Bagalkot

Bagalkot is a district in the State of Karnataka in India. The district is located in the northern part of Karnataka. The most elevated portion of the district lies between 450 to 800 meters above the sea level extends over an area of 6593 sq km.

The district is bounded by Bijapur district towards north, Gadag district towards south, Raichur district towards east, Koppal district towards south east and Belgaum district towards west.

The district has 605 Revenue villages and 244 habitations and 270 wards as per the recent house to house survey Jan 2001. Some of the tandas are declared as revenue villages. The district for the administrative purpose has been divided in to 2 divisions Bagalkot and Jamakhandi. Bagalkot division comprises of 3 taluks. Bagalkot, Badami, Hungund and Jamakhandi divisions comprise of 3 taluks namely Jamakhandi, Mudhol and Bilagi. Bagalkot district consists of six C.D. blocks namely Badami, Bagalkot, Bilagi, Hunugund, Jamakhandi and Mudhol.

History

With re-organization of the district in 1997, the new Bagalkot district has come into existence during 50 th year of India’s independence.

Historically, it is the home land of great chalukya dynasty. Aihole is place described as the laboratory for architecture rather a university of Indian architecture. Badami is famous internationally for caves carved in monolithic single stone in the period of Immadi Pulakeshi-I along with historical famous temples of Pattadakal, Mahakuteshwar temple in Mahakuta, Shivayogmandir and Banashankari temple in Badami. Mudhol is the birth place of great poet “Ranna”. Bilagi taluka Galagali village is famous for Galava Maharshi. Jamakhandi was the capital city during the period of “Patawardhana” Kingdom.

Kudalsangam the place where the great social revolutionist of 12th century lord “Basavanna” was educated. The galaxy of sharana’s lived in this Holy Land is itself a matter of pride.

According to a legend, the town was believed to be granted to the Vajantries (ie. Village orchestra) of Ravana. In inscriptions, the old name of the twon was quoted as Bagadage, and headquarters of a unit called Bagadage-70 under the Chalukyas. one of the Bijapur kings said to have presented the town to his daughter as a bangle or ornament money; consequently the place is said to have been called Bagdikot and corrupted to Bagilakote or Bagalkot. Earlier to this, vijayanagara kings had held sway over this part of the country. between 1664 to 1755 this territory was under the management of the Savanur Nawab from whom it was annexed by the Peshwa, Balajirao. During 1778, Haider Ali took possession of Bagalkot and was later held by the Savanur Nawab as his vassal. Again it fell into the hands of the Marathas by the agreement of Srirangapattana(1792). In 1800, the provincial manager, Anandarao Bhikaji belonging to the Rastia family residing at bagtalkot built a palace. In 1810, Peshwa Bajirao II gave the area to Nilkantharao Sarsubedar who held Bagalkot Fort supported by a garrison till Gen. Munro occupied it in 1818. The chief Temples of the Place are of Shri Bhavani, Panduranga and Kotalesha, Raghavendraswamy Matha and of Motagi Basaveshwara. There is a Jaina basadi of Parshwanatha. The place has a Virakta matha. The Place has several mosues of which Panka Masjid is a very fine stone structure. The civic administration is managed by the municipality. The Basaweshvara Vidyavardhaka Sangha here runs several colleges and education institutions and the late S.C. Nandimath, noted scholar was closely connected with this organisation. The place was a noted centre of freedom movement and also of Unification movement. It is on the banks of the Ghataprabha river and after the completion of Second stage of Upper Krishna Project, a large part of the the town is expected to be submerged (Already Submerged).The place has a cement factory and it is a centre of trade in cotton and groundnut. Kaladgi is a big village situated on the South bank of the Ghataprabha river, about 24 Km from Bagalkot. In the initial stages of the British regime, cavalry was stationed here by the Sourhern Maharashtra Jahgirdars. It was found to be a very suitable place for the movement of troops. After the war, in 1864 it was made tthe district headquarters. in 1884 the district Hq was shifted to Bijapur. In this place is a fine temple of Basavanna, built out of famous Shellikeri Blackstone,. In geological circles Kaladgi range is very familiar. The place is well known for fruit gardens. Several old buildings and tombs of the British days, still remain at this place. The town has a town Panchayat and a Khadi production Unit.

Politics

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008

19 Mudhol Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 3 Mudhol Taluk (Part) 2 Lokapur Circle 1 Mudhol Circle (Part) Belagali GP/Belagali, Halagali GP/Halgali, Melligeri, Kulali GP/Kulali, Malapur, Malali GP/Malali, Soragoan, Mantur GP/Budni (P.M), Kishori, Mantur, Mugalkhod GP/Mugalkhod, Nagaral GP/Akkimardi, Nagaral, Shirol GP/Shirol, Uttur GP/Jaliber, Ranjanagi, Rugi, Uttur, Vantigodi GP/Mallapur (P.J), Mirji, Vantigodi and Chanal villages. Mudhol TMC

20 Terdal Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Ter 1 Jamkhandi Taluk (Part) 2 Terdal Circle (Including Rabkavi Banhatti CMC & Terdal TMC) 3 Mudhol Taluk (Part) 1 Mudhol Circle (Part)Dhavaleshwar/Dhavaleshwar, Nandagoan, Kesrakoppa, Bisanal, Kesrakoppa, Madhabhavi/Madhabhavi, Marapur, Sanganatti and Saidapur/Saidapur villages. Mahalingapur TMC

21 Jamkhandi Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1 Jamkhandi Taluk (Part) 1 Jamakhandi and 3 Savalagi Circles.

22 Bilgi Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 2 Bilgi Taluk 5 Bagalkot Taluk (Part) 2 Kaladagi and 3 Kerur Circles.

23 Badami Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 4 Badami Taluk (Part) 1 Badami, 2 Kulageri and 4 Guledagudda Circles. Guledgudda TMC Kerur TP Badami TP

24 Bagalkot Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 4 Badami Taluk (Part) 5 Bagalkot Taluk (Part) 1 Bagalkot and 3 Sitimani Circles. Bagalkot CMC 6 Hungund Taluk (Part) 4 Aminagad Circle (Part) Aiahole GP Aiahole, Huvinahalli, Kalligudda, Mullur, Nimbalgundi, Aminagad GP Aminagad, Hiremagi GP, Bevinal, Budihal (Inam), Hiremagi, Madapur, Kamatgi GP Kamatgi, Muganur GP, Amblikoppa, Basarikatti, Basawanal, Budihal (S.K.), Kadiwal, Kallapur, Muganur, Ramathal, Suralikal and Yeranaikanal villages.

25 Hungund Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 6 Hungund Taluk (Part) 1 Hunagund, 2 Ilkal and 3 Karadi Circles. 4 Aminagad Circle (Part) Chikanal GP, Benakanavari, Bhimanagad, Chikanal, Chilapur, Kyadiggeri, Siddanakolla, Upnal (S.C.), Gudur GP, Gudur, Kelur GP Kelur, Kunabenchi, Tallikeri, Nagur GP, Ilal, Rakkasagi GP Rakkasagi, Sulibhavi GP Sulibhavi, Vadageri GP, Dammur, Gandal, Gorjnal, Muradi and Vadageri villages. Hungund TP Ilkal TMC

Places of interest
Aihole, Badami, Bilgi, Hungund, Jamkhandi, Mudhol, Pattadakal