Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV
| Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharaja of Mysore | |||||
 Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, portrait by K. Keshavayya (c. 1906) | |||||
| 24thMaharaja of Mysore | |||||
| Reign | 1902 – 3 August 1940 | ||||
| Coronation | 1 February 1895,Mysore Palace | ||||
| Predecessor | Chamarajendra Wadiyar X(father) | ||||
| Successor | Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar(nephew) | ||||
| Born | 4 June 1884 Mysore Palace,Mysore,Kingdom of Mysore | ||||
| Died | 3 August 1940(aged 56) Bangalore Palace,Bangalore,Kingdom of Mysore | ||||
| Spouse | Soubhagyavati Maharani Lakshmivilas Sannidhana Sri Pratapa Kumaribai Devi Ammani Avaru | ||||
| |||||
| House | Wadiyar dynasty | ||||
| Father | Chamarajendra Wadiyar X | ||||
| Mother | Kempananjammani Devi | ||||
| Religion | Hinduism | ||||
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV(4 June 1884 – 3 August 1940) was the twenty-fourthMaharaja of Mysore,reigning from 1902 until his death in 1940.
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV is popularly deemed arajarshi,or 'saintly king', a moniker with whichMahatma Gandhirevered the king in 1925 for his administrative reforms and achievements.[1][2]He was a philosopher king, seen byPaul Bruntonas living the ideal expressed inPlato'sRepublic.[3]Herbert Samuelcompared him to EmperorAshoka.Acknowledging the maharaja's noble and efficient kingship,John Sankeydeclared in 1930 at the firstRound Table Conferencein London, "Mysore is the best administered state in the world".[4][5]He is often regarded as the "father of modern Mysore" and his reign the "golden age of Mysore".[6]Madan Mohan Malaviyadescribed the maharaja as "dharmic"(virtuous in conduct).John Gunther,the American author, heaped praise on the king. In an obituary,The Timescalled him "a ruling prince second to none in esteem and affection inspired by both his impressive administration and his attractive personality".[7]
At the time of his death, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was one of the world's wealthiest men, with a personal fortune estimated in 1940 to be worth US$400 million, equivalent to $7 billion in 2018 prices.[8]He was the second-wealthiest Indian, afterOsman Ali Khan,the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Early years[edit]
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was born on 4 June 1884 inMysore Palace[9]as the son of MaharajaChamarajendra Wadiyar Xand MaharaniKempananjammanni Devi.After the sudden death of his father inCalcuttain 1894, the widowed queen mother Kempananjammanni Devi ruled the state as regent from 1895 to 1902, until Krishnaraja Wadiyar reached the age of majority on 8 August 1902. Upon accession to the throne, he became the fourth king of Mysore by the name, hence known in the vernacular languageKannadaasNalwadiKrishnaraja Wadiyar (the qualifying prefixnālvaḍimeans "the fourth" ).
The maharaja had his early education and training at Lokaranjan Palace in Mysore under the direction of P. Raghavendra Rao. In addition to Western studies, he was instructed in Kannada andSanskrit.He was taught horse-riding and Indian and Western classical music. His early administrative training was imparted bySir Stuart Fraserof theBombay Civil Service.The study of the principles of jurisprudence and methods of revenue administration was supplemented by extensive tours of the state during which he gained immense knowledge of the nature of the country which he was later to govern.
Reign[edit]
Accession[edit]
Shortly after the death of his father Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X on 28 December 1894, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, still a boy of eleven, ascended the throne on 1 February 1895. His mother Maharani Kemparajammanni Devi ruled asqueen regentuntil Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV took over on 8 February 1902.[10]The yuvaraja was invested as the Maharaja of Mysore, with full ruling powers, byGeorge Curzon,theGovernor-General of India,on 8 August 1902 at a ceremony atJaganmohana Palace.[11]
Government[edit]
Mysore became the first Indian state to have a representative assembly,Mysore Representative Assembly,a democratic forum in 1881. During the maharaja's reign, the assembly was enlarged and becamebicameralin 1907 with the creation of theMysore Legislative Council,a house of elders which introduced much new legislation for the state.
