Mysore is the beautiful land of Wadiyars. The Wadiyar dynasty is supposed to be the longest empire to rule in the South of India. One of the rulers, Krishnaraja Waidyar III also known as Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was born on July 14, 1794, in Srirangapattana to Chamaraja Wadiyar IX and Maharani Kempa Nanja Ammani.
Mummadi, ascended the throne as a child- king in the year 1799, after the defeat of Tippu Sultan. He was under the guidance of his grandmother Lakshmi Ammani and Dewan Purnaiah. In the year 1810, Krishnaraja Wadiyar III turned 16, which was considered the fit age to independently run the state. Unfortunately, he lost his guiding lights in the gap of two years, his grandmother died in 1810 and two years later he lost his Dewan, Purnaiah.
As a king, he had cordial relations with the British. Things changed when A. H. Cole, reported the Wadiyar to the British Governor, alleging him of financial impropriety. Though the King was absolved from the allegation, the situation did not improve and in the around the year 1830-31, British took control over Mysore, appointing commissioners for administration. This made Mummadi happy, as he did not have to look after the administration and could focus on his interests.
Krishnaraja Wadiyar III is said to be multifaceted. He was a voracious reader, and a writer as well. His books Sougandhikaparinaya Shritattvanidhi, are well known. He was multilingual and could write Persian, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, Hindi and also English. He loved music and played the instrument ‘Veena’. He supported and encouraged art forms like dance, Yakshagana and drama. He loved paintings and revived traditional art of painting, which later on was called the ‘Mysore Traditional Painting’.
Mummadi paved the path of ‘English Education’ in Mysore, by starting the Maharaja’s English School, ultimately becoming the Mysore University.
Krishanraja Wadiyar adorned the throne for 70 years. He is known for his humane side and refining art and culture in Mysore.