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Rulers
and Administrators
Kempegowdas
The most prominent among the feudatories of Vijayanagar from this
district were the Bangalore-Magadi rulers, popularly known as the
Kempegowdas They were originally the Yelahanka Nadaprabhus, later
having Bangalore as their headquarters to Magadi and Savanadurga
from where they ruled till their overthrow by the Mysore dynasty
in 1728.
Kempegowda I(c
1510-70) is responsible for building the modern city of Bangalore(c1537),
erecting a mud fort here to the north of the now existing fort which
covered the area of Avenue Road and its surroundings. This he is
said to have done at the instructions of Emperor Achutaraya and
it is he who raised the Basavanagudi (temple) and expanded the Gavigangadhara
and Someshwara temples. He is also credited with the construction
of the Sampangi tank, the Kempambudhi and the Dharmambudhi tanks
in Bangalore. A statue of his is found at the Gangadhara temple
at Shivaganga, though the inscription on it is dated 1609, perhaps
a posthumous writing.
Kempegowda II
was responsible in erecting the four towers at the four cardinal
points at Bangalore. He expanded the Ulsoor Someshwara temple and
also built the Karanji tank of the Basavanagudi area.He and his
father were responsible for the development of modern Bangalore
as a town. They invited traders and artisans, especially weavers
from outside to come and settle down in Bangalore.
Bijapurs & Marathas
Karnataka was connected politically with the Marathas in the 17th
and 18th centuries. Their activities began in Karnataka when Ranadulla
Khan, the Bijapur general captured Bangalore in 1637. Shahajirao
Bhosle who had accompanied Ranadulla Khan was given the jagir of
Bangalore. Shahajirao ruled like a King, built a palace in Bangalore
and set up an administration. Though
Shahajirao was loyal to Bijapur, his son Shivaji revolted in Maharashtra
and challenged the authority of the Sultan of Bijapur. Enraged by
this, Shahajirao was imprisoned and later released by the Sultan
of Bijapur. Shahajirao remained loyal to the Sultan of Bijapur till
his death in 1664. His son Ekoji succeeded to the Bangalore jagir.
In
the meanwhile, Shivaji had started his activities against Bijapur
and conquered the whole of Bangalore jagir. Shivaji had to struggle
to retain the territory till his death in 1680. Later Peshwa Baji
Rao conducted two campaigns in Karnataka and Tribute was collected
from Mysore. However after the defeat of Marathas in 1761, their
activities came to an end when Tipu Sultan became the ruler of Mysore.
Mysore Dynasty
Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar, grandson of Bola Chamaraja Wodeyar, nephew
and successor of Devaraja Wodeyar, was the most distinguished among
the Mysore Rajas. He succeeded to the throne in 1673 at the age
of 28 years. He made several successful expeditions against Ikkeri,
Bijapur and defeated Shivaji, and added further more to his Kingdom.
He accquired Bangalore by purchase and sent an embassy to the court
of Aurangzeb. By
1700 Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar was at the height of his power.He divided
the business of the Government into 18 Kacheris or Department. He
was also a great administrator and a patron of literature. An ardent
Vaisnava, he gave prominence to the Vajramukuta festival in Melkote.
He followed the Veerasaiva tenets as well. His
reign witnessed unrivalled literary activity. There flourished in
his court great poets, and poetesses like Tirumalaraya, Singaraya,
Honnamma and Girijamma. He built a pond at Sravanabelagola for the
use of Jain pilgrims. During his reign Srirangapatna became a flourishing
city and a political centre of gravity.
Hyder Ali
Hyder, an ordinary soldier in the Mysore Army was destined to become
supreme in the state in 1761 by usurping authority from the Raja.
He was born at Budikote near Kolar in 1721 A.D. Hyder was a born
soldier. He revealed his talents as a soldier in the siege of Devanahalli.
In
1752 he accompanied the Mysore forces and fought the French and
Chanda Sahib. He was placed in charge of the Dindigal fort where
he increased his troops and organized a artillery force. Hyder drove
out the Martha forces and quelled the mutiny of the Mysore troops.
Hyder was hailed in the open Durbar as Fateh Hyder Bahadur.
In
1771, when the Marathas invaded Hyder's territories, the English
refused to help him. Being angry, Hyder subdued Coorg and Chitradurga
and in 1779 he joined in a confederacy against English. Thus broke
out the second Anglo Mysore war. But in the midst of the war Hyder
died. Hyder came to fame by war. He was always engaged in war and
died in war. By his conquests he extended the territories of Mysore
and doubled its size.He never allowed his religion to interfere
in state matters. Hyder was a warrior, administrator and statesman.
