Battle of Porto Novo

Significance

The Battle of Porto Novo on 1 July 1781 was a significant engagement of the Second Anglo-Mysore War, in which a British East India Company force of more than 8,000 men under Sir Eyre Coote defeated a Mysorean army estimated at 40,000 commanded by Hyder Ali. The result demonstrated that a smaller, well-led Company force could overcome a numerically superior Mysorean army in open battle. Coming during a war in which Hyder Ali had posed a serious threat to British positions in southern India, the victory at Porto Novo checked Mysorean momentum and helped stabilize the Company's military position on the subcontinent.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)