India's forgotten billionaire king who sold his jewels to 'light up every home'
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In an age where Indian royalty was known for gold-studded palaces, diamond collections, and fleets of Rolls-Royces, one Maharaja stood out, not just for his riches, but for how he used them.Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of Mysore may not be as widely remembered today, but his story is a shining example of wisdom, kindness, and progress. While TIME Magazine called Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad the richest man in the world in 1937, with a fortune worth a jaw-dropping $236 billion (around Rs 19 lakh crore today), Wadiyar's quieter yet equally powerful legacy continues to live on through the lives he touched and the institutions he built.Born on June 4, 1884, in the grand Mysore Palace, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was just 11 years old when he became king. His mother, Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhana, ruled as regent until he took full charge at 18.Unlike many kings of his time, Wadiyar IV wasn't interested in living a life only of luxury. Trained in both Western and Indian education, he spoke English, Kannada, and Sanskrit, and had a deep love for the arts. Lord Curzon, then Governor-General of India, praised the young ruler's vision and expected Mysore to flourish under him, and he wasn't wrong.Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV turned his kingdom into one of the most progressive regions in India. Instead of expanding his palace walls, he expanded opportunities for his people. He banned untouchability and stopped child marriages for girls under eight. Widowed women received scholarships, and he donated Rs 60 lakh every year from his personal wealth to help disabled children.He also formed the Mysore Social Progress Association in 1915 and introduced one of the earliest reservation policies in the country. In 1918, he invited Sir Lesley Miller to assess the condition of backward classes, which led to 25% of government jobs being reserved for non-Brahmins, a bold step at that time.Under Wadiyar IV, Mysore became a pioneer in technology. In 1905, Bangalore became the first city in Asia to be fully electrified using hydroelectric power. This earned him the nickname 'Krishnaraja Bhoopa, Mane Mane Deepa,' which means 'the king who lit up every home.'He also revolutionised education. By 1915, primary education became compulsory. By 1927, the state's education budget jumped from Rs 6.9 lakh to Rs 46.8 lakh, supporting more than 5 lakh students across 8,000 schools.He wasn't just funding classrooms, he was building institutions for the future. He helped set up Mysore Sanskrit College, gave 10 acres of land to Sir CV Raman for his research institute, and donated 400 acres to Jamsetji Tata for what would later become the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.Mahatma Gandhi once called Wadiyar IV a "Rajarshi", a mix of king and sage. He was a gifted musician, playing instruments like the violin, veena, saxophone, and mridangam.He supported famous artists of the time, such as Gauhar Jan and Abdul Karim Khan, and backed yoga legend T. Krishnamacharya, helping take yoga to the global stage. He also wrote poetry in Kannada, expressing his deep connection to his people and culture.At the time of his death in 1940, his fortune was estimated at Rs 57,901 crore (adjusted for today's value). But he wasn't a king who hoarded wealth. One powerful example was his funding of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. When money ran out, he personally sold his own jewels in Mumbai to make sure the dam was completed, a gift to the people that still serves millions today.Inputs from TOI
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