siege of Seringapatam

Seringapatam, siege of (siege of Srirangapatan) (1799), last episode of the four wars fought between the British East India Company (EIC) and the Muslim adventurer Hyder Ali who (c.1761) had made himself ruler of the Hindu state of Mysore (modern Karnatka), and his son Tippu Sultan. In 1766 the EIC Madras presidency joined the Nizam of Hyderabad in a war with Hyder Ali. The Nizam dropped out and the EIC was happy to escape without penalty. In about 1780 Hyder Ali joined the Marathas (whom he had previously combated) (see Maratha wars) and troops had to be sent from the Calcutta presidency. French help arrived but Hyder Ali died and Tippu made peace in 1782 in return for recognition as sultan. In 1789 Tippu started the war but by 1792 he had been driven back on Seringapatam and made peace at the expense of half his kingdom. His further dalliance with the French decided the governor general (later Marquess Wellesley) to finish him and in 1799 he sent 21, 000 British and EIC troops under Maj Gen Harris from Madras while a further 16, 000 strong Hyderabadi contingent advanced under the direction of his brother Arthur (later Wellington). After artillery had opened a practicable breach, Tippu refused to surrender and was killed fighting the storming party.