Raja Venkatappa nayak

This district was ruled by Valmiki Nayaka's (berad) who had a tough resistance to Aurangzeb. The British appointed Philip Meadows Taylor, a writer, as its Resident and Regent when the ruler there died, leaving a young prince[4] Venkatappa. Venkatappa Nayaka was educated in English and Taylor had endeared himself to the prince, who addressed Taylor as "Appa".

When the prince started his personal rule, being well educated, he felt the British overlordship very irritating. He was in his early 20s and had sent an agent to Peshwa Nanasaheb in December 1857. The British heard reports that Venkatappa was planning a revolt on 8 August 1858, and was trying to encourage the British Regiments at Kolhapur, Dharwad and Belgaum to revolt. Two agents trying to sow seeds of dissension in the Belgaum army had been identified on 2 February 1858, and they were dispatched by Venkatappa and Raja of Jamkhandi. Venkatappa had recruited a large number of Arabs and Rohillas. Captain Malcolm posted a contingent at a village near Surapur and another battalion was posted at Sindhanur.[citation needed]

Campbell was sent to Surapur by Malcolm to advise young Venkatappa. On 7 February, the British army near Surapur was attacked and many soldiers were killed by Venkatappa's men. The next day, the British attacked Surapur fort, and the army from Madras led by Colonel Hues was also summoned. Venkatappa's men attacked the Surapur fort killing many British soldiers.