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The Coorg War was fought between the British
The Coorg War was fought between the British East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (the Indian subcontinent and Southea ...
and the State of Coorg
Kodagu (also known by its former name Coorg) is an administrative district in the Karnataka state of India. Before 1956, it was an administratively separate Coorg State, at which point it was merged into an enlarged Mysore State.
It occupies ...
in 1834. Defiance of the Raja of Coorg (Chikka Virarajendra
Chikavira Rajendra or Chikka Vira Rajendra (Kannada: , ''cika/cikka vīrarājendra'') (also in other variations, including Chikkaveera Rajendra), was the last ruler of the Kodagu (Coorg) kingdom in South India. His actual name was Vira Rajendra ...
), a small state in South India
South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, as well as the union territo ...
, led to a short but bloody campaign in 1834. In February 1834, a force of 7,000 was assembled under the command of Brigadier General Lindsay to commence operations against the Raja, who had begun hostilities against the British. Due to the poor state of roads, the force was divided into four columns, which were to enter Coorg from different directions and converge on the capital of Mercara
Madikeri is a hill station town in Madikeri taluk and headquarters of Kodagu district in Karnataka, India.
Etymology
Madikeri was known as ''Muddu Raja Keri'', which meant Mudduraja's town, was named after the prominent Haleri king Mudduraj ...
. On 11 March, the Northern Division under the command of Colonel Gilbert Waugh entered the territory of Coorg and on 3 April, the leading troops made contact with the enemy. At noon, the advanced guard arrived in front of the fortified position of Soamwar Pettah (now called Somwarpet
Somwarpet (''somavārapēte'', also written ''Somvarpet'') is a panchayat town in Coorg district in the Indian States and territories of India, state of Karnataka. It is the main town of the Somwarpet taluk, in the north-east of the district.
...
). The force launched an attack on the position but was forced to retreat after a severe mauling. The leader of the Coorg resistance at was 'Madanta' (Mathanda) Appachu. Similar fate was suffered by another column.
On 4th April, Diwan Lakshminarayana and Mahomed Taker Khan, a friend of the Raja, carried a peace flag to the British camp. Kulputty Karnikara Manoon who had been held prisoner by the Raja was handed over to the British. The Raja's surrender was demanded. Instead, on 5th April, Diwan Bopu surrendered to Col Fraser the British agent. Fraser was led to the Madikeri
Madikeri is a hill station town in Madikeri taluk and headquarters of Kodagu district in Karnataka, India.
Etymology
Madikeri was known as ''Muddu Raja Keri'', which meant Mudduraja's town, was named after the prominent Haleri king Muddura ...
fort on 6th April. On 10th April, the Raja who was in Nalknad palace entered Madikeri fort with his wives and surrendered to the British.
Some of the British officers who served in the Coorg campaign against the Coorgs and survived were Colin Mackenzie
Colonel Colin Mackenzie CB (1754–8 May 1821) was Scottish army officer in the British East India Company who later became the first Surveyor General of India. He was a collector of antiquities and an orientalist. He surveyed southern India, ...
and William Anson McCleverty
General William Anson McCleverty (11 February 1806 – 6 October 1897) was a British soldier who served as the Commander-in-chief of the Madras Army from 1867 to 1871.
Early life
Born the son of Major-General Robert McCleverty, McCleverty was c ...
. The British losses during the campaign were 93 killed and 200 wounded.Ahmad, Maj RN, and Ahmed, Maj Gen Rafiuddin. (2006). ''Unfaded Glory: The 8th Punjab Regiment 1798-1956''. Abbottabad: The Baloch Regimental Centre. pp. 47-8.
See also
* Coorgs (Kodavas) * History of Coorg (Kodagu)References
{{reflist 1834 in India Military history of British India Wars involving the British East India Company History of Karnataka Coorg Conflicts in 1834 April 1834 events