Prior to 1939, Mandya was a part of Mysore District. A vision
of responsible Government in the state was engendered in the minds of the people
of Mysore with the inauguration of the Mysore Representative Assembly in 1881,
four years earlier to the birth of the Indian National Congress. Yet, the real
struggle for freedom began only in 1921.
In the year 1927, when Gandhiji stayed in Karnataka for
four months, several leaders from Mandya came under his influence and kindled
the fire of freedom struggle among the people of Mandya. Prominent among them
were :
H.K.Veeranna Gowda
D.H.Chandrashekariah
H.C.Dasappa
Indval Honnayya
Honagana Halli Puttanna
Karadahalli Krishnappa Gowda
Kyathanahalli KapaniGowda
T.N.MadappaGowda
TirumaleGowda Shivapura
G.S.Bommegowda
Malavalli Veerappa
Congress Subbayya
Veerakesari Seetaram Shastri
Progressive
Movements
Irwin
Canal Movement
Irwin Canal Movement, popularly called the Agrarian
Revolution is one of the noteworthy progressive movements in the
historical events of Mandya district. After the construction of the K.R.S Dam
the Princely State of Mysore, had decided to impose new taxes on farmers
community for the recovery of the Government contribution along with the
interest to be paid for non-payment of the contribution amount. It was really
Crucial time to the farmers of Mandya District , along with spending money for
the conversion of their landto
make suitable for Irrigation they had to pay the new taxes imposed by the
government before getting the benefits of the irrigation facilities. Apart from
this the Government was intended to implement the new Block system for the
cultivation of crops as recommended by the agricultural scientist Lesley Colman,
which was practically very difficult.
The leaders like Honagana Hall Puttana and Induvalu Honnaiah realised
the problems of the farmers and they met Sri. H.K. Veeranna Gowda in his
father-in-laws residence narrating the difficulties the farmers has to face,
if the new tax policy is imposed on them. In January 4, 1932 around 4000 farmers
along with 100 Bullock Carts gathered in front of Attara Kacheri at Bangalore
after their disciplined march starting from the village Gejjalagere of
Mandya district in the leadership of H.K. Veeranna Gowda. This disciplined and
peaceful march very much impressed the then Dewan of Mysore and he assured the
gathering near the Atthara Kacheri that the farmers have to pay the contribution
amount in 10 annual installments without any interest, but if they failed to do
so in a stipulated time, they have to pay the amount along with interest. This
movement led to integration and awareness among the farmers community.
In 1938, at Shivpura, a village near Maddur railway
station, a clarion call was given for starting a peaceful agitation to attain
the goal of responsible government. On 10th, 11th and 12th of April 1938, the
state Congressmen met at a convention here to chalk out a new programme. The
Congress flag was about to be hoisted but government prohibited the hoisting.
Several leaders were arrested.
Earlier to this political event, an agrarian agitation(Raithara
Chaluvali) gave an
added incentive to further political struggles. The raiyats of Vishveswariah canal region had been dissatisfied with the block irrigation system. A big jatha
of 3000 to 4000 men marched on foot to Bangalore to ventilate their grievances
to the Dewan. Mandya, Induval and other places in the district were centres to
this Agrarian agitation.
Mysore
Chalo Movement
India got its
independence on 15th August, 1947. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first
Prime Minister. But Mysore kingdom was ruled by the Sri. Jayachamaraja Wodeyar.
After the exit of British from India, Indian Kings declared themselves as
independent rulers. In order to free the Mysore regionfrom dynastic rule the Mysore Chalo Movement was started which was headed
by Sri. K. Hanumantaiah and Sri. K.C. Reddi. Many leaders of Mandya District
supported this movement and there was a lot of support by the Villagers of
Mandya District. Thousands of People marched towards Mysore. This led to a large
gathering of people before the Mysore Palace. The then Personal Secretary of
Maharaja of Mysore Mr.Tumbuchetti gave orders for arresting the people and their
leader. This worsened the situation as it angered the people and the freedom
fighters started shouting slogans against the rulers. Eventually all these led
to release of the arrested leaders and peoples representative Government came
into existence on13-10-47 under
the leadership of Sri. K.C. Reddi.
