S. W. View of Ootra-Durgum

Robert Hyde Colebrook's work S. W. View of Ootra-Durgum is described in his collection of drawings and paintings titled Twelve Views of Places in the Kingdom of Mysore, as: ‘Oottra-durgum is one of the many strongholds with which the Mysore country abounds, where a few resolute men might bid defiance to an army. Immediately after the capture of Sewan-droog, Colonel Stuart, with his detachment was ordered on to this place. He encamped near it, on 23rd of December [1791], and after reconnoitering, determined his plan of attack, which was to escalade and take possession of the Pettah first, as the works on the hill could not easily be battered from any other quarter. Two companies of the 52nd Regiment, and two from the 72nd, the 26th Battalion of Bengal Sepoys, with a proportion of artillery, pioneers, and scaling ladders, were ordered upon this service, under the command of Captain Richard Scott.’