M. Visvesvaraya
Engineer and statesman, whose birthday is India’s Engineers’ Day
- Lived
- 101 yrs
- 1860 – 1962
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 1955
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
M. Visvesvaraya was a civil engineer and administrator who designed irrigation and flood-protection systems, built the Krishna Raja Sagara dam and, as Diwan of Mysore, set up industries and institutions. He received the Bharat Ratna in 1955, and India marks Engineers’ Day on his birthday. He died in 1962.
Biography
Engineer
Visvesvaraya studied engineering at the College of Science in Pune and joined the Public Works Department of Bombay in 1884. He designed a system of automatic sluice gates, first installed at the Khadakvasla reservoir near Pune, and later used at other dams.
Flood protection
After devastating floods in Hyderabad in 1908, he designed a flood-protection system for the city, including reservoirs on the Musi river. He also advised on water supply and drainage for several cities.
Diwan of Mysore
As chief engineer of Mysore he oversaw the building of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam. As Diwan of the princely state from 1912 to 1918 he founded or encouraged the Mysore Soap Factory, the Bank of Mysore, the University of Mysore and engineering colleges, earning the title “maker of modern Mysore”.
Honours
He was knighted in 1915 and received the Bharat Ratna in 1955. He lived to 100 and died on 14 April 1962. His birthday, 15 September, is celebrated as Engineers’ Day in India.
Timeline
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1860
Born in Muddenahalli, Kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka)
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1884
Joins the Bombay Public Works Department
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1903
Automatic sluice gates at Khadakvasla
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1909
Flood-protection plan for Hyderabad
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1912
Becomes Diwan of Mysore
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1915
Knighted
-
1955
Bharat Ratna
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1962
Dies aged 100
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1962
Died, aged 101
Awards and honours
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Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
1915
-
Bharat Ratna
1955
Did you know?
-
1
India celebrates Engineers’ Day on his birthday.
-
2
He lived to the age of 100.
-
3
He designed automatic sluice gates for dams.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is M. Visvesvaraya?
M. Visvesvaraya was a civil engineer and administrator who designed irrigation and flood-protection systems, built the Krishna Raja Sagara dam and, as Diwan of Mysore, set up industries and institutions. He received the Bharat Ratna in 1955, and India marks Engineers’ Day on his birthday. He died in 1962.
When did M. Visvesvaraya die?
M. Visvesvaraya died on 14 April 1962 at the age of 101.
Where is M. Visvesvaraya from?
M. Visvesvaraya was born in Muddenahalli, Kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka).
What is M. Visvesvaraya known for?
M. Visvesvaraya is best known for Automatic sluice gates; flood protection for Hyderabad; Krishna Raja Sagara dam; Diwan of Mysore.
What awards has M. Visvesvaraya received?
Notable honours include Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (1915), Bharat Ratna (1955).
References
- M. Visvesvaraya — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- M. Visvesvaraya — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- M. Visvesvaraya (Q741700) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “M. Visvesvaraya”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“M. Visvesvaraya.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/m-visvesvaraya
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