Pandavapura

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Mandya district map

Pandavapura (पांडवपुरा) is a village in Mandya district in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Location

Pandavapura is approximately 130 km from Bangalore and 25 kms from Mysore.

Variants

• French Rock फ्रेंचराक्स, मैसूर, (AS, p.599)
• Kunti Betta
• Pandavapura

Pandavapura

The name Pandavapura means "Town of Pandavas". Mythology states that the Pandavas during their period of exile stayed here for some time, and Kunti, mother of the Pandavas, liked the hillock so much that it became one of her favorite haunts. The town is also named after the Pandavas because of their brief stay in this region.

The name "French Rock" dates back to India's Pre-Independence days, the place was used as the camping ground by the French army, which came to help Tippu Sultan in his war against the British. It is believed that French named the small town as "French Rocks", as the town is in the vicinity of two rocky hills. After Indian Independence, these rocky hills called as "Kunti Betta" by locals. There was another smaller hill called "Kauravara Betta" on the western side of the town which has been mined out of existence for its stones.

Harohalli French Cemetery

There is a French cemetery in Harohalli, in the outskirts of Pandavapura, where the French who came to aid Tipu Sultan are buried. The beautiful cemetery is more than 250 years old, has fallen into neglect and vandalism. The French soldiers and family members mostly died from malaria, fatigue or in battle. The land for the French cemetery was granted by Tippu Sultan. Only 35 graves remain, most in a bad state. Iron grilles, bricks, metal plaques and expensive marble have been removed from the graves, and many have no headstone.