Bangalore Fort Stormed During The 3rd Anglo-Mysore War, 1791 Newspaper
Rare 1791 newspaper that features the storming of Bangalore Fort during the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War on 21 March, 1791. This is probably one of the most fascinating news reports about the ongoing 3rd Anglo-Mysore Wars at the time. Reports the advance of Lord Charles Cornwallis into the Mysore Kingdom in early 1791. Cornwallis had successfully marched towards Bangalore, in Southern India. And describes Tippoo Sultan (Tipu Sultan) concentrating his forces near Bangalore and strengthening the city’s defences. Yet Cornwallis’s army continued its advance, capturing outlying forts and securing vital supplies before preparing for the decisive assault.
The article paints a vivid picture of military strategy rather than simply battlefield heroics. It notes that Tippoo Sultan avoided exposing his troops unnecessarily. Preferring to reinforce defensive positions and wait for opportunities to counterattack. Cornwallis, meanwhile, carefully coordinated infantry, cavalry, and artillery, ensuring his forces remained well supplied despite operating deep inside enemy territory. The newspaper’s correspondents note the discipline of the East India Company’s army, viewing these victories as essential steps towards breaking Mysore’s resistance.
The newspaper also reproduces official letters sent to the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London. Casualty returns are included, reflecting the eighteenth-century practice of publishing military losses alongside reports of victories. Readers were thereby kept informed not only of strategic developments but also of the personal cost of the war.
Particular attention is given to Bangalore’s strategic importance. The fortress served as one of Tippoo Sultan’s principal military bases and controlled important routes leading towards his capital at Seringapatam (now Srirangapatna). The newspaper suggests that securing Bangalore would significantly weaken Mysore’s ability to continue resisting the combined British, Maratha, and Hyderabad forces. It also records intelligence concerning Tippoo’s attempts to gather provisions, protect his artillery, and maintain communication with surrounding districts as Cornwallis closed in. The fort was stormed by Cornwallis’s men. Click first image to enlarge.
Did you know – Bangalore became the largest military cantonment in South India.
