What is the relation of IT industry to the Wodeyars of Mysore? It needs
few ‘Why’ questions to ask before we get to the root. In Software development,
there is a concept of Why-Why analysis or 5 Why analysis. So lets do that.
Why Bangalore became IT capital of India?
Because Texas
Instruments the first MNC IT Major chose Bangalore to start its technology
centre in India to rope in best available scientific talent in plenty here. Then
many foreign MNCs followed suite. Then came Infosys, Wipro etc.,
Why scientific talent is plenty in Bangalore?
Because all premier
scientific research and development centres from the central government were
favored to be established here. For example, DRDO, ISRO, HAL, NAL, BEL, etc.,
Hence there is plenty of scientific talent developed in Bangalore.
Why so many central R&D institutes came to Bangalore?
Because there was
India’s premier scientific institute IISC here and Raman Research institute was
also here. And it was quite natural for research based centres to find a good
backing from the premier education institute.
Why IISC was established in Bangalore? Why CV Raman chose Bangalore to
establish is Research institute?
Because of the great
statesman Nalvadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar (KR Wodeyar IV), Inspirational Swami
Vivekananda and the great Industrialist Jamshedji Tata.
The story goes, that Swami Vivekananda the walking, talking dynamo who
could explode positive thoughts around him in anyone, inspired Jamshedji Tata
to establish a world class scientific research institute. Tata readily agreed
and wanted someone to lend him enough land. Swamiji asked Wodeyar of Mysore. He
brought them together. He told them, that any technology can be bought, but
what the country needs is, to develop scientific temper in the young minds. For
which a world class facility, labs, research and education in basic science is
necessary.
Wodeyar readily agreed to grant all the necessary land for its
establishment. It is locally known as Tata Institute also.
Similarly, CV Raman who had worked extensively in his research career,
in Kolkata and then in Pune, chose to establish his own institute, the Maharaja
convinced him to set it up right here. CV Raman also had worked as the Head of
IISC by that time.
Benevolence of Mysore State Under
Wodeyars
Under the Wodeyars, the Mysore state enjoyed benevolence. There were
many firsts to their credit. They were first to understand & appreciate
British modern administrative excellence. They quickly accepted it and established
it in Mystore state for the benefit of the people.
The district level sessions courts were established in Mysore state
first outside British held administrative area. Mysoru Anche was first state
wide Postal system. This lead to the establishment of Indian postal system.
Mysore had its first radio station in India, Akashavani. This gave raise to All
India Radio later. Bangalore became the first electrified city in India.
Shimsha water reservoir near Bangalore, was India’s first electricity
generating unit. It was established specifically to supply electricity to Kolar
Gold Fields to help the British privately held company to dig deeper to mine
the Gold and loot them out of our country. When the Maharaja raised the rate of
electricity due to obvious increase in cost of production, the British pinned
the request down citing we have a world war to fight. (WW I was going on at
that time at our cost, financials as well as sending our soldiers). The
Macaulay British education system was quickly adapted and some convents came up
in Coorg & Coastal areas. While the British Modern education system has
arguably impoverished us Indians, it was important to adapt to the changing
power equations and adopt administrative, education policies accordingly to the
benefit the common man.
All in all, the Mysore state under Wodeyars after the befall of Tipu
was in righteous hands who looked after their subjects with love and care.
British termed Mysore as a Modern welfare state. Gandhiji always hailed
the Maharaja for establishing a benevolent state and a Modern welfare state.
There are many other achievements like, Mysore University
establishment, KRS dam commissioning, Bhadravathi Iron & Steel works,
Importing sericulture technology which lead to Tata Silk Farm which further
lead to Central Silk Board (now famous for traffic jam on Hosur road junction!)
establishing Mysore Silk industries. All of these and many other establishments
have great stories of resilience, fighting spirit of the Maharajas of Mysore.
Now in Bangalore we see many landmarks rightfully named after wodeyars.
For example, we see KR Market, KR Road, KR Circle etc., Nalvadi Krishna Raja
Wadeyar had much contributions in all of the previously mentioned feet of the
Mysore state. Of course there are many who joined his endearing efforts in
making the Mysore state a peaceful and modern welfare state. Like that of Sir M
Vishweshwaraya, Sir Mirza Ismail, DV Gundappa etc., to name just a few.
Before Nalvadi KR Wodeyar (Nalvadi in Kannada means fourth, Mummadi is
third), Mummadi KR Wodeyar also had significant contributions to the Mysore
state. He patronized art & culture greatly during his time. The great names
like Veene Sheshanna, Piteelu Chowdaiah, Honnappa Bhagavatharu etc., are known
to have flourished under his tutelage.
There is a natural connection between the fine art and science.
Where there is a cultural growth & freedom, there is harmony which gives
raise to scientific temper. This is well exemplified here.
Injustice to Wodeyars in current School
Education
There is absolute injustice done to the Wodeyars in our school
syllabus. There is very little mention of their achievements even in Karnataka state
syllabus. Krishnaraja Wadeyar IV alone commands a depth of gratitude from
the children of Karnataka for making a state worth flourishing in all walks of
life today.
While Tipu & Hyder are hailed as fighters for freedom & there
are dedicated detailed chapters on them, Wodeyars and their benevolence is
completely ignored by today’s school system.
The locals all over Karnataka consider Tipu as a villain of
their community, locality. For Chitradurga people he was a perpetrator of
independence, for people of Coorg he was a mass murderer; The people of
Melukote near Mandya don’t celebrate Deepavali even today as they mourn the
mass murder of several Brahmins by Tipu on that day. For the people of
Shivamogga, he was a cruel king as he jailed and tortured their kings. The
people of Malabar in northern Kerala today are victims of his atrocities for
decades. Maximum forced religious conversions happened during his undignified rides there.
British for their benefit and foresightedness of divide and rule, hailed Tipu as a great warrior. The current education system carries forward
that folly in appeasement of his fanatics & in fear of them too.
It is our responsibility to educate our children on the great dynasty
of Wodeyars and their benevolent rule of Mysore state for nearly five
centuries.
Hope this introduction gives more interest for you to read more
about the Wodeyars of Mysore.
