Mysore Kingdom
Mysore was a part of the Vijaynagar kingdom until 1565. After the fall
of Vijaynagar, the Mysore state became independant. Raja Wodeyar made
Srirangapatna his capital in 1610.
Hyder Ali took over Srirangapatna in 1761. He shifted the capital
to Mysore. He extended the boundaries of his kingdom and managed to
hold out against the British (with help of French). His son, Tipu
Sultan, with the help of the French, further extended his borders and
defeated the British more than once. However, in 1799, Tipu Sultan was
killed and his kingdom was taken over by the British. The brave king
was aptly called "Tiger of Mysore".
British restored the kingdom back to the Wodeyars. During the
Wodeyar rule Mysore reached the zenith of its splendour. Palaces,
temples, painting schools and science colleges bear witness to the
liberal grants and patronage of Mysore kings. Mysore was the only
highly industrialized state in steel, silk, soaps and
hydro-electricity. The kingdom benefitted from visionaries like Sir
Mirza Ismail and Sir M. Vishweswaria who served under the Wodeyars. | 