Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV

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Maharaja H.H. Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV (June 4, 1884-August 3, 1940) also known popularly as Nalvadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar was one of the most celebrated rulers among the Indian States.

He was a philosopher-king, who was seen by Brunton as living the ideal expressed in Plato’s Republic. He had been compared to the Emperor Ashoka by the English statesman Lord Samuel. Mahatma Gandhi called him Rajarshi. He was widely acknowledged as Rajarshi- a saintly king - and his state was acknowledged as Rama Rajya - an ideal kingdom akin to the mythological rule of Lord Rama - even Mahatma Gandhi echoed this view during one of his visits to Mysore state.

He was the 24th ruler of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore that ruled over Mysore State from 1399 to 1950. He was the eldest son of Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar IX and Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhana. He was born at the Royal Palace, Mysore(at the old palace built after 1799 and which was destroyed in a fire during the wedding of his sister Princess Jaya Lakshammanni in 1896). After the untimely death of his father in Calcutta in 1894, his mother ruled the state as Regent as he was just 10 years old.

Contents 1 Early years 2 Rama rajya 3 Patron of the Fine Arts 4 About his saintly character 5 Mahatma Gandhi and the Maharaja 6 Miscellaneous

[edit] Early years

The Maharaja had his early education and training at the Royal School functioning from the Summer Palace premises (Lokaranjan Palace) under Mr. P. Raghavendra Rao. In addition to the Western studies, he was also given instructions in Kannada and Sanskrit.

His early administrative training was imparted by Sir Stuart Fraser of the Bombay Civil Service. The study of the principles of jurisprudence and methods of revenue administration were supplemented by extensive tours of the state during which he gained extensive knowledge of the nature of the country which he was later to govern.

He was also trained in horse riding and Indian and western Music.

[edit] Rama rajya

He was invested with full ruling powers by the Viceroy Lord Curzon on August 8, 1902 at a ceremony at Jagan Mohan Palace (now housing the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery).

On 6 June 1900, he wed H.H. Maharani Lakshmivilasa Sannidhana Sri Pratapa Kumari Ammani Avaru (b.1889), youngest daughter of Rana Sri Bane Singhji Sahib, Rana Sahib of Vana in the Kathiawar region of the present-day state of Gujarat State.

He was the first chancellor of Banaras Hindu University and University of Mysore. University of Mysore was the first university started by an Indian State.

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore was founded during his reign. His gift of 371 acres (1.5 km²) of land and a contribution of funds enabled the House of Tata's to establish this institute in 1911.

He was an exponent of all branches of fine arts and recognized merits in others and amply rewarded them. He was a great patron of Indian (both carnatic and Hindustani) & Western Classical Music.

Mysore was the first Indian state to have a Representative Assembly - a democratic forum in 1881. This was the first act of statesmanship exhibited by his father Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar when he assumed reigning powers from British in 1881.

During Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV's reign this institution got enlarged and in 1907 this house of people became bicameral by the institution of Legislative Council- a house of elders which introduced many new legislation for the state.

Mysore became the first Indian state to generate Hydro Electric power in Asia during his reign and Bangalore was the first Asian city to have street lights on August 5, 1905.

His younger brother Yuvaraja H.H. Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar was a member of the Council of Ministers during Sir. M. Visvesvaraya term as Diwan.

He was ably assisted by a galaxy of Prime Ministers (popularly known as Diwans) 1.K. Seshadri Iyer (1883-1901) 2.P.N. Krishnamurthy (1901-06). 3.V.P. Madhava Rao (1906-09). 4.T. Ananda Rao (1909-1912). 5.Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1912-19). 6.Sir M. Kantha Raje Urs (1919-22). 7.Sir Albion Banerjee (1922-26). 8.Sir Mirza Ismail (1926-41).

