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{{Short description|1757 invasion by Hyder Ali}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Mysore invasion of Calicut
| place = [[Calicut]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| width =
| partof = Mysorean invasion of Malabar
| date = July 1757
| territory =
| result = [[Mysore]]an victory
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|Kingdom of Mysore}} [[Kingdom of Mysore]]
*[[Palakkad district|Kingdom of Palakkad]]
| combatant2 = [[Calicut]]
| commander1 = {{flagicon|Kingdom of Mysore}} [[Hyder Ali]]<br />{{flagicon|Kingdom of Mysore}} Makhdoom Ali
| commander2 = [[Zamorin|Zamorin Raja]]
| casualties1 =
| casualties2 =
| strength1 = '''Total''': 7,000<ref name="Ayyar 1938">{{citation|url=https://archive.org/details/TheZamorinsOfCalicut/page/n247/mode/2up|last=Ayyar|first=K.V Krishna|title=The Zamorins of Calicut|date= 1938}}</ref>
*5,000 Infantry<ref name="Ayyar 1938"/>
*2,000 Cavalry<ref name="Ayyar 1938"/>
*5 Cannons<ref name="Ayyar 1938"/>
| strength2 = Unknown
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
{{Mysore Invasion of Kerala}}
The '''Mysore invasion of Calicut''' was the result of the Calicut's attack on Palghat in 1756–1757. This comprised the attacks of the [[Zamorin]] of [[History of Kozhikode|Calicut]] on the Kingdom of [[Palakkad]], situated east to Calicut.<ref name = Logan/> It was a continuation of the attacks on the Kingdom of [[Valluvanad (southern Malabar)|Valluvanad]], the traditional rival of Calicut. In the one sided Valluvanad attacks the Zamorin had captured much of the land from Eranad to Nedunganad. So, this time Zamorin marched against Palakkad and easily occupied Nadvattom which tore the Kingdom of Palakkad right through the middle.<ref name = Logan>Logan, William (2006). ''Malabar Manual'', Mathrubhumi Books, Calicut. {{ISBN|978-81-8264-046-7}}.</ref>

Komi [[Achan (title)|Achan]], the King of Palakkad, requested the [[faujdar]] of [[Dindigul]], [[Hyder Ali]] to help him. Zamorin was fighting a war against Raja of [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]] at that time.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajendran|first=N|title=Background of the Mysorean Invasion of Malabar 1765–66|date=1978|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44139404|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=39|pages=613–617|jstor=44139404}}</ref> [[Hyder Ali]] sent a massive force under his brother-in-law Makhdoom Ali and soon the allied forces swept through the Zamorin's territory and reached the sea coast.<ref name = Logan/> By these attacks, Hyder Ali also planned to capture the vast treasuries of Malabar kings which were obtained by the [[spice trade]].<ref>Panikkassery, Velayudhan. '' Tipu Sultan'' MM Publications (2007), Kottayam India {{ISBN?}} {{page?|date=February 2025}}</ref>

Zamorin came to a treaty with Haider Ali, in which he was demanded to pay twelve lack rupees as the [[war reparations]]. However, the Zamorin technically deceived Hyder Ali after the return of the Mysore Army from [[Malabar Coast|Malabar]].<ref name = Logan/> But, for his role in these activities, Hyder Ali was rewarded by Devaraja, the Prime Minister of [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore]], with the [[jaghir]] (regional governorship) of [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Tipu Sultan's search for legitimacy : Islam and kingship in a Hindu domain |date= 1997|oclc=246448596 }}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Zamorin of Calicut.jpg|thumb|Zamorin of Calicut]]
The [[Zamorin|Zamorins of Calicut]] were one among the eleven successors of the [[Chera dynasty|Chera empire]], and it's ruler called Nediyiruppu Swaroopam, commonly referred to as the Zamorin due to their hereditary title.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qAwwAQAAIAAJ |title=Encyclopaedia Indica: Kerala-Malabar |date=2001 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-7041-859-7 |pages=2270 |language=en}}</ref> The port-town of [[Calicut]] had already gained renown as an international trade hub for spices and textiles. The rulers of this kingdom flourished through their maritime trade connections, amassing significant prosperity and consolidating considerable political influence and authority throughout the Middle Ages in [[Kerala]]'s history.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mathew |first=K. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u0IwDwAAQBAJ |title=Shipbuilding, Navigation and the Portuguese in Pre-modern India |year=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-58833-1 |pages=130 |language=en}}</ref>

