JOST A MON

Ooh, 'tis a terrible thing when Indians are painted as demons assailing the steadfast and true European. Racism! goes the cry. Or, possibly, Orientalism! Interestingly, though, the painting below is by an Indian, and clearly an Indian who knows which side his bread his buttered. He depicts an assault on a British fortress by an ogre-like native figure with multiple clawed toes and grand ears. The brave British valiantly fight back, dying in a heroic cause, and are encouraged by sundry musicians and a damsel. The battle is one of the set pieces of the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792), which, as we all know, didn't end too well for the Indians. Tipu Sultan died and the last native power capable of challenging the English flickered into oblivion.

If anyone can tell me what the Arabic inscription at the bottom says, I'd be grateful.