Karnataka
| Karnataka | |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Land of the Sandalwood |
| Capital | Bengaluru |
| Largest City | Bengaluru |
| Country | India |
| Official Language | Kannada |
| Area | 1,91,791 km² |
| Population | 6.7 crore (approx.) |
| Districts | 31 |
| Founded | 1 November 1956 |
Karnataka is a state located in the southwestern region of India, bordered by Maharashtra and Goa to the north, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west. Known as the Land of the Sandalwood, Karnataka is home to Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley and one of the world's leading technology hubs. The state is renowned for its rich history, magnificent temples, diverse wildlife, lush forests and vibrant cultural heritage. Karnataka was formed on 1 November 1956 following the States Reorganisation Act, and the day is celebrated annually as Karnataka Rajyotsava.
Geography
Karnataka's geography is diverse, comprising three distinct regions — the coastal Karavali belt along the Arabian Sea, the hilly Malnad region of the Western Ghats, and the vast Bayaluseeme plateau of the Deccan in the interior. The Western Ghats run along the western edge of the state and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight biodiversity hotspots.
Major rivers flowing through Karnataka include the Kaveri, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Sharavathi and Netravathi. The Jog Falls on the Sharavathi River is one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India.
History
Karnataka has a rich and ancient history spanning several millennia. The region was home to several powerful kingdoms and dynasties including the Kadambas, Gangas, Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire and the Wodeyars of Mysore.
The Vijayanagara Empire, which had its capital at Hampi, was one of the greatest empires in Indian history, ruling much of South India from the 14th to 17th centuries. The ruins of Hampi are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hoysala dynasty built magnificent temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathapura, renowned for their intricate stone carvings.
The state came under British influence in the early 19th century. After Indian independence, the Mysore State was reorganised and renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973.
Economy
Karnataka is one of the most economically advanced states in India. Key sectors include:
- Information Technology — Bengaluru is India's Silicon Valley and one of the world's top technology hubs, home to major global IT companies and thousands of startups
- Agriculture — Karnataka is a leading producer of coffee, silk, sandalwood, sugarcane, ragi and horticulture crops
- Aerospace and Defence — Home to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and several defence establishments
- Textiles — Silk weaving, particularly the famous Mysore silk, is a major industry
- Tourism — A rapidly growing sector driven by heritage sites, wildlife reserves and religious destinations
- Mining — Karnataka is a major producer of iron ore, gold and limestone
Tourism
Karnataka is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites and major tourist destinations:
- Hampi — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ruins of the magnificent Vijayanagara Empire capital
- Pattadakal — A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring early Chalukya temples
- Mysuru (Mysore) — Known for the grand Mysore Palace, Chamundeshwari Temple and the famous Mysuru Dasara festival
- Coorg (Kodagu) — A scenic hill district known as the Scotland of India, famous for coffee plantations and natural beauty
- Bandipur National Park — A major tiger reserve and wildlife sanctuary
- Nagarhole National Park — A renowned wildlife reserve home to tigers, elephants and leopards
- Gokarna — A sacred coastal town known for its temples and pristine beaches
- Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal — Ancient cave temples and early Chalukya architectural heritage
Culture
Karnataka has a rich and ancient cultural tradition rooted in Kannada language and literature, which has a history of over 2,500 years. The state has produced several Jnanpith Award winning writers and is known for its classical music tradition including Carnatic music and the distinctive Yakshagana theatre form.
The Mysuru Dasara festival is the state festival of Karnataka, celebrated with great grandeur for ten days in October. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with nearly 100,000 light bulbs during this period, creating one of the most spectacular visual displays in India.
Karnataka cuisine is diverse and distinctive, featuring dishes such as Bisi Bele Bath, Ragi Mudde, Mysore Masala Dosa, Coorg Pandi Curry and Udupi cuisine.
Education
Karnataka has several prominent educational institutions:
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bengaluru
- Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi
- University of Mysore, Mysuru
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
Transport
Karnataka has a well-connected transport network:
- Airports — Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru), Mangaluru International Airport, Mysuru Airport and Hubballi Airport
- Railways — Karnataka is well connected by the Indian Railways network with major junctions at Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi and Mangaluru
- Roads — The state has an extensive network of national and state highways; the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is one of the key road corridors
- Metro — Namma Metro serves Bengaluru as a modern urban rapid transit system