Hyder Ali Biography for UPSC

Hyder Ali, the Sultan and de facto ruler of Mysore was also one of the distinguished soldiers of Southern India. His military valour earned him the post of Dalavayi or ‘commander-in-chief’ of Krishnaraja Devayar II. He came to the forefront of the administration of Mysore and established himself as the Supreme ruler of Mysore or “Sarvadhikari”.

Hyder Ali actively fought with the East India Company during the First and Second Anglo-Mysore wars. Also a military leader, his tenure marked frequent clashes with nearby territories and even within his kingdom.

Biographies of personalities are important for UPSC Civil Services Exam preparation. These notes will also be useful for competitive exams like Bank PO, SSC, state civil services exams, and so on.

In this article, you can read about the life and contributions of the Muslim ruler of Mysore, Hyder Ali.

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Early Life of Hyder Ali

• Hyder Ali was born between 1717 and 1722 to Fath Muhammad, a general of Mysore. The exact details of his birth and descent are not known. Hyder claimed that he hails from the Bani Hashim clan of Quraysh.
• His father served in the army of Nawab of Carnatic. Hyder’s journey as the powerful military commander of Mysore started with him joining Wodeyar Rajas of Mysore. He was appointed a jagir of Budikote village and later as Naik.
• After the death of Fath Muhammad in combat, he entered into military service, along with his brother Shahbaz. They served under the rulers of Arcot for a few years and moved to Seringapatna, where Hyder’s uncle served. He introduced them to Devaraja, the ‘Dalwai’ or chief minister of Krishnaraja Wodeyar. Hyder and his brother were inducted into the Mysorean army, where Hyder served under Shehbaz.’

Carnatic Wars

• The death of Nizam of Hyderabad led to a struggle over the succession to the throne, which culminated in the Second Carnatic War. Fought between Nasir Jung, Nizam’s son, and Muzzafar Jung, his nephew, both sides were assisted by local leaders, including British and French rulers.
• Nanjarja, assigned with more powers by Devaraja, led the Mysorean army in support of Nasir Jung. Hyder Ali was also a part of the army that went on a siege of Devanahalli fort. However, Hyder’s courage and valour, caught the attention of Nanjaraja, who awarded him the title “Khan”, and command of 50 horsemen and 200-foot soldiers.
• After the death of Nasir Jung, Hyder, along with the support of his Bedar Peons, captured a portion of the treasures and increased the number of soldiers at his command. He ensured better training for his troops with the assistance of French deserters.
• By 1775, there were 3000 infantry and 1500 cavalry under the command of Hyder Ali. Hyder then took part in the Trichinopoly campaign, led by Nanjaraja. Satisfied by his performance, he was appointed the Faujdar of Dindigul in 1755. He kept on enlarging his troops and organised his artillery, arsenal, and laboratory with the assistance of French engineers. During this period, he also met Muzzaffar Jung and Chanda Sahib. Hyder Ali and Muhammad Ali Khan Wallajah, Nawab of Carnatic, were at odds with each other.
• Hyder Ali replaced his brother’s position after his death, commanding 15000 soldiers. In 1757, Srirangapatna received threats from Hyderabad and Marathas. On arrival, he paid off the troops and arrested the leaders of the mutiny within the Mysorean army.
• In 1757, the Raja of Palakkad sought help from Hyder Ali to hold out the invasion of Zamorin of Calicut. Hyder Ali initiated a number of campaigns against the Zamorin on the Malabar coast. Following the defeat of Zamorin of Calicut in 1766, Kozhikode was absorbed into his state.
• Several princely states in the Malabar region of Kerala, including Kottayam, Kolathunadu, Kadathanadu, Tanur, Palakkad, and Valluvanadu, were subordinated by rulers of Mysore and made a part of the larger kingdom of Mysore. Hyder Ali was given the regional governorship or ‘jagir’ of Bangalore in reward for his successful attempts to strengthen the kingdom of Mysore.
• In 1758, Hyder Ali captured Bangalore and took over the command of the entire Mysore army in 1759. As a reward for his performance, Krishnaraja Wodeyar II accorded him the title ‘ Fath Hyder Bahadur’ or ‘Nawab Hyder Ali Khan. In 1759, Hyder Ali became the first ruler of Mysore to receive the title “Nawab”.
• By mid-1750, Seringapatanam was unstable, and relations between Devaraj and Nanjaraj were getting hostile. Devaraj resigned from his position in 1757. The situation further worsened with constant attacks from Marathas and Nizam of Hyderabad. With empty treasuries and unpaid soldiers, the troops turned against Nanjaraja.
• However, Hyder Ali was capable enough to placate the ministers and pay off the troops. As a result, he was appointed the Commander-in-Chief during the Maratha invasion of Mysore in 1758. The Marathas, under Gopal Hari, recommended 32 lakhs as settlement. Hyder paid half the amount apart from paying the arrears to troops. His tactical skills and astute mindset helped him arrive at peace terms with the Marathas. Following this, Najaraj decided to retire, and Haider unanimously seized power.
• In the 1760s, a ploy against Hyder Ali by the queen and Khande Rao attempted to oust him from Mysore. More than half the dominion of the state was under the control of Hyder. There was enmity between Khanda Rao and Hyder as he demanded compensation for the expenses incurred in the siege of Mysore. The conspiracy to depose Hyder culminated in sending large troops under Visaji Pandit to Mysore. Hyder’s troops were with his brother-in-law, Makdum Ali, in Pondicherry for French aid in the Third Carnatic war.
• Hyder Ali was forced to leave Srirangapatna with few resources, leaving his family behind. Khande Rao kept Hyder’s family in confinement. However, Hyder Ali consolidated his strength following the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat. As a result, Marathas pulled out their forces from Mysore and were chased by Makdum Ali, Hyder Ali’s brother-in-law. Hyder Ali recouped his position, placing Mirza Sahib in Sira, Ibrahim Ali Khan in Bangalore, and Amin Sahib in Basnagar. Then he marched along with the forces of Makdum Ali to Srirangapatna.
• However, Hyder was defeated by Khande Rao’s forces, which were double in number. Hyder was extended support by Nanjaraj, who gave him command of the army and the title of Dalwai. With the support of the forces from Nanjaraj, he again moved against Khanda Rao. However, Hyder achieved victory with wise stratagem. Khanda Rao, betrayed by his army, fled to Srirangapatna.
• Hyder Ali effortlessly defeated the leaderless army of Khande Rao and took over most of the areas surrounding Seringapatam. With this victory, Hyder Ali took over the military control over Mysore along with the infantry, guns, and baggage of Khanda Rao. By then, Hyder’s usurpation was complete, and Khanda Rao was handed over to him on the demand that he should not be executed. Hyder imprisoned him and appointed Mukhdoom Ali, the governor of Srirangapatna.

