Attara Kacheri (High Court) Bangalore

The Karnataka High Court locally known as Attara Kacheri is the High Court of the state of Karnataka. This is located opposite to the Vidhana Soudha. Attara Kacheri literally means "eighteen offices" or departments. It was earlier known as the Old Public Office which housed the general revenue and secretariat of the State government.

It was established in 1884 under the Mysore High Court Act, 1884; and was known as the Mysore High Court until 1973 when the name of the state was changed.

The Construction: The Attara Kacheri made in the 19th century is a stone structure in an intense red color. The construction followed Gothic Style of architecture. The majestic two storied Building with Corinthian columns was completed in 1864. This deep red building creates a magic along with the white columned Vidhana Soudha. Located in the Cubbon Park, the building cost Rs 4.5 lakh. Rao Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswamy Mudaliar was the man who supervised the construction. The court housed the Public Offices from 1868 until 1956.Which was later moved to the Vidhana Soudha, and this building became the high court. On the ceiling of its Central Hall is a Portrait of Sir Mark Cubbon, Commissioner of Mysore from 1834 to 1861.

The History: During Tipu Sultan's reign the offices of the eighteen departments of Revenue and General Secretariat grew beyond limit. It became difficult to contain in his palace. So he decided to construct a new building and named it Attara Kacheri (meaning eighteen offices or departments) in Hindustani.

Presently the court is headquartered in Bangalore which is the administrative capital of the state. The court has sanctioned judge strength of 40.

Attara Kacheri is 2 kms From MG Road. Other notable buildings nearby are the Public Library, the Government Museum, the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum and the Venkatappa Art Gallery.