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

The golden throne of Mysore as seen today is not as it looked about 150 years ago. It is believed that modifications were done and the parasol was redesigned during the reign of H.H. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (in early 19th century) and his name was inscribed on the bejewelled umbrella; almost a century later, more modifications are done during the reign of H.H. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.

Swami Sivapriyananda in his book ‘Mysore Royal Dasara’ states: “On the 4th of May, 1799, Tipu Sultan was killed by the British and a month later, on 30th June, five-year-old Nanjaraja was placed on the throne of Mysore as Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. The capital shifted from Srirangapatna to Mysore.”

The coronation of H.H. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III is significant because he resumed the rule of the Wodeyar lineage after a gap of  36 years. It was only the courage, patience and sacrifice of his grand-mother, Maha Matoshri Lakshmammani that kept the Wodeyar lineage alive.

On 30th June, 1799, the five-year-old H.H. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III was crowned the king of Mysore in a traditional coronation ceremony that took place in a special pavilion constructed near the Lakshmiramana Swamy temple within the fort in Mysore. Reports say that the  boy King was led by the Duke of Wellington to the throne.

The detail of the painting (Figure 1 from the manuscript ‘Sri Krishnaraja Kantirava Abhyudayam’) shows the coronation of boy Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1799. In the painting, Dewan Purnaiah is seen on the right side of the king on the throne.  To the left of the King, Lt. Col. Wellesley is seen seated.

The Dasara festival of 1799 was celebrated for the first time in Mysore. Since there was a lot of interest generated after Mysore became a part of British East India Company (EIC), several hand- coloured lithographs, aquatints and prints were distributed in England pertaining to Mysore.

Here (Figure 2) we see an aquatint of the young king seated on the throne of Mysore which was popular overseas and was also included in publications of that time.

Until 1831, the rule of the 22nd Maharaja of Mysore was undisturbed. However, the Nagar rebellion and subsequent differences with the Resident and the report from the Company Office over payment of the war damages led to the British EIC taking over the administration of Mysore upto 1881 with the appointment of a Commissioner to oversee  the affairs of Mysore State.

However, the Maharaja sent regular requisitions to the Crown, every year,  when the British Parliament sat in Session. Over the years, official communications addressed to Queen Victoria were accompanied by a gift representing the rich artistic and material traditions of Mysore. These gifts included either textiles, jewellery, board games, musical instruments, utensils or artefacts. Many such objects sent on these occasions are still preserved and displayed in various museums across Britain. One such gift was the stunning miniature model (Figure 3) faithfully representing the appearance of the Mysore throne during the reign of H.H. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. The exquisite work of art by highly talented gold and silversmiths of Mysore gives us an idea of the extent to which the craftsmen have created the specimen which includes every minute detail of the throne.

Figure 1 – Size : Unknown. Collection : Private

Figure 2 – Size : Unknown. Collection : Private

Figure 3 – Collection : Crown Jewels of the British Royal Family.