Pedestal work in progress inside  Mounted Police Headquarters

Shifting of the life-size statues of a Commandant and a Postman on Lalitha Mahal Road in front of KARP Mounted Police Headquarters has begun in order to conserve the heritage-value structures that were facing the danger of destruction due to the road widening works on the stretch.

The statues of Postman Basappa and Commandant Bhujangarao Jagadale have earned the attraction of every motorist passing by and have completed 111 years. The statues are being shifted to the premises of Mounted Police Headquarters as recommended by the Committee of Heritage Experts. The Committee had recommended the Mounted Police to shift the statues at the gate entrance to deep inside the premises.

The District Heritage Committee had felt the need to shift the statues as they are facing a threat due to a lot of pressure on the road, thanks to high vehicle density. The statues will now be placed at vantage points so that their visibility is not obstructed. The shifting work has been taken up by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage.

Both the statues are over 5 ft tall and new pedestals and mantaps to house the statues are being constructed at Mounted Police premises. While Postman Basappa’s statue will be on the right side of the Mounted Police Headquarters, Commandant Bhujangarao Jagadale’s statue will be on the left.

“The statues have been designed using limestone, water, sand and lime plaster. We will preserve the originality of the statues and the shifting process is being undertaken under the guidance of the Heritage Committee,” said K.M. Kuberappa of Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage.

Postman Basappa

Erected in 1907, the statues are of great heritage value and they recall the contribution of Postman Basappa and Commandant Bhujangarao Jagadale. The statue of the Postman is not the only one in India. One more postman statue has been constructed in Belagavi. The statue in Mysuru has been erected in honour of Postman Basappa or Anche (Post) Basappa who was a Postman during the reign of Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar.

The Maharaja recognised Basappa’s contribution in delivering posts to the doorsteps of people and he installed his statue. Historians say that Anche Basappa was an athlete who later became a Postman. Rain or shine, he used to run to the doorsteps of one house to the other to deliver posts without fail.

He used to deliver every post in time to the addressees by walk and did not even use a cycle. Basappa, who never took leave during his service, became famous as ‘Postmama’ for his unique style of delivering posts, said Prof. N.S. Rangaraju, a heritage expert of the city who is also a Member of the Heritage Committee.

While delivering posts at the doorstep of every house, Basappa used to hear the problems, if any, of each house and tried to find solutions for the same. As such, the people considered Postman Basappa as one among their family. Children too were very fond of this Postman and often shared their moments with him.

Anche Basappa’s photos can be seen at the Museum of Postal Training Centre (Karanji Mansion) near Nazarbad Police Station. 

Commandant Bhujangarao Jagadale

Bhujangarao Jagadale served as a Mounted Guard or Commandant of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1907 and later became the head of a small group of Mounted Police Force. He was a member of the erstwhile Mysuru Rulers Polo Team and had earned accolades for his Polo skills.

Prof. Rangaraju said that Bhujangarao Jagadale used to play Polo with Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and was known for his discipline and uprightness. Hence, Nalwadi wanted Bhujangarao to set an example to others and ordered for installing his statue. Nalwadi also named Bhujangarao as his Army Commandant. Bhujangarao has the credit of according a Guard of Honour on behalf of the Maharaja when Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited Mysuru. He was known for his baritone voice while leading a parade at those times when there was no facility of mikes and loudspeakers. His voice could be heard loud and clear even by the last row of soldiers in the parade.

Nalwadi’s gesture

Prof. Rangaraju said that Nalwadi had a great connect with the common man and responded to their difficulties. As an instance, he said that once Nalwadi was on his way to Chamundi Hill and he spotted an old man climbing the Hill with much difficulty. The very next day, Nalwadi gave the old man a walking stick with a silver handle.

“Once a cobbler came to Nalwadi and said that he does not have money to marry his daughter. Moved by his plight, Nalwadi gave him money and after the marriage, the cobbler came to Nalwadi to return the money that was unspent. Nalwadi asked the cobbler to keep the money, appreciating his promptness,” Rangaraju said and added that there were many instances like these that go on to prove that Nalwadi was a great humanist.

Another Postman statue installed at Belagavi

While the first statue of the Postman was installed in Mysuru 100 years back, the second one in the country was installed in Belagavi as a tribute to the selfless service of millions of Postal Department workers. The statue was installed on Jan. 13, 2019.

Officers and personnel of the Department of Posts had contributed towards the cost of the statue.

The eight-foot bronze statue weighs 350 kg. It was sculpted by Vinayak Manohar Patil of Belagavi. The Circle is now known as Postman Circle and the road in front of the Head Post Office will be known as Head Post Office Road.