Benki Nawab “The Fire Lord”

In the heart of southern India, during the 18th century, when the Kingdom of Mysore was at the height of its power, there lived a warrior whose name struck both awe and terror into the hearts of friend and foe alike. His name was Benki Nawab—the “Fire Lord” of Mysore. Known for his unmatched ferocity in battle and his unyielding loyalty to Tipu Sultan, Benki Nawab’s courage became legendary, earning him a place among the greatest warriors in Mysorean history.

Benki Nawab whose real name was Nawab Muhammad Reza Mir Meeran had earned his fearsome title due to his battlefield tactics that often seemed to set the sky ablaze. He was a master of artillery, the head of Zumrai Kutcheri and under his command, Mysore’s rocket forces became a devastating force that even the British feared. But beyond the fire and fury of rockets, Benki Nawab was also a brilliant commander, known for his quick thinking and undying courage.

The story of his greatest battle takes place during the Siege of Nargund in 1787. The British, in their relentless march to subjugate India, had set their sights on the strategic fort of Nargund, located in a vital position to control the surrounding territories. Tipu Sultan knew that losing Nargund would give the British a foothold deep in Mysorean lands, and he entrusted Benki Nawab with the responsibility of defending it at all costs.

The British forces, led by General Matthews, approached with a vast army, equipped with cannons, rifles, and the latest European technology of war. They were confident that Mysore, despite its fierce resistance, would eventually fall under their might. What they did not anticipate, however, was the fiery resolve of Benki Nawab.

As the British laid siege to Nargund, Benki Nawab rallied his troops, a mixed force of Mysorean soldiers—Muslims, Hindus, and Marathas—united under the common banner of protecting their homeland. The fort’s defenses were formidable, but the British had siege cannons capable of reducing the walls to rubble. The Mysoreans, though outnumbered, had one weapon the British didn’t fully understand: rockets—a technology that Tipu Sultan and his commanders had perfected into a deadly art.

On the first night of the siege, the British began their bombardment, their cannons pounding the fort’s outer walls. But Benki Nawab had anticipated this. He had studied British tactics and knew they would focus their fire on one section of the fort, hoping to breach it quickly. Under the cover of darkness, he ordered his men to prepare the Mysorean rockets, positioning them in hidden launchers along the walls.

At dawn, the British launched a full-scale assault. Their infantry marched forward in perfect formation, confident that the Mysorean defenses were crumbling. But just as they reached within striking distance of the walls, Benki Nawab gave the signal.

A barrage of rockets lit up the sky, screaming through the air like fiery serpents. The British soldiers, unaccustomed to facing such weapons, panicked as the rockets rained down upon them. Unlike cannonballs, which were predictable, the rockets curved erratically through the sky, striking randomly and sowing chaos in the British ranks. Smoke filled the battlefield as rockets exploded, setting fires across the British lines and sending soldiers scrambling for cover.

Benki Nawab, standing atop the fort’s walls, watched as his rockets wreaked havoc below. His eyes burned with intensity, like the fire he commanded. But he knew this was only the beginning. The British would regroup, and he would need more than just rockets to win this battle.

As the day wore on, the British managed to recover from the initial shock and continued their assault. They brought in heavy artillery, intending to break through the fort’s walls. Benki Nawab knew that a direct confrontation with their cannons would be suicide, so he devised a daring plan.

That night, under the cover of darkness, Benki Nawab led a small group of his best soldiers on a secret mission. Using the rugged terrain around the fort to their advantage, they silently made their way around the British camp. The British were overconfident, believing the Mysoreans would stay within their walls. They had not anticipated the audacity of Benki Nawab.

As they approached the British artillery positions, Benki Nawab and his men crept through the shadows, disabling cannons and sabotaging ammunition stores. In a final stroke of brilliance, they set fire to the British gunpowder reserves, creating a massive explosion that echoed through the night, illuminating the entire battlefield in a brilliant flash of fire.

The British camp erupted into chaos. Soldiers scrambled in confusion as their own cannons were turned into smoldering ruins. Benki Nawab and his men retreated back to the fort before the British even knew what had hit them.

For the next several days, the siege dragged on, but Benki Nawab refused to yield. His soldiers, inspired by his unshakable resolve, fought with the ferocity of men defending their homes and families. Every time the British attempted an advance, they were met with a storm of rockets, arrows, and musket fire. Benki Nawab was everywhere on the battlefield—directing troops, manning the rocket launchers, and even joining his men on the front lines.

Finally, after weeks of brutal fighting, the British, demoralized and battered, decided to withdraw. The Siege of Nargund had turned into a humiliating defeat for General Matthews and his forces. They had underestimated the fire and fury of the Mysoreans, and more importantly, they had underestimated the brilliance of Benki Nawab.

As the British retreated, the people of Nargund cheered, hailing Benki Nawab as a hero. His defense of the fort had not only saved a key stronghold but had also shown the British that Mysore was not a land that would be easily conquered.

In the years that followed, Benki Nawab’s legend grew. He continued to serve Tipu Sultan, always at the forefront of Mysore’s battles, his name becoming synonymous with bravery and tactical genius. To the British, he was a dreaded foe, a man who seemed to command the very flames of battle. To his people, he was a symbol of hope, proof that no matter the odds, courage and ingenuity could overcome even the most formidable enemies.

Benki Nawab’s legacy, much like the rockets he wielded, soared high and bright, leaving an indelible mark on the history of Mysore’s fight for independence.