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 CHAPTER X

Capture of Nandidrúg – Disaster at Coimbatore – Storming of Sávandrúg – First Siege of Seringapatam

Lord Cornwallis, having returned to Bangalore, arranged with the Maráthás, to whom he made a loan of fourteen lacs of rupees, that they should proceed to Sírá to operate in the north-west, while the Nizám's forces were entrusted with the duty of occupying the territory to the north-east. He himself marched to the Báramaháls to reduce the forts in that district, and to keep open the communications with Madras.

All the forts, except Krishnagiri, capitulated or were seized, but there were still some strongholds occupied by the Mysore troops which intervened between him and the Nizám's army. The chief of these was Nandidrúg, a stupendous rock-fortress, 4,800 feet above sea-level, and thirty miles north of Bangalore, the natural strength of which had been increased by the chiefs of the adjoining town of Chikballapur. On the summit is an extensive plateau, in the centre of which is a deep hollow, with a wood and a fine reservoir containing an abundance of water.