British Imperial Economic Interests in Mysore 1799-1900
By T. S. Devendra
Summary
The British established indirect rule in Mysore through Residents and Political Agents after defeating Tipu Sultan in 1799, installing the Wodeyar dynasty under British oversight. The Subsidiary Treaty of Srirangapatnam required Mysore to maintain British troops, avoid independent foreign policy, and pay subsidies. Residents like Colonel Barry Close monitored finances, correspondence, and administration while balancing direct intervention with local autonomy. Despite formal treaties, conflicting British and Indian views on authority created confusion, with Residents often relying on private reports to critique rulers like Krishnaraja Wodeyar III as extravagant. The system evolved over a century, blending formalized arrangements with on-ground complexities, as British economic interests prioritized control through indirect governance structures.
Conclusion
This article examines the British imperial strategy of indirect rule through Residents in Mysore, highlighting the complex power dynamics between colonial authorities and local princes. The establishment of the Residency system after Tipu Sultan's defeat in 1799 enabled British economic and political dominance while maintaining the facade of princely autonomy. Key figures like Colonel Barry Close navigated administrative challenges, balancing direct oversight with pragmatic accommodation of local governance structures. The analysis reveals persistent tensions between British financial interests and princely sovereignty, exemplified by disputes over subsidies and revenue management. While the Residency model allowed Britain to consolidate control without direct annexation, it also created administrative ambiguities and conflicts, particularly evident in conflicting British officials' assessments of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III's rule. These contradictions underscore the precarious nature of colonial compromise in maintaining imperial authority while navigating indigenous political realities.