N. W. View of Nandydroog

Drawn from a sketch by Ensign Caldwell, this work, according to Colebrook's Twelve Views of Places in the Kingdom of Mysore (second edition, published 1805), is described thus by the artist: ‘The fortifications of Nandy-droog [Nandidurg, located 30 miles NW of Bangalore] are said to have been first erected about the year 1460 by a Polygar named Bainy Gowr, who likewise built Balapour, and Dewanelly. These places were held by his descendants till AD 1760, when Hyder Ali took them after each had sustained a siege of several months, and drove the Rajah from all his possessions … In October, 1791, Major Gowdie, with a detachment from the army, sat down before it. The only means of attack were to erect batteries on the hill itself. With infinite labour and toil, attended by the loss of many men, from the constant firing of the enemy, this was at last effected, and the outer wall was soon after breached in two places.'