tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83777256519650209592024-03-19T01:48:27.018-07:00Suttha Muttha Namma Bangalore-Mysore:The cities that never ceases to surpriseSamyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-64718471224018598832014-09-05T06:43:00.001-07:002014-09-05T06:43:57.815-07:00The story of the toy tiger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Among the many legendary
treasures of Tipu Sultan is the toy tiger mauling a British soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tipu Sultan (1782-1799), the
rules of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place>,
had a visceral hatred of he British. He did everything he could from building
an army, seeking French assistance to trying to stitch an anti-British
alliance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tipu was continuously at war
with the British and nothing gave him more happiness than having them at his
mercy. His dungeons in his capital of Srirangapatna were filled up with British
prisoners of war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After Tipu was killed in the
fourth and final Anglo-Mysore war in Srirangapatna on May 4, 1799, many of his
treasures and fabulous wealth fell into the hands of the British who lost no
time in plundering them. Contemporary accounts of the day after Tipu was killed
tell us how mercilessly the British behaved with the residents of Srirangapatna
and how they pillaged the city, stripping it of every conceivable article.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Of course, the first structure
to bear the brunt of the greedy British army and its hired mercenaries was Lal
Mahal, the magnificent <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">palace</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tipu</st1:placename></st1:place> which today is in
ruins, his store room, armoury, library and private quarters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">One of the innumerable
articles that the British shipped back home from Srirangapatna was Tipu’s Tiger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Tipu Tiger is a toy that
Tipu specifically had it built. It is a wooden tiger mauling a British soldier.
The toy has a miniature mechanical organ and when pressed, it begins to emit
the roar of the tiger, punctuated with the groans of a Britisher being
killed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The road comes from the body
of the tiger and a row of keys of natural notes are embedded within the British
soldier. The sounds produced by the
organ resemble the cries of a person in
distress which is juxtaposed with the roar of a tiger. The machinery is
so contrived, that while the organ is playing, the head of the European is
often lifted up, to express his helpless and deplorable condition. <br />
There is a story that Tipu Sultan had this toy made after the death of
Lieutenant Munro — the son of General Sir Hector Munro, who had defeated Tipu
in many battles. The idea of making such a tiger took shape when one of Tipu’s courtiers
told how Munro’s son had been killed by a tiger in the Sundarbans (<st1:place w:st="on">Bengal</st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Tipu discussed the idea of a
mechanical toy of a Tiger mauling a British soldier with his French engineers
working in his munition factory in Srirangapatna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The organs which can
reproduce the roars of a tiger and shrieks of human beings were made in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Tipu
kept the toy in his Rag Mahal or room for music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After Tipu dies, the British
came across the toy and informed the Board of Directors of East Indian Company
who then asked for it to be sent to their head office in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The tiger elicited lot of
interest and curiosity among the British and the famous romantic British poet John
Keats has made a reference to Tippoo’s Tiger in one of his poems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Initially, the Directors of
the East India Company kept the toy in
the company museum in the East India House, but, when the company was wound up
and political power transferred to the Government in 1858, it was shifted to the
new <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
office where it remained until 1874. Later, the tiger was stationed at what
later came to be known as the Indian section of the <st1:state w:st="on">Victoria</st1:state>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Albert</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Museum</st1:placename></st1:place>.<br />
The toy is at present a prized exhibit of the museum and lakhs who visit the
museum cannot help but admire the spirit and determination of the Tiger of
Mysore, as Tipu was known .<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-5279684655946998892014-08-28T20:42:00.001-07:002014-08-28T20:42:18.855-07:00Filing up a City's hopes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It was more two decades ago
that this vast reservoir filled up. Built by the Wodeyars, it last filled up in
1992. It almost reached full capacity in 1999. But since then, this water body,
once the lifeline of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>,
has only been able to hold varying levels of water but it has never been able
to supply water regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is the Tippegondanahalli
reservoir across river Arkavathy, which was built in 1933 after the Hesarghata reservoir
dried up. For the last few years, the TG Halli, as it also called, has never
had enough water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">TG Halli has been in the news
in the last few days as the water level
in it has been steadily going up, thanks to copious rains in the catchment areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The TG Halli once supplied
drinking water to areas in the west of the city, but encroachment of lakes,
growing urbanisation and rapid expansion of the city have seen storage levels
plummet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The last time the reservoir
was filled was in 1992 and after that the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage
Board (BWSSB), which operates the TG Halli, gave up pumping water and shifted
focus entirely on Cauvery water supply to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">BWSSB officials are hoping
that the water level in TG Halli rises further. Last Monday, saw TG Halli hold 26
feet of water and this is encouraging as last year at the same time, the water
level stood at 17 feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Since Karnataka received good
rains in September and October, the BWSSB hopes that the water level would go
up further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Constructed at the confluence
of the Arkavathi and the Kumudvati rivers, TG Halli has a depth of 74 ft and its
total storage capacity is 3 tmc <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">ft.</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Officials</st1:placename></st1:place> say heavy rain
in catchment areas like Doddaballapur (which recently recorded 11 cm of
rainfall) has seen the water levels in the reservoir rise.<br />
The BWSSB is not pumping any water from TG Halli though if need be it can pump
about 350 mld. However, the water board
wants to keep TG Halli supply as stand by.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If it was the then Dewan of
Mysore, K Seshadri Iyer, who conceived of Hesarghatta reservoir, it was another
Dewan-Sir M. Visvesvaraiah- who recommend TG Halli as a means to ease <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>’s growing
thirst for water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When Hesarghatta proved
insufficient to meet the water needs and it went dry 1925, TG Halli was
commissioned in 1933.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The first stage of TG Halli was
designed to provide a daily supply of 27mld of water for a city's population of
3 lakh, but this too soon proved inadequate. The reservoir was once again deepened
and the water works modified to cater to the population of one million in 1956..<br />
<br />
However, with the city's population growing by leaps and bounds and the water
proving inadequate, the State Government decided to supply water from the
Cauvery. In 1964, the Government approved the first stage of the Cauvery Water
Supply Scheme (CWSS). Five stages of CWSS have proved insufficient and the
government is now looking at alternatives to boost daily water supply as the
City currently faces a shortage of 225 million litres of water per day (mld).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This shortage is expected to
go up by 1030 mld in 2036. BWSSB is thinking of supplying water from the <st1:place w:st="on">Krishna</st1:place> and it has drawn up several other schemes but the
best bet would be to revive the Hesarghatta and TG Halli reservoirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If the TG Halli lake has to
be revived, the catchment areas of Devanahalli, Doddaballapur, Magadi and
Nelamangala in Bangalore Rural and Ramanagra districts have to be cleared of
encroachments and the lakes and tanks restored as they form a vital part of the
regeneration programme. Fortunately, all thee areas have so far received good rainfall
and the inflow to TG halli has been steadily rising. Usually, the reservoir starts
filling up in September, October and November.<br />
In the last seven years, the water level had not gone up beyond 43 ft. If
it fills up, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
can get at least 135 million litres of drinking water every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Not many remember that till 1980,
TG Halli was one of the main sources of
drinking water to the city and it supplied water to Bangalore West including
the localities of Rajajinagar, Sunkadakatte and Vijayanagar. It was in 2012
that the BWSSB finally gave up on TG Halli and discontinued supply of water
from it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">One of the many options that
the BWSSB is now planning for TG Halli is to recharge the reservoir and the
Arkavathy surface water source, by using treated sewage from the
Koramangala and Challaghatta valley (K&C) waste water treatment plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The project proposes to
divert the treated water to Nandi Hills which would flow into various lakes
located downstream and ultimately to the TG Halli reservoir.<br />
It involves construction of four
centrifugal pumps from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">K&C</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place> till Nandi Hills
and construction of a ground-level reservoir (GLR) at the foot of the hills.
The proposed plan is to pump 200 mld of treated sewage using the centrifugal
pumps, each having 50 mld capacity to an elevation of 980 metres into the
proposed ground level reservoir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The treated water would then be
pumped using booster pumps to the identified hill surface facing the TG Halli
catchment area. The water would be sent to tanks and lakes along TG Halli which
would ultimately get filled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The cost was estimated in
2005 at Rs 415 crore. Today, it needs at least a hundred crores more to take up
this project, which also requires an annual operation and maintenance cost of Rs 80 crore.<br />
Apart from this step, the State and the BWSSB have to tackle the issue of unplanned development, encroachment of
catchment areas, altered drainage system, quarrying, denudation of forests and
other related urban issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-62835819426037605962014-08-26T01:34:00.000-07:002014-08-26T01:34:26.143-07:00Older than the temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Srirangapatna, the erstwhile
capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, has a history dating back to the
New Stone Age. But very few of the thousands of visitors and pilgrims who come
to this island town are aware of this fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The New Stone Age is also
called the Neolithic Age and it was a period of human development and
technology.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It began sometime in 10,200
BC and ended between 4500 BC and 2000 BC. In south <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, the Neolithic period began
in 3000 BC and continued till about 1400 BC. The age in Karnataka is characterised
by ashmounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Robert Bruce Foot (1834
-1912), a British geologist and archaeologist, discovered the first conclusive
Paleolitic stone tool (a hand axe) in Pallavaram near <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city>. He then along with William King went
on to discover more such tools and settlements in South and <st1:place w:st="on">West
India</st1:place>, including Srirangapatna. He is, therefore, often considered
as the Father of Indian prehistory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1884 he discovered the 3.5
kilometres (2.2 miles) long Belum caves, the second largest cave in the
Indian subcontinent. Foote spent 33 years, starting as a youth at the age of
24, working for the geological survey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Foote's father-in-law was the
Rev. Peter Percival, missionary, linguist and a pioneering educator of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sri Lanka</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on">South India</st1:place>.
Foot’s grandson, Major General Henry Robert Bowreman Foote, was awarded the
Victoria Cross during the second Word war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Coming back to Srirangapatna,
other archaeologists have discovered some stone tools such as an axe, hammer
and other antiquities of the new stone age culture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1984, Dr C. Mahadeva
discovered stone tools such as bone, Ardha chandra and a chopping splinter
belonging to the microlithic age. It is significant that these tools are made
out of jasper, chert and other stone materials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The discovery of many
microlithic weapons in the area has led archaeologists and historians to
believe that this must have been a factory site. Historians have discovered
stone age settlements in Pandavapura, Kuntibetta and Srirangapatna. Some
remnants of the stone age culture have been found at Hangarahalli<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">and Ranganathittu on the
banks of Cauvery, (Srirangapatna taluk); Maralahalli, Belakawadi, Muttatti,
Halagur (Malavalli taluk) Kuntibetta, near Pandavapura and Sanabakoppalu in
Pandavapura taluk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The findings suggest that the
population density in this part was very thin. The stone age man who lived
around thick forests, river valleys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Srirangapatna was originally
built by Udayaditya, the brother of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, in 1120 AD. It
soon became an important agrahara during the Hoysala period. In 1454, Timmana
Dannayaka, a local chief of Nagamangala, obtained permission from the
Vijayanagara king Praudadeva Raya, and built a fort at Srirangapatna. Soon, the
Vijaayanagar rulers mde Srirangapatna their provincial capital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This fort was captured by
Raja Wodeyars from the Vijayanagar Viceroy, Tirumala, in 1610 and it later fell
into the hands of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The fort was destroyed in May
1799 in the fourth and final Anglo-Mysore war. After the death of Tipu in 1799
A.D., Srirangapatna lost its glory as the Wodeyars shifted the capital to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Since the island is home to
the first of the three Ranganatha shrines on the banks of the river Cauvery, it
is also known as Adi Ranga. As it is located to the west of Srirangam (in Tamil
Nadu), it is also called as Paschima Ranganatha Kshetra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Several inscriptions
belonging to the Gangas (2), Hoysalas (2), Vijayanagars (12), Wodeyars of
Mysore (15) Hyder-Tipu (14) and others (22) have been found here. Among them,
four are in Tamil, 36 in Kannada, eight in Sanskrit, 14 in Persian and two each
in Telugu and English.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thus we see that
Srirangapatna has much more to offer than the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Ranganatha</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Swamy</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> and the monuments
belonging to the Hyder Ali-Tipu era. A student of history and archaeology would be interested in
the ancient history of the island which is older than the ancient and hoary <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ranganatha</st1:placename></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-43846674154901107092014-08-24T18:08:00.004-07:002014-08-24T18:08:50.713-07:00A forgotten philanthropist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What does a maternity
hospital, a road, temple structure and a lake have in common. Of course, all but
one of them are in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
but that is not the point of similarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">All these structures were
built by one person more than a hundred years ago. But today, neither the man
nor his contribution to the then small <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:placename></st1:place>
is even remembered. If the road after which bears his name is a busy
thoroughfare in a small town seventy
kilometers away from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>,
the lake which is part of the City is a cesspool of sewage and untreated water.
People living around the lake tend to curse it more than seeing it as a
lifeline.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Once home to hundreds of
migratory birds and also small wildlife, it is now one of the most encroached
water bodies in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
And to think it once supplied water to the parched residents of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The temple structure that he
built still stands. Though the temple is one of the landmarks of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, he is rarely,
if ever, remembered for it. The maternity hospital he built so that poor and
needy residents to get modern care is better known by its initials and even
doctors and patients rarely pause to spare a thought for the man who so
generously donated money for the construction of the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The man who built all these is
none other than Yele Mallappa Shetty, a rich merchant of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> who lived in the 19th century. A philanthropist,
he is entirely responsible for constructing the Elemarappakere which is also known
as Yele Mallappa Shetty Kere or lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This water body is near KR
Puram or Krishnarajapuram on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Hoskote
Road</st1:address></st1:street>. It was entirely built by Shetty in 1890 and
the entire money for the project came
from his own funds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bangalore</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> in 1890 was in the grip of a severe water scarcity.
