Siege of Savendroog facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Savendroog
Part of Third Anglo-Mysore War
Date December 1791 Location Savendroog Status  Mysore Victory Tipu Sultan successfully defended the fortress of Savendroog British Retreat
Belligerents
Mysore	East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Tipu Sultan	General Charles Cornwallis
Units involved
Mysore Cavalry	British Forces
The British eventually retreated after Tipu Sultan successfully defended the fort by leading a cavalry charge against the British forces

The Siege of Savendroog was an important battle that happened in December 1791. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Third Anglo-Mysore War. In this battle, the powerful British East India Company tried to capture the strong fortress of Savendroog. This fort was defended by the forces of Tipu Sultan, who was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.

The British forces were led by General Charles Cornwallis. However, Tipu Sultan successfully defended his fort. He even led a brave cavalry charge, which is when soldiers on horseback attack quickly. Because of his strong defense, the British forces had to retreat. This meant Tipu Sultan and Mysore won this battle.

What Was the Siege of Savendroog?

The Siege of Savendroog was a military event where one army tries to capture a fort or city by surrounding it. The word "siege" means to cut off a place from the outside world. This makes it hard for those inside to get food, water, or help. The goal is to force them to surrender.

The fortress of Savendroog was a very strong place. It was also known as Sevendroog or Severndroog back then. Today, it is called Savandurga. It was a tough challenge for any army to attack.

Who Was Involved in the Battle?

Two main groups fought in the Siege of Savendroog. On one side were the forces of the Kingdom of Mysore, led by their ruler, Tipu Sultan. On the other side were the soldiers of the British East India Company. This company was a powerful trading organization that also had its own army in India.

Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore

Tipu Sultan was a very famous and brave ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was known for his military skills and was often called the "Tiger of Mysore." He was a strong leader who wanted to protect his kingdom from outside forces. He was especially determined to keep the British from taking over his lands.

In this battle, Tipu Sultan showed his courage. He personally led a cavalry charge. A cavalry charge is a powerful attack by soldiers riding horses. This move helped to push back the British forces.

General Cornwallis and the British East India Company

The British forces were commanded by General Charles Cornwallis. He was a very experienced military leader. He had also fought in the American Revolutionary War before coming to India. The British East India Company was a large British company. It had a lot of power in India during that time. They controlled trade and had a big army. They were trying to expand their control over different parts of India.

The Fortress of Savendroog

The fortress of Savendroog was a very important place. It was built on a huge, rocky hill. This made it naturally very difficult to attack. The fort had strong walls and was hard to reach. Its location gave the defenders a big advantage. It was a key stronghold for Tipu Sultan's kingdom.

What Happened During the Siege?

In December 1791, General Cornwallis and his British East India Company troops began their attack on Savendroog. They tried to break through the fort's defenses. However, Tipu Sultan's forces were ready. They fought hard to protect their home.

The battle was tough for both sides. The British tried to use their military power to capture the fort. But Tipu Sultan's leadership and the strong defenses of Savendroog made it very difficult. In the end, Tipu Sultan's brave cavalry charge was a key moment. It helped to turn the tide of the battle. The British realized they could not take the fort easily. They decided to retreat, meaning they pulled back their forces.

Why Was This Battle Important?

The Siege of Savendroog was a victory for Tipu Sultan and the Kingdom of Mysore. It showed that Tipu Sultan was a powerful and skilled military leader. It also proved that his forces could stand up to the strong British East India Company. This battle was a small but important part of the larger Third Anglo-Mysore War. It showed the strength of the Mysore kingdom's defenses.