The captivity, sufferings, and escape of James Scurry

A young British soldier, barely out of his teens, finds his world turned upside down when he is captured during a skirmish in India and handed over to the forces of Hyder Ali and his son, Tipoo Sultan. Over a decade of confinement he endures relentless hardship—scarcity, brutal punishments, and the constant watchful eyes of his captors—while trying to preserve his sense of self in a foreign land. His narrative, written in plain, unadorned language, offers vivid glimpses of the camps, the harsh climate, and the everyday struggles of prisoners who are denied even the simplest comforts.

Despite the oppressive conditions, Scurry’s determination to record his experience never wavers; he writes in secret, aware that discovery could mean death. The memoir follows his painstaking efforts to survive, the small acts of kindness that sustain hope, and the daring plan that eventually leads him toward freedom. Listeners will be drawn into a raw, personal account of endurance and the human spirit fighting against overwhelming odds.