Kingdom of Mysore: Difference between revisions
→Princely State: dash |
→History: moved image to correct location |
||
Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
{{Main |Origin of Kingdom of Mysore}} |
{{Main |Origin of Kingdom of Mysore}} |
||
===Origin=== |
===Origin=== |
||
[[File:Joppen1907MysoreChickDeoWadiyar1704.jpg|right|thumb|Kingdom of Mysore at end of 17th century during rule of King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar]] |
|||
<!-- [[Image:Mysore Palace at dusk.jpg|thumb|[[Mysore Palace]] at dusk (Indo-Saracenic style)]] --> |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
Sources for the history of the kingdom include numerous extant lithic and copper plate [[epigraph|inscriptions]], records from the Mysore palace and contemporary literary sources in [[Kannada]], [[Persian]] and other languages.<ref name="vamsha">Kamath (2001), pp. 11–12, pp. 226–227; Pranesh (2003), p. 11</ref><ref name="vamsha10">Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 23</ref><ref name="vamsa">Subrahmanyam (2003), p. 64; Rice E.P. (1921), p. 89</ref> It is believed that the kingdom originated as a small state based in the modern city of [[Mysore]] and was founded by two brothers, Yaduraya (also known as Vijaya) and Krishnaraya. Their origins however, is mired in legend and is still a matter of debate, with some historians positing a northern origin at [[Dwaraka]],<ref name="cha">Kamath (2001), p. 226</ref><ref name="feud">Rice B.L. (1897), p. 361</ref> while others claim a local Karnataka origin.<ref name="dwarka">Pranesh (2003), pp. 2–3</ref><ref name="opportune">Wilks, Aiyangar in Aiyangar and Smith (1911), pp. 275–276</ref> Irrespective of where they came from, Yaduraya is said to have married the princess of Mysore, Chikkadevarasi, and assumed the feudal title "Wodeyar" (''lit'', "Lord"), which the ensuing dynasty retained.<ref name="title">Aiyangar (1911), p. 275; Pranesh (2003), p. 2</ref> The first unambiguous mention of the Wodeyar family is in 16th century [[Kannada literature]] from the reign of the Vijayanagara king [[Achyuta Deva Raya]] (1529–1542), while the earliest available inscription, issued by the Mysore kingdom, is from the rule of the petty chief Timmaraja II in 1551.<ref name="prin">Stein (1989), p. 82</ref> |
Sources for the history of the kingdom include numerous extant lithic and copper plate [[epigraph|inscriptions]], records from the Mysore palace and contemporary literary sources in [[Kannada]], [[Persian]] and other languages.<ref name="vamsha">Kamath (2001), pp. 11–12, pp. 226–227; Pranesh (2003), p. 11</ref><ref name="vamsha10">Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 23</ref><ref name="vamsa">Subrahmanyam (2003), p. 64; Rice E.P. (1921), p. 89</ref> It is believed that the kingdom originated as a small state based in the modern city of [[Mysore]] and was founded by two brothers, Yaduraya (also known as Vijaya) and Krishnaraya. Their origins however, is mired in legend and is still a matter of debate, with some historians positing a northern origin at [[Dwaraka]],<ref name="cha">Kamath (2001), p. 226</ref><ref name="feud">Rice B.L. (1897), p. 361</ref> while others claim a local Karnataka origin.<ref name="dwarka">Pranesh (2003), pp. 2–3</ref><ref name="opportune">Wilks, Aiyangar in Aiyangar and Smith (1911), pp. 275–276</ref> Irrespective of where they came from, Yaduraya is said to have married the princess of Mysore, Chikkadevarasi, and assumed the feudal title "Wodeyar" (''lit'', "Lord"), which the ensuing dynasty retained.<ref name="title">Aiyangar (1911), p. 275; Pranesh (2003), p. 2</ref> The first unambiguous mention of the Wodeyar family is in 16th century [[Kannada literature]] from the reign of the Vijayanagara king [[Achyuta Deva Raya]] (1529–1542), while the earliest available inscription, issued by the Mysore kingdom, is from the rule of the petty chief Timmaraja II in 1551.<ref name="prin">Stein (1989), p. 82</ref> |
||
Line 60: | Line 58: | ||
Chikka Devaraja (r. 1672–1704), the most notable of Mysore's early kings, who ruled during much of this period, managed to not only survive the exigencies but further expanded territory. He achieved this on occasion even by forging strategic alliances with the Marathas and the [[Mughal]]s.<ref name="alliance">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71</ref><ref name="early">Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229</ref> The kingdom soon grew to include [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] and [[Bangalore]] to the east, [[Hassan District|Hassan]] to the west, [[Chikkamagaluru]] and [[Tumkur]] to the north and the rest of [[Coimbatore]] to the south.<ref name="salem">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69; Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229</ref> Despite this expansion, the kingdom, which now accounted for a fair share of land in the southern Indian heartland, extending from the [[Western Ghats]] to the western boundaries of the [[Coromandel]] plain, remain landlocked without direct coastal access. Chikka Devaraja's attempt to remedy this brought Mysore into conflict with the chiefs ruling from [[Ikkeri]] (the [[Keladi Nayaka]]s), and kings (''Rajas'') of [[Kodagu]] (modern Coorg). The chiefs of Ikkeri controlled the [[Kanara]] coast (coastal areas of modern Karnataka) while the kings of Kodagu dominated the hill regions between Mysore and the west coast.<ref name="coast">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69</ref> The conflict brought mixed results with Mysore annexing Periyapatna but suffering a reversal at Palupare.<ref name="reverse">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 70</ref> |
Chikka Devaraja (r. 1672–1704), the most notable of Mysore's early kings, who ruled during much of this period, managed to not only survive the exigencies but further expanded territory. He achieved this on occasion even by forging strategic alliances with the Marathas and the [[Mughal]]s.<ref name="alliance">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71</ref><ref name="early">Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229</ref> The kingdom soon grew to include [[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] and [[Bangalore]] to the east, [[Hassan District|Hassan]] to the west, [[Chikkamagaluru]] and [[Tumkur]] to the north and the rest of [[Coimbatore]] to the south.<ref name="salem">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69; Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229</ref> Despite this expansion, the kingdom, which now accounted for a fair share of land in the southern Indian heartland, extending from the [[Western Ghats]] to the western boundaries of the [[Coromandel]] plain, remain landlocked without direct coastal access. Chikka Devaraja's attempt to remedy this brought Mysore into conflict with the chiefs ruling from [[Ikkeri]] (the [[Keladi Nayaka]]s), and kings (''Rajas'') of [[Kodagu]] (modern Coorg). The chiefs of Ikkeri controlled the [[Kanara]] coast (coastal areas of modern Karnataka) while the kings of Kodagu dominated the hill regions between Mysore and the west coast.<ref name="coast">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69</ref> The conflict brought mixed results with Mysore annexing Periyapatna but suffering a reversal at Palupare.<ref name="reverse">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 70</ref> |
||
⚫ | |||
Nevertheless, from around 1704, when the kingdom passed on to "Muteking" (''Mukarasu'') [[Narasaraja Wodeyar II|Kanthirava Narasaraja II]], the survival and expansion of the kingdom was achieved by playing a delicate game of alliance, negotiation, subordination on occasion, and annexation of territory in all directions. According to historians Sanjay Subrahmanyam and Sethu Madhava Rao, Mysore was now formally a tributary of the Mughal empire. Mughul records claim a regular tribute (''peshkash'') was payed by Mysore. However, historian Suryanath Kamath feels the Mughals may have considered Mysore an ally, a situation brought about by Mughal–Maratha competition for supremacy in southern India.<ref name="peinisular">Subrahmanyam (2001), pp. 70–71; Kamath (2001), p. 229</ref> By the 1720s, with the Mughal empire in decline, further complications arose with the Mughal residents at both [[Arcot]] and [[Sira, India|Sira]] claiming tribute.<ref name="arcot">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71</ref> The years that followed saw Krishnaraja Wodeyar I tread cautiously on the matter while keeping the Kodagu chiefs and the Marathas at bay. He was followed by Chamaraja Wodeyar VI during whose reign power fell into the hands of prime minister (''Dalwai'' or ''Dalavoy'') Nanjarajiah (or Nanjaraja) and chief minister (''Sarvadhikari'') Devarajiah (or Devaraja), the influential brothers from Kalale town near [[Nanjangud]] who would rule for the next three decades with the Wodeyars relegated to being the titular heads.<ref name="right">Pranesh (2003), pp. 44–45</ref><ref name="right1">Kamath (2001), p. 230</ref> The latter part of the rule of [[Krishnaraja Wodeyar II|Krishnaraja II]] saw the Sultanates being eclipsed by the Mughals and in the confusion that ensued, [[Hyder Ali|Haider Ali]], a captain in the army, rose to prominence.<ref>Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201</ref> His victory against the Marathas at [[Bangalore]] in 1758, resulting in the annexation of their territory, made him an iconic figure. In honour of his achievements, the king gave him the title "Nawab Haider Ali Khan Bahadur".<ref name="bahadur">Kamath (2001), p. 230</ref> |
Nevertheless, from around 1704, when the kingdom passed on to "Muteking" (''Mukarasu'') [[Narasaraja Wodeyar II|Kanthirava Narasaraja II]], the survival and expansion of the kingdom was achieved by playing a delicate game of alliance, negotiation, subordination on occasion, and annexation of territory in all directions. According to historians Sanjay Subrahmanyam and Sethu Madhava Rao, Mysore was now formally a tributary of the Mughal empire. Mughul records claim a regular tribute (''peshkash'') was payed by Mysore. However, historian Suryanath Kamath feels the Mughals may have considered Mysore an ally, a situation brought about by Mughal–Maratha competition for supremacy in southern India.<ref name="peinisular">Subrahmanyam (2001), pp. 70–71; Kamath (2001), p. 229</ref> By the 1720s, with the Mughal empire in decline, further complications arose with the Mughal residents at both [[Arcot]] and [[Sira, India|Sira]] claiming tribute.<ref name="arcot">Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71</ref> The years that followed saw Krishnaraja Wodeyar I tread cautiously on the matter while keeping the Kodagu chiefs and the Marathas at bay. He was followed by Chamaraja Wodeyar VI during whose reign power fell into the hands of prime minister (''Dalwai'' or ''Dalavoy'') Nanjarajiah (or Nanjaraja) and chief minister (''Sarvadhikari'') Devarajiah (or Devaraja), the influential brothers from Kalale town near [[Nanjangud]] who would rule for the next three decades with the Wodeyars relegated to being the titular heads.<ref name="right">Pranesh (2003), pp. 44–45</ref><ref name="right1">Kamath (2001), p. 230</ref> The latter part of the rule of [[Krishnaraja Wodeyar II|Krishnaraja II]] saw the Sultanates being eclipsed by the Mughals and in the confusion that ensued, [[Hyder Ali|Haider Ali]], a captain in the army, rose to prominence.<ref>Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201</ref> His victory against the Marathas at [[Bangalore]] in 1758, resulting in the annexation of their territory, made him an iconic figure. In honour of his achievements, the king gave him the title "Nawab Haider Ali Khan Bahadur".<ref name="bahadur">Kamath (2001), p. 230</ref> |
||
Line 80: | Line 78: | ||
===Princely State=== |
===Princely State=== |
||
{{main|Princely State of Mysore}} |
{{main|Princely State of Mysore}} |
||
⚫ | |||
Following Tipu's fall, a part of the kingdom of Mysore was annexed and divided between the Madras Presidency and the British vassals. The remaining territory was formed into a princely state and the five-year-old scion of the Wodeyar family, [[Krishnaraja Wodeyar III|Krishnaraja III]], was installed on the throne with "chief minister" (''Diwan'') Purniah handling the reigns as regent. Mysore paid an annual tribute to the British Raj and a subsidy for maintaining a standing British army at Mysore.<ref name="army">Kamath (2001), p. 249</ref><ref name="install">Kamath (2001), p. 234</ref> |
Following Tipu's fall, a part of the kingdom of Mysore was annexed and divided between the Madras Presidency and the British vassals. The remaining territory was formed into a princely state and the five-year-old scion of the Wodeyar family, [[Krishnaraja Wodeyar III|Krishnaraja III]], was installed on the throne with "chief minister" (''Diwan'') Purniah handling the reigns as regent. Mysore paid an annual tribute to the British Raj and a subsidy for maintaining a standing British army at Mysore.<ref name="army">Kamath (2001), p. 249</ref><ref name="install">Kamath (2001), p. 234</ref> |
||
Revision as of 14:17, 16 January 2009
Kingdom of Mysore/Princely State of Mysore ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1399–1947 | |||||||||||
Anthem: Kayou Sri Gowri | |||||||||||
![]() Extent of Kingdom of Mysore, 1784 CE | |||||||||||
Status | Kingdom (Subordinate to Vijayanagara Empire until 1565). Princely state under the paramountcy of the British Raj after 1799 | ||||||||||
Capital | Mysore, Srirangapatna | ||||||||||
Common languages | Kannada, English | ||||||||||
Religion | Hindu | ||||||||||
Government | Monarchy until 1799, Principality thereafter | ||||||||||
Ruler | |||||||||||
• 1399–1423 (first) | Yaduraya | ||||||||||
• 1761–1799 (Peak) | Haidar Ali and Tippu Sultan | ||||||||||
• 1940–1947 (last) | Jaya Chamaraja Wodeyar | ||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
• Established | 1399 | ||||||||||
• Earliest records | 1551 | ||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1947 | ||||||||||
|
The Kingdom of Mysore (Kannada ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ) (1399–1947 CE) was a kingdom of southern India, probably founded in 1399 by Yaduraya in the region of the modern city of Mysore. The kingdom, which was ruled by the Wodeyar family, initially served as a feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire. With the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire (circa 1565), the kingdom became independent. The sixteenth century saw a steady expansion of its territory and, under Narasaraja Wodeyar I and Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, the kingdom annexed large expanses of what is now southern Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu to become a powerful state in the southern Deccan.
The kingdom reached the height of its military power in the latter half of the 18th century under Haider Ali, an army commander, and his son Tipu Sultan, who took control of the kingdom. During this time, it came into conflict with the Marathas, the British and the Nizam of Golconda which culminated in the four Anglo-Mysore wars. Success in the first two Anglo-Mysore wars was followed by defeat in the third and fourth. Following Tipu's death in the fourth war of 1799, large parts of the kingdom were annexed by British which signaled the end of a period of Mysorean hegemony over southern Deccan. The British, however, restored the Wodeyars to the throne by way of a subsidiary alliance and a diminished Mysore was now transformed into a Princely state. The Wodeyars continued to rule the state until Indian independence in 1947, when Mysore acceded to the Union of India.
Even as a princely state, Mysore came to be counted among the more modern and urbanized regions of India. This period also saw Mysore emerge as one of the most important centers of art and culture in India. The Mysore kings were not only accomplished exponents of the fine arts and men of letters, they were enthusiastic patrons as well and their legacies continue to influence music and art even today.
