Book excerpt: "Tipu's Tiger is one of the Victoria and Albert Museum's most enduringly famous and fascinating objects. It was made for Tipu Sultan. the ruler of Mysore, who was killed by the British in 1799 during the final onslaught on his island capital, Seringapatam. After the victory, his treasury was seized and its precious contents rapidly divided between the soldiers of the East India Company army. The spectacular wooden tiger survived, however. Discovered in the music room of the palace, it was shipped to the Company's new musuem in London in 1800." "This book tells the story of the tiger's travels from India to the V&A showing how it has inspired artists and authors, and frightened or entertained the public since its first appearance in England." --Book Jacket.