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Fourth Anglo-Mysore War-Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 1: Indian History- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Background of Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
- The third Anglo-Mysore war concluded with the treaty of Seringapatam but failed to bring peace between Tipu and the English.
- Tipu recovered his losses and fulfilled all the terms of the Treaty of Seringapatam. He also got his sons released.
Causes of Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
- Rejection of Subsidiary Alliance: Tipu Sultan rejected the offer of a subsidiary alliance of Lord Wellesley, the Governor-General of EIC.
- French Connection: Tipu Sultan aligned with French forces, especially in terms of the military alliance. He even declared himself the Citizen and planted a tree.
- This alerted the British who saw the French as a threat to their dominance in the world.
- Allegation of Betrayal: British accused Tipu of sending emissaries to Arabia, Afghanistan and to the Isle of France (Mauritius) and Versailles to gather support against the British in the war.
- Tipu tried to defend his position against above in front of Wellesley but he was seeking an excuse to attack Mysore.
- This led to the beginning of the fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
Course of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
- Beginning of the War: the fourth Anglo-Mysore was started on April 17, 1799 when Mysore was attacked by the British forces.
- Alliance: The British forces under Wellesley secured the alliance of Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad against Tipu in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war.
- Defeat of Tipu Sultan: Tipu’s army was outnumbered against British-led alliance forces by 4:1. This led to his defeat in the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799.
- Death of Tipu Sultan: Tipu died in the Battle while defending his capital city of Seringapatam in 1799.
Outcome of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War
- Subsidiary Alliance with Mysore: The core area around Seringapatam and Mysore was restored to a minor Krishnaraja III of the Wodeyar dynasty who was made to sign a subsidiary alliance with the British.
- Spoils of War: After Tipu’s Defeat, areas of Tipu’s Kingdom were shared with Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad.
- The British took possession of Kanara, Wayanad, Coimbatore, Dwaraporam and Seringapatam.