Srirangapatnam is located about 16 km northeast of Mysore. The island of Srirangapatnam is home to a fort that was built here between 1454 and 1616. The island is associated with Haider Ali who deposed the Wadiyars in 1761 and also with his son Tipu Sultan. Tipu posed more of a threat than any other Indian ruler to the British plans to dominate India. Tipu sultan was born in 1750 and he had an educated cultured upbringing. His allegiance was with the French as he was keen to get rid of the British invaders. He was known as the tiger of Mysore as he surrounded himself with symbols and images of tigers. Like the Romans he is said to have kept tigers for punishment of criminals. Tipu Sultans reign ended after seventeen years in 1799 when the fort at Srirangapatnam was taken by the British after a great battle.
Today the Daria Daulat Bagh which was Tipu’s summer palace can be visited here. It was used to entertain Tipu’s guests. The inside of the Palace is more impressive than the outside. Its interior has been preserved and here one can see the tiger striped columns .A mural on the west wall shows the battle at Pollilore in 1780 when Haider Ali had his victory over the Bristish.The island is also home to Sriranganathaswarmy Temple which has been virtually untouched despite the islands turbulent history. Today it remains important and is visited by many devotees. The temple has 3 distinctive sanctuaries. The main entrance was built by Haider Ali and is an impressive five-storey’s tall .