History Of Mysore Palace
Mysore Palace History
The current Mysore Palace, the fourth architectural splendour on this historical site, was built by British architect Henry Irwin after the previous one caught fire in 1897 during a royal wedding. The magnificent building that stands today was built in 1912, but it is believed that the royal family of Mysore, the Wodeyars, first established a palace here as part of a wooden fortress as far back as the 14th century.
Mysore Palace has been rebuilt and restored countless times over the years. It was struck by lightning in 1638 and was rebuilt by the visionary ruler Kantirava Narasa Raja Wodeyar (1638–1659), who built the palace’s ground with new pavilions and other structures.
This magnificent structure did not survive long. After Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673–1704) demise, the kingdom remained politically in turmoil. The palace, meanwhile, continued in disarray and was ransacked in 1793 by Tipu Sultan, the son of Hyder Ali, a general who took the Mysore throne to himself.
In 1799, following Tipu Sultan’s death, the five-year-old Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1794–1868) ascended the throne, and the coronation took place under a temporary pavilion. Among the young king’s first commissions was a new palace built in the Hindu style to be completed in 1803. That hurriedly constructed palace fell into disrepair and was ultimately destroyed in the fire of 1897.
At this critical point in the history of Mysore, emerged Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sannidhana. She commissioned Henry Irwin to construct a great new palace that would represent the glory of the Wodeyar dynasty and Mysore’s rich cultural legacy. The total investment made in the new Mysore Palace was Rs. 41,47,913 and completed in 1912. The Indo-Saracenic architectural design created for this palace made it comparable with the great Mughal residences of the north and the colonial buildings of the south. The imposing three-story structure dominates Mysore’s skyline with its square towers at each cardinal point, adorned with domes and intricate decorative details.
Amongst the more notable ones are the Durbar Hall, with an ornate ceiling and intricately carved pillars, and Kalyanamantapa, or the Marriage Pavilion, with glazed tile flooring and a resplendent stained-glass domed ceiling. The palace contains many treasures, including intricately carved doors, a golden howdah-elephant seat, and the spectacular golden throne studded with jewels displayed during the annual Dasara festivities. The palace grounds consist of the Residential Museum, several temples and shrines, and notable amongst these is the Shwetha Varahaswamy temple. The palace is beautifully illuminated on Sundays, public holidays, and during the Dasara celebrations, when nearly 97,000 electric bulbs light up the structure.
The Royals
They are known for being patrons of the arts, brave warriors, and skilled administrators. These provincial chieftains rose to form a powerful dynasty that ruled Mysore for nearly six centuries. In this saga of the principality of Dwaraka in Gujarat, two brothers were touring on a pilgrimage in Mysore when they found that Princess Devajammanni was being pressed into marriage by the Chieftain of Karagahalli. The princes raised an army, overthrew the chieftain, and one of them, Yaduraya, took Princess Devajammanni as his bride. He then became the first Wodeyar king.
Under the leadership of Raja Wodeyar (1578–1617), the eighth king, Mysuru, transformed from a feudal principality into a full-fledged kingdom. Defeating the ruler of the fading Vijayanagara Empire, Raja Wodeyar shifted the capital from Mysore to Srirangapatna and revived the famous Dasara festival, which became a central cultural celebration.
Then came Ranadhira Kantirava Narasaraja Wodeyar, who ruled during the mid-17th century, wherein the kingdom was consolidated further and defended against two attacks from a powerful Bijapur Sultanate. He strengthened Srirangapatna and Mysore, established currency with his seal, and was succeeded by Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, who expanded and firmed up territorial boundaries and had land reforms that further streamlined governance.
However, following his death, Mysore fell into a period of political turbulence. During the mid-18th century, the kingdom was largely under the control of Hyder Ali, an influential general in the Wodeyar army and, later, his son, Tipu Sultan. The British restored the young prince Krishnaraja Wodeyar III to the throne after the defeat and killing of Tipu Sultan in 1799.
Under Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1799-1868) and his son Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV (1895-1940), Mysore became a modern township bursting with infrastructure and cultural projects. It was during the times of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV when, under the guidance of his mother, Queen Regent Kempananjammanni, the present Mysore Palace was constructed, creating an enduring symbol of Wodeyar’s legacy and architectural excellence.
Jayachamaraja Wodeyar was the 25th and last king of the Wodeyar dynasty, reigning over Mysuru from 1940 when he succeeded, the accession happening after the death of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. His rule indeed witnessed India’s independence, led to an end to the Wodeyars’ rule in Mysuru, and marked the closing of a historic era for the Wodeyar dynasty. Today, the Mysore Palace stands not only as a continually growing tribute to the architectural vision of the Wodeyars but also as a living testimony to their centuries-long influence on the cultural and political landscape of southern India.
The Mysore Palace is a magnificent symbol of Karnataka’s rich history and culture, attracting millions of visitors who admire its Indo-Saracenic architecture, intricate details, and historical importance. For travellers looking to dive into Mysore’s heritage, experiencing the palace’s splendour, especially during the dazzling Dasara festivities is unmatched. For those planning a stay in the city, finding the best hotel in Mysore close to the palace can enhance the experience, allowing easy access to both the palace and Mysore’s other cultural treasures.
