Lalbagh Botanical Garden

📜 History

Lalbagh Botanical Garden is not just a famous tourist attraction in Bengaluru; it is a place with a rich history that goes back more than 250 years. The foundation of the garden was laid in 1760 by Hyder Ali, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He wanted to create a beautiful garden inspired by the Mughal-style gardens that he had seen in northern India. For this purpose, he brought several rare plants from different parts of India and other countries. After Hyder Ali's death, his son Tipu Sultan continued the work and expanded the garden further. Tipu had a great interest in horticulture and introduced many exotic plants from countries like Persia, Afghanistan, Mauritius, and France. Because of his efforts, Lalbagh slowly became one of the most important botanical gardens in South India.

When the British took control of Mysore, they also contributed to the development of the garden. Under the supervision of British botanists, many new plant species were added, walking paths were created, and scientific research on plants began. One of the biggest additions was the beautiful Glass House, built in 1889 during the rule of Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar. It was inspired by London's Crystal Palace and remains one of Lalbagh's most famous landmarks. Today, Lalbagh Botanical Garden stands as a living reminder of Bengaluru's historical and botanical heritage. It has witnessed the rule of Mysore kings, the British era, and modern India, while continuing to preserve thousands of plant species for future generations.