Tipu Sultan
Tipu was one of the greatest national heroes that Karnataka produced.
He assumed the sovereignty of Mysore on the death of his father,
Hyder Ali. Born in 1753 at Devanahalli., the place where Hyder distinguished
himself, he was named after a Moslem saint of Arcot, for whom Hyder
had a special veneration. Tipu
accompanied his father in 1766 to Mangalore and displayed his dash
and courage in attacking the Paleyagar of Balam. He helped his father
in capturing the forts of Tirapatur and Vaniambadi. While he was
engaged against the British, Hyder Ali passed away. Tipu assumed
the control of the affairs and sat on the throne on December 29,
1782. Tipu
has left a deep impression on the history of Karnataka. He instilled
in the minds of the people the spirit of patriotism and love for
their country. He was a good administrator. He gave encouragement
to Agriculture. He established a highly centralized administration
manned by seven departments. Tipu
also found time to patronize art. To his period belongs the Darya-daulat
Bagh palace, Masjid-e-Ala at Srirangapatna and the summer palace
at Bangalore. It is the opinion of scholars that Tipu's administration
was better and his people happier than in other states. This brief
survey of his achievements shows that Tipu was a remarkable personality.
When
Tipu Sultan died in the 4th Mysore war in 1799, the British gave
the kingdom, including Bangalore back to Krishnaraja Wodeyar III.
The British Resident stayed in Bangalore. In 1881, the British returned
the city to the Wodeyars. Diwans like Mirza Ismail, and Sir M Visveswaraya
were the pioneers to help Bangalore attain its modern outlook.
The Administrators
The
Dewans
Krishnaraja Wodeyar III sent many representations to various men
in power and even sent Dr.Campbell, his family surgeon to England
in 1864 to represent his case for restoration of power. The Raja
succeeded in creating a lobby in his favor even in London. The
British Government took a decision to restore the adopted son
to the throne. The Raja died in 1868 and his adopted son Chamarajendra
Wodeyar X was crowned in March 1881. After the Rendition many
administrative changes were introduced. The post of the Commissioner
was abolished and a British Resident was appointed at the Mysore
Court. The post of Dewan was created and he was to be the head
of the administrative machinery.
Dewan Rangacharulu
C.Rangacharulu was appointed as the first Dewan of Mysore after
the Rendition. The Dewan introduced great economy in administration,
floated public loans and undertook public works to provide jobs
to the unemployed peasant. Bangalore-Mysore Railway line was completed
in 1882 with a total cost of Rs.43 lakhs. The Bangalore Palace building
constructed by an officer, was purchased by royalty in 1882.
Sheshadri Iyer
Sir K.Sheshadri Iyer succeeded as the Dewan of Mysore after the
death of Rangacharulu in 1883. He was a wise and talented administrator
and was responsible for implementing many schemes aimed at the progress
of the state. It was during his time that gold mining was started
in Kolar in 1886. Sheshadri Iyer undertook extensive plantation
program, especially of coffee. The Sivasamudra hydro-electric project
was implemented by him in 1899-1900. Electricity was supplied to
the K.G.F in 1902 and to Bangalore in 1905.
Dewan
Visveswaraya
Sir M.Visveswaraya became the Dewan in 1912 and his Dewanship is
especially for the development in the field of Industries. He did
much for the Industrialization of Mysore. A number of projects and
Industries were implemented during Sir M.Visveswaraya's Dewanship.
They included the starting of the Krishnarajasagara Dam at Kannambadi,
the founding of the Iron Works at Bhadravathi and the Mysore Bank
with Bangalore as the headquarters, Sandal Oil Factory at Mysore
and several other Projects.The Mysore Chamber of Commerce was also
inaugurated in 1916.
It was Visveswaraya's desire to improve the conditions in the country
so as to make it economically prosperous, scientifically progressive,
industrially sound and well advanced. He was the true architect
of modern Mysore and by his indefatigable work he made Mysore a
model state.
Dewan Mirza Ismail
Sir Mirza Ismail was appointed Dewan of Mysore in 1926 and the period
of his administration was an eventful one. He built the superstructure
on the foundations laid by Sir M.Visveswaraya. His period saw the
state making substantial progress in the fields of Industries both
in the private and public sectors. Among them mention may be made
of cement factory, the Chemical and Fertilizers factory and Sugar
mills. He was an able administrator and set an inspiring example
to the officials by undertaking extensive tours and personally looking
to the grievances of the people. During his time the Medical College
was established in Mysore. He was also responsible for the laying
of Brindavan Gardens near Krishnarajasagar.
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