Maharaja of Mysore

Maharaja of Mysore
Royal coat of arms (1893)
Details
StyleHis Highness
First monarchYaduraya Wodeyar
Last monarchJayachamaraja Wodeyar
Formation1399
Abolition26 January 1950
ResidenceMysore Palace

The Maharaja of Mysore was the king and principal ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore between the late 14th century to 1947, and briefly of the princely state of Mysore in the Dominion of India between August 1947 and January 1950.

In the late 14th century CE, the Vijayanagara Empire appointed local chieftains called poleygars. Yaduraya Wodeyar, a Vijayanagara chieftain, took control in the Mysore region, and adopted the title raja (king) in 1399 CE. Chamaraja Wodeyar III (1513–1553 CE) built a small fort and a settlement named Mahisuranagara (buffalo town) near the Kaveri River, around which the state of Mysore developed later. After the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Timmaraja Wodeyar II declared independence and assumed the title of Maharaja (great king) of Mysore.

The kingdom expanded significantly during the reigns of Kanthirava Narasaraja I (1638–1659 CE) and Dodda Kempadevaraja (1659–1673 CE). The kingdom became weak in the 18th century CE, and during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, Hyder Ali gained power as dalvoy (commander-in-chief) in 1761, thus reducing the maharaja to a nominal ruler. Hyder Ali’s son Tipu ruled Mysore as the sultan from 1782 to 1799 until his defeat in the Anglo-Mysore wars.

In 1799, the British Empire took control of Mysore and restored it to the Wadiyar dynasty, and Krishnaraja Wadiyar III became the maharaja. The British ruled Mysore directly through the Mysore Commission from 1831 to 1881. The power was restored to the Wadiyars in 1881, when Chamarajendra Wadiyar X was crowned as the king. Several administrative reforms, industries, education and infrastructure projects were implemented during the reign of Chamarajendra X and his successor Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. Jayachamaraja Wadiyar ascended to the throne in 1940, and was the last recognised maharaja, as India achieved independence in 1947. He remained a nominal ruler until India became a republic in 1950, and the honorary title of maharaja was abolished in 1971.

Origins

In the late 14th century CE, in the Vijayanagara, the administration and protection of the various regions were designated to the respective local chieftains.[1] The chiefs were known by the name of poleygar (Kannada: pāLegāra meaning 'chieftain') during the early days of the fiefdom,[2][3] Protection of the regions in and around present-day Mysore was given to Yaduraya Wodeyar, the Vijayanagara chieftain stationed in the region at that time.[4] The local chief, who was till then known by the title of poleygar (Kannada: pāLegāra meaning 'chieftain') during the early days of the fiefdom,[2][3] Yaduraya later took over the title of raja (Sanskrit and Kannada for king–of especially a small region) in 1399 CE.[4][5]

Chamaraja Wodeyar III, who ruled from 1513 to 1553 CE, over the territory consisting of few villages close to the Kaveri river, constructed a small fort and named it 'Mahisuranagara' (Kannada for buffalo town).[6][7] Though the region was referred to as 'mahishaka' in early Indian literature,[8][9] the later state of Mysore developed around the twon.[2][6][10]

Maharaja

Further information: List of Maharajas of Mysore

With the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire, Chamaraja Wodeyar III's son and successor Timmaraja Wodeyar II declared independence and assumed the title of Maharaja (Sanskrit and Kannada, [great] king)[11]) of Mysore.[12] During the reigns of Kanthirava Narasaraja I (1638-1659 CE) and Dodda Kempadevaraja (1659-1673 CE), the territory of the kingdom was expanded significantly.[13][14] However, the kingdom started to become weak under the rule of Dodda Krishnaraja I (1714-1732 CE).[15] Hence, during the later reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II (1734-1766), Hyder Ali, who was a soldier in the kingdom, took over as the dalvoy (commander-in-chief) and the maharaja was reduced to a nominal rule.[16] Ali's son Tipu proclaimed himself as the Sultan of Mysore and ruled from 1782-1799 CE.[17][18]

In 1799CE, after the defeat of Tipu in the Anglo-Mysore wars, the region came under the control of the British Empire, and the Wadiyars were restored as the maharajas.[19] Krishnaraja Wadiyar III was restored as the maharaja under his his grandmother's regency.[20] While Krishnaraja's reigned lasted for nearly seventy years, till 1868, he was not in control of the kingdom from 1831. In 1831, citing maladministration, the British took direct control of the princely state of Mysore and instituted the Mysore Commission. The region was ruled by British Commissioners, while the maharaja remained without actual power.[21] Krishnaraja III was considered a great patron of arts, and he instituted the first English school, which later became a precursor to the Mysore University.[22][23]

Though, Krishnaraja III appealed for a return of power, it was rejected, and the deposed king died a dejected man.[24] Chamarajendra Wadiyar X ascended the throne on 23 September 1868. The state had been under the direct administration of the British Raj since 1831, was restored to the Wadiyar dynasty by an instrument of rendition in 1881, and Chamarajendra X was officially handed the reins in the same year.[25][26] Chamarajendra X ruled till 1894, and during his reign, various irrigation and industrial projects were carried out. He divided the state into several administrative divisions, and established the Mysore Representative Assembly in 1881, one of the earliest legislative institutions in princely India. He founded several schools including Maharaja's College, Mysore and Oriental Research Institute Mysore, textile mills, and expanded mining activities at the Kolar Gold Fields. Several buildings including the Bangalore Palace and Lalbagh Glass House in Bangalore, Dufferin Clock Tower, and Mysore Zoo in Mysore, and the Fernhills Palace in Ooty were built during his reign. He started the annual Dasara Industrial Exhibition, patronised several artisans, and established agricultural banks.[25][27]

Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV ascended to the throne in 1895 after the death of his father, Chamarajendra X, in 1894. During his reign, the Mysore Legislative Council was established in 1907. He also established several educational institutions, hospitals, research institutes and industries.[28][29] After Krishnaraja IV died in 1940, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar ascended the throne, and he was the last maharaja of the state. During Jayachamaraja's reign, several educational and research institutes were established, and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was established in 1940. As India gained independence from British Crown in 1947, crown allies ceded into the Dominion of India, and the maharaja continued as a nominal ruler till January 1950.[30]

Aftermath

After Indian became a republic in 1950, the role of maharaja was replaced with that of rajpramukh and later governor. In the democratic system, the governor is appointed by the President.[31] However, like most kings in India at that time, the maharaja and his successors were allowed an annual payment or privy purse, certain privileges, and the use of the title of "Maharaja".[32] However, after the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India was enacted in 1971, the titles and privy purse were discontinued.[33][34][35]

See also

References

  1. ^ Anna Libera Dallapiccola; Stephanie Zingel-Avé Lallemant, eds. (1985). Vijayanagara, City and Empire. Steiner Publishing.
  2. ^ a b c Stein 1987, p. 82.
  3. ^ a b Manor 1975, p. 33.
  4. ^ a b Simmons, Caleb (2022). Singing the Goddess into Place: Locality, Myth, and Social Change in Chamundi of the Hill, a Kannada Folk Ballad. State University of New York Press. pp. 61–70, 181–187. ISBN 978-1-4384-8867-7.
  5. ^ Talwar, H. T. (1994). Arms & Armoury of the Mysore Palace. Directorate of Archaeology & Museums in Karnataka. p. 7.
  6. ^ a b Simmons 2019, p. 6.
  7. ^ Ramusack 2004, p. 28.
  8. ^ Cultural profiles of Mysore City. Anthropological Survey of India. 1 January 1978. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017.
  9. ^ Vasudeva, Rashmi (3 November 2006). "Land of milk and honey". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2007.
  10. ^ Michell 1995, pp. 17–.
  11. ^ Tej Ram Sharma (1989). A. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 81-7022-251-6. ... Literally Maharaja means 'a great king'...
  12. ^ Kamath 2001, pp. 220, 226, 234.
  13. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India: Provincial Series 1908, p. 20
  14. ^ Michell 1995, p. 20.
  15. ^ Wilks, Mark (1869). Historical Sketches of the South of India, in an Attempt to Trace the History of Mysoor, Etc.
  16. ^ Sampath, Vikram (2024). Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760–1799). Penguin Random House. p. 59. ISBN 978-93-6790-094-9.
  17. ^ Balakrishna, Sandeep (2015). Tipu Sultan- The Tyrant of Mysore. RARE Publications. p. 48=. ISBN 978-2-76590-832-6.
  18. ^ Robson, Francis (1786). The Life Of Hyder Ally: With an Account of His Usurpation of the Kingdom of Mysore. London: S Hooper, High Holborn. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  19. ^ Rao Bahadur, Rajakaryaprasakta (1936). Mysore State Gazetter. Mysore State. p. 266.
  20. ^ Naravane, M. S. (2014). Battles of the Honourable East India Company: Making of the Raj. New Delhi: A.P.H. Publishing Corporation. pp. 172–181. ISBN 978-8-13130-034-3.
  21. ^ Rice, B.L. (1897). Mysore. A Gazetteer Compiled for Government. Revised Edition. Volume 1. London: Archiband Constable and Company. p. 434.
  22. ^ "Krishnaraja Wodeyar III". Wodeyars of Mysore. Kamat's Potpourri. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  23. ^ Laura Durnford (15 December 2004). "Games afoot". Radio Netherlands. Archived from the original on 10 May 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
  24. ^ "Diwans take over". The Hindu. 22 June 2003. Archived from the original on 22 June 2003. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  25. ^ a b "A legacy of art & architecture". Deccan Herald. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  26. ^ Chamarajendra Wadiyar X (PDF).
  27. ^ Assembly, Karnataka (India) Legislature Legislative (1989). The History of Karnataka Legislature: The Mysore Representative Assembly. Government Suburban Press.
  28. ^ "How education shaped Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV into a progressive ruler". Deccan Herald. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  29. ^ Raj, Nirmal (March 2015). "Distribution of Social Justice by Rajashri Krishnaraj Wodeyar IV" (PDF). EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review. ISSN 2349-0187. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2017.
  30. ^ "Remembering the Maharaja who was a maverick, a genius". Bangalore Mirror. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  31. ^ Durga Das Basu (1960). Introduction to the Constitution of India. LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa. pp. 237, 241–44. ISBN 978-81-8038-559-9. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)}
  32. ^ Ramusack 2004, p. 273: "The crucial document was the Instrument of Accession by which rulers ceded to the legislatures of India or Pakistan control over defence, external affairs, and communications. In return for these concessions, the princes were to be guaranteed a privy purse in perpetuity and certain financial and symbolic privileges such as exemption from customs duties, the use of their titles, the right to fly their state flags on their cars, and to have police protection."
  33. ^ "The Constitution (26 Amendment) Act, 1971", indiacode.nic.in, Government of India, 1971, retrieved 9 November 2011
  34. ^ Ramusack 2004, p. 278: "Through a constitutional amendment passed in 1971, Indira Gandhi stripped the princes of the titles, privy purses and regal privileges which her father's government had granted."
  35. ^ Schmidt, Karl J. (1995). An atlas and survey of South Asian history. M.E. Sharpe. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-56324-334-9. Although the Indian states were alternately requested or forced into union with either India or Pakistan, the real death of princely India came when the Twenty-sixth Amendment Act (1971) abolished the princes' titles, privileges, and privy purses.

Bibliography

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