The attack on the fort at Bobbili fort made by French General Bussy in 1757 is one of the most memorable episodes in Indian history. There was a constant feud between the chiefs of Bobbili and the Rajas of Vizianagram; and when Bussy marched to restore order the Raja Vijaya Rama Raju persuaded him that the fault lay with the chief Ranga Rao of Bobbili and joined the French camp with 11,000 soldiers who were ably supported by Nizam's troops against his arch rival. Although the French artillery field-pieces at once made practicable breaches in the mud walls of the fort, the defenders held out with desperate valour. Two assaults were repulsed after hours of hand-to-hand fierce fighting; and when, after a fresh bombardment, the garrison saw that their case was hopeless, they killed their women