The British forces win Mahé ("Mahey") from the French in March 1779; the Nair ("Nayhirs"), a Hindu community that is ruled by matriarchs and (to some extent) practices polyandry, take this opportunity to rebel against Hyder Ali's rule.
The uprising is supported, if not instigated, by the British but suppressed, and the French will retake Mahé in 1780 with Hyder Ali's aid.