Mysore - Heritage Structures, Mysore (2026)

09/06/2022

Hardwick High School
Did you know that the Hardwick High School in Mysore, formerly known as Wesleyan High School and Methodist Mission High School, was established in 1840 during the reign of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III?
Hardwick High School, located on JLB Road, Chamarajapuram in Mysore city, is an educational institute that offers primary, higher primary and high school, was established in 1840 during the reign of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, Wadiyar King of Mysore Kingdom. The school now also provides pre-university level education. It was formerly known as Wesleyan High School and Methodist Mission High School; the Methodist Mission had founded its Mission in India in 1817, and its Mission in Mysore in 1811.
Harwick High School, started by a Christian Missionary, was one among a oldest few schools in Karnataka to impart English education, and one of its top priorities apart from others was to spread Christianity. In the begining, it was more conservative and admitted in its school and hostel only students who belonged to Christianity. The Hardwick College ( pre-university level ) an extention of the Hardwick School had been educating boys since 1891 under the Methodist Mission of Mysore, with its boarding facility limited to boys of Christian denomination. However, since independence of India in 1947, the school is known to be open to sections of all communities on imparting academic education. It has now, without any discrimination, given employment to non Christians- teachers, clerical staff, peons etc.
The French chateau style building of this School is planned around a quadrangle. The central section, commanding a vast fore ground, is a three storey rectangle tower of Madras Terrace roofing and finials. The bigger arches are framed with molded archrims typical of many contemporary structures.
Many of the Alumni of this School have brought glory to the school, and one such alumni is the famous Kannada peoet Kuevmpu (K.V. Puttappa), in the then Weslyn High School).
The Hardwicke Church, a peaceful Christian shrine, has been subsidiary of the Hardwicke High School.
Note: FB freinds may like to add more names to the list of famous Alumni of this institution and also any other information about the school.

05/05/2022

Jaladarshini
Did you know that Jaladarshini, in Mysore city, the State Government Guest House built in 1990 along with the older buildings of High View and Jalasannidhi built in 1894, is so named as it overlooks scenic the Kukkarahalli Lake?
Jaladarshini is the vintage edifice, originally built as a bungalow but now used as the State Government Guest House at Mysore City in Karnataka. It was built in 1900 and refurbished in recent years at a cost of Rs 13 crores. It is on the scenic lung-space of the Kukkarahalli Lake that adjoins the Manasgangotri (University of Mysore). This edifice along with equally elegant edifices of the High View and Jalasannidhi, both built in 1894, all in a row, are named after the lake as 'Jaladarshini'; each of these period buildings is set deep inside on the shores of the lake, in a lush garden setting.
Jaladarshini, the Jalsannidhi and the High View have heavy-columned trellised porticos front full-length verandahs. Perforated parapets of varied design, gabled roofs and openings of key-stoned segmented arches of semi-circular tops besides wood-work chhajjas and wooden-louvered windows, are the noteworthy features of these period bungalows. The ‘Jaladarshini’ retains some very interesting period furniture and fittings and is frequented by political leaders addressing press conferences.
Jalasannidhi, the official residence of Mysore Deputy Commissioner (DC), a heritage building of 1894 vintage, built in an area of two acres with the bungalow at the centre with columnated portico and an arched doorway, has been developed into a beautiful garden by its recent occupants. It has two large bedrooms at the back on the first floor that are topped with Mansad roof. It is a thriving organic farm and a green haven for over 93 bird species, and more than 100 species of plants and evergreen trees, including the ones that were planted and grown before. The bungalow layout is set with attractive walkways in the middle which has been made out of discarded interlocking tiles and bricks. This DC's Bungalow was in the news for wrong reasons of building a swimming pool within its open space violating the norms to be followed on the premises of a heritage structure.
High View villa, converted from resdiential use to an office space of the Mysore Regional Commissionerate, has multiple openings and is very spacious. This period building is now tiled and the interiors are seen with some of the period furniture like a wooden cupboard and dressing table fitted with a unique tie hanger.

