Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya’s 158th Birthday

Living by the phrase “Work is Worship,” Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya—fondly known as Sir MV—devoted his life to engineering. A master of irrigation design, the world-renowned civil engineer became so respected in his field that India celebrates Engineers Day each year on his birthday.

While some sources cite his birth year as 1861, after speaking to his family, we’ve learned that Sir MV was actually born a year earlier. He was raised in the rural village of Muddenahalli, located in a region of southwestern India now known as the state of Karnataka. His father, a scholar of the ancient Sanskrit language, lived a simple life, passing away when Sir MV was very young.

According to stories passed down over generations, Sir MV had to walk over 60 kilometers to Bengaluru to attend United Mission School, eating the food served at temples around the city and studying under street lamps. After earning a License in Civil Engineering from the University of Bombay, Visvesvaraya began working with the city’s Public Works Division and joined the Indian Irrigation Commission. His expertise earned him the opportunity to study the water supply and drainage of Aden, a port city in Yemen.

One of Sir MV’s most notable projects—which we are excited to feature in today’s Doodle—came some time after his return to India. In 1924, he oversaw the construction of his design for the Krishna Raja Sagara Lake and dam, creating the largest reservoir in India at the time, which provided drinking water for several cities. His flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad and his irrigation plans for Visakhapatnam made him something of a celebrity. Still he maintained a life of strict discipline and modesty, rising at 5am each day and working through the evenings.

Sir MV cared deeply about education and played a key role in founding the Government Engineering College at Bangalore in 1917, which would later be named after him. Today the modest house where he was born is considered a place of worship for locals.

Happy Birthday Sir MV!

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Special thanks to the family of Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and the Visvesvaraya National Memorial Trust for their partnerships on this project. Satish Mokshagundam, President of the Trust, shares his thoughts on Sir MV’s life and legacy:

My family is incredibly happy and proud that Google has recognized the achievements of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya the Engineer and Statesman on his 158th birthday.

My memories of my grandfather were of him as a strict disciplinarian; be it with his family, associates, visitors, and guests. Despite his sternness he was also very affectionate. His personal staff was well cared for—some worked in his office for over 40 years.

Portrait Courtesy of the Visvesvaraya National Memorial Trust

As a young child, I required surgery for tonsillitis. During my stay in the hospital, my grandfather sent his personal staff to check on me every two hours. He was 99 years old at the time and despite his busy schedule, he managed to visit me in the hospital every evening.

Despite his many achievements, he never forgot his roots. He was simple, honest and committed to his work. On visits to his hometown, he would climb up a nearby hill, sit down, and write down all of his thoughts. It was his contemplative nature that allowed him as a young rural lad, having achieved a Civil Engineering degree, to think outside of the box and start Recreational Clubs, Banks, Chambers of Commerce, Educational Institutions, and a Literary Association for Kannada.

His enduring legacy makes me extremely proud to be the Grandnephew of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and the President of the Visvesvaraya National Memorial Trust which maintains a Museum of all the artifacts that he collected and other items that he used during his lifetime.

Satish Mokshagundam

President, Visvesvaraya National Memorial Trust

Bengaluru