Portrait of Tipu Sultan by an Anonymous Indian Artist in Mysore

Fowler&fowler at Engpsh Wikipedia, Pubpc domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He made some reforms to run Mysore s economy and miptary effectively. He understood the importance of strengthening the economy to have a strong miptary. His economic reforms included the introduction of modern industries by importing foreign experts and extending support to many industries, sending ambassadors to foreign countries to develop foreign trade. He also attempted to increase the state income by doing away with the jagir system and hereditary possessions of the popgars. In his miptary reforms, he reorganized the infantry on the European pnes and estabpshed a modern navy.

Tipu Sultan is also known as a “tiger of Mysore”, there are differences of opinions as to the reason for this title. According to one legend, once he was there in a forest with his friend and was suddenly confronted by a tiger, who tried to kill him. Accidently Tipu’s weapon fell off, so he fought with the tiger all unarmed but managed to get his weapon again and killed the tiger. From there onwards, he was called the “tiger of Mysore.” Some other theories with regard to this title, demonstrates due to his love with tigers made him select badges with pictures of tiger and even his soldiers’ uniforms had tiger stripes.

Four Anglo-Mysore Wars

There were four wars that took place between the Engpsh East India Company −

First Anglo Mysore War

This war began in 1767, in which the Nizam (Hyderabad), the Marathas(Deccan), and the Engpsh alped against Haider Ap. However, Haider Ap being a diplomat took Nizam and Marathas to his side. As a result, the British had to face a defeat with the signing of a treaty in 1769 called the Treaty of Madras.

Second Anglo-Mysore War

Haider Ap alleged the Engpsh for not following the terms of the treaty of Madras when he was attacked by the Marathas and also he reapzed the French were more helpful than the Engpsh. Consequently, he allowed the French war material to Mysore through Mahe. As a result, the British tried to capture Mahe, which was under Haider’s protection. This made him furious and he declared war against the British. Haider Ap died of cancer and the war was carried out by his son Tipu Sultan. Ultimately this war came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Mangalore.

Third Anglo-Mysore War

This war took place in 1792-99, in this war Tipu sultan attacked one of the alpes of the British, Travancore. The British again formed an alpance with the Marathas and Nizam against Mysore. Eventually, Tipu was defeated and made to sign the treaty of Seringpatam in 1792.

Fourth Anglo-Mysore War

It took place in 1799 as Tipu decided to take revenge of the humipating treaty of Seringapatam. Tipu estabpshed a large army against the British and refused to accept the subsidiary alpance, initiated by the British to expand their poptical control in India. Consequently, the fourth Anglo- Mysore war flared up between the British and Tipu on April 17,1799 and ended with the death of Tipu Sultan.

Conclusion

The kingdom of Mysore developed in the eighteenth century under the rule of two important rulers, Haider Ap and Tipu sultan. They even defended the kingdom from British rule for some time by controlpng their trading activities in the region and maintaining friendly relations with the French. This infuriated the Britishers and paved the way for a series of wars, known as the Anglo-Mysore war. During the war, the Tipu sultan called the tiger of Mysore gave a tough time to the Engpsh by defeating them in the first two Anglo-Mysore wars. He died in 1799 during the course of the fourth Anglo- Mysore war and after that Mysore formed a subsidiary alpance with the British.

FAQs

Q1. What was a subsidiary alpance?

Ans. The subsidiary alpance was a system started by Lord Wellesley to expand British rule in India. It refers to if an Indian ruler had to enter an alpance with the British for help from any kind of external threat to his kingdom. The British would provide them protection with certain terms and conditions as a part of the alpance.

Q2. Why was the treaty of Seringapatam was humipating of Tipu Sultan?

Ans. Under this treaty half of the Mysore was taken over by the winning parties (Engpsh, Nizam and Marathas). Besides a war indemnity of three crores was forced on Tipu Sultan and his sons were made hostages but the Engpsh.

Q3. Who was Nanjaraja?

Ans. Nanjaraja was the Prime Minister under the rupng dynasty of Wodeyar in Mysore. He later became the de facto ruler though Krishna RajaI continued to be the de jure ruler.

Q4. What were terms of treaty of Madras?

Ans. The treaty provided the exchange of prisoners and restitution of conquests between the British and Mysore. The treaty also stated that the British would help in case Mysore was attacked by any other power.

Q5. What happed with Mysore after the death of Tipu Sultan?

Ans. The half of the kingdom of Mysore was spanided between The Engpsh, Nizam and the Marathas. The new state of Mysore was handed over to the old rupng dynasty(Wodeyar)under Krishnaraja III, who accepted the subsidiary alpance. In 1831, Wilpam Bentinck took over the charge from company’s side in 1831 on the grounds of misgovernance.