Karnataka

Karnataka is a state in India. It has an area of about 1,91,791 sq kms. Population of this state is 52,850,562 as per census 2001. Bangalore is its capital city. Kannada is the principal languages of the state.

History and Geography

Karnataka has a written history of more than 2,000 years. Apart from its subjection to the rule of the Nandas, Mauryas, and the Shatavahanas, Karnataka came to have indigenous dynasties like the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas from the middle of the 4th century AD. Gomateshwara monolith at Sharavanabelagola was installed by a Ganga minister Chavundaraya. The Chalukyas of Badami (500-735 AD) ruled over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609-642 AD), who even defeated Harshavardhana of Kannauj. This dynasty created fine monuments at Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal, both structural and rock-cut. Aihole has been one of the cradles of temple architecture in the country. The Rashtrakutas (753-973 AD) of Malkhed, who succeeded them, levied tribute on the rulers of Kannauj successively in the so-called ‘Age of Imperial Kannauj'. Kannada literature developed during this period. Outstanding Jain scholars of India lived in their court. The Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189 AD) and their feudatories, the Hoysalas of Halebidu built fine temples, encouraged literature and fine arts. Noted jurist Vijnaneshwara (work: Mitakshara ) lived at Kalyana. Great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1646) fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts, religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade also flourished during their rule. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar) and the Bijapur Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saracenic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (tobacco, maize, chillies, groundnut, potato, etc.). After the fall of the Peshwa (1818) and Tipu (1799), Karnataka came under the British control. Christian missionaries introduced English education and printing during the 19th century. Revolution in transport, communication and industries was evident, making way for the emergence of the urban middle-class. Mysore dynasty helped industrialisation and cultural growth. Freedom Movement was followed by the movement for the unification of Karnataka. After Indian independence, the new united Mysore State was created in 1956, and was renamed Karnataka in 1973. Karnataka lies to the south of Goa and Maharashtra, to the west of Andhra Pradesh, to the north-west of Tamil Nadu and to the north of Kerala. It has a sea-coast of nearly 400 km (300 km with inundations).

There are 28 Lok Sabha and 224 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies in the state.

Districts

Bagalkot District Bangalore District Bangalore Rural District Belgaum District Bellary District Bidar District Bijapur District Chamrajnagar District Chickmagalur District Chitradurga District Dakshina Kannad District Davangere District Dharwad District Gadag District Gulbarga District Hassan District Haveri District Kodagu District Kolar District Koppal District Mandya District Mysore District Raichur District Shimoga District Tumkur District Udupi District Uttar Kannada District

Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha (Legislavite Assembly) constituencies after delimitation order of 2008

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Karnataka

History and Geography

Districts

Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha (Legislavite Assembly) constituencies after delimitation order of 2008