03/12/2021

Lushington Bridge
Or
Wesley Bridge
This Bridge across River Cauvery is called by Many Names and some say this was the First Bridge Built by the British in India.
Some sources say it was Built in 1700s
Some say 1818.
The 400-metre bridge is called the Wellesley Bridge by the locals. But historical references say that while initially the bridge was named after colonial administrator Lord Richard Colley Wellesley, it was renamed as Lushington Bridge in 1835. Also, this bridge looks similar to Wellesley Bridge at Srirangapatna
The bridge was considered to be an engineering marvel as it was designed in those days to withstand the force of the river even when it is in spate. The bridge was built with hewn (cut to shape) stone pillars and connected by stone girders and erected on the rocky bed of the stream. The bridge looked arrow-shaped at the end-point.
Nearly 40 feet of the structure was washed away on July 16 2018 and as of now is partially restored . Though the bridge, located close to Madhyaranga en route to Bharachukki falls, was abandoned and not being put to use, the bridge has historical importance.
The bridge was considered to be an engineering marvel as it was designed in those days to withstand the force of the river even when it is in spate. The bridge was built with hewn (cut to shape) stone pillars and connected by stone girders and erected on the rocky bed of the stream. The bridge looked arrow-shaped at the end-point.
The sad Part is that one more Historic engineering Marvel is being ruined due to the Neglect of the concerned Authorities.

02/11/2021

Crawford Hall
Did you know that the Crawford Hall built in 1947, a majestic edifice, is the Mysore University Vice Chancellor’s office as well as administrative office, which is set in a large manicured garden with a distinctly unsual 'S' shaped tree?
The Crawford Hall at the entry to the prime Mysore University campus (called Manasagangotri) of the Mysore Univesity, is a gloriuos edifice which was built in 1947. It is functioning as the office of the Vice Chancellor and adminsitrative center of the university. While the University of Mysore was established in 1916 by Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodeyar, King of Mysore Kingdom, the Crawford Hall was built in 1947 during the reign of Jayachamrajaendra Wodeyar at the initiative of Lt. Col. W. L. Crawford and his brother C. S. Crawford of England who studied at Mysore; out of a cost of Rs.12 lakh spent on its construction, the two brothers contributed Rs 1 lakh each. The central hall of this large building which is octogonal shaped, in particular was named after the Crawford brothers and the entire building eventually came to be known as Crawford Hall. Its architect was the German-born Indian architect Herr. Otto Königsberger (1908–1999) who served Mysore as the Chief Architect and Town Planner from 1939–1948. The construction of the Crawford Hall was done by P. Janakiram Chetty of the then leading contractors, C.P.C. Constructions, founded by the then well-known industrialist and philanthropist, C. Permual Chetty. It is said that this building, which was originally planned as the Representative Assembly for Mysore was donated to the University to function as its offices, by the Maharaja of Mysore.
The majestic building of Indo-sarascenic arhchitecture has two floors - the ground floor and first floor. It is in an "I" shape set in a rolling manicured garden with large trees with sweeping approach road from the ornamental gates at the entry. The building has a floor area of about 10.000 sq feet (4697 square feet in the ground floor and 4651 square feet in the frist floor). A heavy multiple-moulded entablature and a wide-spanned plaster-relief (stucco) image of Goddess Saraswathi (the goddess of learning) with the university-logo behind it which distinguishes the central block; Saraswathi's image is an apt setting for an office associated with education. It is flanked at two levels by balustrades and pierced parapets in addition to twin Tuscan columns and Roman arches. The octoganal hall within this edifice, which can seat 1,000 persons and an additional 600 in its balcony, is where the annual Convocation (when the degrees are awarded) and other functions of the Univserity are held. Set amidst sprawling green lawns with many distinctive trees, the pillared entrance has the university’s motto, “Na Hi Gyanena Sadrusham” (Nothing compares with knowledge) and its emblem inscribed prominently.
Now, the Crawford hall proudly also exhibits at its entry, a 8 feet tall statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar which was unveiled to commemorate centenary of Mysore Univrsity established by the Wodeyar King in 1916, Also seen infront of the building is a beatifully designed fountain fitted with a "Gnanachakra" (Knowledge Wheel) sculpted by a local sculptor. The unusual striking feature in the garden surrounding the Crawford Hall is an 'S' shape bent tree. Though touted as a twsited tree, it is but a bent tree in 'S' shape, and is compared to womping willow from the Harry Potter book series.

