Siege of Seringapatam - This Day in History | Testbook

May 4, 1799

Commemorating the Siege of Seringapatam

What transpired on this day?

Tipu Sultan

On May 4, 1799, the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War concluded with the fall of Seringapatam and the demise of Tipu Sultan.

Understanding the Siege of Seringapatam

The Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792 marked the end of the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Srirangapatnam, also known as Seringapatam, was the unofficial capital of Tipu Sultan.
According to the treaty, Tipu Sultan conceded half of his kingdom, including Malabar, Coorg, Baramahal, and Dindigul, to the British. He was also obligated to pay a substantial war indemnity and offer his two sons as collateral until the payment was settled.
Despite the treaty, tensions between the British and Mysore remained high.
Tipu Sultan rejected Lord Wellesley's Subsidiary Alliance and sought to align with the French, a move that the British perceived as a threat.
The British formed alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad. In 1799, these combined forces launched an attack on the Kingdom of Mysore from all sides.
The British forces besieged Srirangapatnam, and Tipu Sultan's advances were halted at the Battle of Seedaseer on March 6, 1799.
The Siege of Seringapatam, also known as the Battle of Seringapatam, commenced on May 2 at the Seringapatam Fort. Tipu's forces were outnumbered, with approximately 30,000 men against the enemy's 50,000 troops.
During the battle, Tipu deployed Mysorean rockets that startled the British forces, led by General George Harris.
Despite fierce resistance, Tipu's forces were unable to defend the Fort. The siege ended when Tipu was shot and killed, leading to a decisive British victory.
Following the war, Tipu's territories were divided between Hyderabad and the British.
The region surrounding Mysore and Srirangapatnam was returned to the Wodeyar dynasty, the legitimate rulers of the Kingdom of Mysore.
Subsequently, Mysore entered a Subsidiary Alliance with the British.

Also on this day

1767: The birth of Saint Tyagaraja, a revered composer of Carnatic music.

For more historical events, visit our previous ‘This Day in History’ articles.

Related Links:

Anglo-Mysore Wars – I, II

The Third and Fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars

The Battle Of Plassey – Background & Significance

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 4th, 1799?

The Fourth Anglo-Mysore War came to an end with the Siege of Seringapatam in which Tipu Sultan was killed.

What was the Siege of Seringapatam?

The Siege of Seringapatam was a battle in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War where Tipu Sultan's men were outnumbered and he was killed, marking the end of the war.