Siege of Koppal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Koppal
Part of the Third Anglo-Mysore War
Date 28 October 1790 – 7 April 1791 Location Koppal, Sultanate of Mysore Result British-Hyderabad victory
Belligerents
Sultanate of Mysore	Hyderabad British East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Tipu Sultan	Mahabat Jung Hugh Montgomery

The Siege of Koppal was an important event during the Third Anglo-Mysore War. A "siege" happens when an army surrounds a city or fort to try and capture it. This siege took place in Koppal, a town in what was then the Sultanate of Mysore.

It lasted for several months, from October 28, 1790, to April 7, 1791. The forces attacking Koppal were from the Nizam of Hyderabad and the British East India Company. They were fighting against the army of the Sultanate of Mysore. Even though the siege itself wasn't very well planned, the defenders of Koppal eventually gave up. This happened mainly because another important city, Bangalore, had already fallen to the British and their allies in February 1791.

What Was the Third Anglo-Mysore War?

The Third Anglo-Mysore War was a big conflict in India. It happened between 1790 and 1792. The main groups fighting were the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Tipu Sultan, and a group of allies. These allies included the British East India Company, the Maratha Empire, and the Nizam of Hyderabad.

The war was about who would control different parts of India. The British East India Company was a powerful trading company from Britain. They had their own army and were trying to expand their influence.

Who Was Involved in the Siege of Koppal?

During the Siege of Koppal, two main sides were fighting:

• The Defenders: The city of Koppal was defended by soldiers from the Sultanate of Mysore. Their leader was Tipu Sultan, a very strong ruler.
• The Attackers: The forces attacking Koppal were a team-up.
  • One part was the army of the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam was a powerful ruler in India. His army at Koppal was led by a general named Mahabat Jung.
  • The other part was a group of soldiers from the British East India Company. They were there to help the Nizam's army. Their commander was Hugh Montgomery.

Why Was Koppal Important?

Koppal was a strategic location. It had a strong fort, which was important for controlling the surrounding area. Capturing forts like Koppal was a key part of winning wars back then. It helped armies control land and resources.

What Happened During the Siege?

The siege of Koppal lasted for about six months. The attacking armies surrounded the fort, trying to cut off supplies and weaken the defenders. They would have used cannons and other siege weapons to try and break through the walls.

The records say that the siege was "poorly conducted." This means the attacking armies might not have used the best strategies. Perhaps they made mistakes, or their attacks weren't very effective.

However, the defenders of Koppal eventually surrendered. This wasn't because of a big, final battle at Koppal itself. Instead, it was because another major city, Bangalore, had already been captured by the British and their allies. When Bangalore fell, it showed that the Mysore forces were losing the war. This likely made the soldiers in Koppal realize that continuing to fight was hopeless.

The Outcome

The Siege of Koppal ended with a victory for the British and Hyderabad forces. The surrender of Koppal was another step in the larger Third Anglo-Mysore War. It showed the growing power of the British East India Company and their allies in India.