Read about The Battle of Wandiwash or the Third Carnatic War from the linked article.

Nawab of Sira

• Sira, the Mughal headquarters in Deccan, was taken over by Marathas in 1757. Following the defeat of Marathas in the Battle of Panipat, the governor of Adoni, Basalt Jung, prepared to capture the province of Sira. Marathas put up a strong defence, and they appealed for help from Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali sent an ambassador to Basalt Jung and bargained for Nawabship of Sira for 3 lakhs rupees. He received the Nawabship of Sira and ascendancy over the Raja of Mysore.

Ruler of Mysore

• In 1761, Hyder Ali assumed the power of Mysore by removing the Prime Minister and making Krishna Wodeyar II, a prisoner. He maintained cordial relations with the Nizam of Hyderabad, the sovereign of Muslim-controlled territories in India. He distinguished himself as Sultan Hyder Ali Khan, in connection with the Mughal ruler, Shah Alam II, and retained the title during the first Anglo-Maratha war. He was referred to by the English and Marathas as “Nabob”.

Major alliances and expansions

• Towards the North, he expanded the territories to Sira and the kingdom of Bednore.In Bednore, he aided the claimant to win back the throne against usurpers. He captured the capital of Bednore, Ikkeri, which also included a treasury. The capital got renamed Heidernagar, and Hyder styled himself Hyder Ali Khan Bahadur.
• Hyder shifted his family to Ikkeri, which served as a natural fortress, and he managed the trappings of the ruler of Bednore. He also started issuing coins and established a system of weights and measures. He maintained a distance from foreigners and was reluctant to include the East India Company in his court. However, in the midst of surging conspiracies against him in Bednore, he came back to Mysore.
• He also set up several ports after the takeover of Bednore, including Mangalore port. Shreds of evidence point out that he had maintained a navy, initially managed by the English men and later handed over to an officer named Ali Bey, chosen by Hyder Ali because he had little trust in the English.
• Hyder Ali maintained cordial relations with the Christian population in Mangalore, who were under Portuguese influence for a long period. Hyder included Christians in his army as well as administration. A church was also constructed in Srirangapatna, visited by people, including French Generals. He even let the Portuguese priests settle disputes between people. Amidst the bonhomie, and concessions given to the people of Mangalore, he earned dislike from the majority of the population for the heavy taxes imposed on them.

