Anglo Mysore Wars: Resilience and Conflict

Rise and Challenge to English Dominance in South India

After the Battle of Talikota in 1565, which devastated the Vijayanagara kingdom, numerous small kingdoms arose from its ruins. One of the empires emerged in Mysore under the Wodeyars in 1612. During the second half of the 18th century, it came under the leadership of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan and became a significant power in the region. Their rise unsettled the English, who grew concerned due to Mysore’s ties with the French and its control over the lucrative Malabar Coast trade. This tension ultimately led to conflicts such as the Anglo Mysore War. They view Mysore as a challenge to their dominance in South India, particularly over Madras. 

Anglo Mysore Wars: 18th Century Conflicts, Rockets, and Alliances #

• Series of Wars: The Anglo Mysore Wars were a series of four military confrontations between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India, spanning from 1767 to 1799.
• Characteristics of War: The Anglo Mysore wars were characterized by rapid military advancements, the use of rockets, and shifting alliances.

Key Reasons for the War: Root Causes of Conflict in Southern India #

• Expansionist Tendencies: Both the kingdom of Mysore under Haider Ali and the British were following expansionist policies and as a result were bound to conflict.
• Economic Conflict: The British and Mysore both sought dominance over key trade pathways and harbours in southern India, which heightened their contention.
  • Mysore was a wealthy region abundant in resources, and the British had a strong interest in either directly or indirectly overseeing these assets. The Anglo Mysore War became a manifestation of this economic and territorial competition.
• French Factor: The French, being the primary European adversaries of the British in India, frequently backed Mysore. This added a further dimension to the geopolitical intricacies.
• Tipu’s Religious Policies: Tipu Sultan’s efforts to propagate Islam within his territories occasionally caused discontent among his Hindu populace. 
  • The British, at times, exploited this sentiment as a means of propaganda to support their military endeavours.
• Threat to Madaras: Mysore’s proximity to the British stronghold of Madras made it an immediate threat, leading to the outbreak of the Anglo Mysore War.

First Anglo Mysore War (1767-69): Shifting Alliances and Strategic Maneuvers #

• Background of First Anglo Mysore War: Facing Challenges
  • British Confidence: Following success in Bengal, the English grew confident in their military capabilities.
  • Treaty with the Nizam: In 1766, the English made a pact with the Nizam of Hyderabad.
    • In lieu of the territory of Northern Circars, they provided Nizam protection from Haider Ali
  • Haidar Ali’s Challenges: Territorial disputes with the Nawab of Arcot and differences with the Marathas.
• Changing Alliances during First Anglo Mysore War: Shifting Loyalties
  • Initial Coalition: The Nizam, Marathas, and English formed an alliance against Haidar Ali.
  • Haidar Ali’s Diplomacy: Neutralized the Marathas by paying them off. He Promised the Nizam a share in conquered territories, turning him into an ally. 
    • Haidar, with the Nizam’s support, attacked the Nawab of Arcot.

• Course of First Anglo Mysore War: War’s Path

• • Duration: The conflict persisted for 18 months without decisive results.
  • Haidar’s Strategic Shift: Unexpectedly approached the gates of Madras. This move caused panic in Madras.
  • Treaty: As any conclusive result evaded both sides it ended with the Treaty of Madras (1769). 

Second Anglo Mysore War: Strategic Shifts and Peace #

• Background: Tensions Rise
  • Accusations against the English: Haidar Ali accused the English of not honouring the Treaty of Madras in 1771.
    • When the Marathas attacked him, the English did not support him, violating the treaty.
  • French Support: Haidar Ali realized the French were more reliable for military supplies like guns, saltpeter, and lead.
    • Through Mahe, a French territory on the Malabar Coast, Haidar obtained French Anglo Mysore war materials.
  • Impact of the American War of Independence: The French supported the rebels against the English in this war.
    • Haidar’s association with the French became a concern for the English.
    • The English attempted to take Mahe, a move Haidar Ali saw as a direct threat.

• Course of War: War’s Unpredictable Turns

• • Formation of Anti-English Alliance: Haidar Ali formed a coalition with the Marathas and the Nizam against the English.
  • Initial Success: He attacked the Carnatic, took over Arcot, and defeated the English forces led by Colonel Baillie in 1781.
  • Changing Alliances: Sir Eyre Coote managed to separate the Marathas and the Nizam from Haidar Ali’s side.
  • Major Battles: Haidar faced a defeat at Porto Novo in November 1781.
    • He later regrouped, defeated the English, and captured their commander, Braithwaite.
  • Haidar Ali died of cancer on December 7, 1782.
  • His son Tipu Sultan carried on the Anglo Mysore war for one year but without any positive outcome.
  • Treaty: Fed up with an inconclusive Anglo Mysore war, peace was made with Tippu Sultan and Britishers by the Treaty of Mangalore ( March, 1784).