23/10/2021

Yelwal (Ilawala) Bungalow ( Aloka palace)
Did you know that the Yelwal (Ilawala) Bungalow, built in 1806 under Arthur Cole's direction as British Resdiency modeled on the Kutra House in Ireland, is 10 miles to the northwest of Mysore City?
The Yelwal Bungalow in Yelawal or Ilwal village in an area called French Rocks, 10 miles to the the northwest of Mysore Citty, is a large heritage building built in 1806 in an undulating topography with a profusion of sandalwood trees. The edifice is also called as Aloka Palace or Writers’ Home, the name derived from the ‘Kutra House’ in Ireland. It is on Mysore- Madikeri (Coorg) high way.
Built on a low hill, with views of the Nilgiri hills to the west of Mysore city, is the Yelwal Residency, built in the time of the Arthur Cole, who was working as Secretary to the then Resident of Mysore, John Malcolm, in the Wodeyar Kingdom of Mysore. It was built on designs of the "Kutra House" taken from the Enniskillen seat in Ireland. Then consdiered a lavish building, it was a concession given to Arthur Wellesly by 1st Marquess Wellesley for Malcolm "to live suitably in a grand house to demonstrate the power and prestige of the East India Company". It was also stated that occupying a plum job a Resident had "to live in style of an Ambassador". Malcolm who was the Residnet from November 1804 to March 1805, with trepidItion, had sent a plan for his ResIdency to the Governor General at the Company hedqaurters at Calcutta for aproval, as it was for that time an extravagant plan. Though the proposal was initially turned down and postponed for two years but was eventually approved to be built with the funds provided by the Wodeyar Maharaja Mummadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar of Mysore. Then, in 1806, Arthur Cole who was working for the Resident built the residency. Cole was acting resident till 1809 and assumed full charge as Resident in 1812. Cole’s successor Casa Major occupied it up to 1840 after which it became one of the many hunting lodges of Mysore Maharajas. Built in the Mysore style of architecture (a hybrid that its design is a mixture of various schools of architecture) the edifice looks majestic with steps leading to the main entrance. The sprawling single story building is surrounded by a tree park and a beatiful garden; the 'Tree Park' at Yelwala sprawls over a land of 500 acres, resting as a beautiful green cover with sandal wood plantation and cassia flovida (sime thangadi). In 1856, the Yelwal Dispensary was established in connection with the Residency.
Yelwala is a hobli headquarter and a Gram Panchayat with population of 9,826 as per census 2011. Yelwala is now a semi urban area near Mysore city, with temples, churches, schools, hospitals and residential buildings. The Tree Park, surrounding the Residency, is well developed and has around 60 varieties of plants, amphi-theatres, pergolas, walking paths and a pond; Horizontal Ladder, Elephant Walk, Tunnel Cross, Tyre Swing, Eazy Bezy, Balancing Beam and others at the Park are attractions at the park to the public and school children. During the Dasara celebrations in Mysore the participating elephants in the procession are lodged in this tree park.
The Aloka Palace or the Yelwal Residiency, a Colonial Landmark, now under the control of the Forest department, presently neglected and shuttered, needs urgent restoration for tourism and exposure to the public. The Forest training centre campus is part of Aloka Palace.
The Aloka Palace or Yelwal Bungalow and the Tree park have been a favourite location for many cinematic movies.