The existing lakes and ponds had dried up and the British Government and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
were making all out efforts to meet the challenge of providing water to the
parched residents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">While Sankey conceived
what is now called the Sankey lake in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>, Shetty too hit
upon the idea of providing a water body in K.R. Puram. He saw people suffering
due to lack of water and choose the spot after a great deal of research and
planning. Thus was born the huge Yele Mallappa Shetty Kere or lake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The lake served as a lifeline
for people living in its vicinity. Soon, it also began supplying water to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. This even as
Sankey tank was being built and other water works were being commissioned by
the Mysore Government and also the British.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> Today, realms is written about Sankey and
others but there is not a mention of Shetty who was a rich areca merchant involved
in taking up developmental works. A philanthrophist, Shetty was also involved
in constructing the temple structure around the historic <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kadu</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Malleswara</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> in Malleswaram.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sadly, while historians and
others wax eloquent about the association of Shahaji, the father of Shivaji,
with the Kadu Malleswara temple, they fail to even mention Shetty and his
contribution. Incidentally, the structure funded by Shetty came to be completed
sometime in 1900.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Shetty also built a maternity
hospital, which today is called Yele Mallappa Shetty's <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Maternity</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
Not many know that this is one of the oldest hospitals of its kind in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and that it was
built in 1879.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Supposedly belonging to the Lingayat
community, there is a road named after him in Bangarpet town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kolar</st1:place></st1:city> district. The
mining town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangarpet</st1:place></st1:city>
was earlier known as Bowringpet. It is about 71 kms from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Coming back to the lake, it
once occupied more than 300 acres in area. Today it is about 260 acres and it
is home to a variety of migratory birds. Wildlife photographers have sighted
more than 38 species of migratory birds and recorded 28 of them. The Golden
oriole, northern shoveler, green bee eater, bulbul, pied kingfisher, egrets,
Eurasian coot are spotted in the water body frequently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is also one of the
largest fresh water lake in north east <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
and its watershed is spread over in an area of 287
km2. It forms part of the Hebbal and
Rachenahalli valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Unfortunately, the lake and
its surroundings are host to a variety of industries and establishments such as
stone crushers, asphalt manufacturing
units, factories, brick manufacturing, dumpsite, fodder industry, garages, solar
cell factory, steel warehouse and even agricultural lands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Layouts and educational and
commercial centres around the lake and increased urban activity have almost
killed the lake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">There are studies to this
effect by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-32793034166832783062014-04-10T02:27:00.001-07:002014-04-10T02:27:34.305-07:00The forgotten palegar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Mention Srirangapatna and the
first name that comes to our mind is that of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Similarly, mention Srirangapatna fort and the first thing that
comes to the mind is the heroic death of Tipu on May 4, 1799 just a few yards
away from the massive fortifications. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Fort, perhaps, is the
second most important <st1:placetype w:st="on">monument</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Srirangapatna</st1:placename> which lends a unique character to the
bustling town (The first important monument should be the sprawling <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Ranganatha</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>). There are a lot of legends and
myths associating the Wodeyars, Hyder Ali and Tipu with the fort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But what many have forgotten
is that the fort was initially built by a local chieftain whose name is now
almost forgotten, so much so that the fort is more associated with Hyder-Tipu
and the Wodeyars than this palegar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is no plaque, name
board or even a sign board detailing the contribution of this Palegar. What is
more astonishing is that it was this palegar who laid the foundations of the
massive Srirangapatna fort more than seven centuries ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Moreover, it was also this
palegar who contributed lavishly to the temples in Srirangapatna, Tonnur or
Kere Tonnur and of course Melukote. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This palegar was the first
chieftain to fortify Srirangapatna and also rule from the area but as a vassal
of the might Vijayanagars. A devout Srivaishnava, he ruled justly and he was
one of the top army commanders of the Vijayanagar forces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This palegar is none other
than Thimanna Hebbar, the chief of Nagamangala, who was also known as Thimmanna
Dannayaka. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He rose to prominence because
of his military and administrative prowess and in 1454 A.D., he took the
permission of the Vijayanagar Emperor to build a mud fort in Srirangapatna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">However, even before Thimanna
Hebbar fortified Srirangapatna, it was a thriving and important town. During
the Hoysala rule(943-1340), Srirangapatna was one of the most important
agrahara centres.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Once Veera Ballala
(1291-1343) died, the Hoysala empire disappeared and Srirangapatna became a
provincial capital of the Vijayanagars. Sometime in 1450 or a little earlier,
Thimanna Hebbar took up the post of a palegar of Srirangapatna and he was a
vassal of the Vijayanagars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In 1454, Thimanna Hebbar laid
the foundations of the mud fort and also dug a trench around it. He also repaired,
renovated and donated liberally to the Ranganatha temple in Srirangapatna, the
Nambi Narayana temple in Tonnur and the two main <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Melkote-Cheluva
Narayanaswamy</st1:placename></st1:place> and Yoga Narasimha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">These temples had been
ravaged by Mailk Kafur during his south <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> invasion of 1311.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thimanna Hebbar was a
commander of the Vijayanagar forces under Emperor Mallikarjuna Raya (1446-1465)
who continued him in the post of a palegar of Srirangapatna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The descendents of Thimanna
Hebbar were confirmed in the post of palegar
of Srirangapatna till 1495 when the Vijayanagar Emperor Narasimha Raya (1491-1505) decided to appoint
relatives of the royal family as Viceroys of Srirangapatna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The royal family of Vijayanagar continued to hold Srirangapatna as
Viceroys till 1610 when Raja Wodeyar defeated Tirumalaraya in the battle of
Kesare and made Srirangapatna his capital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Raja Wodeyar realised the
strategic importance of the Jaladurga or island fortress formed naturally by
the north and south branches of the Cauvery and renovated the fort. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Later, Kanteerava Narasaraja
Wodeyar in 1654 and Chikkadevaraya Wodeyar strengthened the fortress and Hyder
and Tipu too contributed immensely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the British stormed the
fort on May 4, 1799, they admired the massive structure and refrained from
pulling it down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The fort is on the western
end of the island and it is in the form of an irregular pentagon with a perimeter
of about 4 kilometres.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The fort is a major tourist
attraction as are the many additions to it made by Tipu. Of the brave and just
palegar, there is no mention and it seems time has swallowed his name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-84907630534164126262014-02-23T19:07:00.001-08:002014-02-23T19:07:18.451-08:00The little known temples on the hill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">An earlier post had dealt
with the Chamundi Hills and the many names that the hills were called by. This
post is about a few other temples on the Chamundi Hills which unfortunately are
not so well-known as the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chamundi</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">One of the earliest temples
not only on Chamundi Hills but in the <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city>
region is the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mahabaleshwara</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Mahabaleshwar temple was initially
built by the Gangas during the eighth century and renovated by Hoysalas. Interestingly,
the bronze idols in this temple belong to the Chola period. <br />
The temple is an artistic blend of Hoysala and <st1:place w:st="on">Ganga</st1:place>
architecture. The main deity is the linga which has Shiva’s face on it. There
is also an idol of Parvathi to the left of the Linga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The idols of Sapta Mata
(seven mothers), two idols of Ganesha,
Nataraja along with Sivakami are also found in the temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Generally, we do not find an
idol of Nataraja in a Shiva temple but this is an exception here. It is also rare
to find a stone idol of Nataraja and this can be seen here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The priest of the temple says
since the Linga self manifested, it is also known as Aarsheya Murthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Outside the temple are the
five avatars of Shiva - Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eeshana.
These idols were consecrated by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another little known temple on
the hills is that of Lakshmi Narayana which is situated behind the Mahabaleshwar temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The temple faces West and it is
dedicated to Narayana along with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This deities have been carved
from a single stone. There is a beautiful and unique idol of Hanuman here and
it has been growing for the last 100 years. Strangely, the idol cannot be seen
clearly in the day but it is visible after dark when lamps are lit. This idol
faces north.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is an interesting tale
about the idol. According to locals, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodayer came to the
place and directed a sculptor to break a stone lying on the hill. The sculptor
hit the stone a few times but was only able to make a small dent. Later that
night, Hanuman appeared in the dreams of the sculptor and asked him not to
break the stone. He said he was growing on the stone and, therefore, there was
no need to break it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The stone then was
consecrated as it is and this has been growing. Maharani Tripura Sundari,
second wife of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodayer, commissioned a silver
Kavacha for the idol. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is no Dhwaja Stamba for
this temple. However, both the Mahabaleshwara and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chamundi</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temples</st1:placetype></st1:place>
have Dhwaja Stambas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another interesting temple on
the Hill is the Nandi and the small cave <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Shiva</st1:placename></st1:place>
behind it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The 16 feet high and 24 feet
long monolith Nandi was installed by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar in 1659. The
significance of this Nandi is that, while Nandi everywhere faces Shiva, it faces
south while Shiva looks towards the east.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Locals say the Wodeyars
installed ten different Nandi idols around the hill to protect their empire. Even
today, some of the Nandi statues can be seen as Neerkal Hatti Basava, Ulluri
Basava, Kodi Basava and Kere Bali Basava.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Coming back to the Nandi on
Chamundi Hills, there is a small Cave temple adjacent to the monolith which houses
a Shiva Linga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another temple is that
of Jwala Tripura Sundari, sister of
Chamundi at Uttanahalli.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The idol of the goddess, said
to be an avtar of Lakshmi, is located little below the ground. The hillock on
which this temple is located is called Ramanathagiri. This is so as the temple
also houses the self-manifested idol of Ramanateshwara or Shiva. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nearby is the ashrama of Markandeya
ashram which is marked by a small temple. Legend is Markandeya worshipped Shiva
at this very spot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Devikere, which lies
en route to the Chamundi Hill, is a small but beautiful pond meant to draw
water for the temple. The Devi kere is also known as Deva Gange as <st1:place w:st="on">Ganga</st1:place> created the water here to worship Shiva.</span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-72019827646719341862014-02-21T23:23:00.001-08:002014-02-21T23:23:19.390-08:00The many names of Chamundi Hills<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lakhs of tourists and
pilgrims make a beeline to the Chamundi temple atop the Betta or Chamundi Hills
in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>. The
Hills, which are among the eight most religious hills in south <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> and have an average elevation of a
thousand meters above sea level, are a
natural and religious attraction and give <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city>
a pride of place on the tourist map of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Chamundi temple, which is
situated atop the Chamundi Hills, is one of the largest in Karnataka and rivals
the Ranganatha temple in Srirangapatna and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Nanjundeshwara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
in Nanjangud in size and footfalls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Tourists and first tome
visitors and even many Mysoreans assume that the hills came to called as
Chamundi after the temple by the same name. What they do not know is that the
hills were known by different names and it came to be called after Chamundi
only after the Wodeyars began ruling from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>
in the 14<sup>th</sup> century. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Interestingly, there are many
myths and legends associated with Chamundi Hills and of course <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> too. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place> perhaps is the only city in Karnataka after Badami to be named after a
demon. If Badami is named after Vatapi, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place> city is named after
Mahishasura.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Chamundi Hills, with along
and winding 12 kilometre road to the top amid forests, is the very place where
the demon, Mahishasura, was slain by Goddess Chamundi. The silhouette of the
hills from the main <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">palace</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename></st1:place> gives an
impression of Mahishasura sleeping. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Located 13 kilometres from
the heart of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>
city, the first mention of Chamundi was after Mahabala, a form of Shiva. Centuries
ago, the Chamundi Hills were better known as Mahabaladrigiri. This was so as the main deity on the hill was
Mahabaleshwara (Shiva) and not Chamundi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The name of Maabbala or
Mahabala Betta or Maabala Theertha is repeatedly mentioned during the Hoysala
period. Mahabala was another name for Chamundi Hills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Hoysala Emperor Vishnuvardhana
had given funds for the maintenance of the temple and also for the worship of Shiva. Till the reign of Bola Chamaraja
Wodeyar, the Chamundi temple was one of the many on the hills and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mahabala</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> was the most important structure
atop the hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was when Bola Chamaraja
Wodeyar survived an attack of lightning but lost all his hair that he believed
Chamundi had saved him. Since then, Chamundi began gaining importance and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Chamundeshwari</st1:placename></st1:place> began gaining
prominence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Subsequently, Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar
(1659-1673), built 1108 steps in 1659 or 1664 for the benefit of pilgrims. The
steps can still be seen and they are used by devotees and health and fitness
freaks. He also commissioned the 16 feet high monolithic statue of the Nandi on
the hills in 1659. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By the way, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Shiva</st1:placename></st1:place> or Mahabala exists even today and
historians and archaeologists agree that this structure is much older than the
Chamundi temple. The first structure of this ancient temple dates back to the
period of the Gangas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the Wodeyars came to
power and began ruling the <st1:placetype w:st="on">province</st1:placetype> of
<st1:placename w:st="on">Purugere</st1:placename> from the 14<sup>th</sup>
century onwards, first as vassals of Vijayanagar and then as independent rulers
of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place>,
Chamundeshwari or Chamundi became their family deity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Wodeyars commenced regular
poojas at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chamundi</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> and the hills
slowly came to be known as Chamundi Hills. Another name for the hills is Trimukuta
Kshetra or three-peaked hill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Chamundi Hill is compared
to a middle bud of a lotus surrounded by eight petals and all these petals represent
different hills. The eight hills are Chikkadevammana Betta in HD Kote,
Gopalswamy Betta, Biligiri Rangana Betta (BR Hills), Male Madeshwara (MM Hills)
Betta, Kunti Betta near Pandavapura, Yadugiri in Melkote, Mallayana Betta in
Pandavpura and Karigatta in Srirangapatna. The Chamundi, therefore, is called
as a bud surrounded by eight petals and, hence, the name Ashtadala Parvata
(hill surrounded by eight petals).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Chamundi hill is
sandwiched between two rivers. If Cauvery flows north, Kapila flows south. The
Chamundi Hills also has one of the oldest inscription ever found in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place> and this is dated
to 950A D when the Gangas were lording over the area. There is also a Hoysala
inscription here dating back to the 12<sup>th</sup> century. The hills not only
provide you with a trekking, walking and motoring experience but also give you
a glimpse of wildlife in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chamundi</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Reserve</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Forest</st1:placetype></st1:place>
abutting the hill. (This is the first of a three part post on Chamundi Hills,
its temples and other little known spots).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-58339993644647399562014-01-27T18:31:00.000-08:002014-01-27T18:31:30.211-08:00When a truncated State helped Bangalore <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The year 1799 was a watershed
in the annals of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>. It was the year
when the geographical contours of the Kingdom was redefined. It was also the
year when the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, was slain by the British and his brave attempt to throw out the British
from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The year of 1799 also saw a
major change in the political scene of south <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Till then, Tipu and his
father, Hyder Ali, had redefined the polices in the Deccan and their strong
opposition to the British had kept the East India Company on its toes and dealt
a severe setback to their ambition of
taking over south India. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The death of Tipu led to the
extinction of the short-lived Muslim rule over <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>. Wary of a backlash, the British
cleverly handed back the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> to the Wodeyars
but made them sing the Subsidiary Alliance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British divided the
erstwhile <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> into four parts. While they retained
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Coimbatore</st1:place></st1:city> and
West Coast and also control over Bangalore Cantonment later, the Nizam of
Hyderabad was gifted Gutti, Gurumakonda and northern part of Chitradurga. The Marathas
were appeased by giving them Harapanahalli, Anegondi and surrounding areas of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bellary</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The remaining portion, which
was a truncated leftover, was created as <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and handed over to the Wodeyars. On their part, the five-year-old Mummadi
Krishna Raja Wodeyar was coronated the Emperor in a tent in present day
Nazarbad in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>.
The capital of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype> too was shifted from Srirangapatna to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British initially maintained
a fairly large military presence in Srirangapatna and the expense was borne by
the Wodeyars. They then shifted the military presence to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> and forced the Wodeyars to cede
administrative and military control over the large tract of land to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While Srirangapatna continued
to languish and slowly lost out its importance, <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city>
and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
developed rapidly and this is no small measure to the Wodeyars and the Dewans
of the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Dewan Purnaiah took over
charge of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> in 1799 and was in the post till
1811. Purnaiah took special interest in developing <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He visited <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> often and renovated the temple
inside the old fort now located in City Market. He also built a choultry for
travellers in Tulasi Thota near Majestic. He also financially helped farmers to
convert the rocky areas in Sarakki, Jaraganahalli, and Maruthihalli into
cultivable lands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the British started construction
of the Cantonment in Bangalore in 1807, their first base was in 1808 and it was
located near where the Command Air Hospital is located today on Old Airport
Road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The emergence of Cantonment
as a rival to the pete brought in Western thought, culture and lifestyle to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. When the
British took direct control over the <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> in 1831 and till its return to
the Wodeyars in 1881, <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> was lorded by
English Commissioners who had their headquarters in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. These Commissioners directly
reported to the Governor General of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>
and not to the Governor at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Madras</st1:city></st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">It was during this period
that two Commissioners-Mark Cubbon (1834-1861) and Bowring (1861-1870) gave </span><st1:city style="font-size: 16pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> its present
character. They ensured that </span><st1:place style="font-size: 16pt;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
received the necessary infrastructure to develop into the foremost City of the
times. </span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-7132560860744587992014-01-26T11:19:00.000-08:002014-01-26T11:19:05.807-08:00When famine struck Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was sometime in 1877 and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
was reeling under a terrible famine. The failure of the monsoons in 1875 and
1876 had led to a prolonged drought in south <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place> and people were finding it
difficult to make ends meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and other parts of what is Karnataka today too suffered from the lack of rains.
There was no food and cattle was dying everywhere. The prices of food grains
and other commodities had shot up and people in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>
were suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The severe famine in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>
which commenced in December 1876 was the result of the failure of two successive monsoons in 1875 and 1876. <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> was a little more fortunate tan other places of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype>
and south <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
as it had fairly adequate stocks of food grains and water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Seeing <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>
as a much better option, large number of people from Madras Presidency (as
present day Tamil was known then), <st1:city w:st="on">Hyderabad</st1:city>,
Travancore, Bombay Presidency and almost all the districts of north Karnataka migrated to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The migrants found <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> a much better
place to live in. The Cantonment was a sprawling city, while the Pete was a
prosperous native town. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This was the period when
Chief Commissioner C.B.Saunders was administering the State of Mysore and Dr.
J.H.Orr was the President of both Bangalore Pete and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Cantonment</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Municipality</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The huge influx of people led
to inflation like situation in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
The prices of food grains shot up four times its usual price and rents too took
an upward swing. Vegetables and fruits too became costlier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thargurpet, by then, had
become the grain market of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
Hundreds of shops lined the lanes and bylanes of the locality dealing
wholsesale and even in retail food grains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many people who had migrated
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
from other parts zeroed in on Thargurpet to feed themselves,. While a lucky few
managed to get work, others lazed about and took to begging to feed themselves
and their families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By July 1877, the <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> municipality recorded 25,000 famine immigrants
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Though there was no dearth of
food grains in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>,
traders and merchants made handsome profits, quoting higher prices. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> also became the
nodal centre for distributing food grains to other parts of the State. Every
day, 400 tonnes to 500 tonnes of food grains came to <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>
by rail from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The food grains and other
relief materials were dispatched by rail and road and the Government of India nominated
Richard Temple as Special Commissioner to monitor such work from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">To tackle the situation in <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>, the municipality and the Government appointed
specially designated people wearing white and blue caps to identify weak and starving people and bring them to relief
kitchens which were set up across <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Government set up three
kitchens under the direct supervision of the General Famine Relief committee.
