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==The Confrontation ==

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.

== Lt-Col A B Dyce ==

Archibald Brown Dyce, a younger son of Lieutenant-General Alexander Dyce, was born at Trichinopoly, Madras, on 1 October 1800. Originally intended for the Artillery he transferred as a Cadet to the Infantry and joined the 4th Madras N.I. in June 1817. He became Adjutant of the 1/4th in 1821, and in 1824 was appointed Major of Brigade to the 5th Brigade and served in this capacity under Brigadier Morrison in the Arracan during First Burma War. Promoted Captain in 1827 and Major in 1831, he returned to regimental duty with the 19th and 6th Madras N.I. He commanded the latter unit during service with the Field Force employed in Goomsoor in 1837, and the following year he commanded the Chicasole Light Infantry with the force under Major-General Wilson at Adoni In 1839, he was appointed to the command of a force under the special orders of the Political Commissioner and was instructed 'to secure the person of the Nawab of Kurnool'. Dyce's Statement of Service records 'While the Governor in Council laments that the humane efforts of Lieut. Col. Dyce to prevent bloodshed have been defeated by the infatuations of the Nabob of Kurnool's followers, he states that he "cannot refrain from expressing the high sense he entertains of the gallantry and soldierlike conduct displayed by Lt. Col. Dyce, the Officers and men of the Detachments in the attack upon the Durzah at Zorapore."