Battle of Porto Novo, Year, Battle Leaders, Key Details

The Battle of Porto Novo took place on 1 July 1781 during the Second Anglo-Mysore War. It was fought between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore at Porto Novo (present-day Parangipettai). Despite being heavily outnumbered, with just over 8,000 troops, the British forces under Sir Eyre Coote defeated Hyder Ali’s much larger army of around 40,000 soldiers. This victory marked a turning point for the British in southern India.

Battle of Porto Novo Chronology

• The Second Anglo-Mysore War began in 1780 when Hyder Ali declared war against the British. This move was a response to the British attack on Mahe, a French possession under Hyder Ali’s control.
• In July 1780, Hyder Ali invaded the Carnatic region, where the British faced a severe defeat. Following this, Hyder Ali renewed the siege of Arcot.
• The British, alarmed by his success, strengthened their defences in South India and sent reinforcements under Sir Eyre Coote to Madras.
• Initially, Coote was pushed back by Hyder Ali, but he later secured key victories.
• The turning point came at the Battle of Porto Novo (now Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu) in July 1781. In this battle, Coote led a British force of just over 8,000 men against Hyder Ali’s 40,000-strong army.
• Despite being outnumbered, Coote defeated Hyder Ali. This victory is considered significant in Hyder Ali’s expansionist ambitions.
• The war ended with the Treaty of Mangalore, signed on 11 March 1784 between Tipu Sultan and the British East India Company.
• According to the treaty, both sides agreed to restore captured territories and release prisoners.
• By that time, Hyder Ali had died in 1782 and his son Tipu Sultan had taken over.
• Two more Anglo-Mysore wars followed, ending with the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799.
• Tipu Sultan was killed in that final battle, marking the end of Mysore’s resistance against British rule.

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