FARMERS CO-OPERATION DURING SEVERE DROUGHT IN 1952 SUMMER
In 1952 Summer, Kolar and Tumkur district suffered seriously from severe
drought, drinking water fodder and food grains scarcity hit a lot to the draught
area. The leaders of Kolar and TumkurMr.
K.C. Reddi, Mr. K. Pattabiraman and Mr. Nagaiah Reddi requested people of Mandya
to extended their helping hand to the draught suffered people. The leaders of
Mandya Mr. K.V. Shankare Gowda and others published the message through hand
bills allover the district, the farmers of Mandya learnt about the draught
situation and extended their helping hand in a large extent, thousands of
bullock carts loaded by fodder, paddy and other grains came to Mandya from all
corners of the District. The huge amount of collection were dumped at Municipal
High School area. The whole high school building filled with food grains, fodder
etc., The excess food grains was put in the stadium also. Government of
Karnataka requested Railway department to transfer the collected materials to
draught area, the then revenue minister of Karnataka Mr. H. Siddaiah received
the food grains on behalf of the Government. Mr. A.G. Bandi Gowda,, Mr. H.K.
Veeranna Gowda, Mr. K.V. Shankare Gowda, Mr. K. Betta Shetty and others donated
the collections on behalf of Mandya Farmers to the Government in a colorful
function. The Governor of Karnataka His Highness Sri. Jaya Chamarajendra Wodeyar
received the collected fodder and food grains at Kolar whole heartedly and
distributed it, to the needy people of the draught area.
In the opening ceremony held at Farmers Agricultural Producers Marketing
Society building, the Governor of Karnataka appreciated the noble donation of
Mandya farmers to drought areas. Whenever the natural calamities occur the
farmers of Mandya extended the full co-operation to the needy, even today.
IMPORTANT FREEDOM FIGHTERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS OFMANDYA DISTRICT
SL
NO
NAME
AND
THEIR WORKS
1
Bandi Gowda A.G. (late)
B.A.LL.B
Arakere,
Srirangapatna Tq.
Age 85 Years. Lawyer and
public worker; participated in Civil disobedience movement 1939; r..i.6months. fine Rs.50.I/d
1½ m . Mysore jail, participated in Quit India Movement 1942-43;
detention 15 days Central jail, Bangalore. Participated in Mysore Chalo
movement 1947 , Imprisonment2
½ m , CentralJail , Bangalore; was chairman, Mysore Sugar co., Mandya.
2
BettasettyK.
Asst. Secretary , Ryots Agricultural
Co-Operative Marketing Society Ltd., Mandya
Born 19-5-1925; Clerk;
Participated in Mysore Chalo movement 1947; detention 1 month. Mandya
and Bangalore jails.
3
Bommegowda, M.K.BA.,
M.L.A.,
Machiganahalli,
KrishnarajapetTq.
Born 26-6-1915;
agriculturist ; participated in Non-Co-operation movement , Quit India
movement 1942, Mysore chalo movement 1947; Imprisonment6 months Mysore jail; One of the organizers of youth congress in
Mysore ; took active part in Adult Education movement; a Constructive
worker; had been elected to the Mysore legislative Assembly from K.R.
Pet constituency; was member , Krishnarajpet T.C.C and Mandya D.C.C
4
Bhat, Ananthram, H.V
Municipal Vice-President and Coffee
Merchant, Mandya
Born 20-8-1909;
participated in Mysore Chalo movement 1947; detention 1 month Mandya and
Mysore jails.
5
Chandu. K.T
Garden House
Maddur
Born 10-5-1931;
Participated in Mysore freedom movement 1947; detention 45 days . Mandya
jail.
6
Devegowda. S.M
Sindagatta,
Krishnarajpet Tq
Born 9-12-1926; peon;
participated in Mysore chalo movement 1947; imprisonment 1 month,
Srirangapatna lockup.
