The First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769) was fought between Hyder Ali, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, and the British East India Company. Hyder Ali was a powerful and ambitious ruler who sought to expand his dominion in southern India. The British East India Company, on the other hand, aimed to establish its influence and control over the region.

Background:

- Hyder Ali had risen to power in Mysore in 1761 after overthrowing the ruling Wodeyar dynasty. He was a skilled military commander and an astute politician.
- The British East India Company had already established its presence in various parts of India and sought to expand its territories. They perceived Hyder Ali as a threat to their interests and decided to take action against him.

Causes of the War:

- The British were concerned about Hyder Ali's growing power and his attempts to unite the different states in southern India against British influence.
- Hyder Ali had also formed alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad, which further worried the British.
- Additionally, there were territorial disputes between the British and Mysore, particularly over the city of Madras (now Chennai).

Course of the War:

- The war began in 1767 when the British launched an invasion of Mysore. However, they faced strong resistance from Hyder Ali's forces, which were well-trained and equipped.
- The war was marked by several battles and skirmishes, with both sides gaining victories and suffering defeats.
- Hyder Ali employed innovative tactics and utilized guerrilla warfare, which posed significant challenges for the British forces.
- The war eventually ended in a stalemate, with neither side achieving a decisive victory. In 1769, a peace treaty was signed, which restored the pre-war boundaries between Mysore and the British territories.

Significance:

- The First Anglo-Mysore War highlighted the military capabilities of Hyder Ali and his ability to resist British aggression.
- It also demonstrated the British East India Company's determination to safeguard its interests and expand its territories.
- The war set the stage for further conflicts between Mysore and the British in the coming years, as Hyder Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, continued his father's policies and confronted the British in subsequent wars.

In conclusion, the First Anglo-Mysore War (1767-1769) was fought between Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and the British East India Company. The war was a result of the British East India Company's concerns about Hyder Ali's growing power and his attempts to unite southern Indian states against British influence. The war ended in a stalemate, and it set the stage for further conflicts between Mysore and the British in the future.