Chikka Veerarajendra, the last king of Coorg (Kodagu), was 34-years-old when he was evicted from the throne by the East India Company. He was ignominiously exiled first to Vellore, and then permanently at Benares. On 24 April 1834, the Raja along with his thirteen wives, and an entourage of other women and servants, exited Madikeri Fort, through the elephant-gate, for the last time. The Raja rode out on an elephant, and later switched over to a horse. The tearful women were carried in 70 palanquins. The Political Agent of the British, Col James S. Fraser, sardonically ordered a 21-gun salute

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