76 HINDOOSTAN. 



and terminates in March 1792. Observing, however, as the author 

 very properly states, that, in the fine climate of Mysore campaigns 

 are regulated rather by plans of operations, than by seasons. 



The narrative commences with unfavourable circumstances ; the 

 retreat of the two armies under general Abercromby and lord Corn- 

 wallis ; the loss of cannon in both ; an epidemic distemper among 

 the cattle and a dreadful scarcity of grain. These evils however van- 

 ished by degrees ; the junction of the Mahrattas afforded a supply of 

 necessaries, and arrangements were made for obtaining in future 

 the most ample and regular' provisions of bullocks and grain, and 

 for replacing the battering guns. On the return of the army to the 

 vicinity of Bangalore, the operations began, which were to secure the 

 communications with the Carnatic, and reduce the power of the ene- 

 my in those parts. The British force was immediately and success- 

 fully employed to reduce Oussoor, Rayacotta, and the other hill forts 

 commanding the Policode pass. The next object was the forts to 

 the north-east of Bangalore, which interrupted the communication 

 with the Nizam's army, and with the Carnatic by that route. These 

 being soon reduced, Nundydroog, built on the summit of a mountains 

 about one thousand seven hundred feet in height, a place of magni- 

 tude and strength, was attacked, and after being besieged from Sep- 

 tember 22, was carried by assault on the 18th of October, in spite of 

 obstacles which might reasonably have been deemed insurmountable. 



By means of dispositions made for that purpose, supplies of all kinds 

 now came in from the Carnatic. Penagra was taken at the end of Oc- 

 tober ; and Kistnagheri attacked on the 7th of November ; this was 

 almost the only enterprise that was not completely successful; the 

 lower fort and pettah were taken, but the upper part maintained its 

 defence, and the attack was relinquished. It seems that it could only 

 have been carried by a coup-de-main, which unluckily failed. On the 

 second of the same month, another instance of ill success attended us t 

 the relief of Coimbetore having been prevented, that garrison was 

 obliged to capitulate to Kummeer-ud-deen Khan, on terms which 

 Tippoo did not afterwards fulfil. 



Savendroog or the Rock of Death, bore witness, in the month of 

 December, to the ardour and perseverance of the British troops, 

 This fortress, standing in the way between Bangalore and Seringa- 

 patam, is thus described : It is " a vast mountain of rock, and is 

 reckoned to rise above half a mile in perpendicular height, from a 

 base of eight or ten miles in circumference. Embraced by walls on 

 every side, and defended by cross walls and barriers wherever it was 

 deemed accessible, this huge mountain had the farther advantage of 

 being divided above a chasm which separates the upper part into two 

 hills, which, having each their defences, from two citadels capable of 

 being maintained, independent of the lower works, and affording a 

 secure retreat, should encourage the garrison to hold out to the last 

 extremity," p. 67. It is no less famed for its noxious atmosphere, 

 occasioned by the surrounding hills and woods, than for its wonder- 

 ful size and strength. Hence it derives its formidable name. 



The sultan is said to have flattered himself that before this place 

 " half the Europeans would die of sickness, the other half be killed in 

 the attack ;" he was, however, mistaken. The garrison, fortunately 

 for us, trusted more to the strength of the place than to their own ex- 

 ertions, and, on the 21st of December, only the 1 1th day of the siege, 

 this fortress, hitherto deemed impregnable, was taken by assault in 



