Battle of Tiruvannamalai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Tiruvannamalai |
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| Part of the Anglo-Mysore Wars | |||||||
 A map of the war theatre |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mysore |
 East India Company |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Hyder Ali |
Joseph Smith |
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The Battle of Tiruvannamalai was an important fight in the Anglo-Mysore Wars. It happened on September 25, 1767, in South India. This battle was between the East India Company and the army of Hyder Ali, who ruled the Kingdom of Mysore. The East India Company won a big victory.
Tiruvannamalai was a very important city. It was a key meeting point for trade and military routes. The city's history goes back to the 9th century. It was ruled by many different empires over time. These included the Cholas, Pallavas, Hoysala, and Vijayanagar Empire. By the mid-1700s, it was under the control of the Nawab.
Why the Battle Happened
During the 1700s, the powerful Mughul Empire in India began to weaken. Different local rulers started fighting for control. At the same time, European trading companies, like the British East India Company and the French, became more involved. They wanted to gain control of land and its wealth.
By the 1760s, the British East India Company was very strong. They had important areas like Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta. Their power in Madras was linked to treaties with the Nawab of Carnatic.
Other major powers in India included the Nizam of Hyderabad. Also, the Sultanate of Mysore was very strong. In 1761, a military leader named Hyder Ali took control of Mysore. These Indian rulers often made deals with or fought against each other. They also tried to get help from the British or French companies.
European armies had better training and weapons. This meant that a smaller European force could often defeat a much larger Indian army. The British wanted to control land or get money from local rulers. This led to many conflicts, including the Anglo-Mysore Wars.
The Battle of Tiruvannamalai
The Battle of Tiruvannamalai was one of two important victories for the Madras Army. The other was the Battle of Chengam. Both battles were part of the Carnatic Wars.
Hyder Ali's forces were first attacked by the British army. This happened near Chengam on September 3, 1767. The British, led by Colonel Smith, won that battle.
The Battle of Tiruvannamalai happened later that month. It started on September 25, 1767, and lasted for two days. Colonel Smith again led the English army. Hyder Ali's army suffered heavy losses. They lost about 4,000 soldiers and 64 cannons.
After losing the battle, Hyder Ali tried to make peace with the British. But the British refused his offer. So, Hyder Ali gathered his army again. He fought another battle that brought him very close to capturing Madras. This made the British agree to a peace treaty in April 1769. The treaty said that things would go back to how they were before the war. It also promised that they would help each other if attacked.
Historians believe these defeats made Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan, distrust the British. This distrust played a big part in the later Anglo-Mysore Wars.
Images for kids
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Hyder Ali, a powerful ruler of Mysore
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The Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, a very old and important temple
