Srirangapatna

Not to be confused withSrirangam.

"Seringapatam" redirects here. For other uses, seeSeringapatam (disambiguation).

Srirangapattana ಶ್ರೀರಂಗಪಟ್ಟಣ (Shreerangapattana) Seringapatam
Town
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
Nickname: Srirangapatna
Srirangapattana
Coordinates:12.414°N 76.704°E/12.414; 76.704
Country	India
State	Karnataka
District	Mandya
Government
• Type	Town Municipal Council
• Body	Srirangapatna Town Municipal Council
Area
• Town	11.62 km2(4.49 sq mi)
• Rural	345 km2(133 sq mi)
Elevation	679 m (2,228 ft)
Population (2011)
• Town	25,061
•Rural	155,130
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	UTC+5:30(IST)
PIN	571 438
Telephone code	08236
Vehicle registration	KA-11
Website	www.srirangapatnatown.mrc.gov.in

Srirangapatnais a town and headquarters of one of the sevenTaluksofMandya district,in theIndianStateofKarnataka.It gets its name from theRanganthaswamy templeconsecrated around 984 CE. Later, under the British rule, the city was renamed to Seringapatam. Located near the city ofMandya,it is of religious, cultural and historic importance.

The monuments on the island town of Srirangapatna have been nominated as aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site, and the application is pending on the tentative list of UNESCO.

History

Srirangapatna has since time immemorial been an urban center and place of pilgrimage. During theVijayanagar empire,it became the seat of a major viceroyalty, from where several nearby vassal states of the empire, such as Mysore andTalakad,were overseen. When perceiving the decline of the Vijayanagar empire, the rulers of Mysore ventured to assert independence, Srirangapatna was their first target.Raja Wodeyar Ivanquished Rangaraya, the then viceroy of Srirangapatna, in 1610 and celebrated theNavaratrifestival in the town that year.It came to be accepted in time that two things demonstrated control and signified sovereignty over the Kingdom of Mysore by any claimant to the throne, including the successful holding of the 10-day-longNavaratrifestival, dedicated toChamundeshwari,patron goddess of Mysore and control of the fort of Srirangapatna, the fortification nearest to the capital city of Mysore.

Srirangapatna remained part of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1610 to after India's independence in 1947; as the fortress closest to the capital city of Mysore, it was the last bastion and defence of the kingdom in case of invasion.

Hyder and Tipu

Main articles:Hyder AliandTipu Sultan

Hale Sethuway Street

Srirangapatna became the capital of Mysore underan ancient hindu king.When Tipu finally dispensed with the charade of deference to the WodeyarMaharajawho was actually his captive, and proclaimed the "Khudadad State" under his own kingship, though the then incumbent Wodeyar scionChamaraja Wodeyar IXwas still officially the king of Mysore.

During Tipu Sultan's wars against the British, Kodavas, and Malabar rajas; he rounded up entire communities ofNairs,Kodavas,andMangalorean Catholicsin the conquered regions and deported them to Srirangapatna, where they were held in bondage until they received freedom from captivity as a result of Tipu's defeat by the British in 1799.

Treaty of Seringapatam, 1792

Main article:Treaty of Seringapatam

The Treaty of Seringapatam (also called Srirangapatna), signed 18 March 1792, ended the Third Anglo-Mysore War. Its signatories included Lord Cornwallis on behalf of the British East India Company, representatives of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha Empire, and Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.

Battle of Seringapatam, 1799

Main article:Siege of Seringapatam (1799)

Srirangapatna was the scene of the last and decisive battle of theFourth Anglo-Mysore War,fought in 1799 betweenTipu Sultan,ruler ofMysore,and a combined force of 50,000 men provided equally by theNizam of Hyderabadand theEast India Company,under the overall command ofGeneral George Harris.

At the battle's climax, Tipu Sultan was killed within the fort of Seringapatam, betrayed by one of his own confidants. The spot where he fell is today marked by a memorial. Although the joint forces of the victorious army plundered Seringapatam and ransacked Tipu's palace, much of the site of the battle is still intact, including the ramparts, the Water Gate, the area where British prisoners were held, and the site of the destroyed palace.

