Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Bangalore Fort, Bangalore

Tipu Sultan who died fighting with the British valiantly on 4th May 1799, defending his capital (fort) at Srirangapattana, was a great warrior, scholar, and poet. He had constructed a few palaces for his summer retreat, one in Srirangapattana, called Daria Daulat Bagh, and another within the Bangalore fort, which is in shambles now, near the Kote Sri Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy temple, opposite Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Tipu had named this palace as “Rash-e-Jannat” meaning the “Abode of Happiness and Envy of Heaven” which is inscribed on a wooden banister in the palace.

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. All Images are by the Author.

Tipu Sultan’s summer palace is said to be a replica of the one at Srirangapattana. Haider Ali (also spelled as Hyder Ali) began constructing this palace in 1781, which was later on completed by Tipu Sultan in 1791. The palace is predominantly a wooden structure, having two storeys, supported by fluted wooden pillars with stone bases, arches and balconies. It is remarkable for its decorated interiors. The architecture of the palace conforms to Indo-Islamic style.

Tipu’s Summer Palace: Fluted pillars and cusped arches.

The beautifully carved balconies are supported by small pillars, united by arches, and are finely embellished. In the middle of each balcony one could find a square projection. It is said that Tipu conducted the affairs of the State, from the seats located in the North and South balconies. Four small rooms, considered to be zenana quarters, are situated at the corners of a large hall on the first floor.

Tipu’s Summer Palace: A view of the balcony.

It is interesting to note that the north and south fronts of the palace are extremely airy and that one could get a complete view of the whole structure. There are exquisite floral motifs painted elaborately on the ceilings and walls of the palace, which have now almost faded.

Tipu Sultan: An exhibit in the Museum of Tipu’s Summer Palace.

A small museum within the palace has some paintings of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali with brief descriptions of their times and achievements. Besides, two swords of Tipu’s period and a model of Tipu’s Tiger Organ are found in the museum. The original of this mechanical toy is kept at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. Tipu’s tiger is in fact an automaton which was reportedly devised for him by the French artisans. It depicts a ferocious tiger attacking a British soldier with a roar who, in turn, being wounded, is crying for help.

Tipu’s Summer Palace: Frescoes painted on the ceilings and walls. 

The palace is in dilapidated state now but the ornate wooden structure with its elegant teak pillars beckons tourists in large numbers. The pathway leading to the palace is flanked by a garden on either side. The palace is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Adjacent to the Tipu’s summer palace is the 300-year old Kote Sri Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy temple founded by Wodeyar kings.

Kote Sri Prasanna Venkataramana Swamy Temple, adjacent to Tipu’s Summer Palace.

Bangalore Fort

Less than half-a-kilometre from the Tipu’s Summer Palace, one could find the remnants of Bangalore Fort, which was originally constructed by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, in 1537, using mud bricks. Later on, this was reconstructed by Hyder Ali using granite stones in 1761. During the third Anglo-Mysore war (1790-92), the British army under the captaincy of Lord Cornwallis invaded it. One can see a marble tablet now on the fort wall which states: “Through this breach the British assault was delivered. March 21st 1791”. All that one can see now is the Delhi Gatewith its large wooden doors, and a portion of the oval fort on the Krishnarajendra Road (K.R. Road) near City Market. As you enter this fort, a small shrine of Lord Ganesha welcomes you.

Bangalore Fort: Delhi Gate entrance. Inside is a small Ganesha shrine. 

The cell in which Captain (later Sir) David Baird was imprisoned by Tipu is located inside the fort.