The maharaja was born on 4 June 1884 in Mysore Palace as the son of Maharaja His Highness Chamarajendra Wadiyar X and Maharani Her Highness Kempananjammanni Devi. He had his early education and training at Lokaranjan Palace in Mysore under the direction of P. Raghavendra Rao. In addition to Western studies, he was instructed in Kannada and Sanskrit. His Highness Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was the first chancellor and co-founder of Banaras Hindu University and the founder University of Mysore. The latter was the first university chartered by an Indian province. During the maharaja’s reign, the Kingdom of Mysore witnessed development in a range of fields. Mysore became the first Indian state to generate hydroelectric power in Asia, and Bangalore was the first Asian city to have street lights, first lit on 5 August 1905. Princes from other sections of India were sent to Mysore for administrative training.