Contributions of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar- Part 1
Maharaja Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s reign brought Mysore into the limelight for many reasons. Alleviating poverty and improving rural infrastructure were his main concerns. Public health, education and the Mysore economy also flourished during his reign.
Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar- IV was the first to criminalize untouchability and ban child marriage for girls under the age of 8 years. He also established a number of scholarships for widowed girls and donated Rs 60 lakhs each year for spastic children. In 1915 the Mysore Social Progress Association was formed to empower the weaker sections of the Mysore society.
In 1918 he appointed Sir Lesley Miller to look into the backward classes and recommended 25% reservation of government jobs for non-Brahmans. In 1925, he also established the Kadhara Sahakara Sangha to help villagers in Tagdhur. The City Improvement Trust Board was set up under his guidance – the first association of its kind in India.
A number of educational institutions were set up under his guidance many of which are renowned even today. The Sanskrit college in Mysore was personally funded by the Maharaja. He also gifted Sir CV Raman 10 acres of land to set up his science institution.
In 1927, the kingdom’s total expenditure on education increased from Rs 699,000 in 1902 to Rs 4,680,000. A total of 8,000 schools were running in Mysore at the time with 515,000 pupils.
Maharaja Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar-IV – Remarkable Achievements
Hydroelectric power project at Shivanasamudra – In 1902, Mysore became the first state to produce hydroelectric power not only in India but in all Asia
Minto Eye Hospital – This is the world’s oldest eye hospital. It was established during the Maharaja’s reign in 1903.
Street lights in Bangalore – On August 5th, 1905, streetlights were introduced in Bangalore. This made Bangalore the first Asian city with street lights.
Bicameral Assembly – Under Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV’s guidance, Mysore’s Representative Assembly was expanded. In 1907, the assembly became bicameral with the establishment of its legislative council.
Women’s Right to Vote – Long before women in America and other parts of the world were allowed to vote, they were given the right to do so in Mysore.
Vani Vilas Sagar Dam in Chitradurga – The dam was constructed in 1907 was the first dam in Karnataka.
Mysore Boy Scouts – This program introduced in 1909 was the first of its kind in India
The Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore – In 1911, 371 acres of land and funds were gifted to the Indian Institute of Science to begin running functionally.
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