Heritage on trial

By Chaitanya S G

In the grand historical landscape of India, where kingdoms have risen and fallen with the sands of time, the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysuru remains an extraordinary beacon of resilience. Established in 1399, this unbroken royal lineage, spanning over 600 years, played a crucial role in shaping Karnataka into a progressive state.  

Long before India even envisioned democracy, Mysuru had already taken its first step towards representative governance. The Representative Assembly of Mysore convened for the first time on October 7, 1881, under Maharaja Chamarajendra Wodeyar. By 1891, elections were  introduced—an event that predated India’s national electoral system by decades. Since then, the indelible Mysore Ink has witnessed over a billion voices rise in unison, ensuring that democracy remains not just an ideal but a lived reality. 

Today, however, the descendants of these visionary rulers stand at a crossroads, their legacy tangled in legal disputes and bureaucratic apathy. The palace that once symbolised governance, culture, and enlightenment is now at the centre of a battle for survival—a stark contrast to the benevolence and foresight with which the Wodeyars once ruled. 

Few Indian rulers can claim a legacy as profound as Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, a sovereign so enlightened that even Mahatma Gandhi hailed him as a “Rajarishi”—a saintly king. Under his leadership, Mysuru was known as ‘Ramarajya,’ a  model state admired even by the British. 

His contributions were revolutionary. In 1902, he initiated India’s first hydroelectric project at Shivanasamudra, making Bengaluru the first city in Asia to have electric streetlights. His foresight led to the creation of the University of Mysore (1916). He transformed the region with numerous irrigation projects, educational institutions, and an unparalleled push for industrialisation, establishing the State Bank of Mysore, Mysore Sugar Mills, and Mysore Paper Mills, among others. 

His successor, Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, carried this vision forward with equal zeal. A “Philosopher-King”, he championed Carnatic music, Kannada literature, and scientific research. He played a key role in establishing Karnataka State Road Transport  Corporation (KSRTC) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), shaping Karnataka’s economic landscape. With a heart as expansive as his intellect, he donated the magnificent Cheluvamba Mansion for the establishment of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI). His generosity did not stop there. Recognising the urgent need to combat tuberculosis, he gifted the Avalon Mansion to house the National Tuberculosis Institute, strengthening medical research and saving countless lives. 

Maharaja Jayachamaraja Wodeyar passionately wrote to the President of India after his visit to the Institute of Logopedics, US, urging the establishment of a similar institute in Mysore. He personally donated 22 acres of prime land, leading to the establishment of the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), which continues to offer hope to thousands with speech and hearing disabilities. 

As India approached Independence, unlike many princely rulers who resisted integration, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar signed the Instrument of Accession with grace. He prioritised the well-being of his people over personal power, ensuring Mysuru’s seamless transition into the Indian Republic. Rashtrakavi Kuvempu described him best: “Whereas kings have become so upon assuming thrones, he became a great king by renouncing one.” 

The legal dispute over Bangalore Palace between the Karnataka government and the Mysore Royal family has spanned several decades. In 1996, the Karnataka government enacted the Bangalore Palace (Acquisition and Transfer) Act, aiming to acquire approximately 472 acres of the Bangalore Palace Grounds for a paltry Rs 11 crore--a move rightfully challenged by the royal family before the Supreme Court.  

In December 2024, the SC directed the Karnataka government to grant Transferable Development Rights (TDR) worth Rs 3,011 crore to the royal family as compensation for 15.39 acres of palace land used for road widening projects. In response, on January 29, 2025, the state government promulgated the Bangalore Palace (Utilisation and Regulation of Land) Ordinance, 2025, effectively overriding the Supreme Court’s directive. The ordinance cites the 1996 Act, which had valued the entire 472-acre property at  Rs 11 crore, as its basis, giving the state the power to regulate and use palace land.  

Bangalore Palace, once the majestic seat of the Wodeyars, now stands at the centre of a prolonged and unjust legal battle. The very government that thrives on institutions founded by this dynasty seeks to seize their ancestral home, reducing one of India’s greatest dynasties to courtroom struggles for what is rightfully theirs. While the world cherishes and preserves royal legacies, Karnataka’s politicians seem determined to erase theirs, treating heritage as mere real estate. 

If we allow the echoes of the Wodeyars’ compassion and vision to fade, we risk losing more than just their stories; we risk losing the essence of who we are.

(The writer is an advocate and author) 

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.