50 meters
to the east of Watergate, inside the second fort line, is said to have stood another
gateway which led through the inner eastern wall, which was constructed by Tippu Sultan
inside the second line. On the 4th of May 1799 A.D., pushed back by the storming troops
Tippu moved along the second wall and descending from it near the Watergate tried to
enter the town through the second gate. It is said that he found the gate closed.
Meanwhile the British troops who crossed over to the third wall came along, descended into
the town and entered the gate from inside. Then Tipu was stuck between the two advancing
English forces. Fighting, he fell down wounded. The storming troops not knowing that Tipu
was there, entered the gate and rushed towards the palace.
When the British officers tried to trace the body of Tipu, his dying private
secretary pointed to place where his master lay under a heap of the dead. Tipu's
body was easily identified since his face had not been disfigured and since he had worn a
well-known talisman. The body was yet warm and was removed to the palace for the night. It
is found that the inner fortification was razed to the ground by Col. Wellesley. Now
there is a Stone Tablet erected stating "THE BODY OF TIPPU SULTAN WAS FOUND
HERE" |
