About Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Bangalore is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Located on the Mysore Plateau in southwestern Karnataka, Bangalore has an estimated metropolitan population of 6.1 million (2006), making it India’s third-largest city and fifth-largest metropolitan area. Though historical references to the city predate 900 CE, a written history of continuous settlement exists only from 1537, when Kempe Gowda I, whom many regard as the architect of modern Bangalore, built a mud fort in the city and established it as a province of the Vijayanagara Empire.
On December 11, 2005, the government of Karnataka announced that it had accepted the proposal by Jnanpith Award winner UR Ananthamurthy to rename Bangalore to its Kannada name, Bengaluru. (A number of other Indian cities have enacted similar name changes.) The new name was expected to be effective from November 1, 2006. However, after changes in the political leadership of the state government, it is unclear whether the proposed name change will be implemented within the time frame.
During the British Raj, Bangalore developed as a center for colonial rule in South India. The establishment of the Bangalore Cantonment brought in large numbers of migrant Tamil, Telugu and North Indian workers for developing and maintaining the infrastructure of the cantonment.
After India gained independence in 1947, Bangalore evolved into a manufacturing hub for public sector heavy industries—particularly aerospace, space and defence. The establishment and success of high technology firms in Bangalore after the liberalisation of India’s economy has led to the growth of India’s information technology industry. Bangalore is referred to as the Silicon Valley of India and accounts for 35 percent of India’s software exports. Home to prestigious colleges and research institutions, the city has the second-highest literacy rate among the metropolitan cities in the nation. However, as a large and growing metropolis in the developing world, Bangalore continues to struggle with problems such as air pollution and traffic congestion.
History of Bangalore City at a glance
890 AD
An inscription mentions “Bengalooru” as the site of a Ganga Dynasty war.
1100
Kannada folklore mentions Hoysala king Veera Ballala christening Bangalore “Bendakalooru”
1346
Bangalore dominion is transferred to the Vijayanagar Empire.
1537
Bangalore is founded by Kempe Gowda, who constructs a mud fort in the city. Trading posts are established in Balepet, Doddapet, Chikpet and Taragupet within the fort.
1638
Bangalore is conquered by Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur, and is leased to Shaji, the father of Maratha King Shivaji.
1686
Sira and Bangalore are conquered by Mughal rulers.
1689
Bangalore and Mysore are leased out by the Mughals to the ruler Chikkadevaraya.
1759
Haider Ali receives Bangalore as a jagir from Krishnaraja Wodeyar II. He fortifies the southern fort and transforms Bangalore into an army town.
1782
Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali, ascends the throne after the death of his father.
1799
Death of Tipu Sultan. The British return Bangalore to Krishnaraja Wodeyar II.
1800
Bangalore General Post Office is opened.
1809
The British Cantonment is established.
1812
St. Mark’s Cathedral is built at one end of MG Road.
1831
The British take over the administration of the Mysore kingdom
1864
Bangalore is connected to Madras by rail.
1867
The Attara Kacheri (functions now as High Court of Karnataka) is built by Commissioner Bowring.
1881
The British return Bangalore to the Wodeyars.
1892
Bangalore’s first suburbs appear in Chamrajpet and Sheshadripuram. These names are derived from Chamrajendra Wodeyar and Dewan Sheshadri Iyer.
1898
Occurance of plague leads to the formation of Basavanagudi and Malleswaram.
1905
Bangalore becomes the first city in India to get electricity.
1947
India gains independence. A government is formed in Mysore and is headed by KC Reddy.
1948
Jayanagar, the largest residential layout in South Asia, is inaugurated.
1954
The Vidhana Southa is built
1976
The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) is established to promote the electronics industry in Karnataka.
1978
Electronic City is laid out.
1981
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is established. Infosys sets up its first office.
1984
Information Technology Park Limited (ITPL) is incorporated as a company.
2000
The Cyber Park Technology incubation Centre is set up to promote the growth of the IT sector.
2001
Reva, India’s first electric car, is made commercially available
2006
Bangalore is renated Bengaluru.
