The forts of Tipu Sultan have been remaining as the artistic and architectural heritage of India from ancient times, especially the development of rock-cut architecture. The artistic creations in the monuments are the representation of the adept artisanship of the then artisans. The monuments are also the replica of art and culture of the time of Tipu Sultan.

Among the forts built in that time represent the artistic culture of that time. The depth and the depiction of objects, especially in terms of detail and the rendering of solidity are remarkable. The aquatints of the forts depict an earthen fort of Tipu Sultan at Hosur, the Rayakottai fort, the Jagadevipalaiyam fort, the Virbhadradur, and the Sankaridurg. The latter three crown hills, and are built of dressed stone with masonry work. The paintings that bear the art and cultural affluence reflect both hard work and vigor of the artists. The light and shade effect and the distinctive and characteristic tints employed bear affinity with the neoclassic tradition of landscape painting. In the aquatints shown here, in the artists` attempt at capturing a full view of a fort in its natural surroundings, only a little space is left in the composition for the central object. The historical worth of their oriental paintings is immense, since with the passage of time vital changes have occurred in the landscape. Some of the buildings have totally perished, or been partly destroyed, altered or renovated. Their depiction of monuments is full of dramatic and emotional content.

Among the forts of Tipu Sultan, The Hosur and Rayakottai forts were of considerable strategic importance being built on the route always taken by the Mysore armies to invade the Carnatic. On this specific route from Bangalore to Carnatic there were numerous forts, and Lord Cornwallis considered the conquest of these places very important during the Third Mysore War. History says that to conquer Tipu Sultan’s earthen fort at Hosur, situated about 28 miles south-east of Bangalore, Cornwallis sent Major Gowdie who got it evacuated by Tipu’s troops on 15 July 1791. The garrison tried to blow up the fort but failed in their attempt due to Gowdie’s sudden advance.

Rayakottai fort was another important outpost used by Tipu Sultan’s forces on their military campaigns. The fort was built on a granite rock and consisted of two forts connected by a rampart: one at the foot of the rock, and the other on top of the rock. The fort of Jagadevipalaiyam is built on top of a hill. In this aquatint the painters’ emphasis is on the scenic beauty of the surroundings, and the fort itself has little significance. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the rampart, with bastions encircling the fort, depicted here with precision has now totally disappeared.

The depiction of Virbhadradurg is also on similar lines. Here the appearance of ascending rugged passage, paved with stone blocks are observed, approaching the fort is the immediate focus of the painters’ view. The fort above is depicted in greatly diminished perspective, and thus once again, the scenery becomes prominent. One feels that perhaps the distance between the fort and the rugged passage is probably exaggerated. Here too, the outer walls encircling the citadel have now disappeared. Nevertheless, the main fort is still intact.

In addition to that, the aquatint, of Sankaridurg is shown on a flat-topped hill. It is now in a ruined condition, and the rampart encircling the hill top and its summit has totally disappeared.

Some of the forts of Tipu Sultan have been renovated and some are lying intact, depicting the evidence of the reign of Tipu Sultan and all the engravings that are etched in the forts are the artistic representation of the adept artisans and the artistic bent of mind of the ruler as well.