These kitchens fed the migrants twice a day in return for work as they were
able to perform.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Government placed Captain
Healey and Lieutenant P.E. Anderson in charge of relief work in the Pete and cantonment
respectively. They supervised the distribution of grains to the poor and also
helped people to get back their jobs. These two British officials were assisted
in their work by local volunteers. A majority of the volunteers were clerks in
Government offices in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Local industrialists, philanthropists
and leading citizens of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
also helped out by providing food and shelter and even collecting money. Rai
Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswami Mudaliar started a woolen mill where boys were
provided with food, clothes and taught to work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> Brahmo Samaaj and the leading trader of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, Ele Mallappa
Shetty fed 30,000 people daily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Unfortunately, the magnitude
of the famine and drought was so severe that thousands died due to starvation
and malnutrition in the State. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
too was not spared such deaths. During August 1877, the average number of dead on
the streets of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
was 20 and it shot up to 40 in September. In Cantonment, British soldiers were
aghast to find bodies of people, including children, lying exposed and partly
devoured by animals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Government took up
several public works like desilting and repair of Dharmambudi tank and the
construction of an additional reservoir adjoining and forming a part of the Sampangi
tank. The existing tanks dried up and the Government was forced to dig new
tanks and lakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Hundreds of weavers and loom workers of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> who had sold their looms worked as
labourers in Sampangi tank. Hundreds of craftsmen too sold off their implements
and started working in relief works for their daily bread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The relief works picked up
when the Viceroy of India, Lord Lytton, visited <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> in September 1877. He reviewed the
famine and drought relief works and appointed Sir Charles Elliot as Famine
Commissioner to carry out relief operation more effectively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lord Lytton also sanctioned
the work of laying of railway line between <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thankfully, the drought came
to an end when rains lashed <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> and other
parts of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>
in September and October. However, the relief works continued till November
1878. By then, the devastating famine had resulted in more than seven lakh
deaths in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, this event is called “The
Great Famine of 1876–78.” It is also called as the Southern India famine of
1876–78 or the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city>
famine of 1877.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The famine began in 1876 and
affected south and south west <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
first and then spread north and also to some regions of the Central and United
provinces. The famine ultimately covered an area of 257,000 square miles
(670,000 km2) and directly affected 58,500,000 people. The death toll from this
famine is estimated between 5.5 million to 29 million. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many say that the Great
Famine may have been caused by an intense drought resulting in crop failure in
the <st1:place w:st="on">Deccan</st1:place>. Another reason is the foolish
decision of Lord Lytton to export huge amounts of food grains to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">England</st1:place></st1:country-region> at the
cost of local consumption. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Great Famine completely
shattered the British air of superiority. They had taken over the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and in 1873-74 they were thinking a State with surplus in all fields back to
the Maharaja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Their slow response to the famine
hastened the rendition or the return of power to the Maharaja apart from
exposing their sham of all-round development and a State rich in coffers. The
late relief measures cost the Government Rs. 140 lakhs and this was nothing
compared to the losses of revenue. Moreover, the Government was forced to
borrow Rs. 80 lakhs from the Government of India to tide over the financial
crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The famine in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
is supposed to have left more than a lakh dead and the inadequate and
half-baked measures put in place by the British officials left Lord Lytton fuming.
Even, Lord Lytton, the Viceroy, despaired of the lack of proper and sustained
relief measures. He as moved to write, that there was “cause for anxiety in the
general administration of the State” and that the Chief Commissioner Saunders “was not
in control of the administration.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-21108369183451921842014-01-25T17:53:00.002-08:002014-01-25T17:53:48.824-08:00When the British wanted Lalbagh to feed their soldiers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Lalbagh in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> has always been
rated as one of the finest botanical gardens of the world. It is not only the
pride of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
but it is a rare repository of exotic
plants and trees, many of which go back to the time of Hyder Ali and Tipu
Sultan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The credit for the making of
Lalbagh goes to both Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. They started planting the
gardens sometime between 1740 and 1760 and they both took keen interest in
raising the garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Both Hyder and Tipu imported exotic
plants, seeds and saplings from countries as far away as <st1:city w:st="on">Turkey</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Persia</st1:country-region>, Afganisthan and the
continent of <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>. They also set up a
separate garden department to deal with Lalbagh and other gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The death of Tipu in 1799 did not put the brakes on the
development of Lalbagh. Instead, the British took keen interest in redeveloping
and subsequently expanding the Lalbagh. They wanted the Lalbagh to cater to the
culinary tastes of the British troops stationed in Srirangapatna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The troops of the East India Company were not accustomed to
eating native fruits and vegetables and they longed for “good old English” vegetables
and fruits. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
was found to be ideal for growing some of the English vegetables and fruits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The East India Company took
over Lalbagh and the then Governor
General, Richard Wellesley, commanded surgeon- naturalist Dr. Benjamin
Heyne, to look up Lalbagh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Heyne was also tasked with
the job of ensuring that the Lalbagh provided food for the regimental messes of the
British troops. He was also encouraged to demonstrated to the native gardeners
and growers how English vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage and turnips could
be cultivated in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Heyne sent a letter to Fort
St George, dated April 27, 1803, proposing the retention of a small spot of
ground in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
for the purpose of cultivating the potato, turnip and other culinary
vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lalbagh, under Heyne, came to
be transformed into a European style garden and it was only from this period it
also began to serve as a botanical garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Heyne, who was the first
British keeper of Lalbagh, brought 369 plant species from the Western Ghats in <st1:place w:st="on">South India</st1:place> to Lalbagh. Since <st1:city w:st="on">Wellesley</st1:city>
had asked Heyne to introduce crops, including fruits and vegetables palatable
to the British, the botanist did his best to redevelop Lalbagh and grow alien
crops in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This experiment of Heyne
started in 1800 and continued till 1807. He introduced Apples, cocoa, durian,
clove, nutmeg and mangosteen and the fist saplings of all these were planted in
the Lalbagh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the experiments in
Lalbagh succeeded, Heyne prevailed upon growers in and round <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> to grow European and British vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Heyne was in Lalbagh
till 1812 after which he joined Francis Buchanan in his survey work. Though he
could not transform Lalbagh into a garden to serve the British belly, he
protected it and preserved its plants and trees. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-37351951487112996102014-01-24T17:57:00.000-08:002014-01-24T17:57:21.359-08:00When Ganjam lost its sheen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was once a prosperous City
that Tipu Sultan, the
tiger of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>,
founded. It was on the banks of the Cauvery. No, it was not Srirangapatna but a
suburban town that Tipu built when he conquered Sira, near <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">After the sacking of Sira and
the defeat of its ruler, Tipu forced the people of the once thriving town to
migrate to another town, many miles away. This was the town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Shehar
Ganjam</st1:city></st1:place> that he built on the outskirts of Sriranapatna.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Tipu ensured that Shehar
Ganjam was well-populated. The city was planned well and it was adjacent to
Daria Daulat, his summer palace on one side and Gumbaz, where his father was
buried, on the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ganjam had four major roads
and it was bisected by smaller roads. Tipu grew several fruits and flowering
plants and trees around the town and also encouraged gold and silver smiths.
Soon, Ganjam came to be known as the foremost jewellery centre of south <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and it rivaled Hyderebad in the design and production of jewellery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The tradition of jewellery
became so synonymous that people called it by the name of the City-Ganjam. The
royal patronage endured that artisans and gold and silver smiths apart from
jewellery designers flocked to the suburb of Srirangapatna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There are records to indicate
that much of Tipu’s gold and silver
jewellery and the jewellery at the royal treasury came from Ganjam. Of course,
there were also spoils of war. But the royal treasury and also the jewellery
and ornaments of the high-ranking nobles and courtiers came from Ganjam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At its peak and this was
during the heydays of Tipu, Ganjam was peopled by 12,000 artisans. Ganjam then
was also known for its clothes, paper and manufacture of stringed musical
instruments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ganjam suffered a serious
setback in 1799 when the marauding British and Nizam forces set camp at Gajnam
and at Karighatta hill. They destroyed the fort of Ganjam and also hacked the
magnificent garden and orchards developed by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many people, including
traders and jewelers fled from Ganjam. After Tipu died in 1799 in the fourth
and final Anglo-Mysore war, the gold trade of Ganjam received a setback. When
the Wodeyars were handed over the <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> and the sons of Tipu imprisoned in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Vellore</st1:city></st1:place> fort, there were fears that Ganjam
would lose its importance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">For some time, this proved
true as the political uncertainty of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
led to a decline in the trade. However, once the political situation stabilised
and the Wodeyars shifted their Kingdom to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>
from Srirangapatna, the trade in gold and jewellery picked up again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Over time, the artisans of
Ganjam made the jewellery so famous that it rivaled the reputation of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Surat</st1:place></st1:city>. Thus if <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Surat</st1:city></st1:place> came to be known for
its trade in diamonds, Ganjam earned famed for its signature jewellery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The intricate design and the
many patterns of Ganjam jewellery made its stand out against jewellery from
other centres. During the Wodeyar rule from 1799, Ganjam once again regained
its prominence as the primary manufacturing and trading centre of jewellery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ironically, the final nail in
the coffin of Ganjam came after <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>
attained <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Independence</st1:place></st1:city>
from the British-the very dream that drove Tipu to battle the British. The
modernisation of the jewellery making process and the sophisticated equipments
used in the manufacture of jewellery and the mechanisation of its process
sounded the deathknell of the Ganjam jewellery industry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The local jewelers and
designers slowly but surely went out of business as orders became far and few.
Imitation jewellery and import of gold coupled with high prices of gold and
lack of Government support routed the once prosperous small-scale industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Where Ganjam once had
hundreds of artisans and designers, none survived. Today, it is hard to spot
even a single jewellery shop in Ganjam and of course of the designers and
makers there is none. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, Ganjam survives only
as the name of jewellery shops. Of the once thriving trade and commerce centre,
there is not a whiff. All we can see is the Gumbaz and the Daria Daulat and
sandwiched between them is the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ganjam</st1:placename></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, thousands of tourists
make a beeline to Ganjam to see the Sangam, the Daria Daulat and the Gumbaz.
Very few of them know the Ganjam as a prime jewellery manufacturing and
designing centre which brought name and fame. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Ganjam is just two kilometers
from Srirangapatna, 17 km from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>
and 127 km from Bengalore. It is easily accessible from Srirangapatna. </span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-61460305624837035792014-01-23T11:54:00.001-08:002014-01-23T11:54:59.696-08:00What's in a name?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What is in a name, you may
ask. “Everything”, is the answer if it
is <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.
Unlike many other cities in <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> was
never known or founded by that name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When Kempe Gowda founded <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> it was called
Devarayanapura and this was the name that Kempe Gowda the first gave to the
City he founded. This name was in honour of Achuta Deva Raya, the Emperor of
Vijayanagar who permitted Kempe Gowda to not only found the City and build a
fort but also construct petes where each of the locality was allowed in trade
in a particular commodity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus the founding of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> and the origin
of the petes and there were 84 in all when it all began goes back to the reign
of Achuta Deva Raya (1529-1541). However, there is another historical view that
Kempe Gowda named his <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">new city</st1:place></st1:city>
as Devarayanapura in honour of Krishna Deva Raya (1509-1529).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is enough evidence to
suggest that Krishna Deva Raya did visit <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
and that he stayed at a temple or adjacent to a temple in Madiwala. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Though there was no <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> when Krishna Deva Raya stayed in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, Kempe Gowda
might have seen him. That he had heard of
Krishna Deva Raya is undeniable. Kempe Gowda also saw Hampi or
Vijayanagar and decided to construct a City on the same lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He then set about the process
of City building. He first harnessed a pair of bullocks to four carts and sent
them away in each of the four directions. He asked his soldiers to accompany
the bullock carts and he directed them to mark the exact place where they
stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The place where the bullock
carts stopped were to be the boundaries of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">new city</st1:city></st1:place>. The centre from where they went out
in the four directions is what is today known as <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Doddapete Circle</st1:address></st1:street>. Unfortunately, the
circle is lost in the hustle and bustle of daily life and not even a handful of the thousands who pass by the busy
circle spare a thought to the history of the circle they are traversing across.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bangalore</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was never the name Kempe Gowda gave to his nascent
city. Bangaluru near Kodigehalli was the place where his wife came from and
where his in-laws lived. His wife came to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">new city</st1:place></st1:city> with a fairly large retinue of
servants and relatives. Soon, other inhabitants of Bangaluru followed when they
realised that Kempe Gowda meant business and that he was a master of construction. The many temples that Kempe
Gowda built, the tanks and lakes he planned, the petes he set about to plan so
assiduously and above all the mud fort at the present City Market gave these
people a sense of security.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The people of Bangaluru
voluntarily shifted from their village and settled down in the city. Soon, the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">new city</st1:place></st1:city> overtook other
small habitations around such as Magadi, Yelahanka, Anekal, Bangaluru, Begur
and Hoskote. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">new city</st1:place></st1:city> also worsted the old and established
cities of Kolar, Chennapatna and Savandurga. It then came to be known as
Bangaluru and the one hundred and one years of
the rule of Kempe Gowdas made the city famous by that name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Gone were the earlier names
of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
such as Kalyanipura and Devarayanapura. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
soon became famous and even the British took to the name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Though the Adil Shahis first
and Marathas and Hyder-Tipu wrested control of
<st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> over different periods, they
could never change the name of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.
After the British took over the administration of <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city>
from the Wodeyars, they shifted the capital from <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city>
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
They too preferred <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
as a name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the British handed back
the kingdom to the Wodeyars, the capital was once again shifted to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>. But the Wodeyars
never changed the name of <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> though the
Dewans of the state and sometimes even the Maharajas preferred to stay on in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> became Independent, <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>
was unanimously chosen as the capital of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
After the integration of the States and the formation of Karnataka, the city of
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
continued to retain its name and also the character as capital of the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> has become Bangalooru and there is
no unanimity on how this name came about and whether at all it had anything to
do with the Hoysala Emperor, Veera Ballala and the story of boiled beans (Benda
Kalluru).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Did Benda Kalluru become <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> or did Bangaluru become <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Whatever the origin of the
name, one thing is clear. Human habitation existed in and around today’s <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> even during
pre-historic times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Several Stone Age weapons dating
to periods between 2000 BC to 1000 BC
have been found near Jalahalli, Siddapura and Gavipuram. Besides, relics
belonging to the Iron Age dating to about 800 BC have been discovered in
Kannur, Jadigenahalli and Koramangla.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">That <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> was known to foreigners can be
evidenced from the fact that Roman coins belonging to Roman Emperors Augustus,
Tibirius, Cadius, and Caligula have been unearthed from Yeshwantapur and HAL
localities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another legend says sometime
in the 5<sup>th</sup> century the <st1:place w:st="on">Ganga</st1:place> rulers
constructed a small settlement near Kengeri for their guards. The guards were
known as Bengavalu in Kannada. Their dwelling place became Bengavaluru, which
later became Bengaluru.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What is interesting is that
the word Bengaluru first appeared in an inscription of 890 A.D. found in Begur. However, this
Bengaluru is different from the Bengaluru near Kodigehalli near Hebbal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bangalore</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was also the place where many hero stones or veeragallu
have been found. The hero stones in
Lalbagh and Kengeri (10th Century), lake in Krishnarajapura (11th Century),
near Railway Housing Colony (13th Century), and near the band-stand in Lalbagh
Glass House (13th Century) tell us that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
was inhabited during those periods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Apart from coins and
implements, a host of inscriptions and historical evidences belonging to
various periods - Talakadu Gangas (2nd to 10th Century), Cholas (1004-1116),
Hoysalas (1116-1336) and Vijayanagar (1336 to 1537) and of course Kempe Gowda –
reveal the antiquity of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yet, the most romantic story
of how <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> got its name comes from the
hunting anecdote of Veera Ballala. This story goes back to the
12th century. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A few historians say that Venkataru
was the City built by Kempe Gowda. As Venkaturu had several temples dedicated
to Venkataramana Swamy, it became Benkaturu and finally Bengaluru. Yet another story
says <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> is the name that came after Benacha
kalluru (Benachu is the quartz stone that is found in and around <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>). The many Benge
trees found in Bengeuru also contributed to the name of Bengaluru.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Ironically, we hardly get to
see any Benge trees in </span><st1:city style="font-size: 16pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16pt;">.</span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-68367188699137230462014-01-22T18:27:00.001-08:002014-01-22T18:27:20.666-08:00When rivals plotted against Kempe Gowfa <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We all know that the reign of
the Kempe Gowdas came to an end when the Adil Shahis of Bijapur conquered <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> in 1638.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The then Adil Shahi Sultan,
had sent out a huge force under Ranadullah Khan, Afzal Khan (he was
subsequently killed by Chatrapathi Shivaji) and Shahaji Bhonsale (father of
Shivaji) to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
and Sira.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While Afzal Khan marched
towards Sira and conquered it, Ranadulla Khan also called as Rustam Zaman and
Shahaji camped at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The forces of Kempe Gowda
held out at the fort of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
for three days before succumbing to the mighty Adil Shahi army. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The ruler of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> then was Kempe Gowda III and he had come to power in
1633. Unfortunately, his reign was marked by jealousies and squabbles and
neighbouring palegars and nayaks, who had become wary of the rising power of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>,
conspired against Kempe Gowda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">These palegars could not
digest the fact that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
was becoming an important centre for inland trade and commerce. The natural beauty
of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
and its prosperity made them jealous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bangalore</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> had never seen a major war after Kempe Gowda
established the City in 1537. It had remained as the capital of Yelahanka
Nadaprabhu’s or the Kempe Gowdas for 101 years from 1537 to 1638 A.D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Kempe Gowda I, the founder of
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, was
a visionary, builder and a lover of art and architecture. He was also a
powerful vassel of the Vijayanagar and he had earned his military spurs by subduing
nayakas and palegars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">His son Gidde Gowda ruled for
15 years from 1570 to 1585. Thereafter, Kempe Gowda II ruled for 48 years (from
1585 to 1633), and like his grandfather, he was a builder. He constructed like
Ranganathaswamy temple in Balepet and the forts in Magadi and Savanadurga. The
watch-towers in Lalbagh, Kempambudhi tank, Halasur tank, and near Mekhri circle
have become famous as Kempe Gowda towers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was during the reign of
his son that the Kempe Gowda rule came to an end in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. The neighbouring rulers were never
on friendly terns with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
They joined hands and conspired to bring down Kempe Gowda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The conspiring chieftains: Hanumappa
Nayaka of Basavapattana, Dalwai Chennaiah of Chennapattana, and Sumukhi Begur
Nayak among others joined hands to topple Kempe Gowda. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Realising that even their
combined armies could not defeat the disciplined forces of Kempe Gowda, they invited the Adilshah to
invade <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.
The Adil Shah was only too happy and he sent a huge force under commander
Ranadulla Khan and his deputy Shahaji Bhonsle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Adil Shah army defeated
Kempe Gowda’s army in three days and captured <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. Shahaji permitted Kempe Gowda III
to surrender and also allowed him to retreat to Magadi in 1638. From that day,
the Kempe Gowdas could never set foot on <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
again and instead they set about developed Magadi and Savandurga. Shahaji
permitted Kempe Gowda to rule from Magadi and this is how he came to be known
as Magadi Kempe Gowda. But the char of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
and its prosperity could never be replicated in Magadi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Kempe Gowda’s descendents
ruled from Magadi till 1728 when the Wodeyars under Dodda Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1714-1732)
put an end to the Yelahanka Nadaprabhu’s reign. The last of the Kempe Gowdas
called Kempeveera Gowda (1705-1728) or Kempe Gowda the third spent his time in
a jail in Srirangapatna. It was an unhappy time for him as he had not only lost
his kingdom but also liberty. He died in jail along with his general Veerabhadra
Nayaka, a sad and unhappy man, ruing his fate and his defeat at Savandurga by
the marauding Wodeyars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>
was lost to the Adil Shahis and Shahaji and his Marathas reigned over <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> from 1638 to
1688. In 1688, Khasim Khan, the Mughal Commander, took <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> from the Marathas and then sold it
to the Wodeyars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-75475476742242833862014-01-21T19:16:00.001-08:002014-01-21T19:16:51.844-08:00The Shakti temple of Kshanambike <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Nimishamba in Ganjam near
Srirangapatna is well-known for its temple dedicated to Nimishamba. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The name Nimishamba has been
given to the Goddess as she is believed to grant the wishes or request of a
devotee within a minute. In Kannada the word Nimisha means a minute and Amma is
mother. Therefore, Nimishamba means a mother who gives boon or grants a wish in
a minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While the Nimishamba temple
is very well-known and thousands visit the shrine every day, there is a temple
of another similar Goddess which is not as well-known as Nimishamba.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This is the temple which
houses the Kshanambike. Like Nimishamba, this temple too id dedicate to a
Goddess and it is located in Srirangapatna itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Goddess Kshanambika</st1:placename></st1:place> is an ancient one
and this is believed to be much older and more powerful than Nimishamba. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If Nimishamba grants wishes
in a minute (nimisha), the Kshanambika is said to fulfill the wishes of the
devotees within a second (kshana).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In Kannada, the word mans a
second and Kshanambika means the Goddess who grants boon in second. The main source of power of the
Goddess here is a bijakdhara garbhita srichakra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">he Srichakra is a geometrical representation of the
universe and this is vital component of yantra worship. The mandala within the
Srichakra is believed to activate the energies both within and outside the
devotee.<br />
Geometrically, the Srichakra is formed by the intersection of nine isosceles
triangles which intersect at various points. While four of the triangles are
upright and represent Shiva, the five inverted triangles represent Shakti. All
the nine triangles together signify the nine fundamental elements of skin, blood, flesh, fat, bone, semen, marrow, breath and the individual soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This Srichakra can still be
seen in front of the idol of the Goddess Kshanambika. Incidentally, an Astamangala
Prashna conducted at the temple has revealed the antiquity of the Srichakra and
the Shakti that radiates from the Chakraraja.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Kshanambika</st1:placename></st1:place> is located in Srirangapatna
itself and it is easy to locate it. If there is any difficulty, locals will be
able to guide you to the temple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The temple is located within
the fort and nearby is the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Hanuman</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> and the Jumam
Masjid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">One can visit both the
Nimishamba and Kshanambike temples and both are closely associated with Shakti.
If fact, you can club visit to both temples by going in your own transport or
hiring an autorickshaw. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-62546323499236245702014-01-20T10:45:00.001-08:002014-01-20T10:45:39.259-08:00The Ganjam figs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">An earlier post had dealt
with the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ganjam</st1:place></st1:city>
and also the jewellery making. This post is about the world famous figs of
Ganjam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ganjam was as famous for its
jewellery as it was for its figs. Though the city of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Shehar Ganjam</st1:city></st1:place> was constructed by Tipu just
two kilometers away from his island capital of Srirangapatna, it developed into
a distinct city in itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Tipu ensured that Ganjam was
surrounded by lovely orchards, farms and plantations. He introduced a variety
of Indian and foreign plants and trees. He planted many exotic trees and plants
in the Gumbaz gardens and around Daria Daulat palace. If the Gumbaz housed the
mausoleum of his father Hyder Ali, the Daria Daulat was his summer retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Both the Gumbaz and Daria
Daulat were surrounded by hundreds of varieties of trees and plants. Since Ganjam city was built
between these two buildings, it too received Tipu’s largesse. Tipu imported fig
or anjura from several countries and had them planted in and around Ganjam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Soon, the fog took root in
Ganjam thanks to the salubrious climate and the ready supply of water from the
nearby Cauvery. The garden department of Tipu supervised the fig in the royal
gardens in Ganjam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ganjam soon became known for
its figs. Farmers were encouraged to grow fig and the special and popular
variety of fig grown here came to be known as Ganjam fig (Ganjam anjura).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Even Tipu is known o have
enjoyed the Ganam fig. Soon, the fig was an important export from Srirangapatna
and it contributed to the local economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When the British set up camp
at Ganjam and overran the Gumbaz, they also captured Ganjam. They destroyed
many trees and plants. Initially, growers and farmers fled Ganjam fearing the
British. But they came back after the death of Tipu and once again began
cultivating fig. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British imported Ganja
fig from Srirangapatna to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
and other places. The Wodeyars too encouraged the farmers and growers to come
back and take back possession of their land. Though the fort of Ganjam was
destroyed in 1799, the British and the Wodeyars allowed residents to comeback
after the death of Tipu Sultan on May 4, 1799. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> Fig cultivation once again took off. Nalwadi
Krishnaraja Wodeyar and Dewan Mirza Ismail gave a boost to fig cultivation.
Both were admirers of the Ganjam fig and they encouraged 150 farmers in and
around the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ganjam</st1:placename></st1:place>
to grow them. They gave subsidy and donated five guntas of land to each of the
150 growers. They also initiated steps to irrigate the fig farms with water
from the Cauvery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The figs grown on these 150
farms were initially sent to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>
palace where the royal family of Wodeyars took pride in serving them to the
British officers and visitors. Soon, Ganjam figs began to be exported to other
states and they commanded a good price in the market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Ganjam figs gave the
Australian figs and Pune figs a run for the money. They had a unique taste of
their own. <br />
The fig farms survived till1960 after which they slowly died. Lack of
encouragement, lack of proper inputs and the growing interest in other cash
crops led to many farmers abandoning the fig. Today, there are barely handful
of the 150 fig gardens that could be seen in and around Ganjam till the 1960s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is a small patch of
land which belongs to the Horticulture
department where it has grown 20 plants. The department had taken possession of
this 5.5 acres of land from the PWD in 1964. <br />
It is said that the Horticulture department has taken over the 5.5 acre fig
gardens from the Public Works Department in 1964. However, we can see a few Sapota
plants there. The Ganjam fig plants can be seen at the department nursery at
Javarahalli farm in Ganjam (there are 100 fig trees there) and at the farm in Nagamangala
taluk.<br />
When we visit Ganjam, even today we can see rusted machines and pipeline
network that were used to pump water from the Cauvery to the farms. The two
pumps of 40 HP and 20 HP capacity can still be seen but they are defunct.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-46350363599396701102014-01-19T19:28:00.001-08:002014-01-19T19:28:51.201-08:00When the King of Nonsense visited Lalbagh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lalbagh is called by many
names and one among them is Kew of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This name was given by Edward
Lear (1812-1888) in 1874. Lear was an English artist, illustrator, author and
poet. Today, he is known mostly for his “literary nonsense” in
poetry and prose and especially his limericks, a form he popularised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He came to <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> in 1874 during which he visited <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. He came to
Lalbagh in a dog cart and was stunned by its beauty, variety of plants and shrubs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By then, the management of Lalbagh
had passed from the hands of the British to the Mysore Maharaja or the
Wodeyars. While the British kept Cantonment, they handed over the botanical garden
laid out by Hyder and Tipu to the Wodeyars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:placetype w:st="on">Garden</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Waugh</st1:placename>, as it was known a few
decades earlier and the <st1:city w:st="on">Cypress</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rose</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placename></st1:place>
much earlier, had acquired the name of Lalbagh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lear had a particular
reason for visiting Lalbagh. His principal areas of work as an artist were
threefold: as a draughtsman employed to illustrate birds and animals; making
coloured drawings during his journeys, which he reworked later, sometimes as
plates for his travel books; and thirdly as a illustrator of English poet Alfred
Tennyson’s poems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As an author, Lear is known
principally for his popular nonsense works, which use real and invented English
words.</span><span style="background: white; color: #282828; font-family: Arial; font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> He wrote his nonsense song, “The
Cummerbund”, while sheltering from the monsoon in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">However, his description of
Lalbagh as <st1:place w:st="on">Kew</st1:place> was more real than imagined and
definitely not “nonsense” he wrote about the delightful time he spent in the
gardens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lear was born into a
middle-class family in Holloway, a small village near <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>. He was the 20<sup>th</sup> of the 21st
children of Ann Clark Skerrett and Jeremiah Lear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lear began drawing by the
time he was 16 and he soon developed into a serious “ornithological draughtsman”
employed by the Zoological Society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He arrived in <st1:city w:st="on">Bombay</st1:city> on November 22, 1873 after a 27-day voyage from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Naples</st1:place></st1:city>. It was his first in
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
and it would be the last expedition of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This was between 1873 and 1875
and while travelling he produced large quantities of coloured wash drawings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He had come to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> as a guest
of Evelyn Baring, the Personal Secretary, of the Viceroy of India, Lord
Northbrook. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He came to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> in mid August of 1874 by rail and was
stunned on seeing the Lalbagh. “Never saw a more beautiful place”, he wrote and
called it the “Kew of India”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Since Lalbagh had always been
a repository of exotic plants and shrubs from the times of Hyder and Tipu, the
epithet by Lear appears to be more than appropriate. He himself acknowledges
that he “went in a dog cart to Lalbagh ….never
saw a more beautiful place, terraces, trellises.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lear found “a sort of homely
quiet pervades everything” in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lear was one of the first English writers to use
Limericks and literary nonsense and helped to make them popular. He travelled
in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Italy</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for three years and published two books of illustrations. At one point, Lear
taught Queen <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:state>
how to draw. He, however, had to bow out of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Victoria</st1:place></st1:state>’s presence as he did not know the proper
way to behave with her and this led to awkward incidents. Lear painted all his
life upto his death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">His writing and sketches of <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> reflect his nature and his amazement at
the variety that <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
was. But even then, the rigors of Indian roads or rather the lack of it left
him exhausted, leaving him to lament, “O!
Hateful Indian travel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and Lalbagh that gave him back his
spirit and made his day. This is how the “King of Nonsense” viewed Lalbagh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-26018165774140835322014-01-18T16:49:00.001-08:002014-01-18T16:49:54.367-08:00The little-known temple of BR Koppal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There are scores of temples dedicated to Srinivasa, Ranganatha
and Narasimha in the Bangalore-Mysore belt and many of them such as the
Ranganatha temples at Srirangapatna and Magadi, the Srinivasa temples of Apremeya in Dodda Malur and Bangaru Tirupathi and the Narasimha temples
of Maddur and Melkote are well-known. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In fact the districts of <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place>, Mandya, Ramanagar,
Hassan and Kolar which form part of
south Karnataka abound in temples dedicated to Hari and his ten avatars,
including Srinivasa and Narasimha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">However, there are many
temples which are not as well-known as the temples of Melkote or Magadi. One
such temple is that of Sri Manikarnika Gunja Sri Lakshmi Narasimha at Baburayana
Koppal or BR Koppal, which is near
Srirangapatna.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The temple is situated at the
confluence of Lokapavani and Cauvery rivers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The deity is Narasimha and he
has a small bead, called gulaganji in Kannada, held up in his right palm. This
means that this kshetra is more sacred (by the weight of a gulaganji) than the
Manikarnika Ghat at Kashi. That is why the deity here is called Manikarnika Sri
Gunja Lakshmi Narasimha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Manikarnika Ghat of Kashi
is supposed to be the very place where Lord Vishnu dug a pit with his chakra
while he was performing penance. The pit was filled with his perspiration when
he started meditating. When Lord Shiva shook his head in admiration, his
jewelled ear ornament fell into the pit with a resounding murmur. This is how
the bathing ghat Manikarnika in Kashi got its name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is the same name of
Manikarnika that distinguishes this <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Narasima</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Local legend has
it that Brigu performed penance here. <br />
A little distance away from the Narasimha temple is the beautiful hill of Karighatta
where a temple dedicated to Srinivasa is built. Nearby is the famous Naimishamba
temple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Manikarnika temple is 120
kms from <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> and 35 kms from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> and it is on the
Bangalore-Mysore road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">e bridge on the river Cauvery
before entering Srirangapatna, a left turn on the highway leads to Babu Rayan
Koppal and the temple. It is about<br />
Another temple dedicated to Narasimha is the Sri Gunja Narasimha Swamy and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Agasthyeshwara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temples</st1:placetype></st1:place> at T. Narsipura. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Gunja</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Narasimhaswamy</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> is on the left
side of Cauvery and even here Narasimha has a gulaganji in his right hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">There is also a Narasimha
temple in Srirangapatna. However, the most famous </span><st1:place style="font-size: 16pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Narasimha</st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
in the area of that of Yoga Narasimha in Melkote. This temple is accessible
only after a back breaking climb from a steep cluster of steps. </span></div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-91626343389395127842014-01-18T01:58:00.002-08:002014-01-18T01:58:24.219-08:00The Cantonment Saheba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There has always been an
ongoing debate about the game of cards or rather poker, its origin and whether
it is a game of skill or a game of
chance. While card players say it is a game of skill, the police and law
enforcement authorities term it as a game of chance. They label it as gambling
and clamp down on it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A few days ago, the Karnataka
High Court had ruled that poker is a
game of skill and, therefore, held that it does not come under gambling. The
ruling was in response to petitions urging the court to set aside the police
action in terming playing cards as gambling and consequently booking cases
against the cars players. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Though playing cards or poker
is certainly not a modern sport, it was not unknown in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>
under the Wodeyars popularised the Ganjifa cards and one of its Kings, Mummadi
Krishnaraja Wodeyar, was an expert and he himself designed several Ganjifa
cards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">However, the credit for
making <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
a card playing centre and a city that hosted Western games such as billiards,
snooker, golf, football and cricket must go to the British. The Cantonment
Saheba was an expert card player, apart from taking to other British customs
such as dressing in a typical British fashion, puffing a cigar and eating with
a fork and spoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">All this and more began sometime in the early 1800s when the
British decide to establish a Cantonment in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. Read on…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British, by 1807, had
decided to abandon their garrison at Srirangapatna and shift it to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. They selected
an elevated piece of land abutting present day Ulsoor for their Cantonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British consciously
decided to allow a physical boundary of a few small tanks, lakes and a garden
which later developed into <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Cubbon</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place> in the mid 1800s to
separate the new establishment from the old Pete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The old Pete had bad memories
for the British and the victory they had achieved over Tipu Sultan in 1791 was
bitter sweet as they had lost several British officers and men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The stubborn resistance that
the then Daroga of the fort, Bahadur Khan, had put up against Lord Cornwallis
who led the British army in 1791 was still fresh in their minds. The British
allowed the Wodeyars to rule over the ruined Pete, while they forced the
Wodeyars to part with a large tract of
land which they named as Cantonment.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Soon, both the Pete and
Cantonment grew separately and each had its own unique and distinct identity.
