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| Sir K.S.Sheshadri Iyer: (1883-1901) en.wikipedia.org |
During the colonial period in India, while high administrative and judicial roles were predominantly held by British officials, a select few highly talented Indians rose to prominence as Dewans of princely states. Among these luminaries, Sir K. Seshadri Iyer (1845–1901), who served as the Dewan of Mysore from 1883 to 1901, carved out a unique and lasting reputation. His dedication and selfless service positioned him not merely as an administrator representing British interests, but as a visionary builder whose contributions form the very bedrock of modern Karnataka.
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| Kumara park Bangalore thehindu.com |
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| Bangalore thehindu.com |
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| Angelo Mysore. Colonial period, India radhikaranjanmarxist.blogspot.com |
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| Chamarajendra Wadiyar and Dewan Iyer /tfipost.com |
Iyer’s tenure was marked by a commitment to innovative infrastructure and educational reform, often implemented in consultation with Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. His farsightedness is perhaps best exemplified by his initiative to secure 372 acres of free land in Bangalore for an educational institution. This land later became the home of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in 1911, a premier institution for advanced education. Furthermore, he was instrumental in laying railway lines covering approximately 270 kilometers across the state, fundamentally improving connectivity and trade.
The crowning achievement of his infrastructural legacy was the Shivasamudram Hydro-electric Power Project. As the first of its kind in Asia, this project was designed to improve agricultural output and electricity production. Begun in 1902, the power was initially transmitted to the Kolar Gold Field (KGF) via a 147-kilometer line—the longest transmission line in the world at the time—and later reached Bangalore in 1905. This initiative not only energized the state's industries but also showcased Mysore's technological prowess on a global scale.
Beyond major projects, Iyer meticulously addressed urban and social needs. He established the Victoria Hospital in 1900 to improve public healthcare and oversaw the construction of the famous Glass House at Lalbagh in 1889. For Bangalore city, he constructed the Chamarajendra Water Works, bringing potable water from Hesaraghatta Lake, and strategically planned new city extensions like Basavanagudi and Malleswaram to alleviate urban congestion. Administratively, he codified revenue lands and introduced agricultural banks to provide loans to cultivators, thereby protecting them from private money lenders. He also championed social causes, giving importance to women's education and providing special scholarships for talented students to study abroad, in addition to establishing an insurance scheme for government employees.
Despite facing opposition from some royal family members and being criticized for occasionally being autocratic, Seshadri Iyer remained loyal to the ruler and strictly adhered to rules. His integrity was highlighted by his efforts to financially settle the families of his predecessor, Rangacharlu, and Purnayya. His stellar contributions earned him high praise; even his occasional adversary, Lord Curzon, generously proposed a public memorial for him. Today, landmarks like Sheshadripuram, Seshadri Road, and the Seshadri Memorial Library continue to recognize him as one of the finest Indian administrators produced during the British Raj.
https://starofmysore.com/a-dewan-too-built-an-agrahara/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Seshadri_Iyer
https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/story-from-scattered-pages/article28170321.ece
https://tfipost.com/2017/02/chamarajendra-wadiyar-seshadri-iyer
