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The story how Bangalore came to be called by its present name has an interesting history. Once on a hunting expedition King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty lost his way in the jungle. Deep inside the jungle, lived an old woman who took pity on the hungry and tired hunter. The old woman was poor and had nothing else to offer but boiled beans. But the king was so pleased with her hospitality that he named the entire city as bele-benda-kalu-ooru, which in the local language Kannada means, the place of boiled beans. The historical evidence of the name “Bengalooru” can be found in a 9th century inscription found in a temple in the village of Begur. Today the name has been shortened and anglicised after the British influence and has come to be called Bangalore.

In the year 1120 AD, the Chola King, Veera Ballalla ruled the Deccan plateau or the South of India. On a hunting trip in the forest he lost his way. After a long search he met an old lady in the forest who offered him shelter for the night and served him baked beans for dinner. To show his gratitude to this lady for having saved his life, the King constructed a town and named it as Benda Kalooru which means Baked Beans. Later in 1537, a local chieftain, Kempe Gowda helped design this town and give it its modern shape.

The Gangas ruled Gangavadi from Kolar starting c. 350 and later shifted their capital to Talakadu.Their rule often extended over large parts of Tamilnadu.

Though this has been recorded by historian R. Narasimhachar in his “Epigraphia of Carnatica” (Vol. 10 supplementary), no efforts have been made to preserve it. The inscription stone found near Begur reveals, that the district was part of the Ganga kingdom ruled from Gangavadi until 1024 C.E and was known as ‘Benga-val-oru’, the City of Guards in old Kannada. In 1024 C.E, the Chola Empire captured the city. Today, little evidence can be seen of this period. A small village in south Bengalooru and one in Anantapur district bear the Chola name but the residents are of native stock. The later Gangas often fought alongside the Chalukyas, Rastrakutas and the Hoysalas. In 1117 C.E, the Hoysala king Veera Ballala II defeated the Cholas in the battle of Talakad which lead to the downfall of the Chola empire.

There is an inscription dated 1628 C.E in the Ranganatha Temple in Telugu. The English translation of which is “Be it well, When Rajadhi-Raja-Parameshwara Vira Pratapa Vira-Maha-Deva Maharaya seated in the Jewel throne was ruling the empire of the world: When of the Asannavakula, the Yelahanka Nadu Prabhu Kempanacharya-Gauni’s grandson Kempe Gowda’s son, Immadi Kempegaunayya was ruling a peaceful kingdom in righteousness with the decline of the Vijayanagar empire, the eclipse of the rule of Yelahanka Nadu Prabhus took place at the dawn of the 17th century.”

Kempe Gowda marks the four corners of the city

Another historical figure instrumental in shaping the city of Bangalore is a feudal lord who called himself Kempe Gowda, and who served under the Vijayanagara Kings. Hunting seemed to be a favourite past time in those days. During one of his hunting bouts, Kempe Gowda was surprised to see a hare chase his dog. Either his dog was chicken hearted or the hare was lion hearted one does not know, but the episode surely made an impression on the feudal lord. He told himself this is a place surely for heroes and heroics, and he referred to Bangalore from then onwards as “gandu bhoomi” (heroic place). Kempe Gowda I, who was in charge of Yelahanka, built a mud fort in 1537. With the help of King Achutaraya, built the little towns of Balepet, Cottonpet, and Chickpet, all inside the fort. Today, these little areas serve as the major wholesale and commercial market places in the city. Kempegowda, the II built four watch towers to mark the boundary of Bangalore. A hundred years later, Vijaynagar empire fell, and in 1638, it was conquered by Mohammed Adil Shah, the Sultan of Bijapur.

Bangalore’s origins sprang from the gifting of a large piece of land from the Vijayanagar Emperor to Kempegowda. Kempegowda, a then chieftain, used the land revenue to develop a town. He thereafter encouraged foreign merchants and artists to make the new town their habitation. Once Kempegowda’s rule was over, Bangalore was ruled by a number of sovereigns and dynasties. The strong rule of monarchs such as Tipu Sultan and members of the Royal House Wodeyar enabled Bangalore to prosper well.

The roots of Bangalore’s name has also drawn a lot of interest. The city was originally known as Benguluru. The earliest reference to the name Benguluru was discovered in a 9th century Ganga inscription. This inscription was found in Begur and Benguluru is referred to as a location in which a battle took place. Another alternative theory however is that the name Benguluru has a floral origin and is derived from the tree Benga. The locality that was referred to as Benguluru in the Ganga inscription was originally a hamlet and is close to the modern day district of Hebbal. Today however, the hamlet is known as Halebenguluru (or Old Bangalore). The progression of Benguluru’s name changing is thought to have stemmed from Kempegowda’s desire for Benguluru to have a more Anglicized sound. It was therefore changed to Bangalore and remained so until recent times, when the name Benguluru was re-initiated.]

The Beginning

Bangalore is believed to have been founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda (1510 - 1570). During the time of the Puranas,this region was known as “Kalyanapuri” or “Kalyananagara”,the “City Auspicious”. The Mauryan Emperor,Chandragupta Maurya,renounced his throne to become a Jain Monk at Shravanabelagola,a Jain piligrimage center,southwest of Bangalore.

Bengaluru was first mentioned in records from the Ganga era as a small hamlet,the location of which coincides with modern Halebengaluru near Kodigehalli (not far from Hebbal). It is said that when Kempe Gowda built his new capital town in about 1537,he called it Bengaluru as his mother and wife belonged to the hamlet of Halé Bengaluru (Old Bangalore). The Government of Karnataka has recently renamed the city of Bangalore as Bengaluru. Just as with Chennai they hope Bangalore will soon be known the world over by its ancient name Bengaluru.

Another version suggests that the name Bangalore derives from Benda kalu,which means Boiled beans. It is said that a humble old lady served a 10th century ruler,King Veeraballa of Vijayanagara who lost his way in the forest. He liked the food so much he named the place Benda Kaluru,meaning “the city of boiled beans”,to commemorate his experience. After the arrival of the British,the city was given the anglicized name of “Bangalore“.

