T Ananda Rao

Chapter 16
T Ananda Rao

The first member of the Dewan’s Council, T(Tanjavur) Ananda Rao

succeeded [Link] Rao as Dewan. His father [Link] Rao was a
famous administrator, who had worked as Dewan at Thiruvananthapuram
where Ananda Rao was born on 15th May 1852. Ananda Rao secured his B.A.,
degree in 1871 from Madras University. He was a teacher to the Prince of
Thiruvananthapuram, and later to the Holkar Prince of Indore.
Dewan Rangacharlu (before his becoming the Dewan) appointed Ananda
Rao as his Assistant in 1873. Later he worked as District Magistrate in many
districts of Mysore State. He was also Deputy Commissioner in Mysore District
and the head of the Statistics Section of the State. Later, he was posted as
Chief Secretary in the Mysore Secretariat.
In 1906, he became a member of the Dewan’s Council, together with K P
Puttanna Chetty. He was the First Member in the Council of Dewan Madhav
Rao. On the latter’s retirement, he became the Dewan on 13th March 1909.
Sir Hugh Daly was the Resident in his time, an officer very friendly to Mysore.
One of the important developments in the administration was the appointment
of Sir [Link] as the Chief Engineer. The Dewan had friendly relations
with Sir [Link] and encouraged him in the schemes of the [Link]
Dam, railway development programme, Bhadravati Iron Works and Mysore
Economic Conference.

Sir [Link] as Chief Engineer

When Sir [Link] entered Mysore Service, it proved to be a boon to
the State. “Mr [Link] Rao, the Dewan was very considerate during the whole

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time I worked with him,” says Sir [Link]. In fact many important
programmes were initiated during the period when
Sir [Link] was in the background. The idea
of introducing a block system in Vanivilas Sagar
area, Economic Conference, expansion of technical
education and the Krishnaraja Sagar Reservoir were
initiated during Ananda Rao’s Dewanship. Though
they were mostly chalked out by Sir [Link],
Ananda Rao supported the Bhadravati Iron Works
while, the Maharaja and the Finance Department
had initially opposed it.
[Link] outlines Ananda Rao’s political
attitude when he states, his father, Raja T Madhav
Rao was a towering personality who worked as
Dewan in Vadedara and Tiruvananathapuram. He
Sir [Link] held titles such as ‘Raja’ and ‘Sir’ conferred by the
British. Many of his relatives held important positions in the country. When
the Indian National Congress session was held at Madras (1888), he was the
Chairman of the Reception Committee. But the Congress was not an anti-
British organization, though [Link] classified the Congressman of
that period into three groups. One group was termed as ‘Loyalists’ (not called
so by [Link]) and of the view that the Indians must request only for
concessions and facilities from the British. The British should be made to feel
that Indians are not anti-British. A greater share in Civil Service jobs for the
natives was demanded from the British. Irrigation works, founding of factories
etc. must be according to their requests as also trying to secure concessions
in tax and excise duties. Trying to shake the British imperial tree was not
desirable. T Madhav Rao belonged to this school. The other two schools were
known as Moderates and Extremists. In fact, T Ananda Rao stuck to the ideas
of his father’s political thinking in terms of achieving progress without hurting
the British.1 This was the basis of some of the public decisions made by him
during his Dewanship.

Krishnaraja Reservoir
The most important decision of his time was to take up the construction
of the reservoir at Kannambadi across the Cauvery. Sir [Link] as
Chief Engineer gave final shape to the project. This was intended to check the
bulk of the Cauvery water flowing into Tamilnadu and finally reaching the sea
without its proper use for irrigation. “The reservoir was expected to prove a large
protective work which would materially minimise the evil effects of famine,”
says Shama Rao. 2 This was to be also used to increase power generation at
Shivasamudra. Work on the dam began ln November 1911. It was proposed
to raise the dam to a height of 97 feet with a weir crest at 80 feet above the
1. [Link], Mysurina Devanarugalu (Kan). Pp:98-99
2. Modern Mysore, p.233.
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riverbed with the intention of impounding 11,030 million cubic feet of water.
Compensation for those whose lands were being submerged, was mostly given
in lands. Due to the objections raised by the Madras Government, a Court
of Arbitration was appointed by the Supreme Government and the work was
delayed. The cost was estimated to be Rs.91 lakhs.3