Apart from the usual gold and cash, innumerable other valuables were shipped to England, includingobjets d'artand personal possessions of Tipu Sultan such as his rich clothing, shoes, sword, and firearms. Most of these remain in the BritishRoyal Collectionand in theVictoria and Albert Museum,the latter of which holdsTipu's Tiger,anautomatonof a tiger on top of a British soldier. The sword of Tipu Sultan was purchased at aSotheby'sauction byVijay Mallya,a liquor baron fromKarnataka.

British composerHarriet Wainwrightcomposed a work for chorus ( "Seringapatam" ) about the battle.

Location

Map

Kaveri down to the western rail bridge

Although situated only 15 km (9.3 mi) fromMysorecity, Srirangapatna lies in the neighbouring district ofMandya.The entire town is enclosed by the riverKaverito form ariver island,the northern half of which is shown in the adjacent image. While the main river flows on the eastern side of the island, thePaschima Vaahinisegment of the same river flows to its west. The town is easily accessible by train fromBengaluruand Mysore and is also well-connected by road, lying as it does just off the Bangalore-MysoreNational Highway 275.The highway passes through this town and special care was taken to minimize any impact on the monuments.

Religious significance

The town takes its name from the celebratedRanganathaswamy templewhich dominates the town, making Srirangapatna one of the most importantVaishnavitecenters of pilgrimage inSouth India.The temple was built by theGanga dynastyrulers of the area in the 9th century; the structure was strengthened and improved upon architecturally some three centuries later. Thus, the temple is a medley of theHoysalaandVijayanagarstyles oftemple architecture.

Tradition holds that all the islands formed in theKaveri Riverare consecrated to Sri Ranganathaswamy (PrabhaVishnumentioned inVishnu Sahasranama) and large temples have been built in very ancient times dedicated to that deity on the three largest islands. The Srirangapatna temple is one of the three temples of the GodRanganatha(Adi Ranga) that are situated in the natural islands formed in the Kaveri river. They are:

• Adi Ranga: theSri Ranganathaswamy Templeat Srirangapatna, Srirangapatna taluk,Mandya district,Karnataka,India
• Madhya Ranga: theSri Ranganathaswamy TempleatShivanasamudra,Kollegala taluk,Chamarajanagara district,Karnataka,India
• Antya Ranga: theSri Ranganathaswamy TempleatSrirangam,Srirangam taluk,Tiruchirappalli district,Tamil Nadu,India

The presence of the Kaveri River is in itself considered auspicious and sanctifying. ThePaschima Vaahinisection of the Kaveri at Srirangapatna is considered especially sacred; the pious come from far and wide to immerse the ashes of the departed and perform obsequies to their ancestors in these waters.

Demographics

According to the 2011 India Census Data, Srirangapatna had a population of 155,130 persons. Males constitute 50.06% and females constitute 49.93% of the total population. 9.80% of the population are under 6 years of age.

Srirangapatna town scene

Religion in Srirangapatna Urban (2011)

Hinduism(85.23%)

Islam(10.71%)

Others (4.06%)

Geography

Srirangapatna is at12.41°N 76.7°E/12.41; 76.7.It has an average elevation of 679 metres (2,228 ft) above mean sea-level.

Places of interest

Vegetable market at Elephant Gate

The town is famous for a very ancient temple dedicated to SriRanganathaswamy,a form of LordVishnu.There is also Kalyani Siddhi Vinayaka Temple in front of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Other temples in Srirangapatna include the Lakshminarasimha Swamy Temple, Jyothi Mahaswara Temple, Bidhcotta Ganesha Temple, Panduranga Swamy Temple, the Sathyanarayana Swamy Temple, the Anjunaya Swamy Temple, the Ayyapa Temple, the Gangadhareswara Swamy Temple, and RaganathaNagara Ganesha Temple, Lakshmi Temple, Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt on Old Post Office Road, surrounding Srirangapatna in fort 8 Ganesh & Anjunaya temples. TheKarighatta(Black Hill) and its temple of LordSrinivasais a few kilometres from the town. The deity is Kari-giri-vasa (one who resides on the black hill). The renownedNimishambhaTemple is about 2 km from the town. Srirangapatna also hosts the summer palace of Tipu Sultan and his mausoleum.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Main article:Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna

• 
  Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
• 
  Elephant Gate

The Ranganthaswamy Temple – usually referred to as "Sri Ranganathaswamy" – is dedicated toRanganatha,a manifestation ofVishnu.It is one of the five important pilgrimage sites along the river Kaveri for devotees of Ranganatha. These five sacred sites are together known asPancharanga Kshetramsin Southern India. Since Srirangapatna is the first temple starting from upstream, the deity is known as Adi Ranga (lit; "first Ranga" ), and the town of Srirangapatna, which derives its name from the temple, is on an island in the river Kaveri.