Vijayanagara and Kempe Gowda

Kempe Gowda I (1510 - 1570), Modern Bengalooru was founded by a feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire, who built a mud fort in 1537. Kempe Gowda also referred to the new town as his “gandu bhoomi” or “Land of Heroes”.[4] Within Bengalooru Fort, the town was divided into petes (IPA: [peɪteɪ]) or market. The town had two main streets: Chickkapete Street ran east-west and Doddapete Street ran north-south. Their intersection formed Doddapete square — the heart of then Bengalooru. Kempe Gowda’s successor, Kempe Gowda II, built temples, tanks including Kempapura and Karanjikere tanks and four watching towers that marked Bengalooru’s boundary.[6]

The four watching towers built then in Bengalooru are still seen today.

* in Lal Bagh

* near Kempambudhi tank

* near Ulsoor Lake

* near Mekhri Circle

Sultanate of Bijapur

It was captured by the Maratha chief Shahaji Bhonsle, father of Shivaji, then working for the Adil Shahi sultans of Bijapur in 1638. During the siege of Bengalooru, Shivaji’s elder brother Shambaji was killed by Shahaji’s rivals, led by the Ghorpade of Mudhol, for which Shivaji was to later exact revenge.

Mughal Influence

After conquering the Sultanate of Bijapur, the Mughals under the commandership of Khasim Khan, then arrived in Bengalooru, which was then ruled by Shivaji’s brother Vyankoji Bhonsale as a jagir (fief) of Bijapur in 1686; Vyankoji retreated further south.

The Mughals in turn leased Bengalooru to the subsidiary Kingdom of Mysore’s ruler Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar in 1689. In 1759, the Wodeyar’s Commander-in-Chief Haider Ali made himself the de facto ruler of the Mysore Kingdom, including Bengalooru, but maintained the Wodeyars as a figurehead.

Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan

When Hyder Ali died, his son Tipu Sultan deposed the weak Wodeyar, proclaimed himself Sultan. Under Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali the state progressed economically and trade flourished with many foreign nations through the ports of Mangalore. The French under Napoleon had promised to drive the British from India. Tipu successfully stalled the British in the first, second and third Anglo-Mysore Wars. Tipu, however, was defeated and ultimately killed in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.

Wodeyars and British East India

Lady Curzon hospital in the Bangalore Cantonment was established in 1864 and later named after the first wife of the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon.

Upon the passing of Tipu Sultan, the Wodeyars returned to the throne of Mysore, and therefore Bengalooru, although only as figureheads. Bengalooru remained part of British East India until Indian independence in August, 1947.

The ‘Residency’ of Mysore State was first established at Mysore in 1799 and later shifted to Bengalooru in the year 1804. It was abolished in the year 1843 only to be revived in 1881 at Bengalooru and finally to be closed down in 1947 with the departure of the British. (http://rajbhavan.kar.nic.in/history/fromresi-rajbhavan.htm)

The British troops which were first stationed at Srirangapatna after the fall of Tipu Sultan in 1799 were later shifted to the Civil and Military Station of Bengalooru in 1809.

The salubrious climate of Bengalooru attracted the ruling class and led to the establishment of the famous Military Cantonment, a city-state close to the old town of Bengalooru. The area became not only a military base for the British but also a settlement for a large number of Europeans, Anglo-Indians and missionaries.

Bangalore Palace, built in 1887, was home to the rulers of Mysore

In Cantonment, the names of many of its streets are derived from military nomenclature — Artillery Road, Brigade Road, Infantry Road and Cavalry Road. The South Parade (now known as Mahatma Gandhi Road, was to the south of the Parade Ground. The Plaza theatre was constructed in the year 1936 on the South Parade and was used by the soldiers for viewing Hollywood movies. The British representative maintained a residence within the cantonment area and his quarters was called the Residency and hence the name Residency Road. Around 1883, three developments were added to the cantonment — Richmond Town, Benson Town and Cleveland Town.

The Cantonment has retained it distinct atmosphere through the years with large populations of Anglo-Indians and Tamils from the British era.

Water shortages

The lack of water supplies within the city of Bengalooru was first tacked in 1873 by building a chain of tanks called Miller’s Tanks in the Cantonment area. Prior to this water was pumped from the Halsoor, Shoolay and Pudupacherry tanks which were insufficient for the Civil and Military Station. The city area drew water from a Karanjee system from Dharmambudhi and Sampangi tanks. The Great Famine of 1875-77 and the failure of the monsoons led to drying of all these water bodies. During this time water carriers Bihistis supplied water. In 1882 the Sankey Reservoir was constructed at the cost of 5.75 Lakhs by Richard Hieram Sankey and collected rain water from an area of 2.5 sq miles. The water was said to be unsavoury and impure. On June 23, 1896 water was pumped from the Chamarajendra Reservoir (Hessarghatta) which dammed the waters of the Arkavathi. This tank went dry for one year in 1925. It was built at the cost of Rs 20,78,641. On 15 March 1933, the Thippagondanahalli Reservoir was put into service. On 21 May 1961, the Integrated Water Supply Scheme was inaugurated. This system collected water from the Cauvery river near Halgur and pumped up at Thorekadanahalli, Voddaradoddi, Gantakanadoddi and Tatguni and stored in reservoirs at Mount Joy, Byrasandra and High Grounds.[7]

Plague-Crisis of 1898

Bengalooru was hit by a plague epidemic in 1898. The epidemic took a huge toll and many temples were built during this time, dedicated to the goddess Mariamma. The crisis caused by this epidemic catalyzed the improvement and sanitation of Bengalooru and, in turn, improvements in sanitation and health facilities helped to modernize Bengalooru.

Karnataka High Court.

Telephone lines were laid to help coordinate anti-plague operations. Regulations for building new houses with proper sanitation facilities came into effect. A health officer was appointed in 1898, the city was divided into four wards for better coordination and the Victoria Hospital was inaugurated in 1900 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of British India.

