First Anglo-Mysore War
Cause
- British Territorial Expansion (Northern Circars):
- The British East India Company was expanding its territory and wanted control over the Northern Circars, a series of coastal areas previously held by the French. The British got permission from the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II to occupy these areas, but this move upset the local powers, especially the Nizam of Hyderabad.
- Nizam’s Alliance and Resentment:
- The Nizam of Hyderabad was already wary of Hyder Ali of Mysore and had allied with the Marathas to counter his growing power. When the British began occupying the Northern Circars in 1766, the Nizam initially resisted, even threatening war. However, due to financial struggles, the Nizam couldn’t go to war and instead negotiated a treaty with the British. In exchange for land and money, the British agreed to provide military support to the Nizam.
- Hyder Ali’s Discontent:
- Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, had growing tensions with the British for several reasons:
- He was harboring opponents of Muhammed Ali Khan Wallajah, an ally of the British.
- He was unhappy that the British had fortified outposts in Vellore.
- The British had repeatedly rejected Hyder’s offers for an alliance, favoring their agreement with the Nizam instead.
- Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, had growing tensions with the British for several reasons:
- Conflicting Alliances and Military Pressures:
- The British were caught between several powers:
- Their ally, Muhammed Ali Khan Wallajah, had issues with Hyder Ali.
- The Nizam had allied with the British to fight Hyder Ali but was also unhappy with British expansion.
- Hyder Ali saw the British as a threat due to their alliance with the Nizam and their rejection of his diplomatic offers.
- The British were caught between several powers:
Key Turning Points(Course)
In January 1767, the war began when Marathas invaded Mysore. 1. Hyder Ali’s Alliance with the Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad (1767) - Initially, the British East India Company formed an alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad to curb Hyder Ali’s power in Mysore. Hyder Ali skillfully broke this alliance. Anglo-Mysore Wars - World History Encyclopedia - He managed to negotiate peace with the Marathas and convinced the Nizam of Hyderabad to switch sides, causing the British to lose these two allies.
- Battle of Tiruvannamalai (1767)
- This was one of the earliest major confrontations between the British forces and Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali was defeated, with a loss of 4,000 men and 64 guns in the battle. Battle of Tiruvannamalai - Wikipedia
- After losing the battle, Hyder Ali offered peace to the British, but it was denied.
- Siege of Mangalore (1768)
- In early 1768, the British East India Company launched an offensive and captured Mangalore, an important coastal city in Mysore. Hyder Ali quickly responded with a counter-attack and recaptured the city.First Anglo-Mysore War - Wikipedia
- Hyder Ali’s Swift March to Madras (1768)
- In 1769, Hyder Ali launched a surprise counter-offensive. He rapidly advanced towards Madras, the headquarters of the British East India Company in southern India.
- With the British headquarters threatened, the Company, fearing the fall of Madras, was forced to sue for peace.
Consequence
BEIC and Hyder signed Treaty of Madras (1769). ‘The Treaty contained a clause requiring the British to assist Hyder Ali if he was attacked by his neighbours.’ The territory captured by both sides were given back to each other. Treaty of Madras - Wikipedia
Changes and Continuity
All perspective: - The territory remained the same
Perspective of Mysore: - gain reputation in India in defeating BEIC - tension between Mysore and BEIC persisted
Perspective of BEIC: - lost 2 alliances - had to defend Mysore when it was attacked according to the treaty - still had ambition to expand in southern India
Other Indian Powers (Nizam of Hyderabad, Marathas): - Alliance shift - ambition to expand themselves