3rd Anglo Mysore War?
VerifiedAnswer: The Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790-1792) was a conflict in South India between the Kingdom of Mysore and the East India Company, Kingdom of Travancore, Maratha Empire, and the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Explanation:
The Third Anglo-Mysore War was one of the most significant conflicts in 18th century South India that changed the balance of power in the region. This war began in 1790 when Tipu Sultan attacked Travancore, which was an ally of the British East India Company. The conflict arose because Travancore had purchased two Dutch forts from the Dutch East India Company, which Tipu considered a threat to his kingdom's security.
What made this war particularly challenging for Tipu Sultan was that he faced a powerful coalition of enemies. The British had successfully formed an alliance with the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad, creating a three-front war against Mysore. This strategic alliance was crucial because it prevented Tipu from concentrating his forces on any single front.
The war saw several important battles and sieges. The British forces, led by Lord Cornwallis, employed a systematic strategy of capturing key fortresses around Mysore. Some notable engagements included the siege of Bangalore in 1791, where the British successfully captured this important stronghold. The war also witnessed the famous siege of Srirangapatna, though the city didn't fall during this conflict.
The military technology and tactics used during this war were quite advanced for the time. Tipu Sultan was known for his innovative use of rockets in warfare, which gave his forces a technological advantage in many battles. However, the numerical superiority and coordinated attacks by the allied forces gradually wore down Mysore's resistance.
The war concluded in 1792 with the Treaty of Seringapatam, which had devastating consequences for Mysore. Under this treaty, Tipu Sultan was forced to give up nearly half of his territory to the victorious allies. The territories were divided among the British, the Marathas, and the Nizam. Additionally, Tipu had to pay a massive war indemnity of three crore rupees to the British.
One of the most humiliating conditions of the treaty was that Tipu Sultan had to surrender two of his sons as hostages to the British until the war indemnity was fully paid. This personal sacrifice highlighted the extent of his defeat and the British determination to weaken his power permanently.
The Third Anglo-Mysore War significantly strengthened British control over South India and weakened one of their most formidable opponents. It set the stage for the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, which would ultimately lead to Tipu Sultan's death and the complete annexation of Mysore by the British in 1799.
