This Karnataka Museum Is Home To Vintage Car Owned By Maharaja Of Mysore

Car enthusiasts have always had a fascination towards vintage vehicles as they are cherished relics from an era bygone. Many car museums and exhibitions have such old cars on display which ceased production decades ago. One such car is on display at the Mysore Travel Museum in the state of Karnataka. However, it is not just its vintage nature that sets this car apart but the fact that it belonged to royalty.

The Daimler DE, which was manufactured in England, belonged to the last ruling Maharaja of Mysore Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, who later became the governor of Mysore until 1964.

Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, a prominent and respected figure, was fond of cars with state of the art facility and the newly launched Daimler DA, which was launched in 1946 fit the bill. Maharaja Wadiyar bought the car just a year after India received independence from colonial rule and after his kingdom into the Dominion of India.

At the museum, the car, which had four gears and had a speed of up to 85 to 127 km/hour, still amazes car enthusiasts. The black coloured car has not lost its charisma even today. Daimler DEs, especially the DE 36 Straight-Eight, were sold to royalty and heads of state around the world, including British royalty under the royal warrant that Daimler had held since 1900. The next time you visit Mysuru, be sure to check out the most treasured vehicle of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar.

Maharaja Wadiyar ascended the throne following the unexpected death of his uncle, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. His reign began in 1940, coinciding with the onset of World War II in Europe, and ended with the integration of the Kingdom into the Dominion of India in 1947. However, he continued to hold the title of Maharaja until India became a republic in 1950. Kuvempu, his teacher and the vice-chancellor of Mysore University commented on his abdication, saying, “While others became kings by assuming thrones, he became a great king by renouncing one.”

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