City planning

Telephone lines were laid to help coordinate anti-plague operations. Regulations for building new houses with proper facilities of sanitation came into effect. A health officer was appointed in 1898 and the Victoria Hospital was inaugurated in 1900 by Lord Curzon,the then Viceroy. It is also believed that the advent of railways was a causal factor for the epidemic.

Bangalore High Court”>The plague of 1898 also led to the expansion of Bangalore. Basavanagudi (named after the Basaveshwara Temple or the Bull Temple in the Sunkenahalli village) and Malleshwaram (named after the Kadu Malleshwara Temple in the old Mallapura village) were created during this time. Kalasipalyam (near the old fort) and Gandhinagar were created between 1921-1931. Kumara Park came into existence in 1947 and Jayanagar in 1948.

Bangalore is a former cantonment and Civil and Military Station after 1881 and has roads named according to military conventions such as Artillery Road,Brigade Road,CMH Road,Infantry Road and Cavalry Road. The South Parade (presently Mahatma Gandhi Road) was to the south of the Parade Ground. The cantonment area was administered by a Resident and his quarters was called the Residency and hence the Residency Road. In around 1883,three extensions were added to the Municipal area of the Cantonment,namely,Richmond Town,followed by Benson Town and Cleveland Town.

Today the sprawling metropolitan region of Bangalore extends from Peenya Indutrial Area in the West to Indiranagar and Whitefield in the East. And from Yelahanka in the North to J.P. Nagar in the South

Bangalore was never planned to be the boomtown metropolis it is now. Rather,it was viewed traditionally as a place of retreat,also called a ‘Pensioner’s Paradise’. This lack of planning has led to its current infrastructure problems.

Several speculations have been made about how the name “Bangalore” came about. Based on information from the Gazetteer of India, Karnataka State, Bangalore District section, the name “Bangalore” is an anglicised version of “Bengalooru,” a word in the local Kannada language that was given to a town. The story goes that this word was derived from the phrase “bende kaalu ooru,” which translates into “the town of boiled beans.” It is said that King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty lost his way in the jungle while on a hunting expedition. Tired and hungry, he encountered a poor, old woman who offered him the only food she had - some boiled beans. Grateful to her, the king named the place “bende kaalu ooru.” However, historical evidence shows that “Bengalooru” was recorded much before King Ballala’s time in a 9th century temple inscription in the village of Begur. “Bengalooru” still exists today within the city limits in Kodigehalli area and is called “Halebengalooru” or “Old Bangalore.”

In 1638, Bangalore was conquered by Bijapur Sultan and ruled for next 50 years. Later it was captured by Mughals who held it for 3 years. In 1687, the Mughal Sultan of Sira province sold Bangalore to king Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar of Mysore for 3 lac pagodas, who built a second fort to the south of that built by Kempegowda I. In 1759, Hyder Ali received Bangalore as a jagir from Krishna raja Wodeyar II. He fortified the southern fort and made Bangalore an army town. When Tipu Sultan died in the 4th Mysore war in 1799, the British gave the kingdom, including Bangalore back to Krishna raja Wodeyar III. The British Resident stayed in Bangalore. In 1831, alleging misrule by Krishna raja Wodeyar III, the British took over the administration of the Mysore Kingdom. Under the British influence, Bangalore bloomed with modern facilities like the railways, telegraphs, postal and police departments. In 1881, the British returned the city to the Wodeyars. Diwans like Mirza Ismail, and sir Vishweshwarayya were the pioneers to help Bangalore attain its modern outlook. With the direct rule of the British Commissioners based in Bangalore, it became the State Administrative HQ. The destiny of Bangalore thus took a historic turn, making it eventually a major city of India and one of the fastest growing in the world. After independence, Bangalore’s choice as a state capital was only logical. Mysore had too many associations with the royal family to be the capital of a new state with an elected Chief Minister and a nominated Governor. Finally, for an enlarged Karnataka, Bangalore was more central and better linked with the major cities of the country. Today, Bangalore is booming, and a look at some of its nicknames says why: “India’s Silicon Valley,” “Fashion Capital of India,” “The Pub City of India,” and on. Home to well over 6 million people, and a base for 10,000 industries, Bangalore is India’s fifth largest city and the fastest growing city in Asia.

Important Historical Dates

·  BC (-) Stone Age implements, Roman coins & burial grounds unearthed.

·  850 AD ‘Bengalooru’ appears on Mauryan empire milestone

·  1015 Chola Empire takes over City

·  C.1120 Veera Ballala II calls it ‘Benda Kalooru’ or ‘Town of Boiled Beans’ (after a poor woman feeds him beans in the forest)

·  1537 Kempe Gowda I designs City as it exists today. (KG II builds the 4 towers)

·  1638 Shahaji Bhonsle (Shivaji’s father) captures City for Adil Shah who gifts it to him

·  1640 Shivaji marries Bangalore girl

·  1687 Aurangzeb’s army captures City

·  1690 Sells it to the Wodeyars for 3 lakhs!

·  1759 Wodeyar gifts it to Hyder Ali who builds Lal Bagh

·  1791 Cornwallis defeats Tipu but returns City to him

·  1799 Tipu dies. City returned to Wodeyar

·  1800 Bangalore GPO opened

·  1809 Cantonment established

·  1812 St. Mark’s Cathedral built

·  1831 British take-over administration

·  1853 Sunday declared weekly holiday

·  1859 1st train steams out of City

·  1864 Sankey builds Cubbon Park

·  1867 Attara Kacheri built

·  1887 Bangalore Palace built

·  1898 The great plague. (Another plague-the 1st telephone rings)

·  1903 1st motorcar pollutes city

·  1905 India’s 1st electric bulb lit in Bangalore City Market

·  1909 Indian Institute of Science built

·  1940 1st flight Bangalore/Bombay

·  1948 Deccan Herald launched

·  1954 Vidhana Soudha built

Referece:
http://www.bangaloreorbit.com/district-of-karnataka/bangalore-urban-district/history-of-bangalore.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bangalore

http://www.indianetzone.com/39/history_Bangalore.htm http://www.thisismyindia.com/about_Bangalore/Bangalore-history.html

http://www.Bangalore-karnataka.com/history.htm

http://www.indiaexpress.com/Bangalore/eureka/history.html

There is the list of Waterfalls in Karnataka and near to Bangalore. It covers the Waterfalls in Bangalore and Waterfalls in Karnataka, Waterfalls near to Mysore, Waterfalls near to Bangalore, Waterfalls near to Mangalore and waterfalls near to Belgaum.

