Krishnaraja Wadiyar II
Krishnaraja Wadiyar II (1728 – 25 April 1766[1]), was the eighteenth maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1734 to 1766. He ruled as monarch during his entire rule, first under the dalvoys, and then, for the last five years, under Hyder Ali.
| Krishnaraja Wadiyar II | |
|---|---|
 Seal of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II | |
| 18th Maharaja of Mysore | |
| Reign | 1735–1766 |
| Coronation | 15 June 1735 |
| Predecessor | Chamaraja Wodeyar VII (brother) |
| Successor | Nanjaraja Wodeyar (eldest son) Hyder Ali (dispute) |
| Born | 1728 |
| Died | 25 April 1766 Seringapatam |
| Spouse | Devaja Ammani Avaru, Putaja Ammani Avaru, Lakshmi Ammani Devi Avaru |
| Issue | Nanjaraja Wodeyar, Chamaraja Wodeyar VIII, Chamaraja Wodeyar IX |
| House | Wadiyar |
| Father | Chame Urs; Dodda Krishnaraja I (adoptive father) |
| Mother | Devajammani (Adoptive mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Life
On 8 October 1731, Krishnaraja Wadiyar II was adopted, like his predecessor, by Maharani Devajammani and Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar I, under the title Chikka Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
He was crowned at Mysore, on 15 June 1735. He reigned under the control of dalvoy Devarajaiya Urs, who was in charge of Mysore rule from 1724 to 1746. After the decline of the Devarajaiya's power and eventual death, Hyder Ali, another dalvoy, came to be considered the de facto supreme ruler of Mysore from 1761 until his death in 1782.
He was a titular King. He could never enjoy power as there was a tripartite struggle between himself, Hyder Ali, and sarvadhikari Nanja Raja. In fact, the kingdom became weak because of the struggle. Hyder Ali gradually filled the place of Nanja Raja. The king executed many plots to regain his power but was not successful. His opponents were more resourceful, sly and united.
Krishna Raja Wadiyar II died in his capital, Seringapatam, on 25 April 1766.
Notes
- Hayavadana Rao, Conjeeveram. History of Mysore (1399-1799 A.D.): 1704-1766. India: Superintendent of the Government Press, 1946.