During the maharaja's reign, the Kingdom of Mysore witnessed development in a range of fields. Mysore became the first Indian state to generate hydroelectric power inAsia,and Bangalore was the first Asian city to have street lights, first lit on 5 August 1905. Princes from other sections of India were sent to Mysore for administrative training.
Reforms[edit]
The maharaja worked towards alleviating poverty and improving rural reconstruction, public health, industry and economic regeneration, education and the fine arts. He abolished child marriage (for girls below the age 8), gave special importance for girls' education, and offered scholarship for widowed women.
At a time when support for domestic products was pivotal for India's self-reliance and eventual independence from British India, the maharaja encouragedspinningat scale, for which Gandhi greatly praised him.[1][12]
Education and arts[edit]
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV set up numerous educational infrastructures and institutions.[13]Krishnaraja Wadiyar was the first chancellor ofBanaras Hindu University(whose co-founder he also was)[citation needed]and theUniversity of Mysore(whose founder he was). The latter was the first university chartered by an Indian province. TheIndian Institute of ScienceatBangalore,which was initiated during his mother's tenure as regent, functionally started during his reign in 1911 with a gift of 371 acres (1.5 km2) of land and a donation of funds.[citation needed]
The maharaja was a patron of Indian music, both Carnatic and Hindustani, and Western classical music. He was an accomplished musician and, like his predecessors, patronised fine arts.[14]The maharaja was a connoisseur ofCarnaticandHindustani musichimself. He played eightmusical instruments:flute,violin, saxophone, piano,mridangam,nadaswara,sitar,andveena.[citation needed]Members of theAgra Gharana,including Nattan Khan and UstadVilayat Hussain Khan,were guests of the maharajah at Mysore, as wereAbdul Karim KhanandGauhar Jan.Barkatullah Khanwas a palace musician from 1919 until his death in 1940.
Asthana Vidwan Kadagathur Seshacharya has written various works and is famous for his contributions towards Sanskrit and Kannada literature. The maharaja also composed many poems in Kannada himself.
Contributions[edit]
| Year | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1902 | Hydroelectric project atShivanasamudra Fallsis founded |
| 1903 | Minto Eye Hospitalbuilt at Bangalore; one among the world's oldest specialised ophthalmology hospitals |
| 1905 | Bangalorebecomes the first city in Asia to get electric street lights |
| 1907 | Vani Vilasa SagaraatChitradurgacompleted; the first dam inKarnataka |
| Mysore Legislative Councilis established with a view to associate certain number of non-official persons having practical experience and knowledge to assist the Government in making laws and regulations | |
| 1909 | Indian Institute of Scienceis established at Bangalore |
| Mysore Boy Scouts is established; the first of its kind in India | |
| 1913 | State Bank of Mysoreis established |
| Mysore Agricultural Residential Schoolis established at Bangalore; it was initially established in 1899 by Maharani Kempananjammanni Devi with an initial grant of 30 acres as an experimental agricultural station | |
| 1915 | Kannada Sahitya Parishatat Bangalore established |
| Formation of Mysore Social Progress Association to empower weaker sections of society[15] | |
| 1916 | University of Mysoreis established |
| Bangalore Printing and Publishing Company is established[16] | |
| Yuvaraja's Collegeat Mysore is established[17] | |
| Mysore Chamber of Commerce is established[18] | |
| Government Sandalwood Oil Factoryis established at Bangalore[19] | |
| 1917 | School of Engineeringis established at Bangalore |
| Maharani's Science College for Womenis established at Mysore[20] | |
| 1918 | First leg ofMysore State Railways(MSR) finished; opened 232 miles of railway to traffic. By 1938 MSR had 740 miles of railway track |