If the pete was full of natives, the Cantonment was the most modern British
establishment boasting of well-laid out roads, parks, playgrounds, churches, military
barracks, a Stately residence for the British Resident of Mysore, tanks and
lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Cantonment needed people
to serve the British and such people settled down in and around present day
Ulsoor. While only a handful of people from the Pete could come to the
Cantonment, which was out of bounds for a vast majority of Indians, the working
class at Ulsoor and other localities who were mostly Tamilians, were given more
access. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The two towns-Pete and
Cantonment too developed distinct cultures. The dance and ball culture of the
British soon appeared on the Cantonment map. It quickly replaced the native
song and dance routine, which then found itself flourishing in the Pete.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The drink-dance culture of
the Cantonment gave birth to ball dances, football, cricket, cards games,
billiards, tennis, boxing, musical soirees, fancy dress balls, domino dances,
polo, golf and of course horse races.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">BRV was initially a hall
where dances were held. Raffles, the dance club, is where Deccan Herald stands
today on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">MG Road</st1:address></st1:street>.
Just a little away from Deccan Herald on MG Road was Tom’s Billiards Parlour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Palace</st1:placetype></st1:place>
of the Wodeyars had a highly polished wooden dance floor where Europeans danced
regularly to the beat of the Wodeyar Maharaja’s royal orchestra.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Opera cinema today at the
junction of Residency Road and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Brigade
Road</st1:address></st1:street> is the place where boxing bouts took place
regularly. Crowds from the pete too thronged the bouts. Football matches were
regularly played between European teams at the Sullivan grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The first horse races were
organised with the help of the Wodeyar Maharaja at Agaram. Europeans
outnumbered Indians and all jockeys were British. Pubs and restaurants too
began coming up in and around Cantonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Cantonment was
essentially Christian in character. Many churches were built and Sundays
revolved on morning mass and singing. There were only handful of temples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">On the other hand, the pete
area had to be satisfied with traditional arts and traditional games. The pete
area boasted of several Garadi manes where local wrestlers honed in their
skills on red earth in Ranasinghpet and surrounding petes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There were scores of temples
in the Pete area and trading in commodities was the main economic activity.
Kannada and Tamil apart from Telugu and a smattering of Marathi was spoken in
Pete as against English in Cantonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If West End and Sullivan’s <st1:place w:st="on">Inn</st1:place> in Whitefield signified the British eatery, it was
left to small hotels to open shop in Pete areas. These hotels initially had
distinct area for orthodox and non-orthodox people and they sold only dosa,
idlis and vada. Of course, filter coffee was always there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">If the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> peta was must for a high ranking
local, the Cantonment gentleman was dressed in Western dress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus the lifestyle in both the
cities of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
differed. This distinction led to the birth of two new categories of fashionable people. One
was called Pete Bhoopa and he was a master of the pete and the other was the
dandy Cantonment Saheba.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The two entities continued
with their different lifestyle and in 1947 both came to be merged as <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. Yet, the
merger has not been able to erase the distinction of the old pete and the snobbery of the
Cantonment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Even today, we see tree lined
avenues, broad roads, spacious bungalows, huge churches, well-maintained parks
and playgrounds in Cantonment. None of them can be seen in the Pete area, which
is highly congested with small and narrow roads, chok-a-block.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In the initial years, the
Cantonment outstripped Pete in all aspects, including economy and population.
However, the Pete hit back and slowly and surely, it pulled ahead of the
Cantonment from the late 1800s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The growth of <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> or rather the growth of the dual cities of <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> was unheard of in any other part of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Soon,
people from other states, mainly Tamilians decided to try their luck in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and they came
in hordes. They were encouraged by the British and the Madras Government which
wanted to desperately have a piece of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
pie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">British officers, sick and
tired of the heat of <st1:city w:st="on">Madras</st1:city> and the
orthodox lifestyle, fought among
themselves and used influence to get postings in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. Some even were willing to become
an attendant to the British officer and all this for a posting in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The highly enlightened rule
of the Wodeyars in making <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> an ideal State
made people decide to emigrate to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>.
Thus, we see that the Pete and Cantonment both gave rise to the migration of
people of other religions and regions into <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>. No wonder, to this day, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> continues to
remain cosmopolitan. It is a cacophony of cultures and people and it continues
to remain so. The only people who seemed to have vanished are the Pete Bhoopa
and the Cantonment Saheba. In their place today we have the Cantonment educated
Bangalorean sprouting a hybrid of English called Inglish and refusing to speak
in Kannada. Of course, he goes to MTR but he also visits KFC and Dominoes. He
rarely if ever comes to a Cinema hall but prefers the multiplex. Does he watch
Kannada films. No, he prefers English and films of other languages to Kannada.
Who is he? A legacy of the British Cantonment Saheba or the modern day Bhoopa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-25237117851120119092014-01-14T01:08:00.000-08:002014-01-14T01:08:06.625-08:00A Rangoli contest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">The resident association of
LIC Colony, Canara Bank and GH Layout had two days ago organised a Rangoli competition
for women.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The event was held at the BMP
ground adjacent to the BBMP Office in LIC Colony and which is located just off
the beautiful LIC Colony park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The competition was open for residents
of the LIC Colony, Canara Bank Layout
and GH Layout in Jayanagar 3rd Block, Bangalore. This was one among the many contests organised for women. The
competition drew several women and the Rangoli was drawn on the concrete floor
of the BBMP playground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As we all know, Rangoli is a
daily ritual among Hindu households and it is drawn in front of the house early
morning. The Rangoli has religious significance and it is called by different
names in different regions and different states of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Rangoli is a floor art and it
is drawn on festive occasions and in front of Kalyana Mantapas, temples and venues
where religious events are being organised. There are several books on Rangoli.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">While Rangoli is generally drawn
with white chalk powder every day, it is given a hue of colours on festive
occasions and in competitions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Here are some images of the
beautifully drawn Rangoli.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-30690040794991525242014-01-12T18:30:00.000-08:002014-01-12T18:30:43.735-08:00Rayaru in Rangoli<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Rangoli is found in front of all Hindu households in India and whichever State or region you go, you can see a variety of rangoli in front of houses, temples, religious institutions such as mathas and Veda Patashalas, Kalyana Mantapas and even in front of venues hosting social and religious events.<br />
Rangoli is drawn on all auspicious occasions such as marriages, Gruhapravesha and Nishchitarta (engagement ceremony).<br />
The tradition of drawing on the floor or/and in front of houses is called Rangoli. Therefore, it is also called floor art and it is an integral part of an Indian household. Rangoli is called by different names in different regions.<br />
There can be innumerable designs and there are designs for every occasions. In earlier days, Rangoli was created with Hittu which attracted sparrows. Now, they are drawn with white chalk powder and on occasions colours are used.<br />
One of the leading haridasas of Karnataka, Jagannatha Dasa of Manvi was well-known as Rangoli Dasa as he was an expert at this art. He would draw the image of Hari and other Gods as he sang about them and their glories.<br />
We find different Rangoli designs in front of Raghavendra Swamy Mathas.<br />
The above image of a Rangoli drawing is from the Raghavendra Swamy Temple in Jayanagar 4th Block. We saw that a woman had drawn a beautiful Rangoli of Rayaru in front of the Tulasi Katte or platform where Tulasi was planted.<br />
The Rangoli shows Rayaru holding the Veena, his favourite musical instrument. Rayaru, like his father Thomanna Bhat, and his grandfather, Kanakachala Bhatta, was an expert Veena player. Both hios grandfather and father were at the court of the Vijayanagar Emperor.<br />
We decided to take a photograph of the Rangoli drawing before it disappeared.</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-6250507823160559332014-01-11T21:15:00.001-08:002014-01-11T21:15:42.617-08:00When courts first took note of pollution <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There is a mistaken notion
among people today that it is only recently or in the last few years that there
has been growing awareness of environment degradation, industrial pollution and
deliberate change in land use. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In fact, courts in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> have been
asking the authorities, particularly the civic agencies, and the governments of
course, to abide by local and municipal laws and ensure that residents get
pollution free environment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The courts, particularly,
high courts, have been hauling up the civic agencies for the laxity in
enforcing the rule of the law. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This post is about a group of
people who went to court against pollution from industries and this happened ay
back in 1991. The people were residents and devotees of the Raghavendra Swamy
Matha in Kalyani garden in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
Thismatha is today popularly known as Kalyani Raghavendra Swamy Matha and it
was established in 1943 by the Kalyani family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The High Court gave a verdict
in favour of the petitioners-V. Lakshmipathy and others and asked the civic
agencies to clean up their act. Whether or not the civic agencies and the
respondents went in appeal against this order and whether this order was
upheld, modified or set aside is not the subject matter of this post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This post only wants to
highlight the fact the people were aware of
the dangers of pollution two decades and more earlier and courts too
acted upon their concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We are publishing this
judgment only because the Kalyani Raghavendra Swamy Matha in Ashoknagar (near
Vidyapeetha) is in the news as an image of Raghavendra Swamy is manifesting
itself on the outer walls of the Prakara housing the Brindavana of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">the seer of Mantralaya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This is what the judgment
said and, as can be seen, it was delivered by Justice Balakrishna. This
judgment is in public domain and in case, anyone needs more information, it can
be obtained from the High Court on payment of a nominal fee. If not, the law
journals and the advocates who argued the case will have details. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Karnataka
High Court<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">V. Lakshmipathy versus State
Of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:state></st1:place>
on 9 April, 1991<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(ILR 1991 KAR 1334, 1991 (2)
KarLJ 453)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Case
Number : Writ Petition No. 23138 of 1980<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Advocate for
Respondent: Sateesh M. Doddamani, Govt. Pleader, H. Thipperudrappa,
Gopalakrishna, B.T. Parthasarthy, Ashok R. Kalyana Setty, R.C. Castelino, K.N.
Subba Reddy, Dayananda Kumar, S.G. Sundaraswamy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Advocate for Appellant: M.G.
Sathyanarayanamurthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Author: H. G. Balakrishna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bench: H G. Balakrishna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">ORDER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Balakrishna,
J.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">1. The petitioners, who are
the residents of Banashankari Extension I Stage, Block-1, which includes a part
of N.R. Colony and Ashokanagar, have embarked on Public Interest Litigation
actuated by common cause in defence of public interest. The petitioners are
aggrieved by the location and operation of industries and industrial
enterprises in a residential area in alleged gross violation of the provisions of
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Country Planning Act. The
petitioners are questioning industrial activity in residential locality by
establishing and running factories, work-shops, factory sheds, manufacture of
greases and lubricating oils by distillation process and also production of
inflammable products by respondents-17 to 49. According to the petitioners,
these questionable activities are being carried on in the area comprising of
Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B of Yediyur Nagasandra village, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>. The land situate in Sy.No. 39/1 is
called "<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Vajapeyam</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Terrace</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place>"
and the land in Sy.Nos. 39/2A and 39/2B are known as <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kalyani</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
It appears that in respect of these areas, Agreements were executed between the
erstwhile City Improvement Trust Board (C.I.T.B) and their owners and
successors for the purpose of formation of a lay-out in accordance with law,
but the Agreements were not implemented for reasons best known to the said
Board. It is stated that the Health and Municipal Administration Department of
the State of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:place></st1:state>
issued a direction bearing No. HMA 35 MNX 72 dated 4-7-1972 to the erstwhile
C.I.T.B. to handover the said areas to the Corporation of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> (Respondent-14
herein). However, it appears that the direction was not acted upon and these
areas were not handed over to the Corporation. Nevertheless inspite of the fact
that the said areas were not handed over to the Corporation, taxes are being
imposed and collected by the Corporation. The petitioners have stated that
there are portions which are not converted though they are reserved Kharab land
granted in accordance with the Land Grant Rules falling within the jurisdiction
of the Revenue Authorities and strangely enough the Revenue Authorities have
failed to exercise jurisdiction and control over these portions and have not
enforced the provisions of relevant Law, Rules and Regulations in respect of
these lands. In other words, the entire area falling in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and
39/2B became virtually "no man's land" because of alleged inaction
and abdication of power and control by the Development Authority including the
erstwhile C.I.T.B. the Bangalore Development Authority, the Corporation of the
City of Bangalore and the Revenue Authorities of the State Government thereby resulting
in betrayal of public interest on account of imperviousness to duty,
callousness, non-feasance and utter lack of supervisory, administrative and
regulatory control over the area in question. The petitioners have also
complained of the serious threat to public health on account of environmental
hazards posed by the industries and industrial activity. According to the
petitioners, the provisions of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Country Planning
Act, 1961 have been violated and the establishment and running of the
industries in the area are contrary to the Outline Development Plan and zoning
of land use as dictated by statute. It is specifically alleged that some of the
industries have been floated under licences said to have been issued by the
Village Panchayat of Kathiraguppe even though the said area falls within the
village Yediyur-Nagasandra beyond the limits of Kathiraguppe village and,
therefore, beyond jurisdiction. However, it is pointed out that these
industrial units have succeeded in securing public services and utilities such
as electricity, water etc., from respondents 12 and 13 to which they are not
legally entitled. It is also stated that in the light of Section 14 of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Country Planning Act, there
could be no change in land use contrary to the Act and no authority could grant
any licence for user of the land contrary to what the said provision earmarks.
In short, the allegation is that the establishment of these industrial units is
ab initio illegal. In regard to Sy.No. 39/1, the petitioners have impeached
that various orders and directions issued by the competent authorities for the
purpose of execution of Agreements with the erstwhile C.I.T.B. in order to
obtain sanction of building plans etc., have been flagrantly flouted and
transfer of lands have been effected by the jugglery of dissolution and
reconstitution of partnerships from time to time for the purpose of manoeuvring
in order to locate industries contrary to law, by devious methods circumventing
Outline Development Plan and Comprehensive Development Plan. The petitioners
have taken strong exception to extensive area of lands reserved by Government
being appropriated for private use and activities not consistent with Law
without a check. A case on hand is specifically mentioned by the petitioners
wherein one Mrs. Seethamma executed an agreement in favour of the erstwhile
C.I.T.B. on 22-10-1973 in respect of lands in Sy.Nos. 39/2A and 39/2B based on
an alleged sanction of a lay-out for industrial purpose, the sanction being
subsequent to 4-7-1972 when the Health and Municipal Administration Department
of the Government of Karnataka had directed the erstwhile C.I.T.B. to handover
the area vide order No. HMA 35 MNX 72 dated 4-7-1972. The petitioners have
pointed out that sanction for industrial purpose is itself ab initio illegal
since it was in contravention of the provisions of the Town and Country
Planning Act as well as the Outline Development Plan which declared the said
area as residential zone. It is also pointed out that none of the conditions
incorporated in the aforesaid agreement dated 22-10-1973 were complied with,
the conditions being (a) maintenance of open space as required and in
accordance with the sanctioned plans; (b) prohibition on use of sites without the
approval of the erstwhile C.I.T.B., (3) prohibition on alteration of the
dimensions as approved in the plan; (d) intimation of date of commencement and
programme of execution of lay-out work under the supervision of the Engineers
of the erstwhile C.I.T.B. and (e) due compliance with the Rules, Regulations,
Bye-laws and Standing Orders regarding obtaining of licences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">2. Non-compliance with the
said conditions entail by virtue of a penal clause in the said Agreement,
withdrawal of the sanction and acquisition of the property and dealing with the
same in accordance with Rules.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">3. It is alleged that in a
part of the Kalyani Garden' exists a Temple dedicated to Sri Raghavendra Swamy
Brindavana under a Deed of Trust dated 29-7-1974 to be run by a Trust called
"Sathyabhamamma Seethamma Katyani Raghavendra Ashrama". For the
purpose of access to the said <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Temple</st1:city></st1:place>,
the entire area of Sy.No. 39/2B was required to be reserved; but it was
encroached access to the residents and devotees. The result is that they have
to wend their way through a labyrinth of industries. It is alleged that the
onward course for passage running through Sy.No. 39/2B towards 6th <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Cross Road</st1:address></st1:street> of
Ashokanagar is via 30' road running within Sy.No. 39/1 as set out in the plan
approved by the erstwhile C.I.T.B. vide its Resolution No. 776 dated 12-2-1969
and Resolution No. 492 dated 3-3-1971. But the said road is not properly laid
out by the C.I.T.B./B.D.A. nor is it maintained properly by the said bodies
and, on the other hand, the passage has been treated as a private road in
disregard of the Approved Plan as well as the Resolutions and to cap it all the
road is closed on its southern side. It is alleged that constructions have been
put up even in the road portion contrary to Law and all this has happened with
impunity at the hands of the concerned Authorities who are enjoined with the
responsibility of enforcement of Law. This has resulted in detriment to public
interest since it is the only road leading to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city>. The petitioners in particular have complained
of acute pollution affecting the environment on account of persistent offensive
and unwholesome escape of pollutants such as smoke, vapour and noxious
emanations posing danger to health and hygiene of the residents. According to
the petitioners, noise pollution is added to the misery of the residents of the
locality day in and day out depriving them of a clean environment, quality of
life, peace and tranquillity reasonably expected in a residential area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">4. Another grievance
articulated is that the decadence contributed by pollution has affected the
value of the properties in the entire area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">5. The petitioners assert
that the residents of the area have a right to expect strict performance of
statutory duties in order to protect public interest by Public Bodies invested
with statutory powers, duties and obligations and that these Authorities cannot
commit breach of statutory obligations frustrating public interest and public
good. It is submitted by the petitioners that inspite of repeated requests and
demands, not only the Corporation but also the B.D.A. and the Health Officer of
the Corporation have failed to take necessary steps in accordance with Law. It
is alleged that representations were made to the Commissioner of the
Corporation and the Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department
(respondent-2 herein) on 31-7-1979 and also to the Chairman, B.D.A.
