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== Cause of the Campaign ==
A fanatical spirit was abroad among the Muslim chiefs and the people of India which appears to have originated in Scinde, whence emissaries were sent to induce the chiefs to engage in a holy war against the British raj. Among the chiefs implicated was the Nawab of [[Kurnool]] - a potentate of some power and not a little wealth. By treaty he was precluded from storing and collecting war ''materiel'', but nevertheless he had amassed a huge quantity of guns, muskets, shot, shell, bullets, swords, matchlocks, English double-barrelled guns and pistols, salt petre, sulphur, copper, lead, reams of cartridge paper, and about 600,000 lbs. of gunpowder. These warlike stores were cunningly concealed, some within the zenana (women's quarters) at [[Kurnool]], and hundreds of cannon were ranged in the courtyards hidden by grass which had been allowed to grow over them. The Nawab was called upon for an explanation and refused to offer one. The Government therefore moved up a force towards [[Kurnool]].
==The Confrontation ==
{{Template:Origin|text=This history was part of Cathy Day's ''Family History in India'' site. Cathy has kindly transferred this page to our wiki.}}On August 13th, the [[34th Chicacole Light Infantry, Regiment of Madras Native Infantry|34th Madras Light Infantry]] left [[Bangalore]], to join the [[13th Light Dragoons]] and other troops. The total force amounted to about 6000 men. On September 24th the force reached Kopatoal, thirty or forty miles from [[Kurnool]]. Here the Sappers were left to prepare materials for a siege, as it was anticipated that strong resistance would be offered by the Nawab. A company of the [[29th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry]], and one of the [[16th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry|16th]], also remained, while the main force encamped about six miles to the front. So matters rested for a fortnight, when the Sappers were ordered to the front and encamped two miles in advance of the main force. The main camp was on the right bank of the river, while the artillery, engineers, and ordnance stores were on the left. On October 10, the Sappers, a Squadron of 13th Light Dragoons and other troops moved off. Meanwhile another group of native and a small body of Sappers had taken possession of the fort of [[Kurnool]] without resistance a few days before.
The force with the 13th Light Dragoons reached [[Kurnool]] on October 12, encamping about two miles off. For six days the troops were employed in searching for the Nawab's concealed guns and stores - only seven or eight being found mounted on the walls. Among the guns was found forty or fifty light field-pieces with carriages complete and ready for the field - mostly two-pounders or six-pounders. A "Malabar" gun, ten feet long, mounted on a carriage with 10 ft wheels, and a 24-foot trail, was discovered behind a wall, but commanding the main street from the gate. It had a 12-inch bore and carried a shot weighing two hundred and forty pounds. Three or four hundred guns were found in the grass in the courtyard, and in another place guns, mortars, and howitzers in large numbers. A huge amount of treasure was also seized. Most of the shells were made of pewter, and some were of most fanciful design. The fact was that the British force had arrived six months too soon, and the Nawab's force did not amount to more than 1000 men. While his stores were being disclosed the Nawab remained in an enclosure near the tomb of his father to which he had retired. The fort technically was still his own, and he was permitted to send things in and out - and some treasure was no doubt removed.
About 25,000 rupees, some jewellery, 85 horses, and 22 elephants, were found in the Durgah. The British force consisted of 350 to 400 native infantry, 80 of the 39th Regiment, 150 of the 13th Light Dragoons, 150 native cavalry, and the guns. Two British officers were killed, two wounded; five or six men of the 39th fell, and a few were wounded; one of the native infantry killed, and twelve or fourteen wounded. The enemy numbered 900 men, but had no artillery. Two hundred prisoners were taken, and fully one hundred and fifty killed. One private of the 13th was drowned while crossing the river, but there were no other casualties in the action. The two squadrons of the 13th returned to [[Bangalore]] on November 28, but not without serious loss, for cholera on the march claimed no less than thirty-two men. Of the horses, six were lost. The thanks of the Government for the services of the regiment on this service appeared in general orders.
== Field Force ==
''6,000 troops under the command of Colonel James''<br>
*[[34th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry|34th Madras Light Infantry]]
*F Troop [[Madras Horse Artillery|Native Horse Artillery]]
*Two Squadrons [[13th Light Dragoons]]
*[[Madras Sappers and Miners|Sappers & Miners]]
*[[39th Regiment of Foot|HM 39th Foot]]
*One Company [[Madras Native Foot Artillery|Foot Artillery]]
*[[39th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry|39th Native Infantry]]
*[[7th Madras Native Cavalry|7th Native Cavalry]]
*One Company [[Madras European Foot Artillery|European Artillery]]
*[[63rd (Palamcottah) Light Infantry|3rd Native Infantry]]
*[[51st Regiment of Madras Native Infantry|51st Native Infantry]]
== External Links ==
[http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarchive/viewspecialcollections/itemdetail.lasso?itemid=47767 Biography of Archibald Brown Dyce] dnw.co.uk (HEIC & British India Medals}<br>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=9o-wraQ1TT0C&pg=PA59&dq=Kurnool+1839&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=Or6ySfG8B4mUMpy69PEL#PPA59,M1 Kurnool Commission of Enquiry] Google Books<br>[http://www.auckram.gq.nu/auckram_ancestry.htm Auckram Ancestry] auckram.gq.nu<br>[http://www.mapsofindia.org/maps-pics/kurnool2.jpg Map of Kurnool District] mapsofindia.org<br>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mDUQAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&lr=#PPA545,M1 Kurnool] Gazetteer 1857
[[Category:Battles|Kurnool & Zorapoor, Affairs at]]
[[Category:Kurnool Campaign 1839|Kurnool & Zorapoor, Affairs at]]
