Asseerghur 1818

Asseerghur was the ultimate in fortified positions, regarded as ‘the Gibraltar of the East’. It was strategically important because of its position on the only easily accessible route from northern India to the Deccan. It had already been captured by the British under Wellesley in 1803, but had been restored to Scindia. This contemporary watercolour was painted in 1818 by an unknown artist and shows a British officer in the foreground making his own portrayal of the scene. The view lacks the detail needed to understand the difficulties faced by the besiegers. The inner wall covers an area 1,100 by 600 yards.