Forgotten Memorial To The Anglo-Mysore War Soldiers In Bangalore, 1910 Photo
A rare 1910 photo features a forgotten memorial in Bangalore to the soldiers who died in the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War. The Cenotaph War Memorial, as it was called, stood at a prominent junction in the city. Seen with the Hudson’s Church on one side, the Bangalore Municipal Office was on the other side (not shown).
It was removed in 1964 after strong protests from politicians. Today, the site is occupied by the Kempegowda statue, and few people realize that a historic memorial once dominated this busy intersection.
The Bangalore Cenotaph was erected to commemorate Indian and British soldiers. Who lost their lives during the 1791 Siege of Bangalore, in the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War. The assault, led by Lord Cornwallis, resulted in the storming and capture of Bangalore Fort. Although the exact date of its construction remains uncertain, the memorial was likely built in the early nineteenth century. It is marked on an 1854 map of Bangalore. Confirming that the cenotaph had become an established city landmark by the mid-1800s. Its disappearance also serves as a reminder of the many historic landmarks that have been lost as the city has evolved. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – the Cenotaph is likely dated from the early 1800s, making it one of Bangalore’s oldest British memorials.
