ANGLO MYSORE WAR CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

In this post , we are going to discuss ANGLO MYSORE WAR CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES . On various occasions , we would also refer to MARATHAS and HYDERABAD . It is highly recommended to read previous posts , in order to have better understanding of ANGLO MYSORE WAR . The link of previous posts in chronology are given below . Do read all and that too in chronology .

BACKGROUND OF ANGLO MYSORE WAR ( CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES )

Here we would discuss Mysore between 1750 – 1767 .

During 1750 , WODEYAR Dynasty ruled Mysore . Wodeyars were the successor of Vijayanagar Empire .
In 1753 , HAIDER ALI joined Wodeyars as prominent Military commander .
Over the next decade i.e. from 1753 to 1763 , Haider Ali consolidated his hold over the administration of Mysore and sidelined the Wodeyars .
From 1763 to 1782 , Haider Ali ruled Mysore .

MAP LOCATION OF MYSORE

In the North of Mysore , there was Maratha Empire .
On eastern side Hyderabad was present .
On the south eastern side state of Carnatic was present .
So , in the Deccan region there were 3 powerful states namely Marathas , Mysore and Hyderabad .

REFORMS BY HAIDER ALI

1. NEW REVENUE POLICY –

Haider Ali replaced older inefficient revenue collection system with a new system .

What was the older system ? – Under the older system , revenue collecting officials were appointed who used to collect revenue . The officials were given a share in the revenue collected ( say 10% in the collected revenue ) .
How was the older system inefficient ? – It was inefficient because the officials used to underreport the revenue . For eg. if there was an actual a collection of 10 lakh , then the officials used to report , only 6 lakh has been collected . So , there used to be lots of corruption .
NEW SYSTEM BY HAIDER ALI – Under the new system , Officials were given salary but not share in revenue . Also , checks were maintained in the revenue collection process .

2 . HAIDER ALI WORKED TOWARDS INCREASING REVENUE BASE –

The second important change which Haider Ali made was , he worked towards increasing the revenue base of the empire .

Haider Ali expanded the area under irrigation – To do this , he started constructing more canals . This he did to increase the agricultural productivity . More agricultural output meant more tax to the empire .
Haider Ali also promoted sericulture and cultivation of spices . Spices had huge demand in European market .
State owned Trading company – Under Haider Ali , Mysore moved towards establishing a state owned trading company . The aim of the company was to establish direct trading links with the French , Persians and Central Asian markets .
Tax according to Fertility – Haider Ali declared that taxation would be done according to the fertility of land . It basically meant if a farmer has grown more , he would pay more tax and if less output is there then less tax would be charged .

MILITARY REFORMS UNDER HAIDER ALI

Haider Ali took inspiration from Europeans and re-organized his army . He introduced RISALA SYSTEM.

What was RISALA SYSTEM ? – Under the Risala system , whole army was divided into groups . Each group was called Risala . Each Risala was to have a fixed number of troops and one military commander . Military commander of each Risala was directly appointed by Haider Ali himself . He used to appoint loyal and trust worthy commanders .
Separation between revenue collection and military work – Military commanders were concerned of troop administration only . They were not concerned with revenue collection .
Haider Ali also worked towards establishing an Arsenal factory at DINDIGAL during 1760s .
NOTE – It is important to note here that all these reforms were carried forward by Tipu sultan also . Tipu was son of Haider Ali .

CAUSES OF ANGLO MYSORE WAR

Restrictions on BEIC – Haider Ali during 1760s prohibited British East India Company ( BEIC ) from using Trading ports of Mysore such as Mangalore port , for exporting goods from the region to Europe .
Ambition of Mysore – Mysore under Haider Ali and later under Tipu sultan aimed to establish themselves as pre-eminent power of south India . They tried to get control of key coastal ports and trade . This ambition of Mysore brought them in conflict with their neighbours , such as Marathas , Hyderabad and others .
Threat to BEIC – Both, Mysore’s ambition of territorial expansion and prohibition of BEIC from using ports was seen by Britishers as a major threat . Britishers thought Mysore can become a threat to their trading presence . It should also be noted here that during 1780s , Tipu sultan completely prohibited BEIC from trading with private traders of Mysore .
Close relations with French – Mysore had close relations with French East India company . Both , British crown and BEIC were concerned of this . They feared that Mysore could serve as a base for reviving French presence which had largely declined after the Treaty of Paris of 1763 .
BEIC and the British crown also feared that French rulers may offer significant military or economic support or both to Mysore to overthrow the British from the region .