| Wood Distillation Factory is found atBhadravathi[18] | |
| Mysore Chrome and Tanning Factory is established[18] | |
| Sir Lesley Miller is appointed to analyse problems of backward classes[21](the Miller Report later recommend a reservation of 25% of jobs in the government to non-Brahmans) | |
| 1921 | Lalitha Mahal Palacefinished |
| Government Science Collegeat Bangalore found[22] | |
| 1923 | Mysore Iron Worksfounded atBhadravathi |
| Women enfranchisement; first Indian state to do so[15] | |
| 1924 | Krishna Raja Sagar(KRS) dam is finished |
| Mysore Medical Collegeis established | |
| 1925 | More than 100 acres of land is donated for the establishment ofNational Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences(NIMHANS)[23] |
| Kadhara Sahakara Sangha is established at Tagdhur, helping villagers earn a living[15] | |
| 1927 | Krishna Rajendra Hospitalat Mysore is established (now part ofMysore Medical College) |
| 1928 | K.R. Marketat Bangalore is established; the main wholesale market dealing with commodities |
| 1930 | Marakonahalli dam inTumkur districtis completed (the dam has an automatic siphon system, first of its kind in Asia)[24] |
| Krishnarajanagaratownship was finished (after a flood bythe Kaveridamaged the nearby town of Yedatore) | |
| 1933 | St. Philomena's Cathedralat Mysore is inaugurated |
| Bangalore Town Hallis built | |
| Mysore Sugar Mills is established at Mandya[25] | |
| KR Mills at Mysore is established | |
| 1934 | Vanivilas Women and Children Hospitalestablished at Bangalore |
| 10 acres of land at Bangalore gifted toSir C. V. Ramanfor what is nowRaman Research Institute(RRI)[26] | |
| 1936 | Mysore Paper Mills established at Bhadravati[27] |
| Mysore Lamps at Bangalore established | |
| 1937 | Mysore Chemical and Fertilisers Factory atBelagolaestablished[18] |
| Mysore Paints and Varnish Limitedis established | |
| 1938 | Maharani's College for Women is established at Bangalore[28] |
| 1939 | Mandya districtformed |
| Hassan districtformed | |
| Glass and Porcelain Factory is established at Bangalore[18](electrical insulators for high voltage lines were manufactured). The factory later became part ofBHEL | |
| Hirebhaskara dam (now Mahatma Gandhi Hydroelectric Project) across theSharavathibegan functioning to ensure steady water supply for the 120MW Krishnarajendra Hydroelectric Power Station[29] |
Personal life[edit]
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was wedded on 6 June 1900 atJaganmohan Palaceto Maharani Pratapa Kumari Devi ofKathiawar,the youngest daughter of Rana Bane Singh ofVana,Kathiawar(present-dayGujaratState). The couple had no children. He died of heart attack on 3 August 1940. His nephewJayachamaraja Wadiyarsucceeded him as Maharaja.
Honours[edit]
- King George VI Coronation Medal,1937
- King George V Silver Jubilee Medal,1935
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire(GBE), 1917
- Bailiff Grand Cross of theOrder of St John(GCStJ), 1911
- Delhi Durbar Gold Medal,1911
- Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India(GCSI), 1907
- Delhi Durbar Gold Medal,1903
Honorary doctorates[edit]
- Honorary Doctorate,University of Mysore,(posthumously in 2011)
- Honorary Doctorate,Banaras Hindu University(at its 21st convocation held on 28 December 1937)
Memorials[edit]
- K.R.S. Dam, Mysore;K.R. Circle, Mysore;K.R. Nagara, Mysore
- K.R. Market, Bangalore;K.R. Puram, Bangalore
- K.R. Pete, Mandya
References[edit]
- ^ab"The Rajarshi of Mysore".Bangalore Mirror.6 June 2009.Retrieved9 June2021.
- ^Puttaswamaiah, K., 1980.Economic development of Karnataka. A treatise in continuity and change.New Delhi: Oxford & IBH, p. 3
- ^"Notebooks of Paul Brunton, Category 15: The Orient",Chapter 2, p.453
- ^Author (26 September 2018)."Protect heritage Krishnaraja Boulevard with iron grills".Star of Mysore.Retrieved1 July2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^"Mysore State – Connect with IISc".Retrieved1 July2024.
