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 CHAPTER II

Capture of Bednúr by General Matthews – Its Recovery by Tipú

When the Bombay Government heard that Colonel Humberstone was threatened in Malabar by Tipú's army, they despatched General Matthews with a small force to relieve him from his precarious position, and to effect a diversion by seizing the territory held by Mysore on the coast. This expedition had accomplished with success the reduction of Rájámandrúg and Honáwar in North Kánara, taking also several of Haidar's ships, when intelligence of that chiefs death induced the Bombay authorities to send peremptory orders to General Matthews to seize Bednúr. Having embarked his small force, Matthews landed at Kundápur, and in three days reached the foot of the Hosan-