Water Gate

Seringapatam

Tipu Sultan's legacy includes the invention of military rockets that he used to great effect against the British invaders of his domain. Impressed by the lethal efficacy of Tipu's missiles, the British subsequently appropriated his technology for their own forces. The rockets' red glare, fired by the British against Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, was first lit off by Tipu Sultan.

Tipu Sultan was finally defeated at Seringapatam (1799) by Richard Wellesley, the brother of Arthur Duke of Wellington. The water gate, shown here, marks a secret passage into the city that was betrayed during the seige. Tipu himself was killed in the battle, not far from this spot.