A slice of history that is unique in the annals of the freedom struggle in the region came to the fore amidst the patriotic fervour that marked the 70th anniversary of Indian independence on Tuesday.
For, long after the rest of India attained freedom, which ushered in a modern democracy and rule of a representative government, Mysuru continued to witness political unrest seeking an end to the rule of the maharajas. Hence, the ‘freedom struggle’ in Mysuru continued past August 15, 1947, as political activists from across the region took part in a ‘Mysore Chalo’ agitation to end monarchy and usher in modern democracy.
While the region was late in entering the freedom struggle, this is partially attributed to the benevolent measures of the later Wadiyars and their diwans who were responsible for extending agriculture, construction of dams and canals, introduction of railways, education for girls, founding of a university, and industrialisation. At the political and administrative level, Mysore State was a forerunner of measures such as reservation (introduced in 1919) for socially backward groups.
But the patriotic fervour gripped the local community and, heeding the call of the Congress, volunteers joined the Mysore Chalo agitation to force the maharaja’s hand to relinquish power. There was a massive assembly and show of strength in the city on September 4, 1947 in which hundreds courted arrest.
In the melee, the police opened fire to disperse a procession and a high school student named Ramaswamy died of bullet injuries. This only aggravated the situation. To commemorate Ramaswamy, a memorial is in place at a circle named after him in Mysuru.
Sensing the public mood, the maharaja relented and stepped down, paving the way for K.C. Reddy to become the State’s Chief Minister on October 25, 1947, bringing to a close the last chapter in the freedom movement of Mysuru.
