DID YOU KNOW!!An epic, historic battle is named after Vizag.

Did you know the famous Battle of Vizagapatnam bears it’s name to our Vizag. Amazing and true!In 1804, the French and British navies fought the Battle of Vizagapatam just off the harbour of Vizag. It was during the Napoleonic wars.

Around the 1700s, French merchants controlled the Vizag port which was not only an important naval base, it also served as a well placed trading seaport for tobacco, ivory, muslin and other goods. The East Indian Company which had begun to spread their control all over the subcontinent consequently forayed into the Coromandel Coast.

A convoy under the protection of Sir James Lind, an officer of the Royal Navy, was attacked in the harbour of Vizagapatnam( old name of Vizag) by a heavily armed French squadron under Rear-Admiral Charles-Alexandre Durand Linois. Despite being on shore at the time, Lind hurried back to take command of his Royal Navy ship, Centurion and supervise operations to resist the French. Though the French were able to capture one of the merchants, they decided not to take any further risks and withdrew. The survival of the Centurion in the face of overwhelming forces was hailed as a great achievement back home in Britain, with Lind being knighted for his efforts. Henceforth known as the Battle of Vizagapatam, 1804, it demolished the French rule in this region.

Yo!Vizag aims to bring you more ‘Did You Know’ facts to cherish our home sweet home, Vizag. Meanwhile, checkout the insert picture of the battle from vintage Vizag shores in an artists representation.