RISE OF MYSORE (1761-1799)

PWOnlyIAS July 22, 2023 03:19 8429 0

INTRODUCTION

The rise of Mysore occurred during the Mughal era when the Wadiyars, also known as the Wodeyars, ascended to power and ruled over the Mysore Kingdom. Their dominance in the region was established through the capture of significant cities such as Seringapatam and Bangalore in 1610. Following the decline of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Kingdom of Mysore managed to maintain its independence and maintained a limited association with the Mughal Empire. However, the Mysore region became a contested battleground as various powers vied for control and influence over the territory.

RISE OF MYSORE AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE

Rise of Hyder Ali: After the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the last significant Mughal Emperor, the rulers of Mysore took advantage of the internal power struggles within the Mughal Empire. Hyder Ali emerged as a prominent military explorer and eventually seized power in Mysore in 1761. He faced challenges due to poor domestic management but expanded Mysore’s realm through invasions of the Malabar Coast and the Karnataka Plateau.
Modernization of the Army: Haider Ali sought assistance from French experts to modernize the Mysore army, introducing European military discipline and training a potent infantry and artillery corps. The modernization efforts aimed to enhance the military strength and effectiveness of the Mysore Kingdom.
Consolidation of Power: Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan adopted measures to consolidate their power and resources, including levying land taxes directly on peasants and collecting them through hired officials. The state of Mysore actively pursued territorial expansion and engaged in conflicts with regional powers, such as the English and the Marathas.
Expansion and Conflicts: Haider Ali’s military campaigns resulted in the conquest of Malabar and Calicut, significantly expanding the borders of the Mysore Kingdom. Mysore was involved in conflicts with the English, defeating them at Madras in 1769, while also facing opposition from other regional powers.

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ANGLO-MYSORE WARS AND DECLINE OF MYSORE

The British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore engaged in a number of battles between 1767 and 1799 known as the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
These wars were primarily fought for supremacy in southern India and to curb the expanding power of Mysore under rulers like Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.
The wars eventually led to the decline of Mysore and the establishment of British dominance in the region.

Anglo-Mysore Wars
First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-69)	Background: The rise of Haider Ali, a soldier in the army of the Wodeyars, who became the de facto ruler of Mysore due to his administrative skills and military tactics. Tensions between Mysore and the British due to trade interests and alliances with regional powers. The course of War: Haider Ali’s siege of Madras, British resistance, and the Treaty of Madras, established terms of peace and mutual assistance. However, the war ended inconclusively with no clear victory.
Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84)	Background: The British failed to honour the Treaty of Madras, leading to tensions between Haider Ali and the British. Haider Ali sought support from the French and imported war materials from French possessions. The British, concerned about growing French influence, attempted to capture Mahe, a French-held territory on the Malabar Coast. The Course of War: Haider Ali formed an alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam against the British. Battles were fought in the Carnatic region, with initial victories for Haider Ali. However, the British, under the leadership of Lord Cornwallis, managed to gain the support of the Marathas and the Nizam, leading to Haider Ali’s defeat at Porto Novo. The war ended inconclusively with the Treaty of Mangalore.
Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92)	Background: The Treaty of Mangalore failed to resolve conflicts between Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali’s son, and the British. Both sides aimed to establish political supremacy over the Deccan region. Tipu Sultan’s attack on Travancore, an ally of the British, further heightened tensions. Course of War: The British, along with their allies, including the Nizam and the Marathas, launched a campaign against Mysore. Battles were fought, with Tipu Sultan initially gaining victories. However, the British, under the leadership of Lord Cornwallis, managed to recapture territories and besiege Seringapatam. The war concluded with the Treaty of Seringapatam, resulting in territorial losses for Mysore and the establishment of British dominance.
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)	Background: After the Treaty of Seringapatam, tensions persisted between Tipu Sultan and the British. British Governor-General Lord Wellesley suspected Tipu Sultan of plotting against the British and forced him into the Subsidiary Alliance system. Course of War: The war began when the British launched an attack on Mysore. British forces, including General Harris and Arthur Wellesley, engaged in battles with Tipu Sultan’s army. Seringapatam was captured, and Tipu Sultan died in the war. The British reorganized Mysore under the Wodeyar dynasty and imposed the Subsidiary Alliance system.
Post-War Scenario	Territorial division: The British took control of key territories, including Coimbatore, Malabar, and Seringapatam. The Marathas received certain regions, while the Nizam acquired areas along the Krishna River. Mysore was re-established under the Wodeyar dynasty, with a minor ruler under the British subsidiary alliance system. Impact: The wars weakened Mysore’s power and firmly established British dominance in southern India. The threat of French influence in the Deccan was eliminated, and the British East India Company gained control over significant resources and territories. Legacy: The Anglo-Mysore Wars left a long-lasting impression on the region’s political, social, and economic landscape. They marked a significant shift in power dynamics, with Mysore’s decline and the British East India Company’s rise to supremacy in southern India.

Haider Ali (1721-1782)

Haider Ali, born in 1721, came from a humble background.
He initially served as a horseman in the Mysore army under the ministers of King Chikka Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
Despite being illiterate, Haider Ali possessed great intelligence and demonstrated diplomatic and military skills.
With the support of the French army, he assumed de facto control over Mysore in 1761 and introduced Western training methods to his army.
Haider Ali expanded his territories by defeating the Nizam’s army, and the Marathas, and bringing South Indian Poligars under his control.
He imposed taxes on cultivators to generate revenue for his kingdom.
Haider Ali collaborated with the French to establish an armaments factory in Dindigul and further enhance his military capabilities.
Through skilled diplomacy, he outmanoeuvred his adversaries and secured peace by paying them substantial sums of money.
Between 1774 and 1776, Haider Ali launched multiple invasions against the Marathas, reclaiming lost territories and expanding his dominion.
Haider Ali passed away on December 6, 1782, due to a malignant tumour on his back.

Tipu Sultan (1750-1799)

Tipu Sultan, born in November 1750, was the son of Haidar Ali and a renowned warrior known as the Tiger of Mysore.
He was a polyglot, fluent in Arabic, Persian, Kanarese, and Urdu.
Tipu Sultan prioritized the development of a strong military, organizing his army on the European model, with Persian commands.
He sought the assistance of French commanders without allowing them to gain excessive influence.
In 1796, Tipu Sultan established a Board of Admiralty and had plans to create a naval force consisting of 22 battleships and 20 frigates.
He developed dockyards at Mangalore, Wajedabad, and Molidabad, aiming to strengthen his naval capabilities.
Recognized as India’s “pioneer of rocket technology,” Tipu Sultan created a military guidebook on rockets.
He promoted science, technology, and sericulture in Mysore.
In 1797, Tipu Sultan supported French soldiers in establishing a Jacobin Club in Seringapatam.
Tipu Sultan valiantly defended his capital but ultimately died during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the rise of Mysore as an independent state under the leadership of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan marked a period of expansion and modernization. Through military prowess and alliances, they expanded Mysore’s territories, implemented reforms, and sought to establish regional dominance. However, the Anglo-Mysore Wars resulted in the decline of Mysore and the establishment of British dominance in southern India. Despite their efforts, the legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan remains as valiant defenders and promoters of military modernization in Mysore’s history.

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RISE OF MYSORE (1761-1799)

INTRODUCTION

RISE OF MYSORE AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE