HC Javaraya (1889-1946) was an Indian horticulturist who was the first Indian superintendent at the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens in Bangalore.[1] He also set up the Fruit Research Station in Hessarghatta, which is now the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research.[2]

Life and work

HC Javaraya was born in Madikeri, Kodagu district, and his schooling was at St Joseph's European High School, Bangalore and Central High School, Madikere.[3] He then joined Central College, Bangalore where he pursued a degree in Arts.[4] In 1913, he completed his formal education in agriculture from the Coimbatore Agricultural College.[4] Soon after graduating, he married his wife Nagamma, who hailed from a village in Hassan district.[4] On 18 July 1913, he joined the Mysore Horticultural Society as assistant superintendent, where he worked under Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel.[5] In the late 1910s, Javaraya went on to train at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.[6]

In the early 1930s, Javaraya came back to India. Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, who was then the superintendent of Lal Bagh, recommended Javaraya as his 'worthy successor'.[5] In 1934, Javaraya was appointed as the senior marketing officer at the newly formed Agricultural Produce Department of Greater India. During his time there, he helped start the Agmark certification mark.[5] As part of his duties as the director of horticulture, he was entrusted with managing the Brindavan Gardens and the Royal Fruit Orchard, 'Madhuvana'.[5]

Later years and honours

In 1935, Javaraya extended the Lal Bagh glasshouse by adding a fourth, eastern wing using steel from Bhadravathi Iron and Steel.[5]

Javaraya founded the Government Fruit Research Station (FRS) in Hessaraghatta (now the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research), the Maddur Fruit Orchard, and the Ganjam Fig Garden.[5]

During his time at Kew, Javaraya received the Kew Garden Fellowship, the Royal Horticultural Society (FRHS) fellowship, and was a fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS).[5]

In 1940, he was given the title “Rao Bahadur” by the then viceroy of India.[5] The roundabout outside the main gate of Lal Bagh is known as Rao Bahadur HC Javaraya Circle.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Biography of H C Javaraya to be launched today". Deccan Herald. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "Remembering the man who enhanced Bengaluru's green cover". The Times of India. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. ↑ A Gardener and A Gentleman (First ed.). Bengaluru: Kewgarth Group. 2023. p. 28.
  4. 1 2 3 A Gardener and A Gentleman (First ed.). Bengaluru: Kewgarth Group. 2023. p. 29.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "HC Javaraya, eminent Karnataka horticulturist whose apple cultivation technique is still used in Switzerland". South First. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Javaraya, the man who changed the face of Bengaluru's famed Lalbagh". The Economic Times. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
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