Battle of Porto Novo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Porto Novo
Map of the battle
Date 1 July 1781 Location Parangipettai, Cuddalore Result British victory
Belligerents
East India Company	Mysore
Commanders and leaders
Sir Eyre Coote	Hyder Ali
Strength
~8,000	~40,000
Casualties and losses
306 killed and wounded	3,000 killed 6,000 wounded

The Battle of Porto Novo was an important fight that happened on July 1, 1781. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Second Anglo-Mysore War. This battle took place in a town then known as Porto Novo, which is now called Parangipettai in India.

In this battle, the British East India Company fought against the Kingdom of Mysore. The British force, led by Sir Eyre Coote, had about 8,000 soldiers. They faced a much larger army of about 40,000 soldiers from Mysore, led by Hyder Ali. Even though they were greatly outnumbered, the British won the battle.

What Was the Battle of Porto Novo?

The Battle of Porto Novo was a key moment in the Second Anglo-Mysore War. This war was fought between the British and the Kingdom of Mysore in India. The British wanted to control more land and trade routes. Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, wanted to stop them.

Who Fought in This Battle?

On one side was the British East India Company. This was a powerful trading company that also had its own army. They were trying to expand their influence in India. Their commander was Sir Eyre Coote, a very experienced general.

On the other side was the Kingdom of Mysore. This was a strong Indian kingdom led by Hyder Ali. He was a skilled military leader who had built a powerful army. Hyder Ali was determined to protect his kingdom from British control.

Where and When Did It Happen?

The battle took place on July 1, 1781, near a coastal town called Porto Novo. Today, this town is known as Parangipettai. It's located in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The area was important because of its location near the coast, which was good for trade and moving troops.

The Commanders and Their Armies

Sir Eyre Coote led the British East India Company's forces. He had about 8,000 soldiers. This included a mix of British troops and Indian soldiers called sepoys.

Hyder Ali commanded the Mysore army. His forces were much larger, estimated to be around 40,000 men. This army included cavalry (soldiers on horseback), infantry (soldiers on foot), and artillery (cannons).

Why Was This Battle Important?

The Battle of Porto Novo was very important for the British. Before this battle, the British had suffered some losses in the war. A victory was crucial to boost their morale and show their strength.

For Hyder Ali, a victory would have helped him push the British out of more areas. However, his defeat here was a setback for his plans. It showed that even with a much larger army, it was hard to defeat the well-trained British forces.

What Was the Outcome?

The battle ended with a clear victory for the British. Despite being outnumbered, Sir Eyre Coote's tactics worked. The British suffered about 306 soldiers killed or wounded. The Mysore army, however, had much heavier losses, with an estimated 3,000 killed and 6,000 wounded.

This British victory helped them regain confidence in the Second Anglo-Mysore War. It also showed the strength of their military strategies.

Images for kids

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  Memorial for the Battle of Porto Novo, 1781 at Porto Novo