Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-92) - Modern Indian History Notes
The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792) was a South Indian battle fought between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company, as well as the Kingdom of Travancore, the Maratha Empire, and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The third battle between the English and Mysore took place when Cornwallis arrived in India as the Company's governor-general. Tipu was a vehement opponent of the English. This article will explain to you about the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) which will be helpful in Modern Indian History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.
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Table of Contents |
Third Anglo-Mysore War (1780-84) - Background
- Tipu had several grievances against the Travancore rulers, who were a dependent ally of the English.
- In the state of Cochin, Travancore had bought Jalkottal and Cannanore from the Dutch. Because Cochin was Tipu's feudatory, he saw Travancore's action as an infringement of his sovereign powers.
- As a result, Tipu waged war against Travancore in April 1790 to reclaim his rights.
- Before launching war on Tipu, Cornwallis took every care.
- He had talks with both the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad. In June 1790, the Marathas signed a contract with the English, and in July 1790, with the Nizam. Both decided to aid the English in their fight against Tipu.
- The captured region was also agreed to be shared among the three allies.
- Though the English bore the brunt of the hardship of the battle, they were guaranteed that Tipu would be left alone to fight against them. The English, in turn, waged war against Tipu in 1790.
Course of the War
- The British took Travancore's side and fought against Mysore.
- Tipu's expanding dominance enraged the Nizam and the Marathas, who joined the British.
- Tipu Sultan defeated General Meadows' British troops in 1790.
- The English launched their first attack, which was a failure. Tipu fought the fight on his own for two years.
- As a result, Cornwallis assumed command of the army in December 1790. In March 1791, he marched on Bangalore and took it.
- Tipu, on the other hand, fought valiantly, and the English were forced to retire during the rainy season.
- Tipu triumphed in Coimbatore in November 1791. His strength, however, had run out. Cornwallis conquered all of the hill forts that stood in his way of reaching Srirangapatnam's outer wall.
- Tipu became desperate and began negotiating with the English. Cornwallis consented, and in March 1792, the Treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed.
Result of Third Anglo - Mysore War
- The Treaty of Seringapatam, signed in 1792, ending the conflict.
- The combination of the British, Nizam, and Marathas took over nearly half of Mysorean territory under this pact.
- The British obtained Baramahal, Dindigul, and Malabar, while the Marathas got the districts surrounding the Tungabhadra and its tributaries and the Nizam got the areas from Krishna to beyond the Pennar.
- Tipu was also charged with three crore rupees in war damage.
- The English took Tipu's two sons as hostages in exchange for half of the war indemnity being paid immediately and the other half being paid in installments.
- Tipu's powerful position in the south was undermined by the Third Anglo-Mysore War, which firmly entrenched British authority there.
Treaty of Seringapatam
- Treaty of Srirangapatna (also known as Srirangapatinam or Srirangapatna) was signed on March 18, 1792.
- Its signatories were the British East India Company's Charles Cornwallis, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha Empire, and Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.
- Mysore relinquished almost one-half of its territory to the other signatories under the conditions of the treaty.
- The Maratha was given territory up to the Tungabhadra River, while the Nizam was given land from the Krishna to the Penner River, as well as the forts of Cuddapah and Gandikota on the Penner's south bank.
- The East India Company was given a major chunk of Mysore's Malabar Coast territory between the Kingdom of Travancore and the Kali River, as well as the districts of Baramahal and Dindigul.
- Mysore granted Coorg to its ruler, but Coorg practically became a corporate dependency.
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Lord Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis
 Lord Cornwallis |
Conclusion
The war resulted in a significant narrowing of Mysore's frontiers to the benefit of the Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Travancore, and the Madras Presidency. Malabar, Salem, Bellary, and Anantapur districts were handed to the Madras Presidency. In 1799, the British and Mysore waged a fourth and last battle in which Seringapatam was captured and Tipu died defending it. Rather than splitting the nation, the victors exiled Tipu's family and returned the rule of Mysore to the Wadiyars.
FAQs
Question: What triggered the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: The Third Anglo-Mysore War was triggered by Tipu Sultan's attack on the Kingdom of Travancore in 1789. Travancore was a British ally and a significant supplier of pepper to the East India Company. Tipu viewed Travancore's acquisition of territories in Cochin as a violation of his sovereignty. In response, the British formed alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, leading to the outbreak of the war.
Question: Who were the main parties involved in the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: The main parties involved in the Third Anglo-Mysore War were the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Tipu Sultan, and the British East India Company, allied with the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad. This coalition sought to curb Mysore's growing power in Southern India.
Question: What were the key terms of the Treaty of Seringapatam?
Answer: The Treaty of Seringapatam, signed in 1792, concluded the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Key terms included Tipu Sultan ceding nearly half of his kingdom's territory to the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam. The British acquired regions such as Baramahal, Dindigul, and Malabar. Additionally, Tipu agreed to pay a substantial war indemnity and surrendered two of his sons as hostages to ensure compliance.
Question: How did the Third Anglo-Mysore War impact British expansion in India?
Answer: The Third Anglo-Mysore War significantly expanded British influence in Southern India. The territorial gains bolstered the British East India Company's strategic position, paving the way for further expansion. The war also showed the effectiveness of British alliances with Indian states, a tactic employed in future conflicts.
