The Bazaars of Mysore is a walk through the markets within the central business area of Mysore city. The walk is organised by students of Wadiyar Centre for Architecture as an extension of their academic activities. It is curated as an opportunity for students to take an active role in shaping the historical narratives of the city in contemporary times. Their narratives are strengthened through interactions with local communities, researchers and history enthusiasts who participate in the walks.

For centuries, markets have been at the heart of the urban fabric in nearly every civilisation with systems of trade and valuation. The word ‘Bazaar’ comes from the Persian ‘cihar’ (four) and the Arabic ‘sûk’ (street), referring to junctions where markets were located. Bazaars have shaped the social, cultural, and economic status of societies, serving as places of memory and continuity. Empires around the world have structured their towns around markets, using them as a canvas to display local crafts, preserve regional identity, and resist the modernisation of local retail. Even today, marketplaces remain anchors of economy, culture, and heritage across Indian cities.

In 1898, post-plague reforms organised Mysore in concentric zones: the palace at the centre, followed by institutions, markets, and residences. Devaraja Market and the Lansdowne Building, located within walking distance of the palace, became key anchors that link busy traffic intersections, such as KR Circle and Railway Station Circle. Their courtyards, framed by two-storey structures, imitate colonial markets in Bangalore, Bombay, and Trivandrum, have long since hosted interaction across caste and class, reflecting Mysore’s diversity while preserving its economy and identity.

The heritage walk begins at the North Gate of Mysore Palace, which was designed by British architect Henry Irwin in the Indo-Saracenic style. Following the Dussehra procession path, the route passes the memorial statue of Chamaraja Wadiyar X under a golden dome, the Singer Building with its iconic twin gables, and the adjacent Free Mason’s Hall with imitation Doric columns. Opposite stands the Rangacharlu Memorial Hall (Town Hall) in butter yellow with four pairs of columns with Corinthian accents, followed by the Jubilee Clock Tower in sandstone with Kannada numerals on the face

The walk continues through to observe the metalwork trade of Ashoka Road, where idols show Jain influences, shifting on Sooji Road to South Indian temple styles. At its end lies Kaveripatnam Market, once a theatre, now housing artisan guilds, forming one side of Gandhi Square, which commemorates Gandhi’s four visits to Mysore. From there, Old Bank Road features Art Deco landmarks such as Prabha Theatre and Dasaprakash Hotel. Nearby are the Brahmins Soda Factory a favourite refreshment hangout spot and Ondu Anna Gully, once known for goods sold at a single Anna.

The walk concludes at Devaraja Market, Mysore’s historic shopping centre. In the main market square, the second clock tower stands with English numerals, alongside the famous Guru Sweet Mart, a symbol of the city’s enduring marketplace culture.
CITATIONS

Analysing modern public interiors through passages and bazaars in Kemeraltı, Izmir,
Turkey
Yaren Kurt, Gülnur Ballice, Eda Paykoç Özçelik and Gizem Güler Nakıp

https://kus.ku.ac.bd/kustudies/article/view/1050

Kurt, Y., Ballice, G., Özçelik, E. P., & Nakıp, G. G. (2023). ANALYZING MODERN PUBLIC INTERIORS THROUGH PASSAGES AND BAZAARS IN KEMERALTI, İZMİR, TURKEY (1960s-1970s). Khulna University Studies. https://doi.org/10.53808/kus.2023.20.02.iccaua90-se

Ways of Seeing the visual ontology of an Indian Bazaar
Denis Vidal ( a French anthropologist with a doctorate degree from the École Pratique des Hautes Études and the Université de Nanterre)

https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11821.84966

Vidal, D. & Institute of Research for Development. (2020). Ways of Seeing The visual ontology of an Indian Bazaar. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.11821.84966

When culture goes to market
Robert J shepherd (lecturer on international affairs and anthropology at The George Washington University in Washington, DC)
Published by Peter Lang (2008)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert-Shepherd-3

Shepherd, R. J. (2008). When culture goes to market. https://doi.org/10.3726/978-1-4539-0759-7