Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (15 September 1861 – 14 April 1962) was one of India's greatest civil engineers and statesmen. He served as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Mysore (1912–1918). Engineers' Day in India is celebrated on 15 September every year on his birthday. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955 and was knighted by the British as Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE).
Sir M. Visvesvaraya was born on 15 September 1861 in Muddenahalli, Karnataka.
Engineers' Day in India = 15 September (his birthday).
Bharat Ratna recipient in 1955 — India's highest civilian award.
He designed automatic flood gates (first used at Khadakwasla Dam, 1903).
Chief architect of Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam on the Kaveri river.
Served as Diwan (Prime Minister) of Mysore from 1912 to 1918.
Personal Details: • Full name: Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya • Born: 15 September 1861, Muddenahalli, Karnataka • Died: 14 April 1962 (age 100), Bengaluru • Education: Civil Engineering, College of Science, Pune (1881) • Nationality: Indian
Career and Achievements: • Chief Engineer of Mysore State • Diwan (Prime Minister) of Mysore: 1912–1918 • Chief Architect of Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam — one of the largest dams in Asia at the time
Major Engineering Contributions:
Automatic Flood Gates: • Designed the automatic sluice gate system for dams • First used at Khadakwasla Dam, Pune (1903) • Prevents floods by automatically closing when water level rises
Krishna Raja Sagara Dam (KRS): • Built across the Kaveri river near Mysuru • Irrigates millions of acres; supplies drinking water to Bengaluru • Largest reservoir in Asia when built (1924)
Hyderabad Flood Protection: • Designed flood protection system for Hyderabad city
Block System in Mines: • Devised a system to protect mines from flooding in Aden (Yemen)
Awards and Honours: • Bharat Ratna (1955) — India's highest civilian award • Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (1915) • Fellow of the Indian Institute of Engineers
Engineers' Day: • 15 September — celebrated every year as Engineers' Day in India • Honours Sir Visvesvaraya's birthday • Also engineers' day in Sri Lanka and Tanzania
Quote: 'Every minute of your life is priceless. Use it productively.' — M. Visvesvaraya
Legacy: • M. Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru • Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Bengaluru • Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861–1962) was India's greatest civil engineer. Engineers' Day is celebrated on 15 September — his birthday. He designed automatic flood gates, built the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam on the Kaveri river, and served as Diwan of Mysore (1912–1918). He received the Bharat Ratna in 1955 and lived to be 100 years old.
उत्प्रेक्षा अलंकार (Marathi)
Utpreksha Alankar (उत्प्रेक्षा अलंकार) in Marathi: kalpanik upama (imaginative comparison). Definition, markers (जणू, जणूकाही), and examples. Class 7–10 Marathi Sahitya.
Van Mahotsav
Van Mahotsav is India's annual tree planting festival celebrated from 1–7 July. Started by K.M. Munshi in 1950. Millions of trees planted annually. History and importance.
Vijay Tendulkar: Indian Playwright
Learn about Vijay Tendulkar, one of the greatest Marathi playwrights of India. Know his major plays like Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam Binder.
Vivo Company Belongs to Which Country?
Find out which country the smartphone brand Vivo belongs to. Learn about Vivo's parent company BBK Electronics and its Chinese origin.
What is the Full Form of DC in Washington DC?
Learn the full form of DC in Washington DC (District of Columbia). Find out why it is called DC and why it is not part of any US state.
Turn this guide into revision flashcards, a practice exam, or an AI-generated podcast — free, no signup required.