The Wodeyars, rulers of the Mysuru kingdom since 1399, have a rich history, including magnificent palaces, artwork, and musical instruments. They reigned for over five centuries, influencing social, cultural, science, and technology. Despite losing their titles, the Wodeyars remain influential in the Kannadigas, known for their pro-people policies and prompt action during times of necessity.

The Mysore royal family, originating from the Kannada word 'Wodeyar', is believed to be descended from Krishna of Dwaraka. They established the dynasty in 1399 and ruled the kingdom under the Vijayanagar Empire until 1565. The Mysore kingdom became an independent kingdom in 1799 under the British Empire. The dynasty expanded its borders and capital city to Srirangapatna, and later expanded to Trichy in Tamil Nadu. The dynasty reached its peak under the fourteenth king, Chikka Devaraja, who reformed the administration and introduced a new taxation system. The Mysore kingdom was initially a small vassal of the Vijayanagara Empire, but expanded under successive kings.

During the reign of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the kingdom of Mysore experienced a golden era. The philosopher-king, a patron of the fine arts, established educational infrastructure and worked towards poverty alleviation, rural reconstruction, public health, industry, and economic regeneration. Mysore was the first Indian state to generate hydroelectric power in Asia in 1902, and the first Asian city to have street lights in 1905. Educational institutions like the University of Mysore and the Indian Institute of Science were established during his reign. The infamous Krishna Raja Sagara dam was built, and Victoria Hospital, Cheluvamba Hospital, and Minto Eye Hospital were established. Mahatma Gandhi hailed him as a 'Rajrishi' and called his kingdom 'Ramrajya'. Lord John Sankey called Mysore "the best-administered state in the world" during his reign.

The Wodeyar dynasty, a legendary ruler of the Mysore kingdom, was cursed by a widow named Alamelamma, who was a devotee of the goddess Sri Ranganayaki. After Tirumala's death, Alamelamma donated her jewellery to the temple of Sri Ranganayaki, who adorned her statue with the pearl-studded nose ring. The temple authorities demanded custody of the jewels, but Alamelamma refused, fleeing with her jewellery and uttering a curse that changed the fate of the Mysore royal family.

“ತಲಕಾಡು ಮರಳಾಗಲಿ, ಮಾಲಂಗಿ ಮಡುವಾಗಲಿ, ಮೈಸೂರು ದೊರೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಹೋಗಲಿ – (Talakadu maralagali, Malangi maaduvagali, Mysuru Doregalige makkalillade hogali)”

The curse was a curse that wished for Talakadu to turn into a barren expanse of sand, Malangi into a whirlpool, and the Mysuru Kings never have children. Alamelamma jumped into the Kaveri river at Talakadu with her jewels and killed herself. The king became repentant and installed a statue of Alamelamma in the palace, with a remnant of her hair preserved in a box.

The curse is believed to be true, but Talakadu remains buried in sand, while nearby towns and villages remain unaffected. Since Raja Wadiyar, none of the rulers of the Mysore royal family could beget natural heirs, and for the past 400 years, natural heirs born to the king could not beget children and had to adopt heirs. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar, the current king of Mysore, was adopted by Pramoda Devi, the widow of the previous king, Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar.

The legend of Alamelamma, a goddess who cursed the Wodeyar dynasty, led to her death in a whirlpool in the river Kaveri at Talakadu. The king repented and installed a statue of her in the palace, with a remnant of her hair preserved. The statue is still worshipped by the Mysore royal family. The curse is believed to be true, but Talakadu remains buried in sand, and nearby towns remain unaffected. Since Raja Wadiyar, none of the Mysore royal family rulers have been able to have natural heirs, and for the past 400 years, natural heirs have had to adopt children. Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar, the current king of Mysore, was adopted by Pramoda Devi, the widow of the previous king.

The Wodeyar dynasty, also known as the Wadiyar dynasty, ruled the kingdom of Mysore for five centuries. The first king was Adi Yaduraya, who established his rule by defeating and killing Delavoi Mara Nayaka of Karugahalli. The second king, Hiriya Bettada Chamaraja Wadiyar I, faced political crises and frequent assassinations of Sangama emperors upon his appointment. Thimma Raja Wadiyar I served under two emperors, Mallikarjuna Raya and Virupaksha Raya II. Hiriya Chamarajarasa Wadiyar II ruled for 35 years, and Hiriya Bettada Chamaraja Wadiyar III was the last ruler to rule as feudal king under the Vijayanagara Empire.

