The Coming Of Electricity, K. Sheshadri Iyer, T.R.A. Thumboo Chetty And P.N. Krishnamurti

The story of Bangalore becoming one of the earliest cities in India to have electricity is a commentary on the strength of its bureaucracy in the years after the rendition of Mysore back to the Wadiyar dynasty in 1881. When Dewan Rangacharlu died in January 1883, Sir K. Sheshadri Iyer became the second Dewan of post-rendition Mysore.

A personality that blended tradition and modernity, he was described by W.W. Hunter as a statesman who had given his head to Herbert Spencer and his heart to Para Brahma.

Among the initatives associated with him are the early negotiations for setting up the Indian Institute of Science as well as the power station at Sivasamudram. That both these initiatives became reality after his death is a reflection of the fact that the tradition of modernism in Bangalore cannot be reduced to any single icon, but was built into the bureaucracy as a whole with the support of the royal family. The task of bringing electricity to Bangalore was thus followed up by the officiating Dewan Thumboo Chetty as well as Dewan P.N. Krishnamurti. The extracts from their speeches provided below bring out the common thread in their imaginations. This success built the foundation for later Dewans, including Visvesvaraya and Mirza Ismail, to make Bangalore one of the leading centres of technological development well before Independence in 1947.

Extracted from the book :Bengaluru, Bangalore, Bengaluru : Imaginations And Their Times by NARENDAR PANI, SINDHU RADHAKRISHNA, KISHOR G BHAT (2010).

K. Sheshadri Iyer

The question of utilising the power running to waste at the Cauvery Falls at Sivasamudrarn has often been under consideration; but nothing definite has hitherto been done, partly because it was not easy to settle how and to what particular industries the power should be applied, and partly because the transmission of the power to a distance was never contemplated. The Government have now decided to utilise these Falls for the production of electric power and its transmission at a cheap rate for the service of industrial undertakings in different parts of the State, including the Kolar Gold Mines. In embarking upon this great undertaking the Government are influenced wholly by the consideration that the supply of a cheap motive power of the kind and on the seal proposed, is likely to greatly foster private industrial enterprise throughout the State and thus to indirectly increase the wealth and general prosperity of the country. Captain A. Ioly de Lotbinier, Deputy Chief Engineer, has been deputed to Europe and America to investigate and mature the project in consultation with experts and to arrange details.

Extracted from the 'Address of the Dewan of Mysore to the Dasara Representative Assembly at Mysore' by K. Sheshadri Iyer on 17 October 1899 in 'Addresses of the Dewans of Mysore to the Dasara Representative Assembly from 1881-1899', Volume I, Bangalore: Govt Press, 1914, p. 264.

T.R.A. Thumboo Chetty

As regards the harnessing of the Cauvery Falls, with a view to generate electric power, alluded to in the previous year's Speech, it is gratifying to be able to state that the project has now been definitely settled, and arrangements have been made with the Madras Government for utilising the entire dry weather supply in the river. Agreements have also been entered into with Messrs Taylor & Sons, London, Agents for the Mining Companies at the Kolar Gold Field, for the purchase of electric power for working the machinery, and Captain Lotbiniere has again been deputed to England and America to make necessary arrangements for the purchase of the requisite distribution plant. The construction of the new anikat across the Cauvery at Sivasamudram and of new buildings for the accommodation of the executive and office staff as well as for the location of the machinery, etc., have since been started under the supervision of a resident engineer, and a staff of officers and subordinates appointed. The supply of motive power from this source to work the machines at a distance at a very cheap cost will, it is confidently hoped, not only furnish the stimulus necessary for a considerable expansion of industries in the State, but also tend to develop the natual resources of the country, and enhance the prosperity of the people. The opening of the Power Works will, undoubtedly, mark a new era in the annals of Mysore. If present expectations be realised, works connected with the first installation will be completed and electric power made available at the Kolar Gold Fields,about April 1902.

Extracted from 'An Account of the Administration of the Mysore State during the year 1899-1900' by T.R.A. Thumboo Chetty, Offg. Dewan of Mysore on 6 October 1900 in 'Addresses of the Dewans of Mysore to the Dasara Representative Assembly from 1900-1912', Volume II, Bangalore:Govt Press, 1914, p. 281.

P.N. Krishnamurti

The Cauvery Falls Power Scheme, which was mentioned last year, is now well on the way towards completion. At Sivasamudra, the river works and about four-fifths of the supply channels have been completed. All quarters, office and store and other buildings are finished, with power-station buildings well in hand and all materials required for their completion collected at site.For the transmission line, the buildings at Sarjapur are completed, and those at Kankanhalli and the two inspection lodges at miles 35 and 79 are progressing. Twelve miles of poles have been erected and distribution of poles on line proceeding apace, the progress of erection averaging about half a mile daily.The distribution buildings are well advanced and foundations for the new machinery commenced, all materials both for buildings and line construction being collected at site.All copper wire and over head travelling cranes with various other minor items of plant are received and stored. Heavy shipments of both electric and hydraulic machinery together with piping for penstocks, etc., are en route to India. The question of providing properly trained men to work the scheme after it is handed over by the contractors to our management, from among the Engineering staff, and if possible, by giving selected candidates good practical training in America, is being considered by Government.On the whole, the progress may be regarded as very satisfactory, and it is hoped that the scheme will be completed and in full working order by 1st May next.

Extracted from the 'Address of the Dewan of Mysore to the Dasara Representative Assembly at Mysore' by P.N. Krishnamurti on 25 October 1901 in 'Addresses of the Dewans of Mysore to the Dasara Representative Assembly from 1900-1912', Volume II, Bangalore: Govt Press, 1914, pp. 295-296.