Myth has it that Bangalore got its name from a humble meal of boiled beans, which a lost and famished king of the Vijaynagar empire, received at the hands of a kind woman. The king called the place Bendakaalu ooru. In Kannada (local language) "Benda kaalu" means boiled beans, "Ooru" means village. Bendakaalooru eventually became Bengalooru, and in English, Bangalore.

The town was founded in 1537 by a Yelahanka Prabhu chieftain, Kempegowda, who was gifted the land by a Vijaynagar emperor. Realizing his town would grow, Kempegowda constructed four watch-towers to demarcate the future boundaries. Many dynasties later, and under enlightened rulers like Tipu Sultan and the Wodeyars, Bangalore grew far beyond its watch-towers and prospered, blossoming into one of Asia's fastest growing cities. At a height of 3,250 feet above sea level, it boasts a salubrious climate with innumerable parks, gardens, lakes and tree-lined avenues giving it the sobriquet "Garden city".

Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka state, is one of India's most charming cities. Today, it is India's fifth-largest city, the momentum of its industrial and commercial growth unequaled in the country. Bangalore's industrial take-off was spurred by visionaries like Sir. M. Vishveshwaraya and Seshadri in the early decades of the 20th century, at a time when the industrialization of India was little thought of. Vishveshwaraya, an engineer of considerable renown who turned statesman, was an innovative thinker and an indomitable trail-blazer. As Dewan of the princely state of Mysore he promoted and encouraged industry, both in the public and private sectors, in pre-independence Bangalore. Today, Bangalore is the country's boom city with eight huge industrial belts housing well over 10,000 industries. Bangalore's friendly inhabitants are a cosmopolitan mix. Kannada is the official language, yet you can comfortably get by speaking English, Hindi or any of the South Indian languages.

It is a city for all seasons. Come any time of the year - Bangalore is beautiful. Take a stroll in evergreen Cubbon Park spread over an area of 500 acres dominated by the imposing granite building, the Vidhana Soudha, the public library, a childrens park and an aquarium are located here. Adjoining it are the Government Museum and The Industrial and Technological Museum. Or take a leisurely walk around Lal Bagh the 250-acre botanical gardens laid out by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan over 200 years ago.

Vidhan Soudha was conceived and executed by Kengal Hanumanthaiya, the then Chief Minister, in 1956. It is built entirely of Bangalore granite in the Neo-Dravidian style. A very nice building, architecturally speaking. It looks even better when illuminated at night. Can't say the same about the people who infest it though. The inscription on the building reads, 'Government work is God's work'. And an act of God is what it takes for anything (constructive) to get done.An annexure to the Vidhan Soudha is being built at a feverish pace. This will house more bureaucrats and politicians. This is exactly what India needs: more politicians.

Tippu's Palace
Situated near the fort, construction of this palace was begun by Tippu Sultan's father Haider Ali, and completed by Tippu himself in 1791. It resembles the Daria Daulat Palace at Srirangapatna, Tipu's capital. It was known as `Rashk-e-jannat' - the Envy of Heaven. Constructed largely of wood, it is known for the five elaborately decorated arches surmounted by exquisite minarets, and paintings on the walls and ceilings.

Govt. Museum
Established in 1865, the museum houses sculpture from the Hoysala, Nolamba and Gandhara periods. Also on view are antiquities from Mohenjodaro and terracotta from Mathura. The painting section includes miniature paintings from the Rajasthani and Pahari schools. there are also traditional paintings from the Among the miscellaneous items are ivory carvings and inlay work, sandal-wood caskets and other ohjeci-and arms and armoury.