Bombay under General Stuart amounted to 6,400 men, who, marching through the friendly country of Coorg, took up a position at the head of the Siddheshwar Pass, leading from that province into Mysore. On March 5, 1799, the Sultán, hearing of the approach of the Bombay force, suddenly made his appearance a few miles from Siddheshwar. Having drawn up his troops amounting to 12,000 men in three divisions, he marched under cover of the heavy jungle to attack the British advanced post of three battalions of Sepoys under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Montresor. This brigade was completely surrounded, and would have been annihilated had it not been for the opportune arrival of General Stuart. The enemy then gave way and retreated, after losing many men, and one distinguished general, named Muhammad Razá, commonly called the Benki Nawáb or Fire-Nawáb[1]. General Stuart was accompanied on this occasion by Viraráj, the Wodiar of Coorg, who had rendered every assistance in his power to the British troops, and was present personally in the action.
Tipú now prepared to encounter the British army under General Harris, which had left Vellore, as mentioned, on February 11, and after reducing some
- ↑ The word 'Benki' in Kanarese literally means 'fire,' but signified in this case a man who carried fire and desolation into an enemy's country. It is stated of him that on one occasion he shut up certain rebellious Náirs, with their wives and children, in a house, and burned them alive. Muhammad Razá's descendants still reside in Mysore.
