The Battle of Pollilur, part of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore, led by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The clash occurred near Kanchipuram in present-day Tamil Nadu. General Sir Eyre Coote commanded the British forces, known for his earlier success at the Battle of Wandiwash. The
Battle of Pollilur was not the first conflict at Pollilur, Hyder Ali had previously defeated the British there in September 1780. However, in the encounter of 1781, Coote’s forces managed to push back Mysorean troops, though the British themselves called it a “dubious victory.” The British lines were split, fighting both Hyder and Tipu separately.
Battle of Pollilur
On 10th September 1780, Battle of Pollilur which was a part of Second Anglo-Mysore War took place near Kanchipuram which is now a part of Tamil Nadu, India. The Battle was between the Kingdom of Mysore which was led by Tipu Sultan and the forces of British East India Company which was led by William Baillie. The Mysore army won the Battle of Pollilur over the British East India Company.
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Battle of Pollilur History
Tipu Sultan aimed to prevent the British forces from joining together. William Baillie's detachment was moving to link up with another British force under Hector Munro at Conjeevaram. Meanwhile, Hyder Ali, Tipu’s father, was engaged in attacking Arcot. Tipu’s strategy was to isolate Baillie’s troops and make them easier to defeat.
Tipu Sultan About
The Kingdom of Mysore was ruled by Tipu Sultan, the son of Haidar Ali and a formidable warrior famously known as the Tiger of Mysore. Born in November 1750, Tipu was a diplomat and a strong admirer of democratic ideals. He supported French soldiers in setting up a Jacobin Club at Seringapatam in 1797 and even planted the Tree of Liberty there.
He modernised his army on the European model, using Persian commands and recognising the importance of naval power. Tipu was eventually defeated and killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War on May 4, 1799, at Srirangapatna in present-day Mandya district, Karnataka.
Battle of Pollilur FAQs
Q1: What was the Battle of Pollilur?
Ans: The Battle of Pollilur (1780) was a major conflict between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company.
Q2: Who fought in the Battle of Pollilur?
Ans: It was fought between Tipu Sultan and his father Hyder Ali against British forces led by Colonel William Baillie.
Q3: When did the Battle of Pollilur take place?
Ans: The battle occurred on 10 September 1780 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War.
Q4: Where was the Battle of Pollilur fought?
Ans: It took place near the town of Pollilur (modern-day Kanchipuram district) in Tamil Nadu, India.
Q5: What was the outcome of the Battle of Pollilur?
Ans: Tipu Sultan decisively defeated the British, capturing almost the entire detachment led by Colonel Baillie.
