Prince Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar was the only son of Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar and Yuvarani Kempu Cheluvajamanni. He was born on July 18, 1919 (Siddhartha Samvtsara, Ashada Bahula, Shashti, Friday evening @ 6:13pm). As per tradition he was named after his grandfather Maharaja Sri. Chamaraja Wadiyar X and as he was born after the great victory of the allies in the First World War the prefix “Jaya” was added to the name of his grandfather.
He had his early education in the special Royal School at Chamundi Vihar Palace, Mysore along with few selected companions. He exhibited high powers of application and distinguished himself by his robustness and modesty of deportment. As the chief of Boy Scouts in his early teens he fulfilled the most sanguine expectations that were formed of him. Mr. J. Turner, ICS was appointed his tutor, to superintend his education and fit him for the responsibilities of the august office, which he would be called upon to undertake later, and he acquired great proficiency in horsemanship, swimming, hunting and tennis. Mr. Turner was struck with his talents and predicted a bright future for the young Prince.
After his S.S.L.C, he became the first Royal family member to study at Maharaja's College. He studied for four years (Intermediate & B.A) freely mixing with students amongst whom he became famous as Prince Charming! Professors had great regard for him. In April 1937 he toured the Far East and Japan for about 3 months. He was unanimously elected Honorary President of the History Association of the Maharaja's College and as its President, he delivered the Inaugural Address of the Association in July 1937 in which at a comparatively early age with almost uncanny insight discerned and foretold serious complications in the Sino- Japanese relations which would ultimately prepare the ground for a major and global catastrophe. He did not merely absorb knowledge as it came to him from professors. He sought it out from books. He was a voracious reader. He held many a discussion with his teachers on topics that specially interested him, and in the discussions he revealed a mind extraordinarily keen and penetrating; and he was not disposed to take anything on trust or from mere text books. Thought provoking books mentioned in the Bibliography of any great book, were added to the personal library for careful reading later. He graduated from Maharaja's College, Mysore in 1938, earning five awards and gold medals.
After his graduation he was trained in various branches of administration under Mr. Elwin ICS and during this period he also toured the State extensively to acquaint with administration at grass root levels. He was also given physical and military training under the guidance of Col. Lock, Chief Commandant of Mysore State forces. He was a keen sportsman and played Racquets, Squash, Tennis and later in his life also played Golf. He was an excellent Horseman. He toured Europe along with his wife, parents and sisters during 1939, visiting many associations in London and became acquainted with many artists and scholars.
Prince Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar lost his father Yuvaraja Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar on 11th March 1940 when he was just 21 and he was duly anointed as the Yuvaraja. But only Five months later, Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV also died on 3rd August 1940. Yuvaraja Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar ascended the throne on 8th September 1940.
Soon after becoming the Maharaja he accorded permission to form a joint stock Company to start Hindustan Aircraft Company in Bangalore to support World War efforts. In addition Maharaja and his Government contributed Rupees Fifty Lakhs (Rs. 50,00,000/-) to the war fund. A vessel of the Royal Indian Navy, a Squadron of Aircraft went as gift from Mysore to the war.
While inaugurating the joint session of the two houses of the legislature, after implementing the reformed constitution of 1940 on June 9th, 1941, he said:
“.....I feel that in addressing this joint meeting of the Houses today I am bearing to a further stage, the torch of constitutional progress which has been handed down to me as a family heritage. It is my ambition, as I am sure it is yours, to ensure that its light does not grow dim but will burn ever brighter with the passage of time.....”
First reformed Ministry consisting of mixed officials and elected representatives took office under Dewan N. Madahava Rao in June 1941.
Post-Independence
After the proclamation of Government of India Act 1935, Mysore had actively supported the formation of Federal Government and had participated in the preceding Round Table Conferences held in London. But with the breakout of the Second World War and the impetus given to the Quit India Movement, the efforts for formation of a Federal Government (in accordance with the objectives of Government of India Act 1935) were thwarted. After the end of the World War, Britain thought it prudent to enact Indian Independence Act 1947 on 18.07.1947 and paved the way for the formation of two Dominions on 15.08.1947. On the eve of the Indian Independence, Ministry of States, Government of India asked the Princely states to sign an Instrument of Accession.
