Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) - Modern India History Notes
The Second Anglo-Mysore War lasted from 1780 to 1784 and was fought between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company. Mysore was a crucial French ally in India at the time, and the fight in the American Revolutionary War between Britain and the French and Dutch ignited Anglo-Mysorean conflicts in India. This article will explain to you about the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.
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Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) - Background
- When Haidar Ali was attacked by the Marathas in 1771 and the English failed to help him, he accused them of breach of faith and non-observance of the Treaty of Madras.
- In addition, he discovered that the French were far more helpful than the English in supplying his troops with firearms, saltpetre, and lead.
- As a result, some French military materiel was delivered to Mysore via Mahe, a French territory on the Malabar Coast. Meanwhile, the American Revolutionary War had erupted, with the French siding with the rebels against the English.
- In these conditions, Haidar Ali's affinity with the French alarmed the English even more.
- As a result, they attempted to seize Mahe, whom Haidar considered to be under his protection.
- The English effort to take Mahe was seen by Haidar as a direct threat to his power.
- In addition to the French, Haidar formed a confederacy against the British that comprised the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Course of the War
- With the Marathas and the Nizam, Haidar formed an anti-English alliance.
- In 1781, he launched an invasion in the Carnatic, taking Arcot and defeating Colonel Baillie's English troops.
- Meanwhile, the English (under Sir Eyre Coote) removed both the Marathas and the Nizam from Haidar's side, but the unfazed Haidar met the English head-on, only to be defeated in November 1781 at Porto Novo.
- He reorganised his soldiers, though, and destroyed the English, capturing their leader, Braithwaite.
- On December 7, 1782, Haidar Ali died of cancer.
- His son Tipu Sultan continued the fight for a year without achieving any success.
- During this time, company officials received orders from the company's London headquarters to halt the fighting and began discussions with Tipu.
- Colonel Fullarton was ordered to surrender all of his recent victories when a preliminary cease-fire was issued.
- Fullarton, on the other hand, stayed in Palghautcherry due to reports that Tipu had broken the rules of the cease-fire at Mangalore.
- The garrison of Mangalore surrendered to Tipu Sultan on January 30.
Result of Second Anglo - Mysore War
- Treaty of Mangalore is a pact that was signed in Mangalore, India On December 7, 1782, Haidar Ali died of cancer.
- His son, Tipu Sultan, continued the fight for a year without achieving any success.
- Both sides sought peace after an inconclusive conflict, concluding the Treaty of Mangalore (March 1784) in which each party returned the territory it had seized from the other.
- It was the second of four Anglo-Mysore Wars, with the British gaining control of most of southern India as a result.
- The British did not take part in the 1785 dispute between Mysore and its neighbours, the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad, because of the stipulations of the Treaty of Mangalore.
Treaty of Mangalore
- On March 11, 1784, Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company signed the Treaty of Mangalore. The Second Anglo-Mysore War came to a conclusion when it was signed in Mangalore.
- Many in Britain saw the Treaty of Mangalore as the beginning of the end for the British East India Company.
- As a result, the British East India Company's stock values plummeted, and the company began to crumble.
- The British government was quite concerned about this because commerce accounted for a sixth of the country's total income.
- It was determined to address the issues by enacting what is now known as Pitt's India Act.
- This legislation addressed the issue of corruption and gave the Governor-General the authority to act in the King's and country's interests to prevent a repeat of the Treaty of Mangalore.
Tipu Sultan (1750 -1799 )
- Tipu Sultan was Haidar Ali's son and a legendary warrior known as the Tiger of Mysore. He was born in November 1750.
- He was a well-educated individual who spoke Arabic, Persian, Kanarese, and Urdu fluently.
- Tipu, like his father Haider Ali, placed great emphasis on the development and upkeep of a capable military force.
- With Persian words of command, he organised his army on the European model.
- Despite the fact that he enlisted the assistance of French commanders to teach his troops, he never permitted them (the French) to become a pressure group.
- Tipu understood the significance of a naval force.
- He established a Board of Admiralty in 1796 and envisioned a force of 22 battleships and 20 big frigates.
- At Mangalore, Wajedabad, and Molidabad, he developed three dockyards. His ideas, however, did not come to fruition.
- He was also a supporter of science and technology, and he is acknowledged as India's "pioneer of rocket technology."
- He created a military guidebook that explains how rockets work.
- He was also a forerunner in bringing sericulture to the state of Mysore.
- Tipu was a staunch supporter of democracy and a skilled negotiator who helped the French soldiers in Seringapatam establish a Jacobin Club in 1797.
Tipu Sultan
Conclusion
The old Sir Eyre Coote had lost his vitality, and the Mysore army was not only superbly trained and equipped but also masterfully directed by Hyder and his son Tipu, throughout this lengthy battle. Hyder died unexpectedly in 1782, the war remained undecided, and on June 28, 1784, Tipu and Hyder signed a peace treaty based on reciprocal restitution of all gains. The "Treaty of Mangalore" is the name given to this agreement.
FAQs
Q1: What was the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: The Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784) was a conflict between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali. It was part of a series of Anglo-Mysore wars.
Q2: What were the main causes of the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: The causes include British support to Mysore’s enemies, the failure of the British to honor the Treaty of Madras (1769), and Mysore’s efforts to resist colonial expansion in southern India.
Q3: What was the significance of the Treaty of Mangalore (1784)?
Answer: The Treaty of Mangalore ended the Second Anglo-Mysore War. It restored territories to both parties and reflected Mysore's resistance, ensuring British expansion in the region was temporarily halted.
