The Indian Biographical Dictionary (1915)/Madhava Rao, Visvanath Patankar
Madhava Rao, Visvanath Patankar, B.A., C.S.I (1908), Diwan of Baroda; belongs to an ancient Mahratta brahmin family of Satara, who are believed to have emigrated and settled in the district of Tanjore long ago; b. Mysore, 1850; educ: Government College, Kumbakonam; passed B.A., 1869; joined the staff of a newspaper at Trichinopoly; resigned and joined Mysore Service as deputy clerk; occupied successively the post of Palace Manager, Headmaster of the Royal School, Public Prosecutor, Ashtagrani Division; became Munsiff of Kotager, and Head Seristadar, Judicial Commissioner’s office; transferred to Revenue department where he rose to the position of Deputy Commissioner, 1898; Member, Maharaja’s Council, 1898; on deputation to Bombay to study the British system of Revenue administration, 1902; returned to Mysore and was posted as Revenue Commissioner and First Councillor; accepted the Dewanship of Travancore State, 1904; became Dewan of Mysore, 1906; some of the most important administrative measures with which his name is associated are the institution of a Legislative Council for the State, the abolition of tax on the Supari industry, and the passing of severe press laws; is a staunch social reformer; retired from Mysore service, 1909; appointed Dewan of Baroda, 1913. Address: Baroda, India.