History
Origin
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a7/Joppen1907MysoreChickDeoWadiyar1704.jpg/220px-Joppen1907MysoreChickDeoWadiyar1704.jpg)
Sources for the history of the kingdom include numerous extant lithic and copper plate inscriptions, records from the Mysore palace and contemporary literary sources in Kannada, Persian and other languages.[1][2][3] It is believed that the kingdom originated as a small state based in the modern city of Mysore and was founded by two brothers, Yaduraya (also known as Vijaya) and Krishnaraya. Their origins however, is mired in legend and is still a matter of debate, with some historians positing a northern origin at Dwaraka,[4][5] while others claim a local Karnataka origin.[6][7] Irrespective of where they came from, Yaduraya is said to have married the princess of Mysore, Chikkadevarasi, and assumed the feudal title "Wodeyar" (lit, "Lord"), which the ensuing dynasty retained.[8] The first unambiguous mention of the Wodeyar family is in 16th century Kannada literature from the reign of the Vijayanagara king Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542), while the earliest available inscription, issued by the Mysore kingdom, is from the rule of the petty chief Timmaraja II in 1551.[9]
Autonomy: advances and reversals
The kings who followed ruled as vassals of the Vijayanagara empire until the decline of the latter in 1565. By this time, the kingdom had expanded to thirty-three villages protected by a force of 300 soldiers.[10] King Timmaraja II conquered some surrounding chiefdoms,[11] and King Bola Chamaraja IV (lit, "Bald"), the first ruler of any political significance among them, withheld tribute to the nominal Vijayanagara monarch Aravidu Ramaraya [12]. After the death of Aravidu Ramaraya, the Wodeyars began to assert themselves further and King Raja Wodeyar I wrested control of Srirangapatna from the Vijayanagara governor (Mahamandaleshvara) Aravidu Tirumalla – a development which elicited, if only ex post facto, the tacit approval of Venkatapati Raya, the incumbent king of the diminished Vijayanagar empire ruled from Chandragiri.[13] Raja Wodeyar I's reign also saw some territorial expansion with the annexation of Channapatna to the north from Jaggadeva Raya.[14][15]This success made Mysore a regional political factor to reckon with.[16][17]
Consequently, by 1612–13, the Wodeyars exercised a great deal of autonomy and even though their inscriptions and proclamations acknowledged the overlordship of the Vijayanagara rulers, tributes and transfers of revenue to Vijayanagara had stopped. This was in marked contrast to the major chiefs (Nayakas) of Tamil country who continued to pay off Chandragiri well into the 1630s.[18] Chamaraja V and Kanthirava Narasaraja I attempted to expand further northward but were thwarted by the Bijapur Sultanate and its Maratha subordinates, though the Bijapur armies under Ranadullah Khan were effectively repelled in their 1638 siege of Srirangapatna.[19][20] Expansionist ambitions then turned southward into Tamil country where Narasaraja Wodeyar acquired Satyamangalam (in modern northern Coimbatore district) while his successor Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar expanded further to capture western Tamil regions of Erode and Dharmapuri, after successfully repulsing the chiefs of Madurai. The invasion of the Keladi Nayakas of Malnad was also dealt with successfully. This period was followed by one of complex geo-political changes, when in the 1670s, the Marathas and the Mughals pressed into the Deccan.[21][22]
Chikka Devaraja (r. 1672–1704), the most notable of Mysore's early kings, who ruled during much of this period, managed to not only survive the exigencies but further expanded territory. He achieved this on occasion even by forging strategic alliances with the Marathas and the Mughals.[23][24] The kingdom soon grew to include Salem and Bangalore to the east, Hassan to the west, Chikkamagaluru and Tumkur to the north and the rest of Coimbatore to the south.[25] Despite this expansion, the kingdom, which now accounted for a fair share of land in the southern Indian heartland, extending from the Western Ghats to the western boundaries of the Coromandel plain, remain landlocked without direct coastal access. Chikka Devaraja's attempt to remedy this brought Mysore into conflict with the chiefs ruling from Ikkeri (the Keladi Nayakas), and kings (Rajas) of Kodagu (modern Coorg). The chiefs of Ikkeri controlled the Kanara coast (coastal areas of modern Karnataka) while the kings of Kodagu dominated the hill regions between Mysore and the west coast.[26] The conflict brought mixed results with Mysore annexing Periyapatna but suffering a reversal at Palupare.[27]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Tipu_Sultan_BL.jpg/220px-Tipu_Sultan_BL.jpg)
Nevertheless, from around 1704, when the kingdom passed on to "Muteking" (Mukarasu) Kanthirava Narasaraja II, the survival and expansion of the kingdom was achieved by playing a delicate game of alliance, negotiation, subordination on occasion, and annexation of territory in all directions. According to historians Sanjay Subrahmanyam and Sethu Madhava Rao, Mysore was now formally a tributary of the Mughal empire. Mughul records claim a regular tribute (peshkash) was payed by Mysore. However, historian Suryanath Kamath feels the Mughals may have considered Mysore an ally, a situation brought about by Mughal–Maratha competition for supremacy in southern India.[28] By the 1720s, with the Mughal empire in decline, further complications arose with the Mughal residents at both Arcot and Sira claiming tribute.[29] The years that followed saw Krishnaraja Wodeyar I tread cautiously on the matter while keeping the Kodagu chiefs and the Marathas at bay. He was followed by Chamaraja Wodeyar VI during whose reign power fell into the hands of prime minister (Dalwai or Dalavoy) Nanjarajiah (or Nanjaraja) and chief minister (Sarvadhikari) Devarajiah (or Devaraja), the influential brothers from Kalale town near Nanjangud who would rule for the next three decades with the Wodeyars relegated to being the titular heads.[30][31] The latter part of the rule of Krishnaraja II saw the Sultanates being eclipsed by the Mughals and in the confusion that ensued, Haider Ali, a captain in the army, rose to prominence.[32] His victory against the Marathas at Bangalore in 1758, resulting in the annexation of their territory, made him an iconic figure. In honour of his achievements, the king gave him the title "Nawab Haider Ali Khan Bahadur".[33]
Under Haider and Tipu
Template:Mysore Rulers Infobox Though illiterate, Haider Ali has earned an important place in the history of Karnataka for his fighting skills and administrative acumen.[34][35] The rise of Haidar came at a time of important political developments in the sub-continent. While the European powers were busy transforming themselves from trading companies to political powers, the Nizam as the subedar of the Mughals pursued his ambitions in the Deccan, and the Marathas, following their defeat at Panipat, also sought safe havens in the south. The period also saw the French vie with the British for control of the Carnatic – a contest in which the British would eventually prevail.[36] Though the Wodeyars remained the nominal heads during this period, real power lay in the hands of Haider Ali and his son Tipu.[37]
By 1761, the Maratha menace had diminished and by 1763, Haider Ali had captured the Keladi kingdom, defeated the rulers of Bilgi, Bednur and Gutti, invaded the Malabar in the south and conquered the Zamorin's capital Calicut with ease in 1766 and extended the Mysore kingdom up to Dharwad and Bellary in the north.[38][39] Mysore was now a major political power in the subcontinent and Haider's meteoric rise from relative obscurity and his defiance became an obstacle like none other to the British power in India – a challenge which would take them more than three decades to overcome.[40]
In a bid to stem Haidar's rise, the British formed an alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam of Golconda, culminating in the first Anglo-Mysore war in 1767. Despite early reverses, the war was a victory for Haider Ali, who drove the British out of most of their forts in the Carnatic and dictated peace terms at the very centre of its power – South Madras (modern Chennai).[39][41][42] In 1770, the Maratha Madhava Rao invaded Mysore. Haider expected British support as per the 1769 treaty but they betrayed him by staying out of the conflict. The British betrayal and Haider's subsequent defeat reinforced Haider's deep distrust of the British — a sentiment that would be shared by his son and one which would inform Anglo-Mysore rivalries of the next three decades. Haider now waited for an opportune moment to form an anti-British alliance.
By 1779, Haider Ali had captured parts of modern Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south, extending the Kingdom's area to about 80,000 mi² (205,000 km²).[39] In 1780, he befriended the French and made peace with the Marathas and the Nizam.[23] However, Haider Ali was betrayed by the Marathas and the Nizam, who made treaties with the British as well. Between May 1780 and July 1781, the undaunted Mysorean army overran British territories, either killing or routing key British commanders, until the arrival of General Eyre Coote, when the fortunes of the British began to change.[43] Haider Ali died on 7th December 1782, even as fighting continued with the British. He was succeeded by his son Tipu Sultan who continued hostilities against the British by recapturing Baidanur and Mangalore.[39][44]
Meanwhile, the French had withdrawn their support to Mysore after the end of Anglo-French wars in 1783. Undaunted, Tipu, popularly known as the "Tiger of Mysore", defeated the British in Wandiwash in 1783, but lost some regions in modern coastal Karnataka to them. He later lost the Kittur, Nargund and Badami territories to the Marathas. The treaty of Mangalore, which is known to have favored Tipu, was signed in 1784 bringing hostilities with the British to a temporary and uneasy halt.[45][46] The start of fresh hostilities between the British and French in Europe was all that Tipu needed to aborgate his treaty and further his ambition of destroying the foreign power. His attempts to lure the Nizam, the Marathas, the French and the King of Turkey failed to bring direct military aid.[47] Tipu's unsuccessful attack on the Kingdom of Travancore, a British ally, resulted in the third Anglo-Mysore war. In the beginning, the British made little progress, winning some ground and losing some.
