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Memoirs of my working life
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
155 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 1951
About the author
M. Visvesvaraya
4 books7 followersMokshagundam Visvesvaraya, KCIE (popularly known as Sir MV; 15 September 1861 – 12 April 1962) was an Indian engineer, scholar, statesman and the Diwan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918. He is a recipient of the Indian Republic's highest honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. He was knighted as a Knight Commander of the British Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George V for his contributions to the public good. 15 September is celebrated as Engineer's Day in India in his memory. He is held in high regard as a pre-eminent engineer of India. He was the chief engineer responsible for the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mysore as well as the chief designer of the flood protection system for the city of Hyderabad
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 17, 2018
Memoirs of my working life: M. Visvesvaraya -details brief history situations of work, position of capable Indian Government sevants, from February, 1884 to 1951. British ruled India and were aware of problems and implemented solutions for betterment of citizens. As a civil engineer in Public Works Department, he executed projects to make water available to farmers and later prepare schemes for implementation for Municipality of Sukkur, Sind. Irrigation channels and reservoir for Dhulia Khandesh area and canal irrigation by block system for Pune, water works at Surat etc. sluice gates for lake Fife, Khadakwasla reservoir. He traveled to Egypt and implemented water works in consultation with top engineers and Army successfully. It has been proved that British included names of officers for important work, according to merit of officer- whether European or Indian. Being met by Governor of Bombay, being examined by a Committee on irrigation planning etc, preparing scheme and getting finance sanctioned for implementation and personally implementing it, is satisfactory to read. A reader easily understands his situation and continues to read eagerly. He traveled round England, Europe, USA to understand the latest civil engineering development in Urban Water Works, irrigation of crops, town planning for water storage and supply, modern industry which could be useful to Indian conditions. After taking voluntary retirement from Government of Bombay PWD service, he traveled to Europe where he was informed of appointment as Engineer for Hyderabad Water works where excessive rains had brought floods in river Musi and water tanks were overflowing. He took the appointment, planned and executed the water works project. He later was appointed as Engineer with Mysore where he rose the post of Diwan. Here he planned and implemented schemes for education, industry, House of representatives, University, hydro electric power projects, proper electricity supply for Kolar Gold Fields, maintenance and expansion of Railways in Mysore area etc. One thing which is brought out clearly is that local Maharajas brought in international talent to examine and implement their projects. Effect of initiation and implementation of projects due to World War I and II has been depicted in the Book. Indigenous local industries can be successfully be run by committed Indians has been shown by development of Bhadrawati Works. It is a must read book for all.
July 24, 2016
I always wanted to know more about Sir M Visveswaraiah who was one of the greatest engineers of the last century. This book is written by him accounting his experiences while in service as engineer and later as Dewan of Mysore. The accomplishments of Sir M V speaks for the man's dedication, honesty and integrity. After reading the book one will be left astonished by the colossal achievement of this great man. "It is better to wear out than to rust out" which was the guiding motto of Sir M Vishveshwaraiah inspires all of us to achieve something in life and take risks. As a friend of mine once said the only risk that we would be taking in life is "deciding not to take risks".
October 28, 2018
ಸರ ಎಂ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ ಅವರ ವೃತ್ತಿ ಜೀವನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವರೇ ಬರೆದುಕೊಂಡ ಅಪರೂಪದ ಪುಸ್ತಕ. ಸೇವೆಯ ಆರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದಕ್ಷ ಎಂಬ ಷರಾ ಗಳಿಸಿದ, ಅದನ್ನು ಅಳಿಸುವಂತೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮಹನೀಯರು. ಬರೀ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ತಾವು ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವ ಯಾವ ಕೆಲಸಗಳ ಕೈಗೊಂಡೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ದಸ್ತಾವೇಜಿನಂತೆ ಬರೆದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ದೇಶ ಕಟ್ಟಲು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಮುಖ್ಯ ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿಯೂ ,ಕಮ್ಯುನಿಸಂ ಬಗೆಗಿನ ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿಯೂ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯಿತು. ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಚಳುವಳಿಯ ಅಂಗವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ವಿದಾಯ ಹೇಳಬೇಕಾಗಿ ಬಂದ ಘಟನೆಯೂ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖನೀಯ.
ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಸಂಯಮ ಮೀರದ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ
ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಸಂಯಮ ಮೀರದ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ
November 13, 2019
One of the best memoirs you will ever read! Sir MV will move you with his classic English and how he achieved engineering marvels in pre & post Independence India
January 11, 2019
This book was written by Sir MV in 1951. For most parts, it is self laudatory, with very little self criticism coming through. He does share the limelight with many others who measured up to his expectations at a professional level.
If one puts aside the self praise aside while reading this text, there are plenty of useful thoughts penned in here, that are useful to implement for the benefit of all Indians even almost 70 years later. The narrative style of the book does not in any way impact the fact that many of his achievements were long lasting, or at least lasted till people of integrity managed those projects.
I did have a "what if" moment when he describes how the First World War resulted in the then Maharaja of Mysore putting on hold all development projects in the state, and providing instead the British Govt access to whatever help they needed. Almost 5 years of time wasted under his time as the Dewan of Mysore. What if the First World War hadn't taken place? How much more would Mysore state have been improved in education and industrialisation?
The last 3 chapters under the section "Some Lessons for India's Future" and in particular the chapter on "National Character" should be a must read for all youngsters. Specific to India, I would like to see these chapters as a part of the senior secondary or PU syllabus.
If one puts aside the self praise aside while reading this text, there are plenty of useful thoughts penned in here, that are useful to implement for the benefit of all Indians even almost 70 years later. The narrative style of the book does not in any way impact the fact that many of his achievements were long lasting, or at least lasted till people of integrity managed those projects.
I did have a "what if" moment when he describes how the First World War resulted in the then Maharaja of Mysore putting on hold all development projects in the state, and providing instead the British Govt access to whatever help they needed. Almost 5 years of time wasted under his time as the Dewan of Mysore. What if the First World War hadn't taken place? How much more would Mysore state have been improved in education and industrialisation?
The last 3 chapters under the section "Some Lessons for India's Future" and in particular the chapter on "National Character" should be a must read for all youngsters. Specific to India, I would like to see these chapters as a part of the senior secondary or PU syllabus.
June 13, 2026
Recommended if you are interested in Development, Engineering and Statesmanship
A Book that Visvesvaraya wrote in 1950-1951, sharing details of his working Life.
I was reminded of this book after recent discussions with an IISC Professor. He insisted that Engineers can't be good administrators, which is completely false.
There are many examples historically. I wanted to share what kind of statesmen the states of India require: one who is equipped to solve the needs and problems of the state. And this fits perfectly with Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who exemplified this through his work and administrative capacity.
Moreover, it included his views on India's future development.
He sought out best practices around the globe and took about six industrial tours to different countries. Out of the six, five were to America. Industrialization in both the US and Japan inspired him.
Outline:
Preface
I. First Entry into Government Service
II. Irrigation Engineering, Water-Supply and Drainage
III. Work Done Under the Bombay Government
IV. Some Reminiscences of Bombay Service
V. Special Consulting Engineer in Hyderabad
VI. Work as Chief Engineer, Mysore
VII. Situation in Mysore When I Assumed Office of Dewan
VIII. Early Reforms: Political and Administrative
IX. Developments in Education: Mysore University
X. Public Improvements Attempted in Mysore
XI. Later Developments: Voluntary Retirement from Office
XII. Work Done in Mysore After Retirement
XIII. Work as Consulting Engineer and Adviser
XIV. Participation in Government and Public Committees
XV. Participation in Political and Other Conferences
XVI. Foreign Travels: Industrial Delegation to Europe and America, and Some Lessons for India’s Future
XVII. Threats to National Security
XVIII. National Character
XIX. Nation-Building and National Efficiency
Index
From the Book:
Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s accomplishments were not only in Engineering.
His life’s work covered public works, irrigation, drinking water, flood control, education, industrialization, administration, planning, and nation-building. He was one of modern India’s clearest examples of an engineer who became a builder of institutions and a thinker of national development. In my view, the ideal Chief Minister of any State.
1. Built his first career through irrigation engineering
Visvesvaraya began his career in the Bombay Public Works Department in 1884. One of his earliest assignments was the construction of a pipe syphon near the Panjra River to carry irrigation water to Datarti village. The work was difficult because monsoon floods repeatedly filled the trench with sand, but he completed it successfully and earned official appreciation after earlier criticism. This early work showed the qualities that later defined him: discipline, endurance, practical judgment, and refusal to give up under pressure.
2. Improved urban water-supply systems
He worked on major water-supply schemes for towns such as Dhulia, Sukkur, Surat, Poona, Kirkee, Aden, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and others. His Sukkur work was especially important. Since Indus water was muddy, he designed a system using a river-bed percolation well and tunnel to obtain cleaner water before pumping it to a hill reservoir. The Sukkur municipality and Bombay Government formally recognized his services.