Karnataka is very rich natural heritage of India. Karnataka is having maximum number of waterfalls in India compare to another state in India. Few of them are world famous waterfalls. Finding details of waterfalls information is very difficult but BangaloreOrbit is the site which covers all this information in details  like Waterfall Location info, Waterfall  Climate/Weather, Waterfall  History , Interesting things to do in Waterfall, Interesting things to Visit in Waterfall, Mobile range info in Waterfall area, How to reach? Of Nearest Railway Station Waterfall and Nearest Airport and using Road Transport, Nearest Visiting places near to Waterfall, Nearest Petrol Pump near to Waterfall, Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation near to Waterfall, Things to carry, Tips & Suggestions to visit Waterfall, Help Line/Phone Number

There is the list of waterfalls in Karnataka and near to Bangalore.

Top waterfalls in Karnataka

BangaloreOrbit is the website which covers the details information about each of their waterfalls such as…

Location info, Climate/Weather, History , Interesting things to do, Interesting things to Visit, Mobile range info, How to reach? Of Nearest Railway Station and Nearest Airport and using Road Transport, Nearest Visiting places, Nearest Petrol Pump, Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation, Things to carry, Tips & Suggestions, Help Line/Phone Number
All the above information is properly covered in detail which makes user very informative about the places. BangaloreOrbit is the best website for Tours and Travel related information. I thanks to the team who has spent lots of time and given lots of afford to collect the info and publish for user.

Karnataka, a state in Southwest India, located between Maharashtra and Kerala, is a state with a rich cultural heritage, rapidly growing cities, natural beauty and charm. The historical legacy of the Vijayanagara Empire, the tradition of Carnatic music and the forts of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan can be seen on Karnataka Tourism itineraries in India.

There are many beautiful and attractive waterfalls available in the state. Karnataka is known for maximum number of waterfalls in the country (India)
You can also see coffee plantations, wildlife sanctuaries, beautiful waterfalls and silk textiles, and smell fragrant sandalwood products and incense sticks, on your travels in Karnataka, India.
BangaloreOrbit is the site which covers all this information in details  like Waterfall Location info, Waterfall  Climate/Weather, Waterfall  History , Interesting things to do in Waterfall, Interesting things to Visit in Waterfall, Mobile range info in Waterfall area, How to reach? Of Nearest Railway Station Waterfall and Nearest Airport and using Road Transport, Nearest Visiting places near to Waterfall, Nearest Petrol Pump near to Waterfall, Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation near to Waterfall, Things to carry, Tips & Suggestions to visit Waterfall, Help Line/Phone Number

Reference: Waterfalls in karnataka

• Umabai Kundapur
• Krishnabai Panjekar
• Kamaladevi Chattopadhaya
• Yashodhara Dasappa
• Tayamma Veerannagowda
• Mahadevitayi Dodmane
• Bellary Siddamma
• Gowramma Venkataramayya
• Bommakka of Kanagil village  near Ankola who protested against the Goveror or Mumbai at Karwar.
• Nagamma Patil
• Vishalakshamma

In addition to Medical Institutions there are specialised institutions/hospitals
which render specialised treatment and undertake the research work. A few
of them are listed below :
1) Kidwai Memorial Cancer Institute, Bangalore.
2) Srivenkateshwara ENT Institute, Bangalore.
3) Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology in the Victoria Hospital Campus,
Bangalore.
4) All India Institute of Mental health and Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore.
5) Institute of Opthalmology, Bangalore.
6) Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore.
7) National Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore.
Lady Willingdon Tuberculosis Institute, Bangalore.
9) Karnataka Institute of Mental Health, Dharwad.
10) Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Hubli (private)
11) Hope Infertility Clinic, Bangalore (private)

Public Conveyance: Prior to 1948, public conveyance was solely in the hands of private entrepreneurs. In earlier times, bullock, buffallo, ass and horses were the main beasts of burden. Kavadis and Bullock Carts were used to carry goods. Bullock Carts and Horse Carriages transported people. In 1911, Public Traffic Control act was implemented in Mysore and in 1920, there were already private buses serving the public. Around 1935, their number was 100. The Mysore Traffic Board started in 1936 in old Mysore area controlled the public conveyance.

After independence, when nationalisation of roads was initiated in 1948, Mysore State Road Transport Department (MSRTC) came into existence on 12th September 1948 with 20 buses. By 1949, it had 120 buses covering 81 schedules and 15,000 km road mileage. Although the nationalization of Road Transport in Hyderabad State had been initiated as early as 1936 by the Hyderabad State Road Transport Department established during 1932, its

impact was very limited, Contrary to this, in Bombay Presidency nationalisation of Road Transport was implemented in 1947, was extended even to Belgaum Division in 1949 with the name “State Transport” (ST). At the time of Unification in 1956, it received 825 buses and 778 scheduled routes from Bombay, Hyderabad and Old Mysore States. By 1957 it ranked fourth at national level with 1100 buses under its control. As per the Central Road Transport Corporation Act of 1950, this department became a Corporation in 1961 and after 1973 came to be called as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). By 1982, it ranked fifth at national level with five Regional Offices
located at Bangalore (2), Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga, having control over 12 divisions and 68 depots. It had 5,700 passenger buses covering 3,855 scheduled routes of 11.20 lakh km route milage per day and providing service to 20.9 lakh passengers.