By 1792, seeking aid from the Marathas who attacked from the north-west, and the Nizam who moved in from the north-east, the British under Lord Cornwallis successfully besieged Srirangapatna, resulting in Tipu's defeat and the treaty of Srirangapatna. Half of Tipu's kingdom were seized and distributed among the allies, and two of his sons were taken hostage.[45] A humiliated but indomitable Tipu went about re-building his economic and military power. He attempted to win over support from the French, the Amir of Afghanistan, the Sultanate of Turkey and Arabia. The British, who were determined to eliminate Tipu were backed by their traditional allies, the Marathas and the Nizam of Golconda. In 1799, Tipu died fighting in the fourth Anglo-Mysore war, heralding the end of the Kingdom's independence.[48] Modern Indian historians consider Tipu Sultan an inveterate enemy of the British, an able administrator and an innovator.[49]
Princely State
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Anglo-Mysore_War_4.png/220px-Anglo-Mysore_War_4.png)
Following Tipu's fall, a part of the kingdom of Mysore was annexed and divided between the Madras Presidency and the British vassals. The remaining territory was formed into a princely state and the five-year-old scion of the Wodeyar family, Krishnaraja III, was installed on the throne with "chief minister" (Diwan) Purniah handling the reigns as regent. Mysore paid an annual tribute to the British Raj and a subsidy for maintaining a standing British army at Mysore.[50][51]
As Diwan, Purniah earned praise for his progressive and innovative administration.[52] In 1811, he retired from service following the 16th birthday of the boy king. In 1831, dissatisfied with the economy of the princely state and citing mal-administration, a situation brought about by corrupt local officials (tashildars), the British took direct control of the princely state.[53] Maharaja Krishnaraja III spent most of his time encouraging the fine arts, resulting in the development of Carnatic music and Kannada literature.[53] For the next fifty years, Mysore was subject to the rule of the British-appointed Commissioners. In 1876–77, towards the end of the direct British rule, Mysore was struck by a devastating famine with estimated mortality figures which ranged between 700,000 and 1,100,000, or nearly a fifth of the population.[54] Shortly thereafter, Maharaja Chamaraja IX, who was educated in the British system, took over the Mysore administration in 1881, following the success of a lobby set up by the Wodeyar dynasty that was in favour of rendition.[55] From then onwards, until Indian independence in 1947, Mysore remained a princely state under the British Raj with the Wodeyars continuing their rule.
After the demise of Maharaja Chamaraja IX, Krishnaraja IV, still a boy of eleven ascended the throne in 1895. His mother Maharani Kemparajammanniyavaru ruled as regent until Krishnaraja took over the reins on 8 February 1902.[56] Under his rule, with Sir M. Vishweshwariah as his Diwan, the Maharaja set about transforming Mysore into a progressive and modern state, particularly in industry, education, agriculture and art. Such were the strides that Mysore made that Mahatma Gandhi called the Maharaja a "saintly king" (Rajarishi).[57] Paul Brunton, the British philosopher and orientalist, John Gunther, the American author, and British statesman Lord Samuel praised the ruler's efforts. Much of the pioneering work in educational infrastructure that took place during this period would serve Karnataka invaluably in the coming decades.[58] The Maharaja was an accomplished musician, and like his predecessors, avidly patronised the development of the fine arts.[59] He was followed by his nephew Jayachamaraja who proved a worthy successor in the years leading up to Indian independence. The rule of the Wodeyar dynasty came to an end when Mysore joined the Indian union following the instrument of accession signed by Jayachamaraja Wodeyar on 9 August 1947.
Administration
There are no records relating to the administration of the Mysore territory during the Vijayanagara Empire's reign (1399–1565). Signs of a well organised and independent administration appear from the time of Raja Wodeyar I who is believed to have been sympathetic towards peasants (raiyats) who were exempted from any increases in taxation during his time.[60] The first sign that the kingdom had established itself in the area was the issuing of gold coins (Kanthirayi phanam) resembling those of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire during Narasaraja Wodeyar's rule.[61]
The rule of Chikka Devaraja saw several reforms were effected. Internal administration was remodeled to suit the kingdom's growing needs and became more efficient. A postal system came into being. Far reaching financial reforms were also introduced. A number of petty taxes were imposed in place of direct taxes, as a result of which the peasants were compelled to pay more by way of land tax.[62] The king is said to have taken a personal interest in the regular collection of revenues the treasury burgeoned to 90,000,000 Pagoda (a unit of currency) – earning him the epithet "Nine crore Narayana" (Navakoti Narayana). In 1700, he sent an embassy to Aurangazeb's court who bestowed upon him the title Jug Deo Raja and awarded permission to sit on the ivory throne. Following this, he founded the district offices (Attara Kacheri), the central secretariat comprising eighteen departments, and his administration was modeled on Mughal lines.[63]
During Haider Ali's rule, the kingdom was divided into five provinces (Asofis) of unequal size, comprising 171 taluks (Paraganas) in total.[64] When Tipu Sultan became the de facto ruler, the kingdom, which encompassed 160,000 km² (62,000 mi²), was divided into 37 provinces and a total of 124 taluks (Amil). Each province had a governor (Asof), and one deputy governor. Each taluk had a headman called Amildar and a group of villages were in charge of a Patel.[65] The central administration comprised six departments headed by ministers, each aided by an advisory council of up to four members.[66]
When the princely state came under direct British rule in 1831, early commissioners Lushington, Briggs and Morrison were followed by Mark Cubbon, who took charge in 1834.[67] He made Bangalore the capital and divided the princely state into four divisions, each under a British superintendent. The state was further divided into 120 taluks with 85 taluk courts, with all lower level administration in the Kannada language.[67] The office of the commissioner had eight departments; revenue, post, police, cavalry, public works, medical, animal husbandry, judiciary and education. The judiciary was hierarchical with the commissioners' court at the apex, followed by the Huzur Adalat, four superintending courts and eight Sadar Munsiff courts at the lowest level.[68] Lewin Bowring became the chief commissioner in 1862 and held the position until 1870. During his tenure, the property "Registration Act", the "Indian Penal code" and "Code of Criminal Procedure" came into effect and the judiciary was separated from the executive branch of the administration.[68]
Rangacharlu, a native of Chennai, was made the Diwan. Under him, the first Representative Assembly of British India, with 144 members, was formed in 1881.[69] He was followed by Sheshadri Iyer in 1883 during whose tenure gold mining at the Kolar Gold Fields began, the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric project was initiated in 1899 (the first such major attempt in India) and electricity and drinking water (the latter through pipes) was supplied to Bangalore.[70] Sheshadri Iyer was followed by P.N. Krishna Murthy, who founded The Secretariat Manual to maintain records and the Co-operative Department in 1905,[70] V.P. Madhava Rao who focussed on conservation of forests and T. Ananda Rao, who finalised the Kannambadi Dam project.[71]
Sir M. Visveshwarayya, popularly known as the "Maker of Modern Mysore", holds a key place in the history of Karnataka.[72] An engineer by education, he became the Diwan in 1909.[71][73] Under his tenure, membership of the Mysore Legislative Assembly was increased from 18 to 24, and it was given the power to discuss the state budget.[71] The Mysore Economic Conference was expanded into three committees; industry and commerce, education, and agriculture, with publications in English and Kannada.[74] Important projects commissioned during his time included the construction of the Kannambadi Dam, the founding of the Mysore Iron Works at Bhadravathi, founding of the Mysore University in 1916, the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering in Bangalore, establishment of the Mysore state railway department and numerous industries in Mysore. In 1955, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.[75][76]
