Introduction
The Anglo-Mysore Wars included four wars. The Kingdom of Mysore fought under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. They went against the British East India Company with its allies. These wars played a crucial role in British expansion in South India.
Background
- The Kingdom of Mysore was a powerful South Indian state, initially ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty.
- Hyder Ali became the de facto ruler in 1761 and started modernizing Mysore’s army.
- Mysore’s growing power led to conflicts with the British East India Company, the Marathas, and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769)
Causes:
- British expansion in South India threatened Mysore.
- Mysore attacked British-controlled Madras.
- The British allied with the Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad against Mysore.
Events:
- Hyder Ali’s forces defeated the British multiple times.
- In 1769, Hyder Ali reached the gates of Madras, forcing the British to negotiate.
Result – Treaty of Madras (1769):
- Mutual restitution of territories (both sides returned captured lands).
- British promised military assistance to Mysore in case of an attack.
🔴 Significance: British failed to defeat Mysore, showing Hyder Ali’s military strength.
Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784)
Causes:
- The British did not help Mysore when the Marathas attacked (breaking the Treaty of Madras).
- Mysore allied with the French (who were Britain’s rivals in Europe).
- British captured Mahe, a French-controlled port in Mysore’s territory.
Events:
- Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan defeated the British in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Hyder Ali died in 1782, and Tipu Sultan continued the war.
- The war ended in a stalemate.
Result – Treaty of Mangalore (1784):
- Both sides returned captured territories.
- British agreed to stop interfering in Mysore’s affairs.
🔴 Significance: Tipu Sultan emerged as a powerful leader.
Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792)
Causes:
- Tipu Sultan attacked Travancore, an ally of the British.
- The British, along with Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad, declared war on Mysore.
Events:
- British, led by Lord Cornwallis, captured Bangalore (1791).
- Tipu fought bravely but was forced to surrender.
Result – Treaty of Seringapatam (1792):
- Tipu had to give up half of Mysore’s territory to the British, Marathas, and Nizam.
- He had to pay a war indemnity of 3.3 crore rupees.
- Tipu had to send his two sons as hostages to the British.
🔴 Significance: Mysore’s power was weakened, and the British gained control over South India.
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799)
Causes:
- Tipu continued to resist British control.
- He sought help from the French and the Ottomans against the British.
- British, under Lord Wellesley, decided to eliminate Tipu.
Events:
- British forces, along with the Marathas and Nizam, attacked Mysore.
- The British stormed Seringapatam (Tipu’s capital).
- Tipu Sultan was killed while defending his fort.
Result – Fall of Mysore (1799):
- Mysore was annexed by the British.
- Wodeyar dynasty was restored as puppet rulers under British control.
- British established direct rule over Mysore.
🔴 Significance: Mysore became a princely state under British control, and Tipu Sultan’s resistance ended.
Impact of Anglo-Mysore Wars
✅ British dominance in South India was established.
✅ Mysore’s military power was destroyed.
✅ The British gained access to rich resources and trade routes.
❌ Mysore’s economy collapsed due to British control.
❌ Tipu Sultan’s death ended strong resistance against the British in South India.
Comparison of Anglo-Mysore Wars
| War | Year | Rulers of Mysore | British Governor-General | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1767-1769 | Hyder Ali | None (British Madras Presidency) | Treaty of Madras (1769) |
| Second | 1780-1784 | Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan | Warren Hastings | Treaty of Mangalore (1784) |
| Third | 1790-1792 | Tipu Sultan | Lord Cornwallis | Treaty of Seringapatam (1792) |
| Fourth | 1799 | Tipu Sultan | Lord Wellesley | Tipu killed, Mysore annexed |
Objective Questions (MCQs)
- Who was the ruler of Mysore during the First Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Tipu Sultan
b) Hyder Ali
c) Krishna Raja Wodeyar
d) Lord Cornwallis
✅ Answer: b) Hyder Ali - Which treaty ended the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Treaty of Madras
b) Treaty of Allahabad
c) Treaty of Mangalore
d) Treaty of Seringapatam
✅ Answer: c) Treaty of Mangalore - Who led the British forces in the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Lord Wellesley
b) Lord Hastings
c) Lord Cornwallis
d) Robert Clive
✅ Answer: c) Lord Cornwallis - In which war was Tipu Sultan killed?
a) First Anglo-Mysore War
b) Second Anglo-Mysore War
c) Third Anglo-Mysore War
d) Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
✅ Answer: d) Fourth Anglo-Mysore War - Which alliance fought against Mysore in the Third and Fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars?
a) British and Marathas
b) British, Marathas, and Nizam of Hyderabad
c) British and Portuguese
d) British and Dutch
✅ Answer: b) British, Marathas, and Nizam of Hyderabad
Subjective Questions
- Describe the causes and consequences of the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
- What were the key features of the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792)?
- Explain the role of Tipu Sultan in the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
- Analyze the impact of the Anglo-Mysore Wars on British expansion in India.
- Compare the strategies of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan against the British.
Conclusion
The Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799) marked the end of strong Indian resistance against British expansion in South India. Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799 allowed the British to control Mysore and strengthen their rule in India.
Would you like a mind map or any modifications? 😊