7
Gundurao K.R.
Koppa village,
Maddur Tq
Born 5-8-1912; Tailor;
participated in Salt Satyagraha 1930; Hamilton buildingSatyagraha 1938; Mysore Chalo movement 1947; total imprisonment6 months fine RS. 50.
i.d. 1 month, Mysore
Jail.
8
Javarappa Gowda. P.N.
Journalist,
Mandya
Born 9-6-1916 ;
Journalistand social
worker; participated in Shivapura Flag Satyagraha 1938; Hamilton
building Sathyagraha at Mysore 1938; Quit India Movement1942; movement for responsible government in Mysore 1947; Total
imprisonment3 years 5
months. Mysore, Mandya, Bangalore and Shimoga Jails
9
Kodanda Ramaiah. G
Kodiyala.
Srirangapatna Tq
Weaver; participated in
Mysore Chalo Movement 1947 ; imprisonment1 month, Mysore Jail
10
Lingaiah.M.
Hosakere,
Maddur Tq
Born 10-7-1916;
participated in Quit India movement 1942 ; detention 22 days . Bangalore
central Jail
11
Lingegowda. A.L
Chair man, Group Panchayat,
Agasanapura , Malavalli Tq
Born 1929; took part in
Quit India movement 1942,
movement for establishment of responsible government
In Mysore state 1947;
detention 1 ½ month. District lockup, Mandya; was president, Students
Congress.
12
Madaiah. B
Clerk,
Taluk Office,
Maddur.
Born 25-8-1925,
participated in Mysore freedom Struggle 1947;detentiion 29 days, Mandya
Jail
13
Madappa
Gowda.T.N
Ex-MLA.
Nagamangala .
Born 2-12-1911 ,Thattekere;agriculturist
and social worker;participated in Freedom Struggle 1938-39; r.i2 months. Mysore Jail.
14
Madegowda A.C.
Saroja Nilaya,
Bannur Extention,
Mandya.
Born 1919, Arakere,
Srirangtapatna Tq.; took part in Quit India Movement 1942; Mysore Chalo
movement 1947; Total imprisonment 1 year 2 months 9 days Srirangapatna , Mysore , Mandyaand
Bangalore jails.
15
Mahabala Rao.M.B.A. ,L.L.B., Advocate,
Mandya.
Born 1900; lawyer;
participated in individual Satyagrha 1940; r.i. 6months, fine Rs.200 i/d
3 m, r.i Mysore jail.
16
Mariyappa .T(Late)B.A.,LL.B,
Beereswarapura,
Nagamangala Tq.
Born 10-7-1905 ; lawyer
and public worker ; one of the founder members of Mysore State congress ;
Participated in all Freedom movements, Flag Sathya graha1938 , CivilDisobedience movement1939 ; Quit India Movement 1942; Mysore Chalo movement 1947,
detentionfrom 4-2-1942,
Hassan jail; was president, Labour Association , K.R.Mills Mysore; was
member, Old Mysore Representative Assembly and legislative Assembly and
Legislative council ; Member, constituent Assembly; was HomeMinster in the first Congress Cabinet in Mysore 1947 52;
General Secretary, M.P.C.C 1953-55 ; Was Finance Minister from 1-11-1956
in New Mysore State.
17
Mari Setty. D,
Food Inspector,
Malleswaram,
Bangalore.
Born 15-7-1926,
Malavalli. Participated in Mysore Chalo movement 1947; detention 1
month. Mandya jail.
18
Maya Setty Gowda,
S/o
Javare Gowda,
Karadahalli,
Nagamangala Taluk..
Born 1913;
Agriculturist; participated in Quit India Movement 1942. Detained 4
months, Bangalore jail.
19
Narasimhaiah P.N.
NagamangalaTown.
Born 16-10-1912; cloth merchant; participated in Civil Disobedience movement 1939-40; Quit
India Movement 1942; total imprisonment 6 ½ months, Mysore and
Bangalore jails.