Daria Daulat Bagh

Main article:Daria Daulat Bagh

• 
  Palace of Tipu Sultan
• 
  The Jama Masjid

TheDariya Daulat Palace(Summer Palace) is set amidst beautiful gardens called Daria Daulat Bagh. Tippu Sultan built this palace in 1784. The palace is built in the Indo-Saracenicstyle is mostly made of teakwood. The palace has a rectangular plan and is built on a raised platform.

Other attractions in Srirangapatna include theJama Masjid(aMosque) and the Dariya Daulat Gardens. The mosque has stone Arabic inscriptions which mention the 99 titles given to the almighty Allah, and theFarsiinscription which mentions that the Masjid was built in AD 1782 by Tipu Sultan.

Tipu Sultan Gumbaz

Main article:Gumbaz, Seringapatam

TheGumbazis an impeccably detailed mausoleum and houses the remains of Tipu Sultan, his father Hyder Ali and his mother Fatima Begum among beautifully manicured gardens. Various tombs of other relatives surround thegumbaz,some with small signs offering guidance on which specific individuals are buried here. The outergumbazcolumns are made ofamphibolite,a very dark rock that exudes a somber richness. Handcrafted door frames covered in a deep lacquer finish lead into an inner tomb illuminated only by natural light. All visitors are welcome inside, and even encouraged to enter by the friendly doormen.

Wellesley Bridge

Wellesley Bridgewas erected by Kingdom of Mysore'sDewan,Purnaiahon the Kaveri river in 1804.It was named after the then Governor General Marquis of Wellesley. The bridge is built of stone pillars and stone corbels and surrounded by stone girders. The bridge is very strong and has survived the heavy traffic of many years.

Karighatta viewpoint

TheKarighattaviewpoint gives good panorama of Mysore and Srirangapatna cities from a height of 3,000 feet. Karighatta is a hill a few kilometres outside the 'island' town of Srirangapatna. The name Karighatta translates to "Black Hill" inKannada.The hill supports the dry scrub jungle and manytamarindandgooseberrytrees are found around the temple. A small river, Lokapavani, a tributary ofKaveriflows by the hill. The main entrance to the temple, with huge wooden doors opens into a large quadrangle, which is the main shrine for VaikuntaSrinivasain black stone, flanked by YogaSrinivasa(without his consort) and BhogaSrinivasaidols. The hill may be climbed by stone steps (450 in number). A winding paved road is used for vehicular transport. The stone steps lead to a flat hilltop where the temple stands. The hillock has a superb panoramic view of Srirangapatna andMysore.The beautiful landscape around the hill and the confluence of theKaveriand Lokapavani rivers can be seen from atop the hill.

Nimishamba Temple

The famousNimishamba(the incarnation ofParvathi,the goddess wife of LordShiva) temple is on the bank of the Lokapavani river. This temple too can be clearly seen from the top of theKarighattahill. It is a belief thatParvathiwill clear all the problems and troubles of her devotees within a minute (nimishainSanskrit), and hence the name.

Garrison Cemetery, Srirangapatna

Main article:Garrison Cemetery, Srirangapatna

The Garrison Cemetery is located in Srirangapatna, on the banks of the riverCauvery,about 300m from the Bangalore Mysore Highway. It has about 307 graves of the European officers killed in thefinal assaultonTippu Sultanin 1799, and their family members. Among the graves, there are 80 graves of the officers of the SwissRegiment de Meuron,and the rest of the graves are their family members.

Scott’s Bungalow, Seringapatam

Main article:Scott’s Bungalow, Seringapatam

The Scott’s Bungalow is located inSeringapatamon the banks of the riverCauvery,at about half a mile from the Mysore Gate of the Seringapatam gate.The bungalow was the residence of Col. Scott, an officer of theMadras Armywho took part in thesiege of Seringapatamin 1799. The bungalow is associated with the legend and tragedy of Col. Scott. The story of Scott’s Bungalow is lamented in a poem by Walter Yeldham calledThe Deserted Bungalow,published in 1875.