Sir Mirza Ismail took office as Diwan in 1926 and built on the foundation laid by his predecessor. Amongst his contributions were the expansion of the Bhadravathi Iron Works, the founding of a cement and paper factory in Bhadravathi and the launch of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. A man with a penchant for gardens, he founded the Brindavan Gardens (Krishnaraja Sagar) and built the Kaveri River high-level canal to irrigate 120,000 acres (490 km2) in modern Mandya district. [77]
Economy
Part of a series on the |
History of Karnataka |
---|
The vast majority of the people lived in villages and agriculture was their main occupation. The economy of the kingdom was based on agriculture. Grains, pulses, vegetables and flowers were cultivated. Commercial crops included sugarcane and cotton. The agrarian population consisted of landlords (gavunda, zamindar, heggadde) who tilled the land by employing a number of landless labourers, usually paying them in grain. Minor cultivators were also willing to hire themselves out as labourers if the need arose.[78] It was due to the availability of these landless labourers that kings and landlords were able to execute major projects such as palaces, temples, mosques, anicuts (dams) and tanks.[79] Because land was abundant and the population relatively sparse, no rent was charged on land ownership. Instead, landowners paid tax for cultivation, which amounted to up to one-half of all harvested produce.[79]
Tipu Sultan is credited to have founded state trading depots in various locations of his kingdom. In addition, he founded depots in foreign locations such as Karachi, Jeddah and Muscat, where Mysore products were sold.[80] During Tipu's rule French technology was used for the first time in carpentry and smithy, Chinese technology was used for sugar production, and technology from Bengal helped improve the sericulture industry.[81] State factories were established in Kanakapura and Taramandelpeth for producing cannons and gunpowder respectively. The state held the monopoly in the production of essentials such as sugar, salt, iron, pepper, cardamom, betel nut, tobacco and sandalwood, as well as the extraction of incense oil from sandalwood and the mining of silver, gold and precious stones. Sandalwood was exported to China and the Persian Gulf countries and sericulture was developed in twenty-one centres within the kingdom.[82]
This system changed under the British, when tax payments were made in cash, and were used for the maintenance of the army, police and other civil and public establishments. A portion of the tax was transferred to England as the "Indian tribute".[83] Unhappy with the loss of their traditional revenue system and the problems they faced, peasants rose in rebellion in many parts of south India.[84] After 1800, the Cornwallis land reforms came into effect. Reade, Munro, Graham and Thackeray were some administrators who improved the economic conditions of the masses.[85] However, the homespun textile industry suffered during British rule, with the exception of the producers of the finest cloth and the coarse cloth which was popular with the rural masses. This was due to the manufacturing mills of Manchester, Liverpool and Scotland being more than a match for the traditional handweaving industry, especially in spinning and weaving.[86][87]
The economic revolution in England and the tariff policies of the British also caused massive de-industrialization in other sectors throughout India and Mysore. For example, the gunny bag weaving business had been a monopoly of the Goniga people, which they lost when the British began ruling the area. The import of a chemical substitute for saltpetre (potassium nitrate) affected the Uppar community, the traditional makers of saltpetre for use in gunpowder. The import of kerosene affected the Ganiga community which supplied oils. Foreign enamel and crockery industries had an impact on the native pottery business and mill-made blankets replaced the country-made blankets called kambli.[88] This economic fallout led to the formation of community-based social welfare organisations to help those within the community to cope better with their new economic situation, including youth hostels for students seeking education and shelter.[89] However, the British economic policies created a class structure consisting of a newly established middle class comprising various blue and white-collared occupational groups, including agents, brokers, lawyers, teachers, civil servants and physicians. Due to a more flexible caste hierarchy, the middle class contained a heterogeneous mix of people from different castes.[90]
Culture
Religion
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Temple_tank_%28Pushkarni%29_at_Shravanabelagola.jpg/220px-Temple_tank_%28Pushkarni%29_at_Shravanabelagola.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Shweta_Varahaswamy_temple_in_Mysore.jpg/220px-Shweta_Varahaswamy_temple_in_Mysore.jpg)
The early kings of the Wodeyar dynasty worshipped the Hindu god Shiva. The later kings, starting from the 17th century, took to Vaishnavism (worship of the Hindu god Vishnu).[91] According to musicologist Meera Rajaram Pranesh, King Raja Wodeyar I was a devotee of the god Vishnu, King Dodda Devaraja was honoured with the title "Protector of Brahmins" (Deva Brahmana Paripalaka) for his support to Brahmins, and Maharaja Krishnaraja III was devoted to the goddess Chamundeshwari (a form of Hindu goddess Durga).[92] Wilks ("History of Mysore", 1800) wrote about a Jangama (Veerashaiva saint-devotee of Shiva) uprising, related to excessive taxation, which was put down firmly by Chikka Devaraja. Historian D.R. Nagaraj claims that four hundred Jangamas were murdered in the process but clarifes that Veerashiava literature itself is silent about the issue.[93] Historian Suryanath Kamath claims King Chikka Devaraja was a Srivaishnava (follower of Sri Vaishnavism, a sect of Vaishnavism) but was not anti-Veerashaiva.[94] Historian Aiyangar concurs that some of the kings including the celebrated Narasaraja I and Chikka Devaraja were Vaishnavas, but suggest this may not have been the case with all Wodeyar rulers.[95] The rise of the modern day Mysore city as a centre of south Indian culture has been traced from the period of their sovereignty.[96] Raja Wodeyar I initiated the celebration of the Dasara festival in Mysore, a proud tradition of the erstwhile Vijayanagara royal family.[97][98]
Jainism, though in decline during the late medieval period, also enjoyed the patronage of the Mysore kings, who made munificent endowments to the Jain monastic order at Shravanabelagola town.[99][100] Records indicate that some Wodeyar kings not only presided over the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, an important Jain religious event at Shravanabelagola, but also personally offered prayers (puja) during the years 1659, 1677, 1800, 1825, 1910, 1925, 1940, and 1953.[101]
The contact between South India and Islam goes back to the 7th century when trade between Hindu kingdoms and Islamic caliphates thrived. These Muslim traders settled on the Malabar coast and married local Hindu women, and their descendants came to be known as Mappillas.[102] By the 14th century, Muslims had become a significant minority in the south, though the advent of Portuguese missionaries checked their growth.[102] Haider Ali, though a devout Muslim, did not allow his faith to interfere with the administration of the predominantly Hindu kingdom. Historians are, however, divided on the intentions of Haider Ali's son, Tipu Sultan. It has been claimed that Tipu raised Hindus to prominent positions in his administration, made generous grants to Hindu temples and brahmins, and generally respected other faiths, and that any religious conversions that Tipu undertook were as punishment to those who rebelled against his authority.[103] However, this has been countered by other historians who claim that Tipu Sultan treated the non-Muslims of Mysore far better than those of the Malabar, Raichur and Kodagu regions. They opine that Tipu was responsible for mass conversions of Christians and Hindus in these regions, either by giving them tax incentives and revenue benefits or by force.[104][105]
The spread of Christianity in South India has been traced back to the arrival of the Portuguese on the west coast. It was through the patronage of these devout Roman Catholics that chaplains and missionaries went to various regions to encourage people to join the Christian faith.[106] Some evidence, however, suggests that not all of these conversions were peaceful and that the Portuguese soldiers may also have undertaken coercive methods to achieve their ends.[107] Saint Francis Xavier, perhaps the most respected Christian saint in India, gave a new boost to the growth of Christianity. He travelled from village to village, healing the sick, burying the dead and doing what he could to reduce the miseries of the poor and underprivileged. The institutions established in his name are a testimony to his popularity and achievements.[108]
