Cite
MLA
“Battle of Arakere (Karighatta).” Hindu History, 2026, https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-arakere-1791/. Accessed .
APA
Hindu History. (2026). Battle of Arakere (Karighatta). Retrieved , from https://www.hinduhistory.in/battles/battle-of-arakere-1791/
Cornwallis drove Tipu from the heights and held the field, but lacked the food to besiege Srirangapatna and retreated within days.
01Seeking a crossing
After Bangalore fell, Cornwallis marched south-west in May 1791 to join General Abercromby, coming up from Malabar, before the island capital. The Kaveri stood between them. Near the village of Arakere, about ten miles below Srirangapatna, Tipu drew up his army on the Karighatta heights to bar the way. On 15 May Cornwallis sent his columns up the slopes in heavy rain.
02A victory without fruit
The Company infantry cleared the heights, but Tipu’s men re-formed and held until the Nizam’s cavalry fell on them; then they broke and fell back under the guns of the fortress. Cornwallis could not follow. His bullocks were dying and grain was almost gone. He ordered Abercromby back, destroyed his siege train and on 26 May began the retreat. That same day the Maratha armies, whose whereabouts Tipu had kept hidden, finally met him with provisions.
Arakere delayed the end of the war by nine months; Cornwallis came back in February 1792 with the allies and a proper supply train.
