Karnataka has a hoary past. The prehistoric culture of Karnataka viz., the Hand-axe culture, compares favourably with the one that existed in Africa and is quite distinct from the pre-historic culture of North India. The ragi grain is found commonly in pre-historic sites of Africa and Karnataka. Parts of Karnataka were subject to the rule of the Nandas and the Mauryas. Fourteen Ashokan (10 minor and 4 major) Rock Edicts found in Karnataka (two each at Nittur and Udagolam in Bellary district; one at Maski in Raichur district; one each at Gavimutt and Palkigundu in Koppal district; one each at Brahmagiri, Jattinga Rameshwara and Siddapura in Chitradurga district; and four at Sannati in Gulbarga district) testify to the extent of the Mauryan Empire. The Shatavahanas(circa 30 8.C to 230 AD.) of Paithan have also ruled over extensive areas in Northern Karnataka; some scholars even argue that this dynasty hailed from Karnataka , as in early times, Dharwad and Bellary districts were called Satavahanihara (or the Satavahana region). Some of their rulers were called kings of Kuntala. At Sannati in Gulbarga district, Vadgaon- Madhavpur near Belgaum and Brahmagiri in Chitradurga district, remains of their period have been found. Banavasi in Uttara Kannada has an inscription of their queen, and at Vasana in Nargund Tq. remains of a brick temple of Shaiva order are noticed. Later, Karnataka fell into the hands of the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Chutu Satakarnis, the Shatavahana feudatories, ruling from Banavasi after the fall of the Shatavahanas, also seem to have accepted the overlordship of the Pallavas. A bird's eye view of Karnataka 's political history can be presented here onwards. The Gangas and the Kadambas ruling from c.345 AD; the Chalukyas of Badami in Bagalkot district (c.540 to 753 AD) overthrowing the Kadambas and subjugating the Gangas; the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from Gulbarga district (753 to 973 AD) succeeding the Badami Chalukyas, and they in turn overthrown by the Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189AD), ruling from modern Basava Kalyana, in Bidar district. The Gangas who continued in the Southern parts, earlier as sovereign rulers (350 to 550 A D) and later as allies or feudatories of either Badami or Malkhed rulers till 1004 AD., paved way for the Chola rule when their territory viz., Gangawadi (Southern Karnataka) was occupied by the Cholas. The Cholas who dominated over Southern Karnataka from about 1004 AD. were overthrown by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana in 1114 AD. During the Kalyana Chalukya rule came the Kalachuri Interregnum (1162-1184). The Kalyana Chalukyas were overshadowed by their feudatories, viz the Sevunas of Devagiri and the Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra, who divided Karnataka between themselves; when the armies of the Delhi Sultan overthrew these two dynasties, the Vijayanagara Empire (1336) and the Bahamani Sultanate (1347) came to rule over Karnataka, and the former had control over the greater part of Karnataka . The city of Vijayanagara was captured by combined Shahi forces in 1565, and the capital of the empire was first shifted to Penugonda (1565) and later, to Chandragiri (Andhra Pradesh) and Vellore, beyond the frontiers of Karnataka. It continued as capital till 1646. Of the successors of Vijayanagar in Karnataka, among their numerous feudatories, the Mysore Odeyars, Chitradurga Palegars, Magadi Palegars and the Keladi Nayakas were the most important. With the weakening of the Mughal power in the North, the Marathas came to have control over northern districts of Karnataka. Haidar Ali, who usurped power from the Odeyars of Mysore in 1761, captured the Keladi and Chitradurga Kingdoms in 1763 and 1779 respectively. Karnataka came under British rule immediately after the overthrow of Tipu, Haidar's son in 1799 and the Marathas in 1818 (when the Peshwa was defeated). But after having been subjected to a number of administrations during the British rule and witnessed active participation in the freedom struggle for Self rule, it became a single State in 1956 and in 1973 it was renamed as 'Karnataka '. The Kadamba Dyanasty was founded by Mayuravarma, son of Bandhushena in c. 345 AD. The Pallavas were forced to recognise him as a sovereign, when he crowned himself at Banavasi in Uttara Kannada district. The great poet Kalidasa seems to have visited his court. The first Kannada record found at Halmidi (450 AD.) in Belur Taluk, Hassan district), was issued by this dynasty. The Kadambas built fine temples and bastis and the Kadamba Nagara style Shikharas is their contribution. Gangas of Talakad (C.350C.l024) The Gangas seems to have started their rule in c. 350 from Kolar and later their capital is said to have been shifted to Talakad (Mysore district). Many Ganga princes were not only scholars and writers, but also great patrons of scholarship. Later they continued to rule over Gangavadi (which comprised major parts of South Karnataka ) till the close of 10th century as subordinates of the Badami Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas. who tried to subjugate South Karnataka . Durvinita (c.529-579) was one of the great kings of this