Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767–1799)

Struggle between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company for control over South India.

Mysore Before the British

• After the Battle of Talikota (1565), the Vijayanagara Empire collapsed.
• The Wodeyar dynasty ruled Mysore as nominal rulers.
• Haidar Ali became the de facto ruler in 1761 by sidelining the Wodeyars.

Haidar Ali – Foundation of Mysore’s Power

• Strengthened the army on European lines with French help.
• Set up an arms factory at Dindigul (Tamil Nadu).
• Introduced Western military training.
• Expanded Mysore by capturing Dod Ballapur, Sera, Bednur, and Hoskote (1761–63).
• Subdued Poligars of South India.
• Fought Marathas repeatedly (1774–76).

Haidar Ali transformed Mysore into a strong military state capable of challenging the British.

First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–1769)

Cause

• British expansion in South India threatened Mysore.

Strategy of Haidar Ali

• Used diplomacy:
  • Made Marathas neutral
  • Allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad

Outcome

• Haidar Ali advanced up to Madras.
• The British forced the Indians to sign the Treaty of Madras (1769).

Treaty of Madras

• Restored territories to both sides.
• The British agreed to help Mysore if attacked.

Seen as a diplomatic success for Haidar Ali.

Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784)

Causes

• Haidar Ali’s alliance with the French
• British attack on Mahe, a French settlement under Mysore protection.

Major Events

• Alliance of Mysore + Marathas + Nizam against the British.
• Haidar Ali:
  • Captured Arcot
  • Defeated the British at the Battle of Pollilur (1781) (Colonel Baillie).
• British commander Sir Eyre Coote later defeated Haidar at Porto Novo (1781).
• Haidar Ali still managed to defeat the British commander Braithwaite

Treaty of Mangalore (1784)

• Signed after the death of Haidar Ali (1782).
• Tipu Sultan continued the war.
• Result:
  • Status quo restored.
  • Territories returned to both sides.

Last treaty where Indians dictated terms to the British.

Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792)

Cause

• Tipu Sultan attacked Travancore, a British ally.

British Strategy

• Alliance with:
  • Marathas
  • Nizam of Hyderabad

Outcome

• The British captured Seringapatam.

Treaty of Seringapatam (1792)

• Tipu lost half of Mysore’s territory:
  • British: Malabar, Dindigul, Baramahal
  • Marathas: areas near Tungabhadra
  • Nizam: areas between Krishna and Pennar
• War indemnity: ₹3 crore
• Two sons of Tipu were taken as hostages

Major blow to Mysore’s sovereignty.

Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)

Causes

• Tipu’s desire to avenge humiliation
• Fear of Tipu–French alliance
• Aggressive policy of Lord Wellesley (Subsidiary Alliance)

Events

• War: 17 April – 4 May 1799
• British generals: Harris, Stuart
• Arthur Wellesley also participated.
• The British were supported by Marathas and the Nizam.

Outcome

• Fall of Seringapatam
• Death of Tipu Sultan (1799)

End of Mysore as an independent power.

Mysore After Tipu

• The Wodeyar dynasty was restored under minor Krishnaraja III.
• Mysore accepted Subsidiary Alliance → British control.
• 1831: The British took direct control, citing misgovernance.
• 1881: Kingdom restored by Lord Ripon.

Tipu Sultan

• Known as “Tiger of Mysore”
• Army trained on the European model
• Pioneer of rocket technology (used iron-cased rockets).
• Introduced sericulture in Mysore.
• Established Board of Admiralty (1796).
• Planned Navy:
  • 22 battleships
  • 20 large frigates
• Dockyards at:
  • Mangalore
  • Wajedabad
  • Molidabad
• Allowed Jacobin Club; called himself “Citizen Tipu”.

Why Anglo-Mysore Wars Matter

• Show Indian resistance to colonial expansion
• Highlight the early use of modern warfare
• Explain the British strategy of alliances
• Marks rise of the Subsidiary Alliance system
• Turning point in British dominance in South India