Historical Duffein Clock Tower, Mysore city, Karnataka - a legacy of Mysore Maharajah

Historical Dufferin Clock Tower, Mysore city. /en.wikipedia.org

Historical clock towers that stand odd in the urban landscape never fail to get the  attention of passers-by. Clock towers  form a specific visible structure that houses what is called  a turret clock  that has  one or more clock faces on the upper outer walls facing all four directions. Many of them are  freestanding structures that may be very tall  or short and  just  set on the top of a building. Normally, clock towers are in a prime area so that people can comfortably see them to know the time of the day.  No doubt clock towers add beauty to the locality where they stand  and are a common sight in  many counties.

Historical Dufferin Clock Tower, Mysore city. agefotostock.com

A clock tower historically is defined as a tower specifically built with one or more (often four) clock faces and that can be either freestanding or part of a church or municipal building such as a town hall. Only certain  buildings are fit to house a clock.

In India there is no dearth of clock towers in public places and most of the colonial clock towers  bear testimony to the heyday of the British India. Many of them are chiming clocks,  sounding large bells or chime every hour that can be heard  far away within half a kilometer  radius around the tower.

Dufferin Clock Tower in the old city of Mysore, Karnataka, a popular heritage colonial structure, was commissioned by the ruler of Mysore -  the Wadeyars  in honor of  Lord Dufferin, the Viceroy of India during 1884–1888. This  highest British India official took the credit of being the first  Viceroy of the Raj  to pay a ceremonial and friendly visit to Mysore city at the  invitation of the then  Maharajah Chamaraja Wadeyar X in 1886.
 During the Raj under the British Crown  administration, the Mysore kingdom was a princely state with a British Resident stationed in the capital city - Mysore and the royal family of  the Wadeyars ruled  the land under the guidance  and direction of the Viceroy of India. Since Mysore state happened to be a salute state  with prestige, they had to follow certain prescribed protocol  rules. The royal family, with a view to maintaining a good relationship with the Crown administration, had to please the highest officials then there as a courtesy. 

Dufferin Clock Tower, Mysore city. karnataka.com/

Constructed on a strong foundation with eight pillars covered by railings along with  a decorated fountain at the center, Duffein Clock Tower is an important landmark in this city of palaces. This tower  and the vicinity were in bad shape due to negligence on the part of the city authorities. The heritage lovers and others made many representations to the government and in 2012 this clock tower was renovated to give shape to its old splendor. The city council spent about Rs. 40 lakhs  for the renovation work. As part of it,  nine small fountains and 13 decorated lamps were added to the space. The vacant space was cleared for good and the space is good enough for  conducting small music concerts, etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dufferin_Clock_Towerhttps://www.karnataka.com/mysore/devaraja-market-mysore/