dynasty. He, being a scholar wrote both in Kannada and Sanskrit. The ancient Punnata Kingdom (the modern Heggadadevanakote taluk region) was merged in his Kingdom. His great grandson Bhuvikrama (c.654-79) was a strong ally of the Chalukyas, and at the Battle of Vilande (c.670) which was fought between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas, he helped the former to gain victory over Pallava Parameshwara Varman and snatching as a war trophy, the Pallava ruler's necklace called Ugrodaya for himself. Sripurusha, as a Chalukyan ally killed Pallava Nandi Varman 11 at Vilande in 731 and assumed the Pallava ruler's title Permanadi. This great ruler also wrote a Sanskrit work Gajashasthra. a treatise on elephants. At a later date, when the Cholas became strong, the Ganga king Butuga II (938-61) allied himself with the Rashtrakutas against the Cholas, and helped Rashtrakuta Krishna III (93967) to humiliate the Cholas by killing the Chola. Gangas dotted the country with many tanks. Kolar, said to be the core country of their initial rule, and Mysore district have many irrigational sources of their times. Their fine temples are seen at Kolar, Talakad, Begur; Nagavara, Gangavara, Nandi, Aretippur and Narasamangala. Chalukyas of Badami (C. 540-757)
It is the Chalukyas of Badami who brought the whole of Karnataka under a single rule. Built tanks in Haveri district. The first great prince of the dynasty was Pulikeshi I (c. 540-66 A.D) who built the great fort of Badami and performed Ashwamedha Yaga (horse sacrifice) as elucidated in his Badami cliff inscription of 543 AD, so far the earliest saka dated (Saka 465) inscription of Karnataka r after subduing many rulers including the Kadambas. His grandson, Pulikeshin 11 (c.608-42) built a vast empire which extended from the Narmada in the north, to the Cauvery, in the south. This prince founded the Eastern Chalukya Dynasty which ruled for five centuries in Andhra. (A later prince of this Vengi line, Kulottunga, even succeeded to the Chola throne in 1070). Harsha of Kanauj was defeated by Pulikeshin 11. The Chalukyan army has been called 'Karnatabala' and described as invincible in contemporary inscriptions. He exchanged embassies with Persia and the Chinese piligrim Hiuen Tsiang visited his court. Ultimately, the Pallavas conquered Badami in c. 642 A.D. after defeating Pulikeshin II's army. Vikramaditya I's son Vinayaditya (681-96) defeated the ruler of Kanauj, who claimed to be the paramount lord of the North (Sakalottarapathanatha). The Chalukyan empire included not only the whole of Karnataka and Maharashtra, but the greater part of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra, and also parts of Orissa and Tamilnadu. Vikramaditya II (733-744) in the line, defeated the Pallavas and entered the Pallava capital Kanchi victorious. In 753, Dantidurga, the Rashtrakuta feudatory of the Chalukyas, overthrew the Chalukyan king Keerthivarman II and his family inherited the fortunes of the Chalukyas. We owe the engraving of the celebrated monolithic Kailasa temple at Ellora (now in Maharashtra) to Dantidurga's uncle, Krishna I (756-74). Krishna's son, Dhruva (780-93) crossed the Narmada, and after defeating the celebrated princes like Vathsaraja of the Gurjara Prathihara family Dharrnapala, the Gouda King of Bengal and extracted tribute from the ruler of Kanauj, 'the seat of India's Paramountcy'. The achievements of the Chalukyas of Badami and Rashatrakutas by defeating the rulers of Kanauj have made the name of their era the "Age of Imperial Kanauj', a misnomer. Instead it should be called the "Age of Imperial Karnataka". Amoghavarsha Nripatunga (81478) son of Govinda III, had to face the threat of the Eastern (Vengi) Chalukyas, who challenged his very existence. But he succeeded in subduing them after defeating Vengi Chalukya Vijayaditya 11 at Vinagavalli. Adipurana and commentaries on the Shatkhandagamas called as Dhavala, Jayadhavala and Mahadhavala written in his court were the great Jaina works of all India importance. Kavirajamarga, the first extant Kannada work is of his times composed by his court poet Srivijaya in C. 850 A.D. Rashtrakuta Krishna III (936-67) subdued the Cholas in the South and established a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram. Even Rajashekhara, the celebrated Sanskrit writer; has called the Karnatas as great experts in the techniques of war. Soldiers from Karnataka were employed by the Palas of Bengal. One such Kannada warrior founded the Sena Dynasty of Bengal and the other Karnata Dynasty of Mithila (modern Tirhath in Bihar). (Some scholars ascribe the last named to their Kalachuri feudatories). The Rashtrakutas constructed many tanks and their temples are found at places like Sirivala, Sulepet, Gadikeshwar, Adaki, Sedam, Handarki, etc., in Gulbarga district; Naragund, Ron and Savadi in Gadag district and at Hampi also. Chalukyas of Kalyana (C.973-1189) The Chalukyas of Kalyana who claim to be the scions of the Badami Chalukyas, overthrew the Rashtrakutas in 973, and Taila II (Trailokya Malla}, the first ruler of the dynasty, later defeated the Chola rulers like Uttama and Rajaraja I, and even killed Paramara Munja of Dhara. His son Satyashraya (997-1008) patronised the great Kannada poet Ranna. Someshwara