Excerpt from Introduction:

The various works on the life of the greatest of British soldiers do not deal in detail with that portion of his career which was passed in India. No doubt his later deeds in the great struggle in the Iberian Peninsula, where he was fighting for the liberties of a Continent, and finally on the field of Waterloo, the culminating point of his military glory, overshadowed all that he had previously accomplished in the East. Yet that early portion of his life is the more interesting from the fact that in its records can be discerned the beginnings of the development of that great genius, both for war and for the administration of affairs, which led him triumphant to the crowning glory of his career. He learnt his lessons and proved his worth on the battlefields of Southern India, and the foundations of the victories of Badajos, Vittoria, and Waterloo were laid at Gawilgarh, Assaye, and Argaum.

Table of Contents

Précis of the Services of the Duke of Wellington in India

Chapter I. The Mysore War

Wellington’s Career in India – Policy of the Marquis Wellesley – State of India – The French in India – The Mahratta Confederacy – The Sultan of Mysore – Napoleon and Oriental Conquest – The French at Hyderabad – Military Preparations – The Army of the Carnatic – The Bombay Army – The Nizam’s Army – Baggage of the Army – The Brinjaras – Tipu Sultan – Tipu’s Army.

Chapter II. The Fall of Tipu Sultan

The March from Vellore – March of the Bombay Army – Action at Sidesvara – Movements of the Enemy – Battle of Malavelly – March to Seringapatam – Wellesley’s Attack on Sultanpeth – Night Operations – Seringapatam – Investment of the Fortress – The Assault on Seringapatam – A Single Combat – Last Stand of Tipu Sultan – Death of Tipu Sultan – Casualties – Loot of the Palace – Wellesley appointed Governor – Restores Order.

Chapter III. The Settlement of Mysore

Wellesley and the Adminsistration of Mysore – Enthronement of the Raja – Dhoondiah Waugh, "King of the two Worlds" – Defeat of Dhoondiah – Plot to capture Wellesley – The Batavia Expedition – Condition of Mysore – Campaign against Dhoondiah Waugh – Attack on Dhoondiah’s Camp – Licentious soldiery – Pursuit of Dhoondiah – Defeat and Death of Dhoondiah – The Red Sea Expedition – Wellesley Returns to Mysore – The Raja of Bullum – Operations in the Wynaad.

Chapter IV. The Mahratta War

The Mahrattas – Affairs in the Mahratta Confederacy – The Nizam and the Mahrattas – Affairs at Poona – Sindhia – Holkar – Treaty of Bassein – Assembly of a British Army – Wellesley Detached to Poona – Movements of Holkar – Sindhia and the Raja of Berar – Negotiations – Proclamation of Hostilities – Wellesley’s Army – Stevenson’s Force – The Mahratta Forces – Sindhia’s Army – Mahratta Warfare – Season for Operations in the Deccan – Supply of the Army – The Theatre of Operations – Supplies – Opening of the Campaign – Capture of Ahmednagar – Stevenson’s Movements – Wellesley’s Advance – Difficulties of Supply – Wellesley’s Movements – The Mahrattas Cross the Ajanta Pass – King Collins – Capture of Jalna – Advance on Bokardhan – Battle of Assaye – The Enemy’s Position – Wellesley’s Tactics – Defeat of the Mahrattas – Casualties – A Gallant Officer – Conduct of the Troops – Brave Sepoys – A Tactical Error – The Village of Assaye – Flight of the Mahrattas – The Enemy’s Recovery – Capture of Asirgarh.

Chapter V. The Mahratta War (continued)

Wellesley’s Marches – Pursuit of the Raja of Berar – Attack on a Convoy – Opposition of Hyderabad Officials – The Nizam’s Contingent – Marches of the British Army – Intelligence – Convoys – Arrangement with Sindhia – Pursuit of the Bhonsla – Battle of Argaum – Panic of Madras Troops – The Enemy’s Position – Arab Charge – British Losses – A Single Combat – A Brave Native Officer – Effect of British Victories – The Fort of Gawilgarh – Siege Operations – Orders for the Attack – Capture of the Fort – Casualties – The Fort – Treaty of Deogaon – Freebooters Dispersed at Munkaisir – Return to Poona – British Policy – Comments on the Operations – Strategy – Tactics.

Chapter VI. The Last Year in India

Wellington and Rewards to Subordinates – Wellington as a Disciplinarian – Characteristics of Wellington – His Views on Military Establishments in India – State of India 100 Years Ago – Presentation to Wellesley by his Officers – His Views on the Peshwa’s Government – Wellesley at Bombay – Wellesley as a Commander – British Good Faith – The Bengal and Madras Armies – Holkar – Wellesley on Famine Relief – Wellesley’s Career – On the War with Holkar – Supply of the Army – His Return to Europe – Native Address at Seringapatam – Bullock Transport – Reception at Calcutta – On Monson’s Disaster – Offensive Tactics – The Treaty of Bassein – Appointed to Political and Military Power in the Deccan – Wellesley Proceeds to Madras – Return to Seringapatam – Appointed K.B. – Departure from India.

Appendix I. Napoleon and Oriental Conquest

Appendix II. The Brinjaras.

Appendix III. The Mutiny at Vellore

Appendix IV. The Hyderabad Continent

Appendix V. General Lake’s Campaign in 1803

Appendix VI. The Pindaris

Appendix VII. The Last Mahratta War

Appendix VIII. Casualties

Maps and Plans

Map of Southern India

Plan of Seringapatam

Map showing Wellesley’s Route in the Deccan

Field of Assaye

Field of Argaum

Gawilgarh