Kempegowda Museum
| Place | Bengaluru |
|---|---|
| State | Karnataka |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2011 |
| Museum Type | Biographical and Historical |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Field Marshal Cariappa Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001 |
| Visiting Time | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays) |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry |
Museum Introduction
Established in 2011 and located on the first floor of the historic Mayo Hall on Mahatma Gandhi Road, this museum is dedicated to Hiriye Kempegowda (1510–1569), the feudatory ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire who founded the city of Bengaluru in 1537. The museum was created to honor his vision of "Gandubechi" (the city of heroes) and to provide a centralized location for the history of the Yelahanka Prabhus.
General Collections
The museum features a rich collection of maps, photographs, and archival documents detailing the evolution of Bengaluru from a small mud fort to a modern metropolis. It houses a large floor-map of the 16th-century city, sketches of the original fort walls, and various artifacts representing the social and administrative life during the Kempegowda era.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum’s most distinctive feature is its comprehensive collection of 16th-century maps, including rare British-era reproductions of the city's topography. It also showcases a large-scale wooden model of the city as it existed in the 16th century, along with portraits of the Kempegowda family lineage and information on the four watchtowers that marked the original city boundaries.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum is housed in Mayo Hall, a beautiful example of British colonial architecture overlooking the Parade Grounds. The museum is notable for its wooden flooring and Italian chandeliers, contrasting the medieval history of Kempegowda with the colonial setting. |
| Artifacts | Replicas of 16th-century weaponry; Historical maps of Bangalore (1791–present); Portraits of the Yelahanka Prabhus; Photographs of the four Kempegowda towers; Detailed dioramas of the 1537 mud fort. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 80 2297 5806 |
Artifact Gallery
