Who was Hyder Ali? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 61

Family:

children: Tipu Sultan

Emperors & Kings Indian Men

Died on: December 6, 1782

place of death: Chittoor

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1

Where did Hyder Ali serve as a military officer?

Hyder Ali served as a military officer in the Mysore Kingdom.
2

What was Hyder Ali known for during his rule?

Hyder Ali was known for his military leadership and administrative reforms during his rule.
3

What conflict did Hyder Ali engage in with the British East India Company?

Hyder Ali engaged in the First Anglo-Mysore War with the British East India Company.
4

What was the significance of Hyder Ali's use of rockets in warfare?

Hyder Ali's use of rockets in warfare contributed to the development of rocket artillery in military tactics.
5

What was the outcome of the Second Anglo-Mysore War led by Hyder Ali's son Tipu Sultan?

The outcome of the Second Anglo-Mysore War resulted in the Treaty of Mangalore, restoring the status quo between the British East India Company and Mysore.

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Childhood & Early Life

Hyder Ali is believed to have been born somewhere around 1720; the exact date of his birth is not known. Not much is known about his early life as well. His probable birth place is Budikote, Kolar, Karnataka. His father Fath Muhammad was a military commander at the service of the Wodeyar Rajas of the Kingdom of Mysore.

There are some discrepancies regarding his ancestry also. Some sources state that his grandfather descended from a line of Muslims tracing their lineage back to Persia while others claim he hailed from the area of present-day Afghanistan.

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Accession & Reign

After the death of his father, Hyder and his brother Shahbaz entered military service. During his initial years, Hyder was a petty officer in the Mysore army attending on the nizam. The brothers served for a number of years under the rulers of Arcot before moving to Seringapatam, where Hyder's uncle served.

Hyder rose through the military ranks quickly and was soon commanding 100 cavalry and 2,000 infantry, serving under Shahbaz. The longtime Nizam of Hyderabad, Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I, died in 1748 and a bitter struggle of succession followed during which Hyder acquired considerable power as a military leader.

By 1755 he had become so powerful that he commanded 3,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry. He grew more ambitious with the passing years and displaced the ruler of Mysore to assume control over the princely state himself.

Around 1761, he declared himself the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He then proceeded to conquer Bednore (now Haidarnagar), Kanara, and the petty poligars (feudal chiefs) of southern India.

He founded the Sultanate of Mysore and formally styled himself Sultan Hyder Ali Khan. He then embarked on extensive campaigns to expand his kingdom. He acquired Sira, from the Marathas, and the kingdom of Bednore. Now there were several ports under his control, including Mangalore. He used these ports to establish a small navy.

By the 1760s, British East India Company had become the dominant European colonial power on the Indian east coast. The First Anglo–Mysore War between the Sultanate of Mysore and the East India Company began in 1767. After two years of fierce battles, the British were forced to enter a treaty of mutual defense with Hyder—the Treaty of Madras signed on 29 March 1769.

However, the British failed to keep up their promise when Hyder Ali was engaged in war with the Marathas in 1770. Angered by the British’s refusal to assist him, Hyder negotiated an alliance with the Marathas and the nizam for united action against the British.

This led to the Second Anglo–Mysore War between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company in 1780. Hyder Ali also solicited the support of the French against the British in this war. He obtained some success in his early campaigns and as the war progressed, the British government sought to end the conflict with Mysore and the war was brought to an end with the signing of the 1784 Treaty of Mangalore. Hyder, however, did not live to see the ending of the war.

Major Battles

In the First Anglo–Mysore War (1767–1769) against the British East India Company, Hyder Ali gained some success, almost capturing Madras. The war eventually ended with the signing of the Treaty of Madras, which contained a clause requiring the British to assist Hyder Ali if he was attacked by his neighbors.

The Second Anglo–Mysore War (1780–1784) was an even bloodier one than the first. Hyder Ali saw some success in the early campaigns. His health suffered considerably over the course of the war and he died in 1782. The war was continued by his successor Tipu Sultan.

Personal Life & Legacy

Many details about Hyder Ali’s personal life are unclear. But it is known that he had at least two wives, though in all probability he might have had more. His second wife was Fakhr-un-nissa, the mother of his successor, Tipu.

Hyder Ali suffered from a cancerous growth on his back and died on 7 December 1782.

Facts About Hyder Ali

Hyder Ali was known for his innovative military strategies, including the use of rocket artillery in battle, which was considered ahead of its time.

He was a skilled administrator who implemented various reforms in the areas under his control, focusing on improving infrastructure and promoting trade.

Hyder Ali was a patron of arts and culture, supporting poets, musicians, and scholars in his court.

He had a keen interest in gardening and landscaping, with his palace in Srirangapatna featuring elaborate gardens and water features.

Hyder Ali was known for his diplomatic skills, forging alliances with neighboring states to strengthen his position in the region.

Hyder Ali Biography

You wanted to know

Where did Hyder Ali serve as a military officer?

What was Hyder Ali known for during his rule?

What conflict did Hyder Ali engage in with the British East India Company?

What was the significance of Hyder Ali's use of rockets in warfare?

What was the outcome of the Second Anglo-Mysore War led by Hyder Ali's son Tipu Sultan?