Historical Background_Rajendra_Villas_Palace

As per legend, Mysore is meant to have been named after a slain demon - Mahishasur - who met his end at the hand of Goddess Chamundi, embodiment of Durga, in this land.

This ancient city was under the Vijayanagar Empire till its collapse in 1565, whereupon the Wodeyar clan declared its independence and ruled this city ever since, till it acceded to the Indian Republic in 1956. This long reign of the Wodeyars was only threatened once in the 18th century when the powerful Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan from neighbouring Srirangapatnam cast their eyes and might on this wealthy city.

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The British Army intervened, defeated Tipu Sultan comprehensively and handed back Mysore to the Wodeyar kings.

While this city was once green and unspoilt, it now has its fair share of city ills with modern development but its wide roads and sprawling estates have not been encumbered by a sprout of high-rise buildings. The grand and elaborate Mysore Palace is still the largest building in the city.