Bengaluru has a rich cultural and built heritage dating back from the Western Ganga civilization (860 A.D.) to the Vijaynagara dynasty (1343 A.D.) to Hyder Ali-Tippu Sultan period (1753 A.D.) and later the during British period (1806 A.D.). It is noteworthy that the settlement of Bengaluru has been in existence for almost four and half centuries. Bengaluru also has a unique landform, as it is located at the ridge that separates the two river basins of the Arkavathi and S.Pinakini rivers. The city since historical times has a well-established system of cascading lakes and tanks developed over centuries. The natural heritage of lakes, heritage buildings/sites, and cultural ethos of the city exhibited through its festivals and cuisine stands testimony to its glorious past.
Conserving this ancient heritage (natural, built and cultural) is imperative as it serves as identity to the city and its origin. Yet, heritage and culture of the city needs to be more than a record of the past that creates urban identities for not only the past and present but also for the future.It is noteworthy that Bengaluru, till date, lacked the formal inventory of its heritage and cultural assets and therefore the RMP 2031 has placed heritage protection and conservation within the overall process of urban development and in course of its preparation.
The city has seen unprecedented growth demographically and spatially since the past two decades, evolving the city into a vibrant cosmopolitan. Under this context it is additionally important to protect its Built-Cultural Heritage. The heritage narrative of Bengaluru has mostly revolved around the four Kempe Gowda’s watch towers, Tippu Sultan’s Palace precinct, the traditional markets, British era buildings of MG road, Cleveland town / Richards town, Vidhana Soudha and High Court administrative amongst many other buildings, which evoke a sense of pride and ownership among all Kannadigas and residents of Bengaluru.