20
Narasimhiah ,
S/o Thimmarayasettty,
Cloth merchant,
Pete , Malavalli.
Born 20-7-1926;tailor; participated in Quit India Movement 1942 and Mysore Chalo
Movement 1947; Detention 1 month, Mandya andBangalore jail.
21
Puttamadiah.M.N.
L.M.P. Sarvodaya Clinic,
G.M. Street, Malavalli.
Born 7-2-1923 ; was a
medical student atBangalore
in 1942; when the military opened fire on a very big studentsprocession at Kempegowdacircle and many civilians were wounded during Quit India movement
1942, he rendered first aid to the wounded. Organised Satyagraha with
the help ofthe local
leaders and students at Malavalli; he was arrested and detained for 3
months in Mysore jail; during detention there was lathi charge in Mysore
jail; Many politicalprisoner
were seriously wounded; he helped the jail doctor, Dr.Mohamad ghouse ,
in rendering first aid to the injured and in stitching their wounds;
participated in Mysore Chalo movement.
22
Puttaswamy B A
S/O Dodda Thamme Gowda,
President, Town Municipal Council,
Mandya
Born 23-12-1928;
Participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947, detention 35 days, Mandya
and Bangalore Jails.
23
Radhakrishnaiah C V
Tailor, Chinya post
Pandavapura
Tailor; Participated in
Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; imprisonment18 days; Mandya lock-up.
24
Ramashetty B
S/O S.R.Channashetty,
Bidarakote, Maddur Taluk
Born 1-1-1919;
participated n Civil Disobedience Movement 1939; r.i. 6 months, fine
Rs.50/- i/d 1 month Mysore jail ; admitted to metal hospitalon 6-11-1939 and released on 11-1-1940.
25
Rangaiah M
Octroi Peon,
Town Municipal Office,
Malavalli
Born 15-9-1931; Shop
Keeper; participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; detention 1 month
Mandya and Bangalore Jail.
26
Sampathkumarachar,
S/O. Alasingachar
Melkote,
Pandavapura Taluk
Took part in Quit India
Movement 1942; detention from 31-8-42; detention from 31-8-42; Central
Jail, Bangalore
27
Seshaiah C B
Chinya,
Nagamangala Taluk
Cloth Merchant;
participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; detention 1 ½ month, Mandya
sub-jail.
28
Siddappa M J
Municipal Councilor
Maddur.
Born 8-3-1928;
participated in Quit India Movement 1942; Mysore Chalo Movement 1947;
detention 29 days, Mandya Jail.
29
Srinivasamurthy M R
Maddur Town
Born 25-5-1925;
participated in Quit India Movement 1947; detention 28 days, Mandya
sub-jail.
30
Subbaiah
S/O Doddaputtananjaiah
Ganga Street,
Pete Malavalli Town.
Born 10-6-1906;
Agriculturist; Participated in Quit India Movement; arrested and fined
Rs.200; took part in movement for establishment of responsible government
in Mysore 1947; imprisonment 1 ½ month; Director Mandya
Taluk Land Mortgage Co-operative Bank for 12 years. And of the Taluk
Co-operative Society for 5 years; Member, Town Municipal Council, Mandya
for 15 years; Secretary, Gangaparameswari Co-operative Society for 26
years.
31
Subbaraya Setty N K
Cloth Merchant,
Nagamangala
Born 17-8-1908; Cloth
Merchant; participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; imprisonment 1
month, 4 days District lock-up, Mandya.
32
Thimmegowda S K
Head Master, Govt.Primary Boys
School, Murukanahalli post,
Krishnarajapet Taluk.
Born 5-1-1924; took part
in Quit India Movement when he was a student in 1942; imprisonment 2
months fine Rs.100/- i/d 1 month, r.i. Srirangapatna and Mysore Jails.
33
Thimmaiah
S/O. Thimmashetty Gowda,
Gejjalagere, Mandya Taluk.
Born 1911; took part in
Quit India Movement 1942; detention from 27-8-1947, Central Jail,
Bangalore and Srirangapatna Jail.
