The palace houses an archaeological museum at present but it continues to be a testimony to the life and times of Tipu. Large wall murals, still vivid in hue, depict the ruler in all his glory, his cavalry units, the darbar scenes and army contingents. In one mural the war scene is so graphically portrayed that one can almost visualise the marching armies, the elephants with the howdahs mounted on them and men carrying flags with sun emblems. There is another mural with Mysore soldiers, French comrades-in-arms and their British rivals. Thus, the four walls located at a little distance from the wooden pillars bring back to life the days of the Sultan.

One of the wonders of the palace is a life-like painting of Tipu Sultan in which Tipu seems to look at you regardless of where you are standing. A number of other paintings by artists like Robert Hume, John Zoffany and C.F. Cherry depict the scenes and people of the time. There are also beautiful sketches by renowned British artist Thomas Hickey. Another painting that captures the imagination is by Sir Robert Kerporter depicting the storming of Srirangapatnam. The picture gallery houses some exquisitely detailed depictions of the colonial era of the East India Company. In some of these aquatints illustrating landscapes with long fort walls resting on mountain tops, the surrounding boulders, rocks, weeds and greenery have been so vividly painted that one can almost perceive the gradients and shadowy details.

Though still new in appearance, these exquisite works of art require preservation. These works are eco-friendly as they have been executed with vegetable-dye and can be protected by fumigation and exfoliation.

One room houses the museum exhibiting the personal belongings of Tipu Sultan: a gold-embroidered tunic, his coin collection, his weapons and other items. The palace floor, ceilings, walls and arched pillars have intricate patterns executed with artistic precision. Rich floral designs give a luxurious look to the surroundings. The magnificent balcony projection, the strong but delicately carved staircase going up, the inner walls, all bespeak of the delicate workmanship that enhances the beauty of this otherwise simple palace. Occasionally, one may spot tiger-striped flooring or wall motifs and remember the Tiger of Mysore who was known for his ferocity and tactics, and whose insignia was tiger stripes. Interestingly, everything from his throne to his dagger featured some either the tiger’s head or its claws or its teeth.

A few kilometres away from the palace, Tipu’s fort, his tomb called Gol Gumbaz, the Jama Masjid and the Sri Rangnatha temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, all speak of the great secular heritage of the country. The temple has been built in the Hoysalan and Vijayanagaram styles. Lord Vishnu is represented on the pillars and the ceilings. At the temple precincts you see a huge and beautifully carved wooden rath that was donated to the temple by Hyder Ali. Inside the sanctum, is a reclining figure of Lord Vishnu, called SriRanga, after whom the island takes its name Srirangapatnam.