I (1043- 1068), Satyashrya's grand nephew, succeeded in resisting the efforts of the Cholas to subdue Karnataka , and Kalyana made his new capital (modern Basava Kalyana in Bidar district). Vikramaditya defeated the Paramaras of Central India thrice and once even plundered their capital Dhara. In the South, he captured Kanchi from the Cholas in 1085, and in the East, he conquered Vengi in 1093. One of his commanders Mahadeva built the Mahadeva temple at Itagi (Koppal district) one of the finest Chalukyan monuments eulogised, in their inscription as "Devalaya Chakravarthy" (Emperor of Temples) His son Someshwara III (1127- 39) was a great scholar. Manasollasa, a great work of multi-dimensions, which depicts the cultural conditions in South India, has sections on administration, medicine, architecture, painting, jewellery, cookery, dance, music, sports, etc. The Kalachuris, who were the feudatories of the Chalukyas, overthrew the Chalukyas and captured Kalyana in 1162. Bijjala, the first emperor of the dynasty, was the grand son of'Vikramaditya VI, through his motherside. Though the Chalukyas staged a comeback in 1184 under Someshwara IV, their power was overshadowed by their feudatories, the Hoysalas and the Sevunas of Devagiri, who encroached upon the Chalukyan territory, and finally divided Karnataka between themselves. The Chalukyas were great builders, and their beautiful temples renowned for fine and intricate engravings are found at many places like Itagi in Yelburga taluk, Gadag, Dambal, Lakkundi (Gadag District), Balligavi (Shimoga District), Kuruvatti, Chaudadanapura (Ranebennur Taluk}, Unakal in Hubli Taluk and at Nagavi, Adki, Yewur, Sedam, Kulageri, Kollur, Diggavi, Madiyala and Kalagi (in Gulbarga Dt); Kadlewada, Chattaraki, Teradal, Nimbala, Muttagi, etc. in Bijapur district. They were great patrons of scholars, and Sanskrit writers like Vadiraja and Kannada poets like Ranna, Durgasimha and Nayasena lived in their times. The Virashaiva movement saw the advent of Vachana literature in Kannada, initiated by [edara Dasimayya and Kembhavi Bhoganna. The Sevunas (Yadavas) who were the feudatories of both the Rastrakutas and the Chalukyas of Kalyana, became a sovereign power from the days of Bhillama V (1173-92) who founded the new capital Devagiri (modern Daulathabad in Maharashtra). Earlier they ruled from Sindhinera (modern Sinnar) near Nashik. Singhana II (1199-1247), the greatest of the Sevunas, extended the Sevuna kingdom upto the Tungabhadra. mathematician Bhaskaracharya, the great writer on music Sharngadeva, and of the celebrated scholar Hemadri. The Sevunas built fine temples called Hemadpanthi structures which are found all over Maharashtra. The Virabhadra temple at Yedur in Belgum district is one of their structures. They renovated many temples in North Karnataka. The Hoysalas continued the great tradition of their art-loving overlords, viz., the Kalyana Chalukyas, and their fine temples are found at Beluru, Halebidu and Ramanathapura. The first great ruler of the dynasty, Vishnuvardhana (c.1108-1152) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas (who had held it from 1004), and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated Vijayanarayana (Chennakeshava) Temple at Belur, His kingdom was visited by Ramanujacharya, who stayed at Saligrama, Tonnur, Melkote and other places in Karnataka for long. It was his commanders Harihara and Bukka, who founded the Vijayanagara Kindgorn, which later grew to be an Empire. Hoysala age saw great Kannada poets like Rudrabhatta, [anna, Harihara and Raghavanka. Hoysala temples at Beluru, Halebidu, Somanathapur, Aralaguppe, Arasikere, Amritapura, Basaral, Kikkeri, Hosaholalu, Tonnur, Sunka Tonnur, Indhaghatta, Shravanabelagola, Koravangala, Govindanahalli, Nuggehalli.lavagal, Kaivara, Turuvekere, Kaidala, etc., are wonderful works of art. Vijayanagara Empire (C.1336-1646) When the armies of the Delhi Sultan destroyed the four great Kingdoms of the south viz., the Sevunas, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas and the Pandyas of Madhurai, it looked as if a political power following a religion quite alien to the South was going to dominate the peninsula. Many princes including Kumara Rama, the brave and heroic son of Kampilaraya, a feudatory from Kampli in Bellary district, perished while resisting the muslim onslaughts. The people were When the Vijayanagara kingdom was founded by the Sangama brothers, people whole-heartedly supported them. Perhaps the sage succeeded in securing financial help from various quarters to the founders of Vijayanagara. Harihara of the Sangama dynasty (1336-1485) founded the kingdom in about 1336 and secured control over northern parts of Karnataka and Andhra from coast to coast. It is this prince who sponsored the writings of the monumental commentary on the Vedas viz., Vedarthaprakasha by engaging several scholars, working under the celebrated scholars Sayana and Madhava. The work was completed in the days of his son Harihara II (1377-1404). Harihara II extended his domination in Konkana, beyond Goa upto Chaul. The Hazara Rama Temple at Hampi is his creation. Abdul Razak, the Persian traveller who visited to his court, says of the capital that "nothing Himself a scholar, Devaraya