Q4: How did Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan contribute to the war effort?
Answer: Hyder Ali, along with his son Tipu Sultan, effectively led the Mysore army. They formed alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, achieving some victories against the British.
Q5: What was the outcome of the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: The war ended in a stalemate with the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784. Both sides agreed to return captured territories, and neither gained a decisive advantage.
MCQs
- What triggered the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
A) British invasion of Mysore
B) French interference in Indian affairs
C) Failure of the British to uphold the Treaty of Madras
D) Dissolution of the Maratha-Mysore alliance
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
The British failed to honor the terms of the 1769 Treaty of Madras, prompting Hyder Ali to declare war.
- Who was the ruler of Mysore during the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
A) Tipu Sultan
B) Hyder Ali
C) Krishnaraja Wadiyar II
D) Haidar Baksh
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Hyder Ali led the Mysore forces, with his son Tipu Sultan playing a key role in battles against the British.
- Which treaty ended the Second Anglo-Mysore War?
A) Treaty of Madras
B) Treaty of Seringapatam
C) Treaty of Mangalore
D) Treaty of Salbai
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
The Treaty of Mangalore in 1784 ended the war, restoring territories to both sides and maintaining the status quo.
- Which two powers did Hyder Ali ally with during the war?
A) Marathas and French
B) Nizam of Hyderabad and French
C) Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad
D) Marathas and Portuguese
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Hyder Ali allied with both the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad against the British.
- What was a significant outcome of the Treaty of Mangalore?
A) Mysore gained control over Madras
B) British defeated Mysore
C) Restoration of territories to both sides
D) Mysore lost all territories
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
The Treaty of Mangalore restored territories to both parties, ending the war without a decisive victor.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1. Analyze the role of the Second Anglo-Mysore War in shaping British policies towards Mysore.
Answer: The Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784) significantly influenced British policies towards Mysore and southern India. The war exposed the British East India Company’s inability to decisively defeat Mysore despite multiple campaigns.
The conflict demonstrated the strategic importance of forming alliances, as Hyder Ali allied with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad to counter British expansion. The British, realizing the difficulty of maintaining control without stable alliances, began to strengthen their relations with regional powers post-war. Although the Treaty of Mangalore restored territories to both sides, it highlighted the need for the British to rethink their approach toward Mysore. The failure to subdue Mysore during this war also pushed the British to be more aggressive in subsequent conflicts, culminating in the eventual defeat of Mysore during the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799).
Q2. What were the strategic implications of the Treaty of Mangalore?
Answer: The Treaty of Mangalore (1784) ended the Second Anglo-Mysore War and restored the pre-war territorial status quo. However, its strategic implications were profound. The treaty illustrated the limitations of British power, as the East India Company could not secure a decisive victory over Mysore.
The treaty also ensured that Mysore remained a potent regional force under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. It allowed Mysore to regroup and prepare for future confrontations with the British. Furthermore, the inability of the British to defeat Mysore highlighted the importance of forming and maintaining alliances in Indian politics, as Hyder Ali's alliances were crucial to Mysore's success during the war.
Q3. Evaluate the contribution of Tipu Sultan in the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
Answer: Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali, played a critical role in the Second Anglo-Mysore War. As a capable military commander, he led key campaigns against the British, gaining victories in battles such as the siege of Arcot.
Tipu’s leadership skills and aggressive tactics helped sustain Mysore’s resistance, even after Hyder Ali’s death in 1782. His ability to engage in guerrilla warfare and employ innovative military strategies made him a formidable opponent for the British.
The Treaty of Mangalore, which ended the war, reflected Tipu’s efforts in maintaining Mysore’s strength. Tipu's active involvement in the war also established him as a prominent figure in Indian resistance against colonial expansion, laying the foundation for his future confrontations with the British.
Previous Year Questions Second Anglo-Mysore War
1. UPSC CSE 2021
Question. "Discuss the significance of the Anglo-Mysore Wars in resisting British expansion in India."
Answer: The Anglo-Mysore Wars were significant in delaying British expansion in southern India. Led by Hyder Ali and later by Tipu Sultan, the Kingdom of Mysore resisted British advances through strategic alliances and military innovation. The wars highlighted the ability of Indian states to challenge colonial powers and maintain sovereignty.
The Second Anglo-Mysore War, in particular, demonstrated the tactical brilliance of Mysore leaders, culminating in the Treaty of Mangalore, which restored the status quo. However, these wars also exposed the limitations of Indian resistance, as internal rivalries and lack of coordination with other regional powers eventually weakened Mysore. Ultimately, the Anglo-Mysore Wars underscore the importance of strategic alliances in resisting colonial forces and shaped British policies towards more aggressive expansion, especially in southern India.
2. UPSC CSE 2020
Question. "Analyze the role of Tipu Sultan in resisting British colonialism."
Answer: Tipu Sultan played a crucial role in resisting British colonialism through his leadership in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. During the Second Anglo-Mysore War, Tipu emerged as a key military commander, leading several successful campaigns against the British. His ability to employ guerrilla tactics and innovative strategies made him a formidable adversary.
Tipu’s efforts were instrumental in securing the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784, which restored territories to both parties. This treaty was a significant diplomatic achievement, as it highlighted Mysore’s ability to resist British expansion. Beyond his military prowess, Tipu sought to modernize Mysore's economy and army, strengthening the state's capacity for resistance.
Tipu Sultan’s legacy lies in his unwavering opposition to colonial rule, which made him a symbol of Indian resistance and inspired future movements against British imperialism.
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