Ramachandra Rao was born in Tanjore in 1825 in a Deshastha Brahmin family which traced its origins to Bijapur.

In January 1844, Ramachandra Rao joined the Military Fund Office as a minute writer but switched over to the Police Department in October 1847.

Ramachandra Rao's proficiency in multiple languages won him rapid promotions until 1854, when he was appointed Interpreter to the Chief Magistrate.

Shortly afterwards, Rao was appointed Kannada translator to the Supreme Court of Madras with the backing of John Bruce Norton.

Rao earned the praise of Prince Albert Edward and was personally presented a gold chain by him.