Book Description

Many British dignitaries visited Mysore during the period of the Maharajas, from Lord Wellesley, who fought against Tipu Sultan, to Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, who visited Mysore soon after India became independent. There are landmarks built by the Maharajas to commemorate the visits of some of these dignitaries, and also to mark celebrations related to them. Some landmarks relate to the Europeans who were in Mysore during the period of the Wadiyars. Although we may be familiar with these places or structures, we know little about these men and their visits to Mysore. This book is an attempt to highlight their visits, recall their contributions and how the Maharajas of Mysore accorded royal receptions to them. This book is also a record of the British personalities – Commissioners, Viceroys, Princes, and Residents – and throws light on the administration of the Mysore State of over a century and a half, from 1799 to 1957. In all, 15 landmarks of the British era in Mysore have been covered in this book, beginning from the earliest. As far as we know, no attempt has been made to bring these landmarks in one book.