Lo Cinnami, a Jesuit from Goa, was the founder of the Mysore mission. The Portuguese patronage called Padraodo was opposed by the new European colonisers, the English, the Dutch and the Danes. Under this circumstance, the Propaganda of Rome sent out Capuchins, the Discalced Carmelites, the Theatines and the missionaries of the Society of Paris to do its missionary work in South India.[109] The foundation stone of the Protestant church in India was laid by the Danish settlement at Tranquebar. Ziegenbalg and Plutschan were the first missionaries to arrive in 1709, under the patronage of King Frederick IV of Denmark.[110] The best known Lutheran missionary connected with the Danish royal mission was Christian Frederick Schwartz. After his death, the Lutheran church declined and was absorbed by the Anglican church, whose reach became significant after the rise of British power in India in the 19th century.[111]
Society
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Laxmi.jpg/220px-Laxmi.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Battle_of_pollilur.jpg/220px-Battle_of_pollilur.jpg)
Prior to the 18th century, the society of the kingdom followed age-old and deeply established norms of social interaction between people. Accounts by contemporaneous travellers indicate the widespread practice of the Hindu caste system and of animal sacrifices during the nine day celebrations (called Mahanavami).[112] Later, fundamental changes occurred due to the struggle between native and foreign powers. Though wars between the Hindu kingdoms and the Sultanates continued, the battles between native rulers (including Muslims) and the newly arrived British, took centre stage.[113] The spread of English education, the introduction of the printing press and the criticism of the prevailing social system by Christian missionaries helped make the society more flexible. The rise of modern nationalism throughout India also had its impact on Mysore.[114]
With the advent of British power, English education gained prominence in addition to traditional education in local languages. These changes were orchestrated by Lord Elphinstone, the governor of the Madras Presidency. His plan became the constitution of the central collegiate institution or University Board in 1841.[115] Accordingly, a high school department of the university was established. For imparting education in the interior regions, schools were raised in principal towns which eventually were elevated to college level, with each college becoming central to many local schools (zilla schools).[116] The earliest English-medium schools appeared in 1833 in Mysore and spread across the region. In 1858, the department of education was founded in Mysore and by 1881, there were an estimated 2,087 English medium schools in the state of Mysore. Higher education became available with the formation of Bangalore Central College in Bangalore (1870), Maharaja's college (1879), Maharani's college (1901) and the Mysore University (1916) in Mysore and the St. Agnes college in Mangalore (1921).[117]
Social reforms aimed at removing practices such as sati and at social discrimination based upon untouchability, as well as demands for the emancipation of the lower classes, swept across India and influenced Mysore territory.[118] In 1894, the kingdom passed laws to abolish the marriage of girls below the age of eight. Remarriage of widowed women and marriage of destitute women was encouraged, and in 1923, women were granted the permission to exercise their franchise in elections.[119] There were, however, uprisings against British authority in the Mysore territory, notably the Kodagu uprising in 1835 (after the British dethroned the local ruler Chikkaviraraja) and the Kanara uprising of 1837.[120] The era of printing heralded by Christian missionaries resulted in the founding of printing presses across the kingdom. The publication of ancient and contemporary Kannada books (such as the Pampa Bharata and the Jaimini Bharata), a Kannada-language Bible, a bilingual dictionary and a Kannada newspaper called Kannada Samachara began in the early 19th century.[121] Aluru Venkata Rao published a consolidated Kannada history glorifying the achievements of Kannadigas in his book Karnataka Gatha Vaibhava.[122]
Classical English and Sanskrit plays,[123] and native Yakshagana plays influenced the Kannada stage and produced famous dramatists like Gubbi Veeranna.[124] The public began to enjoy Carnatic music through its broadcast via public address systems set up on the palace grounds.[125] Mysore paintings, which were inspired by the Bengal Renaissance, were created by artists such as Sundarayya, Ala Singarayya, and B. Venkatappa.[126]
Literature
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Opening_page_of_Sritattvanidhi.jpg/220px-Opening_page_of_Sritattvanidhi.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/FullPagadeYakshagana.jpg/220px-FullPagadeYakshagana.jpg)
The era of the Kingdom of Mysore is considered an important age in the development of Kannada literature. Not only was the Mysore court adorned by famous Brahmin and Veerashaiva writers and composers,[127][128] the kings themselves were accomplished in the fine arts.[129][130] While conventional literature in philosophy and religion remained popular, writings in new genres such as chronicle, biography, history, encyclopedia, novel, drama, and musical treatise became popular.[131] A native form of folk literature with dramatic representation called Yakshagana gained popularity.[132][133] A remarkable development of the later period was the influence of English literature and classical Sanskrit literature on Kannada.[134]
Govinda Vaidya, a native of Srirangapatna wrote Kanthirava Narasaraja Vijaya, a eulogy of his patron King Narasaraja I. Written in sangatya metre (a composition meant to be rendered to the accompaniment of a musical instrument) and in a melodious language, the book describes the king's court, popular music and the types of musical compositions of the age in twenty-six chapters.[135][136] King Chikka Devaraja was the earliest composer of the dynasty.[137][33] To him is ascribed the famous treatise on music called Geetha Gopala. Though inspired by Jayadeva's Sanskrit writing Geetha Govinda, it had an originality of its own and was written in saptapadi metre.[138] Contemporary poets who left their mark on the entire Kannada speaking region include the brahmin poet Lakshmisa and the itinerant Veerashaiva poet Sarvajna. Female poets also played a role in literary developments, with Cheluvambe (the queen of Krishnaraja Wodeyar I), Helavanakatte Giriyamma, Sri Rangamma (1685) and Sanchi Honnamma (Hadibadeya Dharma, late 17th century) writing notable works.[139][140]
A polyglot, King Narasaraja II authored fourteen Yakshaganas in various languages though all are written in Kannada script.[141] Maharaja Krishnaraja III was a prolific writer in Kannada for which he earned the honorific Abhinava Bhoja (a comparison to the medieval King Bhoja).[142] Over forty writings are attributed to him of which the musical treatise Sri Tatwanidhi and a poetical romance called Saugandika Parinaya written in two versions, a sangatya and a drama, are most well-known.[143] Under the patronage of the Maharaja, Kannada literature began its slow and gradual change towards modernity. Kempu Narayana's Mudramanjusha ("The Seal Casket", 1823) is the earliest work that has touches of modern prose.[144] However, the turning point came with the historically important Adbhuta Ramayana (1895) and Ramaswamedham (1898) by Muddanna, whom the Kannada scholar Narasimha Murthy considers "a Janus like figure" of modern Kannada literature. Muddanna has deftly handled an ancient epic from an entirely modern viewpoint.[145]
Basavappa Shastry, a native of Mysore and a luminary in the court of Maharaja Krishnaraja III and Maharaja Chamaraja IX, is known as the "Father of Kannada theatre" (Kannada Nataka Pitamaha).[146] He authored dramas in Kannada and translated William Shakespeare's "Othello" to Shurasena Charite. His well-known translations from Sanskrit to Kannada are many and include Kalidasa, Abhignyana Shakuntala.[147]
Music
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/70/Veena_Subbanna_Seshanna_1902.jpg/220px-Veena_Subbanna_Seshanna_1902.jpg)
Under Maharaja Krishnaraja III and his successors – Chamaraja IX, Krishnaraja IV and the last ruler, Jayachamaraja, the Mysore court came to be the largest and most renowned patron of music.[148] While the Tanjore and Travancore courts also extended great patronage and emphasised preservation of the art, the unique combination of royal patronage of individual musicians, founding of music schools to kindle public interest and a patronage of European music publishers and producers set Mysore apart.[149] Maharaja Krishnaraja III, himself a musician, musicologist and composer of merit composed a number of javalis (light lyrics) and devotional songs in Kannada under the title Anubhava pancharatna. His compositions bear the nom de plume (mudra) "Chamundi'" or '"Chamundeshwari'", in honour of the Wodeyar family deity.[150] His successor Chamaraja IX founded the Oriental Library in 1891 to house music books and also commissioned phonograph recordings of several musicians for the palace library.
