Description

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Context

On January 29, Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot assented to the Bangalore Palace (Utilization and Regulation of Land) Ordinance, 2025. It marked the latest in the dispute between the Karnataka government and the Wadiyar family, which controlled the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore and the Palace.

About Wadiyar Dynasty

The Wodiyar dynasty (also spelt Wadiyar by the British) was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysuru (Mysore) from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.
The Wadiyar dynasty was established by Yaduraya Wadiyar, marking the beginning of the Mysore kingdom.
From 1399 to 1565, they reigned as vassals of the Vijayanagara Empire.
From 1565 to 1761, they reigned as separate kings.
From 1761 to 1796, the dynasty’s rulers only had nominal power because the real power was held by the commanders-in-chief, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan.
Following Tipu Sultan’s death at the hands of British overlords in 1799, the dynasty reigned as British allies from 1799 until 1947.
The Wadiyars promoted Carnatic music, literature, and temple architecture, making Mysore a cultural hub.

Right To Property

Once a Fundamental Right, now a Legal Right – Initially, under Article 31 of the 1950 Constitution, the Right to Property was a Fundamental Right, allowing individuals to challenge any land acquisition directly in the Supreme Court.
Removed in 1978 – The 44th Constitutional Amendment reclassified the Right to Property as a constitutional legal right under Article 300A, meaning the state can acquire private property only through proper legal procedures.
Can’t Directly Approach Supreme Court – Since it is no longer a Fundamental Right, individuals cannot file a petition in the Supreme Court under Article 32. However, they can challenge wrongful acquisition in the High Court under Article 226.
Government Can Acquire Land, But with Compensation – The government can acquire private property for public purposes (such as infrastructure projects), but it must provide fair compensation as per the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
Landmark Cases That Shaped This Right:
Keshavananda Bharati Case (1973) – Declared that the Right to Property is not part of the Constitution’s Basic Structure.
Jilubhai Nanbhai Khachar Case (1995) – Reaffirmed that property can be acquired by the state, provided due process is followed.

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following statements about the Wadiyar (Wodeyar) dynasty is correct?

1) The Wadiyars ruled Mysore continuously from 1399 until Indian independence.
2) The dynasty was briefly interrupted by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th century.
3) The British permanently removed the Wadiyars from power in 1799 after Tipu Sultan’s death.
4) The Wadiyar rulers never had any connection with the British Raj.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) 4 only

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

The Wadiyar dynasty was established in 1399 by Yaduraya Wadiyar and ruled the kingdom of Mysore for centuries. Hence, Statement 1 is incorrect.

Their rule was interrupted between 1761 and 1799 when Hyder Ali and later his son, Tipu Sultan, took over the kingdom. Hence, Statement 2 is Correct.

After Tipu Sultan was defeated and killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War (1799), the British reinstated the Wadiyar dynasty under a subsidiary alliance system. The British did not remove them from power permanently but controlled Mysore indirectly, returning administration to the Wadiyars in 1881. Hence, Statements 3 and 4 are incorrect.