Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
Encyclopedia
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1794 – 27 March 1868) was the ruling Maharaja
of the princely state
of Mysore in India. Also known as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, he belonged to the Wodeyar
dynasty and ruled his state for nearly seventy years, from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868. He is known for his contribution and patronage to different arts and music during his reign. He was succeeded by his adopted son, Chamaraja Wodeyar
.
} and his first wife, Maharani Kempa Nanja Ammani Avaru. Chamaraja Wodeyar IX was the adopted son of Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi, the widow of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II
. Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi played a major role in the development of her adopted grandson, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, and was instrumental in his ascendancy to the Mysore throne. The Wodeyars had lost the throne of Mysore to Hyder Ali
in the year 1766. Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi was waiting for a chance to unseat Hyder Ali and later his son Tipu Sultan
, and had sent numerous feelers to the British to unseat them and hand over the kingdom to the Wodeyars. She also informed the British about the treaty between Tipu Sultan
and the French
. When Tipu Sultan died at the hands of the British in 1799, she discussed about the handover of the Mysore throne, which finally led to the installation of the five-year old Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, as the Maharaja of Mysore on 30 June 1799. The ceremony took place in a special pavilion constructed near the Lakshmiramana Swamy temple in Mysore. Dewan Purnaiah was selected as the Dewan of Mysore with an indication that he should be loyal to the king till the king himself attains an age of discretion.
to the king. But the king lost the services of his grandmother, who died in 1810, and also of Purnaiah, who died in 1812.
and Sougandhikaparinaya. He also has a number of writers in his court who together contributed to the development of modern Kannada prose; which had a style different from the Champu style of prose which was followed till then. Other important writings that emerged during his rule include Mudramanjusha by Kempu Narayana, Kalavati Parinaya by Yadava and Vachana Kadamabari. The king was well versed in many languages and could play the musical instrument, veena
. He was an expert player of board games and is credited to have revived the Ganjifa
game. He was also a collector and an inventor of board games.
Sri
Sir
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, GCSI
.
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
of the princely state
Princely state
A Princely State was a nominally sovereign entitity of British rule in India that was not directly governed by the British, but rather by an Indian ruler under a form of indirect rule such as suzerainty or paramountcy.-British relationship with the Princely States:India under the British Raj ...
of Mysore in India. Also known as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, he belonged to the Wodeyar
Wodeyar
The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...
dynasty and ruled his state for nearly seventy years, from 30 June 1799 to 27 March 1868. He is known for his contribution and patronage to different arts and music during his reign. He was succeeded by his adopted son, Chamaraja Wodeyar
Chamaraja Wodeyar
Chamaraja Wadiyar X was the ruling Maharaja of Mysore between 1881 and 1894.-Adoption and accession:Chamaraja was born at the old palace in Mysore on February 22, 1863, as the third son of Sardar Chikka Krishnaraj Urs, of the Bettada-Kote branch of the ruling clan. His father died about a week...
.
Early years
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, who was born at Srirangapatna, was the son of Khasa Chamaraja Wodeyar IX {who was born at Arokottara(now ChamarajanagarChamarajanagar
Chamarajanagar is a town in the southern end of Karnataka, a state in India. It is also the headquarters of the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is named after Chamaraja Wodeyar IX , king of Mysore, who was born in the town...
} and his first wife, Maharani Kempa Nanja Ammani Avaru. Chamaraja Wodeyar IX was the adopted son of Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi, the widow of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II
Krishnaraja Wodeyar II
Krishna Raja Wodeyar II,, was also known popularly as Immadi Krishna Raja Wadeyar.He was the titular ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1734 to 1766...
. Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi played a major role in the development of her adopted grandson, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, and was instrumental in his ascendancy to the Mysore throne. The Wodeyars had lost the throne of Mysore to Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Born Hyder Naik, he distinguished himself militarily, eventually drawing the attention of Mysore's rulers...
in the year 1766. Maharani Lakshmi Ammani Devi was waiting for a chance to unseat Hyder Ali and later his son Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
, and had sent numerous feelers to the British to unseat them and hand over the kingdom to the Wodeyars. She also informed the British about the treaty between Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan , also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. He was the son of Hyder Ali, at that time an officer in the Mysorean army, and his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-Nissa...
and the French
French India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
. When Tipu Sultan died at the hands of the British in 1799, she discussed about the handover of the Mysore throne, which finally led to the installation of the five-year old Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, as the Maharaja of Mysore on 30 June 1799. The ceremony took place in a special pavilion constructed near the Lakshmiramana Swamy temple in Mysore. Dewan Purnaiah was selected as the Dewan of Mysore with an indication that he should be loyal to the king till the king himself attains an age of discretion.
Ruler of Mysore State
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar attained the age of 16 in early 1810 and hence attained the age of discretion. After discussing with the British Resident, A. H. Cole, the reins of the state were transferred from Dewan PurnaiahPurnaiah
Purnaiah was the Dewan of Mysore. He served under Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, the British and Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. He was well known for his skill with accounts, prodigious memory, proficiency in several languages and sheer hard work....
to the king. But the king lost the services of his grandmother, who died in 1810, and also of Purnaiah, who died in 1812.
Contribution to culture
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was responsible for the cultural growth of the Mysore state. He was himself a writer, having written Kannada books like SritattvanidhiSritattvanidhi
The Sritattvanidhi is an iconographic treatise written in the 19th century in Karnataka by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III . The Maharaja was a great patron of art and learning and was himself a scholar and writer. There are around 50 works ascribed to him...
and Sougandhikaparinaya. He also has a number of writers in his court who together contributed to the development of modern Kannada prose; which had a style different from the Champu style of prose which was followed till then. Other important writings that emerged during his rule include Mudramanjusha by Kempu Narayana, Kalavati Parinaya by Yadava and Vachana Kadamabari. The king was well versed in many languages and could play the musical instrument, veena
Veena
Veena may refer to one of several Indian plucked instruments:With frets*Rudra veena, plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music*Saraswati veena, plucked string instrument used in Carnatic musicFretless...
. He was an expert player of board games and is credited to have revived the Ganjifa
Ganjifa
Ganjifa, or Gânjaphâ, is a card game that originated in Persia and became popular in India under the Mughal emperors in the 16th century.-Description:The name Ganjifa comes from the Persian word ganjifeh , meaning playing card...
game. He was also a collector and an inventor of board games.
Full name and titles
His official full name with titles was His Highness MaharajaMaharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
Sri
Sri
Sri , also transliterated as Shri or Shree or shre is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in the Indian subcontinent as polite form of address equivalent to the English "Mr." in written and spoken language, or as a title of veneration for deities .-Etymology:Sri has the root meaning of radiance, or...
Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, GCSI
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
.