Born in relative obscurity, he managed to supplant the Hindu ruler of Mysore. However, he soon had to face the expanding East India Company armies, aided by Indian allies. In wars with the Company (1767–69; 1780–84) he proved himself one of its most formidable obstacles, winning, with some French mercenary assistance, a series of remarkable victories. But heavy defeats in 1781 persuaded him that further struggle was pointless, and he urged his son, Tipu Sultan, to seek terms with the Company.