The forgotten Billionaire Maharaja of India, who was not just the richest but also a modern reformer

Time of India

2 days ago

In the glittering era of Indian royalty, stories of unimaginable wealth were often associated with extravagant lifestyles, palaces filled with gold and jewels, fleets of Rolls-Royces, and legendary diamond collections.
But amidst this grandeur, one ruler stood out for using his wealth not just to live lavishly, but to build a better, fairer society.
While TIME Magazine famously crowned Mir Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad the "richest man in the world" in 1937, with a fortune estimated at $236 billion or around ₹19 lakh crore today, another Indian royal quietly followed not just in show, but also in substance.
With an estimated net worth of $400 million at the time roughly $7 billion or ₹57,901 crore adjusted for inflation, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was ranked among the world's richest, yet he remains less talked about today and most importantly, his impact, especially in education, infrastructure, and social reform, remains deeply etched in history.
A vision beyond the throne
Born on June 4, 1884, in the grand Mysore Palace, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV was the son of Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X and Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhana. After his father's sudden death, he became king at just 11 years old, with his mother acting as regent until he turned 18 in 1902.
His education was a mix of Western and Indian influences, covering English, Kannada, Sanskrit, and fine arts. Lord Curzon, the then Governor-General of India, praised the young king for his potential, predicting great strides in development under his leadership.
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The golden era of Mysore
Once he took over the steer for his empire, Wadiyar IV focused not on expanding palaces, but on uplifting people. He banned untouchability and child marriage for girls under eight. He funded scholarships for widowed women and allocated ₹60 lakh annually from his personal wealth to support disabled children.
In 1915, he founded the Mysore Social Progress Association to uplift underprivileged communities. In 1918, he invited Sir Lesley Miller to assess the conditions of backward classes, leading to a 25% reservation in government jobs for non-Brahmins, that also came as a forward-thinking policy for that era
The state also became electric-powered under his leadership
Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV also brought technological progress to Mysore.
Under his rule, the princely state became the first in Asia to generate hydroelectric power. In 1905, Bangalore became the first city in Asia to be fully electrified. His efforts earned him the title 'Krishnaraja Bhoopa, Mane Mane Deepa', meaning 'the king who lit up every home,' according to the Deccan Herald.
His commitment to education was equally visionary. In 1915, he made primary education compulsory. By 1927, the state's education budget had risen from ₹6.9 lakh to ₹46.8 lakh, supporting over 515,000 students across 8,000 schools.
He also established and funded institutions that exist to this day, including the Mysore Sanskrit College. He gifted 10 acres of land to Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman for his research institute and donated 400 acres near Malleshwaram to Jamsetji Tata for what would later become the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
A Cultural Patron and Musician King
Wadiyar IV wasn't just a ruler — he was an artist at heart. Mahatma Gandhi affectionately called him 'Rajarshi', meaning a combination of 'Raja' (king) and 'Rishi' (sage), reflecting his moral leadership.
He was also an accomplished musician who played numerous instruments, including the violin, veena, saxophone, and mridangam.
He supported prominent artists of the time, such as Gauhar Jan and Abdul Karim Khan, and even sponsored yoga master Sri T. Krishnamacharya, helping revive and globalise the practice.
He also expressed himself through poetry, writing in his native Kannada.
Wealth with Wisdom
Though his estimated fortune stood at ₹57,901 crore at the time of his death in 1940, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV wasn't known for stockpiling his wealth. One famous example is his funding of the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam. When funds fell short during its construction, he reportedly sold his own jewels in Mumbai to ensure the project was completed.