#AtoZChallenge - Wadiyar family

This month, each day, except the four Sundays, I will be blogging about interesting features associated with Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, as part of the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge

This is a feudal dynasty that ruled the kingdom of Mysore from 1399 when it was founded by Yaduraya Wadiyar. 

From 1399 to 1565, Wadiyars ruled Mysore as vassals of the Vijayanagar Empire. Then from 1565 to 1761, they ruled independently. 

From 1761 to 1796, they ruled under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. From 1799 to 1947 they were under the British crown.

In 1947, when India became independent, the princely state acceded to the Indian union (to become the Mysore State). 

The Mysore Palace, the home of Wadiyars.
Image courtesy: Mysore Palace.
The website has a virtual tour of the palace

However, the then ruler Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar continued as the Maharaja until India became a republic and monarchy was abolished in 1950. 

He officially continued with the title of Maharaja until 1971 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished the royal titles and privy purse of over 560 maharajas across the country. The current head of the family is Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja, since 2015.

Dasara festival in October is a major event in Mysore, and it was started by Raja Wodeyar I who ruled the kingdom as an independent ruler from 1578 to 1617.

Needless to say, the Wadiyar family over centuries contributed significantly to every aspect of Mysore: administration, education, health infrastructure, irrigation, electricity etc. 

They played a key role in social reformation movements like the abolition of child marriage, and encouraging widows to remarry. Music, both Indian and Western, enjoyed great patronage from the dynasty.