By Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head Department of Ancient History & Archeological, University of Mysore
The name of Lansdowne is on the lips of every Mysore- an for the past one week for a wrong reason, that being the collapse of a building due to heavy rains which lashed the city of Mysore recently. Unfortunately, the collapse of this heritage building took a toll of precious young lives, injuring others. The entire city mourned the death of the innocent lives.
Some of my friends asked me a question, “Are you for the tottering heritage buildings or for the present and future?” It made me pensive as I could not give an immediate reply. It is hard to choose between the two. Finally, I said to myself that this is due to human failure and not the fault of the heritage building. Had the conservation wing of the concerned department taken proper steps at the proper time, things would have been different. Even the people who were using this building for their business are to be blamed for their wrong decision of going to the court against vacating the building which would have taken away their livelihood temporarily till the completion of the repair work.
Some years ago when Chiranjeevi Singh was in-charge of the Mysore Palace, the Palace was found to be structurally weak as not to take the load of Dasara music programmes. He took the decision of not conducting the Dasara music programme at Amba Vilas. Many eyebrows were raised and politicians showed their anger towards this IAS officer by going to the Vidhana Soudha at Bangalore to bring pressure on him. Good sense prevailed on the power that was and saved a possible calamity. Consequently, the Dasara music programmes take place in front of the Palace without endangering either the Palace or the music lovers. But that was not to be the case of Lans-downe building.
Lansdowne (1845-1927) was a famous Viceroy of British India and that is how he came to have a link with Mysore. He was born in an Irish family on Jan. 24, 1845. His full name was tongue twisting, Henry Charles Keith Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne. His father was Henry IV and mother was Emily. They were rich and naturally he was educated at Oxford and at the age of just 21, he succeeded to his father’s position. He married Maud Evelyn Hamilton. He was elected to the House of Lords from the Liberal party and became the Chief of Treasury under Prime Minister Gladstone. He resigned and became Governor General of Canada. Because of his vision and efficiency, he was appointed as the Viceroy of British India in 1888 and he continued in that post till 1894.
His period was very eventful in British Indian administration. His main contribution was the extension of British Empire by annexing certain areas, particularly North-East India. He also took various steps to enhance the opportunities for Indians to learn English. He dabbled in the politics of Afghanistan as also Manipura and Kashmir. Practically he cheated the people of Manipura and well-meaning Britishers also condemned him on this account.
There were hundreds of Maharajas in British India most of whom were stooges of the British Empire. To curb their power, Lansdowne brought an Act which compelled the Maharajas to maintain a separate army to help the British in times of need. Thus the Indian Maharajas had to waste huge amounts of money to maintain this white elephant. Even the Maharaja of Mysore did the same to curry the favour of Lansdowne. The contemporary Mysore Maharaja was Chamaraja Wadiyar IX and he took special care to keep the Viceroy Lansdowne in good humour.
After retirement from India as Viceroy, he served as the Minister in-charge of wars. In the meantime, he lost his son in First World War (1916) and this had serious impact on his health. Consequently, he passed away on June 3, 1917. On the whole he was considered a good, benevolent and cultured administrator.
The British Governors and Residents were always creating problems to the rich Maharajas to get maximum benefits for themselves. The then Governor requested Chamaraja Wadiyar IX to invite Viceroy Lansdowne and his wife to Mysore to show them the good work that was being done in the State. It was decided to build an elegant and architecturally beautiful building to commemorate his visit. The Viceroy arrived in Mysore on Nov. 10, 1892 and inaugurated the building which was then known as Lansdowne Bazaar (market). Lansdowne praised the Maharaja in glorious terms.
It was built at a cost of 89,000 rupees. It extended upto the Devaraja Market. In course of time that portion was removed to make way for future development. It even had a fountain. The building has cusped arches with a small walk-path. The first floor also had rooms which were leased out on rent.
In recent years (half a century ago), it housed a variety of small businesses such as DTP, photoframe, ayurveda shop, dentist, khadi shop, newspaper house and a juice & ice cream shop called Phalamrutha.
This Phalamrutha was managed by Y.S. Gundappa, a grand old man who was also a freedom fighter and a philanthropist. It is said that when Gandhiji came to address a public meeting at nearby Town Hall, he came to Phalamrutha and tasted the sogade root juice which was Gundappa’s speciality. I had taken Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy to this place. Not only we tasted sogade juice but also got a good donation from Achuta, the grandson of Gundappa.
The khadi emporium was also sanctified by Mahatma Gandhi’s visit. Lansdowne building was also a centre of journalists of the city. It housed the offices of Thayinadu and Mysore Patrike.
The fate of this celebrated building is now uncertain. Culture-minded people are watching with fingers crossed whether Lansdowne building will raise or go down into the pages of history. For the present, it is a million dollar question.
source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / September 02nd, 2012