Modern History Simplified: Learn about the Mysore State during the post Mughal period (18th century)

The weakening of the central political structure of the Mughal Empire and erosion of its military strength created some sort of a political vacuum in India- tempting ambitious Subedars and powerful regional chiefs to carve out semi independent or independent principalities for themselves. 

Thus the eighteenth century saw the rise of a large number of autonomous states on the debris of the Mughal empire such as Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad, Mysore, Marathas, Jats, Sikhs and Rajputs which is referred by many as a spectre of a fragmented polity.

The Mysore State in the 18th century

Hyder Ali (1761-1782)

1. He began his career as an official in the Mysore Army under Wodeyar Dynasty.
2. In 1761, he overthrew Nanjaraj a Wodeyar and established his authority over the Mysore State.
3. He established a modern arsenal at Dindigul with the help of the French expert.
4. In 1769, he defeated the British forces in the first Anglo-Mysore war.
5. He died in the course of the second Anglo-Mysore war.

Tippu Sultan (1782-1799)

1. He succeeded Hyder Ali during the course of the second Anglo Mysore war which remained undecided.
2. He organised his troops in the European fashion and also modernised his Navy and established two dockyards.
3. He planted “tree of liberty” at Srirangapatna and also became a member of the Jacobin club.
4. He sent emissaries to France, Turkey, Iran and Peru to develop foreign trade.
5. He introduced a new calendar, a new system of coinage and new scales of weights and measures. 
6. He gave money for the construction of the image of goddess Sarda in Sringeri temple after it was looted by the Marathas in 1791. 
7.  Tipu lost the Third Anglo-Mysore war to the British and the treaty of Srirangapatinam (1792) was signed. 
8. He died during the course of the fourth Anglo-Mysore war in 1799.