Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, an eminent civil engineer, statesman, and the 19th Diwan of Mysore, is revered in India. His birthday, celebrated on 15 September, is recognized as Engineer’s Day in India, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. One of his notable accomplishments was devising a water supply system to transport water from the Sindhu River to the town of Sukkur (now in Pakistan).

M. Visvesvaraya Biography

The dam itself continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, a testament to his enduring legacy as a true Karmayogi. His contributions to significant engineering projects in India are immeasurable, with the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya standing out prominently. This remarkable project not only transformed a nearby wasteland into fertile terrain but also emerged as the primary source of drinking water for numerous neighboring cities.

M. Visvesvaraya Picture

M. Visvesvaraya Young Age Picture

M. Visvesvaraya Family Picture

M. Visvesvaraya Father (Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry)

Family

Visvesvaraya was born in Bangalore, India, into a Telugu Brahmin family. His mother, Venkachamma, was known for her deep religious devotion, and his mother tongue was Telugu. His father, on the other hand, was a renowned Sanskrit scholar of his era.

Age

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir M.V. was born on September 15, 1860, in the village of Muddenahalli. He passed away on April 12/14, 1962, at the age of 100, in Bangalore, then part of the Mysore State, India (now present-day Karnataka, India).

Education

Visvesvaraya’s educational journey began in Chikkaballapur, where he completed his schooling. Subsequently, he enrolled at Central College in Bangalore. With some assistance from the Government, he managed to secure admission to the prestigious College of Engineering in Pune. In 1881, he successfully completed his B.A. Examination. His academic prowess was further demonstrated when he secured the first rank in both the L.C.E. (Licentiate in Civil Engineering) and the F.C.E. (Fellowship in Civil Engineering) Examinations in 1883, which were equivalent to the B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering) Examination.

Wife & Children

There is no available information about his spouse and offspring.

Personal Life & Legacy

Visvesvaraya was a man of unwavering principles and values. Born into a Telugu Brahmin family in Bangalore, India, he held cleanliness in high regard and maintained impeccable attire, a habit he upheld well into his 90s. These values were deeply ingrained in him by his family during his formative years, and he consistently exemplified them in both his personal and professional life. The Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore stands as a lasting tribute to his contributions and is named in his honor.

Death

Visvesvaraya was renowned for his unwavering sincerity, impeccable time management skills, and steadfast dedication to his endeavors. He passed away on April 14, 1962, at the remarkable age of 100 years old. An integral aspect of Visvesvaraya’s character was his deep affection for the Kannada language.

Career

Visvesvaraya embarked on his career working for the Government of British India, where he held various positions in the Bombay Presidency and other British-controlled territories in the Middle East. During this phase of his career, he served in locations such as Nasik, Khandesh, and Pune. Upon his retirement, Visvesvaraya transitioned into administrative and statesmanship roles while also continuing his engineering pursuits in the Kingdom of Mysore. His expertise led him to join the Indian Irrigation Commission, where he played a pivotal role in implementing a complex irrigation system in the Deccan region. Notably, he was tasked with devising a method to supply water from the Sindhu River to the small town of Sukkur. The success of this endeavor resulted in the adoption of a similar system at the Tigra Dam in Gwalior and later at the KRS Dam in Mysore, Karnataka.

Awards & Achievements

• He is the recipient of several honorary doctoral degrees from eight universities in India.
• He was awarded with independent India’s greatest honor, The Bharat Ratna in 1955 for his relentless work in the fields of engineering and education.
• Visvesvaraya was knighted as the Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) by the British for his contributions to society in 1915.

Net Worth

He is an Engineer who has a net worth of $6.83 Billion.

Works

• Visvesvaraya, Mokshagundam (1932), Unemployment in India; its causes and cure, Bangalore: The Bangalore Press, OCLC 14348788
• Visvesvaraya, Mokshagundam (1917), Speeches, Bangalore: Govt. Press, OCLC 6258388
• Visvesvaraya, M (1951), Memories of my working life, Bangalore, OCLC 6459729
• Visvesvaraya, M (1936), Planned economy for India, Bangalore: Bangalore Press, OCLC 19373044
• Visvesvaraya, M (1920), Reconstructing India, P. S. King & son, ltd, OCLC 2430680

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