Tourist Information
- Famous For: Ancient monument, Historical importance, Beautiful architecture
- Entrance Fee: For an Indian traveler, the entry fee is paltry at Rs. 5, but for a foreign traveler it stands at Rs. 100. You will not be charged for carrying a still camera. But for a video camera it will cost you Rs. 25.
- Visiting Time: The Tipu Sultan Fort can be visited from 0830 – 1730 hours. It’s good to plan your day according to the schedules of Fort.
- Visiting Duration: The entire trip to the Fort can be completed within 1-2 hours. But if you were to stand marvel at the beautifully adorned structures, you will always fall short of time.
Tipu Sultan’s Fort is also known as the Bangalore Fort or Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. It represents a slice of historic culture and ideology in the now modern IT hub Bangalore. This landmark is a stark reminder of Tipu Sultan’s courage and bravery. This exquisite palace was used as a summer retreat by Tipu Sultan. According to Tipu Sultan he called the palace “Rash-e-Jannat”, translated as the “Envy of Haven”.
The palace is lovingly decorated and is a beautiful place to visit. It is one of the must-see destinations while visiting Bangalore.
Traveler Tips
- Due to the busy roads in the nearby areas, there will be parking issues if you are driving your own vehicle.
- Sometimes even the local taxis and rickshaws might defer from going to this area because of the traffic. Hence it is better to sufficiently plan your trip and get a good cab operator.
- Carry hats and shades, it can get quite hot in the afternoons during the summer season.
- There are some local rules about photography in this place. It’s better to know them beforehand from your hotel authorities or the local authorities.
- Be careful with your belongings. The palace can get crowded in at peak hours.
- Do not touch random things in the palace. Some of them are centuries old. You might end up damaging them.
Things to Do
- Marvel at the intricate sculpture and pillar designs.
- Take a walk in the cool green gardens of the palace.
- Visit the museum and learn about the rich past.
- Check out the Lord Ganesha Temple dating back to 1800s.
Availability of Guides
It is advised to get a guide to fully understand the brilliance and dexterity of the landmark. You can easily get the guides from the local tourist centers or you can book one from online sources. The signs are quite self-explanatory but a guide is very useful in such places.
Best Time to Visit
The Bangalore weather is pleasant throughout the year. This allows a tourist to visit it at any time of the year. But the best time to visit the Fort would be in the months of July – November.
How to Reach
Bangalore is a big metropolitan. It is well connected by flight both domestic and internationally. You will always find trains to Bangalore from Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. The nearest bus station is the Kempegowda bus station at 2.7 km. There are many autos and taxis who can ferry you back and forth.
Interesting Facts and Trivia about Tipu Sultan Fort
- Situated near the Krishna Rajendra City Market in Bangalore it was built in 1537.
- Also, known as the “Abode of Happiness”, the Palace is expertly designed keeping in mind the sense of beauty.
- The curved design of the pillars and the use of dual colors are an excellent poorayal of Indo-Islamic architecture.
- The walls and the ceilings of the Palace are a scintillating sight as they are decorated with life-like murals and vibrant flower motifs.
- According to history, Kempegowda the city’s founder built the fort. Later it was futher expanded and renovated by Tipu Sultan. The palace was not just some random summer retreat but also a prison for the captured British soldiers.
- The palace was the symbol of British resistance. So naturally when Tipu Sultan died, the British started using it for the secretariat.
- Many famous historical artifacts are now kept for show in the museum part of the palace. The palace started allowing the public inside from 2005.
Nearby Attractions
- Lalbagh Botanical garden
- Shri Shingeri Shankara Math
- Bull Temple
- Chamundi Hills
- Vidhan Soudha
- Bugle Rock
- Cubbon Park
- ISKCON Bangalore
- Indian Art Corner
- Balaji Temple
Nearby Restaurants
- Brahmin’s Coffee Bar
- Karnataka Bhel House
- Hotel Sapphire Restaurant
- Jus Trufs
- Anna Kuteera
- Panchamrut
- Parimala Restaurant
- Dev Sagar
- The Taj
Tipu Sultan Fort is one of the most awe-inspiring and scintillating sights. It is one of the most prominent tourist spot in Bangalore and is definitely worth a visit!
