Note.—The Indian regiments present at the capture of Bangalore were the 61st Pioneers, 62nd Punjabis, 63rd Palamcottah L.I., 64th Pioneers, and 80th Carnatic Infantry; their total losses were 62 killed and 123 wounded.
Nundy Droog, October 19, 1791.
This honour is borne by the Royal Dublin Fusiliers alone, and records the capture of what was considered by the Mysoreans an impregnable stronghold by the force under Cornwallis prior to the capture of Seringapatam in 1792. Nundy Droog lies some thirty miles north of Bangalore, and threatened the communications between Cornwallis's army and that of our ally, the Nizam of Hyderabad. It became necessary then to possess it. It bore a great reputation, and for three years had defied the whole strength of Hyder Ali's army, and then only fell into his hands through starvation. Early in September, 1791, Cornwallis detached Major Gowdie, with the 1st Madras European Regiment (now the Dublin Fusiliers) and six battalions of sepoys, to effect its reduction. The fort is on the summit of a granite mountain, its walls being three miles in circumference, the hill itself being inaccessible except on one side. With much difficulty heavy guns were dragged up the cliffs, and the siege begun in due form. Cornwallis, chafing at the delay, moved out from Bangalore with his whole army, thinking to overawe the defenders; but on the night of October 18 he determined to carry the place by assault. This was performed in the most dashing manner, and with but slight loss, by the flank companies of the 36th (Worcester) and 71st (Highland Light Infantry), with the 1st Madras European (Dublins) in support.
Abercromby was now approaching from the Malabar coast, and Lord Cornwallis was preparing for the final advance on Tippoo Sultan's famed stronghold.
In January, 1792, Cornwallis, apprised that Abercromby, with the Bombay division, was within striking distance, commenced his advance on Seringapatam. His force consisted of the 19th Light Dragoons, two regiments of Madras cavalry, and the Governor-General's Bodyguard, which he had brought down from Calcutta, the 36th (Worcester), 52nd (Oxford Light Infantry), 72nd (Seaforths), 74th (Highland Light Infantry), 76th (West Riding), 1st Madras Europeans (Royal Dublin Fusiliers), and sixteen battalions of sepoys, with forty-six field and forty siege guns.
Abercromby's force comprised the 73rd (Royal Highlanders), 75th (Gordons), 77th (Middlesex), 1st Bombay Europeans (2nd Battalion of the Dublins), and eight battalions of sepoys, with twenty field and sixteen siege guns, giving a total of about 9,000 British and 22,000 native troops.
On February 7 Seringapatam was carried by assault, our casualties numbering about 535 of all ranks, and our trophies amounting to eighty guns. On March 19 Tippoo Sultan signed a definitive treaty of peace, ceding to England Malabar and Coorg on the west, Baramahal and Dindigul on the Carnatic frontier, besides restoring to the Nizam the territories wrested from Hyderabad by Hyder Ali.
The distribution of prize-money afforded Lord Cornwallis and General Meadows, the second in command, an opportunity of giving an example of noble generosity, these two commanders placing their shares, amounting to £47,000 and £15,000, into the common fund. The following were the shares for each rank: Colonels, £1,160; Lieutenant-Colonels, £958; Majors, £734; Captains, £308; Lieutenants, £205; Ensigns, £159; sergeants, £29; and privates, £14 10s. In the native army Subadars received 275 rupees; Jemidars, 132 rupees; havildars, 110 rupees; and sepoys, 51 rupees.
Casualties at the Siege and Capture of Seringapatam, 1792.
| Regiments. | Officers. | Men. | ||
| K. | W. | K. | W. | |
| 19th Hussars | - | - | - | - |
| Royal Artillery | 1 | 9 | 9 | 20 |
| 36th Worcesters | 2 | 3 | 6 | 33 |
| 52nd Oxfd. L.I. | 1 | 5 | 9 | 25 |
| 71st Highl. L.I. | 2 | 1 | 25 | 54 |
| 72nd Seaforth Highlanders | 1 | 4 | 15 | 43 |
| 73rd R. Highlanders | - | - | - | 3 |
| 74th Highl. L.I. | - | 2 | 2 | 18 |
| 75th Gordon Highlanders | - | - | 3 | 12 |
| 76th W. Riding Regiment | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Royal Dublin Fusiliers | - | 1 | 2 | 32 |
| 61st P.W.O. Pioneers | 0 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 62nd Punjabis | - | - | 1 | 3 |
| 66th Punjabis | - | 1 | 9 | 14 |
| 76th Punjabis | - | - | 3 | 12 |
| 79th Carnatic I. | - | 2 | 5 | 9 |
| 80th Carnatic I. | 1 | 2 | 6 | 25 |