Vintage Vignettes … from a Princely State

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

The twenty-third in the line of Mysore rulers, H.H. Chamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur (CRW) was the third son of Sardar Chikka Krishne Urs (Bettadakote branch of the ruling clan) and Devajammanni (daughter of Chikkalingaraja Urs of Haginavalu). He was born on 22 February 1863. He was formally adopted by the royal house on 18 June 1865 which was ratified by the British Government on 16 April 1867. A relieved Maharaja, H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar III died on 27 March 1868.

The official proclamation by the then Government of India (British) No. 325 dated 30 March 1868 recognised H.H. CRW, the adopted son of the late ruler, as Maharaja of Mysore. “His Excellency the Right Honourable the Viceroy and Governor-General in Council announces to the chiefs and people of Mysore the death of H.H. Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar Bahadur, Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. This event is regarded with sorrow by the Government of India, with which the late Maharaja had preserved relations of friendship for more than half a century. H.H. Chamarajendra Wadiyar Bahadur, at present a minor, the adopted son of the late Maharaja, is acknowledged by the Government of India as his successor and as Maharaja of Mysore territories. During the minority of H.H., the said territories will be administered in His Highness’ name by the British Government and will be governed on the same principles and under the same regulations as heretofore. When H.H. shall attain to the period of majority, that is, the age of eighteen years and if H.H. shall be found qualified for the discharge of duties of his exalted position, the Government of the country will be entrusted to him subject to such conditions as may be determined at that time.”

—R. TEMPLE, Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of India.

The five-year-old CRW was coronated on 23.9.1868. The photograph shows the bewildered child being propped up on silver Bhadrasana on stacks of bolsters and cushions. Also, of interest is the bubris design (tiger stripes motif) lined carpet (in the foreground) which is a remnant from the Tipu Sultan era. The second image shows a lithograph invitation of the coronation which was issued under the joint command of the dowager queens, Cheluvajammanni of Rama Vilasa Sannidhana and Devajammanni of Seeta Vilasa Sannidhana, who were the third and fifth wives of H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar III. The last line of the invitation is handwritten and addressed to the successors of perhaps an important priest in the service of the Maharaja and it reads “kurudu purohitara makkalu” (children of the blind priest).