And That's How You Rule!

A young boy born of a Princess, adopted by a Maharaja, raised to be a King - did his job as no one else had done before. He changed the meaning of Kingship in colonial India using his powers in creating a more inclusive and liberal society.

Chamarajendra Wadiyar X as painted by Raja Ravi Varma; Source: Public Domain

The Hindu texts are one of the richest works of religion and spirituality ever written. The immensity of the information and questions addressed in the texts are mind-boggling. From the smallest of the activity to the bigger questions of pind (charity for the deceased) after death are addressed with scrupulous and minute details covering all aspects and situations. The pind is where the story of our Maharaja comes in.

Born in the old palace of Mysore on 22 February 1863, Chamarajendra Wadiyar X was the third son of Sardar Chikka Krishnaraj Urs of the ruling clan. His father died a week before his death. His mother was the eldest daughter of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III. Now, the Hindu laws require a male heir to offer pind to his ancestors. This ritual is a necessary element for a successful afterlife.

But what if there is no son? Our Maharaja Wadiyar III was faced with a similar problem. The Doctrine of Lapse policy of Dalhousie had been taken back and the Kingdom needed a future king and Wadiyar needed a son. The Hindu laws give a solution to the problem. If there is no son, a man can adopt the son of his eldest daughter and that's how Chamarajendra became a Wadiyar. The adoption was also recognised by the British Indian Government.

After the death of Maharaja, Chamarajendra took the royal throne. But the power did not come easy. Mysore was under direct British administration. It was only in 1881 that the kingdom was restored to the Wadiyar dynasty by the Rendition Act and little Maharaja was given all the reins of administration.

Now the little Maharaja ruled only for thirteen years with full control. But as they say quality matters over quantity and that's how he stayed in the memory of people long after his death!

The first thing he did - instituted a Representative Assembly in 1881 - the first-ever democratic and legislative institution in princely India.

Next, he sponsored Swami Vivekananda's journey to Chicago.

He worked towards women's education and founded Bashojjivani School.

He started industrialization in Mysore and established several industrial schools.

He founded an Agricultural Bank and initiated life insurances for government employees.

All this by a Maharaja in British colonial India - wasn't he a visionary? The man who did too much in too little time! Not only this, but he is also the man behind most of the architecture of Mysore - from the Bangalore Palace to the Lalbagh Glass House, Lansdowne Bazaar to Dufferin Tower to the Fern Hill Palace, the list seems nerve-wracking and never-ending. Adding to this, the Maharaja was also very fond of art and music. He himself played the violin and accompanied the musicians in his court during performances.

At the age of 31, the Maharaja succumbed to Diptheria and died leaving behind a rich legacy, a young son and the Queen as the regent ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.