The Battle of Cuddalore was an indecisive battle between a British fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hughes and a slightly smaller French fleet under the Bailli de Suffren off the coast of India near Cuddalore during the American War of Independence. The battle took place on 20 June 1783, after peace had been signed in Europe but before the news had reached India. Sir Edward Hughes (c. ... Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez (July 17, 1729 - December 8, 1788), French admiral, was the third son of the marquis de Saint Tropez, head of a family of nobles of Provence which claimed to have emigrated from Lucca in the 14th century. ... Cuddalore is a large and developing town in Tamil Nadu state of south India. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

On the death of Hyder Ali, the British decided to retake Cuddalore. The French fleet under Suffren appeared off the port on June 13th. A week of fickle winds prevented either side from engaging, but on June 20th Suffren attacked. No ships were seriously damaged, though casualties were high with both sides losing about 100 men dead and 400 wounded. Suffren successfully prevented the loss of Cuddalore. Hyder Ali or Haidar Ali (c. ... Cuddalore is a large and developing town in Tamil Nadu state of south India. ...