In November 1985, Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur, Bellary, Hassan and Raichur districts nationalisation process was completed and partial nationalisation being done in the districts of Kolar, Bangalore {Rural and Urban), Mysore and Chikmagalur. By 1991, it had 6 Regional Offices, 14 divisions and 91 Depots with 7,602 scheduled routes and 8,824 buses, with an annual income of 404.82 crores. As on March 1997, the KSRTC had 19 divisions, 109 depots with 8,493 schedules, 13,273 routes of 9.491akh route km and 31.01 lakhs of daily km service to the public with a daily revenue of Rs. 350.38 lakhs. On 15th August 1997, the government divided KSRTC into KSRTC (Old Mysore-
Hyderabad area), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC) (Bangalore City); and on 1-11-1997, the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) with its headquarters at Hubli, covering Hubli, Gadag, UK, Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot divisions was inaugurated. Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) separated from KSRTC on 15-8-1997, is entrusted with the work of serving the public of Bangalore Metropolitan City with sincerity and punctuality. Prior to its separation, it
was looked after by Bangalore City Transports (North and South divisions) through 13 depots with 1839 schedules, 1991 buses and a central workshop. BMTC covers Bangalore city with 30 km radius and by March 1998 it had 2088 buses and 1934 schedules (740 city, 925 sub-urban and 269 Pushpak schedules) with 4,42,953 scheduled route km to its credit. At present it is operating 2,285 schedules with a fleet strength of 2412 buses through 17 depots, 3 major bus stations, 8 sub-bus stations and one central workshop.

Its total revenue for the year 1999-2000 was Rs. 20,425.84 lakhs and is running under profit. Recently during 2000-01, KSRTC has under gone furtherer bifurcation and as a result the North-Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation(NEKRTC), a separate independent corporation for Hyderabad- Karnataka area with its head quarters at Gulbarga has come into existence. As a result, at present, KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC are administering the transport services along with Private Agencies in the State.

The National Highways are very important highways which connect Metropolitan cities, State capitals, Ports etc. throughout the country. The length of the National Highways in 1961 was 1,269 km and in 188 A Handbook of Karnataka 1981 it was about 1,968 km. They were under the control of the Central Government previously. Since 1971, the National Highways are maintained by a separate wing of the State PWD, out of the Central funds. As in 1992- 93, there were seven National Highways traversing in the state, with a total length of 1,997 km. It was proposed to declare, another 13 roads with a length of 4,765 km as National Highways. During the last decade, 30 km of the National Highway No.4 has been widened from two lanes to four lanes. About 231 km length of the National Highway nos. 9, 13, 17 and 48 were widened,

from single lane to double. The Kozhikode-Kollegal section passing through Sultan Batheri, Gundlupet, Nanjangud, Mysore, T.Narasipur, Mugur, Uttamballi, and the road between Bangalore-Dindigal via Kanakapura, Halagur, Malavalli, Sattegal, Kollegal, Yelandur, Santhemarahalli and Chamarajanagar in the state were declared as NH-209 and NH-212 respectively on June-July 1999 and the work is in progress. The Government of India has declared the 193 km of Bijapur-Hubli road as the 13th National Highway in the State (NH-218) in October 2000. As a result, as on 2000 March, there were 13 National Highways traversing in the State totaling about 3,524 km. The second phase of Hubli-Dharwad by pass on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis has been completed and commissioned for traffic. Under the Asian Development Loan Assistance, a length of 25 km. of the NH-7 has been taken up for converting it into four lanes (from Bangalore to Tamilnadu border near Hosur). In february 2004, NH-218 has been further extended from Bijapur upto Humnabad (220 kms.) via Jevargi in Gulbarga district. As a result Gulbarga district also figures in the country map of National Highways. Likewise the road linking Gundlupet with NH-212 has also been declared as NH-67 in february 2004. As a result as on 31-03-2005, there were 14 National Highways passing through the State with a road length of 3,973 km excluding the districts of Kodagu and Raichur which are deprived of National Highways, all other districts have National Highways passing through their jurisdictions. The total road length in 1981 was 98,523 km and an account of implementation of several road schemes, it went up to 1,21,266 k m in 1992. The roads which were in charge of P.W.D. increased from 32,177 km in 1956 to 64,628 km in 1981. The quality of the roads maintained by the P.W.D.was also improved. The cement concreted/asphalted road surface which stood at 3,858 km in 1956 increased to 26,022 km in 1979 and was 36,229 during 1992. The length of cement concrete roads has decreased substantially due to its recoating with black topped surface. Unmetalled roads in the control of P.W.D. in 1956 were 2,343 km when compared to 8,935 km in 1966 and during 1992 it was 11,089 km. In addition, 11,089 km roads have been transferred from the control of P.W.D. to the Zilla Parishads (1-4-1987). The Government has retransferred 10,000 km road length from the control of Zilla Parishads to the PWD on 18th February 1992. The aim was to improve Transport and Communications 189 them at the rate of 50 km per Assembly Constituency.

Besides, they are being upgraded into major district roads. For the development of Gulbarga division (Gulbarga, Bellary, Bidar, Raichur and Koppal Districts), roads and bridges are being constructed. During 1990-91 and 1991-92, a sum of Rs. 61.60
lakhs was spent on roads and bridges. In 1990, a scheme for the improvement of roads was launched. Under this programme, a sum of rupees twelve lakhswas spent on road works in each Assembly constituency. An amount of Rs. 867.08 lakhs was spent in 1990-91 and in 1991-92 Rs. 1,694.39 Lakhs.The total road length in the State by 1998 was 1,42,687 km comprising 2,335 km National Highways, 11,037 km State Highways, 28,301 km Major District Roads, 1,644 km Other District Roads, 42,791 km Village Roads,
31,583 km TDB Roads, 9,417 km Irrigation Dept. Roads, 2,582 km Forest Dept. Roads excluding 8,366 km of Municipality Roads and 4,665 km of Grampanchayati Roads. Among them, 97,392 km were surfaced, and others were unsurfaced Roads. The average road length per one lakh population is 288 km and the average road length per sq km is 64 km. These are above the national average of 238.8 km and 61.3 km respectively. During the 8th plan (1992-97), a sum of Rs. 42,717.24 lakhs were spent on laying and improving
of 8,537 km, asphalting 3,321 km of roads and building 1,323 major and minor Bridges within the State. During the 9th plan, a sum of Rs. 953 crores has been provided for construction, improvement and maintenance of roads and bridges in the state. During the year 2000, 72 roads and 17 bridges were completed with NABARD assistance. The government has signed with the Kalyani groups of India for the construction of Bangalore-Mysore Express Highway to be executed by the Kalyani Group of Companies on its own
investment, to be maintained for 30 years, handing it over in motorable condition to the State Government after recouping the expenditure incurred along with profit by way of toll fixed in consent with the State Government at regular intervals. As on December 2004, the total road length in the State was 1,44,130 km. comprising 3,973 Km of National Highways, 17,252 Km State Highways, 30,647 Km Major District Roads, 1620 Km of Other District Roads, 48,148 Km of Village Roads and 42,490 Km of Other Roads with an average of 246 Km Road length per one lakh population and an average road length of 70 km per 100 Sq. Km area NH-4 which falls under the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Project and NH 7 which come under the North the South Corridor Project of 6 lanes, planned at National level and being executed through National Highway Authority,
(NHAI) is under progress in the State.

