Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

Expertise

Water, Environmental Management

Location

India

My highlights

Inventor of the block system

Built a flood-protection and drainage management system, safeguarding Hyderabad from flooding

Chief engineer of the life-saving Krishna Raja Sagara Lake and dam project

Why you might have heard of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, often referred to as Sir MV, was a civil engineer, statesman and the 19th Diwan of Mysore.

He was responsible for significant engineering projects in India, including the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya, which helped convert nearby wasteland into fertile land and became the primary source of drinking water for many neighbouring cities.

The dam itself continues to draw thousands of visitors every year. 

Beyond his astonishing achievements in engineering, Sir M. Visvesvaraya is credited for his extraordinary work in accelerating industrialisation and education in India.

He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in recognition of his achievements and contribution to Indian society.

Learn more about Sir MV

Education

Visvesvaraya completed his education in Chikkaballapur, in Karnataka, India.

His family prioritised his education, as his father was a Sanskrit scholar, specialising in the classical language of South Asia.

However, his father’s death plunged the family into poverty during his teenage years, and the young Visvesvaraya supported himself and his family financially by tutoring young children.

He received a degree in arts from the Central College in Bangalore, followed by a DCE (diploma in civil engineering) from the College of Engineering, Pune.

Career

Visvesvaraya began his career as an assistant engineer at the Public Works Department (PWD) in Mumbai before working at the Indian Irrigation Commission.

Here, he was responsible for implementing water irrigation systems, which included formulating a method of supplying water from the river Sindhu to the town of Sukkur.

During this time, he also invented the block system: a device with automated doors that closed when conditions of overflow were present.

In 1924, he was appointed chief engineer for the Krishna Raja Sagara Lake and dam project.

Before its construction, the region of Mysore and Mandya was suffering the severe consequences of drought.

Between 1875-1876, it had wiped out one-fifth of the population of the Kingdom of Mysore.

Although Visvesvaraya was involved from the beginning of the project, he had to persuade the financial ministry of the government of Mysore, who remained unconvinced that the dam would serve any practical purpose.

Ten thousand labourers were involved in the construction of Krishna Raja Sagara.

Built across the River Kaveri, it provides the primary source of water in the districts of Mysore.

It’s also the primary source of drinking water in Mysore, Mandya and almost all of Bengaluru City.

Brindavan Gardens is attached to the dam and serves as a sanctuary for biodiversity to this day.

Fascinating facts

On his 100th Birthday, 15 September 1960, India Post issued a postage stamp of Visvesvaraya.

He was knighted as Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George V for his contribution to public good.

Every year, his birthday marks the celebration of Engineer’s Day in India.

He received the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955.

Visvesvaraya founded the Government and Engineering College, which was later re-named University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) in his honour.

Personal life

Visvesvaraya was born in Bangalore, India, to a Telugu Brahmin family.

His family instilled strong principles in the young Visvesvaraya, which he demonstrated through his personal and professional conduct throughout his life.

He died on 14 April 1962 at the age of 102 years old.