The Tiger subdued, 1799-1803
Wellesley's first Indian campaign, led by General George
Harris, was waged in 1799 against the Muslim ally of France,
Tippoo Sultan - the so-called Tiger of Mysore, culminating
in the siege and storming of his palace of Seringapatam in
May, and during which Tippoo was killed. Wellesley's stock
reached a new high.
His second major campaign in 1803 was directed against the
Hindu Maratha Confederacy. Beginning with the taking the fortress
of Ahmednuggur, the campaign reached a pitch with the Battle
of Assaye on the Kaitna River. A particularly bloody affair,
it witnessed nearly 8,000 casualties on both sides among the
French-trained Mahrattas, British and German troops and native
sepoys. The battle was regarded by Wellington throughout his
life as his greatest military achievement - his force had
been outnumbered at least seven to one - although his doleful
regret at the fearful loss of life also highlighted what became
another of his distinctive qualities: compassion and magnanimity
in victory.
Finally, Wellesley followed his triumph at Assaye with
the successful siege and storming of the bastion at
Gawilghur in December 1803. As a consequence of the
Indian wars, Wellesley's reputation - and solvency with
the distribution of prize money - was hugely strengthened.
However, he was criticised by rivals envious of his
rapid promotion and the part played in it by his brother,
the governor general. Wellesley was in turn critical
of his allies and some fellow officers and the squandering
by civilians of the painful fruits of victory. The politics
and jealousies of war were thereafter to remain a central
feature of Wellington's life and career. Nevertheless,
reward at home came with his being created a Knight
of the Bath in September 1804.
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