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| History of Mysore(Mysooru) |
The history of Mysore(Mysooru) is closely linked to the history
of the Kingdom of Mysore(Mysooru). References from the times of
Mahabharata and Asoka refer to Mahisha Nadu or Mahisha
Mandala. References can also be found in Tamil literature
about Ezimahi Nadu. The earliest documented evidence of
the town is in the form of stone carvings in old Kannada(Saasanas)
found in villages around Mysore(Mysooru), inscribed around 1021
CE. From 1499 the name Mahisuru has been recorded in inscriptions.
During the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Mysore(Mysooru)
kingdom served as a feudatory, gaining sovereignty after
the empire fell in 1565 CE. Till the year 1610, when Srirangapatna
was acquired, Mysore(Mysooru) was the center of Wodeyar administration.
It became the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore(Mysooru) after the
death of Tippu Sultan at the end of the Anglo-Mysore(Mysooru) Wars
in 1799
The administrative center was shifted to Bangalore
in 1831, when the British moved their garrison from
Srirangapatnam (on the outskirts of Mysore(Mysooru)) to the Bangalore
Cantonment. Mysore(Mysooru) once again became the capital of
the kingdom in 1881 with the rendition of power by the
British to the Wodeyars. Most present day historical
landmarks, and the organisation of the city of Mysore(Mysooru),
were inspirations of the Wodeyar kings and their Dewans.
Plans for organised development of the city exist from
as far back as 1904. The period between 1910-1945 is
considered the most important in the modernization of
the kingdom. Several industries (including a steel mill)
were begun, an efficient railway system was constructed,
as was a network of irrigation canals, art and culture
flourished under the patronage of royalty, and the educational
system was revamped.
Mysore(Mysooru) palace
Mysore(Mysooru) is called the City of Palaces as a result of
the number of palaces situated in the city, including
Amba Vilas (Main Mysore(Mysooru) Palace), Rajendra Vilas (the
summer palace, situated on the Chamundi hills) and Jayalakshmi
Vilas (now in the University of Mysore(Mysooru) premises). The
main palace of Mysore(Mysooru) was burnt down in 1897, and the
present day structure was built on the same site. The
palace exhibits a mixture of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic,
Roman and Oriental architectural styles. Even though
the Government of Karnataka now maintains the Mysore(Mysooru)
palace, a small portion of the palace has been allocated
for the erstwhile Royal family to live in. The Jayalakshmi
Vilas Mansion was constructed by Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar
for his daughter Jayalakshammanni. It is now a museum
dedicated to folk culture. A new gallery is being added
for artefacts and collections of the Wodeyars of Mysore(Mysooru).
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