The Story of Lalbagh Botanical Garden – More Than Just a Garden
Most people visit Lalbagh for the flower show or a morning walk. But very few know that this 240-acre garden is actually 265 years old and was once a private royal garden built on the lines of Mughal Gardens.
If you are searching for the complete history of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, you are at the right place. Here is the untold story from 1760 till today.
The Beginning: Hyder Ali’s Vision in 1760
The history of Lalbagh starts in 1760. At that time, Hyder Ali was the ruler of Mysore. He was not just a warrior, he loved gardens and horticulture.
He ordered the creation of a private garden near his town. He chose a place that had two small hills and a lake around it. The design of the garden was inspired by the Mughal Gardens of Sira, which was famous at that time. The initial area was just 40 acres.
He wanted a garden that had rare plants, flowers, and fruit trees collected from different parts of the country. That is why he named it Lalbagh, because of the abundance of red roses that bloomed throughout the year. In Urdu and Persian, Lal means Red and Bagh means Garden.
Tipu Sultan – The Man Who Made Lalbagh Rich
Hyder Ali could not complete his dream. His son, Tipu Sultan, took over and expanded the garden massively.
Tipu was known as Mysore’s Tiger, but he was also a plant lover. He imported seeds and saplings from many countries like Persia, Afghanistan, Turkey, and even from France and Mauritius. He brought in plants like apples, peaches, grapes and other exotic varieties that were not grown in South India before.
He ordered that the garden should be maintained by skilled gardeners from Bengal. Under Tipu Sultan, Lalbagh became one of the richest botanical collections in India. It was not open for the common public then, it was a royal private garden.
The British Era and the Real Transformation
After Tipu Sultan died in 1799 in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, Lalbagh came under British control.
The British saw its potential and decided to develop it into a proper botanical garden on the lines of Kew Garden in London.
Major changes made by the British:
1800-1814 – Major Waugh: He was the first British Superintendent. He expanded the area and started systematic documentation of plants.
1856 – The Arrival of John Cameron: This was the turning point. John Cameron was a Scottish horticulturist from Kew Gardens. He was appointed as the Superintendent and he worked here for many years. He is the man who gave Lalbagh its present shape.
John Cameron introduced many new plants from Australia, South America and South Africa. He is credited with introducing the concept of organized flower shows, building roads, laying lawns, and creating the famous Lalbagh Lake.
The Iconic Glass House – Inspired by London’s Crystal Palace
This is the most interesting part of Lalbagh’s history.
In 1889, John Cameron designed the famous Glass House. He was inspired by the Crystal Palace of London, which was built for the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The Glass House was built to host flower shows and to preserve exotic plants that needed a controlled temperature. It was constructed with iron pillars and glass, imported from England. Even today, it is the main center of attraction during the Republic Day and Independence Day flower shows.
The British also added other structures like the Kempegowda Watch Tower. This tower was not built by them, it was built by Kempegowda II in the 16th century, much before Lalbagh was created. The British preserved it as it marks the southernmost boundary of Bangalore.
Timeline of Lalbagh Botanical Garden History
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1537 | Kempegowda Tower built on the hill |
| 1760 | Hyder Ali starts Lalbagh with 40 acres |
| 1761-1799 | Tipu Sultan expands it and imports foreign plants |
| 1799 | Garden comes under British control |
| 1856 | John Cameron becomes Superintendent |
| 1889 | Glass House is built |
| 1910 | The Lalbagh Lake and Aquarium building added |
| 1947 | Handed over to Government of Mysore after Independence |
Lalbagh After Independence
After 1947, the Government of Karnataka took over Lalbagh. It is now managed by the Department of Horticulture.
The area was expanded from 40 acres to 240 acres. Today it has more than 1,854 species of plants, a Bonsai garden with 100+ year old trees, a Rose garden, a Topiary garden, and a 3-million-year-old rock formation on top of the hill, which is one of the oldest in the world.
The flower shows that started in the British era are still continued twice a year and attract lakhs of visitors.
Final Words on Lalbagh History
So, who built Lalbagh Botanical Garden? The foundation was laid by Hyder Ali in 1760, expanded by his son Tipu Sultan, and the modern, scientific shape was given by John Cameron during the British rule.
It is not just a garden. It is a living museum of 265 years of Bangalore’s history. When you walk inside, you are walking on the same paths where Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and British officers once walked.
If you are visiting for the first time, I will suggest you start from the Glass House, then go to the Kempegowda Tower to see the full view of the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the founder of Lalbagh Botanical Garden?
Ans: The founder is Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore. He started it in 1760.
Q2. Why is it called Lalbagh?
Ans: It is called Lalbagh because it had a huge collection of red roses. Lal means red in Hindi/Urdu.
Q3. What is the age of Lalbagh Botanical Garden?
Ans: As of 2026, Lalbagh is 266 years old.
Q4. Who built the Glass House in Lalbagh?
Ans: The Glass House was designed and built by John Cameron in 1889, inspired by London’s Crystal Palace.
Q5. How old are the rocks in Lalbagh?
Ans: The rocks on top of Lalbagh hill are estimated to be 3 billion years old, among the oldest rock formations on Earth.
Chavi Devi is the founder and author of Lalbagh Botanical Garden. Based in Bengaluru, she has been documenting Lalbagh for the last 2 years – from ticket prices and timings to hidden rules and photography permissions. She visits the garden regularly to verify information and creates simple, practical guides for first-time visitors.
Read More About Chavi→ About Us