Mysore - The Model State

From the start of the 20th century up to the Independence marked the golden age of Industrial, infrastructural and agricultural development in the Mysore state. Even with ongoing Freedom struggle and world wars impacting the economy, they strategically leveraged the global crisis to turbocharge it's industrialization.

Sir M. Visvesvaraya famously quoted "Industrialise or perish"

Sir M. Visvesvaraya laid the foundation, Sir. Mirza Ismail put up the super structure.

u/Claudius-Galenus — 1 month ago
▲ 616 r/IndianDefense+1 crossposts

Gandaberunda stealth bomber

Context,

HAL was established in 1940, well before independence through a partnership between American aviation pioneer William D Pawley and Indian industrialist Walchand Hirachand.

The pivotal force was Maharaja Dr Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar, whose Mysore government provided 700 acres of free land in Bengaluru, invested Rs 25 lakh, and offered full support when other princely states like Baroda, Gwalior, and Bhavnagar declined.

On December 23, 1940, Hindustan Aircraft Company was incorporated under the Mysore Companies Act, with a hangar and runway ready in weeks.

Only the Maharaja of Mysore, Dr Jaya Chamaraja Wadiyar agreed to back this venture, making Bengaluru India's aerospace hub.

In 1947, the company was transferred to the Indian government. The Maharaja's private Dakota plane was subsequently utilized by leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to integrate princely states into the Indian Union.

It is sad that HAL and the Karnataka government barely acknowledge the Maharaja’s contribution to its establishment.

u/Claudius-Galenus — 2 months ago

Ramanujacharya created a monster

Context,

Vishnuvardhana, described as ‘Maker of Hoysala kingdom’ ascended the throne in 1106 A.D.

There are two distinct periods of Vishnuvardhana's rule. First, period of quiet when nothing happened, and following that, a period when there was no quiet at all. It was filled with battles and wars on steriods.

The first period marks his initial days as a ruler. But upon the influeunce of Ramanujacharya who fled the Chola kingdom, Vishnuvardhana who was a Jaina was converted to Vaishnavism.

Ramanujacharya turned out to be a great influence on him, an influence so great that it did changed the course of history of South India.

Vishnuvardhana after converting to Vaishnavism, shook off his self-imposed quietness and got ready for war.

First, he turned his attention towards Gangavadi region which after the fall of the Gangas had come under the suzerainty of the Cholas and ruled by the Chola viceroys. Vishnuvardhana captured Talakadu and Kolar after defeating the Chola commander Adigiman and took the title ‘Talakadugonda’.

This was followed by the defeat of Kongalvas and the Chengalvas, the Todas of Nilgiris, the Santharas of Hosagunda and the Alupas of Tulunadu. He then moved north and defeated the Pandyas of Uchchangi at Dumme and took the title ‘Nolambavadigonda’

The above success aroused the ambition of Vishnuvardhana to free himself from the over-lordship of the Kalyani Chalukyans and hence he prepared to attack them. The Hoysalas tasted victory over the Chalukyans at Kannegala in 1118 and at Hallur in 1120. Finally, the Chalukyan general Boppanna took command of the Chalukyan army and pursued the Hoysalas to their capital and forced Vishnuvardhana to submit in 1122 A.D. The valour shown by Vishnuvardhana in the battle made Vikramaditya VI remark that of all the kings, the Hoysala is alone unconquerable. He also had earned the title- ‘plunderer of the Maharajas whole wealth’ as he had acquired many territories of his suzerain.

Vishnuvardhana had titles like Tribhuvanamalla, Bhujabala Vira Ganga Vishnuvardhana, Poysala Deva, Raja Marttanda, etc.

While Mayuravarma the founder of Kadamba dynasty liberated Karnataka from the yoke of the Pallava rule, several centuries later Vishnuvardhana liberated southern parts of Karnataka from the hegemony of the Cholas.

u/Claudius-Galenus — 2 months ago

It's not about Winning or losing, every civilization falls. That's how nature works. What matters is whether you go down in style or not

u/Claudius-Galenus — 2 months ago

What IF

Context:

Bose believed that authoritarianism could bring liberation and reconstruction of Indian society. He expressed admiration for the authoritarian methods which he saw in Italy and Germany during the 1930s. He thought they could be used to build an independent India.

He believed that India "must have a political system—State—of an authoritarian character," and "a strong central government with dictatorial powers for some years to come".

u/Claudius-Galenus — 3 months ago

Time to cut some fingers

Context:

Once During his long reign of 64 years, a part of the Rashtrakuta empire experienced a catastrophic event, most probably a drought. Amoghavarsha being the people's King publicly cut off a finger from his left hand as an offering to Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur. It is said that the catastrophe ended soon after- the correlation we'll never know....

u/Claudius-Galenus — 3 months ago

Inscription stone at the entrance of Kalseswara temple in Kalasa

This is a unusual type of inscription stone I've seen. What is written on that and what does this carvings trying to say

u/Claudius-Galenus — 3 months ago

Did Chalukyas of Vatapi had Navy with Deep sea capabilities?

We all know Chalukyas had a powerful navy probably the strongest during its time in the subcontinent, inscriptions mention Chalukyas taking territories through the navy across the coastal line and ceylon region but did it have deep sea capabilities?

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If yes, what are the sources available of them being involved in expeditions to other countries through the navy capable of carrying a huge army and war elephants.

u/Claudius-Galenus — 4 months ago

The lore Deccan and the South had during the mediaeval period

Chalukyas, pallavas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, cholas, pandya, Hoysalas, Vijaynagara, western Gangas, kalyani chalukyas, banas, Nolambas, cheras, kakatiyas, Mysore, Marathas... Many more feudatories

u/Claudius-Galenus — 4 months ago

Why was Harihara called as Master of four oceans

I was reading few inscriptions found near my village and came across this, Harihara being mentioned as Master of four oceans.

What does that mean- did karnatas have a powerful navy during its initial days?

Which are those four oceans?

u/Claudius-Galenus — 4 months ago