June 22, 2008, Sunday was a normal day for most of the Bangaloreans, but for some it was a special one with an opportunity to visit the Bangalore fort with "Parichay" of Bangalore, Fort and the area surrounding it.
We had with us Dr. S.K Aruni, Assistant Director, Indian Council of Historical Research, Southern Regional Centre. He has done a lot of research over the years and has collected a lot of data to substantiate his claim and research.
Dr. Aruni started the Parichay by giving us a brief history of Bangalore dating back to 3000 years. He explained to us the circumstances in which the fort was built and who could have possibly built the fort. He also strongly rubbished claim of some historians that the Bangalore fort was built by Hoysala’s as per the picture on the stone inside the fort which looks very similar to the Hoysala symbol.
He also gave us a clear insight of the different parts of the fort, buildings inside the fort, Peetah area and gates to enter the fort.We then took a walk inside the fort and including the room where David Baird (Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet GCB (6 December 1757 – 18 August 1829), was a British military leader) was imprisoned, we had permission from ASI to visit this part of the fort which otherwise closed to visitors.
Tippu Summer palace was our next stop, where we were served with breakfast which was arranged by the ASI.
We then visited the Venkataramanaswamy temple, where Dr. Aruni showed us sculptures and stones to support his claim that it could have possibly been a Shaivite temple.
Our Parichay ended at Tippu’s armory, where Ar. Prathibha, Convenor INTACH Bangalore Chapter gave us information about the armory and the effort of INTACH to restore and protect this historic monument.
“Parichay” of Bangalore fort and surrounding area was covered by Bangalore Mirror a local daily.
By Srinivas Shenoy
We had with us Dr. S.K Aruni, Assistant Director, Indian Council of Historical Research, Southern Regional Centre. He has done a lot of research over the years and has collected a lot of data to substantiate his claim and research.
Dr. Aruni started the Parichay by giving us a brief history of Bangalore dating back to 3000 years. He explained to us the circumstances in which the fort was built and who could have possibly built the fort. He also strongly rubbished claim of some historians that the Bangalore fort was built by Hoysala’s as per the picture on the stone inside the fort which looks very similar to the Hoysala symbol.
He also gave us a clear insight of the different parts of the fort, buildings inside the fort, Peetah area and gates to enter the fort.We then took a walk inside the fort and including the room where David Baird (Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet GCB (6 December 1757 – 18 August 1829), was a British military leader) was imprisoned, we had permission from ASI to visit this part of the fort which otherwise closed to visitors.
Tippu Summer palace was our next stop, where we were served with breakfast which was arranged by the ASI.
We then visited the Venkataramanaswamy temple, where Dr. Aruni showed us sculptures and stones to support his claim that it could have possibly been a Shaivite temple.
Our Parichay ended at Tippu’s armory, where Ar. Prathibha, Convenor INTACH Bangalore Chapter gave us information about the armory and the effort of INTACH to restore and protect this historic monument.
“Parichay” of Bangalore fort and surrounding area was covered by Bangalore Mirror a local daily.
By Srinivas Shenoy
