In the chronicles of the British Empire, during a time when the vast subcontinent of India had not yet become the famed jewel in the imperial crown, a formidable adversary arose in the southern territories: Mysore. As the 18th century wore on, tensions and disputes simmered between this powerful regional state and the British East India Company. The 2nd Anglo-Mysore War, which raged from 1780 to 1784, stood as a testament to these mounting pressures, epitomising the relentless spirit of empire and ambition.

In the aftermath of the 1st Anglo-Mysore War, the 1761 Treaty of Madras had seemingly crafted a delicate peace between the British East India Company and the Sultanate of Mysore. Yet, beneath the veneer of this peace, mistrust and territorial ambitions smouldered. The British, with an ever-watchful eye on Mysore's alignment with their arch-nemesis, the French, and wary of Sultan Tipu's expanding ambitions, found themselves increasingly ensnared in the intricate web of regional politics.

On the British side, the East India Company led the charge, a force that melded mercantile interests with military might. Their armies, a mix of British soldiers and Indian sepoys, were led by the likes of Sir Eyre Coote. Against this backdrop, the dynamic force of Mysore rose, under the spirited leadership of Sultan Tipu, successor to Haider Ali and often referred to as the 'Tiger of Mysore'. Tipu, an innovator in military strategy, was unwavering in his opposition to the British.

The onset of the war in 1780 was marked by Tipu Sultan's audacious strike against the British at the Battle of Pollilur in September. Here, the Mysorean rockets, a pioneering piece of military technology for the time, were unleashed upon the British lines, leading to a clear Mysorean victory. But the British were not to be so easily subdued. At the Battle of Porto Novo on 1st July 1781, Sir Eyre Coote, employing astute strategy, managed to defeat a Mysorean force much larger than his own. Subsequent British successes at the Battles of Pollilur in August 1781 and Sholinghur in September 1781 somewhat redressed the balance of power.

While Tipu Sultan showcased the zeal of a leader defending his realm, Sir Eyre Coote, seasoned by his Indian campaigns, embodied British tenacity and strategic depth. The contest between these two giants of the era was fierce, with neither willing to cede ground easily.

By the time 1784 arrived, the burdens and bloodshed of the war had weighed heavily on both Mysore and Britain. The Treaty of Mangalore, signed in March, heralded the cessation of hostilities. Notably, it stipulated that both combatants return conquered territories and release prisoners. Although this might suggest a mere return to the status quo, the 2nd Anglo-Mysore War served as a stark reminder of the strength and determination of regional Indian powers in the face of British imperialism.

In the grand narrative of British endeavours in India, the 2nd Anglo-Mysore War emerges as a potent chapter, underlining the challenges and conflicts that would punctuate the British conquest of the subcontinent. Through trials, tribulations, fire, and sword, the story of empire and resistance was etched, bearing witness to the formidable spirit of the times.