Introduction
The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–1769) was fought between the British East India Company and Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore. The war ended in a stalemate. Both sides agreed to mutual restitution of captured territories under the Treaty of Madras (1769).
Causes of the First Anglo-Mysore War
1️⃣ British Expansion in South India
- The British East India Company wanted to expand its control in South India.
- Mysore was emerging as a strong power under Hyder Ali, which led to conflict.
2️⃣ Alliance Between British, Marathas, and Nizam of Hyderabad
- The British allied with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad to weaken Mysore.
- They believed that a combined attack would defeat Hyder Ali.
3️⃣ Hyder Ali’s Growing Strength
- Hyder Ali had built a modern army, trained in European warfare.
- His growing military power threatened British interests in South India.
4️⃣ Breakdown of Trust Between British and Hyder Ali
- Earlier, Hyder Ali had helped the British against the Marathas, but the British did not support him later.
- This betrayal led to tensions between Mysore and the British.
Major Events of the First Anglo-Mysore War
1️⃣ Hyder Ali’s Initial Success (1767-1768)
- Hyder Ali launched attacks on British-controlled territories in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- He captured Mangalore, Madurai, and other strategic locations.
- The British, along with the Nizam and Marathas, fought against Mysore.
2️⃣ Betrayal by Nizam and Marathas
- The Nizam of Hyderabad switched sides and allied with Hyder Ali.
- Later, the Marathas also made peace with Mysore and withdrew from the war.
3️⃣ Hyder Ali’s Attack on Madras (1769)
- In March 1769, Hyder Ali reached the gates of Madras (British headquarters in South India).
- The British were unable to defend Madras, and negotiations began.
Result – Treaty of Madras (1769)
✅ Mutual Restoration of Captured Territories
- Both sides agreed to return all captured territories to each other.
✅ Defensive Alliance Between British and Mysore
- The British and Mysore agreed to help each other in case of an external attack.
- However, the British later broke this promise, leading to the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
Significance of the First Anglo-Mysore War
✅ Hyder Ali Proved His Strength – The war showed that Mysore was a powerful military force.
✅ British Defeat – The British failed to defeat Mysore, exposing their weakness in South India.
❌ Unstable Peace – The Treaty of Madras did not last long, leading to the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784).
❌ British Betrayal – The British broke their promise to support Mysore, causing further conflicts.
Objective Questions (MCQs)
- When did the First Anglo-Mysore War take place?
a) 1757-1761
b) 1767-1769
c) 1775-1779
d) 1780-1784
✅ Answer: b) 1767-1769 - Who was the ruler of Mysore during the First Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Tipu Sultan
b) Krishna Raja Wodeyar
c) Hyder Ali
d) Lord Cornwallis
✅ Answer: c) Hyder Ali - Which treaty ended the First Anglo-Mysore War?
a) Treaty of Allahabad
b) Treaty of Madras
c) Treaty of Seringapatam
d) Treaty of Mangalore
✅ Answer: b) Treaty of Madras - What was the key provision of the Treaty of Madras (1769)?
a) Mysore was annexed by the British
b) Mysore had to pay war indemnity
c) British and Mysore agreed to mutual protection
d) British got complete control over Mysore
✅ Answer: c) British and Mysore agreed to mutual protection - Why did Hyder Ali attack Madras in 1769?
a) To conquer British territories
b) To punish the British for breaking their promise
c) To expand the Maratha empire
d) To get support from the French
✅ Answer: b) To punish the British for breaking their promise
Subjective Questions
- What were the causes of the First Anglo-Mysore War?
- Explain the key events and outcome of the First Anglo-Mysore War.
- Discuss the significance of the Treaty of Madras (1769).
- How did the First Anglo-Mysore War impact British expansion in South India?
- What role did the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas play in the First Anglo-Mysore War?
Conclusion
The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769) was an important conflict that exposed British weaknesses in South India. Hyder Ali forced the British to sign the Treaty of Madras, but tensions remained. The British betrayal of their alliance promise led to the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784).
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