The recently published edition of Bangalore through the Centuries (Metaform) is an absolute pleasure to read in hard copy. The book has been wonderfully bound on beautiful paper with colour images throughout.
The history provides an optimistically dispassionate survey of the documentary and spoken narratives of Bangalore’s history. It starts with Kempegowda’s forts and the etymologically significant tales of being served boiled beans.
It covers the Mysore wars, reigns of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in Mysore state, through to the dealings with the British Commission in moving the British forces from Srirangapatna to the Bangalore Cantonment. It continues up to the 1970s when it was written and includes contemplation of the challenges that were foreseen at the time (now realised) with water supply, over population, and sustainable development.
Easy to read, but some familiarity of the people and places around Bangalore will make for a more rewarding read.