A walk through the Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan to the Bangalore Fort

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

Bangalore, popularly known as ' The Garden City' has numerous gems to visit in a short time. Erstwhile the city has witnessed centuries of invasions and dynasties.

I was trying to remember the history of  Bangalore city. The Bengaluru city was founded by Kempegouda, a feudatory of the Vijayanagar empire,  in 1537 AD. The city was leased to the Mysore King Chikkadevaraya by the Mughals, in 1969 AD. He expanded the existing fort to the South and built the Sri Venkararamana temple within its boundaries.

Hyder Ali secured Bengaluru as Jagar in 1758, further expanded, and strengthened it by 1761 AD.  Lord Cornwalls captured the fortified city in 1791 AD, but handed it back to Tipu Sultan a year later as per the Srirangapattana Treaty.

I began  my walk from Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. The Palace is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. History says that  Hyder Ali commenced the construction within the walls of the Bangalore Fort, and it was completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791.

Entry fee is Rs. 5/- only. The view from the gate is fantastic. As you cross the well maintained garden, you will reach  a two story building  built with wood except for the walls. The front of the palace has huge wooden pillar with base of stones.  The palace has been beautifully painted in various floral motifs and different colors.  There are four staricases that  lead to upper chambers which was used as the durbar by the Sultan to receive his specal guests.

Front view of  Tipu Sultan's Palace

Today the Archaeological Survey of India maintains the palace. The Palace has preserved the historical artifacts with care. The rooms in the ground floor have been converted into a small museum showcasing various achievements of Tipu Sultan and his administration. There are newly done portraits of the people and places of that time. Tipu Sultan's clothes and his crown are present in silver and gold pedestals. The silver vessels given by a General to Hyder Ali is also displayed. 

I finished my visit to Tipu Sultan's Palace and  headed to Bangalore Fort. Bangalore Fort is at a  walkable distance from Tipu Sultan's Palace. Across the road is is the newly constructed Namma  Metro. Bangalore Fort is at a stone's throw from this place.  I walked past by the city bus stand, city market, tiny shops and a small temple.

Third gate of the Bangalore Fort

The current entrance has some beautiful stone motifs and designs. The highlight of the Fort is the open lawn inside.   The original fort was oval in plan, with round bastions and huge gateways at important places,  Delhi Gate and Yelahanka Gate in the North, Ulsur Gate in the East, Kanakanahalli Gate and Mysore Gate in the South and Kengeri Gate in the West. A dry moat around the Fort and a small Genesha temple inside the fort  are among few remnants of the Fort.

An old Lord Ganesha Temple inside the Fort

The granite walls with beautiful stucco carvings, a tablet embedded on the wall which indicates that this was where Lord Cornwallis breached the fort when he took possession of it and a dreary dark room where Captain David Baird and other Englishmen was imprisoned by Tipu Sultan for around 5 years,  draws tourists to indulge in the rich history of the Fort.

Eventhough the visiting area in the Fort is quite small, the story behind the Fort and its beauty will tempt you to spend  atleast an hour inside the Fort.