• Dr. Neelakanta Swamy

History was once perceived as the legacy of rulers and their conquests, but today, it is understood as the collective narrative of human civilization. Rather than only glorifying empires and monarchs, modern history gives equal weight to the lives, struggles, and progress of common people. The State of Mysore, among the three largest princely states in India, became a symbol of such inclusive progress. It wasn't just a land of royalty; it became a platform for democratic evolution. While the transformation of monarchies across India came slowly, Mysore stood apart by pioneering public involvement in governance well before independence. With the establishment of the Representative Assembly in 1881, Mysore became a trailblazer in participatory politics. Progressive initiatives such as the Village Panchayat Scheme were expanded in 1927-28, offering local communities a voice in their development. The reign of Nalwadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar marked a golden era in Mysore's transformation. His vision extended beyond administration to fostering grassroots development. With a focus on public welfare—rural livelihoods, agricultural advancements, industrial growth, healthcare, and education—the state gradually shifted from royal centralism to people-oriented governance. Though Mysore’s broader history has been documented, the specific contributions of Nalwadi’s rural reforms still await detailed exploration.

Democratic evolution, rural development, Representative Assembly, public welfare reforms, grassroots governance, Princely State of Mysore.

"VILLAGE EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN PRINCELY MYSORE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 4, page no.445-450, September 2014, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701D17.pdf

"VILLAGE EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN PRINCELY MYSORE", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 4, page no. pp445-450, September 2014, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701D17.pdf