Fourth Anglo-Mysore War

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1798–1799) was the final conflict fought between the Kingdom of Mysore under Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company, allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha Confederacy. This decisive war ended with the death of Tipu Sultan and the fall of Seringapatam, marking the complete subjugation of Mysore and the consolidation of British supremacy in southern India.

Background and Causes

The earlier three Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767–1792) had left Mysore weakened but still powerful under Tipu Sultan. The Treaty of Seringapatam (1792), which concluded the Third Anglo-Mysore War, forced Tipu to cede half of his territory and pay a heavy indemnity to the British and their allies. However, Tipu remained determined to regain his lost dominions and to resist British expansion.
Several factors contributed to the outbreak of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War:

• Tipu’s Alliance with the French: Tipu Sultan sought to restore his military strength through diplomatic and military alliances with France, which was Britain’s major rival in Europe and India. He corresponded with the French Directory and welcomed French military advisers to Mysore.
• British Suspicion and Strategic Concerns: The British, under Governor-General Lord Wellesley, viewed Tipu’s overtures to France as a direct threat to British power. Wellesley, pursuing an expansionist policy through the Subsidiary Alliance System, sought to neutralise independent Indian rulers like Tipu.
• Violation of the Treaty of Seringapatam: Tipu’s attempts to strengthen his military and diplomatic position were interpreted by the British as breaches of the 1792 treaty.
• British Imperial Ambition: The East India Company’s objective of consolidating its influence in southern India provided the pretext for another war.

These developments led Lord Wellesley to launch a pre-emptive campaign against Mysore in 1798, with a view to overthrowing Tipu Sultan and bringing Mysore under British influence.

Course of the War

The campaign began in early 1799, involving a coordinated advance by British forces from different directions. The British allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad, who provided a large contingent, and also secured neutrality from the Marathas, isolating Tipu Sultan diplomatically.

• British Forces and Commanders: The combined forces were led by General George Harris, supported by Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) and General Stuart. The army advanced from Madras and Bombay toward Mysore.
• Initial Movements: The British troops crossed the frontier of Mysore in March 1799. Tipu Sultan defended his territory vigorously, employing both guerrilla tactics and direct engagements. However, British numerical superiority and better coordination soon overwhelmed Mysore’s defences.
• Siege of Seringapatam: The final and decisive encounter occurred at Seringapatam (Srirangapatna), the capital of Mysore, in April–May 1799. British forces laid siege to the fort, bombarding its walls and cutting off supplies. On 4 May 1799, they launched a major assault. After fierce fighting, the city was stormed, and Tipu Sultan was killed while defending the northern gateway of the fort.

The death of Tipu Sultan symbolised the end of effective resistance against British dominance in southern India.

Death of Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan’s death was both heroic and tragic. Refusing to surrender, he fought valiantly until the end. His body was discovered near the fort’s gateway, still clutching his sword. The British commanders, including General Harris and Arthur Wellesley, paid tribute to his bravery. With his fall, Mysore’s political independence came to an end, and the long-standing Anglo-Mysore rivalry concluded.

Results and Provisions of the Settlement

The British restructured Mysore’s political landscape after their victory:

• Partition of Mysore: The conquered territories were divided among the victors.
  • A substantial portion was annexed by the British East India Company.
  • The Nizam of Hyderabad received a large share as a reward for his alliance.
  • A small region was restored to the Wodeyar dynasty, the traditional Hindu rulers of Mysore, under British supervision.
• Installation of a Puppet Ruler: A young prince from the Wodeyar family was placed on the throne, with a Resident stationed at Mysore to oversee administration, marking the beginning of British indirect control over the state.
• End of French Influence: French officers in Mysore were captured or expelled, eliminating French presence from southern India. This outcome greatly enhanced British strategic dominance.

Consequences of the War

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War had far-reaching political and military implications for India and the British Empire:

• End of Mysorean Power: The Kingdom of Mysore, once a formidable military state under Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, ceased to be an independent power. Its military capability was dismantled, and its foreign policy came under British control.
• Expansion of British Territory: The British gained extensive territory, increasing their revenue and strengthening their presence in the Deccan and southern India.
• Rise of British Paramountcy: The war demonstrated the effectiveness of Lord Wellesley’s imperial strategy. Through diplomacy and military action, the British established paramountcy over Indian states by combining force with the Subsidiary Alliance system.
• Political Reorganisation: The reinstatement of the Wodeyar dynasty under British protection exemplified the policy of indirect rule, wherein native princes ruled under the guidance of British residents.
• End of French Ambitions in India: Tipu Sultan’s defeat effectively ended French hopes of regaining influence in the Indian subcontinent, as their last significant ally in the south was eliminated.

Character and Significance of Tipu Sultan

Tipu Sultan, often called the “Tiger of Mysore”, remains one of the most remarkable figures in Indian history. Known for his administrative reforms, technological innovations (such as the use of iron-cased rockets), and resistance to colonial domination, he symbolised Indian defiance against foreign conquest. His rule was marked by efforts to modernise the state, promote trade, and strengthen military power.
Tipu’s alliance with the French reflected his vision of establishing a sovereign Indian power capable of countering British imperialism. Though ultimately unsuccessful, his courage and determination earned him respect even among his adversaries.

Historical Significance

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War was one of the most decisive conflicts in the establishment of British colonial supremacy in India. It marked the transition from regional resistance to imperial consolidation, as Mysore’s fall removed the last major obstacle to British dominance in southern India.
Key historical implications include:

• The consolidation of the British Empire in India, paving the way for further expansion into the Maratha territories.
• The emergence of a new political order, characterised by British control through alliances and protectorates.
• The beginning of a long period of relative stability in southern India under British hegemony.