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The Maratha-Mysore War of 1785-1787 was a significant conflict that took place in southern India between the Maratha Empire and the Kingdom of Mysore. The war had far-reaching consequences for the region, including the decline of the Maratha Empire and the rise of British colonial power.

Background:

The Maratha Empire, which had established its dominance over much of India in the mid-18th century, faced growing competition from regional powers such as the Kingdom of Mysore. Under the leadership of Tipu Sultan, Mysore had become a major regional power in the south, with a strong army and a modernizing economy. In 1785, tensions between the Marathas and Mysore boiled over into a full-scale conflict.

Course of the War:

The war began in 1785 when the Marathas, led by Mahadji Shinde, invaded Mysore. They were joined by forces from the Nizam of Hyderabad and the British East India Company. The Marathas quickly gained the upper hand, laying siege to the city of Bangalore and forcing Tipu Sultan to sign a peace treaty in 1786. The treaty ceded significant territories to the Marathas, including the districts of Gooty and Rayadurga.

However, the peace was short-lived. Tipu Sultan was determined to regain his lost territories and launched a surprise attack on the Maratha forces in 1787. The Marathas were caught off guard and suffered a significant defeat. The war ended with the Treaty of Gajendragad in 1787, which restored the status quo ante bellum and left both sides exhausted.

Impact:

The Maratha-Mysore War had far-reaching consequences for the region. The Maratha Empire, which had already been weakened by internal divisions and previous conflicts, suffered a further blow to its prestige and power. This paved the way for British colonial expansion into India, as the British gradually annexed much of the Maratha Empire's territory.

Mysore, on the other hand, continued to be a major regional power until its defeat in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799. However, the war had weakened its military and economy, making it more vulnerable to future attacks and eventual annexation by the British.

The Maratha-Mysore War also had important cultural and social implications. It was one of the first wars in India to involve the use of modern European military technology, including artillery and muskets. This had a profound impact on the future of Indian warfare and contributed to the decline of traditional forms of combat.

Sources:

Gough, Kathleen (1994). Rural Society in Southeast India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-42934-6. Majumdar, R.C. (1951). The Marathas: 1600–1818. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. ISBN 978-81-7276-170-2. Markovits, Claude (2004). A History of Modern India, 1480–1950. Anthem Press. ISBN 978-1-84331-152-2. Muthiah, S. (2004). Bangalore: The Story of a City. East West Books. ISBN 978-81-88661-42-9. Rao, C. Hayavadana (1928). Mysore Gazetteer: Bangalore District. Government Press. OCLC 8862115.