Karnataka

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  • Karnataka is a state in Southwestern India.
  • It was formed on 1st November 1956.
  • The state borders Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Arabia sea to the west.
  • It is 7th largest state by area and 8th by population.

State Symbols:

  • Animal: Indian Elephant
  • Bird: Indian Roller
  • Song: Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate
  • Flower: Lotus
  • Tree: Sandalwood
  • Emblem: Gandaberunda

History:

  • Gold found in Harappa is said to be have been imported from mines in Karnataka.
  • As per the recorded ancient history, region of Karnataka at various periods came under the regimes of Nandas, Maurayans, Satavahanas, and various local kingdoms.
  • The decline of Satavhanas gave rise to the local dynasties like Kadambas and Western Gangas.
  • Kadambas ruled large parts of present-day Karnataka from 345 to 525 CE with their capital at Banavasi in Northern Karnataka region.
  • Kadamba Dynasty was founded by Mayurasharma by defeating the Pallavas of Kanchi, the empire reached its highest glory under the King Kakusthaverma(435-455 CE) who had martial alliances with Guptas.
  • Earliest inscriptions in Kannada can be found at Banavasi, which were inscribed during the Kadamba period.
  • In the later years, they became the feudatories under Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.
  • Inscriptions in Sanskrit and Kannada are the main sources of the Kadamba history. 
  • The Talagunda, Gundanur, Chandravalli, Halasi, and Halmidi inscriptions are some of the important inscriptions that give us information about Kadambas.
  • The Kadamba kings called themselves Dharmamaharajas like the Satavahana kings.
  • Kadambotsava ("The festival of Kadamba") a festival is celebrated every year by Government of Karnataka in honor of this kingdom.
  • Western Ganga Dynasty ruled a part of present-day Karnataka from 350 - 1000CE, with their capitals at Kolar and Talakadu.
  • They are called as Western Gangas to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who ruled Kalinga region in the medieval centuries.
  • Gangas emerged after the weakening of Pallava empire after the southern conquests of Samudra Gupta.
  • Their sovereignty lasted until 550 CE after which they accepted the overlordship of Chalukyas of Badami and then of Rashtrakutas.
  • Ganga Dynasty was finally ended in 1000 CE after Cholas defeated them.
  • Monuments of Kambadahalli and Shravanabelagola were built under Gangas.
  • The area they controlled was called Gangavadi and included regions of the modern districts of Mysore, Hassan Chamarajanagar, Tumkur, Kolar, Mandya, and Bangalore.
  • Praje gavundas mentioned in the Ganga records held responsibilities similar to those of the village elders (gramavriddhas) mentioned in Arthashastra.
  • Chavundaraya's writing, Chavundaraya Purana (or Trishashtilakshana mahapurana) of 978 CE, is an early existing work in prose style in Kannada and contains a summary of the Sanskrit writings was written under the patronage of Gangas.
  • Chalukyas ruled parts of India from 6th to 12th centuries CE from their capital Badami or Vatapi. Three dynasties shared the power during the period.
  • They emerged after the decline of Kadambas in 543CE.
  • Pulakesin II was the most decorated ruler of Chalukyas.
  • Eastern or Vengi Chalukyas(624-1189) separated after the death of Pulakesin II(642CE).
  • The last Chalukya king, Kirtivarman II, was overthrown by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga in 753.
  • The rise of Rashtrakutas eclipsed the Badami Chalukyas in the 8th century.
  • Western Chalukyas(973-1189) rose to power again in the 10th century CE, ruling from Kalyani.
  • The structural temples at Pattadakal, built in the 8th century during Chalukyas time are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • A celebration called Chalukya utsava, a three-day festival of music and dance, organized by the Government of Karnataka, is held every year at Pattadakal, Badami, and Aihole.

  • Rashtrakutas ruled Karnataka Region from 753 to 982 CE with their capital at Manyakheta(Malkhed). They were the contemporaries of Palas and Pratiharas.
  • At the peak of the empire, they ruled from Ganga Yamuna doab to Kanyakumari in the south.
  • Amoghavarsha I, the most famous king of Rashtrakutas wrote Kavirajamarga, a landmark literary work in the Kannada language.
  • Kailasnath temple at Ellora was constructed under the regime of Rashtrakutas.
  • Dantidurga was the first ruler of Rashtrakutas, established the dynasty after defeating Chalukyas in 753 CE.
  • Under the rule of Govinda III, the empire had its largest expanse. It is said that the Pallavas, Cholas, Cheras and the kings of Ceylon paid him tributes.
  • The successor of Govinda III, Amoghavarsha I made Manyakheta his capital and ruled a large empire.

  • Hoyasalas Ruled most of the modern day Karnataka from 1026 - 1343 CE with their capitals at Belur and Halebidu.
  • Kannada folklore tells a tale of a young man, Sala, who saved his Jain guru, Sudatta, by striking dead a tiger he encountered near the temple of the goddess Vasantika at Angadi, now called Sosevuru. The word "strike" literally translates to "hoy" in Old Kannada, hence the name "Hoy-sala".
  • Hoyasalas are known for their architectural style.
  • Hoyasalas were able to resist the campaigns by Malik kafur for a relatively long time than compared to their contemporaries.
  • Veera Ballala III was killed at the battle of Madurai in 1343. Then the sovereign territories of Hoyasalas came under the administrative control of Harihara I, who later went on to establish Vijayanagara empire.