For providing accessibility to villages, Integrated Comprehensive Rural Communication Programme was started in 1972-73. An amount of Rs. 9.63 crore was spent in the Sixth Plan period, for constructing about 1,803 km new roads. Between 1985-86 to 1991-92, an amount of Rs.1.60 crore was incurred for constructing 77 km of roads and some other Master Plan Rural Roads (1st Phase C.D. Works). Besides this, Minimum Needs Programme was started during 1974-75 and a sum of Rs. 53.77 crores was spent for connecting 1,398 villages with all-weather approach roads from 1974-75 to 1991-92. Till the end of 1991-92, the villages linked with All-weather roads were 12,649. It constitutes 47% of the total inhabited villages in the State numbering 27,028. As many as 6,747 villages were provided with Fair Weather Roads and 7,433 with Katcha roads which accounted for 25% and 27% respectively. The rest of the 199 villages were without approach roads. The Halli Heddari scheme was started in 1984-85. Under this scheme, till the end of 1991-92, 167 villages having a population of less than 1000 were provided with all-weather roads. The expenditure incurred was Rs. 827.26 lakhs. The scheme of approach roads to colonies of the Scheduled Castes was launched in 1983-84. A sum of Rs. 37.13 crores were spent from 1983-84 to 1991-92, for constructing about 2,099 km. road length. Construction of roads under people’s participation was launched in 1986-87, to give high priority to the rural road works which have local people’s participation. The Zilla Parishads also executing this programme. During 1987-88 to 1991-92 about 113 km. village limit roads were constructed/improved and an amount of Rs. 161.53 lakhs were spent. By 2000 among the 27,066 inhabitated villages in the State, 15,800 villages have All-weather roads, 8,026 villages have Fair weather roads, and 3137 villages have Katcha roads and the remaining 103 villages were not connected by any roads as such. By 2004, almost all the villages in the State are connected by approach roads.

The Film industry in Karnataka has a history of over six decades. In their early phase, films produced in Karnataka were only based on themes from the Kannada Theatre. The first ‘Mooki’ (silent) film was produced and directed by Mohan Bhavanani with Yenakshi Rama Rao, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, T.P. Kailasam, O.K. Nanda and other and it had the title ‘Mrichchakatika’. During the 1930s two Bombay Industralists, Haribhai R. Desai and Bhogial Dave established the first studio of Southern Indian in Bangalore named Surya Film Company and made about 40 silent films in about four years. During 1929, with the co-operation of Devudu Narasimha Sastri, Gubbi Veeranna and Algod of Belgium, an organisation named ‘Karnataka Pictures Corporation’ was established through which silent movies ‘Harimaya’, ‘Song of Life’ and ‘His Love Affair’ were produced. ‘Sadarame’, (1935), ‘Hemareddy Mallamma’ (1945), ‘Gunasagari’, ‘Bedara Kannappa’ (1954), ‘Bhutarajya’ and ‘Domingo’ were the prominent movies of that age with the last two being produced by Dr. Shivaram Karanth. Other notable films were ‘Sati Sulocaha’ ‘Samsara Nauka’, ‘Vasanthsena,’ ‘Purandaradasa,’ ‘Bhakta Kumbara,’ ‘Mahatma Kabir,’ ‘Krishnaleela,’ ‘Chandrahasa,’ ‘Bharathi,’ ‘Nagakannika’ and ‘Jaganmohini.’ The notable personalities who made an impact on the silver screen in the early times were T.P. Kailasam, M.G. Mari Rao, Gubbi Veeranna, R. Nagendra Rao, M.V. Subbiah Naidu, Tripuramba, C.T. Sheshachalam, M.V. Rajamma, B.R. Pantulu, Kemparaj Urs, Shanker Singh, B.V. Vithalacharya, H.L.N. Simha and B.S. Ranga, the last two of whom were instrumental in bringing the Kannada Film field from Madras to Bangalore. ‘Bedara Kannappa’ (1954) launched Rajkumar who later grew into a legend in the Kannada film industry and also won the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 1997. In the 1950’s the trend of social films began and the notable films of that decade were ‘Premadaputri,’ ‘Modala Thedhi,’ ‘School Master,’ ‘Kanyadana.’ ‘Adarshasati,’ ‘Bhakta Markandeya,’ ‘Ratnagiri Rahasya,’ ‘Nala Damayanti,’ ‘Bhookailasa,’ ‘Jagajyothi Basaveshwara.’ ‘Dashavatara,’ ‘Ranadheera Kantheerava’ and ‘Bhakta

Kanakadasa.’

The year 1964 was significant in the history of Kannada films for the
* contributed by T.G. Ashwathanarayana production of the first entirely colour movie ‘Amarashilpi Jakanachari’. The same year witnessed the release of ‘Naandi,’ a new wave film made by N. Lakshminarayan. In the 1960’s the man acknowledge by one and all as the greatest director in Kannada film history, Puttanna Kanagal, made memorable films, like ‘Bellimoda’ (1967), ‘Gejje Pooje’ (1968), ‘Sharapanjara’ and in the 70s movies like ‘Sakshatkara,’ ‘Nagara Havu’ etc. The first film based on Children’s subject ‘Makkala Rajya’ was also released during this period. In the 1970’s film makers started adopting Kannada novels by famous authors to the screen and this phenomenon became immensely popular. The novels of eminent novelists like Aa Na Kru, Ta Raa Su, Krishnamurthy Puranik, Triveni, M.K. Indira, Poornachandra Tejasvi, S.L. Byrappa, Sai Sute and T.K. Rama Rao were made into movies. Poems of great poet like Bendre, Kuvempu, K.S. Narasimhaswamy, Gopalakrishna Adiga etc., were converted into film lyrics and they gained acclaim.

