English: A copy of a letter from Prince Haidar, the son of Tipu Sultan, requesting military aid from Fath 'Ali Shah Qajar

Persia, the original dated 12th Muharram 1222/22nd March 1807, the copy roughly contemporary

Persian and French manuscript on paper, 21 lines written in neat nasta'liq script in black ink, verso seal impression dated AH 1219/AD 1804 and descriptive note in French 19th Century hand, folded 728 x 395 mm.

The seal impression verso is perhaps that of Mirza Muhammad Shafi', the Prime Minister under Fath 'Ali Shah.

Shezada Haidar Ali (1771-1815) was the eldest son of Tipu Sultan. After the fall of Seringapatam in May 1799 and their entry into captivity (famously depicted in English paintings and prints), various members of the family were kept in custody in Vellore fort. In 1806 there was an uprising of Indian troops there, who proclaimed Haidar Ali as their king. The rising was quickly put down by Company troops. From this document, it seems that in the following year, eight years after his father's defeat, and after this failed uprising, Haidar Ali was full of vengeful zeal (the letter refers to his 'murdered father') against the British and wrote to the Persians for assistance (to no avail).