Bengaluru, India’s fourth-largest city, is often mistaken as a product of the 1990s IT revolution. Yet, its narrative unfolds over centuries, revealing a significant past that predates the British influence, deeply embedded in the annals of the Deccan and South Indian history.
Ancient Beginnings and the City’s Birth
Archaeological finds suggest that inhabitants occupied the area around Bengaluru for over two millennia. The discovery of Roman coins in Yeswantpur indicates its status as a historic trade hub. Moreover, an ancient inscription in Beur confirms the existence of Bengaluru over a millennium ago. In 1537, Kempe Gowda I established a new capital at this site, selecting it strategically rather than by chance, building upon pre-existing settlements.
Kempe Gowda I’s deliberate city planning included designating specific areas—like Arale Pete for cotton merchants, Kumbara Pete for potters, and Balepete for bangle makers. He delineated the city’s boundaries using oxen-drawn plows, crafting what would become the central streets of Chickpete and Doddapete, now bustling commercial districts. His 46-year reign under the Vijayanagara Empire saw him expand his influence, though his ambitions also led to temporary imprisonment for minting his own coins. Returning, he left a lasting legacy, with structures like the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple and key infrastructure enhancements.
The Transition from Vijayanagara to Deccan Sultanates
The fall of the Vijayanagara Empire after the 1565 Battle of Talikota reshaped India’s political landscape, as the Deccan Sultanates seized control. The Bijapur army captured Bengaluru after overcoming resistance, leading Immaadi Kempe Gowda to retreat. The Bijapur rulers, opting for stability, soon granted the city to Maratha leader Shahji Bhosale as a jagir. Shahji fostered a scholarly environment in Bengaluru, where intellectuals thrived, and where his sons Venkoji and Shivaji grew up, forming connections with the region.
A familial dispute arose when Venkoji considered selling Bengaluru to fund his Thanjavur campaign, leading Shivaji, intent on preserving their heritage, to intervene. Although Venkoji initially evaded confrontation, Shivaji’s decisive actions allowed Bengaluru to remain under his family’s influence, leaving management to Venkoji’s wife and the city’s administration to Venkoji, who notably contributed to city development projects.
Mughal Influence and Mysore’s Emergence
The Mughals soon turned their attention south, adding Bengaluru to their realm. Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar of Mysore purchased it from the Mughals, integrating it into his expanding territory. He added to Bengaluru’s architectural landscape, which became a crucial asset in the brewing conflicts with emerging colonial powers. For several decades, Mysore benefited from Bengaluru’s economic vitality.
The Leadership of Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan
Mysore’s political upheavals ushered in Haidar Ali, an astute military leader inspired by French innovations. His command precipitated the Anglo-Mysore confrontations, during which Bengaluru evolved into a strategic military hub. Here, Haidar Ali established a foundry for weaponry production, including the formidable Mysore Rockets. His son, Tipu Sultan, advanced these efforts, stimulating silk and textile industries vital to Mysore’s economy.
Haidar Ali’s initiatives also included relocating skilled agricultural communities from Tamil Nadu, notably the Tigalas, who were instrumental in creating the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Commissioned by Haidar Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan, these gardens remain a historic centerpiece of Bengaluru today.
The British Dominion and The Cantonment Era
Eventually, the British exerted military pressure on Mysore. The siege and capture of Bengaluru in 1791 marked their ascendancy, culminating in Tipu Sultan’s demise and the installment of a Wodeyar puppet regime under British supervision.
Bangalore evolved into a cantonment area for British forces, separate from the native ‘pete.’ This enclave featured British-style architecture and amenities, servicing colonial residents while promoting economic opportunities for local artisans and merchants. Significant British administrative reforms were instituted, notably by commissioners such as Sir Mark Cubbon, laying the groundwork for future governance structures.
Bengaluru’s Role Post-Independence
Post-independence, Bengaluru continued its trajectory as a significant urban center. During World War I, the Bangalore Torpedo, an evolution of Mysore Rockets, proved impactful. World War II saw local innovation with the creation of the rice alternative Rava Idli in response to shortages.
Upon joining the Indian republic, Mysore’s outdated government facilities necessitated a new building. Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah commissioned the Vidhana Soudha, encapsulating diverse architectural influences to symbolize democratic governance. Completed in 1956, it remains the epicenter of state administration.
From its verdant past to its present as India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru’s multifaceted history reflects an evolving identity, enriched by each chapter in its ongoing story of transformation.
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