Mysore Wars

After the Carnatic wars, the district did not witness any battle until 1767 when Hyder All, the Mysore ruler invaded Madras. The British administration considered the rising powers of Hyder as a mere adventure. But, the British had to wage four major wars with Hyder and his equally brave son Tipu to establish their supremacy in the Carnatic. The wars in the history are known as first, second, Third and Fourth Mysore Wars. Hyder’s army twice revaged the district, once in 1768 and again in 180. Pitched battles were fought at Pullalur, near Kancheepuram where the British embraced a crushing defeat at the hands of Mysore troops. But, during the second Pullalur battle (1780), though English succeeded in making Hyder to re-treat, the Mysore army almost depopulated the district.

Chief Events of Mysore Wars in the District

In 1767, the British concluded a treaty with the Nizam for the invasion of Mysore. Hyder Ali, advanced through the Chengam pass near Tiruvannamalai (North Arcot District) and drove the English back to Madras. Tipu Sultan had been sent to ravage the places around Madras. He accordingly pillaged Santhome and the neighbouring villages and plundered the country houses of the Members of the council at the Mount. Hyder again entered the Baramahal and Carnatic and reduced every place which had been wrested from him. This war which had been provoked by the council of Fort St. George in breach of the orders and policy of the Court of Directors thus ended in a large increase to the debt of the company.^[1]

In March 1778, war again broke out between England and France. The Mahrattas, the Nizam and Hyder formed a confederacy, the object of which was to drive the English out of India. Hyder moved from his capital in June 1780. Hyder, whose spies kept him informed of everything, at once moved off from Arcot suddenly and took up an entrenched position at place about 6 miles west of Kanchipuram. Tipu who was ready with a picked force, was preparing for the attack. The morning of the 10^th September brought the dire result, for Hyder’s whole was advancing. The British force was in a difficult position.

Hyder marched towards and after six weeks’ siege, he succeeded in his attempt. The Brithish arrived at Perumbakkam on the 26^th August, 1781. Hyder was seen advancing and the next day, the fight started which continued for several hours. Sir Eyre Coote captured Pullalur and the Mysore army retreated toVellore. The Vellore Fort also fell on 14^th June 1782 to the British hand. But, Hyder Ai who could not succeed in his attempts to curb the British breathed his last in December 1782 owing to cancer.^[2] His death was kept secret till Tipu, who was away on military assignments came and assumed office. When the British came to know of Hyder’s demise, they urged on the new commander-in-Chief General Stewart to take advantage of the confusion and to attack Mysore. But the commander refused to do so.^[3] 198. After Hyder, his able son Tipu continued the Anglo-Mysore wars to which he succumbed in 1799. These wars did not, however, directly affect the district.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid., pp.189-191.

[2]:

Venkata Ramanappa, Outlines of South India History, New Delhi, 1987, p.210.

[3]:

Crole, Charles Stewart, op.cit., p.199.