Question: What was the role of Lord Cornwallis in the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
Answer: Lord Cornwallis played a pivotal role in the Third Anglo-Mysore War as the Governor-General of Bengal. He personally led British forces, capturing key territories including Bangalore, and advanced towards Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan's capital. His leadership and strategic acumen were instrumental in the British victory and the subsequent Treaty of Seringapatam.
MCQs
1. Which event directly led to the outbreak of the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
A) Tipu Sultan's alliance with the French
B) The British annexation of Malabar
C) Tipu Sultan's attack on Travancore
D) The Maratha invasion of Mysore
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Third Anglo-Mysore War was triggered by Tipu Sultan's attack on Travancore in 1789, a British ally. Tipu viewed Travancore's actions as a violation of his sovereignty, sparking the conflict.
2. Which territories did the British East India Company acquire as a result of the Treaty of Seringapatam?
A) Malabar, Dindigul, and Baramahal
B) Bangalore, Coorg, and Mysore
C) Hyderabad, Goa, and Tanjore
D) Bijapur, Bidar, and Golkonda
Answer: (A) See the Explanation
Explanation: As per the Treaty of Seringapatam, Tipu Sultan ceded regions including Malabar, Dindigul, and Baramahal to the British, alongside other territories to the Marathas and the Nizam.
3. Who played a key role in leading British forces during the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
A) Robert Clive
B) Warren Hastings
C) Lord Cornwallis
D) Charles Metcalfe
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: Lord Cornwallis, serving as the Governor-General of Bengal, led the British forces in the Third Anglo-Mysore War. His strategic approach was crucial in achieving victory against Tipu Sultan.
4. What was a significant outcome of the Treaty of Seringapatam for Tipu Sultan?
A) He expanded his territory
B) He gained new allies
C) He ceded significant territory
D) He established control over Travancore
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Treaty of Seringapatam forced Tipu Sultan to cede nearly half his kingdom's territory to the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam, significantly reducing his influence in Southern India.
5. Which alliance was formed by the British during the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
A) The British-French Alliance
B) The Maratha-Mysore Alliance
C) The British-Maratha-Nizam Alliance
D) The Mysore-Hyderabad Alliance
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: During the Third Anglo-Mysore War, the British formed an alliance with the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad to counter Tipu Sultan’s influence and power in the region.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Analyze the causes and consequences of the Third Anglo-Mysore War. How did it reshape the political landscape of Southern India?
Answer: The Third Anglo-Mysore War, fought between 1790 and 1792, was caused primarily by Tipu Sultan’s aggression toward the Kingdom of Travancore, a British ally. This act violated the existing diplomatic balance, compelling the British East India Company to respond by forming alliances with the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The war concluded with the Treaty of Seringapatam, forcing Tipu Sultan to cede significant territories and pay a heavy indemnity. This weakened Mysore's military strength and bolstered British dominance in Southern India, marking a turning point in British expansion in the region.
Q2: Discuss the role of Tipu Sultan in resisting British expansion during the Third Anglo-Mysore War. What were his strategies and limitations?
Answer: Tipu Sultan was a formidable leader who staunchly resisted British expansion through strategic alliances, diplomatic maneuvers, and military campaigns. His alliance with the French provided him with additional resources and expertise. However, his limitations included the overwhelming strength of the British-Maratha-Nizam coalition and internal administrative challenges within his kingdom. Despite his effective defense strategies, Tipu's defeat underscored the growing dominance of the British and highlighted the difficulty of sustaining resistance against a unified British-Indian alliance.
Q3: Evaluate the strategic significance of the Treaty of Seringapatam in advancing British interests in India. How did this treaty influence subsequent Anglo-Indian conflicts?
Answer: The Treaty of Seringapatam was strategically significant as it not only forced Tipu Sultan to cede substantial territories but also demonstrated the effectiveness of British alliances with Indian states. By securing territories in Southern India, the British East India Company established a stronger foothold, which enabled further conquests. This treaty set a precedent for British diplomatic and military tactics in future conflicts, where alliances with Indian states would play a key role in expanding British influence and consolidating control over the Indian subcontinent.
Previous Year Questions on Third Anglo-Mysore War
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:
Question: Which treaty concluded the Third Anglo-Mysore War?
A) Treaty of Bassein
B) Treaty of Seringapatam
C) Treaty of Allahabad
D) Treaty of Madras
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Treaty of Seringapatam, signed in 1792, concluded the Third Anglo-Mysore War, with Tipu Sultan ceding half of his kingdom and paying a substantial indemnity to the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 1):
Question: "Discuss the significance of the Third Anglo-Mysore War in the context of British expansion in Southern India. How did the treaty following the war influence future Anglo-Indian relations?"
Answer: The Third Anglo-Mysore War marked a critical juncture in British expansion in Southern India. The Treaty of Seringapatam not only reduced Tipu Sultan's territory but also expanded British influence by securing key territories. This treaty showcased the success of British alliances with Indian states, setting a pattern of cooperation that would be replicated in future Anglo-Indian conflicts. The war and its outcome underscored the growing British dominance and the diminishing power of regional rulers, reshaping the political dynamics of India leading up to full colonial control.
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