News of The Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper
A rare 1792 newspaper reports Lord Cornwallis’s siege of Nandi Durg Fort. The newspaper reproduces a long letter written by Charles Cornwallis to the directors of the East India Company. The letter gives a first-hand account of the siege of the Nundydroog Fort (Nandi Durga). The fortress of Nundydroog is around 60 km north of Bangalore.
The steepness and the ruggedness of the hill on which the fort was built did not present a very encouraging sight to the British forces. After some loss of men, they constructed eight embrasures on the ascent of the hill. The outer wall proved to be of a strength and thickness so much beyond all their calculations.
Ultimately breaching the Nandi Durg fort after continuous canon fire for six days. Lord Cornwallis also mentions about Tipu Sultan sending another detachment with some heavy guns. Under the command of Cunmer ud Dien Cawn (Qamruddin Khan) to make a second attempt on Coimbatore. The letter goes on by giving many more details on the war with Tipu Sultan. Also reproduced is a letter by Sir George Oakeley, Governor of Madras, to the East India Company directors. This antique London-based newspaper the Northampton Mercury, dates to May 19, 1792.
Did you know – the Nandi Durg Fort was built by Tipu Sultan and was used as his Summer Palace.
Past posts – Antique Painting of Madras Fort St George., Municipal Corporation Building & Trams Bombay, 1890 Photo., The French Colonies In India – Vintage Card 1920., Pamban Dhanushkodi Railway Washed Away By Cyclone, 1964.