  • The Kalachuris of Kalyani ruled over parts of present-day northern Karnataka and Maharashtra from 1156 CE–1181 CE.

  • The Seuna, Sevuna or Yadavas of Devagiri (850–1334 CE), which at its peak ruled a kingdom stretching from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada rivers, from its capital at Devagiri(Daultabad). They were initially feudatories of Western Chalukyas. They were the contemporaries of Hoyasalas. Conquered by Allauddin Khilji in 1307. With Devagiri as the base, Allauddin started the campaign against Kaktiyas.

  • Harihara and Bukkaraya of Sangama dynasty established Vijayanagara empire in 1336.
  • Vidyaranya, a saint at the Sringeri monastery inspired the brothers to fight the Muslim invasion in south India.
  • Lasted till 1646. Although it started to decline after major defeat at the Battle of Thalikota in 1565.
  • The empire's patronage enabled fine arts and literature to reach new heights in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit, while Carnatic music evolved into its current form.
  • In 1485, Saluva Narasimha led a coup and ended the dynastic rule of Sangama dynasty.
  • In 1505, another commander Tuluva Narasa Nayaka took over the Vijayanagara rule from the Sulava descendant in a coup. The empire came under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya in 1509, the son of Tuluva Narasa Nayaka.
  • After the death of Aliya Rama Raya in the Battle of Talikota, Tirumala Deva Raya started the Aravidu dynasty, moved and founded a new capital of Penukonda to replace the destroyed Hampi, and attempted to reconstitute the remains of Vijayanagara Empire.
  • The Aravidu dynasty successors ruled the region but the empire collapsed in 1614, and the final remains ended in 1646, from continued wars with the Bijapur Sultanate and others. During this period, more kingdoms in South India became independent and separate from Vijayanagara. These include the Mysore Kingdom, Keladi Nayaka, Nayaks of Madurai, Nayaks of Tanjore, Nayakas of Chitradurga and Nayak Kingdom of Gingee.
  • The empire was divided into five main provinces (Rajya), each under a commander (Dandanayaka or Dandanatha) and headed by a governor, often from the royal family, who used the native language for administrative purposes.
  • The Vijayanagara empire was among the first in India to use long-range artillery commonly manned by foreign gunners.
  • Vijayanagara(Hampi) is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Sanskrit work, Jambavati Kalyanam is by King Krishnadevaraya.
  • Sayana was an importanat Sanskrit scholor in Bukkaraya I's court.
  • Madura Vijayam(Conquest of Madurai) by Princess Gangadevi, a daughter-in-law of King Bukka I.
  • Krishnadevaraya was an accomplished Telugu scholar and wrote the celebrated Amuktamalyada.
  • Amuktamalyada ("One who wears and gives away garlands") narrates the story of the wedding of the god Vishnu to Andal, the Tamil Alvar saint-poet and the daughter of Periyalvar at Srirangam.

  • The Kingdom of Mysore was founded in 1399.
  • Initially, they were the feudatories of Vijayanagara. They became independent after the decline of Vijayanagara influence in 1565.
  • It made the major gain in the 17th century under the kings Narasaraja Wodeyar I and Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar.
  • The kingdom reached the height of its economic and military power and dominion in the latter half of the 18th century under the de facto ruler Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. 
  • During this time, it came into conflict with the Marathas, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Kingdom of Travancore and the British, which culminated in the four Anglo-Mysore Wars.
  • Wodeyars were restored in 1799 after the defeat of Tipu Sultan in 4th Anglo Mysore war.
  • In a bid to stem Haidar's rise, the British formed an alliance with the Marathas and the Nizam of Golconda, culminating in the First Anglo-Mysore War in 1767.
  • 2nd Anglo Mysore war started in 1779 which ended in 1784, with the Treaty of Mysore. The treaty was the last such one where an Indian power dictated the terms and British had to concede to them.
  • 3rd Anglo Mysore war started in 1790 and 4th in 1799.

  • In 1537, Kempe Gowda, a feudal ruler under Vijayanagara constructed a mud fort and laid foundations for the city of Bengaluru. The city was conquered by Marathas in 1638, later Mughals conquered it after 50 years and sold it to Wodeyars of Mysore. He laid the foundations of Bangalore fort in 1537. It was initially mud fort which was replaced with the stone fort by Hyder Ali.
  • Hyder Ali also laid the foundations of Lal Bagh gardens inspired by Mughal gardens.
  • Kittur Chennamma(1776-1829) was the queen of Kittur and was one of the first female rulers to rebel against the British rule.
  • Sangoli Rayanna(1798-1831) was the army chief of Kittur Chennamma. He continued the struggle against the British even after Chennamma was captured by the British. He was later captured and hanged by the British.

  • Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle visited Mangaluru in 1623.


Art and culture of Karnataka:

Some popular dance forms of Karnataka:

  • Veeragase
  • Kamsale
  • Dollu Kunthia
  • Yakshagana


Haridasa Movement:

  • Madhavacharya(1238-1317) started Haridasa movement in Karnataka, which later spread to eastern Indian regions of Bengal and Assam. The main objective of the movement was to spread the Dvaita philosophy.
  • Prominent philosophers, poets and scholars such as Sripadaraya, Vyasathirtha, Vadirajatirtha, Purandara Dasa(1484-1564) and Kanaka Dasa played an important role in this movement.

Language:

  • The Halmidi inscription, the earliest attested full-length inscription in the Kannada language and script, dates from 450 CE, while the earliest available literary work, the Kavirajamarga, has been dated to 850 CE.
  • Kuvempu, the renowned Kannada poet and writer who wrote Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate, the state anthem of Karnataka.
  • Tulu Mahabharato, written by Arunabja in the Tigalari script, is the oldest surviving Tulu text.

Geography:

The state has three distinct geographical zones:
  1. The coastal region is known as Karavali
  2. Hilly region of western ghats known as Malenadu and
  3. Palins of Deccan plateau known as Bayaluseeme.

  • The highest point in Karnataka is the Mullayanagiri in Chickmagalur district which has an altitude of 1,929 meters (6,329 ft).
  • Kaveri, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Malaprabha, Sharavathi, Pennar, Palar, Bhadra, Ghataprabha, Kabini, Shimsha etc., are some of the important east flowing rivers that drain Karnataka.
  • Some of the west flowing rivers are Gangavalli, Aghanashini, Kali, Kumaradhara, Mahadai, Shambavi, Varahi, Souparnika, Sharavathi, Netravati, Gurupura, seethanadhi etc.,
  • Karnataka has airports at Bangalore, Mangalore, Belgaum, Hubli, Hampi, Bellary and Mysore with international operations from Bangalore and Mangalore airports.
  • Karnataka has 1 major sea port; the New Mangaluru Port and 10 minor ports; Karwar, Belekeri, Tadri, Honnavara, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Hangarkatta, Malpe, Padubidri and Old Mangaluru.


Tourism:

  • Monuments of Hampi and Pattadakal(on the banks of river malaprabha) are the two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Karnataka.
  • Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole
  • Badami Cave Temple
  • Amriteshwara temple at Anigeri.
  • Bankapura, Dharwad
  • Siddeshwara temple at Haveri
  • Gol Gumbaz, Gokarna,  Kudalasangama in Bagalkot District is associated with Saint Basaveshwara, Murudeshwara, Biligirirangan Hills

National parks in Karnataka:

  • Anshi National Park
  • Bandipur National Park
  • Bannerghatta National Park
  • Kudremukh National Park
  • Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park


Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka:

  • Adichunchunagiri WLS, Arabithittu WLS, Attiveri WLS, Bhadra WLS, Bhimgad WLS, Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (B.R.T.) WLS  , Brahmagiri WLS, Cauvery WLS, Chincholi WLS, Dandeli WLS    , Daroji Bear WLS, Ghataprabha Bird WLS, Gudavi WLS, Gudekote Sloth Bear WLS, Malai Mahadeshwara WLS, Melkote Temple WLS, Mookambika WLS, Nugu WLS, Pushpagiri WLS, Ranebennur Black Buck WLS, Ranganathittu Bird WLS,  Ramadevara Betta Vulture WLS, Rangayyanadurga Four-horned antelope, Sharavathi Valley WLS, Shettihalli WLS, Someshwara WLS, Talakaveri WLS, Jogimatti WLS, Thimlapura WLS, Yadahalli Chinkara WLS.


Geographical Indications of Karnataka:


Agriculture:


  • Appemidi Mango
  • Bangalore Blue Grapes
  • Bangalore Rose Onion(Gulabi Errulli)
  • Bydagi Chilli
  • Coorg Green Cardamom
  • Coor Orange
  • Devanahalli Pomelo(citrus fruit)
  • Hadagalli Malligae(flower)
  • Kamalapur Red Banana
  • Moonsooned Malabar Arabica Coffee
  • Moonsooned Malaba Robusta Coffee
  • Mysore Betel Leaf
  • Udipi Malligae
  • Udipi Mattu Gulla Brinjal


Food


  • Dharwad Pedha


Handicrafts


  • Bidriware
  • Channapatana Toys and Dolls
  • Ganjifa Cards of Mysore
  • Ilkal Sarees
  • Karnataka Bronze Ware
  • Kasauti Embroidery
  • Kinhal Toys
  • Molakalamuru Sarees
  • Mysore Rosewood Inlay
  • Mysore Silk
  • Mysore Traditional Paintings
  • Navalagund Durries
  • Sandur Lambani Embroidery


Manufactured:


  • Mysore Agarbathi
  • Mysore Sandal Soap
  • Mysore Sandal Oil


Textile:


  • Guledgudd Khana
  • Udipi Saree