Royal connect

BENGALURU: From mud forts transformed to stone forts and residence turned into palaces, here are some lush historical monuments in the city that boasts of a royalty touch

Karnataka High Court
The history of the Karnataka High Court can be traced to the year 1884, when it was called Attara Kacheri  (meaning Eighteen offices), under the reign of the Maharaja of Mysore Chamarajendra Wadiyar. The Chief Court of Mysuru had reconstituted with three judges and was designated as the highest court of appeal in the Princely State. The two-storieyed building of stone and brick, painted red, in the Graeco-Roman style of architecture is a vast expanse. The construction was completed in the year 1868. It was earlier named as Old Public Offices and got its name of Attara Kacheri when the eighteen departments of the Mysuru Government shifted here from the crowded premises in Tipu Sultan’s summer palace.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace
(Albert Victor Road, Chamrajpet)
The summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan was completed in 1791 and is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture. The structure is  built entirely of teak and is adorned with pillars, arches and balconies. After Tipu Sultan’s death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, the British Administration used the palace for its Secretariat before moving to Attara Kacheri in 1868. Today the government of Karnataka maintains the palace.

Bangalore Palace
This scenic tourist hotspot with a majestic castle structure set amidst greenery originally belonged to Rev J Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School. In 1873, the entire place was purchased by the British Guardians using the minor Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X’s accumulated personal funds as the young Maharaja did not have a suitable place to stay during his training. Construction of a palace building was started in April 1874 and completed by 1878. In the later years, Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wadiyar added some portions outside of Durbar Hall during his reign including the twin external staircase and platform for musicians are additions from this period.

Bangalore Fort
Built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bengaluru, it was initially a mud fort in 1537.  In 1761, Haider Ali replaced it with a stone fort. The British East India Company, led by Lord Cornwallis captured the fort in the siege in 1791 during the Third Mysore War. At the time the fort was a stronghold for Tipu Sultan. Today, the fort’s Delhi gate, on Krishnarajendra Road, and two bastions are the primary remains. The old fort area also includes Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and his armoury.