British Rule in Mysore UPSC | Tipu Sultan & Wellesley

The rise of Haidar Ali and his son Tipu Sultan in the late 18th century created one of the most formidable challenges to British expansion in southern India.
Both father and son fought four Anglo-Mysore Wars before Mysore was finally subdued.

War	Years	British Governor-General
First Anglo-Mysore War	1767–1769	– (Pre-Governor-General era)
Second Anglo-Mysore War	1780–1784	Warren Hastings
Third Anglo-Mysore War	1789–1792	Lord Cornwallis
Fourth Anglo-Mysore War	1798–1799	Lord Wellesley

First Anglo-Mysore War (1767–1769)

Background

Haidar Ali’s growing power alarmed his neighbours. The British, the Marathas, and the Nizam of Hyderabad formed a triple alliance against him.
But Haidar was as skilled in diplomacy as in battle — he managed to neutralise both the Marathas and the Nizam by separate understandings, leaving the British isolated.

Course of the War

Trouble began in Arcot, where Haidar and the Nizam attacked the region in 1767.
Since the Nawab of Arcot was allied to the British, the Company intervened, leading to a series of clashes.
Haidar Ali proved to be more than a match for the Company’s troops — using lightning raids and swift cavalry strikes, he advanced towards Madras itself.
By 1769, Madras was under such threat that the British were forced to negotiate on Haidar’s terms.

Treaty of Madras (1769)

Ended the First Anglo-Mysore War.
Mutual restitution of conquests – each side returned captured territories.
Mutual defence clause – both agreed to help each other in case of attack by a third power.

This clause would later become the basis for Haidar Ali’s anger in the Second Anglo-Mysore War.

Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780–1784)

Breach of the Treaty

Under the Treaty of Madras, the British had promised aid if Mysore was attacked. But in 1771, when the Marathas invaded Mysore, the British did nothing.
Haidar Ali concluded that the British were his real enemies — and waited for the right moment to strike.

The Trigger

That moment came in 1780 when the British attacked Mahe, a French settlement under Haidar’s protection.
Haidar Ali declared war, launching a brilliant offensive in the Carnatic

Haidar’s Early Success

Defeated British forces repeatedly.
Captured most of the Carnatic region.
Forced several British units to surrender.

But British diplomacy soon began to turn the tide:

Nizam of Hyderabad – Bribed by Warren Hastings with the cession of Guntur district, the Nizam withdrew from Haidar’s alliance.
Marathas – The Treaty of Salbai (1782) ended the First Anglo-Maratha War, freeing British troops to focus on Mysore.

Turning Point

Battle of Porto Novo (1781) – British forces under Sir Eyre Coote defeated Haidar, saving Madras from capture.
In 1782, Haidar Ali died of cancer. His son Tipu Sultan took over.

Treaty of Mangalore (1784)

Neither side could claim a decisive victory. The war ended with terms similar to the Treaty of Madras:

Restoration of conquered territories.
Exchange of prisoners.

This was one of the last treaties where an Indian ruler dictated terms as an equal to the British — something that would change dramatically after the next two wars.

Third Anglo-Mysore War (1789–1792)

The Spark – Travancore Dispute

The immediate cause lay in Travancore, a state allied with the British. In 1789, Tipu Sultan attacked Travancore over a territorial dispute. Since Travancore was under Company protection, this was treated as an attack on the British themselves.

British Diplomatic Masterstroke

Governor-General Lord Cornwallis moved swiftly to isolate Tipu:

Marathas joined the British.
Nizam of Hyderabad also came over to their side.

With two of southern India’s strongest powers against him, Tipu’s position weakened.

Treaty of Seringapatam (1792)

After heavy fighting and setbacks, Tipu was forced to sign the treaty:

Ceded half his territories to the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam.
Paid ₹330 lakh as war indemnity.
Gave two of his sons as hostages until payment was completed.
Agreed to release all prisoners of war.

This treaty was a major humiliation for Tipu and became one of the key reasons for his later determination to take revenge.

Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1798–1799)

Tipu’s Final Gamble

After fulfilling the treaty terms and securing the release of his sons, Tipu began quietly preparing to challenge the British again:

Sent diplomatic missions to Afghanistan, Arabia, and Turkey to build an anti-British alliance.
Renewed friendly ties with the French, alarming the British.

Governor-General Lord Wellesley saw this as an opportunity to impose the Subsidiary Alliance on Tipu. When Tipu refused, war became inevitable.

The Campaign

Bombay army under General Stuart attacked from the west.
Madras army under Arthur Wellesley (Lord Wellesley’s brother) advanced from the east.
Tipu retreated to his capital, Seringapatam.

In May 1799, the British stormed the city. Despite being severely wounded, Tipu refused to surrender on humiliating terms and died fighting on 4 May 1799.

Aftermath

Territorial division – Half of Mysore went to the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam.
Restoration of the Wodeyars – A 5-year-old Krishnaraja III, descendant of the original rajas, was placed on the throne.
British Resident stationed at Mysore.
Special Subsidiary Alliance Treaty – Allowed the Governor-General to take over Mysore’s administration if “necessary”.

Subsidiary Alliance – A Key Expansion Tool

Indian rulers accepted the permanent stationing of British troops in their territory and paid a subsidy for their upkeep.
If they failed to pay, they had to cede part of their territory.
The system gave the British military control without direct annexation, paving the way for eventual takeover.

Significance of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War

End of Tipu Sultan’s dynasty.
Mysore reduced to a dependency of the Company.
French threat eliminated from southern India.

Mysore under British Control

1799 – Became a full dependency under Subsidiary Alliance.
1831 – Administration taken over by Lord William Bentinck citing misgovernance.
1881 – Restored to Wodeyar rule by Lord Ripon.

Treaties of the Anglo-Mysore Wars – Summary

War	Treaty	Key Terms
First (1767–69)	Treaty of Madras (1769)	Restored conquered territories; mutual defence pact.
Second (1780–84)	Treaty of Mangalore (1784)	Restored territories; released prisoners.
Third (1789–92)	Treaty of Seringapatam (1792)	Ceded half of Tipu’s territories; ₹330 lakh indemnity; hostages given.
Fourth (1798–99)	–	Tipu killed; Wodeyars restored; Subsidiary Alliance imposed.

Consolidation of British Rule in Mysore