The name Karnataka is derived from Karunadu, literally lofty land. The history of Karnataka dates back to the period of epics. The capital of Bali and Sugreeva, 'Monkey Kings' of the Ramayana is said to have been Hampi in the Bellary district.
In the 4th century BC., a local dynasty Satavahana came to power and his dynasty's rule lasted nearly 300 years. With the disintegration of the Satavahana dynasty, the Kadambas came to power in the north, and the Gangas in the south of the State. The gigantic monolithic statue of Gomateswara is considered to be the monument of the Ganga period. The Chalukyas of Badami (500 to 735 AD) ruled over a wider area, from the Narmada to the Kaveri from the days of Pulikeshi II (609 to 642 AD) who had even defeated Harshvardhana 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 architecturein the country. The Rastrakatas (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 in 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. The great religious leader Basaveshwara was a minister at Kalyana. Vijaynagar Empire (1136 to 1646 AD) fostered indigenous traditions and encouraged arts religion and literature in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil. Overseas trade flourished. The Bahamani Sultans (Capital - Gulbarga , later Bidar and Bijapur) Adilshahis raised fine Indo-Saranic buildings and encouraged Urdu and Persian literature. Advent of the Portuguese resulted in the introduction of new crops (tobacco, chilies, potato etc.). After the fall of Peshwa (1818 AD) and Tipu (1799 AD) Karnataka came under the British.
After independence, the new united Mysore State was created in 1956 and was renamed Karnataka in
1973 AD.
State Capital
Bangalore
Population ('000s in 1991)
44,977
Area ('000 sq. km)
192
Females per 1000 males (1991)
960
Literacy rate (1991)
56
Ratio of urban population (1991)
30.9
Net Domestic Product
291,220 (Rs. million at current prices in 1992-93)
Per Capita Income
6,313 (Rs. at current prices in 1992-93)
Principal Language
Kannada
The Geography
Situated on the western edge of the Deccan plateau it is bordered by Maharashtra and Goa on the north, Andhra Pradesh on the east, Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the south and the Arabian Sea on the west. As it is on the dividing line between the north and the south of the continent, Karnataka is the state where the north and south truly meet. The name Karnataka is derived from the Kannada word Karunadu, literally, lofty land and is aptly justified as most of the state is situated on high plateau land. The two most important river systems of Karnataka are the Krishna and its tributaries in the north and the Cauvery [Kaveri] and its tributaries in the south. Both these rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal , the Krishna passing through Andhra Pradesh and the Cauvery through Tamil Nadu.
The Western Ghats , called Malnad or hill country, have beautiful dense forests with waterfalls, wildlife parks and crops of teak, sandalwood and coffee. Although parts of northern Karnataka are barren, rocky and covered with shrub, the state has a lush coastline with exquisite beaches similar to those up north in Goa,but quieter and more relaxed.The local sports of buffalo racing is conducting with great enthusiasm in the waterlogged paddy fields along the coast.
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