The Zamorins of Calicut were sovereign rulers who fiercely preserved their independence for over eight centuries, never bowing to the authority of even the mighty [[Mughal Empire]] in Delhi. Renowned for their hospitality, religious tolerance, and patronage, they welcomed trading communities from various nations, including [[Arabs]], [[Ethiopians|Abyssinians]], and [[Egyptians]]. These foreign traders, along with their families and agents, were provided with facilities to establish settlements across the coastline of the Zamorin's domains.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mehta |first=Jaswant Lal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC |title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707–1813 |year=2005 |publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-1-932705-54-6 |pages=324 |language=en}}</ref> The Zamorin maintained a formidable defensive force commanded by [[Mappila Muslims]] and [[Nair]]s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Koshy |first=M. O. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ro8SLhyAc9AC |title=The Dutch Power in Kerala, 1729–1758 |date=1989 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-136-6 |language=en}}</ref> The naval fleet of the Zamorin, led by [[Kunjali Marakkar]]s, gained renown for repelling Portuguese campaigns in the Arabian Sea.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kurup |first=K. K. N. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HKmXcBCKEcAC |title=India's Naval Traditions: The Role of Kunhali Marakkars |date=1997 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |isbn=978-81-7211-083-3 |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:"Hyder Ali," a steel engraving from the 1790's (with modern hand coloring).jpg|thumb|Hyder Ali]]
In 1755, [[Hyder Ali]], the commander of the [[Kingdom of Mysore]], assumed the role of [[Faujdar]] of the Mysore stronghold [[Dindigul]], commanding a force comprising 3,000 infantry and 1,500 cavalry. During this period, Hyder Ali initiated independent campaigns, deviating from actions solely for the Kingdom of Mysore.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhatia |first=O. P. Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=smdXAAAAMAAJ |title=History of India, from 1707 to 1856 |date=1968 |publisher=Surjeet Book Depot |language=en}}</ref>

From 1751 onwards, Hyder embarked on an aggressive campaign of conquest and annexation. He successfully annexed [[Sira, Karnataka|Sira]] and its dependencies, as well as forts previously occupied by the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nath |first=Rajendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6D0sAAAAIAAJ |title=Military Leadership in India: Vedic Period to Indo-Pak Wars |date=1990 |publisher=Lancers Books |isbn=978-81-7095-018-9 |pages=185 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Polygar|Poligars]] of [[Raidurg]] and the chief of [[Harapanahalli|Harpunhalli]] surrendered without resistance, while the [[Chitradurga|Chittaldurg]] Poligar's evasion of Hyder's summons led to the forcible annexation of their country.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kamalakar |first1=G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2TBuAAAAMAAJ |title=South Indian Archaeology |last2=Veerender |first2=M. |last3=Babu |first3=Avadhanula Vijaya Kumar |date=2000 |publisher=Bharatiya Kala Prakashan |isbn=978-81-86050-32-3 |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref>

Hyder's notable achievement during this period was the conquest of [[Nagara, Karnataka|Bednur]]. Despite the [[Rani]] of Bednur offering a ransom of 15 lakhs of pagodas, Hyder marched against the city, finding it almost undefended as the Rani had fled to [[Ballari|Bellalraydurg]]. Seizing [[Basavaraj Durga Island|Basavarajdurg]], [[Honnavar|Honave]], [[Mangalore]], and Bellalraydurg, Hyder strengthened the fortifications of Bednur, renaming it [[Nagara, Karnataka|Hydernagar]]. It is noteworthy that Hyder proclaimed himself as the true master of these dominions, unlike in other parts of the kingdom where he administered in the name of the Mysore king. This marked the first instance where Hyder asserted his right to strike coinage in his own name, considering Bednur as his '[[Swaraj]]ya' (self-rule).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Alexander |first=P. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=obe1AAAAIAAJ |title=The Dutch in Malabar |date=1946 |publisher=Annamalai University |pages=78–81 |language=en}}</ref>

The influence of the [[Kolathiri]] dynasty was limited to the town of [[Chirakkal, Kannur|Chirakkal]]. The Muslim leader, [[Ali Raja]], held authority over [[Kannur]]. The [[Kadathanadu|Kadathonad]] chief governed the region between the [[Mahé River|Mahe]] and [[Kuttiady#Kuttiady River (Kuttiady Puzha)|Kotta]] rivers. A branch of the Kilattanad family extended north of the [[Kavvayi Backwaters|Kavvyi]] river. The [[Kottayam]] [[Taluk]] was divided between the Iruvalinad [[Nambiar (Nair subcaste)|Nambiars]] and the Puranad or [[Kingdom of Kottayam|Kottayam Rajas]]. Hyder had ambitious designs on Malabar from the very beginning. The intricate political landscape in Malabar provided him with a significant opportunity.<ref name=":0" />

== War at Palakkad==
The initial opportunity for Hyder to invade Malabar arose when the ruler of [[Palakkad]] sought assistance. In 1756, the Zamorin of Calicut expanded his kingdom by defeating weaker adversaries, including the Raja of Palakkad, capturing a portion of his territory, and named it as [[Naduvattom, Malappuram|Naduvattam]]. Consequently, the Raja of Palakkad turned to Hyder Ali for support.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TjVuAAAAMAAJ |title=A Handbook of Kerala |date=2000 |publisher=International School of Dravidian Linguistics |isbn=978-81-85692-31-9 |pages=608 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Suddenly, Hyder dispatched his brother-in-law, Makhthoom Ali Khan, to Palakkad with an army comprising 2,000 cavalry, 5,000 infantry, and five cannons to aid the Raja of Palakkad. The Mysorean forces received support from the Nairs of Palakkad, and together they repelled the troops of the Zamorin from the Palakkad territories. Realizing the inability of his troops to withstand the Mysorean assault, the Zamorin surrendered and consented to pay a war indemnity of twelve lakh rupees.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nair |first=Adoor K. K. Ramachandran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tTZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Kerala State Gazetteer |date=1999 |publisher=State Editor, Kerala Gazetteers |isbn=978-81-85499-35-2 |pages=259 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Calicut kingdom]]
[[Category:Mysorean invasion of Malabar]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Kingdom of Calicut]]

Mysore invasion of Calicut - Revision history

Vivek.Dantkale: creating bio.