Other 18th-/19th-century conflicts
Maps, views and documents from 19 wars
Map of the siege of Bangalore, 1791 (Bengalore, Karnātaka, India) 12°58'19"N 77°35'37"E
c.1791Pencil, pen, ink and watercolour on paper | Scale: 1:16,000 approx. | RCIN 735001
The town and fortifications of Bangalore were besieged by the British East India Company from 5 February to 21 March 1791. This plan shows the oval-shaped fortress with the pettah, or fortified town, to the north. The perimeter of the fort measured one mile, and the 26 towers along the ramparts, which commanded the encircling wide ditch, are plainly shown.
Lieutenant Colin Mackenzie, the author of this plan, took part in the action, crossing the ditch with scaling ladders and entered the fort through a breach in the walls.
Additional text: [bottom, across bottom of map in rectangular panel, a descriptive key, a-i, k-y and 1-23, to the gates, batteries, parallels, march of the 76th regiment, and physical features, such as the construction materials of the fort and petta:] REFERENCES.
For further reading, see:
E.W.C. Sandes, The military engineer in India, 2 vols, London, 1933; republished 1997, pp.163-5.
Condition: one fold line; surface dirt on both sides; brown discolouration to both sides.
Colin Mackenzie (active 1783-d. 1821) (surveyor) [bottom right of title panel:] Surveyed by C. Mackenzie Lt & Sub Eng.r.
Subject(s)
Army-GBCharles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (1738-1805)Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the scrolled letter W below; countermark: JWHATMAN
Mark, stamped: 1065
Condition: one fold line; surface dirt on both sides; brown discolouration to both sides
Scale: 1:16,000 approx. Scale bar: Scale of British yards [113 mm =] 2000.
54.3 x 49.0 cm (neatline)
66.8 x 49.7 cm (image)
67.2 x 49.9 cm (sheet)
Manuscript title:
Plan of / The FORT and PETTA / BANGALORE / (with the Attacks) / as taken by storm on the night of the 21t March / 1791 / by the British Army / commanded by / The Right Honble Charles Earl Cornwallis K.G. / Governor General, Commander in Chief &c. &c. &c. [top left, in rectangular panel]
Additional text:
[bottom, across bottom of map in rectangular panel, a descriptive key, a-i, k-y and 1-23, to the gates, batteries, parallels, march of the 76th regiment, and physical features, such as the construction materials of the fort and petta:] REFERENCES.
Annotations:
George III heading: Bangalore 21 March 1791.
Other annotations: (Recto) [bottom left, in References, black pencil:] one [?] 1025 yd. (Verso) none.
George III catalogue entry:
Bangalore A drawn Plan of the Fort and Petta Bangalore with the attacks as taken by storm on the night of the 21.st March 1791, by the British Army commanded by Earl Cornwallis: by Lieut. C. Mackenzie Eng.r.
Subject(s)
Bengalore, Karnātaka, India (12°58'19"N 77°35'37"E)
Bibliographic reference(s)
E.W.C. Sandes, The military engineer in India, 2 vols, London, 1933; republished 1997, pp.163-5.
Page revisions
25 May 2024
Current version
