Why in the News?

The new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook omits Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars from its chapter on India’s colonial era.

Tipu Sultan and Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799)

Legend of Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali:

Rise of Haidar Ali: Started as a horseman in the Mysore army and became de facto ruler by 1761 through military skill.
Military Reforms: Introduced Western training, built arms factories with French help, and strengthened cavalry and artillery.
Tipu Sultan: Born in 1751, trained by French officers and well-versed in Islamic law, Persian, Arabic, and science.
Administrative Innovations: Introduced a new calendar, land revenue reforms, and coins in gold, silver, and copper with Persian inscriptions.
Governance and Industry: Created seven departments, promoted silk industry, and envisioned the future Kannambadi Dam.
French Alliance: Maintained strong ties with France, alarming the British amid global Anglo-French rivalry.
Technological Advancement: Deployed iron-cased Mysorean rockets, which inspired British Congreve rockets.
Moral Governance: Banned liquor, gambling, and prostitution to enforce discipline.
Religious Policy: Though devoutly Islamic, he patronized temples and mathas, but faced criticism for intolerance in annexed regions.

Alliance Against Mysore: British, Marathas, and Nizam formed a coalition against Haidar Ali.
Diplomatic Victory: Haidar neutralized the Marathas and secured Nizam’s support.
Outcome: Treaty of Madras (1769) restored the status quo and mutual restitution of territories.

Trigger: British violation of the Treaty of Madras and occupation of French port Mahe.
Coalition Formation: Haidar allied with Marathas and Nizam against the British.
Major Battle: Captured Arcot and defeated Col. Baillie; Haidar died in 1782.
Conclusion: Tipu continued the fight; Treaty of Mangalore (1784) was the last time an Indian power dictated terms to the British.

Cause: Tipu’s attack on Travancore, a British ally.
British Response: Cornwallis led a coordinated campaign with Maratha and Nizam support.
Result: Tipu ceded half his territory and paid ₹3 crore under the Treaty of Seringapatam (1792).

British Strategy: Wellesley isolated Tipu diplomatically over his French ties.
Final Battle: Tipu was killed defending Seringapatam on May 4, 1799, ending native resistance in South India.

Fall of Resistance: Tipu’s death marked the end of organized native military opposition in the South.
British Control: Wodeyars reinstated as puppet rulers under Subsidiary Alliance; key territories annexed by the British.
Territorial Division: Nizam received Gooty and Gurramkonda; Marathas declined British land offer.
Administrative Changes: Mysore came under direct British rule in 1831 due to alleged misrule; restored to Wodeyars in 1881 by Lord Ripon under a constitutional monarchy.
Legacy: Anglo-Mysore Wars showed how native resistance could challenge colonial power through modernization, alliances, and tactical innovation.
Rocketry Influence: Tipu’s military rocketry was studied and adapted by the British into European warfare.

[UPSC 2014] With reference to the Anglo-Mysore Wars, consider the following statements:

1. In the Third Battle of Panipat, Ahmed Shah Abdali defeated Ibrahim Lodi.

2. Tipu Sultan was killed in the Third Anglo-Mysore War.

3. Mir Jafar entered in a conspiracy with the English for the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-daulah in the Battle of Plassey.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 3 only* (c) 2 and 3 (d) None