Lord Harris's House

Between the Garrison Cemetery andScott’s Bungalowa path leads to Lord Harris's House on the river banks. This house is known asLord Harris's HouseorThe Doctor's BungaloworPuraniah's Bungalow.This house was the residence of General Harris, for a short time after thesiege of Seringapatamin 1799, and went on to become headquarters of the commanding officer of Seringapatam. In 1809, the house was the scene of a mutiny by officers of theMadras Army,led by Col. Bell, against Sir. George Barlow, the Governor of Madras.Purnaiah,lived in this house after his retirement from service in 1811, and died there on 28 March 1812. A tablet on the wall records the connection of Lord Harris and Puraniah to the house.

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon - ground view

Srirangapatna Fort

Main article:Srirangapatna Fort

The fortress is in the west of the island, and is surrounded by double walls. The point at which the British broke through the walls, and thus Tipu Sultan's troops surprised, is marked by an obelisk. Also highlighted is the place where Tipu Sultan was killed by the British forces. In addition, the dungeon in which the Mysore rulers had imprisoned British soldiers.

Colonel Bailey's Dungeon

Main article:Colonel Bailey's Dungeon

Colonel Bailey's Dungeonwas the place where Tipu Sultan used to imprison all the British officers. It is near the death place memorial of Tipu Sultan and is surrounded by gardens on all four sides. Bailey was the only British officer who died in that place and could not make it through the tough conditions and so it was later named after him.

Another version says that the commanding officer of the British at theBattle of Pollilur (1780),Col. Baillie, was imprisoned here after the defeat of his troops in theFirst Mysore War.

Obelisk Monument

Obelisk Monument

Main article:Obelisk Monument

Obelisk in Srirangapatnais a memorial erected by the then government of Mysore in memory of the English soldiers died during the siege of Srirangapatna. The Memorial was built during the reign ofKrishnaraja Wadiyar IVin 1907, to celebrate the defeat of Tipu in 1799. The inscription on the plaque reads "This monument is erected by the government of Mysore in 1907 in order to commemorate the siege of Seringapatam by the British forces under lieutenant general G. Harris (George Harris, 1st Baron Harris) and its final capture by assault on 4 May 1799. As also the names of those gallant officers who fell during the operations. "

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Main article:Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Near the town is theRanganathittu Bird Sanctuary,where severalbirdspecies breed, including thepainted stork,open-billed stork,black-headed ibis,river tern,great stone ploverandIndian shag.

Sound and light show

In literature

• Bernard Cornwell'sSharpe's Tigeris a fictionalised account of the Battle of Seringapatam. It concentrates on the exploits of the fictional character of Richard Sharpe, and the historic Arthur Wellesley, later theDuke of Wellington.
• Wilkie Collins'The Moonstoneincludes a prologue that takes place during the Battle of Srirangapatna, entitled "The Storming of Seringapatam (1799)", during which a British officer steals a sacred Hindu diamond that becomes the mystery at the centre of the novel.
• John Forstermentions inThe Life of Charles Dickensthat in a childhood playground of C.D., "he had been... delivered from the dungeons of Seringapatam, an immense pile ('of haycock'), by the victorious British ('boy next door and his two cousins')...". See p. 10 of the Everyman edition published in 1969. First published: London; Chapman and Hall, 1872–1874, in 3 volumes.

Image gallery

• 
  Obelisk Monument
• 
  Colonel Bailey's Dungeon, Srirangapatna
• 
  Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
• 
  Sangama
• 
  Old Bridge
• 
  Tippu School
• 
  Karigatta viewpoint
• 
  Tippu Tomb
• 
  Srirangapatna
• 
  Wellesley Bridge Temple

See also

• Karighatta Road
• Bannur
• Arakere
• Kodagahalli
• Tipu Sultan

External links

• Ancient History of Srirangapatna
• Srirangam Temple - Tamil Nadu
• Srirangapatna - Mysore
• Page on Srirangapatna at Kamat
• "The Tiger and the Thistle"
• Top things to do at Srirangapatna Karnataka