London – The Surrender of the Two Sons of Tipu Sultan to Major General David Baird by Henry Singleton (British, 1766-1839) was the top lot at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art sale today (Thursday 22 May) at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The painting, which came to auction for the first time from a descendant of Major General Sir David Baird (1757-1829), achieved £2,105,400, against an estimate of £200,000-300,000.

The 303-lot sale made a total of £3,700,000.

On 4th May 1799, following a month-long siege, the British, together with the army of their ally the Nizam of Hyderabad, stormed and captured Seringapatam, the capital of 'The Tiger of Mysore', Tipu Sultan. The death of Tipu during the fighting brought to a close the Fourth Mysore War, after which the state was partitioned. Following the death of their father, Tipu Sultan's sons surrendered to the British. They were received by Major General David Baird, who had commanded the final assault on Seringapatam. This is the moment depicted in the painting by Singleton.

Oliver White, Head of the Islamic and Indian Art Department at Bonhams, commented: "We are absolutely delighted with the result for The Surrender of the Two Sons of Tipu Sultan to Major General David Baird by Henry Singleton. This painting is one of the key images of the British in India and came to auction with exceptional provenance, from a descendant of Major General Sir David Baird himself. It is no wonder it achieved such an exceptional result."

Other highlights of the sale included:

• An extremely rare gilt-copper turban helmet (taup). Lahore, circa 1822-40. Sold for £229,000.

• An important relief-cut cameo glass ewer. Egypt or Near East, late 10th/ early 11th Century. Sold for £89,300.

• Lieutenant Philip Meadows Taylor (1808–1876), an album of 24 drawings principally of Indian sites in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. India, 1826–29. Sold for £61,360.

• A rare, large painting depicting Devi, the Great Goddess, riding on a tiger, her figure containing text from the Devi Mahatmya. Rajasthan, by the artist Chiman Rama, dated 1853. Sold for £38,400.