The decades of the 1970’s is considered the age of the new-wave or experimental films through films like ‘Samskara’ (1970), ‘Vamsa Vriksha’ (1972),
‘Abachurina Post Office’ (1973), ‘Kadu’ (1974), ‘Hamsageethe’ (1975), ‘Chomana Dudi’ (1975), ‘Pallavi’ (1976), ‘Karavall’ (1977), ‘KanneshwaraRama’ (1977),
‘Ghatashraddha’ (1977), ‘Chitegu Chinte’ (1978), ‘Ondu Orina Kathe,’ ‘Ondaanondu Kaaladalli/’Maleyamakklu,’ ‘Spandana’ (all in 1978), ‘Kadu Kudure’ and ‘Arivu* (1979), ‘Yellindalo Bandavaru’ (1980), ‘Grahana’ and ‘Moorudarigalu’ (1981), ‘Bara’ (1982), and in recent years Avasthe, Pushpaka Vimana , Surya,
Tabarana Kathe, Kaadina Benki, Tarka, Idhu Sadhya, Santha Shishunala Sharif, Bannada Gejje, Hagalu Vesha, Nagamandala, Deveeri etc. The commercially successful films of that period were ‘Nagar Havu’ and ‘Bangarada Manushya’ (1972), ‘Yedakallu Goodada Mele’ and ‘Professor Huchchuraya’ (1973), ‘Upasane’ and ‘Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu,’ (1974), ‘Aparichita’ and ‘Parasangda Gendethimma’ (1978), ‘Mother,’ ‘Mithuna’ (1980) and ‘Gaali Maatu’ (1981), Manasa Sarovara (1982), Phaniyamma (1983), Anubhava (1984), Bettada Hoovu, Masanada Hoovu (1985), Malaya Maruta (1986), Ondu Muttina Kathe (1987), Suprabhata (1988), Sankranti (1989), Udbhava, ShabariMale SwamyAyyappa (1990), Ramachari (1991), Kraurya, Pallavi, Anuroopa, Khandavldeko Mamsavideko, Sankalpa, Bankar Margaiah, Geejagana Goodu, Savithri, Giddah, Ghata Shradda (President’s Gold Medal), Akramana, Mane, Tayi Saheba (President’s Gold Medal) (1997), Aparichita and Beladingala Bale. In the 1980s the Government of Katnataka granted 50% tax exemption to Kannada films completely made in Kamataka and it increased the subsidy amount to films. At present all Kannada Films produced and processed entirely in the State is eligible for Rs. 2.50 lakhs (black & white) and Rs. 3.50 lakhs (colour). L.V. Prasad established a Colour Processing Laboratory in Bangalore, Besides, Sanketh, a recording studio of the Nag Brothers and the

Chamundeshwari studio were started. The availability of good infrastucture, encouragement received from the Government and the viewership had a cascading effect and there was a jump in the number of films made each year, in this decade.Films based on political and social themes, like ‘Accident,’ ‘Antha,’ ‘Bara,’ ‘Chakravyuha,’ ‘Aasphota,’ etc., were made in this decade. Films that were ommercially successful in this decade were ‘Ahtha,”Chakravyooha,’ ‘Hosabelaku,’ ‘Haalu Jenu,’ ‘Mududida Taavare Aralithu,’ ‘Bandhana,’ ‘Benkiya ale,’ ‘Anubhava,’ ‘Anand,’ ‘Rathasaptami,’ ‘Neebareda Kaadambari,’ ‘Premaloka,’
‘Pushpaka Vimana,’ ‘Ranadheera,’ ‘Suprabhata,’ ‘Sangliyana,’ ‘Nanjundi Kalyana,’ ‘Avale Nanna Hendathi,’ ‘Hendthige Helabedi,’ ‘Indrajit’ ‘Dada,’ ‘Deva,’
‘Anjadagandu,’ ‘Hridaya Haadithu,’ ‘Gagana,’ ‘CBI Shankar’, ‘Gajapathi Garvabhanga,’ ‘Ramachari,’ ‘Chaitrada Premanjali,’ ‘Bhanda Nanna Ganda,’ ‘Jeevan Chaitra’ and ‘Aakasmika’.

Even though the background instrumental music was in vogue in silent films, songs were sung in the first talkie film in 1934. It is said that the advent of modern orchestra in films was due to the efforts of P. Kalinga Rao in 1941. Playback Singing became popular later. Music directors like P. Shamanna, R. Sudarshan, G.K. Venkatesh, T.G. Lingappa, Vijaya Bhaskar, Rajan Nagendra and Hamasalekha have become popular. B.V. Karnath, Prema Karanth, Girish Kasaravalli, M.S. Satyu, Siddalingaiah, Girish Karnad, Suvarna, G.V. Iyer, Nagabharana and Baraguru Ramachandrappa are film directors who have won national awards. A promising young women film maker is Kavitha Lankesh (Deveeri Film). Many Kannada films have won a large number of State and National awards
over this period of time. Kamataka Film Chamber of Commerce was started in Bangalore in 1944. Some amateur film societies are producing film in 17 mm or 8mm cameras. These are ‘Assema,’ ‘Srishtri,’ ‘Swajan’ and ‘Suchitra’ Societies.

