🌟 Remembering Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV: The Visionary King of Mysore

A Monarch Ahead of His Time

In the annals of Indian history, few rulers are as revered as Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV — the Maharaja of Mysore who reigned from 1894 to 1940. Often called the “Rajarshi” (Sage-King) by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was more than a monarch. He was a humanitarian, a visionary, and a reformer whose legacy continues to shine brightly even today.

🎓 A Champion of Education and Equality

At a time when education was a privilege of the few, the Maharaja made it a right for many. He founded and funded prestigious institutions like:

• University of Mysore (1916) – One of the first universities in India established outside a British province.

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) – Backed by his generous donation, this now world-renowned institute owes part of its foundation to the Maharaja’s progressive vision.

• Maharaja’s College, Mysore Medical College, and Sanskrit College — institutions that have produced generations of scholars, doctors, and thought leaders.

He was also a pioneer of inclusive education, ensuring opportunities for women and marginalized communities long before it became national policy.

💡 Industrial & Economic Reformer

Under his rule, Mysore earned the reputation of being the “Model State of India.”

• He introduced hydroelectric power at Shivanasamudra in 1902 — making Mysore the first Indian state to generate electricity.

• The Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam, one of the largest in India, was built during his reign and transformed Karnataka’s agricultural landscape.

• He promoted local industries like silk weaving, sandalwood carving, and handicrafts, many of which still thrive today.

🏛 A Democrat at Heart

Though a king, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV believed in democratic ideals. He established the Mysore Representative Assembly and later the Mysore Legislative Council, allowing for greater public participation in governance — a rarity in princely states of that era.

❤️ The People’s King

What made him truly beloved was his compassion for his subjects. He abolished child marriage, opposed untouchability, and championed public health, opening hospitals and improving sanitation.

When the Spanish Flu ravaged the world in 1918, he personally ensured relief measures were swiftly enacted across Mysore.

🕊 A Lasting Legacy

By the time of his passing in 1940, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV had laid the foundation for a modern, inclusive, and prosperous Mysore. Leaders from across the globe praised him, and to this day, his policies are studied as models of good governance and enlightened monarchy.

Even in independent India, his legacy lives on — in Mysore’s colleges, in Bengaluru’s power grids, in India’s scientific institutions, and in every child who learns freely under the right to education.

🏵 Final Thoughts

In today’s fast-changing world, we need more leaders like Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV — wise, kind, and ahead of their time. As we celebrate his birth anniversary on June 4, may we remember him not just as a ruler of Mysore, but as a beacon of visionary leadership for all of India.

“Among the princely states of India, Mysore under Krishnaraja Wodeyar is an example of what enlightened rule can achieve.”
— Mahatma Gandhi