Describe the career and achievements of Haider Ali.

Give a brief account of Anglo-Mysore relations during the time of Haider Ali.

Career and Achievements of Haider Ali:

In the latter half of the 18th century, a power emerged under the leadership of Hyder Ali, who was born in Budikote in 1721 CE. Hyder's life began as an ordinary soldier. He trained in warfare skills in Tiruchanapalli. He snatched some guns from the British and became the army chief of Dindigul in 1755. Increasing the number of his soldiers, he looted and amassed wealth from neighboring chieftains. By 1761, he had achieved victory over his enemies and became the de facto ruler and owner of Mysore. After this, he turned his attention towards expanding the kingdom and acquired Kochi, Palakkad and Kannur. He also gained control over Bednur, Soonda, Sera and Gutti. The poligars of Vellore, Rayadurg, Erode and Chittaldurg accepted Hyder's suzerainty. In 1769, after the death of the King of Mysore, Hyder usurped the throne. Hyder fought two battles against the British, famous as the First and Second Anglo-Mysore Wars. 

Hyder's growing power started worrying the Marathas, the Nizam and the British. In 1765, the Marathas attacked Hyder's kingdom and won Savanur and Jaitpur. By paying a bribe of 12 lakh rupees, Hyder made a treaty with the Marathas. In 1766, the Nizam, Marathas and British formed a joint front against Hyder. In 1767, the Nizam and British jointly attacked Hyder's kingdom. The unstable Nizam deserted the British side and joined Hyder. In September 1767, General Joseph Smith defeated the combined armies of Nizam and Hyder at Changama and Tirnopally. After this the Nizam left Hyder's side and went over to the British. In 1768, he made a treaty with the Company according to which Hyder was declared a 'Usurper of the throne'. Left alone, Hyder was undaunted. After defeating British soldiers in Bombay, he gained control of Mangalore. In March 1769, he was just five miles away from Madras. On 4th April, 1769 he dictated the treaty terms called the Treaty of Madras. As per this treaty, both sides decided to return the prisoners of war and territory won from each other. The Company promised to help Hyder if any state attacked him.

In 1771, when the Marathas attacked Hyder's kingdom, the British did not help Hyder as per the Treaty of Madras. As a result, Hyder became angry with the British and started looking for an opportunity to take revenge. In 1779, he joined an alliance against the British along with the Marathas and Nizam. The Company's position was pathetic those days. When the British attacked Mahe, Hyder's anger knew no bounds. He declared war against the British. In 1780, carrying destruction with him, he pounced on Karnataka with 80,000 soldiers and 100 guns. The army led by Colonel Bailey fighting him was defeated by Hyder. In October 1780, Hyder gained control of Arcot. Warren Hastings sent Sir Eyre Coote against Hyder who defeated Hyder in 1781 at Porto Novo, Pollilur and Sholingarh. In November, the British army was defeated by Mysore soldiers at Nangapattam and Tinomalai. Unfortunately on 7th September 1782, Hyder died due to cancer. The war ended in March 1784 with the Treaty of Mangalore.  

Evaluation of Hyder Ali:

Various historians have expressed differing opinions about Hyder's character. He was the first 18th century Indian ruler who decided to drive the British out from his kingdom. He was a successful military leader, about whom Malet has written - "Once resolved to fight, he sought utterly to destroy his enemy with all the energy of deep-seated passion for revenge." Undoubtedly, Hyder was also one of the most capable rulers of India." According to the famous historian Dr. K.K. Datta - "He was an absolutely unscrupulous man, who had no religion, no morals and no compassion." 

There is no doubt that he did not strictly adhere to the external practices of his religion, but his soul was not anti-religion. Evaluating Hyder, the great historian Mr. Browning rightly wrote - "He was a bold, an original and an enterprising commander, skilful in tactics and fertile in resources, full of energy and never desponding in defeat...."

In this context, Mr. Wyles went as far as saying that "Among all Muslim kings Hyder was the most tolerant. He was not only a lover of the art of war but also took interest in matters of administration. Before his eyes, he would promptly and regularly get administrative work done. He could focus on different issues at the same time. Historians Raychaudhuri and Datta have written - "Hyder carved out his own career for himself..." 

As long as he lived, he continued to oppose the British and Mysore did not come under foreign rule until the end of the Second Anglo-Mysore war. Although Hyder was born in an ordinary family, because of his abilities and diplomacy, he made Mysore a powerful state of his time and made the British sweat. It is because of these qualities that he has become a memorable figure in modern Indian history.