3. Developed modern drainage and sanitation schemes
As Sanitary Engineer to the Bombay Government, he dealt with water-supply and drainage problems across the Bombay Presidency, including Sind. He prepared drainage schemes for towns and cities such as Poona, Aden, Hyderabad, Dhulia, Sukkur, Indore, and Mysore. His approach connected engineering with public health: clean water, proper sewerage, lower disease, and better urban life.
4. Created the Block System of Irrigation
One of his most important irrigation reforms was the Block System of Irrigation. This system regulated canal water use, reduced waste, spread irrigation benefits across more villages, and encouraged crop rotation. It was introduced on the Nira Canal and later praised as a major success.
This accomplishment is important because it was not just a technical device. It was a complete water-management system involving measurement, rules, farmers, crop planning, revenue, and administrative discipline.
5. He invented automatic sluice gates
Visvesvaraya invented and patented automatic sluice gates at Khadakvasla. These gates raised the reservoir storage level by about eight feet and increased storage by about 25% without raising the dam. The gates opened automatically when excess water rose above a safe level and closed when the water level fell. This design was later used at other major works, including Tigra Dam and Krishnarajasagara.
6. He helped protect Hyderabad after the Musi flood
After the devastating Musi flood of 1908, Visvesvaraya was invited to Hyderabad as a special consulting engineer. He studied the causes of the flood and proposed flood-protection and drainage works for the city. His recommendations helped shape later flood-control planning for Hyderabad.
This was one of his major contributions to urban disaster prevention.
7. He planned the Krishnarajasagara Dam
As Chief Engineer of Mysore, he played a central role in planning the Krishnarajasagara Damacross the Cauvery. He saw it not merely as a dam, but as a multipurpose development project: irrigation, hydroelectric power, drinking water, agriculture, industry, and revenue.
This project became one of the great public works associated with his name.
8. He served as Dewan of Mysore and modernized the state (Prime Minister)
As Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, Visvesvaraya pushed a wide program of reform. He strengthened administration, expanded local self-government, improved financial discipline, and introduced Efficiency Audit to measure whether government departments were working properly. He believed a government should produce measurable public benefit.
9. He founded and promoted educational institutions
One of his greatest accomplishments was the founding of the University of Mysore, which began in 1916. The Maharaja publicly credited Visvesvaraya’s patriotism, enthusiasm, and persistence in making the university a reality. He also promoted elementary education, women’s education, technical education, industrial schools, agricultural education, commercial education, and scholarships for backward communities.
10. He promoted Mysore’s industrial development
Visvesvaraya believed India could not remain a poor agricultural society forever. In Mysore, he encouraged industries such as sandalwood oil, soap manufacture, sericulture, metal works, workshops, village industries, and iron and steel. He was closely associated with the development and defense of the Mysore Iron and Steel Works at Bhadravati. He wanted India to build productive capacity: steel, machines, factories, technical workers, and industrial discipline.
11. He strengthened local self-government
He expanded the role of municipalities, district boards, taluk boards, and village institutions in Mysore. He wanted local bodies to have real budgets, responsibilities, and public duties. For him, development had to reach villages, towns, and districts, not remain only at the capital.
12. He advised cities and governments across India
After retirement, he continued to work as a consulting engineer and adviser. He advised Bombay, Karachi, Hyderabad, Mysore, Bhopal, Saurashtra, Orissa, Tungabhadra, and other regions on water-supply, drainage, municipal administration, flood protection, irrigation, power, and planning.
His expertise was sought because he understood both engineering and public administration.
13. He helped shape technical and industrial education
He chaired committees on technical and industrial education and helped advance institutions such as the Chemical Technology Institute under Bombay University. He wanted India to produce engineers, industrial managers, foremen, technicians, and skilled workers rather than depend only on imported expertise.
14. He became a national voice for planning and productivity
In the final chapters of his memoir, Visvesvaraya argues that India needed planning, industry, education, discipline, data, efficiency, and higher productivity. He warned that political independence alone would not make India strong unless people worked harder, produced more, and built modern institutions. His national message was clear: India must become organized, technically skilled, industrially capable, and economically self-strengthening.
15. He left behind a model of the engineer-statesman
Visvesvaraya’s greatest accomplishment was that he was a nation builder through contributing to and solving various problems. He showed that development requires absorbing best practices around the globe, requiring Water, training the workforce with Education, creating an environment for Industry, Implementing Administration with planning and discipline for public purpose.
