Sharpe's Tiger: The Epic Siege of Seringapatam 1799

Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series is one of the most popular historical fiction series ever written. The books follow the adventures of Richard Sharpe, a British soldier fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe is a brave and resourceful man, but he is also flawed and complex. He is a man of action, but he is also a man of conscience.

Sharpe's Tiger is the eighth novel in the series. It is set against the backdrop of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, which was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore in India. The novel follows Sharpe and his comrades as they lay siege to the fortress of Seringapatam, the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore.

Sharpe's Tiger: The Siege of Seringapatam, 1799

by Bernard Cornwell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	936 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	402 pages

FREE

The siege of Seringapatam was a long and bloody affair. The British forces were outnumbered and outgunned, but they eventually prevailed. Sharpe played a key role in the victory, and he was rewarded with a promotion to the rank of major.

Sharpe's Tiger is a thrilling tale of courage, camaraderie, and the horrors of war. Cornwell's writing is vivid and evocative, and he brings the battle scenes to life in all their bloody glory. The characters are complex and believable, and the reader is drawn into their struggles.

Sharpe's Tiger is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. It is a gripping tale of adventure and war that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The Historical Context

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore in India from 1798 to 1799. The war was caused by the expansionist ambitions of the British East India Company and the refusal of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, to accept British suzerainty.

The British forces were led by General George Harris, while the Mysore forces were led by Tipu Sultan. The British had a significant advantage in terms of numbers and firepower, but the Mysore forces were well-trained and motivated.

The war began with a British invasion of Mysore in 1798. The British forces quickly captured several key forts, but they were unable to defeat Tipu Sultan's main army. In 1799, the British forces laid siege to the fortress of Seringapatam, Tipu Sultan's capital.

The siege of Seringapatam lasted for two months. The British forces bombarded the fortress with artillery and launched several assaults, but they were unable to break through the Mysore defenses. Eventually, the British forces were able to breach the walls of the fortress and stormed the interior. Tipu Sultan was killed in the fighting, and the British forces captured Seringapatam.

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War ended with a British victory. The British East India Company gained control of Mysore, and Tipu Sultan's kingdom was annexed to the British Empire.

The Characters

Richard Sharpe is the protagonist of Sharpe's Tiger. He is a British soldier who has fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Sharpe is a brave and resourceful man, but he is also flawed and complex. He is a man of action, but he is also a man of conscience.

Harper is Sharpe's loyal friend and comrade. He is a skilled rifleman and a deadly fighter. Harper is a simple man, but he is fiercely loyal to Sharpe.

Patrick Harper is Harper's younger brother. He is a young and idealistic soldier. Patrick is eager to prove himself in battle, but he is also naive and inexperienced.

Wellington is the commander of the British forces in India. He is a brilliant strategist and a ruthless general. Wellington is determined to defeat Tipu Sultan and conquer Mysore.

Tipu Sultan is the ruler of Mysore. He is a brilliant military leader and a fierce opponent of the British. Tipu Sultan is determined to defend his kingdom and drive the British out of India.

The Plot

Sharpe's Tiger begins with the British forces laying siege to the fortress of Seringapatam. Sharpe and his comrades are part of the storming party that is tasked with breaching the walls of the fortress.

The storming party is successful in breaching the walls, but they are met with fierce resistance from the Mysore forces. Sharpe and his comrades fight their way through the streets of Seringapatam, but they are eventually forced to retreat.

Sharpe and his comrades are then tasked with escorting a group of British civilians to safety. The group is ambushed by the Mysore forces, and Sharpe is forced to make a difficult decision. He can either abandon the civilians and save his own life, or he can stay and fight.

Sharpe chooses to stay and fight. He and his comrades are outnumbered and outgunned, but they manage to defeat the Mysore forces. Sharpe and the civilians are then able to make their way to safety.

The siege of Seringapatam ends with a British victory. Tipu Sultan is killed in the fighting, and the British forces capture Seringapatam. Sharpe and his comrades are hailed as heroes, and they are rewarded for their bravery.

The Themes

Sharpe's Tiger is a story about courage, camaraderie, and the horrors of war. Cornwell does not shy away from the brutality of war, but he also shows the human spirit that can triumph over adversity.

Sharpe is a complex and flawed character, but he is also a man of great courage and determination. He is willing to sacrifice his own life for his friends and for his country.

The comradeship between Sharpe and his fellow soldiers is one of the most touching aspects of the novel. These men are from different walks of life, but they are united by their shared experiences in war.

The horrors of war are also vividly portrayed in Sharpe's Tiger. Cornwell shows the physical and psychological toll that war takes on the soldiers who fight in it.

Sharpe's Tiger is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a story about the human spirit that can triumph over adversity.

Sharpe's Tiger: The Siege of Seringapatam, 1799

by Bernard Cornwell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	936 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	402 pages

FREE