Tipu’s armoury lies neglected, unprotected

BENGALURU: It was one of the four armouries Tipu Sultan built over 200 years ago, when he waged a long, relentless war against the British. This is where the Tiger of Mysuru, who introduced rocket artillery to the world, stored his cache of ammunition. Unprotected and uncared for, the historical site has today been reduced to a hideout for young lovers and drug addicts, with just an occasional tourist dropping by.
The armoury lies hidden in a bylane near Kalasipalyam police station, behind Bangalore Medical College Research Institute — in the heart of KR Market. Neither the state archaeological survey institute (ASI) nor the Central ASI, department of Kannada and culture or the BBMP has been conserving it. Only Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has stepped up to maintain the site.
All three entry points to the armoury — which lies underground — have been vandalized by people, who have built their homes and shops around them.
Mansoor Ali, architect and member of Facebook group Bygone Bangalore, shares a special relationship with the armoury. “My grandmother’s house stood diagonally opposite to it. I was not even born then. My sister Rizwana Banu, who was hardly six or seven years old, used to play with her friends inside the armoury. There was a tunnel linking it to the fort and palace. Once, Rizwana got lost inside the tunnel. My parents were lucky to find her. Finally, the tunnel was closed,” he said.
In 2002, Intach undertook a project worth Rs 4.9 lakh for the upkeep of the site. It included maintaining cleanliness, creating an entry and landscaping. However, the building that Intach built in front of the armoury doesn’t give it the visibility it deserves.
“The low-lying area around the armoury was turned into a mini landfill until an Intach member took an active interest in cleaning it up. A guard employed by Intach cleans the area every day. We have approached the government to protect this historical site by fencing it, clearing it of vegetation and installing signage on the approach roads,” Ali added.
While few seem to care for the unprotected site, a good Samaritan has come forward to do his bit. Afsar Ahmed, an engineer who’s interested in heritage buildings, has taken permission from the Karnataka archaeological department to keep the site clean.
Not listed, so not protected
The armoury was not notified in the list drawn up in 1950, so it was not included in the heritage sites to be protected by ASI. We can find out its heritage value and take it up for protection. But for that, we must do a study and send the report to our headquarters in Delhi
Dr T Arun Raj, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Karnataka
IN A NUTSHELL
- Tipu Sultan built the armoury around 1792, when he was at war with the British
- In 2002, Intach took up a project worth Rs 4.9 lakh for its maintenance
- All three entry points have been damaged by locals, with shops and houses springing up in the area