FIRST ANGLO MYSORE WAR ( 1767 – 1769 )

Due to all of the above reasons 1st Anglo Mysore war broke out in 1767 .
In the First Anglo Mysore war Hyderabad sided with British , while Marathas largely remained ambivalent ( silent ) .
The first war ended in 1769 . Under Haider Ali , Mysore was able to defend it’s territories against the combined attack by British and Hyderabad .
So , first Anglo Mysore war ended with no side imposing defeat over the other .
After the first war , from 1770 to 1779 , there was no war .

CAUSES OF SECOND ANGLO MYSORE WAR

The second Anglo – Mysore war broke out in 1780 .
CAUSES – Same as 1st Anglo Mysore war . You may read above .

SECOND ANGLO MYSORE WAR (1780-1784)

The second Anglo Mysore war broke out between 1780 – 1784 .
Regional Alliance – In the second war , Haider Ali managed to form a regional alliance with Marathas and Hyderabad to deal with British offensive .
Why Hyderabad joined ? – Hyderabad joined because of the erosion of their autonomy in the territory done by Britishers .
Why Marathas joined ? – Marathas joined because they were already in war with the British ( Anglo – Maratha war )
Who formed the Alliance ? – The alliance was an outcome of the diplomatic attempts of Haider Ali . The another reason was the assessment of Hyderabad and Marathas that British presence in the region was a common threat to all .

However , Haider Ali died naturally in 1782 . During this time the second Anglo Mysore was going on . Also in 1782 , the war between Marathas and Britishers ended ( 2nd Anglo MARATHA war ) after which Britishers signed Treaty of Salabai with Marathas .

In short , Haider Ali died in 1782 and Marathas reached truce / peace with Britishers in 1782 itself .

So from here , the alliance broked because Marathas under their treaty with Britishers had agreed not to intervene .
After Haider Ali , his son Tipu sultan continued the war .
The second Anglo Mysore war ended in 1784 . In the second Anglo Mysore war also Britishers failed to impose any major defeat on Mysore .
Between 1784 – 1789 , no war took place . But , during this period Tipu sultan annexed cochin region , which was under the Maharaja of Travancore .
Here it becomes important to note down that Travancore had good relationship with Hyderabad and BEIC .

TIPUs expansionist ambitions became immediate cause for the third Anglo Mysore war . This third Anglo Mysore war lasted from 1789 – 1792 .

Result of second war – Thus , second war also ended with deadlock . Neither side imposed defeat on other side .

THIRD ANGLO MYSORE WAR ( 1789 – 92 )

MYSORE BECAME ALONE – In the third war the wind had changed . Here , BEIC + Hyderabad + Marathas fought jointly against Mysore .
Result – Mysore was defeated and forced to sign Treaty of Srirangapatnam of 1792 .

Treaty of Srirangapatnam of 1792

MYSORE BECAME LANDLOCKED – One – third ( 33% ) of the Mysore’s territories were to pass into the hands of BEIC , Hyderabad and Marathas . Due to this Mysore got reduced to the status of landlocked state ( without access to sea ) .
Tipu’s son in custody – Tipu sultan had 2 sons , both were taken into custody by British .

War compensation – The Britishers further demanded a war compensation of 3.3 crore rupees from Mysore .

FOURTH ANGLO MYSORE WAR OF 1799

CAUSE – It was just a retaliation of Tipu sultan because of the harsh provisions of treaty i.e. treaty of Srirangapatnam .
RESULT OF WAR – The fourth Anglo Mysore war was the final blow to Tipu sultans rule in which British imposed a decisive defeat on Mysore in the BATTLE OF SRIRANGAPATNAM OF 1799 .
AFTER WAR ? – After the 4th war British re-established the rule of Wodeyar dynasty in Mysore .
Why Wodeyars were re-established ? – Because wodeyars agreed to sign SUBSIDIARY ALLIANCE SYSTEM .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Which two parties were involved in Anglo Mysore war ?

ANS. British East India Company and Mysore .

2. When did first Anglo Mysore War took place ?

ANS. Between 1767 – 1769 .

3. Describe the four Anglo Mysore wars briefly ?

ANS . Refer this post .

4. The first Anglo Mysore war ended with the Treaty of ?

ANS. No treaty signed after first war .

5. The Second Anglo Mysore war ended with the Treaty of ?

ANS. No treaty signed after second war .

6. The Third Anglo Mysore war ended with the Treaty of ?

ANS. Treaty of Srirangapatnam of 1792 .

NOTE – If there are any doubts regarding the topic , do mail us at mail@edunexter.com . Our team will reply you within 24hrs.

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