The History Of Mysore

By David H. Urmann

Mysore is a city in India with a very rich history. It follows a long line of achievements by the Wodeyar Dynasty.

Mysore is the Karnataka state’s second largest city. It is also Mysore Division and Mysore District’s headquarters. It is located along the base of the popular Chamundi Hills. Mysore means ‘the abode of Mahisha,’ wherein Mahisha pertains to Hindu mythology’s demon, Mahishasura.

The city is popular for the festivities they practice during the Dasara Festival. It is also noted for its other attractions like the Peta, Mysore Pak, Mysore Silk Saree and even the Mysore style of painting.

The History of Mysore

Mysore is regarded as the Kingdom of Mysore’s capital until the year 1947. The Wodeyar Dynasty was its ruler at that time. This is except for a short period during the 18th century where Tipu Sultan and Haidar Ali were the ones who took the seat of power.

Its cultural growth is attributed to the Wodeyars who were patrons of culture and art. This paved the way for the city to be regarded as the Cultural Capital of Karnataka.

In Hindu Mythology, Mysore’s area was noted as Mahishuru. It was ruled by the demon Mahishasura who was later on killed by Chamundeshwari, a goddess whose temple can be found on top of the Chamundi Hills.

The area where Mysore is standing was formerly known as Puragereuntil the 15th century. Chamaraja Wodeyar III constructed the Mahishuru Fort in the year 1524. Later on, he passed dominion over this city to his son, Chamaraja Wodeyar IV.

Mysore Kingdom served as a feudatory under Wodeyars and under the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire. Until 1610, Mysore remained in the center of the Wodeyar administration until the time the Vijayanagara governor was ousted by Raja Wodeyar along Srirangapatna, making it his capital. After this, the Mysore Kingdom gradually became independent. It then became a sovereign state during the time of King Narasaraja Wodeyar in the year 1637.

However, when the Mysore Kingdom had a new ruler, Tipu sultan, much of the town was demolished, in his attempt to eradicate traces of the Wodeyar rule. The capital was again moved back to Mysore when Tipu Sultan died in the year 1799 (Fourth Anglo-Mysore War). It was Diwan Purnaiah who looked after the administration since Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was still a minor at that time. Many of the improvements made to the city can be credited to Purnaiah, particularly in public works.

Hence, when the British commissioner, Mark Cubbon, made Bangalore as the capital, the status of Mysore as the administrative center was also lost. It was only until the year 1881 when it regained its status, with the British handing back the power to the Wodeyars. Until the year 1947 and under the Wodeyars, Mysore remained as the capital of the state.

It was in the year 1888 when the municipality of Mysore was established and divided into 8 wards. In 1903, it was actually one of the 1st cities throughout Asia that undertook a planned development. The Quit India Movement was launched in the early 1940s.

Mysore remained part of India’s Mysore state even after independence. The king then was Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar. He was given permission to have his titles intact. He was even cremated in Mysore city.

Tourism grew as years passed. The city remains a peaceful community, except for the occasional riots that can be linked to the Kaveri River water dispute. Other issues were the Premier Studio fire which claimed the lives of numerous people, the National Anthem controversy at Infosys campus and the sudden death of several animals at the popular Mysore Zoo.

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