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n addition to the bubri or stylised tiger stripe, two other devices
proclaim Tipu's identity on his firearms: the heart-shaped 'Haidar'
mark, with the four letters of the word 'Haidar' separated by tiger
stripes; and the tiger mask, composed of entwined and addorsed Persian
characters which read 'asad allah al-ghalib' ('The Lion of God is
Conqueror'). Tipu's green standard, of silk with gold thread embroidery,
also bears the same tiger mask.
Tipu and his father both employed Europeans skilled in the manufacture
of firearms, and Tipu's guns incorporate
many of the latest technical improvements from Europe, as well as
bearing the date and place of manufacture. Tipu's firearms are unique
at this period in that they record also the name of the master craftsman
who made them: Sayid Ma'sum; Asad Khan Muhammad; Shaykh Muhyl Al-din.
Tipu's control marks were added, and often the recommended charge
also.
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