24/09/2021

Landsdowne Buildings
Did you know that the Landsdowne Buildings or the Landsdowne Bazar, a heritage building in the heart of Mysore city is named after the Governor General of British India, Landsdowne, 5th Marquis of Great Britain to commemorate his visit to Mysore in 1892?
The Landsdowne Buildings, initially named as Landsdowne Bazar when inaugurated, is now a heritage monument, distinctly conspicuous in the heart of Mysore city center, with fond memories for every Mysorean. It was built specifically to commemorate the visit of the Viceroy of India or the Governor General of India who visited Mysore city at the invitation of the then Wodeyar King of Mysore, Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar X. Lord Landsdown known by the name Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne of Great Britain, was the second Viceroy to visit Mysore following the termination of British Commission (after ruling for a half century) and restoration of adminsitrative powers to Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar X. Earlier, in 1886, Lord Dufferin had visited Mysore on the invitation of the Maharaja.
The constructioin of the Landsdowne Bazar was undertaken in great urgency to coincide with the visit of Lord Landsdowne, the British Viceroy, and completed in one year. It was inaugurated on 19 November 1892. The commemorative plaque in the building marking the inauguration as "Landsdowne Bazars" reads: "erected in commemoration of visit to Mysore of the Most Hon'able the Marquess of Landsdowne, G.M.S,I,. G.G.M.C., G.M.I.E., Viceroy and Governor General of India on 19th November 1892". It was built by expert contractors in a mixed Indo-Eurpoean style, described as picturesque. It is a two-storeyed range of bazars, extending over a length of 1050 feet. It has almost withstood the test of time for about 130 years till date. Named initially as Landsdowne Bazar when inauguarted by Lord Landsdowne, it was a well planned beautiful shopping place set in a boulevard. It was a four block structure modeled in European style of shopping areas with three seperate staircases for each elevated block and a spacious covered passage in front of them shielding customers who passed from shop to shop from sun and rain. Opposite the building, a beautiful patch of pedestrians and next to it a well laid out garden were also created,
Built at a cost of Rs 89,308, with lime mortar and wooden rafters, the Landsdowne Bazar contained shops in a row commencing from Jaganmohan Palace road and was built up to the K.R. Cicrle. While the ground floor was rented out for shops, the upper floor was given for offices, mostly for individuals. The Bazar formed a part of the Devaraja Mohalla which was then a congested area with small houses. The area was acquired in public interest and the homes were demolished.
The Viceroy, during his formal sojourn in Mysore city, hailed the adminsitration of Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X (r.1863 – 28 December 1894) calling him: "an able One... who has proved himself an intelligent and upright ruler... who has from the commencement of his reign shown himself alive to the duties of his position". He further said: "There is probably no state in India where ruler and ruled are on more satisfactory terms or in which the great principle, upon which His Highness has insisted, that government should be for the happiness of the governed, recieves a greater measure of practical recognition".
However, in the years between 1950s and 1960s, the Landsdowne Buidling witnessed demolition of its fourth and last segment of the building to accomodate the city's major commercial complex in K.R.Circle. The Public passage of the building has also been given to the shops depriving people of the protected passage. However, in recent years, because of public outcry, the Landsdown Building, has been accorded a 'Heritage' status , and steps are afoot to improve its upkeep, and renovate it to its original glory to the extent possible.
It is said that the famous Sarda Vilas Pathashala of Mysore had its origin in this building as a full fledged Primary School for Anglo sanaskrit learning in 1901.

