The Rulers & the Administrators
Kempegowda
The most prominent among the feudatories of Vijayanagar from this district were the Bangalore-Magadi rulers, popularly known as the Kempegowdas They were originally the Yelahanka Nadaprabhus, later having Bangalore as their headquarters to Magadi and Savanadurga from where they ruled till their overthrow by the Mysore dynasty in 1728.
Kempegauda I(c 1510-70) is responsible for building the modern city of Bangalore(c1537), erecting a mud fort here to the north of the now existing fort which covered the area of Avenue Road and its surroundings. This he is said to have done at the instructions of Emperor Achutaraya and it is he who raised the Basavanagudi(temple) and expanded the Gavigangadhara and Someshwara temples. He is also credited with the construction of the Sampangi tank, the Kempambudhi and the Dharmambudhi tanks in Bangalore.
A statue of his is found at the Gangadhara temple at Shivaganga, though the inscription on it is dated 1609, perhaps a posthumous writing. Kempegauda II was responsible in erecting the four towers at the four cardinal points at Bangalore. He expanded the Ulsoor Someshwara temple and also built the Karanji tank of the Basavanagudi area.
He and his father were responsible for the development of modern Bangalore as a town. They invited traders and artisans, especially weavers from outside to come and settle down in Bangalore.
Bijapurs & Marathas
Karnataka was connected politically with the Marathas in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their activities began in Karnataka
when Ranadulla Khan, the Bijapur general captured Bangalore in 1637. Shahji Bhosle who had accompanied Ranadulla Khan was given the jagir of Bangalore. Shahji ruled like a King, built a palace in Bangalore and set up an administration.
Though Shahji was loyal to Bijapur, his son Shivaji revolted in Maharashtra and challenged the authority of the Sultan of Bijapur. Enraged by this, Shahji was imprisoned and later released by the Sultan of Bijapur. Shahji remained loyal to the Sultan of Bijapur till his death in 1664. His son Ekoji succeeded to the Bangalore jagir.
In the meanwhile, Shivaji had started his activities against Bijapur and conquered the whole of Bangalore jagir. Shivaji had to struggle to retain the territory till his death in 1680. Later Peshwa Baji Rao conducted two campaigns in Karnataka and Tribute was collected from Mysore. However after the defeat of Marathas in 1761, their activities came to an end when Tipu Sultan became the ruler of Mysore.
Mysore Dynasty
Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar, grandson of Bola Chamaraja Wodeyar, nephew and successor of Devaraja Wodeyar, was the most distinguished among the Mysore Rajas. He succeeded to the throne in 1673 at the age of 28 years. He made several successful expeditions against Ikkeri, Bijapur and defeated Shivaji, and added further more to his Kingdom. He accquired Bangalore by purchase and sent an embassy to the court of Aurangzeb.
By 1700 Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar was at the height of his power.He divided the business of the Government into 18 Kacheris or Department. He was also a great administrator and a patron of literature. An ardent Vaisnava, he gave prominence to the Vagramukuta festival in Melkote. He followed the Veerasaiva tenets as well.
His reign witnessed unrivalled literary activity. There flourished in his court great poets, and poetesses like Tirumalaraya, Singaraya, Honnamma and Girijamma. He built a pond at Sravanabelagola for the use of Jain pilgrims. During his reign Srirangapatna became a flourishing city and a political centre of gravity.
Hyder
Hyder, an ordinary soldier in the Mysore Army was destined to become supreme in the state in 1761 by usurping authority from the Raja. He was born at Budikote near Kolar in 1721 A.D.
Hyder was a born soldier. He revealed his talents as a soldier in the siege of Devanahalli.
In 1752 he accompanied the Mysore forces and fought the French and Chanda Sahib. He was placed in charge of the Dindigal fort where he increased his troops and organized a artillery force. Hyder drove out the Martha forces and quelled the mutiny of the Mysore troops. Hyder was hailed in the open Durbar as Fateh Hyder Bahadur.
In 1771, when the Marathas invaded Hyder's territories, the English refused to help him. Being angry, Hyder subdued Coorg and Chitradurga and in 1779 he joined in a confederacy against English. Thus broke out the second Anglo Mysore war. But in the midst of the war Hyder died.
Hyder came to fame by war. He was always engaged in war and died in war. By his conquests he extended the territories of Mysore and doubled its size.He never allowed his religion to interfere in state matters. Hyder was a warrior, administrator and statesman.
Tipu
Tipu was one of the greatest national heroes that Karnataka produced. He assumed the sovereignty of Mysore on the death of his father, Hyder Ali. Born in 1753 at Devanahalli., the place where Hyder distinguished himself, he was named after a Moslem saint of Arcot, for whom Hyder had a special veneration.
Tipu accompanied his father in 1766 to Mangalore and displayed his dash and courage in attacking the Paleyagar of Balam. He helped his father in capturing the forts of Tirapatur and Vaniambadi. While he was engaged against the British, Hyder Ali passed away. Tipu assumed the control of the affairs and sat on the throne on December 29, 1782.
Tipu has left a deep impression on the history of Karnataka. He instilled in the minds of the people the spirit of patriotism and love for their country. He was a good administrator. He gave encouragement to Agriculture. He established a highly centralized administration manned by seven departments.
Tipu also found time to patronize art. To his period belongs the Darya-daulat Bagh palace, Masjid-e-Ala at Srirangapatna and the summer palace at Bangalore. It is the opinion of scholars that Tipu's administration was better and his people happier than in other states. This brief survey of his achievements shows that Tipu was a remarkable personality. |