First Anglo-Mysore War, 1767-69
Modern History › The Anglo-Mysore Wars · Topic 5.2
In the First Anglo-Mysore War, the Nizam, the Marathas and the English allied against Haidar Ali. Haidar split the alliance by diplomacy, then appeared at the gates of Madras and forced the English to sign the humiliating Treaty of Madras on 4 April 1769.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · The Anglo-Mysore Wars
At a Glance
- What it is The first war between Mysore and the English East India Company
- Years 1767-69
- Ended by The Treaty of Madras, 4 April 1769
- Haidar’s stroke A sudden advance to the gates of Madras
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: The Anglo-Mysore Wars
Where Does It Fit?
This is the second topic of the category on the Anglo-Mysore Wars. The previous topic described Haidar Ali’s rise. This topic covers his first war with the English. The next topic covers the Second Anglo-Mysore War. Previous topic: The Wodeyar Dynasty and the Rise of Haidar Ali.
What Was the Background?
After their easy success in Bengal, the English were confident of their military strength. They made a treaty with the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1766 that persuaded him to give them the Northern Circars, in return for which they promised to protect the Nizam from Haidar Ali. Haidar already had territorial disputes with the Nawab of Arcot and differences with the Marathas.
How Did Alliances Change?
The Nizam, the Marathas and the English allied against Haidar Ali. Haidar acted with considerable tact and diplomatic skill. He paid the Marathas to make them neutral, and by promising to share conquered territories with the Nizam he turned the Nizam into his ally. He then joined the Nizam in an attack on the Nawab of Arcot.
| Power | At first | After Haidar’s diplomacy |
|---|---|---|
| Nizam of Hyderabad | Allied with the English (treaty of 1766) | Ally of Haidar Ali |
| Marathas | Allied against Haidar | Neutral, after being paid |
| English | Allied with the Nizam and Marathas | Left to fight Haidar alone |
What Was the Course of the War?
The war went on for a year and a half without a conclusion. Haidar then changed his strategy and suddenly appeared before the gates of Madras. There was complete chaos and panic at Madras, forcing the English to conclude a very humiliating treaty with Haidar on 4 April 1769, the Treaty of Madras.
What Did the Treaty of Madras Provide?
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Prisoners | Exchange of prisoners |
| Conquests | Mutual restitution of conquests |
| Help against a third power | Haidar Ali was promised the help of the English if he was attacked by any other power |
The last clause matters. In 1771, when the Marathas attacked Haidar, the English did not help him, and Haidar later accused the English of breaking the treaty. This is the cause of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, explained in the next topic.
How Did Each Side Fare?
Each side had its own aims and grievances going into the war.
| Side | Aim or grievance | Outcome in 1769 |
|---|---|---|
| English | Secure the Northern Circars and curb Haidar Ali | Forced to accept a humiliating peace, with a promise of help to Haidar |
| Haidar Ali | Territorial disputes with the Nawab of Arcot; differences with the Marathas | Kept his conquests and gained an English promise of help |
| Nizam | Protection from Haidar Ali by the English | Became Haidar’s ally through the promise of shared territory |
| Marathas | A share in the war against Haidar Ali | Paid by Haidar to stay neutral |
As an analytical point, each Indian power chose the side that offered it the most at that moment, which is why a coalition built on promises could be taken apart by better promises.
What Did the War Show?
As an analytical point, the war showed that the English, fresh from success in Bengal, could be defeated by diplomacy and speed. Haidar did not win by a single battle. He won by splitting a coalition of three powers and forcing the English to fear for Madras, the seat of their power in the south. The treaty also exposed an English weakness: they relied on allies who could be bought or turned.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Haidar’s diplomacy The war is a standard example of Indian diplomacy against the Company
- Direct facts The date and terms of the Treaty of Madras are Prelims items
- Cause of the next war The English failure to honour the treaty leads directly to the second war
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Second Anglo-Mysore War of 1780-84 and the Treaty of Mangalore. Next topic: Second Anglo-Mysore War, 1780-84.
