Srirangapatna - Wellesley Bridge

By Meera

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Our trip to the island town of Srirangapatna was although a big disappointment as we had gone in search of ancient temples and they all had been renovated alas in the modern style. However, the existence of an ancient bridge built during the British occupation using local engineering skills came as a big surprise. After going around the Srirangapatna Fort which was once the seat of Hoysalas, we hurried down towards the riverside on which this bridge still stood mute but spoke of an interesting piece of history.

From a distance, this bridge looks like any other structure but as one goes nearer, one wonders at its ability to still bear the weight and travel of men and machine. Ancient Romans are considered to have built the best bridges in the world and one can still see its evidence in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other countries.

The Wellesley Bridge as it is known is the oldest road bridge built across the Cauvery river at Srirangapatna in Mandya taluk, Karnataka. This is a linear structure that has survived for 217 years and one marvels at the simple architecture of this overpass over the mighty Cauvery river during those days when cranes and other machinery were not there.

Local people informed that the ancient bridge was restored recently. Neglected and dilapidated once, it had been covered with tree branches and roots so much that the retaining walls had taken a severe beating and had been damaged. However, now that is a thing of the past and it was restored to whatever extent possible. 

According to Jayashree, a resident, when the Cauvery river was dammed and the KRS Dam built-in 1911, the complete stone structure of the bridge had to bear the brunt of frequent releases of water now and then. During monsoons, it was a trying time for the old bridge as it was almost submerged and people spoke about its imminent collapse. But it has managed to survive and so, attracts many people to come and have a look at a structure that was built using only local material and technology.

Even as we walked on the bridge, I remembered how the bridge has been a destination for the shooting of many Sandalwood and Bollywood movies with many heroes and heroines either prancing, riding a bicycle or walking on this bridge.

This road bridge was built by Dewan Poornaiah in 1802-04 and so, named after the Governor-General Richard Wellesley. It has been constructed using a series of big and solid stone pillars. The bridge is not only an example of native architecture at that time but is said to be an engineering marvel.

 

It is worth seeing from a distance for a minute or so, some people say but for our team comprising Tharangini and Srinivas Adhikari, it was an interesting peek into the past. One can see the Wellesley bridge from the new bridge or even from the dungeons in the Srirangapatna Fort. I sat in one corner wondering about the structure which would have seen the footfalls of many people including the Wodeyar kings, queens, soldiers, farmers and the commoners as also ancient and modern vehicles.

As we go down the bridge, traveling a short length of steps, an interesting example of native architecture is clearly seen. Although it looks rough in construction, the bridge has survived the heaviest floods and weathered all-natural calamities for more than two centuries.

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