II patronized Gunda Dindima, a Sanskrit poet and Shrinatha, a Telugu poet. "A great ruler and a man of great justice" (in the words of Portuguese visitor Paes], Krishnadevaraya was a man of letters and a great patron of scholars. He himself wrote a Telugu work Amuktamalyada. He had eight great Telugu poets called ashtadiggqjas in his court, and among them was Allasani Peddana. It was during his time that the Portuguese conquered Goa from Bijapur rulers in 1510. Portuguese rule in Goa had far reaching effects. In the days of Sadashiva Raya Aravidu Ramaraya (1542-65), his minister or Krishnadevaraya's son-in-law, the four Shahi Sultans attacked the Empire, and after killing Ramaraya at Rakkasa Thangadi (Rakkasagi-Tangadagi) in 1565, destroyed the capital Vijayanagara. Vijayanagara rulers patronized all religions. Literary activity in all South Indian languages was encouraged. Vijayanagara played a great role in conserving local religions and cultural tradition. Madhava (Vidyaranya) wrote Sarvadarshana Sangraha introducing all religions of Indian. Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu literature flourished during this time. Karnataka Music came to blossom by the works ofVidyaranya, Kallinatha, Ramanamatya, Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa. Purandaradasa did a lot to popularise it by composing primary compositions to teach this music and he has been rightly called "the father of Karnataka Music" by saint Tyagaraja. Bahamani Kingdom (c.1347-1520) The Bahmani Sultans are remembered for the great contribution they made in the field of Indo-Saracenic art in the South. Founded by Alla-Ud-Din Hasan at Gulbarga in 1347, the Bahmani Kingdom clashed with Vijayanagara all through its history. Domes, vaultings and arches of mortar were introduced by them in their buildings of Karnataka. Firuz Shah (1397-1422), was a great Sultan in the line and was the grandson of the founder. He extended the kingdom in the east by capturing Rajamahendri from the Reddis. Ahmed (1422-36), successor of Firuz shifted his capital to Bidar, where fine palaces came to be raised in course of time. The prince himself was called 'Vali' (saint) and his tomb at Ashtur near Bidar is highly venerated. Another great figure in Bahmani history is Mahamud Gawan, a great minister who was born in Persia (1411). The college building (Madrasa) is a fine structure. Adilshahis of Bijapur (1489-1686) Of the five Shahi Kingdoms that rose from the ruins of the Bahamanis, the Adilshahis of Bijapur ruled over the greater part of Karnataka . The Adilshahis were great patrons of art and men ofletters. Ismail's grandson, Ali (1557-80) was in friendly terms with Ramaraya of Vijayanagara who had adopted Ali as his son. But other Shahi Sultans forced Ali to join the confederacy against the Vijayanagara Empire, whose army was defeated in 1565. Bangalore and the surrounding regions were granted as jahgir to Shahji Bhosle, Shivaji's father. The Marathas retained Bangalore till 1686. It is this prince who has built the magnificient Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur. The Adhilshahi kingdom was annexed by Aurangzeb in 1686. Some of the Bijapur rulers were Shiahs and celebration of Moharram by installing tabuts became common in Karnataka . A form of Urdu called Deccani Hindi also developed in their court. The Mughals extended their territory to the South. They conquered Bangalore in 1686 and leased it out to Chikkadevaraya of Mysore. They made Sira in Karnataka and Arcot in Tamilnadu their important administrative centres. Sira has some fine Mughul buildings. The Nawabs of Savanur, Sira and Advani administered the Kannada territories under the Mughuls, and some Kannada districts were also administered by the Nizam of Golkanda another feudatory of the Mughuls. Keladi Kingdom Keladi was captured by Haidar Ali in 1763, and the kingdom was merged with Mysore . Of the other feudatories of Vijayanagara, the Kempegowda family raised the fort and new city of Bangalore in 1537, and the Chitradurga Nayakas raised the magnificient hill-fort at Chitradurga. The Marathas, who were encroaching upon the Bijapur dominion came to have control over the parts of Karnataka to the North of the Tungabhadra. Shivaji built forts at Rarnadurg, Nargund, Parasgad, Gajendragad, Katkol etc., in North Karnataka. In the South they had their Bangalore jahgir administered first by Shahji (1637-63) and later by his son Ekoji. Mysore royal family secured Bangalore and its surroundings from the Mughals in 1689 on lease. The Mughals had conquered these areas in 1686 from Maratha ruler Ekoji, a feudatory of Bijapur. Peshwa Balaji Rao had conquered Dharwad in 1753. Mysore Rulers The Mysore royal family, which was also a feudatory house under Vijayanagara, took advantage of the weakening of the Empire and became free. Raja Odeyar (1578-1617), secured Srirangapattana (in 1610), the seat of the Vijayanagara Viceroy. Kanthirava Narasaraja (1638-59), the first sovereign ruler, successfully esisted the efforts of Bijapur to subdue him, and extended his territory. He built the Narasimha temple at Srirangapattan. Himself a great scholar and writer, he patronized many Kannada writers like Tirumalarya, Chikkupadhyaya and Honnamma. Haider Ali The defeat of the