(respondent-9 herein) on 20-11-1979, in vain and, therefore, the petitioners
were constrained to issue a registered notice of demand dated 16-9-1980
addressed to all the 15 Authorities concerned vide Annexure- B. It is stated
that all the notices have been served on them. However, the petitioners
complain that there was no response from any of these Authorities and the
demands were never met by them and hence they have resorted to Public Interest
Litigation and to arouse Judicial Conscience for securing legal redress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">6. The petitioners have
sought for a declaration that the change in land use in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and
39/2B of Yediyur-Nagasandra village, Bangalore, from residential to industrial
is violative of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, the Outline
Development Plan, the Comprehensive Development Plan and Regulations thereunder
and that all consequential actions relating to such violations in land use are
void and illegal; that the licences, permissions and certificates of change in
land use issued by the concerned Authority especially respondents-9, 14 and 16
for location of industries by respondents-17 to 49 are void and illegal. The
petitioners have also sought for a declaration that the recognition or orders
passed by the Director of Industries and Commerce granting and conferring
benefits on such industries run by respondents-17 to 49 are void and illegal
and similarly the power supply sanctioned and granted by the Karnataka
Electricity Board as void and illegal. A Writ of Mandamus is also sought by the
petitioners for a direction to the Corporation of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and its Health Officer to forthwith
abate the nuisance in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B of Yediyur-Nagasandra
village and direct the Corporation not to levy taxes or collect the same and to
refund the taxes already collected. The petitioners have asked for a direction
to the B.D.A. to remove the industrial units and to carry out the lay-out work
in accordance with law with due provision of all civic amenities including
laying of roads, sewerage, water-supply, street lights and to remove all
encroachments in public lands and roads including the road leading from 6th
Cross Road, Ashokanagar to Raghavendra Swamy Brindavana in Sy.No. 39/2B and
lastly the petitioners have sought for a direction to the Deputy Commissioner,
Bangalore Urban District, to take steps regarding the portions of revenue lands
in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B and the portions which are reserved as Kharab
and land granted and recover non-agricultural assessment in accordance with the
Revenue Laws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">7. On behalf of
respondents-29 to 31, 34, 37 to 42 and 46 to 49, an elaborate statement of objections
is purported to have been filed. All these respondents have been running
industries in the area in question. Except the Karnataka Electricity Board
(respondent-13 herein), the remaining respondents have not filed any statement
of objections. The petitioners have also filed a reply to the counters filed by
the concerned respondents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">8. The affidavit in support
of the statement of objections is signed by respondent-47 and it is not clear
from the affidavit that respondent-47 has been authorised to file the statement
of objections and to sign the affidavit not only on its behalf, but also on
behalf of respondents-29 to 31, 34, 37 to 42, 46, 48 and 49. It would not be
unreasonable to presume that the statement of objections is preferred by
respondent-47 for itself and only on its own behalf. In other words, the
presumption is that the other respondents have not filed the statement of
objections. It is no doubt true that in the beginning of the statement of
objections of the respondents, it is stated "The respondents 29, 30, 31,
33, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 and 49 beg to state as
follows". Barring this statement, I do not find any averment even in the
statement of objections that these respondents have authorised respondent-47 to
file an affidavit in support of the counter on their behalf. Therefore, I would
not Be hyper technical in presuming that the counter is filed only for and on
behalf of respondent-47 and the other respondents mentioned in the statement of
objections do not subscribe to the counter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">9. In the statement of
objections filed by respondent-47, all the allegations made by the petitioners
have been categorically denied. It is contended that the petitioners have no
legal right to seek relief under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, that
the Writ Petition is barred by laches and that the petitioners have not made
out any valid ground for grant of the relief sought under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">10. Intelligible in the
statement of objections of the K.E.B. are the averments that the Writ Petition
is liable to be dismissed for laches, unexplained delay and acquiescence and
lack of locus standi of the petitioners while asserting that the power supply
sanctioned to the concerned respondents by the K.E.B. is not illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">11. The point for
consideration is whether the alleged change in land use in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A
and 39/2B of Yediyur-Nagasandra village, Bangalore, from residential to
industrial is in contravention of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act,
the Outline Development Plan, the Comprehensive Development Plan and
Regulations thereunder apart from the question whether the Writ Petition is not
maintainable on the ground of laches and want of legal right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">12. Arguments, in extenso,
were advanced by Sri M.G. Sathyanarayanamurthy for the petitioners, by Sri S.G.
Sundaraswamy for respondent-47, Sri R.C. Castelino for the Bangalore City
Corporation and Sri H. Thipperudrappa for the B.D.A.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">13. Of contextual relevance
is Sub-section (3) of Section 9 of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and Country Planning Act, 1961 ('the Act' for short) which reads as follows:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"(3) Notwithstanding
anything contained in Sub-section (2), -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(i) if any Planning Authority
has prepared a plan for the development of the area within its jurisdiction
before the date of the coming into force of this Act, it may send the same to
the State Government for provisional approval within a period of six months
from the said date and the plan so approved shall, notwithstanding anything
contained in this Act, be deemed to be the outline development plan for the
Planning Area concerned;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(ii) if any Planning
Authority is converted into or amalgamated with any other Planning Authority or
is sub-divided into two or more Planning Authorities, the outline development
plan prepared for the area by the Planning Authority so converted, amalgamated
or sub-divided shall, with such alterations and modifications as the State
Government may approve, be deemed to be the outline development plan for the
area of the new Planning Authority or authorities into or with which the former
Planning Authority was converted, amalgamated or sub-divided."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">14. In the instant case, the
Planning Authority had prepared a plan for the development of the area within
its jurisdiction before the date of the coming into force of the Act and had
sent the same to the Government for provisional approval within the stipulated
time and, therefore, the plan which was approved by the Government is to be
deemed to be the Outline Development Plan for the planning area concerned. In
the Outline Development Plan prepared by Madhava Rao Committee applicable to
the Bangalore Metropolitan Area the use to which the land could be put had been
formulated. The land was intended to be used for residential purpose only as is
apparent from the Entry in the Outline Development Plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">15. Section 14 of the Act
deals with enforcement of the Outline Development Plan and the Regulations and
the same reads as follows:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"(1) On and from the
date of which a declaration of intention to prepare an outline is published
under Sub-section (1) of Section 10, every land use, every change in land-use
and every development in the area covered by the plan shall conform to the
provisions of this Act, the Outline Development Plan and the regulations, as
finally approved by the State Government under Sub-section (3) of Section<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">13.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(2) No such change in land
use or development as is referred to in Sub-section (1) shall be made except
with the written ' permission of the Planning Authority which shall be
contained in a commencement certificate granted by the Planning Authority in
the form prescribed."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">16. From the above provision,
it is crystal clear that before the date on which a Declaration of intention to
prepare an outline is published in accordance with Sub-section (1) of Section
10, every land use, every change in land use and every development in the area
covered by the plan must conform to the provisions of the Act, the Outline
Development Plan and the Regulations as finally approved by the State
Government under Sub-section (3) of Section 13. This is mandatory in character.
Further, by Sub-section (2), it is to be understood that change in land use or
development referred to in Sub-section (1) is permissible only with the written
permission of the Planning Authority embodied in a Commencement Certificate
granted by the Planning Authority in the prescribed Form.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In the Explanation to Section
14, "development" is meant to be the carrying out of building or
other operation in or over or under any land or the making of any material
change in the use of any building or other land. Sub-clause (b) of the
Explanation narrates the operations or uses of land which do not amount to a
development of any building or land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">17. Once an entry is made in
the Outline Development Plan earmarking the area for residential purpose or
use, the land is bound to be put to such an use only. There is no material on
record that any written permission of the Planning Authority contained in a
Commencement Certificate was obtained from the Planning Authority by the
concerned respondents for the purpose of putting up buildings for industrial
purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">18. Since the Outline
Development Plan was prepared by Madhava Rao Committee in 1961 and was declared
to be applicable to the Metropolitan Area of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>, the erstwhile C.I.T.B. had no
authority to issue any Land Use Certificate or Commencement Certificate. Upto
1976, there was a separate Statutory Body called the Town Planning Authority
for the Metropolitan Area of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
It is, therefore, justifiable for the petitioners to contend that the
permission obtained from the erstwhile C.I.T.B. has no legal warrant. The
contention that Annexure-A is only an Official Memorandum and not a Conversion
Certificate stands to reason. The purported permission under Annexure-'A' and
B' seem to be personal to favour the applicants therein as the registered
holders of Record of Rights. An extent of 25 guntas of Phut Kharab land out of
Sy.No. 39/1 of Yediyur-Nagasandra village was ordered to be reserved for
Government and any encroachment on the land was prohibited. Valid permission
was directed to be obtained from the concerned Authorities before commencement
of lay-out work. It is seen that apart from the fact that there is a violation
of Law relating to land use, none of the conditions stipulated in the Official
Memorandum and purported Conversion Certificate were complied with. The plan
which is said to have been approved in respect of Sy.No. 39/1 of Yediyur-Nagasandra,
denotes the existence of only one building in plot No. 32 with open spaces left
around it. Factually, upto 1971, all the other 41 plots of land remained vacant
and the registered holder of Record of Rights who had applied for permission
demised on 17-5-1970. Respondent-29 commenced petroleum industry in 1975. This
is in violation of Section 353 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act,
1976, according to which no place within the limits of the City shall be used
for any of the purposes mentioned in Schedule X of the Act without a licence
from the Commissioner and except in accordance with the condition specified
therein. All the transfers made in Sy.No. 39/1 are not supported by due
permission from the Competent Authority under the provisions of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Urban</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype></st1:place>
(Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, nor under the Ordinance which preceded the
enactment by Parliament. There is no material to show that Returns were filed
and Notifications issued as contemplated under Sections 6 to 10 of the said Act
and, as already pointed out, there was no permission obtained from the
Competent Authority for change of land use to establish numerous industries in
the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">19. Similarly, in respect of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Kalyani</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gardens</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Annexure-3 shows that
unauthorised constructions had been put up. The same Annexure substantiates
that Sy.No. 39/2 of Yediyur-Nagasandra is the property of the presiding deity
of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha and Madhva Patasala attached to the temple. In
fact, there is nothing to disbelieve the contention of the learned Counsel
appearing for the petitioners that Smt. Seethamma and Sri Ananda Tirthachar
Kalyani had built the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city>,
performed Pratishtha and Utsarga of Sri Raghavendra Swamygala Brindavana in
Sy.No. 39/2 in 1942-43 and thereafter were functioning as Dharma Karthas of the
temple. It appears the whole establishment was transferred to one A.V. Krishna
Murthy in 1953 and again in 1957 the said A.V. Krishna Murthy re-transferred
the <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Mutt</st1:placename>
and Pathasala to Smt. Seethamma Kalyani requesting her to manage the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">poojas</st1:placename></st1:place>
and kattales out of the proceeds of the lands in Sy.No. 39/2 of
Yediyur-Nagasandra. In turn, it appears she created a Trust Committee under the
chairmanship of Sri Ananda Tirthachar Kalyani. The Committee, it is said,
consisted of 10 Trustees. The construction of industries on those lands
belonging to the presiding deity of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city>
is described by the petitioners as not only sacrilegious but also illegal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">20. On the basis of the
Government Notifications, it is possible to infer that Kathariguppa village
lies beyond the Municipal limits of the Corporation of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> in 49th
Division, Banashankari Extension Stage-1 and Sy.No. 39 of Yediyur-Nagasandra is
a part of Banashankari Extension Stage-1. It is on this basis the learned
Counsel appearing for the petitioners contended that the jurisdiction of
Kathariguppa Panchayat in the area is conspicuous by its absence and the
alleged licences, permissions etc., said to have been given by the Village
Panchayat of Kathariguppa are devoid of authority. The petitioners have also
contended that these factories commenced operation only during 1978 and as such
there is no delay or acquiescence in preferring the Writ Petition. It is
further contended that it is only after the baneful effect of such location of
numerous industries in the residential area that it was felt that the aggrieved
petitioners should move this Court after exhausting the remedy by way of
representations to the concerned Authorities and, therefore, there is no laches
on their part. More importantly it is submitted that there are gross violations
of substantive provisions of law in Sections 14 to 17 of the Act, Section 32 of
the Bangalore Development Authority Act, 1976, Section 505 of the Karnataka
Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, Sections 6 to 10 of the Urban Land (Ceiling
and Regulation) Act, 1976 and Sections 13 and 17 to 20 of the Karnataka
Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1927. It is also contended that the
Writ Petition is filed entirely in the interest of the general public for
proper implementation of Laws which are particularly intended and enacted for
peaceful, healthy, clean and pleasant living in decent, well planned, well
laid-out, beautiful extensions of the City of Bangalore which had once acquired
a good name as the Garden City of India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">21. Out of 49 respondents who
are parties to this Writ Petition, respondents-1 to 12, 14 to 46, 48 and 49
have not chosen to file any statement of objections. The only respondents who
have filed the counter are respondents-13 to 47. Respondent-13 is the K.E.B.