Mysore Economic Conference

“With a view to associate the non-official gentlemen with officers of
the Government in connection with economic progress in the State, His
Highness directed the formation of Mysore Economic Conference. Though the
Representative Assembly did consider subjects of economic development from
time to time, it was considered that a large body meeting and deliberating only
once a year could do but little. The conference would elicit public interest on the
numerous questions and they could be kept alive by a constant interchange of
views and discussion among those who were competent to deal with them. The
conference was accordingly constituted with official and non-official members
and a number of subjects were suggested for its consideration,” explains
Hayavadana Rao. 4
The suggestion to have the Conference came from Chief Engineer Sir
[Link] to the Maharaja.5 The Conference was inaugurated on 10th
June 1911. At the inaugural address of the Conference, the Maharaja said,
“Economic development is the aim of the Conference and measures to reach
the aim had to be considered. With the growth of communications and
increasing use of steam and electricity, questions of economic interest are
assuming new aspects closely associated with the well-being of the people.
The need for greater attrition to industrial and commercial development is
beginning to be recognised in British India. We have also therefore to give
increasing attention to our economic problems.” The Maharaja spoke of the
economic progress of the European countries, their educational advancement
and the health and longevity of the people and compared it with the conditions
in Mysore. Progress in agriculture, education and manufacture and commerce
has to be paid special attention for the progress of the State. “The aim we
have in view, namely economic security and the efficiency of the people must
appeal to every right thinking person,” he said explaining the need for holding
such a Conference.6 Three committees were constituted relating to education,
agriculture and industries and commerce.

Committees Formed
“By about the Dasara of 1912, the objective of the Conference became widely
known among the people and committees because industries and commerce

3. Ibid.
4. Mysore Gazetteer, p.3029.
5. M.V., Memoris of Mys Working Life, p.44.
6. Modern Mysore, pp:238-39.
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were strengthened,” says Shama Rao.7 A European officer from Madras Service,
A. Chatterton was made the Secretary of the Committee on Industry with Sir
[Link] as its Chairman. Six officers under Chatterton undertook the
work of the Conference. An industrial survey of the State was also started
in 1912. District Committees of the Conference were also appointed and
small funds were placed at their disposal for establishment, experiment and
contingencies. They held regular discussions and propaganda on the methods
of achieving progress.
The industries and commerce sectors did notable work to improve
sericulture, silk industry, silk goods, tanning, weaving, sandal woodcarving,
lacquerware, toy manufacture and tiles. Silk industry made substantial
progress. Five district agricultural associations were started which received
a grant varying from Rs.70 to Rs.250. More men were deputed to Tata Silk
Farm to study sericulture and for training in horticulture to Lalbagh and were
granted stipends. A large number of educative pamphlets were printed and
circulated to improve agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, etc. and to
disseminate modern and scientific knowledge on these subjects.

Compulsory Education
A special grant of Rs. Two lakhs was made for primary education (to raise
new school buildings and repair existing ones). The Committee on Education
recommended the introduction of a grant-in-aid code and making primary
education compulsory. On making primary education compulsory, the
following reactions came, “Ordinarily it is the British Government which
sets an example to native States in progressive legislation. But in respect of
education, it is this native State which has led the way,” wrote Wednesday
Review on 23rd October 1912. The South Indian Mail (Madras) wrote, “Though
Mr. Ananda Rao,s regime may not be a brilliant success, yet this single act of
his is sure to find him a warm niche in the heart of many patriotic Mysoreans.”
(“Not a brilliant success” is a commentary on prohibiting Sastri’s lecture by
the same paper.) “It is hoped that other Native States like Travancore and
Cochin will follow suit in the wake of Mysore,” wrote West Coast Reporter (24th
October 1912) on the decision on education.8
“From that time onwards, the Economic Conference continued to function
as a regular State Institution during my term of office in Mysore (as Dewan).
After retirement from State service, I believe it continued to function for some
years,” says Sir M.Visvesvaraya9 But later during his Dewanship, a major
outcome of the discussions of the Conference like starting the Bank of Mysore,
the Chamber of Commerce, the Bhadravati Iron Works, Mysore University etc.
also materialised.
The Indian (then Tata) Institute of Science was formally inaugurated in 1909
and the State sanctioned an annual grant of Rs. Five lakhs to the Institute,
7. Ibid, p.239.
8. [Link], History of Freedom Movement in Karnataka II, 1964.
9. Memories, p.45.
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starting from 1908. This Institute has grown to be a center of learning and
research of international standing. It proved to be a great asset for the growth
of modern industries in the State like sandal oil and sugar.
During 1911-12, the Supreme Government started paying the surplus
revenue (surplus of the tax income after meeting its administrative expenditure)
of the Civil and Military Station (Cantonment) to the Mysore Government.
Correspondence had been going on between the State and the Supreme
Government over the matter since 1893.
In 1912, an Act was passed qualifying only Mysoreans or those who were
domicile in Mysore to appear for the Civil Service Examination, putting an end
to the Mysoreans vs. Madrasis controversy. Those educated in the colleges
in the State were also eligible to appear for the examination. The Cooperative
Department had a Registrar till 1912, after which the Head of the Department
was designated as Deputy Secretary in the cadre of Deputy Commissioner for
the Department.
The Railway Secretariat was separated from the Public Works Department
in 1912-13. An Engineer-in-Chief was made the head and ex-officio Secretary
of the Railway Department. This State Railway Construction Department had
E A S Bell as the Engineer-in-Chief. A plan to add 200 miles of railway lines
which had been outlined in 1911-12 was undertaken after 11 years of inactivity
on the railway front in the State.

