A slice of Bengaluru’s history! Octroi post, the first tax collection point in the city!

The Bangalore Gate, also known as the octroi post, is a significant 19th-century heritage structure located in Chamarajpet. This colonial-era monument was originally established as a tax collection point for goods entering the city. Positioned at Sirsi Circle, it played a crucial role in the city’s tax system, particularly for goods transported from Mysuru Road.

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In the early 1900s, the octroi post served as a checkpoint for travelers and merchants entering Bangalore, taxing items brought into the city. The original location of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Road began at KIMS Hospital circle in KR Market and extended through Gandhi Bazaar and Girinagar before joining Mysuru Road at the border of Girinagar. However, as Bangalore rapidly expanded, the route of Mysuru Road was shifted to its present location around 1950.

By the 1830s, the road opposite KIMS Hospital was identified as the beginning of the Mysuru route. As urban development progressed, the city’s boundaries extended, and the octroi post was strategically placed at Sirsi Circle, reflecting the city's growth and changing infrastructure. The post marked the edge of Bangalore during its time, serving as an important landmark in the city’s historical landscape.

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