Ancient Bangalore

History of Bangalore is both rich and fascinating. Legend has it that Bengaluru (meaning 'Town of Boiled Beans') got its name after an old woman served cooked pulses to a lost and hungry Hoysala king. In 1537 the feudal lord Kempegowda built a mud fort here, but it remained something of a backwater until 1759, when the city was gifted to Hyder Ali by the Mysore maharaja.

In 1809 the British Cantonment was established, and in 1831 the British moved their regional administrative base from Srirangapatnam to Bengaluru, renaming the city Bangalore in the process. Winston Churchill enjoyed life as a junior officer here, famously leaving a debt (still on the books) of Rs 13 at the Bangalore Club.

Bengaluru's reputation as a science and technology centre was established early in the 20th century; in 1905 it became the first city in India to have electric street lights. Since the 1940s it has been home to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), India's first aircraft manufacturing company. Today the city is best known as a hub for software and electronics development, and business process outsourcing.


South Parade


Race Course


Bowring Hospital


Town Hall


Brigade Road


Cemetary Road


BRV Talkies, Cubbon Road


BRV Talkies


MG Road


Shoolay Circle Police Station


Petrol Pump


Queens Circle


Jumma Masjid Shivajinagar


St. Jospeh College


Someshwara Temple Ulsoor


Russell Market


Oriental Building


Bellandur Lake


Bangalore Bus


Bangalore Bus


Government Museum

Bangalore Palace

Bengaluru Palace is situated between Sadashivanagar and Jayamahal. The palace was built in the year 1887 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar and is today open to the public who come to witness the lavish and elegant splendour of one of South India’s most enduring dynasties.


Maharajas Palace


Maharajas Palace


Old Mayo Hall


Lady Curzon Bowring Hospital


Chamaraj Water Works


Victoria Jubilee Hospital


KR Market


Residency Road


Bengaluru Cantonment


Bangalore Cantonment Area


Commercial Street


Cavalry Road


Bangalore Railway Station


General Post Office


Old Bangalore


Boarding Institution

Images of Ancient Bengaluru and Modern Bangalore.