and respondent-47 is Kwality Engineering Company. Allegations of serious nature
have been made by the petitioners complaining about gross violations of
Sections 14 and 17 of the Act, Section 32 of the B.D.A. Act, Section 505 of the
Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, Sections 6 to 10 of the Urban Land
(Ceiling and Regulation) Act as well as Sections 13 and 17 to 20 of the
Karnataka Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. The concerned Authorities
who are charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the law
and who have been impleaded as necessary and proper parties in this Writ
Petition have not chosen to file any statement of objections to meet the
allegations made by the petitioners. The State of Karnataka, the Housing and
Urban Development Department, the Public Health and Family Welfare Department,
the Department of Commerce and Industries, the Director of Industries and
Commerce, the Director of Town Planning, the Director of Health Services, the
Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore District (Urban), the B.D.A., the Engineer
Member of the B.D.A., the Town Planning Member of the B.D.A. the Bangalore
Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the Corporation of the City of Bangalore, the
Health Officer of the Corporation and the Kathariguppa Village Panchayat are
the prominent respondents in this Writ Petition who were called upon to meet
the allegations and averments made by the petitioners. None of these Public
Authorities and Public Officials has rebutted the allegations and averments of
the petitioners. In these circumstances, the course open to me is to hold that
the allegations and averments made against these Authorities by the petitioners
are not disputed, but admitted. The industrialists who have been arraigned
before the Court commencing from respondent-49 also have not chosen to rebut
the allegations made against them with the sole exception of respondent-47
which is Kwality Engineering Company. I, therefore, hold that the allegations
made against the said respondents have gone without question and have to be
presumed to be true. Respondent-47 has filed a detailed statement of
objections, apart from the technical objections raised by the K.E.B. in its
counter. Hence, the pleadings of respondents-13 and 47 are left to contend
with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">22. Since there is no denial
either from the Public Authorities or from the Public Officials as well as the
concerned industrialists with the exception of respondents-13 and 47, I hold
that the petitioners have established their case against these Authorities and
establishments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">23. According to Section 505
of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, a Corporation or any Officer
or other Authority required by or under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations
Act to exercise any power or perform any function or discharge any duty with
regard to any matter relating to land use or development as defined in the
Explanation to Section 14 of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961,
shall exercise such power, or perform such function or discharge such duty with
regard to such land use or development plan or where there is no development
plan, with the concurrence of the Planning Authority. It is further provided
under Section 505 of the said Act that the said officer or other authority
shall not grant any permission, approval or sanction required by or under the
said Act to any person if it relates to any matter in respect of which
compliance with the provisions of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act,
1961 is necessary unless evidence in support of having complied with the
provisions of the said Act is produced by such person to the satisfaction of
the Corporation or the officer or other authority, as the case may be. There is
no material to hold that even the requirements of Section 505 are complied with
by the respondents who set up factory buildings in the area in question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It is necessary to point out
that the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Karnataka</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Town</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Country Planning
Act came, into force on 15-1-1965 and the Outline Development Plan came into
force on 13-7-1972 whereas the Comprehensive Development Plan came into force
on 12-10-1984. Before the Comprehensive Development Plan was finally brought
into force, in accordance with the procedure, the B.D.A. issued a Notification
No. BDA/TPM/CDP 1/80-81 dated 1-71980 inviting objection to the Comprehensive
Development Plan from the members of the public. No objections were preferred
and no efforts were made by any one including the industrialists for change in
land use inspite of the said Notification. In short, the concerned respondents
settled down with smug complacence making no efforts either to prefer
objections or have regularisation. The copy of the Notification dated 1-7-1980
published in Indian Express dated 9-7-1980 has been filed by the learned
Counsel appearing for the petitioners under Memo dated 22-8-1990,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">24. According to Section 32
of the B.D.A. Act, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law for the
time being in force, no person shall form or attempt to form any extension or
layout for the purpose of constructing buildings thereon without the express
sanction in writing of the Authority and except in accordance with such
conditions as the Authority may specify and where any such extension or layout
lies within the local limits of the Corporation, the Authority shall not
sanction the formation of such extension or layout without the concurrence of
the Corporation. There is no material to substantiate that there is due
compliance with the requirements of this provision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">25. Even in the matter of
transfer of land to the industrialists who are respondents herein, there is no
proof of satisfaction of the requirements of Sections 6 to 10 of the Urban Land
(Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, nor the fulfilment of the requirements of
Sections 13 and 17 to 20 of the Karnataka Religious and Charitable Endowments
Act, 1927.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Last Act referred to
above is in relation to the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Temple</st1:place></st1:city>
lands of which encroachment has been committed and industries set up. In these
circumstances, I am of the opinion that the Writ Petition deserves to be
allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The petitioners have made out
a strong case in regard to the preservation of environment which calls for
consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">26. The movement for
restoration and maintenance of a livable environment requires curbing the power
of narrowly oriented administrative agencies in the appropriation of the
dwindling acreage of land and water not already irrevocably appropriated. There
have been several proposed and discussed means of easing the burdens and handicaps
of the substantial evidence -- Rational Basis Rule in environmental cases
involving Judicial Review of administrative agency determinations. Some are
based upon concepts found in environmental cases and other cases and also
explained and analysed by the acknowledged critical Authorities. Others are
based not upon Authorities but on the sheer importance of the interests
affected, for eg., as documented in the National Environment Policy of India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In a sense the problem is a
part of a larger problem -- that of rendering big Government more responsive to
the needs of the individuals whom it governs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The remarks of Justice Felix
Frankfurter addressed to the problems of the thirties are relevant to 20th
Century India which is still in a developing stage:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"It is idle to feel
either blind resentment against 'Government of Commission' or sterile longing
for the golden past that never was. Profound new forces call for new social
inventions or fresh adaptations of old experience. The 'great society' with its
permeating influence of technology, large scale industry and progressive
urbanisation, presses its problems; the history of political and social liberty
admonishes us of its lessons. Nothing less is our task than fashioning
instruments and processes at once adequate for social needs and the protection
of individual freedom."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(See: "The Task of
Administrative Law" - Frankfurter)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The explosion of grave
concern for environment at any private and Government level is the great
political phenomenon of recent times. The sporadic and unorganised struggle of
environment stragglers, the wild-life and bird lovers, wilderness wanderers
have identified the conservation movement of the environment and are focussing
their attention on denuded forests, balding hills, disappearing prairie,
extinct species of rare fish, thinning wild life, and vanishing birds. The
movement has become the crusade of anyone almost everywhere for a "livable
environment". There is an increasing awareness that in cleaning up our
environment, if not in wilderness, lies the preservation of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">At the moment we are looking
into a decade in which most of the people are living in metropolitan or urban
areas choked by traffic, poisoned by water, suffocated by smog, deafened by
noise and terrorised by crime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Restoring nature to the
natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a
common cause of all the people. It is a cause of particular concern to young
Indians because, they, more than us, will reap the grim consequences of our
failure to act on the programmes which are needed now if we are to prevent
disaster later. An onerous obligation which we owe to posterity is clean air,
clean water, greenery and open spaces. These ought to be elevated to the status
of birth-rights of every citizen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Commenting on Business
Corporations and environment protection, Robert Reinow a Professor of Political
Science at the State University of Newyork, Albany observed:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"But worse than
Corporation funding is the subversion of Government agencies to the role of
environmental exploiter. The public interest which should be championed by the
agencies with their regulations is ignored or perverted, as the 'iron triangle'
of special interests, bureaucrats and committee chair-person form their unholy
alliance. This means that the public conscience is entrusted to volunteers in
public interest groups, a sacrificial burden of weighty dimensions...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The outstanding feature of
modern political life is the shifting of the burden of defence of public
interest to civic volunteers. Organised, they must dig into their pockets to
hold their groups together; they must respond to calls for protests, launch
petition drives, simulate letter writing campaigns, conduct rallies, attend
hearings and in general, mortgage the time of their personal lives to an
unprecedented extent. Keepers of the social conscience, they express themselves
openly and aggressively. When the record of the environmental movement is
finally registered, the emphasis will be on the new breed of citizenship it
fostered. And it will contrast mightily with the sordid strategy of the
corporate Board rooms where they scoff at do-gooders and belittle nobility of
purpose."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He added:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"What is becoming clear
is that the restructuring of the democratic process has altered the pattern of
citizenship. Where once the public official as in the days of Washington or
Jefferson had a deep and honest sense of public sacrifice, we are today
witnessing the close collaboration of special interests with governmental
agencies and elected officials. In the environmental field, Government too
often emerges as the advocate of exploitation. This is in large part due to the
subtle private and usually corporate pressures. Pressure has become a science
that destroys the governmental shield the citizens have erected to protect
themselves. It is necessary for the Government to guard against such pit-falls.
The choice is between technological progress which proceeds without adequate
regard of its consequences and technological change that is influenced by a
deeper concern for the interaction between man's tools and the human
environment in which they do their work."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Inserted by the Constitution
42nd Amendment Act 1976, Article 48A lays down that the State shall endeavour
to protect and improve the environment and to safe-guard the forests and wild
life of the Country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Article 51A(g) exhorts the
citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests,
lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Part IV-A on Fundamental
Duties has been added by the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act 1976 in
accordance with the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee bringing the
Constitution in line with Article 29(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the Constitutions of China, Japan and U.S.S.R.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The mandate of our
Constitution is to build a Welfare Society and Legislations made in that behalf
to give effect to Directive Principles of State Policy have to be respected. If
the Constitutional obligations are not discharged by due enforcement by the
administrative agencies, the Court cannot turn a Nelson's eye. The Fundamental
Duties are intended to promote peoples participation in restructuring and
building a Welfare Society and the Directive Principles under Part IV are
intended to build the edifice of Welfare State. Environment and its
preservation is a subject-matter of both, thus emphasising the importance given
to it by our Constitution. Protection of environment is a matter of
Constitutional priority. Neglect of it is an invitation to disaster. The
problem is the concern of every citizen and action brought cannot be dismissed
on the ground of locus standi. The right to sue in this regard is inherent in
the petitioners. When administrators do not mend their ways, the Courts become
the battle ground of social upheaval. The paradigm of bureaucracy conducive to
public welfare features standard operating procedures, humane outlook,
hierarchical authority, prompt law enforcement besides job specialisation and
personnel rules among others. If the administrators show indifference to the
principle of accountability, law will become a dead-letter on the statute book,
and public interest will be the casualty. Entitlement to a clean environment is
one of the recognised basic human rights and Human Rights Jurisprudence cannot
be permitted to be thwarted by status quoism on the basis of unfounded
apprehensions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Article 226 of the
Constitution enables the citizens to move the High Court to enforce the
performance of statutory obligations of any Authority coming within the sweep
of Article 21 of the Constitution in particular, or for eg., under the
Anti-Pollution Laws of the land like the Pollution Control Act etc. Hence, it
has to be regarded as a Constitutional right of the petitioners responded by
Constitutional remedies of a wide repertoire under Article 226.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><a href="http://indiankanoon.org/doc/59060/">In M.C. MEHTA v. UNION OF NDIA, the
Supreme Court</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">posited:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"He (petitioner) is a
person interested in protecting the lives of the people who make use of the
water flowing in the river Ganga and his right to maintain the petition cannot
be disputed."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In another decision in <a href="http://indiankanoon.org/doc/59060/">M.C. MEHTA v. UNION OF INDIA,</a> delivered
subsequent to the earlier Ruling referred to above, the Court observed:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"Life, public health and
ecology have priority over unemployment and loss of revenue problem."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In another landmark Judgment,
a Bench of five Judges of the Supreme Court held in <a href="http://indiankanoon.org/doc/59060/">M.C. Mehta v. Union of India,</a> familiarly
known as Sriram Mills case of Oleum Gas leakage from the Fertiliser and
Chemical Factory run by a private enterprise, that a creative and innovative
interpretation in consonance with our Constitutional Jurisprudence is
commended. The Court observed:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"However, the principle
behind the doctrine of state aid, control, and regulation so impregnating a
private activity as to give it the colour of state action can be applied to the
limited extent to which it can be Indianised and harmoniously blended with our
constitutional jurisprudence."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Even assuming that one of the
petitioners is actuated by an oblique motive, the grievance of other
petitioners cannot be discarded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The facts of the case bring
to focus the need for a change of administrative culture to put an end to the
tendency towards regression in social order and institutionalisation of
administrative deviance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">James B. White in "When
words lose their meaning" observed:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"Behind all the
theoretical talk of Government and legitimacy, behind the systems and projects,
behind even the forms of Government itself there is a culture, a living
organisation of mankind upon which all the talk of system and mechanism
depends, both for its intelligibility and for its effects...In all its
complexity and interconnectedness, it is our substantive and actual
constitution."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(See: "Constitutional
Cultures" - The Mentality and Consequences of Judicial Review" -
Robert F. Nagel).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Even otherwise, the Court
would not be unjustified in exercising its power of equity in the realm of
epistolary jurisdiction under three critical principles of equity which are:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">1. Where there is a right,
there is a remedy;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">2. Equity Court</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> is a Court of conscience;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">3. Judges in equity rule act
according to conscience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Professor Abraham Chayes of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Law</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place>
has this to say:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"The characteristic
features of the public law model are very different from those of the
traditional models. The party structure is sprawling and amorphous and subject
to change over the course of litigation. The traditional adversary relationship
is suffused and intermixed with negotiating and mediating process at every
point. The Judge is the dominant figure in organising and guiding the case and
he draws for support not only on the parties and their counsel but on a wide
range of outsiders --masters, experts and oversight personnel. Most important,
the trial Judge has increasingly become the creator and manager of complex
forms of on going relief which have wide spread effects on persons not before
the Court and require the Judge's continuing involvement in administration and
implementation."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">(See: "The Role of the
Judge in Public Law Litigation" 87 Har.Law.Rev. 1281 (1284) 1976. Chayes)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Equity Jurisprudence is based
on hardship, accident, trust and fraud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">27. The onus is on the
Authorities concerned to establish by demonstrable evidence and not by
undisclosed measures that action has been taken to control and hold pollution
within reasonable limits. The pollution alleged by the petitioners consists of
both air pollution and noise pollution. Desecration of the quality of
environment is impermissible as is evident from a series of Legislations
enacted by the Parliament from time to time in the interest of clean air and
clean environment in general. As already pointed out, none of the Authorities
concerned who have been impleaded as respondents in this Writ Petition have
either denied the existence of pollution or have come forward with any
explanation as to what measures have been taken in order to curtail the
pollution. In these circumstances, there is sufficient basis to hold that the
grievance of the petitioners as to the existence of air pollution and noise
pollution affecting the environment to the detriment of the members of the
public is substantiated. I am, therefore, of the opinion that, on that score
also, the Writ Petition is to be allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">28. Often cited decisions of
the British Courts which are of persuasive value call for consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In R v. THOMES MAGISTRATE'S
COURT EX.P. GREENBAUM, (1957) 55 LGR 129:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"Any body can apply for
it - a member of the public who has been inconvenienced or a particular party
or person who has a particular grievance of his own. If the application is made
by what for convenience one may call a stranger, the remedy is purely
discretionary. Where, however, it is made by a person who has a particular
grievance of his own, whether as a party or otherwise, then the remedy lies ex
debito justitiae." - Parker L.J.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In R v. PADDINGTON VALUATION
OFFICER EX.P PEACHERY PROPERTY CORPORATION LIMITED, (1966) 1 QB 380 @ 400:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"Every citizen has
standing to invite the Court to prevent some abuse of power and in doing so, he
may claim to be regarded not as a meddlesome busy body but as a public
benefactor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A rate-payer, likewise, has a
particular grievance if the rating list is invalidly made, even though the
defects will make no difference to him financially."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lord Denning M.R. observed:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"If he has not
sufficient interest, no other citizen has.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Unless any citizen has
standing, therefore, there is often no means of keeping public authorities
within the law unless the Attorney General will act - which frequently he will
not. That private persons should be able to obtain some remedy was therefore 'a
matter of high constitutional principle.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Court will not listen,
of; course, to a mere busy body who was interfering in things which did not
concern him. But it will listen to any one whose interests are affected by what
has been done."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lord Diplock affirmed the
principle when he said:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"It would, in my view,
be a grave lacuna in our system of public law if a pressure group, like the
federation, or even a single public-spirited tax-payer were prevented by
outdated technical rules of locus standi from bringing the matter to the
attention of the Court to vindicate the rule of law and get the unlawful
conduct stopped."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As enunciated by Lord
Diplock:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"The Court has not only
the power but also the duty to weigh the public interest of justice to
litigants against the public interest asserted by the public authority contrary
to its actual conduct. Considering the duty which such bodies owe to the
members of the public, it would not be unjust to observe that no public
interest immunity could be attached to such bodies."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lord Denning M.R.
reiterated:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"I regard it as a matter
of high constitutional principle that if there is a good ground for supposing
that a Government department or public authority is transgressing the law, or
is about to transgress it, in a way which offends or injures thousands of Her
Majesty's subjects, then anyone of those offended or injured can draw it to the
attention of the Court of Law and seek to have the law enforced, and the Courts
in their discretion can grant whatever remedy is appropriate."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By Judicial inactivism, the
dice will be loaded heavily against the citizen who challenges state action or
inaction of the Public Authorities and there is a fear that Courts may in the
process become Cheer-leaders for the Government in the dock, rather than
guardians of public interest and individual's rights. The real thrust stems
from a Jurisprudence of public duties and the faith that the Rule of Law is
used as a formula for expressing the fact that the Laws of the Constitution are
not the source but the consequences of the rights of the individuals as defined
and expressed by Courts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">According to Dr. Vern.O.
Khudsen, a Physicist and former founder of the Acoustical Society of America
and also a former Chancellor of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Palifornia</st1:placename></st1:place>:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"Noise is a slow agent
of death."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Another Expert in the field
Dr. Fabian Rouke of <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region>
reporting to the Newyork Committee for a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Quiet</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place>
said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"One of the incidious
aspects of excessive noise is the fact that an individual may be unconsciously
building up nervous tension due to noise exposures. This may cause a person
thus exposed to noise suddenly to be catapulted into an act of violence or
mental collapse by some seemingly minor sounds which drive him beyond the point
of endurance. Many persons who are using tranquilisers may be treating the
symptoms rather than the disease."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The continuing deterioration
of man's habital demands a revaluation of the present approach to
ecomanagement. Dr. Wagner who is an Authority on the subject of Air Pollution
while referring to the adverse effects of air pollution said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"We are experiencing
diseases today from hazards we did'nt control yesterday. What we don't take
care of today will be there for our children to handle tomorrow."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It would not be inappropriate
in the context of Human Rights to reproduce an illustration given by Shue 1979:
72-5 in regard to the consequences of inaction:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">"A man is stranded on an
out of the way desert island with neither food nor water. A sailor from a passing
ship comes ashore, but leaves the man to die (an act of omission). This is as
serious as violation of his rights as strangling him (an act of commission). It
is killing him, plain and simple - indirectly, through 'inaction' but just as
surely; perhaps even more cruelly."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We are on a larger issue of
community interest which concerns the preservation of environment against
pollution hazards posed by deleterious sources of nuisance. The broad question
of containment of pollution cannot be oversimplified and dismissed as routine
nuisance of which no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain or
because rightly or wrongly industries have been permitted to be set up. In the
case on hand, the public authorities most closely associated with the issue have
chosen to maintain silence and mysterious aloofness failing to meet the
allegations made by the petitioners, for reasons best known to them. The state
of these Authorities who are the concerned respondents in this case, presents a
baffling enigma. They do not respond to the grievances of the petitioners and
do not lay bare before the Court information either denying or admitting the
existence of pollution and the extent of pollution such as emission of noxious
gases, toxic wastes, assault on the senses by noise pollution and the like
which are imputed by the petitioners in the way they could express.
Terminological inexactitude cannot bar legal redress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">What is alleged in substance
is persistent pollution which is offensive and detrimental to public health.