A Book that Visvesvaraya wrote in 1950-1951, sharing details of his working Life.
I was reminded of this book after recent discussions with an IISC Professor. He insisted that Engineers can't be good administrators, which is completely false.
There are many examples historically. I wanted to share what kind of statesmen the states of India require: one who is equipped to solve the needs and problems of the state. And this fits perfectly with Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who exemplified this through his work and administrative capacity.
Moreover, it included his views on India's future development.
He sought out best practices around the globe and took about six industrial tours to different countries. Out of the six, five were to America. Industrialization in both the US and Japan inspired him.
Outline:
Preface
I. First Entry into Government Service
II. Irrigation Engineering, Water-Supply and Drainage
III. Work Done Under the Bombay Government
IV. Some Reminiscences of Bombay Service
V. Special Consulting Engineer in Hyderabad
VI. Work as Chief Engineer, Mysore
VII. Situation in Mysore When I Assumed Office of Dewan
VIII. Early Reforms: Political and Administrative
IX. Developments in Education: Mysore University
X. Public Improvements Attempted in Mysore
XI. Later Developments: Voluntary Retirement from Office
XII. Work Done in Mysore After Retirement
XIII. Work as Consulting Engineer and Adviser
XIV. Participation in Government and Public Committees
XV. Participation in Political and Other Conferences
XVI. Foreign Travels: Industrial Delegation to Europe and America, and Some Lessons for India’s Future
XVII. Threats to National Security
XVIII. National Character
XIX. Nation-Building and National Efficiency
Index
From the Book:
Sir M. Visvesvaraya’s accomplishments were not only in Engineering.
His life’s work covered public works, irrigation, drinking water, flood control, education, industrialization, administration, planning, and nation-building. He was one of modern India’s clearest examples of an engineer who became a builder of institutions and a thinker of national development. In my view, the ideal Chief Minister of any State.
1. Built his first career through irrigation engineering
Visvesvaraya began his career in the Bombay Public Works Department in 1884. One of his earliest assignments was the construction of a pipe syphon near the Panjra River to carry irrigation water to Datarti village. The work was difficult because monsoon floods repeatedly filled the trench with sand, but he completed it successfully and earned official appreciation after earlier criticism. This early work showed the qualities that later defined him: discipline, endurance, practical judgment, and refusal to give up under pressure.
2. Improved urban water-supply systems
He worked on major water-supply schemes for towns such as Dhulia, Sukkur, Surat, Poona, Kirkee, Aden, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and others. His Sukkur work was especially important. Since Indus water was muddy, he designed a system using a river-bed percolation well and tunnel to obtain cleaner water before pumping it to a hill reservoir. The Sukkur municipality and Bombay Government formally recognized his services.
3. Developed modern drainage and sanitation schemes
As Sanitary Engineer to the Bombay Government, he dealt with water-supply and drainage problems across the Bombay Presidency, including Sind. He prepared drainage schemes for towns and cities such as Poona, Aden, Hyderabad, Dhulia, Sukkur, Indore, and Mysore. His approach connected engineering with public health: clean water, proper sewerage, lower disease, and better urban life.
4. Created the Block System of Irrigation
One of his most important irrigation reforms was the Block System of Irrigation. This system regulated canal water use, reduced waste, spread irrigation benefits across more villages, and encouraged crop rotation. It was introduced on the Nira Canal and later praised as a major success.
This accomplishment is important because it was not just a technical device. It was a complete water-management system involving measurement, rules, farmers, crop planning, revenue, and administrative discipline.
5. He invented automatic sluice gates
Visvesvaraya invented and patented automatic sluice gates at Khadakvasla. These gates raised the reservoir storage level by about eight feet and increased storage by about 25% without raising the dam. The gates opened automatically when excess water rose above a safe level and closed when the water level fell. This design was later used at other major works, including Tigra Dam and Krishnarajasagara.
6. He helped protect Hyderabad after the Musi flood
After the devastating Musi flood of 1908, Visvesvaraya was invited to Hyderabad as a special consulting engineer. He studied the causes of the flood and proposed flood-protection and drainage works for the city. His recommendations helped shape later flood-control planning for Hyderabad.
This was one of his major contributions to urban disaster prevention.
7. He planned the Krishnarajasagara Dam
As Chief Engineer of Mysore, he played a central role in planning the Krishnarajasagara Damacross the Cauvery. He saw it not merely as a dam, but as a multipurpose development project: irrigation, hydroelectric power, drinking water, agriculture, industry, and revenue.
