Wonders of Mysore: Uncovering the City’s Most Fascinating Facts

Hello, fellow Mysoreans and curious explorers! Mysore, often referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka, is a city steeped in history, tradition, and charm. Let’s dive into some of the most intriguing facts about our beloved Mysore. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these stories will surely captivate your heart.

Fascinating Facts About Mysore

• The Wodeyars: The Wodeyar dynasty ruled Mysore from 1399 to 1947, making them the only Indian royal family to have ruled for over 500 years.
• The Oriental Research Institute: One of India’s oldest libraries, this wonderfully preserved building houses around 50,000 palm leaf manuscripts collected from across South India. It also holds a valuable collection of ancient Sanskrit manuscripts, highlighting the city’s scholarly heritage.
• Karanji Lake: This beautiful lake, surrounded by a Butterfly Park and a walk-through aviary, is considered the biggest walk-through aviary in India.
• Rocket Artillery: In the 1780s, Mysore was where the first metal-cylinder and iron-cased rocket artillery were created, developed by Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali.
• Educational Pioneer: Modern education in Mysore began with a free English school in 1833. The Maharajas College, founded in 1864, was the first higher education institution. The University of Mysore and Mysore Medical College, established in 1916 and 1924 respectively, were the first university and medical college in Karnataka.
• Women’s Education: A high school exclusively for girls was established in 1881, later becoming Maharanis Women’s College.
• Kannada Newspapers: Mysore was the first city to publish weekly newspapers in Kannada in 1859.
• First Sanskrit Newspaper: Mysore is notable for the first Sanskrit newspaper, Sudharma, which started its publication in 1901. This newspaper played a significant role in promoting the Sanskrit language and culture during that period.
• Radio Pioneer: In 1935, M.V. Gopalaswamy started India’s first private radio broadcasting station in Mysore.
• INS Mysore: Launched in June 1993, this Indian Navy warship is named after the city and features a mix of Russian, Western, and Indian weapons systems.
• Mysore Zoo: One of the oldest zoos in India, it is home to 168 species and was originally the palace zoo.
• Underground Drainage: Mysore was the first city in India to implement an underground drainage system, including for the Mysore Palace.
• Tech Hub: Mysore is the second-largest software exporter in Karnataka, right after Bangalore. Major tech companies like Infosys and Wipro have their major training centers here.
• Planned Development: Mysore is one of the first cities in Asia to undertake planned development, with the City Improvement Trust Board established in 1903.
• Famous Personalities: Mysore is the birthplace of many renowned individuals, including actor Vishnuvardhan, actor Arathi, cricketer Javagal Srinath, and writer U.R. Ananathamurthy.

Mysore beautifully blends tradition and modernity, offering a unique experience to anyone who visits or lives here. These facts are just a glimpse into the rich tapestry that makes Mysore a truly enchanting place.