His rule occupies a towering peak in the map of Mysore and he was the builder of Modern Mysore. He brought material prosperity and security to his subjects. The achievements his name is associated covers a vast ground:- campaign for alleviation of human suffering, rural reconstruction, public health, Industry, economic regeneration, Education, fine arts, Institution of many works for enhancing the material resources of the state, aesthetic development of public life whether in political, cultural domain are so exhaustive that there are hardly any parallel in the modern era. Lord Sankey said during the Round table conference that Mysore was the best administered state in the world.

The high reputation of the administrative tradition of Mysore made this state a training ground for young princes. The Political Department sent them to Mysore regularly. Even princes from big states like Travancore and Gwalior were among the States whose beneficent princes came to Mysore for administrative training.

"The State was ahead of all states in the progress achieved. The King is Dharmic." -Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya "The industrial development in the last 11 years is incredible." -Lord Wellington

[edit] Patron of the Fine Arts

He was a great Connoisseur of both Carnatic and Hindustani Music. He was a great patron of the Fine arts and Mysore became a great centre of Music under his influemce and patronage. Sanskrit learning received unparralled encouragement. Yoga thro' Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya evolved under his personal care and active participation. Mysore Paintings got a boost during his reign and even Raja Ravi Varma spent many years under the Maharaja's patronage.

Carnatic music reached its zenith under Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. His period is called the golden age of Carnatic classical music. His father Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar was a violin virtuoso and was particularly fond of short pieces like "Lavanya Rama" and " Sujana jeevana" of saint Thyagaraja. Providing violin accompaniment to his classmate and court musician Veena Subbanna was his favourite past time. Thus Music flowed in Nalvadi's blood.

Nalvadi was an authority in all the three systems of music - carnatic, Hindustani and Western Music. During his time Band stands were constructed in well known parks of Mysore and Bangalore and Music Bands - carnatic and western played regularly for public to enjoy. As he had a very poor voice he excelled in instrumental music. He was an accomplished player of eight instruments- veena, Flute, Violin, Mridanagam, Nagaswara, Sitar, Saxophone, Harmoniam and Piano. In fact, he was instrumental in one Mr. Laksminarasimhiah to play carnatic music on saxophone as part of the Palace Band. Kadri Gopalnath was influenced by him to become a virtuouso on saxphone.

Many illustrious members of the Agra Gharana including Nattan Khan and Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan were guests of the Maharajah in Mysore. The legendary Abdul Karim Khan and Gauhar Jan were also his guests. Barkatullah Khan - one of India’s great sitar players was a palace musician from 1919 till his death in 1930.

It is difficult to find a well known Carnatic Musician of his time who did not visist the State during his benevolent rule and grace his asthan. Some of the Great Composers who floursihed in his Court were, Veena Shamanna, Veena Sheshanna, Mysore Karigiri Rao, Veena Subbanna, Bidaram Krishnappa, Mysore Vasudevacharya, Veena Subramanaya Iyer, Dr. Muthiah Bhagavatar, Veena Shivaramiah, Veena Venkatagiriappa, Belakawadi Srinivasa Iyengar, Chikka Rama Rao, Mysore T.Chowdiah, B.Devendrappa, Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar, Tiruvayyar Subramaya Iyer and many more. But he was a hard critic to please. Veena Sheshanna, who was in fact his guru, has stated that he was afarid of playing before him as his knowledge was astounding and could find any fault immedaitely!

Famous Nuclear Physicist Late Dr.Raja Ramanna early in his teens had achieved considerable prowess in playing on the piano. His talent was duly reported to the Maharaja, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. Dr. Ramanna was overwhelmed when the Maharaja summoned him to the Palace to play on the piano with the Palace orchestra. Amidst the glitter and pageant of a royal home, young Ramanna played the concerto of Beethoven for forty-five minutes while the Maharaja listened to him with rapt attention often nodding his approval. The invitations to perform at the Palace became a regular feature. Ramanna proudly used to tell “Each time I performed, the Maharaja used to give me two hundred rupees, a fantastic sum in those days.”

