If you’re Bangalorean, you’ve definitely walked or driven past the stone inhabitants of Cubbon Park. You’ve been living with them in the city for years, but do you know all of them? Don’t worry, with mpmurthy’s help and epic photography, we’ve rounded up all the statues that glare down on us while we hustle and bustle!
Statue #1 – The Empress of India
Who: Queen Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901)
When: George Frederick Ernest Albert, Prince of Wales & Duke of Cornwall & York unveiled this statue on 5th February 1906.
Where: In a corner of the park near Mahatma Gandhi Circle.
Statue #2 – King of the United Kingdom
Who: King Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January1901 until his death in 1910.
When: Installed 1919
Where: At the North-Western point of the Queen’s park.
Statue #3 – The Namesake
Who: Lieutenant-General Sir Mark Cubbon KCB (23 August 1775 – 23 April 1861) was a British army officer with the East India Company who became the British Commissioner of Mysore state in 1834.
When: The statue was unveiled in March 1866 by Lewin Bowring.
Where: In front of Karnataka High Court.
Statue #4 – The Maker of Modern Bangalore
Who: Sir K. Seshadri Iyer KCIE (b.1845 – d.September 13, 1901), or Sheshadri Aiyar was an advocate who was also the second Dewan of Mysore state since the reinstation of the Wodeyar family on its throne in 1881 and was the longest serving Dewan of the princely state as well.
When: Unveiled by (then) Viceroy and Governor General, Lord Charles Baron Hardinge of Penshurst on the November 20, 1913.
Where: The staue is situated in front of the State Central Library (also called Cubbon Library)
Statue #5 – Maharaja of Mysore
Image Courtesy: Darshik
Who: Chama Raja Wadiyar X (also known as Chama Rajendra Wadiyar X) was the ruling Maharaja of Mysore between 1881 and 1894. Chamaraja Wadiyar was a great patron of arts and music and a violin virtuoso himself.
When: Installed in 1927.
Where: On the way to Lavelle Road. In the central portion of the park near the tennis pavillion with a floral display and fountain in the front.