Situated along a quiet path between the Garrison Cemetery and Scott’s Bungalow near the banks of the Cauvery River, the Harris Residence in Srirangapatna stands as a silent witness to a crucial turning point in South Indian history. Alternately known over time as the Doctor’s Bungalow or Purnaiah’s Bungalow, this modest historical structure represents the shift from the fall of the Mysore Sultanate to the consolidation of British East India Company rule.  

Lord Harris'  residence Srirangapatna KA
mysoreadda.com
Path leading to Harris Residence Srirangapatna
mysoreadda.com

Origins and Military Significance

The bungalow originally served as the residence of General George Harris (later 1st Baron Harris), who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army. Following the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in May 1799—where Tipu Sultan fell during the Siege of Seringapatam—Harris briefly occupied this residence while overseeing the political reorganization of the defeated kingdom.  The house quickly evolved into the administrative headquarters for the commanding officer of the Seringapatam garrison. In August 1809, the residence became the focal point of a dramatic military event known as the White Mutiny. Dissatisfied officer factions of the Madras Army, led locally by Colonel John Bell, staged a revolt against Sir George Barlow, the Governor of Madras, over retrenchment measures and abolished allowances.  

Lord G. Harris
en.wikipedia.org

Above image:  Lord George  Harris CGB (1746 – 1829),after his education in England  joined  the Royal Artillery in 1760.  Having engaged in  active military services as (captain-1771),in the American War of Independence and other battles,  he came to Bombay, India along with General Meadows (1738-1813; he was general in the British army, later he became Governor of Bomany in 1788 and Madras in 1790)  and  Harris worked  with him till 1792, taking active role in various battles and engagements, notably under  Lord Cornwallis and his famous raid on Srirangapatna in the Third Anglo-Mysore War (1790–1792):  a conflict between the Kingdom of Mysore and the East India Company and its allies, including the Maratha Empire and the Nizam of Hyderabad). It was the third of four Anglo–Mysore Wars against Tipu Sultan Later in 1784 he  became major-general, and in 1797 Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army. In December 1798 he was  directed by Lord Mornington, the governor-general, to command the field army against the Britisher's formidable enemy  Tipu Sultan of Mysore. In a few months of  intense campaigning and planning, along with Lord Wellesley,  Harris  stormed  into Tipu's well-built strong fort at Srirangapatna  and in the ensuing fierce battle  Tipu died in its defense in 1799............

The Legacy of Dewan Purnaiah

Dewan Purnaiah.deccanherald.com

Beyond its military associations, the house’s most poignant chapter belongs to Dewan Purnaiah. Recognized for his extraordinary administrative acumen, Purnaiah had previously served as prime minister to both Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Sensing the need for stability, General Harris appointed Purnaiah as the first Dewan of the restored Mysore Kingdom under the young Wodeyar monarch, Krishnaraja III.  Upon his retirement in 1811, Purnaiah chose this tranquil home to spend his final months. It was here that he passed away on March 28, 1812. A famous anecdote records that shortly before dying, Purnaiah wrote to his close friend, Colonel Hill (Commandant of Seringapatam), stating: “Old and infirm, after a life of unusual activity and care, I am going to the land of my fathers.” Hill famously replied, “Say I am travelling the same road,” and died a short time later. A memorial tablet affixed to the wall of the residence commemorates the unique bond between General Harris, Dewan Purnaiah, and the historic house.  

Current Status and Preservation

Today, the Harris Residence is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument, integrated into the larger heritage zone of the Srirangapatna Fort complex. While it receives fewer visitors compared to major attractions like the Daria Daulat Bagh or the Gumbaz, the building remains structurally preserved. Surrounded by lush greenery near the Cauvery, the house—marked by its commemorative plaques—serves as an architectural link connecting the eras of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan to the colonial governance that reshaped modern Karnataka  

https://mysoreadda.com/lord-harriss-house

https://www.deccanherald.com/content/135632/statesman-survivor.html#google_vignette

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Harris,_1st_Baron_Harris