Marathas at Panipat in 1761 helped Haiderto follow an aggressive policy. He merged the Keladi Kingdom with Mysore and extended Mysore in all directions. Mysore came to have 80,000 square miles of territory under him. Haider built the palace at Bangalore, strengthened its fort and began the Lalbagh Garden. Haider allied himself with the French against the British. Tipu Sultan Tipu Sultan (1782-99) continued his father's anti-British policy, and he dreamt of driving the British out of India. Mysore fell into the hands of the British who handed over parts of it to the Marathas and the Nizams, their allies in this venture, and crowned the Hindu prince, Krishnaraja Odeyar Ill, as the ruler over Mysore kingdom, whose territories considerably reduced. They secured the territory to the north of the Tungabhadra by defeating the Peshwa in 1818, and became masters of Karnataka . Kodagu (Coorg) a small princely tributary state, was also annexed by them in 1834 by dethroning its ruler Chikkavirarajendra. British Rule The advent of British rule brought about many changes in Karnataka , as elsewhere in India. The districts of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Belgaum taken from the Peshwa, were merged into Bombay Presidency in 1818. The Kanara District, now the districts of Uttara Kannada; Dakshina Kannada and Udupi; and Bellary taken from Tipu, were added on to the Madras Presidency. In 1862, the Kanara District was divided into two, and North "Kanara (Uttara Kannada} was tagged on to Bombay Presidency. Mysore was retained as a separate principality; the prince of the Odeyar dynasty, Krishnaraja III, was yet a boy when he became the ruler in 1799. The areas in the modern districts of Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal and Bidar were handed over to the Nizam of Hyderabad. In addition to the Nawab of Savanur, there were over 15 other princes, ruling over small Kannada principalities. Most of them were Maratha rulers who included the princes of Jamkhandi, Ramdurg, Mudhol, Sandur, Kurundawad, Jath etc. Mysore , as a nucleus of Karnataka , grew to be a ogressive State. It nurtured Kannada culture and encouraged Kannada literature and scholarship. But for the Mysore State, Karnataka would have lost its identity. Nagar Uprising of 1831, resulted in the East India Company assuming the Mysore administration in 1831, and Mysore came to be ruled by the British Commissioners for 50 years. The prince, who was a great scholar and lover of literature, spent the rest of his life in literary and artistic pursuits. The Mysore court became a major centre of Rennaisance in Karnataka . He founded the Raja School for teaching English in 1833, which became the nucleus of the Maharaja's high school and later upgraded as Maharaja's College (1879). He also started a lithographic press called Ambavilasa (1841) and started printing books in Kannada. Modern Mysore of the Commissioners that ruled Mysore between 1831 and 1881, two are the most notable viz., Mark Cubbon (1834-61) and Lewin Bowring (1862-70). To these two goes the credit of making Mysore a modern State by organizing the administration on European lines and bringing it on par with the other districts in the British residencies. The year 1881 saw the Rendition, when Chamarajendra Odeyar, the adopted son of Krishnaraja Ill, secured the throne. Rangacharlu, the first Diwan, founded the Representative Assembly in Mysore in 1881, and thus prepared the ground for responsible government. He encouraged Karmada scholarship. The prince was also a great lover of literature and fine arts. The prince died in 1894, and young Krishnaraja Odeyar IV was crowned the king, and the Queen-Mother Vanivilas became the Regent. Sheshadri Iyer continued as Diwan till 1901. District Savings Bank were started in Princely Mysore in 1870. Rangacharlu got the Bangalore-Mysore metre gauge rail line ready by 1882, (which was initiated earlier during commissioners rule in 1877-78) by spending a sum of Rs.55.48 lakhs. Sheshadri Iyer who initiated gold mining in Kolar region in 1886, created the Departments of Geology (1894), Agriculture (1898), and launched the Vanivilasa Sagara Irrigation Scheme in Chitradurga district. The Bangalore Mill was started in 1884 and it was taken over by the Binnys, Bangalore Woolen, Cotton and Silk Mills in 1886. Harihara-Pune railway line was completed in 1888. The Gokak Spinning Mill (1885) had been founded by securing power from the Gokak Falls (1887) and Mangalore had some tile factories, first initiated by the Basel Mission (1865). Hubli and Gadag had many ginning mills by then. Anti-British Uprisings Karnataka did not tamely submit to the foreign rule of the British. A strong revolt was witnessed at Sindhagi in Bijapur District in 1824. Rayanna in the same kingdom in 1829 are also famous. One former official of the Peshwa called Narasappa Petkar organized a revolt against the British in 1841. Karnataka responded to the 1857-58 uprisings positively. The new administration everywhere helped the spread of modern education. Christian Missionaries also started education on Western lines. There were over 2000 primary schools in Mysore State by 1881. Bombay- Karnataka area had over 650 primary schools by that time. Though there were only Marathi