Under Krishnaraja IV, art received further patronage. A distinct school of music which gave importance to raga and bhava evolved.[126][151][152] The Royal School of Music founded at the palace helped institutionalise teaching of the art. Carnatic compositions were printed and the European staff notation came to be employed by royal musicians. Western music was also encouraged — Margaret Cousins' piano concerto with the Palace Orchestra marked the celebrations of Beethoven's centenary in Bangalore.[153] Maharaja Jayachamaraja, also a renowned composer of Carnatic kritis (a musical composition), sponsored a series of recordings of Russian composer Nikolas Medtner and others.[154] Significantly, the court also ensured that Carnatic music also kept up with the times. Gramophone recordings of the palace band were made and sold commercially.[155] Attention was paid to "technology of the concert". Lavish sums were spent on acquiring various instruments including the unconventional horn violin, theremin and calliaphone, a mechanical music player.[156]
The Mysore court was home to several renowned experts (vidwan) of the time. Veena Sheshanna, a court musician during the rule of Maharaja Chamaraja IX[141] is considered one of the greatest exponents of the veena.[157] His achievements in classical music won Mysore a premier place in the art of instrumental Carnatic music and he was given the honorific Vainika Shikhamani by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.[158][159] Mysore Vasudevacharya was a noted musician and composer in Sanskrit and Telugu from Mysore.[160] He holds the unique distinction of being patronised by four generations of Mysore kings and rulers and for being court musician to three of them.[161][162]H.L. Muthiah Bhagavatar was another musician-composer who adorned the Mysore court.[163] Considered one of the most important composers of the post-Tyagaraja period,[164] he is credited with about 400 compositions in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil under the pen name "Harikesha". Among violinists, T. Chowdiah emerged as one of the most accomplished exponents of the time. He is known to have mastered the seven-stringed violin.[165][166] He was appointed court musician by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV in 1939 and received such titles as "Sangeeta Ratna" and "Sangeeta Kalanidhi". He is credited with compositions in Kannada, Telugu and Sanskrit under the pen name "Trimakuta".[167]
Architecture
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Chamundeshwari_Temple_Mysore.jpg/220px-Chamundeshwari_Temple_Mysore.jpg)
The architectural style of courtly and royal structures in the kingdom underwent profound changes during British rule–a mingling of European traditions with native elements. The Hindu temples in the kingdom were built in typical South Indian Dravidian style – a modest version of the Vijayanagara building idiom.[168] When in power, Tipu Sultan constructed a palace and a mosque in Srirangapatna, his capital. However, it is the city of Mysore that is best known for its royal palaces, earning it the nickname "City of Palaces". The city's main palace, the Mysore Palace, is also known as the Amba Vilas Palace. The original complex was destroyed by fire and a new palace was commissioned by the Queen-Regent and designed by the English architect Henry Irwin in 1897.[169] The overall design is a combination of Hindu, Islamic, Indo-Saracenic and Moorish styles, which for the first time in India, used cast iron columns and roof frames. The striking feature of the exterior is the granite columns that support cusped arches on the portico, a tall tower whose finial is a gilded dome with an umbrella (chattri) on it, and groups of other domes around it.[170] The interior is richly decorated with marbled walls and a teakwood ceiling on which are sculptures of Hindu deities. The Durbar hall leads to an inner private hall through silver doors. This opulent room has floor planels that are inlaid with semi-precious stones, and a stained glass roof supported centrally by columns and arches. The marriage hall (Kalyana mantapa) in the palace complex is noted for its stained glass octogonal dome with peacock motifs.[171]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Jagan_mohan_palace2.jpg/220px-Jagan_mohan_palace2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Gumbaz.jpg/220px-Gumbaz.jpg)
The Lalitha Mahal Palace was built in 1921 by E.W. Fritchley under the commission of Maharaja Krishnaraja IV. The architectural style is called "Renaissance" and exhibits concepts from English manor houses and Italian palazzos.[172] The central dome is believed to be modelled on St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Other important features are the Italian marble staircase, the polished wooden flooring in the banquet and dance halls, and the Belgian cut glass lamps.[172] The Jaganmohan Palace was commissioned in 1861 and was completed in 1910. The three storeyed building with attractive domes, finials and cuppolas was the venue of many a royal celebration. It is now called the Chamarajendra Art Gallery and houses a rich collection of artifacts.[173]
The Mysore University campus, also called "Manasa Gangotri", is home to several architecturally interesting buildings. Some of them are in European style and were completed in late 19th century. They include the Jayalakshmi Vilas mansion, the Crawford Hall, the Oriental Research Institute (built between 1887 and 1891) with its Ionic and Corinthian columns, and the district offices (Athara Kutchery, 1887). The Athara Kutchery, which initially served as the office of the British commissioner, has an octogonel dome and a finial that adds to its beauty.[174] The maharaja's summer palace, built in 1880, is called the Lokaranjan Mahal, and initially served as a school for royalty. The Rajendra Vilas Palace, built in the Indo-British style atop the Chamundi Hill, was commissioned in 1922 and completed in 1938 by Maharaja Krishnaraja IV.[172] Other royal mansions built by the Mysore rulers were the Chittaranjan Mahal in Mysore and the Bangalore Palace in Bangalore, a structure built on the lines of England's Windsor Castle.[175] The Central Food Technical Research Institude (Cheluvamba Mansion), built in baroque European renaissance style, was once the residence of princes Cheluvambaamani Avaru, a sister of Maharaja Krishnaraja IV. Its extensive pilaster work and mosaic flooring are noteworthy.[176]
Most famous among the many temples built by the Wodeyars is the Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hill. The earliest structure here was consecrated in the 12th century and was later patronised by the Mysore rulers. Maharaja Krishnaraja III added a Dravidian-style gopuram in 1827. The temple has silver-plated doors with images of deities. Other images include those of the Hindu god Ganesha and of Maharaja Krishnaraja III with his three queens.[177] Surrounding the main palace in Mysore and inside the fort are five temples, built in various periods. The Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple (1829), the Lakshmiramana Swamy Temple whose earliest structures date to 1499, the Trinesvara Swamy Temple (late 16th century), the Shweta Varaha Swamy Temple built by Purniah with a touch of Hoysala style of architecture, the Prasanna Venkataramana Swami Temple (1836) notable for 12 murals of the Wodeyar rulers.[178] Well-known temples outside Mysore city are the yali ("mythical beast") pillared Venkataramana Temple built in the late 17th century in the Bangalore fort, and the Ranganatha temple in Srirangapatna.[179]
Tipu Sultan built a wooden colonnaded palace called the Dariya Daulat Palace (lit, "garden of the wealth of the sea") in Srirangapatna in 1784. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the palace is known for its intricate woodwork comprising of ornamental arches, striped columns and floral designs, and paintings. The west wall of the palace is covered with murals depicting Tipu Sultan's victory over Colonel Baillie's army at Pollilur, near Kanchipuram in 1780. One mural shows Tipu enjoying the fragrance of a bouquet of flowers while the battle is in progress. In that painting, the French soldiers' moustaches distinguish them from the cleanshaven British soldiers.[180][181] Also in Srirangapatna is the Gumbaz mausoleum, built by Tipu Sultan in 1784. It houses the graves of Tipu and Haider Ali. The granite base is capped with a dome built of brick and pilaster.[182]
See also
Notes
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 11–12, pp. 226–227; Pranesh (2003), p. 11
- ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 23
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2003), p. 64; Rice E.P. (1921), p. 89
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 226
- ^ Rice B.L. (1897), p. 361
- ^ Pranesh (2003), pp. 2–3
- ^ Wilks, Aiyangar in Aiyangar and Smith (1911), pp. 275–276
- ^ Aiyangar (1911), p. 275; Pranesh (2003), p. 2
- ^ Stein (1989), p. 82
- ^ Stein 1987, p. 82
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 227
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 67
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 68
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 68
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 200
- ^ Shama Rao in Kamath (2001), p. 227
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p.201
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 68
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 68; Kamath (2001), p. 228
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 68; Kamath (2001), p. 228
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201
- ^ a b Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71 Cite error: The named reference "alliance" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69; Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 69
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 70
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), pp. 70–71; Kamath (2001), p. 229
- ^ Subrahmanyam (2001), p. 71
- ^ Pranesh (2003), pp. 44–45
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 230
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), p. 230
- ^ Shama Rao in Kamath (2001), p. 233
- ^ A military genius and a man of vigour, valour and resourcefulness (Chopra et al. 2003, p. 76)
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 207
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 71, 76
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 55
- ^ a b c d Kamath (2001), p. 232
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 71
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 73
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 207
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 75
- ^ Chopra et al. 2003, p. 75
- ^ a b Chopra et al. (2003), p. 78–79; Kamath (2001), p. 233
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 75–76
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 77
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), pp. 79–80; Kamath (2001), pp. 233–234
