Bangalore was home to a number of historically significant people and one of the most notable was Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. Under his reign, the city progressed economically. He also had a penchant for imposing architecture and this led to the establishment of Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. It was his imperial summer residence and was often referred as Envy of the Heavens (Rash-e-Jannat). The palace itself is a splendid piece of Indo-Islamic architecture, with protruding balconies, meticulous motifs, and majestic arches. The well-manicured gardens in front add to the beauty. Here’s our traveller’s guide to Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace in Bangalore, India, that will help you plan your visit. Keep reading.
A brief history
The foundation stone of Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace was laid by Hyder Ali, the Sultan and de factor ruler of the kingdom of Mysore. After he passed away in 1782, the construction was taken over by his son, Tipu Sultan. The palace was completed in 1791 and since then served as the summer abode of Tipu Sultan and his brood. But after his death, it was taken over by the British administration and used as a secretariat. Today, the palace is maintained by Karnataka government and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
Inside the palace
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace is a two-storey structure built completely from teak. The ground level features huge pillars that are topped by carved archways, while the upper level has an open balcony area. During its heydays, the palace also had spectacular floral motifs adorning the walls, but they have gradually faded away. Nonetheless, the palace is a beautiful sight to behold with its Indo-Islamic architecture and well-manicured lawns right in front of it, where you can relax and spend some time amid nature.
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Address: Tippu Sultan Palace Rd, Chamrajpet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560018
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm (daily)
Price: 0.22 USD (15 INR) for Indians; 2.90 USD (200 INR) for foreign nationals; 0.36 USD (25 INR) for camera
The ground level has two rooms, out of which the central room has been converted into a small museum. It is filled with many treasures belonging to Tipu Sultan, such as his clothes, crown, weapons, portraits, trinkets and other belongings. The walls are adorned with paintings depicting the grand throne of the Sultan. The most impressive feature of the museum, however, is a replica of a Sultan’s tiger. It is a mechanical tiger that is shown killing a British soldier. The original version of it is placed in Victoria and Albert Museum (London), if you wish to see.
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The palace features stone staircases which lead up to the first floor. As you reach the first floor, you will see an open central area called the durbar hall. Here, the Sultan used to hold court. The hall also has two projecting balconies - one for the state officials, while another was used to address the public. From the balcony, you can catch a view of the lush lawns in front of the palace.
The durbar hall is also flanked by four small rooms on each corner. These rooms were for the ladies of the royal family, hence called Zenana quarters. Though they are not in the best condition, they are still worthy of a look for their fading motifs.
How to explore the palace
It’s possible to explore the palace on your own, but if you’re interested in a more in-depth look at the history of the palace, go for a guided tour.
Private Tour: Palaces of Bangalore
Retrace the fascinating history and heritage of Bangalore on this five-hour private tour, which starts from Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and leads you through Bangalore Palace and Bangalore Fort. The guide will tell you interesting stories from the past about the sights you’re visiting.
Bangalore Private Palaces Tour including Tipu Sultan's Palace
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
A day in life of Tipu Sultan
If you’re interested in knowing about the life of Tipu Sultan, this tour is for you. It visits all the sites that played a major role in Sultan’s life and these include Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Bangalore Fort and Bangalore Palace. The tour also provides an opportunity to taste the local South Indian fare.
A Day In The Life Of Tipu Sultan India
Duration: 2hrs30 Min Duration
Stalking the tiger of Mysore
This three-hour walking tour is great if you want to step back in time to the era of Tipu Sultan. It starts from the KR Market (the largest wholesale market in Bangalore) and then you’ll visit each of the historical places associated with Tipu Sultan, also referred as the tiger of Mysore. Included are Bangalore Fort, a 17th-century Kote Venkataramana Temple, Tipu Sultan Palace, and a 200-year-old armory where the Sultan used to store his weapons. The tour is led by a cultural evangelist who provides engrossing anecdotes about Tipu Sultan, including his early life, administration, reforms, victories, and defeats.
Tipu Sultan-Themed Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
How to get there
The Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace is located at the juncture of Albert Victoria Road and Krishnarajendra Road. The most convenient way to get there is by metro. The nearest metro station is KR Market, which is just a six-minute walk from the palace. You can also reach by cab or bus. Bus lines 215 B, G-10, and 280 stop near the palace.
Other nearby attractions
There are lots of places to visit in the vicinity of the Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. These include:
Kote Venkataramana Temple
Just a stone’s throw away from the palace is a Kote Venkataramana temple. Dedicated to Hindu God Venkateshwara (incarnation of Lord Vishnu), the temple dates back to the 17th-century. It captivates the eyes of the visitors at the entrance with its stunning Vijayanagar and Dravidian styles of architecture, while inside, visitors can marvel at the ornate central hall (mantapa) that houses an idol of the presiding deity. The most striking feature of the hall is its intricately carved pillars complete with yalis (mythical beast from Hindu mythology).
Kote Venkataramana Temple
Address: 39, Krishna Rajendra Rd, Kalasipalya, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002
Opening hours: 8am - 8:30pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
KR Market
If shopping is on your mind, take a trip to the nearby KR (Krishna Rajendra) Market. Also known as the City Market, it is one of the biggest wholesale flower markets in Asia. The market is divided into three levels and the basement level is dotted with vendors trading in all sorts of colorful flowers. Besides flowers sold en masse, you’ll also find household goods, machine-tool accessories, and other equipment here. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, just take a stroll around the market and treat your senses to the colorful and aromatic flowers (don’t forget to take some Instagram-worthy shots).
KR Market
Address: Near Avenue Road-Mysore Road junction, Bengaluru 560002, India
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Bangalore Fort
Located amid the KR Market is another historic jewel of the city - the Bangalore Fort. It was initially built as a mud fort in the early 16th century by Kempe Gowda (Chieftain of Bangalore), and later was revitalized and rebuilt by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan in the 18th century with granite stones. While today the fort lies in ruins, it’s worth a visit nonetheless for his historic vibe. You can wander among the ruins and gaze upon the remnants, the most well-preserved being the two bastions and the fort’s Delhi Gate, which is located on the KR road side.
Bangalore Fort
Address: Krishna Rajendra Rd, New Tharagupet, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002
Opening hours: 8:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
Nandi Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva’s mount or vahana called Nandi, the Nandi temple (also known as Dodda Basavana Gudi) is just a nine-minute walk from the Summer Palace. Built in the Dravidian style, the highlight of the temple (of course, besides the architecture) is a huge monolithic statue of Nandi that is made of a single granite rock. If you’ve time, do visit the nearby Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple that is particularly known for its rock-cut architecture. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also has idols of other deities, including Agnimurthi who is said to cure eye problems.
Nandi temple
Address: Bull Temple Rd, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple
Address: Gavipura, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560019
Opening hours: 6am - 12:30pm, 5pm - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
Step back in time at Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
The Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace is a historical and architectural gem from time gone by. A visit to the palace will take you back to the times of splendour, plus you can learn about the life of Tipu Sultan, including how he fought a tiger, his brave battles with the British, and his advanced economic and administrative reforms that helped shaped the city as we see today.
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