At this non-descript place hidden in the chaotic Kalasipalyam, Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan had stacked his ammunition cache. The 200-year-old armoury of Tipu Sultan behind Bangalore Medical College, which till now was treated like nobody’s baby, will soon be taken over by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and declared a protected monument.
It will be the third ASI-listed protected monument in the city after Tipu’s Palace and Tipu’s Fort, all situated near KR Market.
The three monuments – armoury, palace and fort – are situated within a 100 metres of each other. Commissioner, state department of archaeology, museums and heritage, C G Betsurmath wrote to ASI approving the takeover about three weeks ago.
For several years now, the armoury has been in news, albeit for wrong reasons. Lack of upkeep resulting in condition of the structure deteriorating; the unkempt place turning into a gamblers’ den; the state archaeology department and BBMP passing on the buck of responsibility to each other, and so on. Only in 2002, it was, that the 18th century armoury saw some conservation by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Bangalore Chapter. The not-for-profit non-governmental organisation shifted a retaining wall and exposed the original steps leading to the monument after removing the compound wall. A toilet illegally built on the southern wall of the structure was also removed.
Of the recent development, Arun Raj T, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Bengaluru circle told Bangalore Mirror: “The state government wrote to us saying they have no objections in ASI taking over Tipu’s Armoury. It is good news and a result of continuous effort of Intach. This is the first step and we have a process to follow. We will have to write to our Delhi office and complete some formalities with the Bruhut Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. Given the historical importance, it is necessary to protect the armoury and connect the three monuments (fort, palace and armoury) as these three are remnants in the city that date back to Tipu’s period.”
However, there is a small hitch – a school building adjacent to the armoury. ASI and BBMP will have to conduct a joint survey of the place and find a solution. “The school almost abuts the armoury and once the armoury is declared a protected area, the school will have to be vacated considering that a buffer has to be maintained around our monuments. In that case, we would need BBMP’s help in relocating the school,” added Arun Raj.
Intach, Bangalore Chapter, which has campaigned for the armoury is overjoyed. In fact, a month ago, Intach had written to BBMP suggesting that they hand over the armoury to ASI. “ Once it is declared a protected monument, there will be no threat to the armoury in terms of encroachment and will be well maintained. We have been pushing for this for a long time and finally, the move has come through,” said Meera Iyer, co-convener of Intach.
History has it that this armoury was built below the ground level to store ammunition and the structure style is so relevant that it still being followed by the army. Armoury also called magazine is always built below the ground level, has just one entrance and is not exposed to the outside world by growing grass on the exteriors.
According to historian Suresh Moona who has chronicled the city’s history, this armoury in Kalasipalyam housed missiles and ammunitions and in a nearby area, Taramandalpet, rockets were experimented. Taramandalpet is close to Jumma Masjid Road near Raja Market where Tipu’s missile manufacturing unit functioned. Every night, rockets would be fired, which looked like a cluster of stars in the sky – hence the name Taramandalpet.
Pride of the city
» Under ASI Bangalore Circle of ASI, there are 207 monuments.
» In Bengaluru, there are two ASI-listed monuments – Tipu Fort and Tipu Palace; Bengaluru district houses six monuments including the fort at Devanahalli and Hunting Lodge on Nandi Hills.
» Monuments in Hampi are the most well-known; Tipu’s properties in Srirangapatna have also become popular tourist attractions.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Kushala S, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / July 30th, 2015