schools in Bombay-Karnataka , men like Elliot and Deputy Channabasappa strove to introduce Kannada medium. A Government college was founded at Bangalore in 1870 (named Central College in 1875) and later Bangalore saw a second institution, the St.Joseph's College, in 1882. The Maharaja's College of Mysore was started in 1879. The Government College of Mangalore was founded in 1869, followed by the St.Aloysius College in 1879. Many old Kannada classics were printed. Many newspapers and journals were published in Kannada. They include 'Kannada Samachara' (Bellary 1844), 'Chandrodaya' (Dharwad 1877), 'Karnataka Prakashika' (Mysore 1865) and Arunodaya' (Bangalore 1862). Mysore court also encouraged many writers. was the first important prose work. Many English and Sanskrit plays were translated. The first original Kannada social play was Iggappa Heggadeya Prahasana (1887) by Venkatarama Shastry. The visit of Marathi troupe from Sangli in 187677 and the Victoria Parsi Company in 1878 to Karnataka , revolutionized stagecraft here. Veena Venkatasubbayya, Sambayya and Chikkaramappa were some of the great veena masteroes in the Mysore court at this time. A distinct Mysore school of Karnatak music was evolved during this period. The Central College building (1860) in Gothic style, the Athara Kachery (1867) with ionic pillars and the Bangalore Museum Building (1877) in Corinthian style were built during this period. Churches too introduced the Western style. Our Lady of Sorrow Church (Mangalore 1857), St.Mary's Church (Shivajinagar, Bangalore, 1882), St. [oseph's Seminary Church (Mangalore 1890) and St.Mary's Church [Belgaum, 1896) are some such early examples. Many social movements stirred Hindu society and social changes received an impetus. The Theosophical Society started its work in Mysore State in 1886, Brahma Samaj started its activities at Bangalore in 1866 and also at Mangalore in 1870. This was followed by the Depressed Classes Mission, founded by Kudmul Ranga Rao at Mangalore in 1897, which started many schools for the depressed classes. Bangalore had the Indian Progressive Union in 1894. Mysore State banned the marriage of girls below eight. The Maharani's school for girls founded in 1881 at Mysore by Palace Bakshi Ambale Narasimha Iyengar became a high school in 1891 and later into College in 1901. The Ramakrishna Mission was founded in Bangalore in 1904. Fleet's Dynasties of Canarese Districts (1882), Bhandarkar's Early History of Dakhan (1884), Rice's Epigraphia Carnatica volumes (beginning from 1886), Indian Antiquary volumes from 1872 and Sewell's A Forgotten Empire (1901) helped the recovery of Karnataka 's history, and made the people of Karnataka feel proud of their hoary past. In the princely State, amidst all these developments, the first ever Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition was organised at Mysore in 1888. The Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha of Dharwad (1890), the Mythic Society of Bangalore (1909), the Karnataka Ithihasa Samshodhana Mandala of Dharwad (1914) further helped the Renaissance. An all-Karnataka literary and cultural forum was founded in 1915, and this was the Karnataka Sahitya Parishat, with its headquarters in Bangalore. It had the active support of the Mysore. Government and its president, H.V. Nanjundaiah also became the Vice- Chancellor of the newly founded Mysore University (1916). Aluru Venkatarao wrote 'Karnataka Gata Vaibhava' in 1917, introducing to the Kannadigas in Kannada, the history and cultural achievements of Karnataka. Princes of Mysore were all enlightened administrators and their genuine interest in the progress of the State, won them the affection and respect of the people. All of them were patrons of learning, literature, music and other fine arts. When the country won independence, Mysore acceded to the Indian Union. Jayachamaraja Odeyar served as Governor, and won an enduring place in the heart of the people. The Diwans in charge of the administration in Mysore made the Principality not only a modern state but also a model state is already observed. Diwan P.N. Krishnamurthy (1901-06) improved the administration by introducing upto- date methods followed in British India in office procedure and maintenance of records, and he founded the Co-operative Department in 1906. An Engineer with alarming vision, great economist and administrator of foresightedness, Sir. The Sandalwood Oil Factory of Mysore (1916), Mysore Chrome Tanning Factory (1918), Government Soap Factory in Bangalore and the Wood Distillation Factory at Bhadravati were also founded by Sir.M. Visveswaraya. School (1913), the nucleus for the future University of Agricultural Sciences), and the Mysore University (1916) were also his creations. The Mysore Bank was also started in his time (1913) and so was Mysore Chamber of Commerce (1916). Another important Diwan was Sir Mirza M. Ismail (1926-41) who was responsible for making Mysore as one of the best known Princely States in India by expanding its industries, founding new ones and undertaking major irrigation projects. Mysore State served as a strong nucleus of Karnataka by its economic progress and cultural achievements. Plantation industries was expanded both in Mysore and Kodagu. Industrialization