Tipu and Hyder Mahal, Vellore | Timings, Entry Fee, How to Reach

Tipu and Hyder Mahal, Vellore Overview

Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal are two separate castles inside the premises of the Vellore Fort which is located in Vellore city of Tamil Nadu. Although the Vijayanagara Kings built the Vellore Fort and all the other buildings inside it in the 16th Century, Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal are known by the names of Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali who ruled over Mysore in the 18th Century. Both the palaces have undergone decades of climate change and pollution and are currently being looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Timings for Visitors

Since the past few years, tourists are denied access inside the palaces but you can visit the Vellore Fort, which remains open every day from 8:00 AM till 6:00 PM, and take a look at the fine architecture of the two buildings. If certain speculations are to be believed, the palaces serve as either a high-security prison or a government office which is the reason why they are closed for tourists.

Architecture of Tipu and Hyder Mahal

There are about 180 and over 200 rooms in Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal respectively. The exterior of the palaces are constructed in granite with intricate designs and details which reflects the artistry of the craftsmen of that era. The central pillars in the Tipu Mahal hold the entire structure of the building intact. The outer surfaces of the buildings have turned black in colour due to climate change and pollution but are still sturdy enough.

History of Tipu and Hyder Mahal

The buildings of the two palaces, Tipu Mahal and Hyder Mahal were erected during the Vijayanagara era. It is believed that when Tipu Sultan, the eldest son of Hyder Ali, was at war with the British Empire, he took shelter at the palace with his family and that when he lost the fourth Anglo-Mysore War, his family along with the last King of Sri Lanka, Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, were detained by the British inside the palace.

In July 1806 when the Vellore Mutiny broke out in defiance of the British, the Indian Sepoys released the sons of Tipu Sultan and urged them to join the attack. After the mutiny was taken care of, the family of Tipu Sultan was relocated to an anonymous prison in Calcutta to avoid any further disarray. In 2006, on the occasion of the bicentennial of the Fort, the palaces were opened for the general public but presumably in 2015 or so, they have closed down again and visiting the inside of the palaces were prohibited from then onwards.

Location and Places to Visit Nearby

Tipu and Hyder Mahal are located inside the Vellore Fort which once had a monumental defensive wall, a wide moat with thousands of ravenous crocodiles and some fine artisans who were exquisitely skilled in masonry. The location of the palaces is ideal for anyone who enjoys excursions to historical places. The Vellore Fort houses Jalagandeeswarar Temple, a mosque built in the Mughal era, St. John’s Church and an ASI Museum along with Tipu and Hyder Mahal. The tombs of the family members of Tipu Sultan, including his mother, Padshah Begum’s tomb and his wife, Bakshi Begum’s tomb are located a kilometre away from the palaces in the eastern side of the Fort.

How To Reach Tipu and Hyder Mahal

Tipu and Hyder Mahal are situated in the heart of the city of Mysore, only 750 metres away from the centre which you can cover either on foot or by bus, according to your convenience. The nearby Railway Station is Vellore Katpadi Junction which is 7.1 kilometres away from the palaces, and the nearest Airport is Vellore Airport which is at a distance of approximately 12 kilometres. As no public buses run from either the Railway Station or the Airport, you will have to hire a cab to reach Tipu and Hyder Mahal directly.