192 NANDIGAMA-NANDIGARH. which is a tank fed by perennial springs. The forest surrounding the niountain, covering an area of 7 square miles, and producing large timber-trees, has been reserved by Government. In the immediate neighbourhood are the sources of many large rivers. The temperature averages 10 degrees lower than on the plain below. Nandidrúg faces east and west, and is connected by a low ridge with an adjoining hill a few feet lower than itself, known as Baynes' hill. The chief approach is by a bridle-path from the bottom of the saddle on the south up the western face. There are also two steep footpaths cut in the rock. The fort is built on a huge block of gneiss, running up perpendicularly to a height of 1500 feet. It is protected by a double line of ramparts. The earliest fortificatious were erected by the Chik-ballapur chiefs ; but the extensive works whose ruins now crown the summit were constructed by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultán. A cliff is still pointed out as Tipú's Drop, from which prisoners are said to have been hurled. Nandidrúg was stormed by the British army under Lord Cornwallis in 1791. The sides are precipitous, except on the west, where the defences had been strengthened by a triple line of ramparts. Battering cannon were moved up the lower slope with extreme difficulty, in the face of a formidable fire from the upper walls. But after a bombardment of 21 days, two breaches were reported practicable. The storming party was headed by General Medows in person, and the assault was delivered by clear moonlight on the morning of the 19th October. An entrance into the inner fort was effected after a sharp struggle, in which 30 soldiers were killed or wounded on the British side, chiefly struck by stones rolled down from above. The entire loss during the siege was 120 men. The salubrity of the spot has led to its becoming a summer resort for the European officials of Bangalore. The large house on the summit was erected by Sir Mark Cubbon, Resident at Mysore in 1834. At the north-east base is the village of NANDI. Nandigáma. — Táluk or Sub-division of Kistna District, Madras Presidency. Area, 649 square miles. Population in 1881, 107,288, namely, 53,677 males and 53,611 females, dwelling in i town and 171 villages, consisting of 18,659 houses. Hindus numbered 99,977; Muhammadans, 6659; Christians, 650; and others,' 2. In 1883 the táluk contained 2 criminal courts. Total revenue, £18,984. The táluk has many Buddhist rentains scattered over it. Near three of its villages diamonds have been found. The head-quarters of the thluk are at the village of Nandigáma. Population (1881) 2662 ; number of houses, 481. Nandigarh. — Town in the Khánápur Sub-division of Belgaum District, Bombay Presidency. Lat. 15° 24' N., and long. 74° 37' E. Population (1881) 7912. Situated 23 miles south of Belgium town, and about 7 south-east of Khánápur. Nandigarh is an important trade