Thimma Raja Wadiyar II (1553–1572) declared the independence of the Kingdom of Mysore from the Vijayanagara Empire. He was succeeded by Bettada Chamaraja Wadiyar V (1576–1578), who reigned only for two years between 1576 and 1578 until his death. Raja Wadiyar I (1578–1617) briefly ruled Mysore but was assassinated by poison in 1638. Ranadheera Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar I (1638–1659) continued to expand Mysore dominions and created symbols associated with royalty, such as royal coats of arms, mints, and issuing coins named Kanthiraya.

Dodda Devaraja Wadiyar (1659–1673) declared his kingdom independent of all connections. Chikka Devaraja Wadiyar (1613–1704) was the fourteenth maharaja, and his rule increased centralised military power and the Kingdom uniformly expanded in size. Kanteerava Narasaraja Wadiyar II (1704–1714) succeeded him through the influence of Prime Minister Tirumala Iyengar.

Chamararaja Wadiyar VII (1732–1734) ruled for two years but was deposed and imprisoned for opposing dalvoys. (Immadi) Krishnaraja Wadiyar II (1734–1766) ruled under the control of dalvoy Devarajaiya Urs, who was in charge of Mysore rule from 1724 to 1746. Nanja Raja Wadiyar (1766–1770) ruled for four years as a puppet under Sarvadhikari Hyder Ali. Bettada Chamaraja Wadiyar VIII (1770–1776) ruled for six years, succeeded by his elder brother Nanjaraja Wodeyar.

Khasa Chamaraja Wadiyar IX (1766–1796) was the twenty-first Maharaja of Mysore, and ruled under the control of Sarvadhikari Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Chamaraja Wadiyar X (1868–1894) instituted the Representative Assembly of Mysore Kingdom in 1881 and sponsored the famous Swami Vivekananda journey to Chicago. Vani Vilas Sannidhana was a queen of Chamaraja Wadiyar X and was considered one of three rare gems in the history of Mysore queens.

Remembering The Wodeyars: The Entrepreneurial Kings Who Put The People First

The contribution of Mysore Wodeyar rulers in the fields of education, social justice, science and technology, medicine, culture, and fine arts has been immense. Throughout history, the Wodeyar dynasty’s kings continued to patronise the rich culture of the land just like the rulers of the Vijayanagar empire. The Mahanavami festival celebrations, now known as the infamous Mysore Dasara celebrations, were started by Raja Wodeyar I in 1610. The celebrations included a large procession of elephants carrying the Maharaja of Mysore in a howdah. The procession included dance performers, tribal artists, daring acts, and music, and the tradition continues to this day. The Wodeyar kings’ deeds and vision pioneered a new age, which showcased not only their kingdom but India as well to the world.

The Wodeyar dynasty in Mysore played a significant role in modernizing the state, introducing administrative and economic reforms, and building the first hydroelectric power station in Asia. They also established a parliamentary system in Mysore in 1881, making it one of the first Indian states to have one. The dynasty also contributed to Indian independence, with members Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and Jayachamaraja Wodeyar being active participants in the Constituent Assembly of India.

The Wodeyars were influential in promoting science and technology, establishing the Mysore State Council for Science and Technology in 1972. They also contributed to public health development by establishing hospitals like Victoria Hospital, which is a renowned hospital in Karnataka. They also promoted wildlife conservation by establishing Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park, and the Mysore Zoo, one of India's oldest and most popular zoos.

The Wodeyars, a prominent Indian family, were significant patrons of art, architecture, education, and traditional Indian culture. They commissioned magnificent palaces, temples, and public buildings, including the iconic Mysore Palace. They also promoted education, establishing schools and colleges like the prestigious University of Mysore. They were dedicated to preserving India's rich cultural heritage, promoting classical music, dance, and literature. They played a key role in the development of Kannada literature, establishing libraries and publishing works like the famous Kannada epic, "Kumaravyasa Bharata." They also promoted Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine system, and established hospitals and clinics in Mysore, supporting the development of Siddha and Unani medicine.

The Wodeyar dynasty, a powerful and influential dynasty, ruled the Kingdom of Mysore for over six centuries, leaving a lasting impact on the region's art, architecture, and education. They were great patrons of arts, supporting music, dance, and literature, and played a significant role in the wars against the British East India Company. Their legacy is still celebrated in Mysore today, with their landmarks and cultural traditions still visible. The Wodeyars built impressive palaces, gardens, and established cultural institutions, including the University of Mysore. They also supported causes like education and healthcare. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Wodeyars maintained their position as rulers until India gained independence. Their commitment to cultural and intellectual pursuits, military and political power, and their contributions to the region's culture and history continue to be celebrated today.

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REFERENCES:

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• Chakravarti, R. (2016). The Wodeyars of Mysore: A political history. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
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