Anglo-Mysore Wars - Causes, Key Battles, Treaties & Outcomes for UPSC

Anglo-Mysore War: Causes and Consequences

The Anglo-Mysore wars were a series of conflicts between the English East India Company and the kingdom of Mysore ruled by Haider Ali and later Tipu Sultan. Four Wars were fought between them:-

• The I^st Anglo-Mysore War, 1767-79 ended with the Treaty of Madras.
• The II^nd Anglo-Mysore War, 1780-84 ended with the Treaty of Mangalore.
• The III^rd Anglo-Mysore War, 1790-92 ended with Treaty of Seringapatam.
• The IV^th Anglo-Mysore War, 1799.

Causes of Anglo-Mysore War

1. The English East India Company wanted to expand its territories and influence in southern India. They aim to control the important trade route and parts of southern India which was important for their commercial interests. Mysore's strategic location make it a critical region. The control over which was necessary to maintain the British hold over Madras.
2. Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan were becoming a challenge to the British efforts of expanding their influence upon the peninsular India Haider Ali effective military strategy and alliances become a threat to British. Tipu Sultan popularly known as Tiger of Mysore continued his father legacy of resisting the British effort of expansion. His modernized army, use of rocket artillery and effort's to form alliances with the foreign powers was seen as a direct threat by the British.
3. The Global Rivalry btw British and the French also played the role. The French supported Mysore considering Haider Ali and Tipu sultan as valuable allies against the British.
4. Mysore's conflict with the neighboring kingdoms like the Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad also played a Role. These regional powers often shifted their alliances influencing the course of Anglo-Mysore war
5. Mysore was rich in resources like spices, silk and sandalwood which were highly valuable to the British for trade.

Important Treaties and Important Battles

1. Treaty of Madras
   • Signed in 1769
   • It ended 1st Anglo-Mysore war
   • It included:- Mutual Agreement between the parties to return the conquered territories and prisoners to each other and the promise to assist each other if attacked by other power.
2. Battle of Pollilur - 1780
   • It was part of 2nd Anglo-Mysore war
   • The Battle witnessed extensive use of Mysorean rockets. The company suffered high no. of casualties. The credit for the victory of Mysore's army in this battle is given to Tipu sultan
3. Battle of Porto Novo 1781
   • Part of 2nd Anglo-Mysore war where the British forces led by Sir Eyre Coote defeated the Mysorean forces
4. Treaty of Manglore
   • signed in 1784 as a peace treaty between Tipu Sultan and English East India Compnay under the treaty both the side agreed to end the war and restore the conquered territories and prisoners of each other.
5. Treaty of Seringapatam
   • signed in 1792
   • ending the 3rd Anglo-Mysore war
   • The Main terms included :-
     • Tipu surrendering half of his Kingdom to the victorious allies that is British, Marathas, Nizams. He also agreed to pay a huge war compensation and sent 2 sons as hostages under the company to ensure the complete payment.
6. Battle of Seringapatam, 1799
   • It was the final and decisive clash of 4th Anglo-Mysore war where the company forces under the command of Arthur Wellesley supported by Nizams and Marathas defeated forces of Tipu Sultan leading to the death of Tipu Sultan.

Consequences

1. The company's victory in the war resulted in significant territorial gains. It enhanced their dominance in southern India and removed a major obstacle to the British expansion in the south.
2. Mysore kingdom was re-organized. A large part of the kingdom was annexed by the victorious allies while the rest was restored to Wadiyar dynasty under the British Paramountcy.
3. The Marathas and Nizams who had allied the British were now more dependent upon British.
4. The British success in Mysore set a precedent for their subsequent conquest & annexation including Maratha empire and other regional power
5. The struggle of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan emerged as a symbol of Resistance against the British colonial Rule. Their efforts to modernize the military and fight against the British domination inspire the future generation of Indian nationalist.

Legacy of Tipu Sultan

• The question of whether Tipu Sultan was a religious Boycott is a topic of significant historical debate. In this context, there are historical accounts & records which tell that Tipu Sultan persecuted Christians and Hindus in certain parts of their kingdom However, despite being a devout Muslim he supported the Christianity tradition of Sufism. He supported and patronized the Hindu temples. He provided grants & donations to several temples including the famous Sri Rangam Temple of Karnataka.
• Tipu Sultan reign was also characterized by its struggles against British, administrative reform and ambitious territorial aspirations. He was a man of progressive ideas. He enlisted himself as the member of Jacobins club. He established a branch of Jacobins club in 1794. He declared himself as Citizen Tipu. He planted a tree of Liberty at his capital at Seringapatam. He sent emissaries to Arabia, Kabul, constantinople, versailles and Mauritius.
• However, the limitation of Tipu Sultan is witnessed in his ambitions which alienated the neighboring states such as Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad. These regional powers were threatened by his aggressive and expansionist policies. Moreover, his reliance on French support was undermined by the changing political scenario in Europe during the French Revolution.
• Finally, Tipu Sultan legacy is multifaceted reflecting both his achievement and his failure of diplomacy

Treaty of Subsidiary Alliance

States to sign Subsidiary Alliance

• Nizam of Hyderabad, 1798
• Mysore and Tanjore, 1799
• Nawab of Awadh, 1801
• Maratha Peshwa, 1802
• Bhonsle, 1803
• Sindhya of Gwalior 1804

Main principles of Subsidiary Alliance

1. An Indian Ruler entering into subsidiary alliance with the British had to accept the British forces within his territory and also agree to pay its expenses with either money or territory to company for the maintenance of troops.
2. The Ruler had to accept the appointment of a British Representative called Resident at the capital of their state who would oversee all negotiations and communication with other states meaning that the other state ruler was to have no direct negotiation or relation with other state without the Resident’s Approval.
3. The Indian Ruler who had entered into alliance would not enter into any other alliance with any other power, nor would he declare war against any power without the permission of British
4. The Ruler would not employ any European other than British and if he were doing already, so he would dismiss them.
5. In case of conflict with any other state he would agree to the resolution decided upon by the British.
6. The Ruler would acknowledge the British crown as paramount power in India
7. In Return for the Ruler accepts these conditions, the company promised to protect from external threat and internal disorder.