This photograph of the seated Maharaja, H.H. Chamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur X (1863-1894) and his brothers (from L-R: Prince Gopala Raje Urs, H.H. CRW and Prince Subramanya Raje Urs) was taken in 1876 by the famous photographers Bourne and Shepherd which had studios at Calcutta, Bombay and Simla (1864-1900). The album of photographs was presented to Queen Victoria on 15th January 1887 by Dr. John William Tyler.

Image Collection and Credit: Royal Archives, Royal Collection Trust, UK.

Sir Mirza Ismail, who was Dewan of Mysore from 1926 to 1941, in the first chapter of his book ‘My Public Life – Recollections and Reflections,’ mentions that his father accepted the honorary post of Musahib or Aide-de-camp of the young Maharaja Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar X (r. 1868-1894) on the persuasion of C. Rangacharlu who was Dewan from 1881 to 1883. “My father was devoted to the Maharaja and the attraction was mutual. His Highness’ untimely death in Calcutta in 1894, when he was only 31 years old, was a grievous blow to the State and was universally deplored. Both his elder brothers, strangely enough, had died at exactly the same age and he had a pre-sentiment that he would not himself live beyond it.”

H.H. Chamarajendra Wadiyar’s biological father Sardar Chikka Krishne Urs* had died about a week before the former’s birth.

* The biological parents of H.H. Chamarajendra Wadiyar X and his brothers were Sardar Chikka Krishne Urs and Devajammanni (d/o Chikkalingaraj Urs of Haginavalu). Sardar Chikka Krishne Urs hailed from Bettada Kote family and was the son of Krishne Urs who was the eldest brother of Devajammanni and Cheluvajammanni, who were the first and third wives, respectively, of Maharaja H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar III (1794-1868).

By R.G. Singh, Secretary, Ramsons Kala Pratishtana