Attack on Marathas

• The Marathas faced a major setback following the third battle of Panipat. On realizing their vulnerable position, Hyder Ali decided to attack the Marathas and end the threat to his throne. He initially attacked Marathas, ruled by Rani of Badnore. She sought assistance from Nawab of Savanur. After intimidating Nawab, Hyder Ali invaded the territory, reaching Dharwad.
• Hyder Ali faced stiff resistance from Peshwa Madhav Rao I since Savanur was a territory under the Maratha Empire. Hyder Ali could not withstand the powerful Maratha forces and was defeated. This reestablished the authority of Marathas. Hyder abandoned Bednore and had a loss of 35 lakhs rupees as a tribute to end the war. Even though he retained the treasures from Bednore and Sira, his intention to conquer the Maratha Empire was not fruitful.
• In 1766, Hyder Ali returned to Malabar Coast on the appeal of the Raja of Cannanore, who sought independence from the Zamorin of Calicut. Hyder reached Calicut and claimed a tribute from Zamorin for extending support to Hyder’s opponents. However, Zamorin did not keep his word and was put under house arrest by Hyder Ali. Finally, he set fire to the palace and killed himself in fear of disgrace.
• The Raja of Cochin offered 2 lakhs rupees to Hyder and accepted his submission. Then he demanded the Raja of Travancore, Raja Rama Varma, a tribute of 15 lakh rupees and twenty elephants. King informed Hyder that the Travancore kingdom was under the Nawab of Arcot and in alliance with the East India Company. After establishing authority in Calicut, Hyder left for Coimbatore.
• During his absence, a Nair rebellion started in Calicut, against Hyder’s lieutenant, Reza Sahib. On account of the rebellion, Hyder hastened to Calicut and put down the revolt. However, following the revolt, he deprived the Nairs of all their privileges, including provisions to carry arms. Hyder also made an edict, which guaranteed the restoration of their privileges, if converted to Islam. He also carried out the execution of thousands of people. Many of the Nairs fled Calicut and took refuge under the Travancore kingdom.
• By this time, the Marathi forces under Peshwa Madhav Rao and Nizam Ali, aided by the British, advanced to Hyder’s capital in Hyderabad. The chiefs of Malabar sided with them to fight Hyder in hope of independence. As a result, Hyder deserted his mission on Malabar and made three conditions for their independence. They were:

1. A war indemnity has to be paid to Hyder
2. The Fort of Palakkad should remain under his possession
3. Ali Raja should not be disturbed

First-Anglo Mysore War

• The British had already established themselves after the Third Carnatic War. They signed treaties with the Nawab of Carnatic, whose domain had a significant impact on the company’s possessions in Madras. After the Battle of Buxar, the British signed a treaty with the Nizam of Hyderabad in exchange for Northern Circars, promising protection from Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali was already not on good terms with the Marathas and Nawab of Arcot, concerning territorial possessions.
• Finally, the English, the Marathas, and Nizam jointly decided to wage war on Hyder Ali. Hyder worked out diplomatically and turned the Nizam to his side, against the ruler of Arcot. His tactical abilities forced Marathas to share the territories with the Nizam. Nizam fought with Hyder Ali against the British.
• The English commander, unable to fight the combined forces, retired to Trichinopoly. The English plotted an attack on Hyderabad, and Nizam was forced to grant the English Diwani of Mysore. Hyder Ali left without an ally, and captured Mangalore, defeating the English army. Then he raised additional forces and rushed to Madras. Owing to the disorder and panic created in Madras, the British signed the Treaty of Madras, an offensive military treaty according to them.

Learn about the Battle of Chengam which was a part of the First Anglo-Mysore War, fought on 3rd September 1767.

Maratha- Mysore Wars

• After signing the Treaty of Madras, Hyder started demanding tributes from frontier states between Marathas and Mysore. He was also reluctant to pay tributes to Marathas. Marathas finally invaded Mysore in 1770. English failed to provide assistance, and Marathas captured much of the North-Eastern part of Mysore. The Maratha army advanced to Seringapatanam, took over Bangalore, and inflicted casualties on Hyder’s army when he tried to resist. Finally, Hyder sued for peace and agreed to pay about 5 million rupees as tribute arrears.
• However, the peace between Marathas and Hyder was short-lived. Following the death of Peshwa Madhavrao I, Hyder sent his forces under Tipu to retrieve the territories lost to Marathas. However, Tipu headed to Coorg, a safer route to Malabar territories captured by Marathas.
• In 1775, Marathas joined an alliance with the Nizam of Hyderabad, against Hyder. Hyder successfully threatened the revolters and halted the conflict. He further expanded his territories across the Krishna river, after the siege of Dharwad. He also seized Chitradurga, ruled by Madakari Nayaka.
• The important wars fought between the Marathas and Mysoreans include;

Battle of Chinkurli (1771), Battle of Saunshi ( 1777), Siege of Nargund (1785) ,Battle of Badami (1786).