22/07/2021

Wellington Lodge
Did you know that the Wellington Lodge in Mandi Mohalla in Mysore city, built around 1799 as the residence of Arthur Wellesley as Commissioner of Mysore following the fall of Tippu Sultan, is now the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (Museum)?
The Wellington Lodge, a colonial building located on Irwin Raod in Mandi Mohalla in Mysore city, rather a plain large house unlike other opulent monuments of that time, was built in a hurry in 1799 as the residence of young Colonel Arthur Wellesely, following his successful move as the commandant of the region to defeat and kill Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatna. A plaque on the front hall of the first floor testifies that this mansion was used as the residence of Arthur Wellesley from 1799 to 1801. Wellesley Wellington had spearheaded the rear advances that secured the fort of Srirangapatna. Following the fall of Tippu Sulatn, he was appointed as the commandant of the region when he had occupied the summer palace of Tippu Sultan, Daria Daulat Bagh, in Srirangapatna. Thereafter, the British East India Company appointed Wellesley as its political representative to oversee the settlement of Mysore after the Tippu regime as the colonial power had now shifted back to Mysore. The Wellington Lodge was speedily completed, close to the Mysore Palace of the Wodeyar Kings, so that in 1799 Arthur Wellesley could make it his residence till 1801, as the Commissioner of Mysore. Wellesly, after his distinguished service in India, later in 1814 became the first Duke of Wellington and in 1828 the Prime Minister of United Kingdom.
The Wellington Lodge built in 1799, a two storied structure, though looks rather plain, is a terraced building with rectangualr openings devoid of any embelishement, and of utilitarian architecture. The edifice has a large hall with a dining room in the ground floor which is accessed through a porch in the front which faces the lawn. A pair of stairways projecting outside on the eastern side of the building provides access to the first floor. The first floor had six living rooms. Later it was used as a government office and also as a store associated with the adjacent Government House (built in 1805). During the coronation on 30 June 1799 of Mummadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar (1799-1831), the Wodeyar King of Mysore, this lodge was initially used as the offices of colonial administrators. In 1831, it was the first headquarters of the Commissioner in Mysore, Col. John Briggs. British officals such as Lieutenant General Harris, Colonel Kirk Patrick, and Colonel Barry Close had also stayed at this lodge for some time. With passage of time, the building was also the headquarters of the Boy Scouts of Mysore.
In the late 1900s, this otherwise neglected dilaptated lodge, adjacent to the west gate of the present Governement guest house, was fully restored to its original glory, designated as a Heritage building, and converted as a museum and office of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (Museum) that is aimed at the preservation of traditional Indian art and culture. The expansive courtyard of the Wellington Lodge is an open museum, with display of massive terracotta sculptures and folk paintings.The first floor of the heritage building, entered through the flight of steps outside, is a gallery of modern and vintage paintings. The gound floor has display of items of wooden and metal crafts, mostly of tribal art, and also an impressive photo gallery.

29/06/2021

Ideal Jawa motorcycle company.

Ideal Jawa (India) Ltd was an Indian motorcycle company based in Mysore which sold licensed Jawa motorcycles beginning in 1960 under the brand name Jawa and from 1973 as Yezdi. The name Yezdi was established by a phonetic transcription of Czech language verb "jezdí" (rides). The catchphrase for the bikes sold by the firm was "Forever Bike, Forever Value"

Jawa motorcycles were introduced in India in 1960 and they have a cult following to this present day. Production was carried out directly in India by Ideal Jawa India Ltd based out of Mysore . The Yezdi factory was located along the railway line which heads to Mysore Junction. The factory was inaugurated by the then Governor of Mysore State, H.H Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Maharaja of Mysore in 1961.

The Jawa 250 Type 353/04 designated as 'A' Type, Yezdi 250 'B' Type, Yezdi 250 Roadking, Yezdi 350 Twin (type 634) and Yezdi 250 Monarch models are driven to this day in various parts of the country. Jawa and Yezdi bikes, especially the ones with fuel tank paddings and ignition systems on the fuel tank are now collectors items. The company stopped production in 1996.[3]

There are still several bike enthusiasts in the country.[4] There are several bike clubs across the country, some of them even organizing long distance rallies.

08/05/2021

Maharaja’s High School and PU College

maharaja Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar founded the Raja Free School in 1833. “The Maharaja High School and the Maharaja Pre-University College is a continuation of the Raja Free School housed in the present heritage building.

