How many times have you driven past the gently curving walls of the Raj Bhavan and wondered at what’s inside? Now here’s a book that gives you a rare glimpse in to the premises of this august institution alongside a walk through the historical highlights of the state.
“Although I was in some measure prepared to receive this communication, yet when it came, the sensation it produced in me was inexpressibly distressing and painful… more so as it conveyed the intimation that your departure from the country was to be without a personal interview with me and without the last interchange of a friendly farewell.”
– Maharaja of Mysore state, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, in his farewell letter to Commissioner of Mysore Sir Mark Cubbon [1861] who built what is now known as the Raj Bhavan in 1840
Excerpt from ‘The Raj Bhavan Karnataka – Through the Ages’, the latest in our prestigious portfolio of classy coffee table books.
Liberally sprinkled with colourful illustrations and photographs, some from archives and most that were specially commissioned, the elegant 200 page book is an eloquent and cogent account of the growth of Karnataka from the days of the Kingly fiefdom, through its rise as the progressive Mysore State, the British Raj, until it became Karnataka. Leaders who influenced the state’s history from Tipu Sultan to the Wodeyars add relevance to the book, as do the illustrious personalities who occupied the post of the Resident from the days of Mark Cubbon to the present incumbent His Excellency HR Bhardwaj.
The book is a product of diligent research, composition, writing and editing by the Raintree Media team and is backed with scholarly contributions from guest writers like Suresh Jayaram, art historian and Vijay Thiruvady, Trustee, Bangalore Environment Trust. The book is designed by Mishta Roy, illustrated by Jai Iyer and Baadal Majumdar and photographs by Asha Thadani and Antony Anjee.
Charting the birth of an institution as hallowed as the Raj Bhavan is a challenging journey. Poring through the misty pages of history, shining light on obscure facts and threading together a readable story that is relevant to a contemporary audience was an exercise that we found thoroughly enjoyable.