‘Bengaluru’s rise as a global tech hub owes much to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s vision’

A procession was taken out to mark the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar from the Mysuru palace to Kalamandira on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM

Rich tributes were paid to Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on his 141st birth anniversary here on Wednesday and a historian said that Bengaluru’s rise as a Silicon Valley and technology hub owes it to the vision of the maharaja.

Krishnaraja Wadiyar ruled the princely state of Mysuru from 1902 to 1940 and his regime was marked by initiatives in various fields including industry, agriculture, education, health, administrative etc., the impact of which is felt even in the present times.

Delivering a lecture on Krishnaraja Wadiyar, M.S. Anita  history professor at Vijayanagara Government First Grade College, described the maharaja is one of the architects of modern Karnataka.

 ‘’If our State capital Bengaluru is called the Silicon Valley of India, has made progress in IT sector, is the hub of start-ups and its reputation has reached global heights, the credit in no small measure goes to the foundation and the vision of Krishnaraja Wadiyar,’’ she added.

Dr. Anita said if the youth of the country imagine of employment opportunities, it is Bengaluru they think of and this achievement was not made in the last few decades.

“All this stands on the foundation laid by Krishnaraja Wadiyar,” she said.

Dr. Anita also listed decentralisation of governance as one is lasting contributions to the field of public administration.

District-in-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa described Krishnaraja Wadiyar as a visionary monarch who drew national attention towards Mysuru.

The maharaja prioritised welfare of the people, focused on development and efficient harnessing of human resources. As a result, Mysuru emerged as a beckon of progress even before the country could attain independence, said Mr. Mahadevappa.

He pointed out that Mysuru was the first state in Asia to produce electricity using hydroelectric power, and the first in the continent to introduce street lighting and credited the maharaja for comprehending the transformative power of electricity — not just for households, but also for agriculture and industry.

He listed the educational initiatives of Krishnaraja Wadiyar and said that it was used as a means to promote empowerment. The  establishment of the University of Mysore, Maharaja’s College, Maharani’s College, and many other institutions are a testament to his far-sightedness, said Mr. Mahadevappa.

The maharaja also championed inclusive education for Dalits, backward communities, and women. Recognising the importance of health, especially after the loss of his own sister to tuberculosis, he established a sanatorium on a 30-acre campus.

“He understood that without public health, society cannot be strong,” said the Minister.

 Shivaraj S. Tangadagi, Minister for Kannada and Culture, said the birth anniversary of Krishnaraja Wadiyar was being celebrated to educate today’s youth about his legacy and vision.

T.S. Srivatsa, MLA; D. Thimmaiah, MLC; Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, and others were present.

Published - June 04, 2025 09:21 pm IST