From 1831 to 1868, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was just a titular king under the British monarchy and received a princely pension. It was a hefty pay without any duties and responsibilities, so he turned to charity and started schools and colleges acaccording to historians.
Thus many schools and institutions, including the Raja Free School, were established. Those institutions received royal patronage under the later kings the tenth Chamaraja Wadiyar, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar and flourished.

08/05/2021

The Bunglow of Dr S Radhakrishnan in Mysuru, the first Vice President of India and the second President of India.

The majestic bungalow that was the residence of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan — when he was a professor and taught Philosophy at the University of Mysore.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian academic, professor, philosopher.

Professional Life
In 1918, Doctor Radha Krishnan was appointed as the Professor of Philosophy, in the University of Mysore. Three years later, he was appointed as a Professor to King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science in the University of Calcutta. Dr. Radhakrishnan even represented the University of Calcutta at the Congress of the Universities of the British Empire in June 1926 and the International Congress of Philosophy at the Harvard University in September 1926. In 1929, Dr. Radhakrishnan was invited to take the post vacated by Principal J. Estin Carpenter, in Manchester College, Oxford.
In Oxford, Dr. Radhakrishnan lectured the students on Comparative Religion. From 1936-39, he served as the Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University. In 1939, he was elected Fellow of the British Academy. From 1939-48, he was the Vice-Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University. He later held offices that dealt with India's national and international affairs. He was the leader of the Indian delegation to UNESCO during 1946-52. Dr. Radhakrishnan served as the Ambassador of India to U.S.S.R. during 1949-52. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India.

08/05/2021

The Oriental Research Institute (ORI).
The institute was established in Mysore by none other than His Highness Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar Bahaddur, the then Maharaja of the erstwhile State of Mysore (Mysuru Samsthana).

Right from its inception the Oriental Research Institute (ORI) has been housed in the architecturally attractive Jubilee Hall built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s accession to the British throne.
The Oriental Research Institute’s aim is to collect, preserve, collate, edit and publish rare valuable Sanskrit and Kannada Palm leaf as well as paper Manuscript of our Nation.

Thousands of Palm leaf and Paper Manuscripts were collected and Pundits well-versed in Sanskrit, Kannada, English and other Languages were appointed for identification, classification and cataloguing of those manuscripts. In addition to the manuscripts many rare books in Sanskrit, Kannada and English were also collected by the pundits working in the Institute for study, research and publication purposes. As a corollary, a library consisting of works on literature, culture and allied subjects was also developed. Valuable classics in Sanskrit and Kannada were critically edited by the pundits of the Institute and published with scholarly introductions.

The Oriental Research Institute’s aim is to collect, preserve, collate, edit and publish rare valuable Sanskrit and Kannada Palm leaf as well as paper Manuscript of our Nation.

Thousands of Palm leaf and Paper Manuscripts were collected and Pundits well-versed in Sanskrit, Kannada, English and other Languages were appointed for identification, classification and cataloguing of those manuscripts. In addition to the manuscripts many rare books in Sanskrit, Kannada and English were also collected by the pundits working in the Institute for study, research and publication purposes. As a corollary, a library consisting of works on literature, culture and allied subjects was also developed. Valuable classics in Sanskrit and Kannada were critically edited by the pundits of the Institute and published with scholarly introductions.
In 1916, the University of Mysore was established and the Institute became an integral part of the University. Later in the year 1946 the name of the institute changed to “The Oriental Research Institute’’. In 1966 the Kannada manuscripts and Kannada books in the institute were transferred to the Institute of Kannada studies in the Manasagangothri Campus. The Oriental Research Institute is now fully devoted to the collection, preservation, study and publication of Sanskrit manuscripts palm leaf, paper and also rare old Sanskrit books.

Mysore - Heritage Structures

09/06/2022

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03/12/2021

02/11/2021

23/10/2021

24/09/2021

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29/06/2021

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