Trace the course of British wars with Mysore?- Paper V

First War (1766-69)

Causes: Haider Ali’s ambition to drive the British away from the Carnatics and finally from India and the realisation of the threat posed them by Haider Ali. Haider Ali extended his territories by conquering many areas in South India. The rapid rise of Haider Ali naturally excited the jealousy of the Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad. They joined together and formed a triple alliance and declare war on Haider Ali. By his diplomacy haider Ali, cleverly won over the Marathas and the Nizam.

Course: Haider Ali was defeated at Changam and Thiruvannamalai in 1767. At the same time, Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali advanced towards Chennai. So the English were forced to enter into the Treaty of Madras in 1769. It was signed by Haider Ali and the allies, consisting of the Company, the Raja of Tajore, the Malabar ruler. It provided that: a mutual restitution of conquests take place except for Karur and its districts, which were to be retained by the Mysore ruler; in case either of the parties was attacked, the other would rally to its assistance; all the captured employees of the Madras government were to be released by Haider Ali; the Raja of Tanjore was to be treated as a friend and the ally of Haider Ali; and the trade privileges of Bombay Presidency and English factories were to be restored.

Second War (1780-84)

Causes: The main causes which led to the war were: Mysore was attacked by the Marathas in 1771. As per the treaty of Madras, the English did not help Haider Ali. Haider Ali got angry and waited for opportunity to strike against the English. Out break of hostilities between the English and the French (an ally of Haider) during American War of Independence. Mahe, a French possession in the dominion of Haider Ali was attacked by the English, Haider Ali made alliance with the Nizam and the Marathas against the English in 1779.

Course: Haider Ali declared a war on the English in 1780. He defeated the English force in the Carnatic. He made them surrender and occupied almost the whole of Carnatic. However, the English under Sir Eyre Coote, defeated Haider Ali at Port Novo in 1781. In the meantime, Haider Ali died of cancer in 1782. But his son Tipu Sultan continued the war with the English for the two more years. The war came to an end with the Treaty of Mangalore (1784): The treaty stipulated that: The two parties were not to assist each other’s enemies directly or indirectly, nor make war on each other’s allies. The trade privileges granted to the Company by Haider Ali in 1770 are to be restored, although no additional benefits would accrue. Both sides agreed to a mutual restoration of possessions (barring the forts of Amboorgur and Satgur), and Tipu undertook not to make any claims on the Carnatics in future. Tipu agreed to release all prisoners of war (numbering 1,680). Tipu restore the factory and privileges possessed by the Company at Calicut until 1779.

Third War (1790-92)

Causes: Tipu Sultan improved his resources by strengthening his position by undertaking various internal reforms, while the English started improving their relationship with the Nizam and the Marathas. Tipu Sultan made an attempt to acquire help from France and Turkey by sending envoys to those countries (1787). He also enlarge his territories at the cost of his neighbours, particularly the raja of Travancore, who was an ally of the British (1789), and conclusion of an alliance by the British with the Nizam and the Marathas against Tipu (1790).

Course: Both the troops had victories and defeats alternatively. The war came to an end in 1792. Tipu signed the Treaty of Seringapatam with the English. He had to give half of his kingdom to the English. The English got Malabar, Coorg, Dindugal, and Bramahal (now the Salem and Erode areas).

Fourth War (1799)

Causes: The treaty of Seringapatam failed to bring peace between Tipu and the English. Tipu refused to accept the subsidiary alliance of Lord Wellesley. He wanted to take revenge on the English. He sent emissaries to Kabul, Constantinople, Arabia and France to get their support.

Course: When Wellesley came to know all about Tipu’s activities, he declared war at once against him in 1799. Tipu suffered defeats at the hands of General Stuart and General Harris. Wellesley himself besieged Seringapatam. Tipu fought bravely but died in the battle.

The English annexed large portions of Mysore. The central part of Mysore was given to Krishna Raja of Wadiar dynasty. Wih the fall of Seringapatam, the ‘Empire of the East’ was now under the British feet.