Siege of Mangalore facts for kids

The Siege of Mangalore was an important battle during the Second Anglo-Mysore War. It happened when Tipu Sultan and his army from the Kingdom of Mysore attacked the city of Mangalore. They were fighting against British soldiers from the British East India Company, led by Colonel Campbell.

Mangalore is a port city on the west coast of India. The siege lasted a long time, from May 20, 1783, until January 30, 1784. The British soldiers inside the city eventually ran out of food and had to give up.

Quick facts for kids Siege of Mangalore
Part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War
Date 20 May 1783 – 30 January 1784 Location Mangalore, India Result Mysore victory
Belligerents
Great Britain British East India Company	Sultanate of Mysore
Commanders and leaders
colonel Campbell	Tipu Sultan
Strength
700 British and 2,000 Indian troops	Unknown
Casualties and losses
1950	Unknown

What Was the Siege of Mangalore?

The Siege of Mangalore was a long attack on the city by Tipu Sultan's army. A "siege" means an army surrounds a place to cut off supplies. They try to force the people inside to surrender.

This siege was part of a bigger conflict called the Second Anglo-Mysore War. This war was fought between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company.

Who Was Tipu Sultan?

Tipu Sultan was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was a powerful leader and a skilled military commander. He was known for his resistance against the British.

His kingdom was located in southern India. Tipu Sultan wanted to keep his land free from British control.

Who Was the British East India Company?

The British East India Company was a very powerful British trading company. Over time, it gained a lot of control over parts of India. They had their own army and were a major force in Indian politics.

They were trying to expand their influence and control more areas. This often led to conflicts with local rulers like Tipu Sultan.

Why Was Mangalore Important?

Mangalore was a very important port city. A "port city" is a city with a harbor where ships can load and unload goods. Controlling Mangalore meant controlling trade routes.

It was also a strategic location on the west coast of India. This made it valuable for both the British and Tipu Sultan.

The Long Siege and Its Outcome

The siege began on May 20, 1783. Tipu Sultan's forces surrounded the city. Inside, Colonel Campbell led about 700 British soldiers and 2,000 Indian troops.

The soldiers inside the city faced very tough conditions. They slowly ran out of food and supplies. This is called being "reduced to starvation."

After many months, on January 30, 1784, the British garrison had to give up. Only about 850 soldiers survived the siege. This was a victory for Tipu Sultan and Mysore.

The End of the War

The Siege of Mangalore was one of the last big battles of the Second Anglo-Mysore War. Soon after, a peace agreement was signed.

The Treaty of Mangalore officially ended the war. It was signed in March 1784, right there in Mangalore. This treaty helped bring peace, at least for a while, between Mysore and the British.