Bangalore - Capital of Karnataka

Bangalore - Garden City of India

Photo taken from the top of one of the Kempe Gowda Towers

Legend says that in 13th centuary , Hoysala King Veera Ballala  got lost on an hunting expedition . Tired and hungry, he was offered boiled beans by an old lady. Overwhelmed with gratitude, he named this area as "Benda-kaal-ooru", which means "City of Cooked  Beans".  Later British renamed as Bangalore.
Bangalore /  Bengaluru  is the capital of Karnataka state & the fifth largest city in India. This city is famous for it's tree lined avenues, beautiful gardens, monuments & above all a pleasant climate. Now there are so many nick names - Garden City of India, Retired Man's Paradise, Fashion capital of India,  Silicon Valley of India, Byte Basket , Hi-tech capital of India etc.. 

The arichitect of modern Bangalore is Kempe Gowda (1513- 1539)  a chieftain under Vijayanagar Empire. He was impressed by  Hampi , the beautiful capital of Vijayanagar Kingdom. He wished to build a new city & expressed his desire to the king. King not only granted permission to build a new city but also donated 12 hoblis (revenue subdivisions) with an annual income of 30,000 varahas (gold coins). Yelahanka town is the one of the oldest (more than 500 years) in Karnataka.  At present it's the northern periphery of Bangalore City.
Kempe Gowda Tower situated on the top of  a 3000 million year  old rock in LalBagh Gardens.

Kempe Gowda built a mud fort with eight huge gates & four watch towers to mark his territtory. The four towers are situated-  inside Lalbagh park, one near Mekhri circle, near Kempambudhi lake & one near Ulsoor lake. City was divided into commercial localities called "Pet".  Even now some places are known by those names  eg Chickpet (little town), Doddapet (big town),Taragupet (grain market), Halipet(cotton market) etc.. He built so many temples & lakes in & around Bangalore. Bull Temple at Basavangudi , Gavi Gangeswara Temple at Gavipuram & Ulsoor lake (Halsur / Alasur)  are some of them.

Comments

[Aarathi]

Hi Nikhil,
Thankyou for the book ref. Will try to get it. In school,I was bored studying Indian Independence struggle each & every yr. I wonder why in India they don't teach us abt our rich heritage.
Aarathi

[Nikhil Narayanan]

Pick up Peter Colaco's Bangalore,if you have not already.Tracks Bangalore history.

Available at Blossoms,Church Street.

-Nikhil