Sir,

It is heartening to note that as announced by the Prime Minister of India at the time of inaugurating the Statue of Unity, a Museum of Rulers is being established therein and the portrait of the last Maharaja of Mysore Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar will be displayed there (Star of Mysore dated Nov. 30).

I have already written about the special association of Sardar Patel with the Maharaja due to his extensive use of Mysore Dakota. When Mysore Constituent Assembly had its inaugural meeting on April 7, 1948, he sent the following message:

Hon’ble Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Deputy Prime Minister, Dominion of India:

“Mysore State has been in the vanguard of progress both in spheres of administration and democratisation of Government. Those who laboured incessantly in the cause of Responsible Government in the past today find their labours amply rewarded. In the new Constituent Assembly they are seeing the fruition of their dreams and their ideals. Goodwill and support of the people and sacrifices made by you all have contributed to the success of prolonged efforts to achieve for Mysore, constitution of Responsible Government under the aegis of Ruler. It redounds to credit of late and present Ruler that they have always bowed to the will of the people and never failed to concede popular demands. May the Constituent Assembly which is meeting under such auspicious combination of circumstances and with so much fund of amity and goodwill be guided by wisdom and Statesmanship, and fashion a Constitution worthy of the people and traditions of Mysore and which would serve as a model and example for other States. I send you all my warmest congratulations and best wishes.”

Thus Mysore’s role in the evolving India from being a Dominion in 1947 to a Sovereign Republic by 1950 is quite historic and significant.

I hope the Museum besides just displaying a six-foot portrait of the Maharaja will also record some of the pictures along with his messages.

– R. Raja Chandra, Bengaluru, 3.12.2018

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