The Longest Reigning Maharaja of Mysore

Wodeyars of Mysore region, which is currently in the state of Karnataka in India ruled for close to 550 years from AD 1399. It is one of India’s longest reigning houses.

Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar also known as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, who was born at Arikottara (now Chamarajanagar) was a multitalented monarch. His lengthy rule over the Mysore state is a very rare case in the history of this world wherein the ruler could carry on with his rule for such a long time. He ruled for almost 70 years from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868.His grandmother Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi played a major role in the development of her adopted grandson, and was instrumental in his ascendancy to the Mysore throne.

When Tippu Sultan died at the hands of the British in 1799, he discussed about the handover of the Mysore throne, which finally led to the installation of the five-year old Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, as the Maharaja of Mysore.

Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was responsible for the cultural growth of the Mysore state. He was himself a writer, having written Kannada books like Sritattvanidhi and Sougandhikaparinaya. He also had a number of writers in his court who together contributed to the development of modern Kannada prose; which had a style different from the Champu style of prose which was followed till then. Other important writings that emerged during his rule include Mudramanjusha by Kempu Narayana, Kalavati Parinaya by Yadava and Vachana Kadamabari. The king was well versed in many languages, besides Sanskrit and Kannada he could read and write in Persian, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Marathi languages; he also knew English. He could play the musical instrument, veena. He was an expert player of board games and is credited to have revived the Ganjifa game. He was also a collector and an inventor of board games. Mysore under the Maharaja was a hub for creative expressions of arts and crafts and a centre for producing games, pawns and dice.The Maharaja revived Dasara celebrations on a grand scale in Mysore. The old Mysore Palace was rebuilt. During his period, steps began to be initiated for developing Mysore into a modern township. New Agraharas and temples were built outside the Palace Fort. Kannada literature saw a new dimension.

He was loved and respected for his humane, charitable and kind nature by his subjects, more so for encouraging several arts and crafts activities.

The Maharaja introduced English education in Mysore state, by starting Maharaja's English School which paved way for the famous Maharaja's college and finally, the Mysore University.

Linus Orakles
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