The Wadiyar dynasty was a royal family that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from the late 1300s until 1950. They were known for their contributions to the development of Bangalore, especially during the reign of Krishnaraja Wadiyar-IV, who was called a ‘saintly king’ by Mahatma Gandhi. Some of their contributions are:
• They made Bangalore the first Asian city to receive electricity in 1905.
• They set up industries such as the iron and steel factory at Bhadravathi, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Government Soap Factory and Sandal Oil Factory.
• They promoted education, especially for women and backward classes, and established Mysore University and Benaras Hindu University.
• They built the Bangalore Palace, which was inspired by British Tudor architecture.
• They supported fine arts, literature and music, and patronized famous artists such as Raja Ravi Varma and Veena Sheshanna.
The Wadiyars were also known for their lavish lifestyle and cultural traditions, such as celebrating Dasara festival and hosting royal durbars. They had a secondary residence in Bangalore at the Bangalore Palace, where they spent most of their time in the later years. The palace is now open to the public as a tourist attraction.