Under the Sovereignty of the Maharaja, Mysore was the first major State to accept the Instrument of Accession and the Maharaja on 09.08.1947 signed the said Instrument of Accession and the Govt. of India accepted the same on 16.08.1947. He further signed a Supplementary Instrument of Accession on 01.06.1949.
Maharaja had in a message to his people on 08.01.1947, had expressed his intention to further-proposals, for constitutional reforms. But the Indian Independence hastened the demand for Responsible Government in the State and Maharaja in a proclamation on 24.09.1947 accepted the demand by setting up the Constituent Assembly and an interim popular Government was established on 25.10.1947 with Sri. K. C. Reddy as Chief Minister.
After fresh elections, first session of the Mysore Constituent Assembly was held on Wednesday the 7th April 1948 at the Sir Puttanna Chetty Town Hall, Bangalore.
In all this intervening period Sir. Dr. A. Ramaswamy Mudaliar continued as Dewan of Mysore and this post was ultimately abolished with effect from 7th August 1949.
The Constituent Assembly of Mysore at its sixth session recommended that 'the Constitution of India', then being framed by the Constituent Assembly of India, which included duly appointed representatives from the State also, should be adopted by Mysore.
Maharaja accepted the recommendations and issued a proclamation on 25th November 1949 to adopt the Constitution of India shortly to be adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India (adopted on 26.11.1949).
Maharaja also signed an agreement on 23.01.1950 with Governor General of India to determine his Rights, Privileges, Dignities, Privy Purse and dynastic succession.
As from 26.01.1950, Princely State of Mysore merged with the newly formed Republic of India and became a Part-B State.
In accordance with Article 366(15) of the Constitution of India, Maharaja became the Rajapramukh for the State of Mysore from 26.01.1950. On 02.10.1953, Bellary District was merged with Mysore State.
When Justice Fazal Ali Commission constituted to study the Re-organization of States on linguistic basis toured Mysore and interviewed the Rajapramukh, he readily agreed to the merger of Kannada Speaking areas and sacrifice the constitutionally guaranteed post of Rajapramukh.
On the eve of merger of Kannada speaking areas, the then Chief Minister Mr. K. Hanumanthiah hosted a Birthday celebration function at Mysore and praised the Maharaja in the following glowing terms:
“.............Transforming oneself from a powerful sovereign to a constitutional monarch requires adjustment of a type which is rare in human nature. This happy adjustment stands as a proof of your high mindedness and patriotic fervour. Whether as Ruler or as Rajapramukh, the people of Mysore have found the ideal in you................”.
In reply Maharaja said
“....You have referred in your Address to what your generosity has termed my 'sacrifice'. I do not look upon it as such. If Destiny had decreed that over the past few centuries the progress and prosperity of the people of this beloved State should be in the hands of the Wadiyars of Mysore then that same Destiny now ordains that the time is ripe for the people, now grown to full political stature in a free democratic Republic, to rule themselves. My ancestors did indeed render great service to the State, and the times in which they lived demanded such service from such rulers. According to my lights, I have tried my utmost to be true to the spirit of that noble tradition. I now consider it my greatest good fortune that it has been given to me to see the consummation the fulfillment, the fruition of a great Trust. The rule of the Maharaja has indeed fulfilled its purpose, this purpose of making the people fit to rule themselves...”
Owing to the popular demand, President of India appointed him as the Governor of the newly formed State of Mysore (Renamed as Karnataka in 1975) from 01.11.1956. He was the Governor of Mysore till 04.05.1964.
He was also the Governor of Madras (Tamil Nadu) from 04.05.1964 to 28.06.1966.
He passed away at Bangalore Palace on 23.09.1974. He was cremated in 'Madhu Vana' at Mysore.
Copyright © 2022 Article Blog - MJWF All Rights Reserved.
Powered by MJWF
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.