34
Thirumale Gowda NT
A.Nagathihalli, Alisandra P.O.
Nagamangala Taluk.
Born 1910; participated
in Salt Sathyagraha 1930, Bombay; imprisonment 4 months, Visapur Jail.
35
Thirumale Gowda. P
Landlord, Shivapura
Maddur Town.
Born 10-1-1905; Member
of Mysore Congress since 1933; was Chairman, Reception Committee,
Shivapura Congress Session 1938; was member, District Board 1940; under
went imprisonment twice during Freedom Struggle 1942-47. Bangalore and
Srirangapatna Jail; was member, Mysore Legislative Council from 1952.
Born 1-5-1899, Garden
House, Maddur; Journalist and Agriculturist; was Editor, Vokkaligara
Patrike, Kannada Weekly 1927-28 and Chitradurga Kannada daily 1928-31;
participating in Congress activities since 1936; organised First Mysore
Rashtra Kuta in Shivapur, Maddur, in April 1938 where Mysore Congress
was born; was one of the two General Secretaries; toured throughout the
old Mysore State, carried on Congress propaganda, organised and
established congress committee; his wife Smt. Thayamma Veeranna Gowda,
also participated in these activities; disobeyed orders prohibiting
entry into K.G.F. area 1939; participated in Quit India Movement 1942,
Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; total imprisonment 2 years 4 ½ months
including 3 months hard labour in Bangalore, Mysore, Srirangapatna and
Karohatti Camp Jails. Served as organising Secretary, Joint Secretary
and General Secretary of Mysore Congress 1936 to 1946; was
Vice-President, Maddur Municipal Council(1936-38); Member, Mysore
District Board(1935-38); Mysore Representative Assembly(1936-38); Member,
Mysore Constituent Assembly; President, Mysore Congress and Mysore
Pradesh Congress 1952-53 and 1958-59; joined cabinet of Ministries, New
Mysore State on 1-11-1956, held the portfolio of Public Works and
Electricity, continued till 1958; was Chairman Reception Committee of
the 65th Session of Indian National Congress held in
Bangalore 1960.
37
Venkatchala Shetty
S/O. Kengashetty
Palagrahar,
Nagamangala Taluk
Born 1917;
Agriculturist; participated in Quit India Movement 1942; detained from
8-9-1942 Bangalore and Srirangapatna Jails.
38
Visweswaraiah A N
Ashankara Park
Shankarapura,
Bangalore 4.
Born 8-4-1908,
Akkihebbal, Krishnarajpet Taluk; Merchant; participated in all states of
Freedom Movement; mostly underground work; organised Charkha
SanghBasavanagudi, Bangalore 1923, took part in Mysore Chalo Movement
1947 leading a batch, was arrested near Holenarasipur, detention 24
days, Sakaleshpur Lockup.
39
VykunteGowda Y
Yennehole Koppal
Kyathanahalli Post,
Pandavapura Taluk
Agriculturist;
participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; imprisonment 6 months, Srirangapatna
lockup.
40
S C Mallaiah
The Maker of Mandya District
Somanahalli Chikkegowda
Mallaiah was born in 1896 at Somanahalli, a small village in Maddur
Taluk on Bangalore-Mysore Highway. His father Chikkegowda was a wealthy
landlord and a member of Mysore Representative Assembly. Mr. S C
Mallaiah entered the public life at an early age of 24 and was elected
to the Mysore Representative Assembly. Mr.S.C.Mallaiah was a close
friend of the then Dewan Sir.M.Mirza Ismail and the then Ruler of Mysore
state Sri.Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. It was the nature of Sir. M.Mirza
Ismail to draw young, talented and service minded leaders towards him
and to encourage and support them to take to social and public works.
Mr.Mallaiah was one among them.
41
Shivaji
Head Master,
HPBS, Gejjalagere,
Maddur Taluk
Born 16-5-1926;
participated in Mysore Chalo Movement 1947; detention 67 days, Mandya
Jail.