Press Gag Continued

As a Council Member, Ananda Rao had remarked that publishing a
newspaper was not the “birth right of a Mysore Citizen”. The Hindu referring
to his address to the Assembly in 1909 while Mysore Newspaper Regulation
was referred to, writes thus on 12th October 1909, “From the expression of
views and opinions that have so far been expressed by the Dewan, we are led
to think there is no prospect of the law undergoing any change in near future.
All that the Dewan has to say in favour of the measure is that though it confers
arbitrary powers, the Government will not exercise those powers arbitrarily.
This is a crude time-worn plea of all advocates of arbitrary power in the world,”
and it further adds, “We hope the Assembly as a body will have a convincing
and strong case made out against the measure and that by unanimous and
effective expression of opinion of the Government will be made to consider
their untenable position in regard to the Press.10 The newspaper knew clearly
that any expression of opinion, however strong it might be, could not move the
Government.
In the same Dasara session speech, The Hindu writes thus on political
unrest, “In fact the unrest in India has so agitated and disturbed the course of
politics in Mysore so far at all events are the responsible officers are concerned,
the subject of His Highness have come to wonder that what they could possibly
have to do with the unrest outside the province. We are told that the Mysore
10. GSH, [Link]., p.744-45.
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agitator is “a comparatively mild and harmless personage” but that “he had to
be taken betimes in hand.”11
Over the action taken against Dhanurdhari of Davangere, edited by noted
patriot Hardekar Manjappa, Veerakesari dated 15 November comments that
“The Dewan Ananda Rao is personally the gentlest and the most peaceful
man. When such a gentleman says cruel words, there must be something
mysterious behind the curtains in Mysore.” Veerakesari also says that what
Dhanurdhari (Davangere) had written was a translation of articles published
in the British India and not objected to by the British Government itself. They
all refer to British affairs and not Mysore affairs.”12 In fact, Dhanurdhari was
mostly translating articles appearing in Tilak’s Kesari (Pune).
It seemed as if the Dewan wanted to be more royal than the rulers themselves.
There was no other reason for some of his actions. [Link] speaks of
two episodes during Madhav Rao’s Dewanship which may be the outcome,
perhaps of his being follower of his father [Link] Rao’s political ideas.

Ban on Meetings
An ‘over enthusiastic’ religious lady, Miss Tennent from U.S.A., came to
India in 1911. She visited Bangalore also. [Link] feels that social
reform was the aim of her campaign. Stopping child marriage and extension
of female education were her main slogans. For almost a month she went
around and collected donations for her campaign, “Is there nothing to improve
in your own country? With your sublime objectives, why don’t you work for
your own people? Why have you come to this distant land?” were some queries
put to her by people here. Once it was arranged for her to deliver a talk against
child marriage in the Bangalore Shankar Math to be presided over by the
Dewan himself. When people assembled at the venue of the lecture at 5.30
pm, the doors of the lecture hall had been closed and policemen told the
gathered people that as per Government orders, the programme had been
cancelled. “This is perhaps the first instance in the history of Mysore State
that a public meeting was cancelled by the Government,” says [Link].
Nobody could guess the reason for the Act and there was much discussion
and surprise and curiosity over the matter.13
A few days after this incident, a public meeting of the Servants of India
Society was arranged in the same hall and its member, [Link] Sastry
from Madras was expected to speak on education. Nearly one thousand
people gathered at the venue in groups to hear the lecture. Even this meeting
was stopped by government order. “Then with my friends I went to Lalbag
and spent our time chatting jocularly with Srinivas Sastry. But to my great
astonishment, Sastriji did not utter a single word about the meeting or the
government. He spoke no word of criticism,” says [Link]. “My Guru,
Gokhale has advised me that such political episodes should not be an occasion
11. Ibid, p.744.
12. Ibid, p.746.
13. D.V.G., p.96.
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for giving expression to anger, and desperate criticism is not advisable….”

