The attack on the fort at Bobbili made by General Bussy in 1756 is one of the most memorable episodes in Indian history.
An old man, however, crept out of a hut with a child, whom he presented to Bussy as the son of the dead chief.
In the south the influence of the French under Lally and Bussy was overshadowing the British at Madras.
There was a constant feud between the chief of Bobbili and the raja of Vizianagram; and when Bussy marched to restore order the raja persuaded him that the fault lay with the chief of Bobbili and joined the French with 11,000 men against his rival.
The child, Chinna Ranga Rao, was invested by Bussy with his father's estate, but during his minority it was seized by his uncle.