The dawn of the late 18th century in South India was a period of intense geopolitical upheaval, marked by the relentless expansion of the British East India Company. Among its most formidable adversaries was the Kingdom of Mysore, led by the indomitable Tipu Sultan. The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, spanning from 1798 to 1799, represented the dramatic culmination of a series of four major conflicts that had profoundly shaped the destiny of the Indian subcontinent. This final confrontation pitted the ambitious Kingdom of Mysore against a powerful alliance comprising the British East India Company and the Nizam of Hyderabad, with some support from the Marathas and even the Portuguese, determined to curb Tipu Sultan's growing influence and his strategic alliance with the French.

Known historically as the "Tiger of Mysore," Tipu Sultan was a staunch opponent of British dominance, actively seeking alliances with powers like Revolutionary France to counter their growing hegemony. His father, Haider Ali, had risen from military ranks to effectively seize control of Mysore from the ancient Wadiyar dynasty, establishing a robust and modern military state. Tipu inherited this legacy of defiance and military innovation, frequently clashing with the British and their allies in his relentless efforts to maintain Mysore's sovereignty and expand its territorial reach. The British, viewing Tipu as a critical threat to their commercial interests and imperial ambitions, sought to neutralize him permanently, especially given the ongoing Napoleonic Wars in Europe which highlighted the danger of French collaboration in India.

The Decisive Siege of Seringapatam

The turning point of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, and indeed the entire Anglo-Mysore struggle, was the meticulously planned and executed siege of Seringapatam (Srirangapatna). This fortified island capital, strategically located at the confluence of the Kaveri River, was considered impregnable and represented the heart of Tipu Sultan's power. The siege commenced on April 5, 1799, and stretched for a month, becoming a testament to both the defenders' resolve and the attackers' strategic superiority. The combined forces of the British East India Company, led by commanders like Major General David Baird and the young Arthur Wellesley (who would later gain fame as the Duke of Wellington), along with their principal ally, the formidable army of the Nizam of Hyderabad, meticulously encircled the city. The Marathas, though less directly involved in the final assault, also contributed to the overall strategic pressure on Tipu.

The British intelligence, reportedly aided by local informants and even acts of treachery, discovered a vulnerable breach in the fortress walls. On May 4, 1799, under the cover of a midday siesta, the allied forces launched a furious assault, breaching the walls and storming the citadel. The battle was fierce and brutal, marked by intense hand-to-hand combat within the city's labyrinthine defenses.

The Fall of Tipu Sultan and the End of an Era

During the final, desperate moments of the siege, Tipu Sultan, known for his personal courage and leadership on the battlefield, fought valiantly alongside his troops. Refusing to surrender, he was ultimately struck down and killed amidst the chaos near the Water Gate of Seringapatam. His death marked the definitive end of Mysore's independent struggle against British expansion and sent shockwaves across South India. With Tipu's demise, the greatest challenge to British paramountcy in the region was extinguished, paving the way for their undisputed dominance.

Aftermath and the Reorganization of Mysore

Following their decisive victory, the British East India Company moved swiftly to consolidate its gains and reshape the political landscape of Mysore. The Kingdom of Mysore, though nominally restored, underwent a significant transformation:

• Restoration of the Wadiyar Dynasty: In a shrewd political move, the British restored the ancient Hindu Wadiyar dynasty to the throne, installing the five-year-old Krishnaraja Wadiyar III as the new King of Mysore. This act was designed to legitimize British rule and garner support from the local populace, who had seen the Wadiyars displaced by Tipu's father.
• Implementation of a Subsidiary Alliance: Mysore became a princely state under a stringent subsidiary alliance with the British. This treaty stipulated that the kingdom would effectively surrender its foreign policy and defense to the British. A British Resident would be stationed at the Mysore court to "advise" the ruler on all administrative matters, ensuring British indirect control or "paramountcy." Furthermore, Mysore was obligated to pay a substantial annual subsidy for the maintenance of British troops stationed within its borders, effectively funding its own subjugation.
• Territorial Cessions: Significant portions of Mysore's territory were annexed by the British and their allies. These included fertile and strategically important regions such as Coimbatore, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, which were directly absorbed into British India. Other territories were distributed among the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas, though the latter's share was relatively minor. These cessions reduced Mysore's geographical footprint and stripped it of valuable resources, directly benefiting the British by expanding their administrative control over parts of present-day Kerala and Karnataka.
• Exile of Tipu Sultan's Family: Tipu Sultan's young heir, Fateh Ali, along with other members of his family, were systematically removed from Mysore and exiled to Vellore in the Madras Presidency. This strategic move was intended to prevent any potential future challenges to the newly established order and suppress any residual resistance.

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War thus concluded with a profound shift in power, cementing British supremacy in South India and laying critical groundwork for the eventual British Raj across the entire subcontinent. Mysore, under the Wadiyars, remained a princely state for over a century and a half, operating under British suzerainty until India's independence in 1947.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary cause of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War?

The war was primarily caused by Tipu Sultan's continued defiance of British authority, his refusal to accept a subsidiary alliance, and his persistent efforts to forge alliances with France, which the British perceived as a direct threat to their growing dominance in India and their wider imperial interests during the Napoleonic Wars.

Who was Tipu Sultan, and why was he significant?

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, known as the "Tiger of Mysore" for his fierce independence and military prowess. He was a formidable opponent of the British, a military innovator, and one of the few Indian rulers who successfully modernized his army and challenged British expansion, making his defeat a pivotal moment in Indian history.

What happened at the Siege of Seringapatam?

The Siege of Seringapatam was the final, decisive confrontation of the war. British and allied forces besieged Tipu Sultan's capital, Seringapatam, for nearly a month. They successfully breached the fortress walls on May 4, 1799, leading to a direct assault on the city, during which Tipu Sultan was killed.

What was the fate of Tipu Sultan after the war?

Tipu Sultan was killed in action during the final storming of Seringapatam on May 4, 1799. He reportedly refused to surrender and died fighting bravely, ensuring that his legacy remained one of unyielding resistance.

How did the British reorganize Mysore after their victory?

The British restored the old Hindu Wadiyar dynasty to the Mysore throne under the young Krishnaraja Wadiyar III. Mysore became a princely state under a subsidiary alliance, effectively losing its sovereignty in foreign affairs and defense to the British. Significant territories were ceded to the British and their allies, and Tipu Sultan's family was exiled.

What was a "subsidiary alliance" in this context?

A subsidiary alliance was a treaty imposed by the British East India Company on Indian rulers. It compelled the ruler to disband their own army and instead host and pay for British troops, accept a British Resident at their court to oversee policy, and surrender control over foreign affairs. In return, the British offered protection, though at the cost of the ruler's effective independence.