The first regional office of the National film Archives of India, Pune, was started in Bangalore in 1982 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall. It is engaged in collecting and preserving old and memorable films made in all the regional language of South India. The popular film studios of Karnataka are Premier Studio at Mysore and Chamundeshwari, Sree Kantheerava and Abhimaan at Bangalore. Many colour laboratories, processing units and recording units are also functioning in Bangalore, Which is the film city of Karnataka. Apart from veteran “Karnataka Ratna” Dr. Rajkumar who has won prestigious Dada Phalke Award, the Kannada screen has produced a host of talented artistes like Ashwath, Balakrishna, Narasimha Raju, Kalyan Kumar, Udaya Kumar, Gangadhar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Prabhakar, Sridhar, Ravichandran, Kashinath, Shankar Nag, Ananth Nag, Lokesh, Rajesh, Sudharshan, Srinath, C.R. Simha, Dwarkish, Vajramuni, Ramesh Arvind,
Ramgopal etc., and actresses like M.V. Rajamma, Leelavathi, B,V, Radha, Jayamma, Pandari Bai, B. Saroja Devi, Jayanthi, Kalpana, Aarti, Bharati,Manjula, Harini, Jayamala, Jayalakshmi, Malashri, Sudha Rani, Vaishali Kasaravalli, Tara etc. G.V. Iyer is the first to make the Film in Sanskrit “Adi Sankaracharya”

in 1984, which won for him the nations highest award. He further made “Madhwacharya” in Kannada in 1986 and “Ramanujacharya” in 1988 in Tamil trying to bring out the teachings of these saint, philosophers, through the medium of Cinema. Iyer again won the national award for his film “Bhagavadgeetha” in 1993.
The following films have won National Award under different Categories 1. Bedara Kannappa (1955); 2. Samskara (1970); 3. Chomana Dudi (1976); 4. Ghatashraddha (1978); 5. Dangeyedda Makkalu (1980); 6. Phaniyamma(1983); 7. Adi Shankaracharya (1984) 8. Tabarana Kathe (1987) 9. Pushpaka Vimana (1988); 10. Jamboo Savari (1990) 11. Tayi Saheba (1997) 12. Deveeri (1999) 13. Kanoor Heggadithi (2000)

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The Hindus have several religious holy days, occasions of festivals and fasts throughout the year. Some of the important festivals for Hindus are:

• New Year Day or Ugadi (the first day of Chaitra month);
• Ramanavami (the birth day of Lord Rama, the ninth day of Chaitra);
• Basava Jayanthi the birth day of Basaweshwara (Akshayatritiya);
• Shankara Jayanthi the birth day of Acharya Shankara (Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami);
• Kara Hunnime (full moon day of Jyestha, a festival for peasants);
• Ashadha Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright half of Ashadha);
• BheemanaAmavasya (New Moon day of Ashadha);
• Nagapanchami the festival of Serpent God (on the fifth day of Shravana);
• Gokulashtami, the birth day of Lord Krishna (the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana);
• Ganesh Chaturthi (fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada when God Ganesh is worshiped);
• Navarathri or Dasara (first ten days of Ashweeja Masa);
• Deepavali (thirteenth day of dark half of Ashvija) and the festival of light and day to worship Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi (lasts for five days);
• Bhogi and Makara Sankranthi (on the 13th and 14th January, respectively);
• Mahashivarathri 13th or the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Magha, a festival in honour of God Shiva; and
• Holi or Kamana Habba, marking the death of Kama (God of Love) on the full moon day of Phalguna, marked in places with much noise and gay abandon.

In many places, Navarathri is also celebrated as Nada Habba (State festival) on Vijayadashmi day (the victorious tenth day), the statue of Goddess Chamundeshvari is taken in a colourful procession to Bannimantapa with all pomp and pageantry, consisting of tableaux of historical episodes, infantry, mounted horses, Bharat Scouts and Girl Guides, NCC., Bharat Seva Dal etc. Rama Navami and Ganesh Chaturthi are marked by public celebrations accompanied by speeches, dance and music recitals. Kodavas have three important festivals like Koil Muhurta, Cauvery Sankramana and Huthri (harvest festival). The chief Muslim festivals are Id-ul-fitar or breaking the fast, which marks the conclusion of Ramazan; Idul-ul-Zuha or Bakrid which is held on the ninth day of the month called Zil-hajah and the Shab-e-Barat which is celebrated during the evening of the fifteenth day of the month of Shaban. Moharram is celebrated publicly in many places by honouring symbols called tabuts. The Christians observe the New Year day, Good Friday, Ascension day. Feast of St. Joseph, Easter Sunday (the Day of Resurrection), birth day of Mary, Christmas (the birth day of Christ), Thanks Giving Day, Harvest Festival and church anniversary.

The Jains celebrate most of the Hindu festivals in their own way and according to their own tradition and they give importance for fasting, praying and hearing the recitation of the religious texts. Some of the important festivals observed by them are Chaitra Pratipad (Ugadi) to commemorate the victorious
Digvijaya of Bharata, son of Teerthankara Adinatha (Vrishabhadeva); Mahavira Jayanthi (Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi); Dasara (Vijayadashami) is believed to
be the date when Adinatha attained Kevala Jnana or enlightment and the date when his son Bharata secured his disc or Chakraratna); Deepavali (celebrated as the date of Mahanirvana of Mahavira and they worship Lakshmi and Jnana Lakshmi) and Shivaratri (celebrated as Jinaratri as Adinatha is believed to have attained salvation on the dark 14th of Magha). The Sikhs observe Guru Nanak’s birth day of Karteeka Pournima and Gurudwara inauguration day at Nanak Jhira, Bidar with enthusiasm and pomp with ‘akhand pathan’ of Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtan and Satsang attract a large number of Sikhs from many places.

Jatras:

Every year, the Jatras (fairs) are held in honour of village dieties (grama devathas) generally after the harvest takes place. In Hindu temples, Muslim dargahs, Jain bastis and in other holy places of worship people celebrate annual festivals. Men,women, people of rural and urban areas take part in
these jatras with full enthusiasm without discrimination of caste, creed and religion. Itinerary merchants open their stalls to sell toys, sweets, sarees,
vessels, bangles and other items during these jatras. Cattle fairs are also held in many places during the jatras and these are the centres of large trade
and commerce. Jatras promote social and religious harmony among various sections of the society.