These allegations have gone without repudiation by the Public Authorities,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Environment protection is not
a preoccupation of the educated and the affluent. It has socio-political
dimensions. The disposal and control of toxic waste and Governmental regulation
of polluting industries is public interest oriented. The effective
implementation of Environmental Legislation is a social learning process which
could fundamentally change the character of public administration in the
Country. From a Global perspective, the struggle to preserve a 'livable
environment' is a part of a broader struggle to create a more just Global
society both within and between Nations. The impact of the human dimensions on
the economically and educationally disadvantaged who inhabit the developing
areas cannot be underscored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Examples are not wanting of
valiant efforts made by public spirited individuals and groups around the
world, to repair and restore the damaged natural resources that are crucial to
the present and future well-being of the nationals relating to essentials such
as water, land, wild-life and environment in general, as well as quality of
life in particular in cities and towns. In the United States of America,
mentioned by Berger, John, J., in his book "Restoring the Earth" are
illuminating instances:-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">a) A house-wife who led a
crusade to clean up a river in Massachusettes;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">b) A California Pharmacist
who saved a Red-Wood forest;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">c) A Pennsylvania
Mine-Inspector who repaired a strip-mined land;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">d) A <st1:place w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:place>
architect who saved a town affected by floods and redesigned it as a
flood-proof solar village;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">e) A plumber from <st1:place w:st="on">Cape Cod</st1:place> who transformed a brush-choked ditch into a
Trout stream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He observes that their yeoman
services have made human settlements more ecologically sound as well as more
enjoyable places to live in and that environmentalism is a truly popular
movement. I am of the view that it would be incongruous to stiffle the present
Public Interest Action by applying truncated standards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The right to life inherent in
Article 21 of the Constitution of India does not fall short of the requirements
of qualitative life which is possible only in an environment of quality. Where,
on account of human agencies, the quality of air and the quality of environment
are threatened or affected, the Court would not hesitate to use its innovative
power within its epistolary jurisdiction to enforce and safeguard the right to
life to promote public interest. Specific guarantees in Article 21 unfold
penumbras shaped by emanations from those Constitutional assurances which help
give them life and substance. In the circumstantial context and factual
back-drop, judicial intervention is warranted especially since the Supreme
Court of India has already laid the foundation of juristic activism in unmistakable
language of certainty and deep concern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">By allowing the Writ
Petition, if calamitous consequences visit the concerned respondents as a
result of non-feasance or mal-feasance or mis-feasance on the part of Public
Authorities or Public Officials, the doors of Justice are open to them to sue
the Public Authorities for pecuniary relief by enforcing the principle of
accountability.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">29. In the light of the above
discussion, I hold that the change in land use in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B
of Yediyur-Nagasandra Village, Bangalore, from residential to industrial is in
contravention of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, the Outline
Development Plan, the Comprehensive Development Plan and Regulations thereunder
and that the Writ Petition is maintainable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">30. For the reasons stated
above, the Writ Petition succeeds and is, therefore, allowed. It is hereby
declared that the change in land use in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B of
Yediyur-Nagasandra village, Bangalore, from residential to industrial is
violative of the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, the Outline
Development Plan, the Comprehensive Development Plan and the Regulations
thereunder and that all consequential actions relating to such violation in
land use are void and illegal. It is further declared that the licences,
permissions and certificates of change in land use issued by respondents-9, 14
and 16 for location of industries by respondents-17 to 49 are also void and
illegal. A Mandamus is issued hereby with a direction to the Corporation of the
City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
and its Health Officer to abate the pollution in Sy.Nos. 39/1, 39/2A and 39/2B
of Yediyur-Nagasandra village and also a direction to the Bangalore Development
Authority to stop operation of the industrial units and to carry out the
lay-out work in accordance with law and remove all encroachments in public
lands and roads in the area in question and in particular the road leading from
6th Cross Road, Ashokanagar to Raghavendra Swamy Brindavana in Sy.No. 39/2B.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">31. Action should be taken by
the concerned Authorities to implement the order of this Court within sixty
days from the date of receipt of a copy of this Order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">32. The petitioners are
entitled to costs of Rs. 3,000/- (Rupees three thousand only) from the
respondents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-55725721012034303902014-01-08T16:20:00.001-08:002014-01-08T16:20:57.211-08:00Ganjam and its French connection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">In an earlier post, we had
covered the guava fruits of Ganjam, the small village just two kilometers off
Srirangapatna, the island capital of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">After the death of Tipu Sultan on May 4, 1799 in Srirangapatna,
Shehar Ganjam-the City that he founded was taken over by the British. However, today
Ganjam is known for its French connection and not British and all thanks to Abbe
J.A. Dubois or Jean-Antoine Dubois, the French missionary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Abbe Dubois (1765-1848) was a
French Catholic and he had come to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1792 as a member of the
Missions Etrangeres de Paris. He first came
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pondicherry</st1:place></st1:city>
and then to Srirangapatna in 1799 to reorganise the Christian community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Apart from being a
missionary, Dubois founded agricultural colonies and was instrumental in introducing
vaccination as a preventive method to control smallpox.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He also wrote down a record
of Hindu manners, customs and ceremonies. He gave up European society and adopted
the native style of clothing, and dressed himself very much like a Hindu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He would go around Srirangapatna,
Ganjam and surrounding areas in the garb of sanyasi. Like a Hindu monk, he abstained from eating meat and this
continued for several years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Locals of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place>, used to seeing
him in Indian style dress and in local manners
affectionately called him Dodda Swamiyoru.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He established “The
Immaculate Conception Church (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Abbe</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Dubois</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place>)
at Ganjam where he lived for 30 years.<br />
The church today has a 15-feet high bell tower. Adjacent to the bell tower is a
small memorial structure (house) which is believed to be the hermitage of the
Padri Abbe Dubois.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He also founded a school for the children of Ganjam
village.<br />
The school is at the rear side of the Church and it can be said to be Ganjam’s
oldest school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Since Dubois followed local customs
and tradition, he was highly popular. He
was fond of raagi mudde and he had no hesitation in joining farmers for their
work in fields. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Abbe Dubois had learnt all south
Indian languages, including Kannada. He knew Sanskrit too. He left <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> for <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>
in January, 1823 where he became the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Superior</st1:place></st1:city>
of the Christian order that he represented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">What sets out this missionary
from the rest of his ilk is his frank
confession in his “Letters on the State of <st1:state w:st="on">Christianity</st1:state>
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>”
that Hindus might never convert to Christianity. <br />
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Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-51475117738000019802014-01-07T17:27:00.000-08:002014-01-07T17:27:40.641-08:00Guavas of Ganjam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The small <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ganjam</st1:placename></st1:place>
or Shehar Ganjam near Srirangapatna was several decades ago known for its
fruits and vegetables. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ganjam today is more famous
for housing the Daria Daulat-the summer <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">palace</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tipu</st1:placename></st1:place>, the Gumbaz-where Hyder Ali and Tipu
Sultan are buried and the Gosai Ghat and Sangam apart from the Nimishamba
temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bur just a few years ago, Ganjam
was known for its high quality fruits and people of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> and surrounding areas literally went gaga
over some of the fruits such as guavas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There are many guava orchards
in and around Ganjam and most of the yield was sent to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>, Srirangapatna and surrounding towns
and cities, including Mandya and Malavalli. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Apart from guavas, Ganjam was
also known for rearing good quality jackfruits and even figs, which were first
introduced here by Tipu Sultan sometime in 1780. The orchards and fruit gardens
in Ganjam received royal patronage from Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The guavas of Shehar Ganjam,
the city founded by Tipu, are better known as Kabul Benne. They are known for their
high-quality pulp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Ganjam guavas have a
distinct taste and flavour. This gives them an edge over other varieties,
especially those with the pink pulp. The Ganjam variety has less seeds and its
pulp is highly tasty. They are, therefore, much sought after by agro-processing
industries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Many of the guava plantations
are anywhere between 15 acres to 20 acres in area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Once on the decline, the
Ganjam guavas seem to have made a comeback what with bumper harvests. The
unique taste has led traders and wholesale merchants from Kerala and Tamil Nadu
to come to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city></st1:place>
and place orders for this fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Guava is native to tropical <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> where
it occurs wild. It was introduced in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> in the seventeen century. The
area under guava cultivation in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
increased by 64 per cent from 94,000 hectares
in 1991-92 to 155000 ha. in 2001-02
whereas the production increased by 55 per cent from 11 lakh tonnes to 17 lakh
tonnes. Major guava producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
West Bengal, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya
Pradesh, <st1:place w:st="on">Gujarat</st1:place> and Andhra Pradesh <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Guava is a good source of vitamin C, pectin, calcium
and phosphorus. It is used for the preparation of processed products like jams,
jellies and nectar. Guava jelly puree is very popular for its
attractive purplish-red colour, pleasant taste and aroma. Leaves of guava
are used for curing diarrhoea and also for dyeing and tanning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Once considered a forbidden
fruit, as per the Philippian mythology, guava is an essential part of a weight
loss diet. In fact it also has more Vitamin C than in an orange and
makes it to the list of super fruits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">According to the Karnataka Directorate
of Economics and Statistics, guava is grown in almost all the districts in more
than 4,200 hectares. Kolar alone produces over 30 per cent of the annual
23,000-tonne harvest in the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Generally, </span><span style="background: white; color: #3b3a39; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Bangalore</span></st1:city></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> gets its guavas from Nelamangala, Hoskote, Magadi, Yelahanka,
Doddaballapur and Devanahalli. The Allahabad Safeda and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lucknow</st1:place></st1:city> 49, also known as Sardar are the most
widely grown varieties in Karnataka.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Today, the guavas of Ganjam
are also sold in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>,
Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, and Dakshina Kannada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Located just two kilometrs from
Srirangapatna and to the east of the historic island, Ganjam gets its name from
the Persian ‘Ganj-i-am’ meaning granary of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Guava which is called the Apple
of the Tropics or poor man’s Apple, is the sixth most cultivated fruit in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is
today commercially cultivated in more than 60 countries across the world.<br />
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Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-74962904949046884102014-01-06T17:19:00.001-08:002014-01-06T17:19:02.473-08:00Purnaiah in wax<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He played an important part
in guiding Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. After the death of Tipu in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Battle</st1:city></st1:place> of Srirangapatna in 1799, he made efforts to see
that the son of Tipu would ascend the throne. When that failed, he ensured that
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mysore</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></st1:place> would be handed back to the
Wodeyars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This man was one of the key
figures at the enthronement of a young Mumadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar as the King
of Mysore in a makeshift tent in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city>.
He then went on to serve as his Dewan for several years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He strengthened the finances
of the State and took several administrative and legislative measures. When he quit
as the Dewan, he was allotted the Jagir of Yelandur where he built a palatial
bungalow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">This man is none other than
Dewan Purnaiah, the legendary Dewan of Mysore State and the man who served
three Kings-Hyder, Tipu and Mumadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. He retired to this
jagir at Yelandur where he constructed this beautiful bungalow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The British, several decades
later, abolished the jagir system, and Yelandur reverted back to the Wodeyars.
The bungalow, however remained with the Purnaiah family though it slowly lost
its importance. After some public offices shifted their headquarters from the
bungalow, it remained locked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Now, this sprawling 10,000 square
feet bungalow is in the news again. The State Archaeology Department is all set
to open this 200-year-old heritage building in Chamarajanagar district as a
centre which will provide tips to bureaucrats and politicians for modern
administration, besides housing the State’s department’s first wax statues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The department's first wax
museum will be thrown open to the public shortly and it will have wax statues
of Dewan Purnaiah, Krishnaraja Wadiyar
III or Mumadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar and one of the Governor-Generals of India, William
Bentinck. A few unseen paintings of Purnaiah will also be displayed.<br />
The department has taken the building on lease for 30 years from the Purnaiah
family. The aim of the department is to make the public aware of the Dewan and provide
a glimpse of him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The museum is divided into
two floors, with wax statues on the first and the paintings of Purnaiah with
Krishnaraja Wadiyar III and other portraits and paintings displayed on the
ground floor.<br />
Besides, it will also contain 27 manuscripts of letters from Purnaiah to
Sringeri and Keladi mathas. The translation in Kannada and summary of these
documents will be displayed alongside the magnified images of these original
scripts that have been obtained from the mathas. Some of the manuscripts will
be brought from the museum at Keladi in Shimoga district. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The museum will screen documentary
on the life and achievements of Purnaiah. It will also house sculptures,
inscriptions pertaining to Chamarajanagar district and traditional <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mysore</st1:place></st1:city> paintings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">History tell us that, Krishnaraja
Wadiyar III honoured Purnaiah with shawls and also gifted agricultural lands and
a bungalow in Yelandur in 1807 after he gave up the Dewanship. This was the
Maharaja’s manner of expressing his gratitude to the legendary Dewan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Purnaiah’s bungalow earlier
housed the taluk office and the police station. After these offices were
shifted to new buildings, the bungalow was kept locked for more than a decade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The purpose of the lease of
this heritage building is only to set up a museum so as to protect the memory
of the Dewan. The lease deed is for 33 years and the Directorate will pay Rs. 1,000
as rent to the descendants of Purnaiya every year.<br />
The bungalow has already been declared as a protected monument in 1964 under
the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments Act and Archaeological Sites and
Remains Act, 1961. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yelandur is the smallest taluk
of Chamarajanagar district and it comprises of 33 villages. It is situated
about 60 km south-west of <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> and
about 150 km south of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
on National Highway NH 209.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Apart from the Purnaiah
bungalow, Yelandur is also famous for its Gauriveshvara and Varahaswamy tempes.
While the Gauriveshwara temple was built in 1550 A.D during the reign of
Devabhupala (Singadepa), a feudatory of
the Vijayanagars, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Varaharaswamy</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> is dedicated to
one of the ten avatars of Vishnu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yelandur is near to the
famous tourist and pilgrim spot of BR Hills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8377725651965020959.post-28074098137382768962014-01-05T17:49:00.003-08:002014-01-05T17:49:56.983-08:00When Buchanan saw Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">One of the most fascinating
and early accounts of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
after the death of Tipu Sultan in the fourth and final Anglo-Mysore war on May
4, 1799, is by Francis Buchanan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Francis Buchanan, later known
as Francis Hamilton but often referred to as Francis Buchanan-Hamilton (1762-1829)
was a Scottish physician. He is best remembered in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> for his contribution as
a geographer, zoologist and botanist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He is credited with
organizing a zoo in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Calcutta</st1:place></st1:city>
and this later went on to become the Alipore Zoological Gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He was asked to survey <st1:city w:st="on">Mysore</st1:city> and other parts of south <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>
after 1799 and this resulted in his writing “A Journey from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city> through the Countries of Mysore,
Canara and Malabar which was published in 1807. He also wrote An
Account of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Nepal</st1:placename></st1:place> (1819).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Buchanan was in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> between June 22
and July 2, 1800 and therefore, his account can be taken to be fairly accurate.
However, he makes several mistakes and the first of this starts in the very
second line of his description of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
which he says the city was founded by Hyder Ali (It was founded by Kempe Gowda).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He acknowledges <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>’s position in
the political history of those times by saying that during the time of Hyder it
had become a place of importance. “Its
trade was great and its manufacturing numerous. Tipoo began its misfortunes by
prohibiting the trade with the dominions of Arcot and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hyderabad</st1:place></st1:city>, because he detested the powers
governing both these countries”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He then goes on to give an
unflattering description of Tipoo saying that “he had fleeced the inhabitants of
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place> and
even taken the ornaments of women. He had then shut the people within a hedge”
and he then goes on to talk of the relief of the people of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> when Cornwallis conquered the city
in 1791.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He then tries to paint a rosy
picture of life in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
after the British victory in 1799. He says people of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> have begun coming back and the town
which “previously looked deserted, is once again showing signs of people
flocking back”. He calls manufacturers and traders of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> distrustful. He, however, praises
the merchants, many of whom, he says, “have been to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Madras</st1:place></st1:city> and are acquainted with the British
policy and they seem to have utmost confidence in the protection of our
Government”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He says in <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city>,
almost every coin of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
is current but all accounts are kept in Canter'raia pagodas (Kanteerava coins
first introduced by Ranadheera Kanteerava of the Wodeyar dynasty), fanams and
Dubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He says Bangaloreans carried
on trade with Mangalore sending cotton clothes, both white and coloured, and
the returns are raw silk, and silk clothes. Trade to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Calicut</st1:place></st1:city> was considerable “but it is at a
stand owing to the unsettled climate”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Srirangapatna exports black
pepper and sandalwood to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
along with cardemoms. He found betel nut to be the principal article of trade
in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>.
Here, the best betel nut is called Dashavara and it comes from Nagara province
while the inferior Wallagram comes from Gubi and surrounding areas. There is
also substantial trade in black pepper. Then comes sandal wood, black blankets
or kamblies which are brought to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city></st1:place>
from Gauribidanur.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He also noted that there are
a kind of “drug” merchants called Gandhaki who procure medicinal plants and
sell them to the people. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city>
also traded in salt and this was mainly by members of two communities-the
Woddaru and Coramaru. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Buchanan could not estimate
correctly the economy of Bangalore as, according to him, not even an year had
passed after the inhabitants of Bangalore had deserted the City and come back.
All good were transported on the back of cattle. He found people speaking in
Kannada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He says he spoke to the Custom
House officer and comes up with the estimate that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> had imported 1500 bullock loads
of cotton wool, 50 bullock loads of
cotton thread and 350 bullock loads of silk. He found that the Hindus seldom
used tailors but wrapped the cloth around their body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">He then describes <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> as a weaving
centre and he gives a fairly comprehensive and accurate process of weaving. We
then come to know that <st1:city w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:city> had been a
major weaving and trading centre and its location helped cement its place in
the economy of the <st1:place w:st="on">Deccan</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Buchanan also describes the
many classes and communities who make up the populace of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bangalore</st1:place></st1:city> and their activities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Samyuktha Harshithahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06383107536002161500noreply@blogger.com0