Mysore Residency Papers

Available for research unless otherwise stated

In 1799, at the end of the fourth Mysore War, the subsidiary treaty of Seringapatam was signed and His Highness Krishnaraja Wadiyar III was installed on the gadi. Sir Barry Close was then appointed as the Resident in Mysore, being subordinate to the Governor of Madras. In 1831, the administration of Mysore was taken over by the British Government and entrusted to two Commissioners subordinate to the Madras Government, one being appointed by the Madras Government and the other by the Government of India. The post of Resident was continued as it was thought advisable that the political relations of the Maharaja with the British Government should be retained in his hands, and he was placed under the direct orders of the Government of India. In 1834, one post of Commissioner was abolished and the administration of Mysore was given to a sole Commissioner, the first being Lieutenant Colonel Mark Cubbon. In 1843, the office of Resident was abolished by Lord Ellenborough as unnecessary and its duties were discharged by the Commissioner for the affairs of Mysore. In 1867, the Commissioner was designated Chief Commissioner. On the rendition of Mysore to the Maharaja in 1881, the post of Chief Commissioner was abolished and the post of Resident was revived.