Page:The Imperial Durbar Album of the Indian princes, chiefs and zamindars.djvu/28

10 During these years the descendant of the ancient Hindu King of Mysore was living in poverty, almost as a prisoner, in an humble cottage. He was a mere child five years of age. The English brought him out, on Tipu's death, and placed him on the Gadi of Mysore under certain conditions. Purnaiya, the famous statesman, was appointed prime Minister; and during the short space of ten years Mysore was again converted by this Bramhan Minister into a prosperous State. In 1812 A.D. he resigned his office owing to a disagreement with the young chief who had gained full powers of administration. He mismanaged the State. Things went from bad to worse. In 1825 A.D. the Madras Government appointed special officers of justice in the State and hoped the Raja would improve but to no purpose; ultimately, in October 1831 A.D. the Raja was made to peaceably surrender the reins, of Govrnment to the British Commissioners. He was allowed to remain in the metropolis and a decent annual pension was settled upon him. The pensioned Prince died in 1868 A.D., but had previously adopted a boy named Chamarajendra to continue the Wodiar line. After some deliberation this boy was recognised and crowned king of Mysore at the age of six. In 1881 A.D. a welcome arrangement was again made. The young Prince on attaining majority was invested with full powers in the State and, this is called "the rendition of Mysore." Maharaja Chamarajendra was an efficient and popular ruler but was unfortunately cut off in the very prime of his life in 1894 A.D. His son Maharaja Krishnaraj Wodiar, then a boy of eleven, was installed on the throne in 1895 A.D. with his mother as Regent; and during his minority the State was wisely managed by the famous statesman Sir K. Sheshadri Ayer.

His Highness the Maharaja is the head of the State, and the Diwan, assisted by a Council of two members, carries on the administration in the name of the Maharaja at Banglore which is the capital for ministerial purposes. A legislative Department has been created, and it is responsible for all legislative work, since there is no legislative Council as such. The Mysore Representative Assembly meets once a year on the Dasara day, when the Prime Minister reviews the administration of the year in a written address, after which, suggestions made by individual members of the Assembly are taken into consideration. The finances of the State are prosperous, partly owing to the royalty paid by the licensees of the gold' fields. Local Boards and Municipalities exist in Mysore as in British territory; the revenue of the District Boards amounting to nearly six lacs and that of the Municipalities to nearly six lacs and fifty thousand rupees.

The army of Mysore numbers about 5,000, of which two thousand are British and three thousand native Troops. It has a cavalry and an infantry brigade, as well as artillery. Education has been kept at a medium level; special attention, however, being paid to female education. The total expenditure on education in the State amounts nearly to nine lacs and fifty thouasnd rupees.

Mysore is one of the larger .States in the Indian Peninsula proper, having an area of 29,430 square miles, a population of about sixty lacs, and a revenue of nearly two crores of rupees. It contains some of the richest and most profitable mines, in India.

The present ruler H. H. Maharaja Krishnaraj Wodiar Bahadur, G. C. S. I. was invested with full powers in 1902 A.D. He is entitled to a salute of 21 guns.