Tipu Sultan had disputed the acquisition by Dharma Raja of Travancore of two Dutch-held fortresses in Cochin in 1789.

In December 1789, he has massed troops at Coimbatore, and on December 28 made an attack on the lines of Travancore, knowing that Travancore is (according to the Treaty of Mangalore) an ally of the British East India Company.

On account of the staunch resistance by the Travancore army, Tipu had been unable to break through the Tranvancore lines and the Maharajah of Travancore had appealed to the East India Company for help.

In response, Lord Cornwallis had mobilized Company and British military forces, and formed alliances with the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad to oppose Tipu.

In 1790 the Company forces had advanced, taking control of much of the Coimbatore district.

Tipu had counterattacked, regaining much of the territory, although the British continue to hold Coimbatore itself.

He had then descended into the Carnatic, eventually reaching Pondicherry, where he attempted without success to draw the French into the conflict.

In 1791 his opponents had advanced on all fronts, with the main British force under Cornwallis taking Bangalore and threatening Srirangapatna.

Tipu harassed the British supply and communication and embarkd on a "scorched earth" policy of denying local resources to the invaders.

In this last effort he was successful, as the lack of provisions had forced Cornwallis to withdraw to Bangalore rather than attempt a siege of Srirangapatna.

Following the withdrawal, Tipu had sent forces to Coimbatore, which they had retaken after a lengthy siege.

The 1792 campaign is a failure for Tipu.

The allied army is well-supplied, and Tipu is unable to prevent the junction of forces from Bangalore and Bombay before Srirangapatna.

After about two weeks of siege, Tipu opens negotiations for terms of surrender.

In the ensuing treaty of Seringapatam, signed March 18, 1792, he is forced to cede half his territories to the allies, and deliver two of his sons as hostages until he pays in full three crores and thirty lakhs rupees ,fixed as a war indemnity to the British for the campaign against him.

He will pay the amount in two installments and get back his sons from Madras.