Bangalore - History of Buildings

VIDHANA SOUDHA (1954)

The Vidhana Soudha, that houses the State Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly was built. Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Chief Minister of Mysore State between 1951-1956 was responsible for the concept, the structure and the setting of the building.   It was on his initiative that the erstwhile Old Residency Building or Raj Bhavanhas been converted into a magnificent historical landmark, the Vidhana Soudh. Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, laid the foundation stone for the building. Vidhana Soudha, sprawling across an expanse of 60 acres was finally completed in the year 1951 having incurred a total expenditure of Rs.1.84 crores.

Karnataka High Court - The Karnataka High Court is another famous monument in the city of Bangalore. The red colored building built in the neoclassical style is a landmark of the city. The construction of the building was completed in the year 1868 under the supervision of Rao Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswamy Mudaliar. Attara Kacheri, the majestic Karnataka High Court is an exquisite 19th century stone edifice resplendent in vibrant red that depicts the magnificent Greco-Roman style architecture
Attara Kacheri is strategically sited at a distance of 2 km from Bangalore's popular MG Road is situated amidst the lush greenery ofCubbon Park and opposite Vidhana Soudha. The building's vibrant red hues beautifully complement the pristine whiteness of Vidhana Soudha.

Attara Kacheri is an aesthetically appealing and elegant two-storied building replete with Corinthian columns. The building came in to being in the year 1864 and housed the Public Offices from 1868 until 1956. Eventually Attara Kacheri became the state's high Court while the Public Offices were relocated to Vidhana Soudha. The building pays a tribute to the erstwhile Commissioner of Mysore, Sir Mark Cubbon and houses his portraits as well as commemorative epitaphs sculpted by Baron Marochetti.

The etymological significance of Attara Kacheri locally means "eighteen offices" and was formerly identified as the Old Public Offices since it comprised of the general evenue and secretariat of the State government. The construction of this stately edifice incurred an expenditure of Rs. 4.5 lakhs and was built under the supervision of Rao Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswamy Mudaliar. The eighteen core departments of Tipu Sultan's government expanded to such heights that it became imperative to construct a new building that would contain the Revenue and General Secretariat. This building was none other than the celebrated Attara Kacheri.

Attara Kacheri radiant in its vibrant hues boasts of Karnataka's history from the glorious days of Tipu Sultan's reign and hence is one of Bangalore's most popular tourist spots.


Bangalore Palace - Bangalore Palace that is the most prominent landmark of the city was built by Rev. Garrett, who was the first Principal of the Central High School in Bangalore. Built as the replica of the famous Windsor Castle of England the palace was constructed over a period of long 82 years, from 1862 to 1944. In the year 1884 the palace was bought by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar. The structure with granite and fluorescent blue ceramic tiles is an architectural splendor with an aesthetically pleasing sprawling garden. 

CHOWDIAH MEMORIAL HALL, opp Sankey Tank, has been built in memory of T. Chowdiah, a noted musician & violinist. This building is shaped like a violin, the stringed instrument of Chowdiah. Also the road along the Nehru Planetarium near Raj Bhavan is named T.CHOWDAIH ROAD.

RAVINDRA KALAKSHETRA, near TOWN HALL was built to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore's centenary.

 
MAYO HALL

The Mayo Hall in Bangalore is a remarkable brick and mortar structure, built in memory of the then fourth Viceroy of India (1872), Lord Mayo. When he was on an official visit to Andaman Islands in 1872, a convict there assassinated him. 

Although the construction began in the year 1875, it could be completed only in1883. The Bangalore Municipal Authority started functioning from here in 1883. 

TOWN HALL

The Town Hall which was built in 1935 is a stone structure in the European classical style. 

Also known as the Sir K.P Puttanna Chetty Hall, the Town Hall is the gift of the great philanthropist, Sir K.P Puttanna Chetty, who served as the President of Bangalore city municipality from 1913 to 1920. The foundation stone for this building was laid by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Krishna Rajendra Wodeyar, on March 6, 1933. The building was completed on September 11, 1935 at a cost of Rs 1,75,000/-. It was inaugurated by crown prince Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar. 

VICTORIA HOSPITAL

Victoria Hospital was established to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee year of Queen Victoria's reign.

SHANKAR MATH
Shankar Math stands in a class of its own for its workmanship, expanse and setting. The Math building was completed in the year 1911 and declared open by Lord Harding, the Viceroy of India, in the presence of the Jagadguru Shankaracharaya of Shringeri.

Seshadri Iyer Memorial Library hall  (Central Library in Cubbon Park) was built in memory of the Dewan of Mysore State, K. Seshadri Iyer. Shesadri Iyer Memorial Hall, strategically sited in Cubbon Park in Bangalore was built as a tribute to Sir K.Seshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore State from 1883 to 1901. One of Bangalore's most coveted tourist spots of historical eminence, Sheshadri Memorial Hall is a replete with a picturesque and colorful garden. Lord Nathaniel Curzon has a significant contribution to the existence of Shri Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall. The erstwhile Viceroy of India is credited as the mastermind behind Kolkata's treasure, the imperial Victoria Memorial and Bangalore's magnum opus, the Shri Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall. Lord Curzon impressed with Shri Seshadri Iyer's dedication and service to the British Raj wrote to the then British Resident, Sir Donald Robertson. It was then agreed upon to honor the erstwhile diwans's relentless services by building a posthumous Memorial Hall in his name. The building, conveniently sited in one of Bangalore's most enchanting and popular parks amidst lush greenery is thereby almost always swarming with tourists and visitors.



St. Mary's Basilica - The St. Mary's Basilica is the oldest church in Bangalore. It is the only church in Karnataka that has been given the status of a minor basilica. The church is built in gothic style with multiple columns and tall spires. The arches, artistic motifs and beautiful stained glass windows that were removed during World War II and subsequently restored in 1947 add to the decorations of the basilica. The St. Mary's Feast which is celebrated in the month of September is the biggest festival of the church and attended by thousands of people. 

Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan - This palace was first built by Kempegowda in 1537. The two storied mud brick structure, which is the replica of the Daria Daulat of Srirangapatnam was later rebuilt by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in 1791. The palace served as the summer retreat of Tipu Sultan and also called the 'lask-e-jannat' that means the envy of heaven.