Raja Lakhamagouda Sardesai was a philanthropist, first Barrister-at-Law from Karnataka and a ruler of Vantamuriprincely state in Belagavi district. He was the 16th ruler of Vantamuri princely state. He ascended the throne at the age of 13 years in 1877. The princely state had a Wada at Vantamuri which was built by Prabhu Basavantrao and it was submerged in 1978-79 when a dam was built downstream at Hidkal.
Early life and education
He was born on 29 July 1864 in Ammanagi village of Belagavi district. His first name was Appasaheb. He completed his primary education in Marathi medium in Ammanagi village. Later, he went to Kolhapur for his secondary education where most of the prince children used to study. He partly completed his secondary education in Kolhapur and completed latter secondary education in Belagavi at SardarHigh School. Later in 1882, he completed his matriculation from Bombay University. In 1880, he was married to the daughter of Kalyanshetty of Gokak. His wife Parvatidevi gave birth to a son in 1884 and the son was named Basava Prabhu. Raja Lakhamagouda studied law in England. He was appointed as first-class Judge of Vantamuri by the British Government in 1888 on his return from England after his law degree completion.
He donated 55,000 rupees in 1901 to Lingayat Education Association in Dharwad which provided hostel cum boarding facility to Veerashaiva Lingayat students.
Despite the sorrow of his wife Paravatidevi's death in 1917 he continued his philanthropy and he has donated to several hospitals such as the Belgaum Ayurveda College, Miraj Mission Hospital, Ghataprabha Arogyadhama and the TB Eradication Centre of the Belgaum Civil Hospital.
He also worked in the publications of several books on Veerashaiva culture sponsored by the Lingayat Education Association of Dharwad.
He was conferred the order of Companion of the Indian Empire in 1919 and the title rajah in 1930 by British Government for his service towards community and education.
Dharwad High School was renamed as Raja Lakhamgouda Sardesai High School in 1929.
Death
He died at the age of 80 years in 1942.
Recognition
156th birth anniversary of Sardar Raja Lakhamagouda was celebrated at KLE Society's Raja Lakhamagouda Science Institute.