Third Anglo Mysore War – Tipu’s Defiance: #

• Background: Tipu’s Challenge
  • Dispute Origins: Tipu had an issue with Travancore’s purchase of Jalkottal and Cannanore from the Dutch in the Cochin state.
    • Cochin was a vassal of Tipu, leading him to see Travancore’s actions as a breach of his sovereign rights.
  • War Declaration: In April 1790, Tipu declared Anglo Mysore war on Travancore to restore his perceived rights.
• Course of War: Turning Tides
• Alliance and Initial Battles: The English supported Travancore and confronted Tipu.
  • In 1790, Tipu triumphed over the English forces led by General Meadows.
• • English Advancements under Cornwallis: In 1791, Cornwallis spearheaded a significant English army.
    • They marched via Ambur and Vellore to Bangalore (captured in March 1791) and proceeded to Seringapatam.
    • The English secured Coimbatore, although they subsequently lost it.
  • Final Assault on Seringapatam: With the Marathas and the Nizam’s backing, the English launched a second assault on Seringapatam.
  • Treaty: Tipu resisted fiercely but faced overwhelming odds, leading to the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792 .
• Under the Treaty of Seringapatam, nearly half of the Mysorean territory was taken over by the alliance of the British, Nizam and the Marathas.
  • A war damage of three crore rupees was also taken from Tipu.

Fourth Anglo Mysore War – Twilight Over Seringapatam #

• Background: Tensions and Tactics
  • Recuperation Period (1792-1799): Both the English and Tipu Sultan focused on recovering from previous losses.
    • Tipu honoured the Treaty of Seringapatam, resulting in the release of his sons.
  • Tipu’s Ascension & Intent: In 1796, after the demise of the Wodeyar dynasty’s Hindu ruler, Tipu declined to coronate the minor Wodeyar heir.
    • Declared himself as the sultan and aimed to redress his prior defeat and the Treaty of Seringapatam’s conditions.
  • Governor General’s Concerns: Lord Wellesley succeeded Sir John Shore as governor-general in 1798.
    • He was wary of Tipu’s growing alliance with the French.
    • He aspired to either eradicate Tipu’s autonomy or coerce him into a Subsidiary Alliance.
    • Accusations against Tipu encompassed alleged plots with the Nizam, and Marathas, and foreign communications with places like Arabia, Afghanistan, and Mauritius.
    • Tipu’s defenses didn’t convince Wellesley.

• Course of War: Clash and Conquest

• War Duration:

• Started: April 17, 1799
• Ended: May 4, 1799, with Seringapatam’s fall.

• Major Battles & Participants: Tipu faced defeats by English Generals: first Stuart and then Harris. Arthur Wellesley, Lord Wellesley’s sibling, played a role in the conflict.
• Alliances: The English had the backing of the Marathas and the Nizam.
  • Marathas were assured half of Tipu’s territory.
  • The Nizam had already entered into the Subsidiary Alliance.
• Aftermath: Tipu valiantly lost his life during the battle.

Mysore After Tipu: Aftermath of the Anglo Mysore Wars

• Several changes were brought in the kingdom of Mysore after the defeat of Tipu Sultan. These include:
  • Marathas’ Offer: Wellesley proposed giving the Soonda and Harponelly districts of Mysore to the Marathas. The Marathas declined the offer.
  • Nizam’s Share: The Nizam acquired the Gooty and Gurramkonda districts.
  • English Acquisitions: The English secured Kanara, Wynad, Coimbatore, Dwaraporam, and Seringapatam.
  • Reinstatement of Wodeyars: The newly structured Mysore state was entrusted to the ancient Hindu Wodeyar dynasty.
    • The young ruler, Krishnaraja III, came to power and embraced the subsidiary alliance.
  • British Intervention: In 1831, due to allegations of poor governance, William Bentinck assumed control of Mysore.
  • Kingdom Restoration: Lord Ripon returned the kingdom to its monarch in 1881.

Conclusion: 

• The Anglo Mysore wars showcased the resilience and military prowess of the Mysore leaders, especially Tipu Sultan. 
  • In the end, the British emerged victorious, solidifying their hold over southern India and terminating the autonomy of Mysore.
  • These Anglo Mysore wars symbolized the broader narrative of British imperialistic endeavors in India.