The Anglo-Mysore Wars: A Struggle for Supremacy in South India

Anglo-Mysore Wars: Complete Details

The Anglo-Mysore Wars were a series of four battles fought between the British East India Company and the rulers of Mysore in the 18th century. These wars played a crucial role in establishing British dominance in the Indian subcontinent. Let’s explore the causes, events, outcomes, and treaties of each war in detail.

Background of the Anglo-Mysore Wars

In the 18th century, Mysore was a powerful state ruled by Haider Ali and later by his son Tipu Sultan. With their strong military and strategic acumen, they challenged the British East India Company, the Marathas, and the Nizam. Mysore was a significant obstacle to British expansion in South India, which led to the Anglo-Mysore Wars.

First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769)

Causes of the War

1. The growing power of Mysore under Haider Ali and his anti-British policies.
2. The alliance between the British, Marathas, and the Nizam to weaken Haider Ali.
3. The British ambition to expand their influence in South India.

Key Events

• Initially, the Nizam and the Marathas sided with the British but later allied with Haider Ali.
  
  
• Haider Ali used brilliant war strategies and launched attacks near Madras (modern Chennai).
  
  
• The British suffered heavy defeats.

Outcome & Treaty

• Treaty of Madras (1769): A peace treaty was signed between the British and Haider Ali, where both parties agreed to assist each other in case of external threats.
  
  
• However, the British later violated this treaty.

Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784)

Causes of the War

1. British violation of the Treaty of Madras.
2. Haider Ali being betrayed by the Marathas and the Nizam.
3. British efforts to expel the French from Mysore.

Key Events

• In 1780, Haider Ali launched an attack and inflicted severe defeats on the British.
  
  
• Battles at Kolar, Vellore, and other regions resulted in British losses.
  
  
• Haider Ali died in 1782, and his son Tipu Sultan continued the war.

Outcome & Treaty

• Treaty of Mangalore (1784): A peace agreement was signed between the British and Tipu Sultan, restoring territories to their pre-war status.

Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792)

Causes of the War

1. Tipu Sultan’s growing power and his alliance with the French.
2. British determination to weaken Mysore.
3. The British forming an alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam against Tipu Sultan.

Key Events

• The British, with the help of the Marathas and the Nizam, launched an attack on Mysore.
  
  
• In 1792, under Lord Cornwallis, the British forces besieged Srirangapatna.
  
  
• Tipu Sultan was forced to surrender.

Outcome & Treaty

• Treaty of Srirangapatna (1792):
  • Tipu Sultan had to cede half of his territory to the British, Marathas, and the Nizam.
  • He was required to pay ₹3.3 crore as war indemnity.
  • Tipu had to send his two sons as hostages to the British.

Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)

Causes of the War

1. Tipu Sultan’s correspondence with Napoleon Bonaparte.
2. British plans to eliminate Mysore entirely.
3. The Marathas and the Nizam supporting the British.

Key Events

• The British, under Lord Wellesley, launched a final attack on Srirangapatna.
• On May 4, 1799, Tipu Sultan was martyred while defending his kingdom.

Outcome & Treaty

• Mysore came under British control.
• The British restored the Wodeyar dynasty as puppet rulers but retained actual power.
• Tipu Sultan’s family was exiled.

Conclusion

The Anglo-Mysore Wars ultimately led to British dominance in South India. Despite Tipu Sultan’s valiant resistance, the British, through diplomacy and alliances, took control of Mysore. These wars accelerated British expansion in India and laid the foundation for their complete rule in the 19th century.