JOIN USErstwhile Mysore's history comes together in a book
History is one subject that kindles and rekindles one’s interest, from time immemorial.
The more you dig, more you stumble upon some interesting facts suffice to quench one’s thirst. The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) is all set to bring out a book on erstwhile Mysore.
The 160-page book ‘Envisioning Mysore’ in English is ready to hit the stands soon. It was one year ago, that the civic body began related exercise under the editorship of its commissioner K S Raykar. A panel of experts drawn from the heritage department, besides the department of ancient history in the University of Mysore and historians and journalists — well versed with princely Mysore state — have toiled hard for the book.
From Amba Vilas Palace to Devaraja Market, the royal family and boulevards, and many other untold things of the past forms the book, Raykar for whom it’s also a dream project, told Deccan Herald. Dewans, the think tanks of the Maharajas also have come alive here.
‘Madhuvana’, the graveyard of the royals on Mysore on Nanjangud road, is one of the highlights. Raykar claims that there are not many publications on the graveyard of the royal family and the book provides a plethora of info on the same.
Similarly, the book has many other facets of the bygone Mysore unravelled, thus making it rare and special than the books brought out on the glory of the then Mysore State till now. Almost all heritage buildings, prominent lanes and other historically significant places, which still exist are featured in the book. The final draft is ready and the only job left is printing.
When the Palace is in its centenary year and the MCC is celebrating 150 years of Nagara Sabhe, the book is touted as an apt gift to make the occasion memorable.
About philanthropists
Buoyed by the successful compilation of the book, the civic body has already launched the work pertaining to another, on unsung heroes of the past. The unsung heroes here are philanthropists who made Mysore a benevolent state.