Mysuru: “After being sidelined for about 40 years without any power or authority to the Mysore Maharajas during the British rule, the situation eased with the kind intervention of the British East India Company,” recalled S. Chandrashekar, Retired Vice-Chancellor, Karnataka Central University.

He was speaking at the valedictory of the three-day National Seminar on ‘Political, Social and Economic reformation during the administration of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar in Mysore Province, organised by the Department of studies in History and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Study Chair of University of Mysore at Rani Bahadur auditorium in Manasagangothri here yesterday.

Chandrashekar further recalled that with a selfish motive the British handed over the power to Mysore Maharajas in 1799 but were not given the authority to collect any tax or take up development work without the consent of the British. If the administration of the Maharajas was found ineffective,  the British had the authority to withdraw the power given to Maharajas.

It was during the reign of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar,  Mysore Province saw remarkable reformation in social and economic scenario, Chandrashekar said and added that Jayachamaraja Wadiyar was just 24 when he was crowned but was able to bring in a lot of social reformation.

Faculty and research scholars of various Universities participated in the seminar.