aird ordered that Tipu's lifeless body should be conveyed in
his palanquin to the court of the palace. Beatson notes: 'The Sultaun
had been shot, a little above the right ear, by a musquet ball,
which lodged near the mouth, in his left cheek: he had also received
three wounds, apparently with the bayonet, in his right side.' The
author also acknowledges his debt to 'my friend Major Allan' for
a more detailed account
of events, which Beatson publishes in full as an Appendix.
Tipu's sons, whom General Harris had invited to return to
their respective apartments on May 5th, viewed their father's
body that morning. They requested that it should be interred
the same evening, and Tipu was accorded a full military
funeral.
General Baird also attended to the wives and children of Tipu's
principal officers, whom Tipu kept at his capital in order to guarantee
the loyalty of their husbands. Beatson records that not only the
principal families, but the inhabitants of Seringapatam in general
were accorded protection. However, Arthur Wellesley, Kirmani and
Allan all record that, on the night of 4th May, there was plundering,
buildings set on fire and all kinds of atrocities. It was not until
May 6th that order was finally restored, and not without the hanging
and flogging of offenders. This discipline was meted out by the
newly appointed Commandant of Seringapatam, Colonel Arthur Wellesley,
who had been appointed in preference to more senior officers, in
particular, Major-General David Baird. It was during this final
Mysore campaign that Wellesley began to exercise and develop the
formidable military prowess and intellect which would earn him the
title of 'The Iron Duke'.
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