Home > Eyre Coote

The son of a clergyman, he was born near Limerick, Ireland, and entered the 27th regiment. He first saw active service in the Jacobite rising of 1745, and later obtained a captaincy in the 39th regiment, the first British regiment sent to India. In 1756 a part of the regiment, then quartered at Madras (now known as Chennai), was sent forward to join Robert Clive in his operations against Calcutta, which was reoccupied without difficulty. Coote was soon given the local rank of major for his good conduct in the surprise of the Nawab’s camp. Soon afterwards came the Battle of Plassey, which would probably never have taken place but for Coote’s advice at the council of war; after the defeat of the Nawab he led a detachment in pursuit of the French for 400 miles under extraordinary difficulties. His conduct won him the rank of lieutenant-colonel and the command of the 84th regiment, newly raised for Indian service, but his exertions had seriously damaged his health. In October 1759 Coote’s regiment arrived to take part in the decisive struggle between French and English in the Carnatic. He took command of the forces at Madras, and in 1760 led them in the decisive victory of Wandiwash ( January 22). After a time the remnants of Lally’s forces were shut up in Pondicherry. For some reason Coote was not entrusted with the siege operations, but he cheerfully and loyally supported William Monson, who brought the siege to a successful end on January 15, 1761.

Soon afterwards Coote was given the command of the British East India CompanyThe British East India Company popularly known as John Company was founded by a Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600. Over the next 250 years, it became one of the most powerful commercial enterprises of its time. The British East India’s forces in BengalFor the breed of cat, see Bengal cat; for the tiger, see Bengal Tiger. Bengal Banga Bangla Bangadesh or Bangladesh in Bengali) comprises a region in the northeast of the Indian subcontinent, today divided between the independent country of Bangladesh and, and settled of a serious dispute between the Nawab Mir Cassim and a powerful subordinate. In 1762 he returned to England, receiving a jewelled sword of honour from the Company and other rewards for his great services. In 1771 he was made a K.B.For the chess piece, see knight (chess). In former times, a knight was a warrior or nobleman; today a knight is a person who has been given a royal recognition. In the United Kingdom the knight is styled Sir''. The female styling is usually Dame''. Roots In 1779 he returned to India as lieutenant-general commanding in chief. Following the policy of Warren HastingsWarren Hastings ( December 6 1732 August 22 1818) was the first governor-general of British India, from 1773 to 1786. He was famously impeached in the 1780s for corruption. Warren Hastings was born December 6 1732 at Churchill, Oxfordshire. He joined the, he nevertheless refused to take sides in the quarrels of the council, and made a firm stand in all matters affecting the forces. Hyder AliHyder Ali or Haidar 'Ali (c. 1722 1782), was the ruler of Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. This Muslim soldier-adventurer, who, followed by his son Tipu Sultan, became the most formidable Asiatic rival the British ever encountered in India, was the gr’s progress in southern India called him back into the field, but it was not until June 1June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. Events 193 Roman Emperor Marcus Didius is assassinated in his palace. 1485 Matthias of Hungary took Vienna in his conquest of Austria (from Frede, 1781Events January 5 American Revolutionary War: Richmond, Virginia is burned by British naval forces led by Benedict Arnold. January 30 Articles of Confederation ratified by 13th state, Maryland. January William Pitt the Younger, later Prime Minister, enters, that the crushing and decisive defeat of Porto Novo struck the first heavy blow at Hyder’s schemes. The battle was won by Coote against odds of five to one, and is regarded as one of the greatest feats of the British in India. It was followed up by another hard-fought battle at Pollilur (the scene of an earlier triumph of Hyder over a British force) on August 27August 27 is the 239th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (240th in leap years), with 126 days remaining. Events 479 BC Battle of Plataea ends the Persian invasion of Greece, Mardonius routed by Pausanias, the Spartan commander of the Greek army., in which the British won another success, and by the rout of the Mysore troops at Sholingarh a month later. His last service was the arduous campaign of 1782, which finally shattered a constitution already gravely impaired by hardship and exertions. Sir Eyre Coote died at Madras, and a monument was erected to him in Westminster Abbey.