The place where Tipu's body was found is close to the northern fringe of the fort. The road from Masjid-e-ala ( the mosque with minarets you see as you enter Srirangapatna ) towards the Water Gate passes by this point.

A fenced area with a stone marks the area where his body was found.

Lachlan Macquarie ( later known as the 'Father of Australia) who participated in the 1799 Battle of Battle of Seringapatam as a major in the English forces gives a firsthand account of the day Tipu was killed.

Lachlan Macquarie narrates " The final result of this glorious and memorable Day, was, that our Troops were in Complete Possession of Tippoo Sultaun's Fortress and Capital in less than an hour from the commencement of the assault; the Sultaun himself, and a great many of his principal officers, killed in the Storm; his sons and all his Family our Prisoners; and all his immense Riches and Treasures in our Possession: For, he had neither sent his
Family -- or Treasure out of the Fort, being, as it is said, fully confident that he would be able to defend it against all our efforts; And this latter assertion is strongly supported by the Sultauns remaining in the Fort to defend it in Person. and there falling Victim to his temerity.

It is not known how or by whom the Sultaun was killed; nor was it ascertained for several hours after we were in Possession of his Palace and Capital that he was killed at all, most People supposing that he had made good his Retreat out of the Fort at the opposite side that our Troops entered it at the commencement of the Assault. These doubts however were fully cleared up by Ten o'clock at night, when his Body was found among a Heap of Slain of his own People that lay together in one of the Passages or Sally-Ports, in the Rear of his Palace, that leads across the Ditch to the outer Ramparts of the North face of the Fort; And as the Enemy made their principal stand -- and greatest opposition, against our Troops, in that Quarter, it is generally supposed that the Sultaun was repairing thither in person -- to encourage his Troops, when he was shot. His own particular Post was also on the North side of the Fort, which makes it still more probable that he was going there on hearing that our Troops were in Possession of the Breach, and not attempting to make his escape as many People suppose: However this may be -- it is now past doubt that Tippoo Sultaun was killed that his Body was found amongst a Heap of Slain and that on the Body's [sic] being carried to the Palace, it was there acknowledged to be his by his own sons and all the Servants of his Household."*

The battle was so intense that the body of Tipu could not be easily identified. Some of the servants of Tipu who witnessed his last moments gave graphic account of his valor even as he falls. Tipu was commanding in person at one of the gates ( probably the Water Gate) of the fort in repulsing the invading army. A wounded and exhausted Tipu was taken away in a palanquin. One of the English soldier tried to snatch his sword belt. Tipu , sultan with what remaining strength lifted his sword cut the solder's knee. On this another soldier shot Tipu at his temple and Tipu died instantly. Later this narration has been used in many paintings and illustrations depicting his last moments.

The battle was so fierce at that at the arch where Tipu's body was found, there were at least 300 more dead soldiers, making it impossible to identify who killed Tipu.

On the next day ( Sunday, 5th May 1799) his body was later carried to Gumbaz for burial. Incidently the Gumbaz (mausoleum) was built by Tipu in 1784 as a monument for his father Hyder Ali. Tipu's body is buried next to Hyder Ali.

* From Macquarie University Library archives.