Tipu Sultan - The Armory

By Meera

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In a land which is replete with structures and monuments from different eras as also its beautiful riverine heritage, how can one ignore or not wonder about some rectangular and square structures built here and there in this ancient landscape ruled by a plethora of dynasties? Some of these structures look worn out while some are relocated and renovated with a modern look.

 

As Tharangini, Srinivas Adhikari and I wandered around the temple town of Srirangapatna in Mandya taluk of Karnataka, India, our friendly advocate Murali put in a word of how these structures that is “armories” built by Warrior King Tipu Sultan had undergone restoration in the island town.

Front View

Now, what are armories? They were nothing but storage spaces built by kings in the olden days for storing their arms and ammunition in the right location and right place during war times. Tipu Sultan, who ruled from this town during the 18th century had built six armories in this town which was fortified and bounded by a river on two sides.

 

Cauvery branching into two

River Cauvery divides into two branches near this town and is called the North and South Cauvery thereby, creating a central landmass in the form of an island. This island was named Srirangapatna after the presiding deity of the place Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy. 

 

A view through the gate

The relocated armory near the Srirangapatna Railway station (just 130 meters away) is said to have played a very significant role during the Anglo-Mysore Wars fought by Tipu with the British East India Company. I don’t know how many people remember the relocation of the armory in 2017 to the present place as it was hindering the doubling of the rail track between Mysore and Bangalore. Three years back, it was located just adjacent to the rail track.

 

The restored armory

The state government enlisted the expertise and help from an American company to relocate this armory for Rs 14 crore. It took more than a week to shift this armory which weighed more than 1000 tonnes to a distance of 100 meters. Although crores of rupees were spent in protecting Tipu’s legacy, now the armory is placed within a compound wall that won’t be disturbed by anti-social elements.

 

The slanted roofs

Crossing one ditch and climbing a bit on one side of the Delhi Gate, we came across the restored and newly painted armory of Tipu Sultan in all its splendor. Opening the unattended gate, I and Murali entered the place which still retained the freshness of the paint.

 

Inside the armory

Going down corridors that were well ventilated and well lit, I went down the steps of the armory. It almost goes down 22 feet and one could feel the chill across the eerie corridors which have dome-shaped window openings encrusted in the armory walls.

 

Inside the armory

When one looks at the structure, it is very plain and built as in the olden days using lime and mortar. The walls of the armory are pretty thick and tough – almost four feet wide invariably to protect the stored weapons like guns, shells and other artillery from weathering as also looters and enemies. 

Location map: