Coorg War

Coorg during the British Raj

Memorial of Lieut. Col. Charles Mill, Coorg War, 1834, St. Mary's Church, Madras

Kodava clansmen at home, 1875, by J. Forbes Watson (from NY public library)

The Coorg War was fought between the British East India Company and the State of Coorg in 1834. Defiance of the Raja of Coorg (Chikka Virarajendra), a small state in South India, led to a short but bloody campaign in 1834. In February 1834, a force of 7,000 was assembled under the command of Brigadier General Lindsay to commence operations against the 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 (now called Somwarpet). The force launched an attack on the position but was forced to retreat after a severe mauling. The leader of the Coorg resistance at was 'Madanta' (Mathanda) Appachu. Similar fate was suffered by another column.

Two divisions entered Mercara on 6 April, bringing an end to the hostilities. Colonel Lindsay had that morning (6 April) hoisted the British ensign on the ramparts of Madikeri (Mercara) Fort. Some of the British officers who served in the Coorg campaign against the Coorgs and survived were Colin Mackenzie and William Anson McCleverty. The British losses during the campaign were 93 killed and 200 wounded.

See also

• Coorgs (Kodavas)
• History of Coorg (Kodagu)