colour was adopted in reference to the tiger, selected by the Sultan Tippoo as his favourite insignia, the golden throne found in the palace being constructed on the back of that animal, and his chosen Sepoys being clothed in tiger jackets. The head of this animal of the throne is now at Windsor Castle, having been obtained by the Marquis of Wellesley, from the prize agents, together with the ideal and fictitious bird termed the “Huma,” supposed to ensure perpetual royalty to the person over whose head it is suspended, and being regarded as a bird of Mahomedan Paradise: it is shewn to strangers under the misnomer of the Seringapatam Peacock. The above information was accompanied by a piece of the ribbon, the colour of which resembles the light fur of the tiger. It may be added that the name Tippoo signifies Tiger, and that the tiger-stripe was adopted in the uniform of the Sultan’s infantry. In the United Service Museum, amongst other oriental curiosities, are two of Tippoo’s pistols, having a tiger’s head at the end, and also the dress he wore when killed. The famous organ of Tippoo representing a tiger tearing a prostrate British soldier is in the East Indian Museum, together with his suit of chain armour. When the handle of the organ is turned sounds are emitted similar to the shrieks of a human being and the growl of the animal.