- ^ Chopra et. al (2003), pp. 81–82
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 249
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 234
- ^ A wise and benevolent promoter of industry and opulence- Gen Wellesley in Kamath (2001), p. 249
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), p. 250
- ^ Lewis Rice, B. 1881. Report on the Mysore census. Bangalore: Mysore Government Press. p. 3
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 250–253
- ^ Rama Jois, M. 1984. Legal and constitutional history of India ancient legal, judicial and constitutional system. Delhi: Universal Law Pub. Co. p. 597
- ^ Puttaswamaiah, K. 1980. Economic development of Karnataka a treatise in continuity and change. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH. p. 3
- ^ "The Mysore duo Krishnaraja Wodeya IV & M. Visvesvaraya". India Today. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 162
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 228; Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 201
- ^ Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p.203
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 228–229; Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975), p. 203
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 233
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 234
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 235
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), p. 251
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), p. 252
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 254
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), pp. 254–255
- ^ a b c Kamath (2001), p. 257
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 259
- ^ Indian Science Congress (2003), p. 139
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 258
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 258
- ^ Indian Science Congress (2003), pp. 139–140
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 260
- ^ Sastri (1955), p. 297–298
- ^ a b Chopra et al. (2003), p. 123
- ^ M.H.Gopal in Kamath 2001, p. 235
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 235–236
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 236–237
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 124
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 129
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 130
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 286
- ^ Chopra et. al (2003), p. 132
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 287
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 288–289
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 134
- ^ Rice E.P. (1921), p. 89
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 5, p. 16, p. 54
- ^ Nagaraj in Pollock (2003), p. 379
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 229
- ^ Aiyangar and Smith (1911), p. 304
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 17
- ^ Aiyangar and Smith (1911), p. 290
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 4
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 44
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 229–230
- ^ Singh (2001), pp. 5782–5787
- ^ a b Sastri (1955), p. 396
- ^ Mohibul Hassan in Chopra et al. , 2003, p. 82, part III
- ^ Chopra et. al (2003), p. 82
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 237
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 187
- ^ Josephus Wicki in Documenta Indica (1540–49) and Zinadim in Historia dos Portuguese no Malabar – Chopra et al. (2003), p. 187
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 188
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), pp. 189–190
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 191
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 192
- ^ Sastri (1955), p. 394
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 233
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 278
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 185
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), p. 186
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 278–279
- ^ Chopra et al. (2003), pp. 196–197, p. 202
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 284
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 275
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 279–280; Murthy (1992), p. 168
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 281; Murthy (1992), p. 172
- ^ Murthy (1992), p. 169
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 282
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p163
- ^ a b Kamath (2001), p. 283
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 229–230
- ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), pp. 23–27
- ^ Mukherjee (1999), p. 78; Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 23, p. 26
- ^ Kamath (2001), pp. 229–230; Pranesh (2003), preface chapter p(i)
- ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), pp. 23–26
- ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 25
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 281
- ^ Murthy (1992), p. 168–171; Kamath (2001), p. 280
- ^ Rice E.P. (1921), p. 90; Mukherjee (1999), p. 119
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 227; Pranesh (2003), p. 11
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 20
- ^ Mukherjee (1999), p. 78; Pranesh (2003), p. 21
- ^ Mukherjee (1999), p. 143, p. 354, p. 133, p. 135; Narasimhacharya (1988), pp. 24–25
- ^ Pranesh (2003), pp. 33–34; Rice E.P. (1921), pp. 72–73, pp. 83–88, p. 91
- ^ a b Pranesh (2003), pp. 37–38 Cite error: The named reference "wod" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 53
- ^ Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 26; Murthy (1992), p. 167; Pranesh (2003), p. 55
- ^ Murthy (1992), p. 167
- ^ Murthy (1992), p. 170
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 81
- ^ Sahitya Akademi (1988), p. 1077; Pranesh (2003), p. 82
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 66
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 65
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 54
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. xiii in author's note
- ^ Kamath (2001), p282
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 66
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 66
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 67
- ^ Weidman (2006), p. 68
- ^ Bakshi (1996), p. 12; Kamath (2001), p. 282
- ^ Pranesh (2003), pp. 110–111
- ^ Satish Kamat. "The final adjustment". Metro Plus Bangalore. The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
- ^ Subramaniyan (2006), p. 199; Kamath (2001), p. 282
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 135
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 140
- ^ Subramaniyan (2006), p. 202; Kamath (2001), p. 282
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 170
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 214, 216
- ^ Kamath (2001), p. 282
- ^ Pranesh (2003), p. 216
- ^ Michell, p. 69
- ^ Manchanda (2006), p. 158
- ^ Manchanda (2006), pp. 160–161
- ^ Manchanda (2006), p. 161
- ^ a b c Raman (1994), pp. 87–88
- ^ Raman (1994), pp. 83–84, pp. 91–92
- ^ Raman (1994), p. 84
- ^ Bradnock (2000), p. 294
- ^ Raman (1994), pp. 81–82
- ^ Raman (1994), p. 85
- ^ Raman (1996), p. 83
- ^ Michell p. 71
- ^ Raman (1994), p. 106
- ^ Abram et al. (2003), p. 225
- ^ Abram et al. (2003), pp. 225–226
References
- Abram, David; Edwards, Nick; Ford, Mike; Sen, Devdan; Wooldridge, Beth (2003). South India. Rough Guides. ISBN 1843531038.
- Aiyangar, Krishnaswami S. (1911). Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. New Delhi: (Facsimile Reprint 2004) Asian Educational Services. ISBN 8120618505.
- Bakshi, Shiri Ram (1996). Gandhi and the Congress. New Delhi: Sarup and Sons. ISBN 81-85431-65-5.
- Bradnock, Robert (2000) [2000]. South India Handbook - The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guide. ISBN 1900949814.
- Chopra, P. N.; Ravindran, T. K.; Subrahmanian, N. (2003). History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern) Part III. New Delhi: Sultan Chand and Sons. ISBN 81-219-0153-7.
- Indian Science Congress Association (various authors), Presidential Address, vol 1: 1914-1947 (2003). The Shaping of Indian Science. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 8173714320.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. OCLC 7796041. LCCN 80-9 – 0.
- Manchanda, Bindu (2006) [2006]. Forts & Palaces of India: Sentinals of History. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN 8174363815.
- Michell, George. "Temple Architecture: The Kannada and Telugu zones". The new Cambridge history of India: Architecture and Art of Southern India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521441102.
- Mukherjee, Sujit (1999) [1999]. A Dictionary of Indian Literature. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 8125014535.
- Murthy, K. Narasimha (1992). "Modern Kannada Literature". In George K.M (ed.). Modern Indian Literature:An Anthology - Vol 1. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8172013248.
- Nagaraj, D.R. (2003) [2003]. Sheldon I. Pollock (ed.). Literary Cultures in History: Reconstructions from South Asia. Berkeley and London: University of California Press. ISBN 0520228219.
{{cite book}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=
(help); Unknown parameter|Chapter=
ignored (|chapter=
suggested) (help) - Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1934]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0303-6.
- Pranesh, Meera Rajaram (2003) [2003]. Musical Composers during Wodeyar Dynasty (1638–1947 A.D.). Bangalore: Vee Emm.
- Raman, Afried (1994). Bangalore - Mysore: A Disha Guide. Bangalore: Orient Blackswan. ISBN 0863114318.
- Rice, E. P. (1921). Kannada Literature. New Delhi: (Facsimile Reprint 1982) Asian Educational Services. ISBN 8120600630.
- Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2005) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.
- Singh, Nagendra Kr (2001). Encyclopaedia of Jainism. Anmol Publications. ISBN 8126106913.
- Template:Harvard reference
- Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (2001). "Warfare and State Finance in Wodeyar Mysore". In Subrahmanyam, Sanjay (ed.). Penumbral Visions. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. pp. 161–193. ISBN 9780472112166.
- Subramaniyan, V.K. (2006) [2006]. 101 Mystics of India. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 81-70174-71-6.
- Various (1988) [1988]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature - vol 2. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 8126011947.
- Venkata Ramanappa, M. N. (1975) [1975]. Outlines of South Indian history : with special reference to Karnataka. Delhi : Vikas Pub. House ; London (38 Kennington La., SE11 4LS) : [Distributed by] Independent Pub. Co.,. ISBN 0706903781.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - Weidman, Amanda J (2006) [2006]. Singing the Classical, Voicing the Modern. Duke University Press. ISBN 0822336200.