Susheela Urs from the University of Mysore on Wednesday classified the rule of erstwhile rulers of Mysore — the Wadiyars — as expansion, consolidation and progress.

Delivering a talk on Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the 24th and most celebrated ruler of the Wadiyar dynasty, as part of Vidwat Ghoshti organised as part of the 402nd Dasara celebrations, at KSOU in the city, Susheela Urs said that Nalwadi reaped the fruits that evolved from the seeds sown by his father and the 23rd ruler Hattane Chamarajendra Wadiyar. It was during the regime of Nalwadi that ‘Mysore became a modern and model State and also the kingdom came in for applause as Ramarajya and the king himself described as Rajarshi’.

Most importantly, Nalwadi was fortunate to get good education from nascent stages of his life and also exposure to various facets of life that made him the people’s king, she added.

Earlier, elaborating on the political developments during the princely rule, J V Ashwathnarayan from Bangalore said the conflict between Mysore and Madras province existed during the period.

When Hattane Chamarajendra Wadiyar ascended the throne in the year 1881, there were resentment against the appointment of Rangacharlu as the dewan. It continued even when Sehasdri Iyer was to succeed Rangacharlu, when Nalwadi ascended the throne in 1902. The contenders for the post were Thambuchetty and P N Krishnamurthy. Eventually, Krishnamurthy was selected.

On the contribution of Wadiyars to the development of Mysore State, Jamuna from Bangalore said when compared to other princely states, they were far ahead. Though they began with Maharani’s School in late 19th century, in association with Amble Narasimhaiah Iyengar, it was only for girls from the royal family then. The school was later converted into a college and doors were opened for all, again with a few restrictions.