The History Of Bangalore The Catechism of War: Bengaluru vs Bijapur
The walls that held in 1612 could not withstand the shifting tectonic plates of the 17th-century Deccan. Ramjee Chandran chronicles the dramatic and somber turning point of 1638, when the Adil Shahi Sultanate of Bijapur set its sights on the prosperity of Bengaluru.
This episode talks about why Bijapur decided to attack Bengaluru. And presents a fascinating look the two armies about to fact each—it was a combat not only of sword, musket canon and horse, but a clash of war ideologies. It is a story about the eve of a local power about to meet an imperial machine, marking the end of Bengaluru’s "founder era" and its transition into a strategic piece on a much larger, bloodier chessboard.
Key Details from the Script
The Imperial Pivot: By the 1630s, the weakening of the Aravidus left a power vacuum that the Bijapur Sultanate was eager to fill, viewing Bengaluru not just as a trade hub, but as a gateway to the south
The Command Duo: The siege was led by the veteran general Ranadulla Khan, accompanied by Shahaji Bhonsle, whose local knowledge of the terrain made the Bijapur assault particularly lethal.
The Final Stand: Unlike the 1612 skirmish, this was a sustained bombardment. The mud walls, while innovative for local defense, were eventually breached by Bijapur’s superior artillery and professional infantry.
The Great Exit: In a moment of high drama and pragmatism, Kempe Gowda II negotiated a surrender. He was allowed to retreat to Magadi, taking the "soul" of his administration with him, but leaving the physical city to the invaders.
A Change of DNA: 1638 marks the moment Bengaluru ceased to be a "family-run" chieftaincy and became a cosmopolitan military garrison under Sultanate rule.
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The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani.
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