Key People and Terms
- Northern Circars The coastal region the Nizam gave to the English in 1766
- Nawab of Arcot The ruler of the Carnatic, an English ally
- Treaty of Madras The treaty of 4 April 1769 ending the war
- Restitution Giving back what was taken in war
- Neutral Taking neither side in a war
- Humiliating treaty A treaty forced on a side that has been shown to be weak
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- First Anglo-Mysore War: 1767-69.
- The English got the Northern Circars from the Nizam in 1766.
- Haidar paid the Marathas and won over the Nizam.
- He appeared at the gates of Madras.
- Treaty of Madras: 4 April 1769; mutual restitution and a promise of English help.
Do Not Confuse With
- Treaty of Madras and Treaty of Mangalore Madras (1769) ended the first war; Mangalore (1784) ended the second
- Nizam as English ally and Haidar’s ally The Nizam was first allied with the English, then with Haidar
- Madras and Mangalore Madras is in the Carnatic; Mangalore is on the Malabar coast
Memory Hook
Pay the Marathas, win the Nizam, march on Madras.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about Haidar Ali’s diplomacy. These points add depth.
- Diplomacy Haidar broke the alliance through payment and a promise of shared conquests
- Strategy The march to Madras turned a stalemate into a victory
- Weakness of the English Reliance on allies left them exposed
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How did Haidar Ali win the First Anglo-Mysore War despite facing a triple alliance?”
How to Answer
- Alliance The Nizam, Marathas and English against Haidar.
- Diplomacy Payment to the Marathas and a deal with the Nizam.
- Strategy The advance to Madras.
- Conclude Say that the Treaty of Madras was a humiliation for the English.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the First Anglo-Mysore War fought?
The First Anglo-Mysore War was fought from 1767 to 1769 between Haidar Ali of Mysore and the English East India Company, who had allied with the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Marathas. It ended with the Treaty of Madras on 4 April 1769.
Why did the English fight Haidar Ali in 1767?
The English, confident after their success in Bengal, signed a treaty with the Nizam in 1766 to get the Northern Circars and promised to protect him from Haidar Ali. Haidar also had territorial disputes with the Nawab of Arcot and differences with the Marathas.
How did Haidar Ali break the alliance against him?
Haidar Ali paid the Marathas to make them neutral, and by promising to share conquered territories with the Nizam he made the Nizam his ally. He then joined the Nizam to attack the Nawab of Arcot, which left the English alone.
What was the Treaty of Madras of 1769?
The Treaty of Madras, signed on 4 April 1769, ended the First Anglo-Mysore War. It provided for exchange of prisoners and mutual restitution of conquests, and the English promised to help Haidar Ali if any other power attacked him. It was humiliating for the English.
Why was Haidar Ali's march to Madras important?
After a year and a half of inconclusive war, Haidar suddenly appeared before the gates of Madras, which caused chaos and panic. This forced the English to accept a very humiliating treaty, showing that a swift move could win what a long war could not.
Why did the First Anglo-Mysore War lead to a second war?
The Treaty of Madras promised English help if Haidar was attacked by another power. When the Marathas attacked him in 1771 the English did not help, and Haidar accused them of breaking the treaty, which became a cause of the second war.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The First Anglo-Mysore War ended with the Treaty of Madras on 4 April 1769.
It provided for mutual restitution of conquests.
2 The Nizam stayed an English ally to the end of the First Anglo-Mysore War.
Haidar won him over by promising a share of conquered territories.
3 The English got the Northern Circars from the Nizam in 1766.
In return they promised protection against Haidar Ali.
4 The Marathas fought Haidar Ali to the end of the war.
He paid them to turn neutral.
5 Haidar Ali appeared before the gates of Madras during the war.
The English were forced to sign a humiliating treaty.
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