Bellary

Bellary is a district in the State of Karnataka in India. It is situated between 15° 30’ and 15°50’ north latitude and 75° 40’ and 77° 11’ east longitude. It is bounded by Raichur district on the north, Koppal district on the west, Chitradurga and Davanagere districts on the south, and Anantapur and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh on the east. The geographical area is 8447 sq. km.

Bellary district takes its name from the word Balari which refers to goddess Durugamma as this goddess had manifested herself in the town.

As per 2001 census the population of the district stood at 22,45,000. The rural population constitute 70%. The density of population is 196 per sq. km., which is much lower than the state average of 235 per sq.km. The sex-ratio was 965, which is slightly higher than the state average of 960.

It has 2 revenue sub divisions, Bellary subdivision and Hospet subdivision, which in all have seven taluks. The Bellary subdivision has 3 taluks, while there are four taluks in Hospet subdivision. There are 27 hoblies, two CMC's, one town municipality, seven town panchayats, 542 revenue villages, and 436 thandas/habitations.

The normal rainfall is 639 mm. The major occupation of this district is agriculture and 75% total labour force is dependent on agriculture for livelihood.

History

History of Bellary dates back to Ramayana Era (6th century BC) and some of the events in the great epic Ramayana are related to this place.

Rama, while searching for Sita, met Sugreeva and Hanuman at a place which is very near to Hampi, the celebrated capital of Vijayanagara kingdom.

It acquired significant role during Satavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas of Kalyana, Kalachuryas, Sevunas and Hoysalas period. There upon the Vijayanagara rulers built the " City of Victory " on the bank of Tungabhadra river at Hampi in Hospet Taluk. This area which had witnessed the prosperity to its peak fell into political turmoil after the fall of Vijayanagara in 1565.

The Vijayanagara empire was based in the Deccan, in peninsular and southern India, from 1336 onwards. It was founded by Harihara, also known as Hakka, and his brother Bukka Raya. It is named after its capital city (now ruined) of Vijayanagara, in modern Karnataka, India. It lasted from about 1336 to perhaps about 1660, though throughout its last century it was in a slow decline due to a massive and catastrophic defeat at the hands of an alliance of the sultanates, and the capital was taken and brutally razed and looted.

This district was transferred to the erstwhile Mysore State on 1st October 1953 from Madras State. With the re-organisation of the districts during 1997, the number of taluks is reduced to 7. The Harapanahalli taluk has been transferred to Davanagere district.

Politics

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

88 Hadagalli Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1 Hadagalli Taluk 2 Hagaribommanahalli Taluk (Part) 3 Hampasagara Circle.

89 Hagaribommanahalli Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 2 Hagaribommanahalli Taluk (Part) 1 Hagaribommnahalli, 2 Kogali (Malvi) and 4 Thambrahalli Circles. 3 Hospet Taluk (Part) 4 Mariyammanahalli Circle. 4 Kottur Circle (Part) Dhoopadahalli GP – Bevoor, Dhoopadahalli, K.Basapura, Tanda, Hyalya GP – Hampapura, Hyalya, Kodihalli, Motikal Tanda, Sirinayakanahalli, Kotturu Ayyanahalli GP – Chapparadahalli, Haralu, Kannanayakanakatte, Kotturu Ayyanahalli, Kandagal GP – Gajapura, Kandagal, Thimmalapura, Rampura GP - Chiribi, Rampura Kottur TP

90 Vijayanagara Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 3 Hospet Taluk (Part) 1 Hospet and 2 Kamalapura Circles Hospet CMC Kamalapura TP

91 Kampli Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 3 Hospet Taluk (Part) 3 Kampli Circle Kampli TMC 5 Bellary Taluk (Part) 3 Kolur Circle. 2 Kurugodu Circle (Part) Badanahatti GP – Badanahatti Emmiganur GP - Emmiganur, Genikihal GP - Genikihal, Kyadigehal Havinahal Veerapura GP - Havinahal Veerapura, Somalapura, Chitiginahalu, Kallukamba GP - Kallukamba, Karikeri, Lakshmipura, Mustagatta, Kurugodu GP - Kurugodu Nelludi GP - Nelludi, Kotal Camp Orvai GP - Guttiganur, Orvai, Pattanasaragu, Siddammanahalli GP-Siddammanahalli

92 Siruguppa Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 4 Siruguppa Taluk

93 Bellary Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 5 Bellary Taluk (Part) 1 Bellary, 4 Moka and 5 Rupanagudi Circles. Bellary (CMC) (Part) Bellary (CMC) - Ward No.23 to 30 and 32.

94 Bellary City Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 5 Bellary Taluk (Part) Bellary (CMC) (Part) Bellary (CMC) - Ward No.1 to 22, 31and 33 to 35. Bellary (R), Bisalahalli and Andralu.

95 Sandur Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 6 Sandur Taluk 5 Bellary Taluk (Part) 2 Kurugodu Circle (Part) Kudathini GP – Kudathini, Veniveerapura Yelubemchi GP – Thimmalapura, Yelubemchi

96 Kudligi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - 7 Kudligi Taluk (Part) 1 Kudligi, 2 Gudekote and 3 Hosahalli Circles. 4 Kottur Circle (Part) Kalapura GP – Hirevaddarahalli, Joladakudligi, Kalapura Thoolahalli GP – Nagarakatti, Thoolahalli, Ujjini GP - Ujjini, Kudligi TP

Places of interest
Hampi, Bear Sanctuary, Sandur