in Mysore was in full swing. The Bhadravati Iron factory had been founded by Sir. The District Savings Banks, attached to District Treasuries were started in 1870. Chitradurga Savings Bank was founded in 1870. Madras Presidency Bank had founded its branch at Bangalore in 1864. South Kanara had its Banking Companies like the Canara Bank, (Mangalore) (1906) and Corporation Bank (Udupi) (1906). Later came the Pangal Nayak Bank (1920), [ayalakshmi Bank (1923), Karnataka Bank (1924), Udupi Bank (1925), Catholic Bank (1925), Vijaya Bank (1925) and the Syndicate Bank (1925). Cooperative movement also made great strides in Kodagu, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. Beedi rolling in Coastal region and Agarbati production in Mysore State were started as domestic industries in an organised way. The Swadeshi Movement gave a fillip to industrial activity in the British districts of Karnataka . Sir Mirza Ismail was responsible for the founding of many new industries in Mysore State as already noted. He founded the Government Cement Factory (1936) and Mysore Paper Mills (1938) both at Bhadravati. The Sugar Factory at Mandya (1934), the Mysore Chemical and Fertilizers Factory (1937) at Belagola (the first of its kind in India) and the Glass and Porceline Factories (1939 )at Bangalore to mention only a few. At Harihara was started the Mysore Kirloskars machine shop in 1941. Sugar factory was founded at Hospet in 1935, followed by the Munirabad Sugar Mills in 1944. Oil mills, Soap units, Saw mills, etc, came to be founded in small towns too. Cultural Developments The High Renaissance of the 20th century saw many great developments in the field of music, drama, painting and literature. The Mysore court patronized great artistes like Veene Sheshanna, Lakshrninarayanappa, , Bakshi Subbanna, Vasudevacharya, Mutthayya Bhagavatar and Bidaram Krishnappa. There were great classical dancers like [atti Thayamma and Muguru Subbanna in princely Mysore. In the field of drama, Mysore I saw great artistes like Varadacharya, Gubbi Veeranna, Subbayya Naidu, and Smt. Malavalli Sundaramma. There were equally great artistes from North Karnataka area like Shirahatti Venkoba Rao, Garuda Sadashiv Rao and Vamanarao Master. Kailasam and Bellary Raghava were great amateur artiste. Kannada films, too, appeared. The North Karnataka area had great Hindusthani vocalists like Savay Gandharva (Rambhau Kundgolkar}, Panchakshari Gavayi, Puttaraja Gavayi and Mallikarjuna Mansur. Painting also received patronage at the hands of the Mysore prince. The Chamarajendra Technological Institute (Mysore ) was founded to train artists and [aganrnohan Palace was converted into an art gallery. Shivaram Karanth and 'Anakru' {A.N. Krishna Rao) are the two celebrated novelists. Publication of Epigraphia Carnatica volumes covering epigraphs from all districts by Rice and R. Narasimchar is a pioneering and unparallelled achievement of the erstwhile Mysore State. Dr. R. Shama Shastry (who discovered Kautilya's Arthashasthra), and Prof. M. Hiriyanna by their Indological studies, brought world fame to Mysore and Karnataka. Printing became wide spread. In Mysore , M. Venkatakrishnaiah was running 'Vritthantha Chinthamani' (1885). The 'Mysore Standard", the 'Mysore Star' etc, were some other newspapers from Mysore State. Coastal Karnataka had the 'Suvasini' (1900), The Krishnasukti (1905) and the 'Swadeshabhimani' (1907). The Karnataka Vrittha' (1890), (edited by Mudavidu Krishna Rao], the 'Kannada Kesari (Hubli 1902) the 'Rajaharnsa' (Dharwad, 1891) and Karnataka Vaibhava (Bijapur 1897) were the periodicals from North Karnataka . The freedom movement stimulated the publication of many new newspapers. Gandhi in Karnataka (1927) In Nandi he rested for 45 days (20-4-1927 to 05-6-1927) and reached Bangalore via Chikballapur on 5th June 1927, where he stayed upto 30-8-1927. During his long stay at Bangalore he made brief trips to Yelahanka (2-7-1927), Tumkur and Madhugiri (14th to 16th), Mysore , KRS, K.R. Nagar and Srirangapattana and returned to Mysore (23rd July); Ramanagar and Kanakapura (31st July and 1st August); Arasikere (2nd August); Holenarasipur and Hassan(2nd and 4th August); Davangere (12th August); Harihara, Honnali and Malebennur (13th August); Shimoga (14th and 15th);Ayyanuru, Kumshi, Choradi, Ananthpur and Sagar (16th August); Thirthalli, Mandagadde, Gajanur and halted at Shimoga (17th August); Bhadravathi, Kadur and Birur (18th August); Chikmagalur (19th August); Belur, Halebid and Arasikere (20th August) ultimately left Bangalore. Over 2,000 people courted arrest in the British districts, Belgaum District's quota being the biggest i.e., 750. Gandhiji also toured Karnataka as a part of his programme of upliftment of Harijans in 1934 and 1936. By then, Harijan Sevak Sangh's Karnataka unit was founded with Sardar Veeranagauda Patil as the President. Gandhi in Karnataka (1934) During his 1934 tour, Gandhi visited Vidhuraswatha, Gowribidanur, Doddaballapur, Tumkur, Tyarnagondalu, Nelarnangala, Bangalore and halted at Mysore on 4-1-1934 ; visited Tagadur; Badanawal, Nanjanagud and halted at Mysore (5th January); proceeded to Mandya, Sugar town, Maddur, Besagarahalli.Shivapura, Sornanahalli, Channapatna, Ramanagar, Kanakapur, Bidadi, Kengeri