Durga V Ismail

[Cristoforo Kanoy]

Insearch of the 'Tiger' in Nandi hills

We take you on a day's journey to Devanahalli and Nandi Hills, as we retrace the origins and life of Tipu Sultan ('Tippoo Saib' as the British called him).

Our first stop will be at Devanahalli- Tipu's birth place. We then proceed to the picturesque Devanahalli fort and hear stories of how it changed the fortunes of Haidar Ali, Tipu's father. Driving ahead to the foot hills of Nandi Hills, we discover the lesser-known villages of Nandi and Sultanpete as we explore the beautiful religious structures there and awe at the picturesque views of Nandi Durga. We continue our journey uphill as we enter the Nandi Durga fort and observe the many heritage structures as well as tales associated with them. Here are some of the structures we get to see here:

- Tipu's summer lodge,

- Nandi Durga Fort, including one of the last surviving turret/ observatory post of Haidar & Tipu era.

- Mirza Ismail's kalyani (step-well) & Tipu Sultan's prayer chabootra.

- British-era structures.

Note: The host will relate history to the heritage monuments and places and construct events based on available published primary sources & eye-witness accounts. The guests will be encouraged to think and form their own opinion about the incidents and reasons leading to major historical events surrounding Tipu Sultan.

Category: Heritage tour.

Time: Depart Bengaluru at 7:00 am. Return by 6 pm.

Location/s: Devanahalli and Nandi Hill.

Cost :

Single = 7500/- Rs, Couple = 10000/- Rs.

Group of upto 4 persons = 4000/- Rs. per head.

Includes transportation, veg. breakfast & lunch.

A day in the life of the 'Tiger of Mysore'

"To live like a lion for a day is far better than to live for a hundred years like a jackal", is a quote attributed to Tipu Sultan, the 18th century Sultan of Mysore.

Bengaluru by Foot is proud to conduct a tour to Srirangapatna or Seringapatam as it was called by the British. It was the capital of the 'Tiger of Mysore' aka Tipu Sultan, who not only had his main fort and administrative head quarters on this island, but also attained his martyrdom here.

Guests get to explore the numerous monuments associated with this legendary Sultan. In between sight-seeing we narrate stories of bravery as well as treachery that led to the fall of the one last, true opposition to British colonial rule in the whole of India. On this tour we explore why he is despised by a few of his fellow countrymen on one hand, but is admired by the descendants of the British who vanquished him & ended his Sultanat-e-Khudadad ('Government of God').

It may come as a surprise to many that both Tipu Sultan & Hyder Ali aided the American rebels in the American War of Independence & that one of the first US naval ships was christened USS Haidar Ally. Other surprising facts are how his rockets inspired the US national anthem and his contribution to rocket technology being acknowledged by no less than NASA itself.

We narrate more such facts to you aided by the beautiful paintings of the Daria Daultat Palace as well as the back drop of the ruins of Srirangapatna themselves.

Category: Heritage tour.

Time: Depart Bengaluru at 6:30 am. Return by 6:30 pm.

Hidden Heritage Jewels of Sira

Did you know that Sira is a place that shaped the fortunes of Bengaluru as well as the rest of erstwhile Mysore Kingdom more than once? The 'Khan Bagh (Garden)' at Sira inspired Haidar Ali and his son Tipu Sultan to establish the renowned Lal Bagh gardens at Bengaluru?

Travel back in time 400 years as we take you on a day's fascinating journey to this former stronghold of the Nayakas, Adil Shahis, Moghuls, Marathas as well as the Mysore-rulers Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan.

From Bengaluru we pass by Nijagal Betta or Nijagal hill listening to the tales of the tigers that once ruled the today busy national highway 4 here as well as the desperate battles that raged on this hill fort in 18th century between the Marathas and Mysoreans. We also stop briefly at the historic Seebi temple, to take in the beauty of the murals there.

A heritage tour with a difference. This is a tour to Mandya, Channapatna & Ramnagaram to learn more about the industries started by Tipu Sultan. In Mandya he started the sugar industries. In Channapatna, he invited craftsmen from Persia who taught the locals the art of making the famous wooden toys & in Ramanagaram he set up the silk industry.

The guests get to view how sugar is made from sugar cane, the toy making as well as the process of making silk.

The ticket for this tour costs 2299/- and includes transport in an a/c vehicle, breakfast, lunch as well as evening chai.

Duration: 3 days

Location: Mysore, We will cover about 350 km both ways.

Cost: Please contact us.

Bookings:

a) This actual program schedule depends on Government regulations in place for the festival, which may change at the last minute.

Forts, Forests, Temples & Tatte Idlis- Devarayanadurga Heritage Walk

Devarayanadurga (popular among Tumakuru residents as 'DD') is a small hamlet located close to 4,000 feet above sea level, about 75 minutes' drive from Bengaluru and about 20 minutes by road from Tumakuru City. 'DD' is famous for its temples as well as the woods surrounding it that teem with wildlife. It is one of India's oldest wilderness areas.

We will narrate from our personal experiences of this area as well as fascinating tales hidden in 18th century British Raj literature. These include the Battle of Devarayanadurga (1791) where Mysoreans defended this once prosperous district headquarter against the combined might of the British forces allied with Marathas. These hills also resonate with numerous shikar tales including tiger hunts. Visitors get to explore the ramparts of this picturesque hill fort, the circular bastions that once housed the best of big guns manufactured in Mysore Kingdom, some of the over a dozen gates that protected this once bustling settlement apart from the centuries' old temples, all amidst lush, cloud kissed hills.

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