Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace – Bangalore, India

A slice of the modern electronic city of Bengaluru still stands witness to the historic era of the great warrior Tipu Sultan and his bravery. The area located near the crowded City Market at the junction of Albert Victor Road and Krishna Rajendra, houses the Tipu Sultan Fort. The palace is in the precincts of the fort. This palace stands as one of the notable Islamic buildings and an important landmark in the city of Bengaluru. This was used as a summer retreat by the Sultan, who lovingly called it the “Rash-e-Jannat”, meaning “Envy of Haven”. He also called it “Abode of Happiness”, which can be seen inscribed on a window screen. Beautiful gardens along the paths, decorated with a fountain and flower beds, lead you to the Tipu Sultan Palace. It speaks about the mighty Sultan and his endeavours to protect his empire from the British rule, and is a must-see destination if you are on a trip to Bengaluru. This palace was opened for the public in 2005.

History and Architecture

Back in 1537, Kempe Gowda, who was the founder of the city, built the fort, which was extended later by Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali, father of Tipu Sultan, imprisoned many British army officers in this fort, of whom David Braid was one. Then Hyder Ali started the construction of the palace in 1781 and it was completed by his son Tipu Sultan in 1791, upon which people started calling it Tipu’s Palace. The entire palace is built of teak wood, mortar, stone and plaster. It is laid on a stone plinth. The structure is two-storied and is supported by wooden pillars that rest on the stone base. The exquisitely carved pillars support giant wooden beams that constitute the palace structure. The pillars are met with brackets and cusped arches that are decorated with beautiful carvings emphasized in two colours. The carvings at the base of the pillars are designed in such a way that it looks as if the pillars have emerged out of flowers. The walls and ceilings have madder-red surfaces that are embellished with floral motifs, giving it a magnificent look. The palace portrays a perfect picture of Indo-Islamic style art and architecture

The Basics

One of Bangalore’s most popular attractions and a major stop on most Bangalore city tours, this beautiful palace is built entirely from teak wood, with two floors of pillars, archways, and balconies. While visitors generally come to gawk at the architecture and beautifully adorned interiors, the ground-floor museum is equally worth visiting. Don’t miss the replica of Tipu’s Tiger, an automaton toy depicting a tiger eating a soldier (the original is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London).

Things to Know Before You Go

• The palace is a must-visit for history buffs and art and architecture lovers.
  
• Families with small kids beware: There’s a toy on display here depicting a soldier being eaten by a tiger that could either enthrall or terrify little ones.
  
• The palace is not suitable for wheelchair users.
  

How to Get There

Tipu Sultan’s Palace is located at the intersection of Krisnarajendra and Alur Venkata Rao roads in Chamrajpet, a short walk from the City Market and Bangalore Fort. It’s about a 10-minute drive to Cubbon Park and a 15-minute drive to Bangalore station. Bangalore is well-connected to airports across India and has regular international flights from elsewhere in Asia and Europe. 

When to Get There

The palace is open daily, though arriving first thing in the morning is recommended to avoid crowds. The palace itself remains cool, but travelers planning on spending time exploring the surrounding area on foot should take weather into consideration. The coolest months are November through January, while April and May can get fairly hot. Monsoon rains in June–August deter many travelers from visiting India, though it’s also during this time that crowds are lightest. 

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