was Shastriji’s reply when questioned about his reaction. 14 [Link]
Rao, Headmaster of the London Mission School who was the President of the
‘Progressive Union’ under whose auspices the lecture had been arranged was
asked to resign as President, which he did. He was on ardent social reform
worker.
Thus Ananda Rao unintentionally provoked people’s political campaigns.
The Madaras Standard in its 29th August 1911 issue wrote on prohibiting
Sastri’s lecture thus, “The action of the Mysore officials is staggering. What, we
ask, is the matter with Mysore? Does the Mysore Government think it a crime
to reform the marriage customs of the Hindus?” The Indian Patriot on 30th
August 1911 wrote, “That he (Shastri) should be prohibited from delivering a
lecture means that the Servants of India Society is being suspected.” The Hindu
on 31 August wrote that, “The Mysore people seem now to have descended to
the days when public meetings of an innocuous character can be prohibited
by an administrative order without giving any reason.”15
[Link] Rao, who was employed in the Economic Conference office and
was very close to Ananda Rao enumerates some of the qualities and attitudes
of Ananda Rao. One of them was “unsurpassed sense of loyalty under all
circumstances to the sovereign without recognising any other external
authority except under accepted conventions and with the sanction of his
own Sovereign,” and “a well-disciplined daily life” in which from morning to
evening, with rigidly kept routine of work, “even to the dismay and despair of
his friends and relatives”.16
All these are good qualities but the Dewan has to consult others, convince
the Maharaja about the popular atmosphere and views and adjust himself to
the needs of administration and popular wishes. This analysis explains the
enigmatic behaviour of Ananda Rao. Once he asked Subba Rao, “Tell me what
the public is talking about?” Subba Rao refused to tell him. When the Dewan
insisted on hearing from him, Subba Rao told him that the public in one voice
were condemning the Durbar for its action against Sastry “The most loyal and
the most moderate among the politicians”.17 But all this had no impact on the
Dewan.
When Ananda Rao was leading a retired life, he was approached by
[Link] and other friends for a donation for a fund to help Gandhiji in
South Africa. Gandhiji was organising a peaceful campaign (Satyagraha) in
1912-13 against the Apartheid policy of the British there. Ananda Rao refused
to pay and criticised Srinivas Sastry who had issued an appeal for donation
for the cause.18
In fact there was correspondence between the Dewan and [Link], the
founder of the Servants of India Society over the prohibition of Sastry’s lecture.
14. Ibid, p.97.
15. Ibid, p.97.
16. [Link] Rao, Revived Memories, p.413.
17. Ibid, pp:417-18.
18. [Link], p.101.
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The Hindu wrote on 4th October 1911, “The Dewan is unable to give any reason
but entrenched himself behind the dubious shelter of ‘policy’ and it further
says that “It would have been fitting and graceful on the part of the Dewan to
have under the circumstances acknowledged his error and expressed regret
for the same.”
Lee Warner, the Resident in Mysore in a lecture delivered at Cambridge said
that there were “sham representative councils without any power and other
devices were created to avert the evil eye of foreign opinion. He also said that
in Mysore where he had been the Resident, the Press had been destroyed, and
the Representative Assembly even after 30 years, was devoid of any collective
reality of power. Mysore, he said, of all the States should have shown the
greatest development,” reported the Indian Patriot on 18 September 1912, and
it commented, “The faults of native administrators are due to their limited
political vision and their reliance on temporary expedients and temporary
purpose….”,19 This last sentence in the paper is an appropriate commentary
on the administration of the Dewans like [Link] Rao and [Link] Rao
who could not show any major innovative policy decision of lasting value.
That Anand Rao encouraged the Chief Engineer, Sir [Link] in all
his projects including the Economic Conference is praiseworthy. The Act on
compulsory education and other useful measures must have been proposed
or suggested by Sir [Link] to which Ananda Rao appears to have
agreed. Sir [Link] says that during his term as Chief Engineer during
Dewanship of Ananda Rao “He was very considerate and helpful.”
But there had been no development worth the name for long in Mysore
as stated by Sir [Link] himself, “When I took the office, the great
deficiencies and needs of the people which attracted my attention were, low
level of education, lack of initiative, ambition and power of organization, lack of
capacity for planning among leaders, and low economic condition and absence
of any effort on a planned basis for improvements and developments.”20 This
is the comment of Sir [Link] on the development of the State.
Ananda Rao was conferred with the title “Pradhana Shiromani” (the Crest
Jewel of the Premiers) by the Maharaja and CIE by the British Government.
Sir [Link], the next Dewan gave a strong push in the direction of
development and also liberalised the political atmosphere reeked in despotism.
Anand Rao laid down his office in November 1912, and died on 20th July
1919.

vvvvv

19. GSH, [Link]., p.750.

20. Memories, p.56.
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