[edit] About his saintly character

Here is an interesting anecdote to emphasize his noble character. He visited the famous Saint Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi once and sought a personal audience with the saint. Bhagavan never allowed such a thing. Whatever had to be said was said in public, by letter, or in the mind. Finally, it was decided to bring the Maharaja in when Bhagavan was having his bath. The Maharaja entered the bathroom and all others were standing outside. For ten minutes the Maharaja just stood looking and then prostrated before Bhagavan. Tears flowing from his eyes actually made Bhagavan's feet wet. He sobbed for some time and went away. This is what Bhagavan himself stated on what transpired between them: Oh, he is a ripe fruit," said Bhagavan, and with great feeling he re-enacted the scene. One could almost see the Maharaja's eagerness, his humility and sadness. The Maharaja had told him: "They made me a Maharaja and bound me to a throne. For the sin of being born a king I lost the chance of sitting at your feet and serving in your glorious presence. I cannot stay here and I do not hope to come again. Only these few minutes are mine. I can only pray for your grace."

Famous philosopher, mystic and traveller, Paul Brunton (1898-1981) spent many years in Mysore under the care of the Maharaja and expressed his gratitude in the dedication of his book 'The Quest of the Overself':

"You have rescued philosophy from those who would make it a mere refuge from disappointment, and converted it into a dynamic inspiration to higher action for service.

If the worlds Rulers would emulate Your Highness and bestow but a fragment of their time on pure philosophy, the illumination thereby gained would immensely profit them in wiser policies...

The clear Hellenic mind of Plato foresaw that, 'the world can only be saved if the Kings become philosophers and philosophers become Kings.'The love which everyone in the State bears for you reveals how true are these words"

Sir Mirza Ismail a childhood friend of the Maharaja’s who became his Private Secretary and later his Diwan (Prime Minister), a Muslim, wrote in his autobiography:

"Purity of soul, kindness of heart, generosity of disposition, patience and tolerance, a wise judgment of men and affairs—these are qualities which His Highness possessed to an eminent degree. It was given to him that which is given to few men—to go through life making only friends, to the exclusion of all enemies. I am sure that history will hold him among the greatest in the history of India"

Dr. Subash Bharani I.P.S, a serving high ranking police officer of Karnataka State in his doctoral work: " Dharage Doddavaru” ( published in 2005), has dedicated his work to the Maharaja and heaps high praise and says, for keeping aside the pleasures of life, striving for the welfare of his people as his very life, husbanding states natural resources in a systematic plan and using it for modernizing the state, constituting Millers committee for the welfare and protection of untouchables and backward classes, allowing entry of untouchables to portals of Palace for the first time in the country, Reservation for backward classes and minorities, free education for all classes etc, and for many firsts like these Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV deserves high praise and the title of Rajarshi. He commends that the Government of India should honor him with a posthumous title of Bharata Rtana – highest civilian title of India.

[edit] Mahatma Gandhi and the Maharaja

Mahatma Gandhi wrote in Navajivan dated February 8, 1925: "His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore has taken up spinning. This news cannot but gladen 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." Mahatma Gandhi was a state guest of the Maharaja in 1927 and 1936. He stayed at Nandi Hill to recuperate from ill health. During 1927, the State was celeberating the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of the Maharaja. Gandhi was invited to attend the function. Gandhi wrote a letter to the Maharaja on August 05, 1927, in which he said:

"Dear Friend,

It has been a matter of deep joy to me to learn wherever I have gone, nothing but praise of your benevolence and purity.

I shall pray on Monday for the a due fulfilment of all your noblest wishes."

[edit] Miscellaneous

He was decorated with the British titles GCSI (1.1.1907), GBE (c 4.12.1917).

He died at his Bangalore Palace, Bangalore on 3 August 1940.

He was succeeded by his nephew Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar as the Maharaja of Mysore.