The Coorg War was fought between the British East India Company and the State of Coorg in 1834. Defiance of the Raja of Coorg, a small state in South India,
led to a short but bloody campaign in 1834. In February 1834, a force
of 7000 was assembled under the command of Brigadier General Lindsay to
commence operations against the erratic Raja, who had begun hostilities
against the British. Due to the poor state of roads, the force was
divided into four columns, which were to enter Coorg from different
directions and converge on the capital of Mercara.
On 11 March, the Northern Division under the command of Colonel Gilbert
Waugh entered the territory of Coorg and on 3 April, the leading troops
made contact with the enemy. At noon, the advanced guard arrived in
front of the fortified position of Soamwar Pettah. The force launched an
attack on the position but was forced to retreat after a severe
mauling. Similar fate was suffered by another column, but the other two
divisions entered Mercara on 6 April, bringing an end to the
hostilities. The British losses during the campaign were 93 killed and
200 wounded.
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