Reghumangalya (talk) 05:43, 1 September 2009 (UTC)THE THIRD ANGLO MYSORE WAR

           The Third Anglo-Mysore War was the immediate consequence of the attack made by Tipu Sultan on Travancore,a kingdom which had a Treaty of Alliance with the British East India Company by which,the Company had taken on the full resposibility of safeguarding the kingdom from external attacks.Tippu Sultan had full knowledge about this,because the English had in the Treaty of Mangalore with Tippu,mentioned Travancore as their ally.Still,just like his father Hyder Ali,Tippu also hankered after this rich kingdom and wanted to bring it under his sway.The main reason for this pre-occupation was said to be his plan to round off his kingdom from River Kaveri to Cape Commorin and also because it could be conveniently used as a base for operations against the British since their defenses in their southern-most District Tirunnelveli was the weakest by comparison.So he had been seeking excuses to attack Travancore.And finally,when he could not get the Rulers of Calicut or Cochin to pick up a fight,he himself decided to bell the cat.Travancore had succeeded in purchasing the Forts of Cranganore and Ayakotta from the Dutch,who had captured them from the Portugese and had ever since been in occupation for more than 120 years.Tippu had also tried to purchase them offering twice the amount offered by Travancore,but he failed probably because the Dutch favored Travancore and didn't really trust the Sultan's words of friendliness.So,Tippu Sultan made the occupation of the Forts an excuse to pick up a fight with Travancore.He attacked the famous Travancore Defense Lines in 1789A.D.He was defeated in the first attempt.After 3 months he made the second attempt and breached the Lines.He devastated the country and proceeded up to the banks of River Periyar at Alwaye,with the Travancore army taking position on the southern side,determined to prevent the Sultan from crossing the River and proceeding further into Travancore.But the sudden cutting of an earthen-moat,built by the Travancoreans,to keep sea-water from entering the river,in the dawn hours,resulted in the flooding of the river on whose dried up bed the Sultan had unwittingly encamped with his army.A major portion of his military stores like guns,ammunition as well as men and other necessities were lost in the flood.The Sultan was carried through the waters to the banks of the River and that too only after his Commander Kumruddin Khan fell on his feet begging him to allow him to be carried to safety.Thus Tipu Sultan failed in his attempt to subdue Travancore.He was forced to abandon his attempt on hearing of the preparations of the English to fight him for attacking their ally.But while returning,he spent 6days to raze the Travancore Defense Line,making the first blow against the Wall with a pick-axe.He got information from the French that the new Governor of Madras,Meadows was making formidable preparations to attack him and punish him for attacking Travancore.He was pursuaded to retrace his steps to Mysore to prevent it's fall into enemy hands.More over,the Monsoon was fast approaching and he had to leave the coast immediately before it's arrival.But the hasty retreat cost the lives of a large number of his soldiers.Lord Cornwallis,the Governor-General of the English,came from Calcutta with a large number of horses,draught-bullocks and a heavy war-chest to take personal charge of the operations against Tipu.In his letter written to his brother,he said,"..In these circumstances,I have no part to take,but go myself and take the command,and try whether I can do better.I have in this war everything to lose and nothing to gain.I shall deserve no credit for beating Tippu and shall be forever disgraced that he beats me".<reference/>Correspondence of Marquis of Cornwallis,Vol.II.P.52<reference/>The command was assumed on 24th January,1792,at Madras and he started his march on 5th,February,passing through Vellore towards Ambur,entering the plains of Mysore.And took position in the heart of the Sultan's territory.Tipu hastened to defend his country.But Bangalore fell before he could arrive.He sank down in stupor on hearing the news from the fleeing fugitives from the place.The Governor-General decided to advance upon SERINGAPATAM,the capital itself.Provisions were scanty,but he he continued in the hope of obtaining them and also the arrival of the 10,000 horses to be sent by the Nizam of Hyderabad.But the Nizam's forces were a big disappointment,being ill-trained and without any discipline and they arrived late.But so great was the enthusiasm that the army was enabled to march upon the capital of Tippu Sultan.The movement struck Tippu with alarm.He even made arrangements to convey his harem and treasures to Chitaldurg.But his mother represented to him the wrong message of despondency that will be made on his subjects and troops.He yielded to her judgment and decided to hazard all in the defense of his capital.His encampment in Seringapatam was unassailable was the general impression.But a nocturnal attack by the English was successful.When morning dawned the British army had fully established itself on the Island of Seringapatam facing the Fortress without any interposing barrier.The Sultan's loss was no less than 23,000 men while the loss on the other side was only 500 dead and wounded.Tipu realized the extreme perilous situation of his crown and his country.A--Reghumangalya (talk) 09:39, 6 September 2009 (UTC)nd the only way to save them was a peace agreement according to the dictates of the enemy.The terms proposed by Lord Cornwallis were severe and were as follows:1)A surrender of all his dominions taken from the districts contiguous to the territories of the confederates.2)The payment of Three Crores and Thirty Lakhs of rupees,and3)The delivery of two of his sons as hostages until full payment of the money.Tipu's principal officers were consulted in the grand mosque and they unanimously advised acceptance of the proposed terms.The Preliminary articles of peace was signed on the same night on 23rd February,1792.Tipu Sultan requested that his two children should be delivered into the hands of Lord Cornwallis himself.The Princes set out in all state,the walls of the city being crowded by spectators,among whom was the Sultan himself.Lord Cornwallis met the Princes at the door of his large tent and after embracing them led them in by hand.His Lordship presented each of them with a handsome gold watch and the next day he visited them at their tents.The Final Peace Treaty was signed on the 18th March,1792.<reference/>Revised Edition.Travancore State Manual by T.K.Velu Pillai Vol.II P.407to428.<reference/>