and reached Bangalore (6th January). On 10th left for Vallavi Kote and after touring Tamil Nadu, visited Mysore , Tittimatti, Kikkeri, Ponnampet, and Hudigere (22nd Feb); visited Virajpet, Bellur; Somwarpet, Gundagutti, and halted at Madikeri (23rd Feb); Sampaje, Sullia, Puttur, Uppinangadi, Vittala, Kannadaka, Pane Mangalore, Bantwal and halted at Mangalore (24th February); visited Gurupura, Bajpe, Katilu, Kengoli, Mulki, Padabidri, Kapu, Ratapadi, Udayavara, Udupi, Brahmavara (25th February) and halted at Kundapur (25th and 26th February); Bhatkal, Honnavara, Kadri and halted at Karwar (27th); Binaga, Chandiya, Ankola, Hiregutti, Mandageri, Kumta, Ammanapalli, Hegde and halted at Sirsi (28th February); Kanasur, Siddapur, Dasanakoppa, Isur; Yakkambi, Samasaji, Allur, Devi Hosur, Haveri, Byadgi, Motebennur, Murughamut and halted at Haveri (1st March); visited Ranebennur, Harihara, Davanagere, Duggatti, Bennihal, Harapanahalli, Kottur, Kudligi, Kanavihalli and halted at Sandur (2nd March); Bellary, Hospet, Banapura, Gadag, [akkali and halted at Hubli (3rd March); Dharwad, Marewada, Amminabhavi, Moraba, Harobidi, Hongala, Uppina Betageri, Hirehullekere, Saundatti, Gural Hosur, Bailhongal, Sampagaon and Bagewadi (4th March) halted at Begaum ( 4th and 5th March); visited Tondekatte and returned to Belgaum (6th March); visited Yamakamaradi, Ontamuri, Hukkeri, On 8th March after visiting Mangasuli, Banahatti, Athani, Honnawad, Tikota, Toravi, Bijapur and Ilkal; via Jorapur proceeded towards Hyderabad. On 31st May he left Nandi and reached Bangalore, after visiting Chikballapur, Sidlaghatta, Chintamani, Kolar, Bangarpet and KGF, the same night via Malur he reached Bangalore and stayed upto 10-6-1936. After visiting Kengeri he left for Madras on 11-6-1936. This was hiSTaSt visit to Bangalore and Princely State of Mysore. During 1937 April, Gandhi visited Hudali (in Belgaum District), an important Khadi Centres, to inaugurate the Khadi Exhibition. He stayed there from 16th April to 21st April. It was his last visit to Karnataka. Amidst all these, although there were no agitations in Princely States till 1937, the people of Mysore State founded Mysore Congress in that year, and launched the Flag Satyagraha in 1938 by organising the first session of the Mysore Congress at Shivapura (Mandya District). Likewise in other Princely States of Karnataka also, a strong demand for responsible government was launched under the guidance of the National Congress. "Quit India Movement" 1942-43. The Quit India Movement saw unprecedented awakening in Karnataka . Labourers in Bangalore and other places, numbering over 30,000, also struck work for over two weeks. ver 50 people (of whom 11 from Bangalore alone) fell victims to firing by the police. A total of 15,000 people out of which 10,000 from Princely Mysore alone) went to jail in 1942-43 from Karnataka. Dharwad and Belgaum areas, evidenced heroic sabotage and subversive works by organised group of patriots, which became famous as "Karnataka Pattern" praised even by Jayaprakash Narayan. In Mysore State an agitation called "Mysore Chalo" was launched for the establishment of responsible government. To Hanumanthaiah goes the credit of raising Vidhana Saudha, the biggest building in granite of modern times. Daily newspapers like the Taruna Kamataka' (Hubli), the 'Samyuktha Karnataka " [Belgaum, and later Hubli], the '[anavani' the Tayinadu*, 'Navajeevana, 'Veerakesarf and Vi shwa Karnataka ' (all from Bangalore) and 'Kodagu' (Weekly) from Madikeri rendered yeoman service to the movement. Unification of Karnataka After independence, a persistent effort had to be made for the Unification of Karnataka . The movement for Unification, had been, infact, launched together with the movement for freedom in Karnataka . Before independence, Karnataka had been distributed among as many as 20 administrations and the handicaps and sufferings of the people of Karnataka in those days were severe. In a Kannada area like Mudhol, ruled by a Maratha Prince, there were no Kannada schools and the administration was conducted in Marathi. In Hyderbad State, Urdu dominated. In big British Presidencies like Bombay or Madras, where Kannada districts were few and he Kannadigas were in a minority, their sufferings were many. The Karnataka Sahithya Parishat was founded (1915) at Bangalore partially by the efforts of these people, and it provided a forum for the writers and intellectuals of Karnataka . The writers and Journalists met annually at the Kannada Literary Conference organised by the Parishat and finally the first Karnataka State Political Conference held at Dharwad (1920) decided to agitate for Unification through the Congress organisation too. Minor Princely States like [arnkhandi, Ramadurg, Mudhol, Sandur etc. numbering 15 have been merged with neighbouring districts soon after independence. Finally, the Fazl Ali Commission was appointed, and according to its recommendations, linguistically united Mysore State (Karnataka ) came into existence on the 1st November 1956 and S.Nijalingappa became its Chief Minister. References:
Dr. Indumati P. Patil Associate Professor, P.G. Department of History, Govt. Degree College, Gulbarga. |
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