His father Kanchi Venkata Rao was a Huzur Sheristadar at the District Collectorate.

He had his schooling and on completion of his matriculation at the age of sixteen, he entered government service.

[citation needed] Krishnaswamy Rao began his career in October 1864 as a record-keeper in the Nellore district court at a salary of Rs.

In 1867, he was promoted as Sheristadar in view of his superior abilities and became a District Munsiff in July 1870.

In May 1894, he was made Chief Justice of Travancore by the then Maharaja and served from 1884 till his appointment as Diwan in 1898.