Military landmarks dot this road

Military landmarks dot this road
Deccan Herald

Cubbon Road is perhaps the only straight and broad road in the heart of the City. The road is named after Sir Mark Cubbon, Commissioner for Mysore Affairs (1834-1861), who supervised the creation of the Cubbon Park.

Cubbon Road is perhaps the only straight and broad road in the heart of the City. The road is named after Sir Mark Cubbon, Commissioner for Mysore Affairs (1834-1861), who supervised the creation of the Cubbon Park.

All the VIPs who arrive at the airport travel on this road, before they make a stop-over at Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s residence. The road is lined up with huge rain trees. In 2004, Bangalore Mahanagara Palike attempted to trim the trees that line the VVIP thoroughfare in the interest of ‘VIP Security’ as the canopies were ‘obstructing’ motorists' view.

The BMP promptly took up the work of trimming the trees. Fortunately, the public and the media cried foul and another 240 trees were spared of a similar plight.


At the beginning of the road near the Minsk Square, close to Cubbon Park, there is the Corporate office Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). One side of the Chinnaswamy Stadium also faces the Cubbon Road.



Military Landmarks

A major part of the road comprises vestiges of the British military. Since much of the area surrounding the road is still in possession of the Defence, there are hardly any multi-storeyed building or any commercial activity on this road. But being an arterial road, there is intense traffic.

At the intersection of the Central Street and Cubbon Road, you find an impressive stone building, the BRV Institute and theatre. It was the headquarters of the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers. The original buildings occupied the same site but were demolished and in 1905, and again in 1912, the present building was erected and opened.

It is built in the Tudor Style of Architecture and is one of the finest buildings in Bangalore. The words BRV Armoury and BRV Stores can still be seen inscribed on the stone facade of the buildings.

Today it houses the defence canteen called Golden Palm Canteen. There is indeed, a palm, a symbol of Madras Sappers, in the premises. On the other side of BRV is the Army Post Office. The Airmen Selection Centre is located next to it followed by the Palmgrove Signal Centre.

St Andrew’s church, a sienna red structure with a tall tower, is a prominent landmark on this road. The Foundation stone was laid in 1864 and in 1866 the Church building was dedicated to worship and the first sermon was preached by Rev Stewart Wright. In 1881, the Pipe Organ was installed and in 1893, the Tower Clock was also installed.

Adjoining St Andrew’s Church is the Army Head Quarters of the former Madras District. Today, it is the headquarters for Karnataka and sub-area.

The public relations office of the Ministry of Defence is also located here and in the compound, you find a granite which has the inscription, “Standard Bench Mark 1507.”

There is a huge topiary work of an elephant in front of the entrance. On the opposite side is the Manekshaw Parade Ground, where the Republic Day and Independence Day Parade takes place.

At the intersection of Cubbon Road and Kamaraj Road you find the Baird barracks. There is now a Military School also in the same compound. The Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion was stationed here from the 1870s right up to the World War I.

The Army Supply Corps, The Karnataka and Kerala Sub-Area Officers Mess, Field Marshal Cariappa Colony and Selection Centre (South) distinguished by two canons on wheels outside the gates are some of the military landmarks on this road.

You get a picturesque view of Cubbon Road from Paparazzi, a restaurant on the 10 floor at Manipal Centre. The road continues to be beautiful till date.