Tipu laid foundation for KRS dam: Karnataka minister’s claim triggers controversy

A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Minister HC Mahadevappa claimed that Tipu Sultan laid the foundation for the KRS Dam. The statement drew immediate backlash from MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and historians, who refuted the claim, calling it an attempt to distort history for political gain.

Mandya: A statement by Karnataka Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa claiming that Tipu Sultan laid the foundation stone for the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam has stirred a major political and historical controversy in Mysuru, drawing sharp criticism from Member of Parliament Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and historians.

Reacting strongly, Mysuru MP Yaduveer termed the minister’s remark as “ridiculous,” and said it was a politically motivated attempt to distort history. “There is absolutely no evidence to support the claim that Tipu Sultan laid the foundation for the KRS dam. Everyone knows who truly built the dam,” Yaduveer stated.

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He said historical records clearly attribute the KRS dam’s construction to the Mysore royal family, particularly Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, whose efforts were instrumental. “No teacher, historian or record has ever made such a claim about Tipu Sultan,” he said.

Yaduveer accused Mahadevappa of making baseless comments to polarize voters. “Tipu fought several wars and there are records of temple destruction during his reign. Only a few temples, such as Srirangapatna and Nanjangud were allowed to function. This statement is clearly aimed at misleading the public for electoral gain,” he added.

Historian Talakadu Chikka Rangegowda also condemned the statement. “It is unfortunate that a person familiar with Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology would make such an ignorant remark,” he said.

He clarified that while Tipu may have dreamt of constructing a dam in the KRS region, he never laid a single stone or initiated any actual work. “It remained a dream. He had no connection to the dam’s construction,” he said.

Historians assert that it was Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar who spearheaded the dam’s development by employing British engineering methods. With initial opposition from colonial authorities, Wadiyar’s family, particularly queen mother Kempa Nanjammanni and his wife pledged their personal jewelry to fund the project. The dam was completed in 1924, entirely without Tipu’s financial or administrative involvement.

“This was the Maharaja’s vision and execution. Tipu Sultan neither funded nor initiated the project. Twisting facts to fit political narratives is unacceptable,” historians concluded.