- ^"[Group portrait of] the Maharaja [of Mysore] & his brothers and sisters".British Library.Archived fromthe originalon 25 October 2008.Retrieved23 October2007.
- ^"Times' Tribute To Mysore Ruler".Morning Tribune.6 August 1940. p. 2.Retrieved10 May2017.
- ^Current Biography 1940, p833
- ^T O, Aswathy (4 June 2020)."Remembering Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar, the iconic Mysuru ruler on his 136th birth anniversary".International Business TimesIndia.Retrieved14 November2021.
- ^Jois, Rama(2004) [1984].Legal and Constitutional History of India: Ancient Legal, Judicial and Constitutional System.Delhi: Universal Law Publishing. p. 597.ISBN978-81-7534-206-4.
- ^"The Maharajah of Mysore".The Times.No. 36843. London. 11 August 1902. p. 15.
- ^Navajivan, 8 February 1925:"His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore has taken up spinning. This news cannot but gladden the hearts of those who look upon it as sacred duty... I congratulate the Maharaja and hope that he will not give up till the end of his life this activity which he has taken up, It will do immense good to him and his subjects."
- ^"The Mysore duo Krishnaraja Wodeya IV & M. Visvesvaraya".India Today.Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2008.Retrieved23 October2007.
- ^Pranesh (2003), p. 162
- ^abcRaj, Nirmal (March 2015)."Distribution of Social Justice by Rajashri Krishnaraj Wodeyar IV"(PDF).EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review.ISSN2349-0187.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 30 June 2017.
- ^"Bangalore Press website".
- ^"Yuvaraja College".Archived fromthe originalon 31 May 2015.Retrieved5 February2014.
- ^abcde"Hand Book of Karnataka"(PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^"Mysore Sandal Soap".Archived fromthe originalon 21 January 2014.Retrieved5 February2014.
- ^"MSCWM website".
- ^"Millers report".18 June 2015.
- ^"About".Archived fromthe originalon 16 July 2019.Retrieved4 February2019.
- ^"NIMHANS".
- ^"Marakonahalli Dam".31 August 2013.
- ^"Mysore Sugar Co".Archived fromthe originalon 14 July 2016.Retrieved5 February2014.
- ^"RRI website".
- ^"MPM website".
- ^"Maharani's College website".
- ^Mellegatti, Pramod (9 June 2003)."Hirebhaskara Dam surfaces as Sharavathy recedes".The Hindu.Archived fromthe originalon 24 December 2013.Retrieved9 June2003.
Further reading[edit]
- Speeches (1902–1920).Bangalore: Government Press. 1921 – via Internet Archive.
- Wadiyar IV, Krishnaraja (2010). "The Underdog as Scientist". In Narendar, Pani; Sindhu, Radhakrishna; Kishor G, Bhat (eds.).Bengaluru, Bangalore, Bengaluru: Imaginations and Their Times.SAGE Publishing India.ISBN978-93-86042-57-6.
- Swamy, G. L. (1942).Mysore State– via Internet Archive.
- Ward, Geoffrey C. (1983).The Maharajas.Stonehenge.ISBN0-86706-022-0.
- Royaloo Chetty, T. (1909).A Brief Sketch of the Life of T. R. A. Thumboo Chetty, C.I.E, Formerly Chief Judge and Officiating Dewan of Mysore.Hoe & Co.Madras.
- Books
- Ikegame, Aya (2013).Princely India Re-imagined: A Historical Anthropology of Mysore from 1799 to the Present.Routledge.ISBN978-0-415-55449-7.
- Articles
- Sayeed, Vikhar Ahmed (6 July 2014)."The spread of education".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.
- Moona, Suresh (19 December 2019)."The royal role".The Hindu.ISSN0971-751X.
- Satya, Gouri (27 April 2012)."Lord Curzon's prophetic words on Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV".Deccan Herald.
- Satya, Gouri (24 August 2019)."What make Mysuru's heritage..."Deccan Herald.
- Prasad, Narendra (7 August 2017)."A royal who worked alongside the public".Deccan Herald.
External links[edit]
