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the kingdom of Mysore 

The Kingdom of Mysore The Kingdom of Mysore was founded in 1399 by Yaduraya Wodeyar. 

Before the Wodeyars 

Before this date, the region was part of the Hoysala kingdom, renowned for the quality of its architecture and the refinement of its art, until its fall. There are still some magnificent temples dating from this period, including those of Belur and Halebid.. 

The incursions of the Sultanate of Delhi considerably weakened the Hoysala dynasty and favored the rise of a new empire in the region: that of Vijayanagara. The Vijayanagara Empire gradually expanded and covered the region through reconquests of territories annexed by the Sultanate of Delhi. It should be noted that the Vijayanagara dynasty was founded by senior officials of the Hoysala regime and that the transition was natural and relatively peaceful. 

This did not prevent many quarrels between small vassal kingdoms of the empire. 

The creation of the kingdom of Mysore by the Wodeyar dymasty would allow the unification of these small kingdoms. Mysore thus became one of the most important vassals of the Vijayanagara empire, whose capital was Hampi. 

The Vijayanagara Empire was very powerful, but a decisive battle, that of Talikota would mark the end of 200 years of domination in 1565. 

The independence of Mysore 

This Battle of Talikota would smash the Vijayanagara Empire and mark the beginning of the rise of the Mysore Kingdom. The Wodeyar dynasty focused on the unification of the small kingdoms inherited from the fall of Hampi, combining military conquests and diplomatic tactics. To guarantee this unity, they set up an efficient and centralized administration while promoting education, trade and agriculture in the new entity. Like their predecessors Hoysala and Vijayanagara, the Wodeyars encouraged arts and culture while respecting local traditions. This helped considerably to strengthen the national identity of the conquered territories. The territory of Mysore covered much of southern India during its heyday in the 18th century. 

The Wodeyar dynasty 

Wodeyar rule over the region would last until the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. 

Various periods marked their reign. 

Between the Battle of Talikota which marked the beginning of their rise as an independent power and the middle of the 18th century, the Wodeyar dynasty prospered at the head of the kingdom, thanks to their skills and their exemplary administration. 

The 18th century witnessed some erosion of Wodeyar power, combined with instability in the administration of the kingdom. This was the occasion for a competent and talented officer to become the de facto king of Mysore, while leaving in place the sovereign Wodeyar who will be endowed with a rather symbolic function. This brilliant soldier was Haidar Ali and he took power in 1761. 

Under his reign and that of his son Tipu Sultan, the kingdom of Mysore reached its peak, becoming one of the main powers in South India. 

the British 

The first British settlements in the region date from the very beginning of the 17th century. As British power grew in India, resistance movements emerged. Among the most virulent, the kingdom of Mysore under the leadership of Tipu Sultan experienced a succession of victories over the invader. There were 4 successive wars between Mysore and the British and the last, in 1799, saw the defeat of Mysore and the death of Tipu Sultan. 

With the takeover of the kingdom of Mysore by the British, they hastened to put the Wodeyar back on the throne, in the person of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, transforming the kingdom into a princely state under British suzerainty. By doing this, the invader ensured political stability by returning a local dynasty to power, assuming that the Wodeyars would be much more docile than Tipu Sultan who had long fought them. 

This situation would continue until Indian independence in 1947, when Mysore became a princely state within the Indian Union headed by the last Wodeyar ruler, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar. 

Three years later, the new Constitution of India comes into force, and the princely states are integrated into the Indian Confederation. Local sovereigns then become governors of their state. 

In 1956, a first reorganization of states in India, largely based on linguistic divisions, renamed the state of Mysore to the state of Karnataka.

Mysore Palace 

The foundation of Mysore Palace roughly corresponds with that of the kingdom, during the time of Yaduraya Wodeyar in the 14th century. It has obviously undergone a lot of transformations over the centuries. 

Originally, this palace was much more modest than today. The 14th century palace was made of wood and mud, but already served as an official residence. 

The palace experienced several destructions, whether following a fire or the consequence of a war or an invasion. Each time, the palace was rebuilt with important architectural modifications and embellishments. The current version is the result of the fourth reconstruction. 

The palace of Mysore was abandoned during the reigns of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, in favor of that of Sirangapatna, which offered an advantageous strategic position compared to Mysore. 

It was not until the arrival of the British and the return to the throne of the Wodeyar to see a new reconstruction of the palace of Mysore from 1800. Unfortunately, a fire was right of this palace in 1897. 

Mysore Palace in its present form dates from the early 20th century. The reconstruction of the palace was entrusted to an English architect, Lord Henry Irwin. He designed the grandiose building that we can see today, based on a fusion of Indo-Saracenic, Dravidian, Mughal and Gothic architectural styles. The palace is richly decorated with paintings, sculptures and works of art and it is built with quality materials such as marble, steel, glass and granite. 

This palace is the main tourist attraction of Mysore nowadays.

about the place, Mysore:

Mysore, or Mysuru, is a city in Karnataka in India with more than 1,200,000 inhabitants. The city was founded in the 14th century and was part of the Vijayanagara Empire which had established its capital at Hampi. It was a principality subordinated to Hampi which gradually emancipated itself. The Kingdom of Mysore, with the city of Mysore as its capital, rose to prominence in the region following the Battle of Kalikota which pitted the Vijayanagara Empire against the Deccan League. The defeat of Hampi precipitated the end of the empire while favoring the rise of Mysore whose leaders endeavored to unify the small kingdoms of the region. 

Mysore is famous for its palace and its markets.

Spoken comments in the film: 

The kingdom of Mysore was founded more than 600 years ago by the Wodeyar dynasty which remained in power in the region until the independence of India, with however a period in the 18th century, when its power was purely symbolic. . With the occupation of India by the British, the Wodeyars remained in power, with a bond of vassalage to the British Crown.

The Kalyan Mantapa, or Marriage Hall, is one of the most spectacular rooms in Mysore Palace. White marble floors from various parts of India, a painted glass ceiling imported from Belgium, intricately carved painted cast iron columns and wall paintings are some of the features that make this hall one of the most sumptuous of the palace.

The Hall of Public Audiences in Mysore Palace was used for official audiences and ceremonies in the presence of subjects and guests of the kingdom. It was this room that was used for special ceremonies and official receptions. The huge hall is adorned with finely decorated columns and wall paintings. This room also opens to the outside and a balcony allows the king to watch the processions and other events taking place outside.

The Private Audience Hall of Mysore Palace was used to hold meetings and audiences with dignitaries, ministers or high officials or special guests. Access was limited to those expressly authorized by the king. The room is smaller and less grandiose than that of the public hearings.

Music:

 - YouTube video library - Air to the throne

 - YouTube video library - Breathing Planet

 • Disclaimer: Despite its appropriateness, copyright issues prevent the use of indian traditional music in "Mysore, Mysuru Palace, Karnataka • India", hence the use of royalty-free music. Despite our careful selection, some might regret this decision, which is necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Although difficult, this decision is the only viable solution. • 

• List of videos over Mysore on this site •

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