Second Anglo-Mysore War

• Hyder Ali was dissatisfied with the lack of assistance from the British during continuous wars with the Maratha Empire. He considered this breach of the “Treaty of Madras”.British was under the influence of Hyder’s enemy, Nawab of Arcot.
• The British were at odds with the Marathas, as the former enraged the latter through their refusal to sign treaties and were at war with them throughout the period. The Nawab of Karnataka, with British assistance, captured Tanjore and Guntur from Basalt Jung, a relative of Nizam. This alienated Nizam from English.
• Hyder Ali joined the Marathas and Nizam to ally against the British owing to two important reasons. Hyder received war equipment from the French through Mahe, a port under the possession of the French on the Malabar Coast. The increased camaraderie between the French and Hyder irritated the English. This culminated in the English capturing the French possessions of Mahe, which were defended by troops of Haider.
• This infuriated Hyder and he decided to take revenge on the British, along with the Marathas and Nizam. They arrived at a mutual plan: Marathas would attack the English possessions in the North, Hyder would attack the Madras and nearby territories of the English, whereas Nizam would attack the Northern provinces under the possession of the British.
• Hyder attacked the English forces, headed by Colonel Baillie and Sir Hector Munroe. Assisted by his son, Tipu, Haider fought against the English and captured Carnatic, which put the English in an arduous situation. However, Warren Hastings, the governor-general of the Company managed to win the support of Nizam and the Marathas, diplomatically.
• Gundur, previously captured from Nizam was returned to him, and the Scindias and Bhonsles were also dealt with diplomatically by Hastings. Thus, the British effectively resisted the Marathas and Nizam from waging a war against them, and Hyder was left alone to fight for his cause. Hyder entered into successful alliances with Ali Raja Bibi Junumabe II of the Cannanore kingdom and the Mappila community.

Read and understand the NCERT Notes on the First and Second Anglo-Mysore wars from the linked article.

Battle of Pollilur

• The Battle of Pollilur was fought between Hyder Ali and British forces led by General Eyre Coote on 27 August 1781. It took place in Pollilur near the city of Kanjeevaram, in present-day Tamil Nadu. In the battle, the army was divided into two, where one line dealt with forces under Tipu Sultan and another against Hyder’s forces. Forces led by Hyder Ali had major casualties. But forces under Coote had major losses and retreated to Tripassore. Hyder considered this as his victory over English forces.

Battle of Porto Novo

• The Battle of Porto Novo was fought between Hyder Ali and British forces on July 1, 1781. Hyder Ali was defeated by the English forces under Ayre Coote in November 1781 at Porto Novo. Joined by other forces from Bengal, they collectively fought against Hyder, defeated him at Sholinghur, and captured Negapatnam. Tipu was joined by French Admiral Suffrein, and they captured Cuddalore and Trincomali from English. Meanwhile, Hyder died of cancer on December 7, 1782.
• Tipu continued his fight against the English even after the death of his father. However, he received a major setback in 1783, when the French withdrew from the war and entered into a treaty with Britain. English forces also captured Palghat and Coimbatore. However, Lord Macartney, governor of Madras, took initiative for peace negotiations with Tipu owing to the serious financial crisis. Tipu was also wishful for peace due to the inconclusive war and agreed to the peace treaty.
• The Treaty of Mangalore was signed on March 7, 1784, between Tipu and the British. Both sides agreed to give back the territories they had taken from each other.

Aspirants can go through the NCERT Notes on the third and fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars for UPSC from the linked article.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hyder Ali

Who was Hyder Ali in Mysore?

Hyder Ali was one of the powerful commanders of the Mysorean army who later became the Sultan of Mysore. He was at the forefront to resist British supremacy in India through the first and second Anglo-Mysore wars.

Who defeated Hyder Ali at the battle of Porto Novo in 1781?

Hyder Ali was defeated at the Battle of Porto Novo in 1782 by Sir Eyre Coote during the second Anglo-Mysore war. Forces around 8000 in number, controlled by Coote, defeated Hyder’s forces around 40000.

How did Hyder Ali come to power in Mysore?

Hyder Ali came to power in Mysore by defeating Khande Rao, who conspired against him. He was assigned the title “Sultan Hyder Ali Khan” in correspondence with Shah Alam II.His military valour and leadership skills rose from the post of the trusted lieutenant to the Sultan of Mysore.

Who won the first Anglo-Mysore war?

Forces led by Haider Ali defeated the British in the first Anglo-Mysore war. The war came to a conclusion with the Treaty of Madras signed on April 4, 1769. According to the treaty, both sides exchanged prisoners and conquered areas along with an assurance by the British to provide assistance if Hyder was attacked by other forces.

How is Tipu Sultan related to Hyder Ali?

Tipu Sultan, known as the “Tiger of Mysore”, was the son of Hyder Ali, a powerful commander and de facto ruler of Mysore.

Note: You may get all the History Questions for the UPSC Mains exam by visiting the linked article.

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