This project became one of the great public works associated with his name.
8. He served as Dewan of Mysore and modernized the state (Prime Minister)
As Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918, Visvesvaraya pushed a wide program of reform. He strengthened administration, expanded local self-government, improved financial discipline, and introduced Efficiency Audit to measure whether government departments were working properly. He believed a government should produce measurable public benefit.
9. He founded and promoted educational institutions
One of his greatest accomplishments was the founding of the University of Mysore, which began in 1916. The Maharaja publicly credited Visvesvaraya’s patriotism, enthusiasm, and persistence in making the university a reality. He also promoted elementary education, women’s education, technical education, industrial schools, agricultural education, commercial education, and scholarships for backward communities.
10. He promoted Mysore’s industrial development
Visvesvaraya believed India could not remain a poor agricultural society forever. In Mysore, he encouraged industries such as sandalwood oil, soap manufacture, sericulture, metal works, workshops, village industries, and iron and steel. He was closely associated with the development and defense of the Mysore Iron and Steel Works at Bhadravati. He wanted India to build productive capacity: steel, machines, factories, technical workers, and industrial discipline.
11. He strengthened local self-government
He expanded the role of municipalities, district boards, taluk boards, and village institutions in Mysore. He wanted local bodies to have real budgets, responsibilities, and public duties. For him, development had to reach villages, towns, and districts, not remain only at the capital.
12. He advised cities and governments across India
After retirement, he continued to work as a consulting engineer and adviser. He advised Bombay, Karachi, Hyderabad, Mysore, Bhopal, Saurashtra, Orissa, Tungabhadra, and other regions on water-supply, drainage, municipal administration, flood protection, irrigation, power, and planning.
His expertise was sought because he understood both engineering and public administration.
13. He helped shape technical and industrial education
He chaired committees on technical and industrial education and helped advance institutions such as the Chemical Technology Institute under Bombay University. He wanted India to produce engineers, industrial managers, foremen, technicians, and skilled workers rather than depend only on imported expertise.
14. He became a national voice for planning and productivity
In the final chapters of his memoir, Visvesvaraya argues that India needed planning, industry, education, discipline, data, efficiency, and higher productivity. He warned that political independence alone would not make India strong unless people worked harder, produced more, and built modern institutions. His national message was clear: India must become organized, technically skilled, industrially capable, and economically self-strengthening.
15. He left behind a model of the engineer-statesman
Visvesvaraya’s greatest accomplishment was that he was a nation builder through contributing to and solving various problems. He showed that development requires absorbing best practices around the globe, requiring Water, training the workforce with Education, creating an environment for Industry, Implementing Administration with planning and discipline for public purpose.
Read
April 1, 2021This book is an autobiography by Sir M. Visveswaraya. It is a very inspiring book that throws light on how a person could impact humanity with engineering abilities in the early part of his career and combined with administrative excellence and diligence in the later part.
Quotes:
- To make him efficient, the average Indian must work harder than he does now, must develop disciplined habits and should equip himself, as far as circumstances permit him to do so, with a sound knowledge of general world affairs. Every individual who considers himself progressive should endeavour to acquire such knowledge. If he possesses higher capacity and merit and is inspired by ambition, he ought to put forth his best efforts to do any work which comes his way as efficiently as possible. Every man who has become great owes his achievements to incessant toil.
Quotes:
- To make him efficient, the average Indian must work harder than he does now, must develop disciplined habits and should equip himself, as far as circumstances permit him to do so, with a sound knowledge of general world affairs. Every individual who considers himself progressive should endeavour to acquire such knowledge. If he possesses higher capacity and merit and is inspired by ambition, he ought to put forth his best efforts to do any work which comes his way as efficiently as possible. Every man who has become great owes his achievements to incessant toil.
June 26, 2018
This book mostly covers a lot of working details of Sir Mokshagundum Visweswaraya from his engineering positions in the government to Dewan appointment under the Mysore king. I'd say that a lot of mundane information is provided in this book and the book is not a very gripping one. Although, being a civil engineer I certainly found out what I was looking for . One might find very interesting accounts of governance during the pre- independent era as well as the Republic of India during it's formative years. I would suggest this book to civil engineers who look forward to serving in the government.
April 13, 2018
Great person, but the book is average.
March 27, 2020
It cant open
January 2, 2025
buuullshit :(
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews