How did a figure like Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya—an Indian civil engineer, administrator, and statesman—become so prominent in the realm of science that his birthday is now celebrated as Engineers’ Day? Despite the presence of other prominent engineers before, during, and after his time, how did he emerge as a more influential figure than his peers and compatriots?
In an interview with the Stepwell, Aparajith Ramnath, Associate Professor at Ahmedabad University’s School of Arts and Sciences, does a deep dive into Visvesvaraya's life. In his recent book, Engineering a Nation: The Life and Career of M. Visvesvaraya (1861–1962), he also delves into the details of Visvesvaraya’s career, exploring the aptitudes and experiences that made him an exceptional individual while contextualising his work within the broader historical and social issues of his time.
Below are excerpts from the interview with Professor Aparajith Ramnath.
Q. How did your research on the history of the engineering profession in colonial India lead you to focus specifically on Sir M Visvesvaraya?
A. My interest in history and my background as an engineering graduate guided me to explore the history of engineering, leading to my first book, The Birth of an Indian Profession: Engineers, Industry, and the State, 1900-47. During my research, I frequently came across the name of Sir M Visvesvaraya, and over time, my interest in his story grew,. My first book delved into the politics of the replacement of British engineers by Indian engineers, offering a social history angle; now I thought I would dig deeper into Visvesvaraya's life and using it as a lens to examine broader issues.
Despite the wealth of information available on Visvesvaraya, many questions remained unanswered. How did he become such an iconic figure? What set him apart from his contemporaries, making him such a significant figure in the world of engineering, who could even be instrumental in shaping India's history? My endeavour to seek answers to these questions became the foundation for this new book.
People often focus on Visvesvaraya's exceptional qualities, but there is more to his story. Aptitude was definitely important, but so were his experiences. This book aims to uncover how his work influenced the people of his time and beyond. It contextualises his approach to engineering against the prevailing trends in his time. It aims to highlight the depth and complexity of his legacy.
Q. What led to the rise of Visvesvaraya as a figure of prominence?
A. The first reason for Visvesvaraya’s fame is somewhat paradoxical. Although he won acclaim as an engineer, it was because he was more than just an engineer. While he spent the first 25-30 years of his career in engineering roles, he later rose to become the Diwan of the princely state of Mysore—a position akin to that of a prime minister—after serving as the chief engineer in Mysore. This transition catapulted him into a unique social and political role, as no engineer before him had ever held such a position. As the Diwan, he was responsible for policies on development and modernisation, enabling him to implement his broader vision for the State. His role extended to questions of constitutional reform, economic planning, and industrialisation policies, thus going well beyond the scope of traditional engineering, and earning him a level of prominence unusual for engineers.
Even in his early years as an engineer in the Bombay Public Works Department, , he stood out due to his certain personal qualities. At a time when Indian engineers faced a lot of prejudice in the colonial setup, he embodied characteristics valued by his British superiors, such as strong project management, initiative, systemic improvements, and a willingness to express his opinions on work-related matters. These traits brought him public attention and a more prominent profile than most Indian engineers of his time. His later roles, extending far beyond engineering, solidified his reputation, contributing to his lasting prominence.
Q. How did Visvesvaraya’s technocratic visions both benefit and limit his contributions to Indian society?
A. Visvesvaraya was an ambitious man with a fervent desire to improve the living conditions of the average Indian, driven by the widespread poverty, squalor, and illiteracy he had witnessed in his life. His vision to create a modern society based on higher industrial production and an improved standard of living was inspired by his visits to Japan and the United States. His approach centred on the use of science and technology to tackle various challenges, including social issues. His focus was utilitarian: he believed that by deploying the right technology and knowledge, and through better organisation, the available resources could be used to achieve greater prosperity and modernisation.
Such a technocratic view has a flip side too. For instance, in the case of building of large dams, one could reason that displaced people could be resettled in new areas by offering them new livelihoods and housing. However, this approach ignores people's attachment to their heritage and way of life. This highlights the need for a sociological understanding in decision-making.
Coming back to the 2020s, the tendency to believe that technology can solve any problem still exists. For example, absenteeism among rural teachers might be addressed by installing digital systems, but does this solve the root issue, such as the motivation for teachers to work with dedication? This illustrates the ongoing challenge of balancing technical solutions with a deeper understanding of the inherent social factors.
Q. An engineer, a reformer, and an administrator—which role did Visvesvaraya play the best?
A. All his roles informed each other, and you cannot really split his personality. While all these roles influenced his work, what stands out is his level of ambition and dedication to a cause. He aspired towards creating a reformed society free from unnecessary rituals, hierarchy, and caste distinctions. Yet, for him, these social reforms were part of the larger vision of building a modern, industrialised society. So, yes, he was a reformer and innovator in his own right, beyond being just an engineer.
He remained active in public life well into his nineties, with a vision for change that extended beyond his own lifetime. He also had the confidence and willingness to invest his time and effort in trying to see this vision fructified. He was thus remarkably progressive for his time. Moreover, he upheld certain democratic ideals and liberal principles, including encouraging public participation and opposing needless hierarchies and privileges. Although he could be somewhat autocratic at times, he largely stuck to these moral principles.
Q. What imprint does his life leave on students?
A. In popular culture, Visvesvaraya is known for his integrity, honesty, exemplary conduct, noble ambitions for a better life, and the willingness to work hard. The legacy he has left behind is about believing in something bigger than yourself and working for a cause that makes the world a better place for people without worrying about your own interests.
Growing up in India during the peak of colonialism, as he did, it was remarkable that he achieved recognition aongside the world's prominent engineers and industrialists. His forward-looking social vision, encompassing public health and a decent quality of life for all sections of society is an ideal worth emulating even today. In essence, therefore, Visvesvaraya's spirit remains relevant even in contemporary times. However, while the goals remain unchanged, his proposed solutions must be re-evaluated and adapted to meet modern challenges.
Q. How does Visvesvaraya's life exemplify the interdisciplinary approach to learning, a core principle of this University?
A. Engineering itself is an interdisciplinary field, as it usually begins with the definition of a social goal. For instance, Visvesvaraya designed numerous irrigation projects to distribute water to as many villages as possible, enabling them to cultivate high-value crops, thereby fostering regional prosperity. His career led him to assess his projects in a more broad-based manner, considering their social and economic impact. Despite the blind spots mentioned earlier, he made an effort not only to master the technical aspects of his work but also to educate himself on economics, statistics, and other fields.