History of Bangalore - Wodeyars and British East India

Wodeyars and British East India

Upon the passing of Tipu Sultan, the Wodeyars returned to the throne of Mysore, and therefore Bengaluru, although only as figureheads. Bengaluru remained part of British East India until Indian independence in August, 1947.

The 'Residency' of Mysore State was first established at Mysore in 1799 and later shifted to Bengaluru in the year 1804. It was abolished in the year 1843 only to be revived in 1881 at Bengaluru and finally to be closed down in 1947 with the departure of the British. (http://rajbhavan.kar.nic.in/history/fromresi-rajbhavan.htm)

The British troops which were first stationed at Srirangapatna after the fall of Tipu Sultan in 1799 were later shifted to the Civil and Military Station of Bengaluru in 1809.

The salubrious climate of Bengaluru attracted the ruling class and led to the establishment of the famous Military Cantonment, a city-state close to the old town of Bengaluru. The area became not only a military base for the British but also a settlement for a large number of Europeans, Anglo-Indians and missionaries.

In Cantonment, the names of many of its streets are derived from military nomenclature — Artillery Road, Brigade Road, Infantry Road and Cavalry Road. The South Parade (now known as Mahatma Gandhi Road, was to the south of the Parade Ground. The Plaza theatre was constructed in the year 1936 on the South Parade and was used by the soldiers for viewing Hollywood movies. The British representative maintained a residence within the cantonment area and his quarters was called the Residency and hence the name Residency Road. Around 1883, three developments were added to the cantonment — Richmond Town, Benson Town and Cleveland Town.

The Cantonment has retained it distinct atmosphere through the years with large populations of Anglo-Indians and Tamils from the British era.