<c

<

c c
<

u .

©
o
CQ

KARNATAKA GAZETTEER DEPARTMENT

BENGALURU
 GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

A HANDBOOK OF KARNATAKA

KARNATAKA GAZETTEER DEPARTMENT

8thFloor, BWSSB Bldg., Cauveiy Bhavan
Bengaluru - 560 009
A HANDBOOK OF KARNATAKA

S.A. JEELAIMI, KAS

Chief Editor
Karnataka Gazetteer Department
A HANDBOOK OF KARNATAKA
A Government of Karnataka Publication

English Kannada
First Edition 1996 1996
Second Edition 2001
Third Edition 2005
Fourth Edition 2010

®Government of Karnataka 2010

Price Rs.:

Copies can be had from :

Director
Printing, Stationery and Book Depot,
Dr. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru - 560001

Deputy Director
Government Branch Press
Mysore,
Dharwad and
Gulbarga

Chief Editor
KARNATAKA GAZETTEER DEPARTMENT
8thFloor, BWSSB Bldg., Cauvery Bhavan, Bengaluru - 560 009
Ph : 080-22213474, Fax : 080-22243293
E-mail : kargaz @mail.kar.nic.in / [email protected]
ce-gazetteer@karnataka .gov.in
Website: http:// www. kar.n ic. in/gazetteer

Printed at
Rashtrotthana Mudranalaya
Chamarajpet, Bengaluru - 560 019
Phone : 2661 2730 / 94482 84600
E-mail : [email protected]
iv
 Preface
The conception of compiling and publishing 'A Hand Book of
Karnataka' was a result of a suggestion made by Sri
K.Balasubramanyam I.A.S., (Retired) and member of the Karnataka
Gazetteer Advisory Committee headed by the Chief Secretary to
Government of Karnataka. He narrated and showed the 'Mysore
Kaipidi' edited by Rao Bahadur C. Hayavadana Rao to be followed
as a model. It was published in 1937 and incidentally it became a
textbook for High School students. I presume, this Hand Book of
Karnataka was aimed at creating a cultural awareness about
Karnataka in nutshell. This Hand Book was written and edited with
the objective of giving a picture of Karnataka in all its hues - its
Natural wealth, History, People, Agriculture, Industries, Art,
Literature and Culture. It also contains an attractive chapter on
places interest titled 'Karnataka the Tourist Paradise'. This is an
attempt to showcase Karnataka and its fascinating varieties of
cultural dimensions and documenting other achievements during
the last 50 years.

Geographically, Karnataka has a variety of Topography and it

has a sea-coast of over 300 kms. It has mountains raising upto 6000
feet in height. There are vast thick ever green forests which shelters
hordes of wild animals especially elephants as well as large plains
which extend as far as the eye can see. There is no other State with
such natural potential for the erection of Hydro-Electric works. The
varieties of crops, flowers and fruits is another noteworthy feature.
Food packing and floriculture are very profitable industries. Mineral
wealth especially manganese and iron ores are very rich and
abundant and sustain more than one steel industry. Karnataka is the
only state to have rich Gold Mines at KGF in Kolar District (now
closed) and Hatti (Raichur District). Recently Gold Deposits have
been identified in Gadag, Chitradurga and Koppal districts, which
are still to be unearthed. Yadgir has been converted into a new
district since December 2009, thereby raising the number of districts
to 30.

In its long History from the time of Mauryas down to present

times three developments need to be mentioned - 1) For over 500
years from about 600 AD onwards Karnataka was one of the leading
kingdoms in India. The Royal dynasties that ruled Karnataka carved a
niche for themselves for their fighting qualities from the
Kanyakumari to Himalayas 2) The Vijayanagar empire symbolized
the spirit of resistance to foreign invasion and also the potentiality of
its people to establish a strong and benevolent system of
Administration. 3) And lastly in our own times Sir. K.Sheshadri Iyer,
Sir M.Visvesvaraiah and Sir Mirza M.Ismail and others who were
Dewans of Mysore and by their great administrative talents,
statesmanship abilities and constructive economic policies made the
princely State of Mysore the nucleus of Modern Karnataka which
was considered model to the rest of India.

In a sense this Hand Book of Karnataka is a condensed and

abridged version of the State Gazetteer with some latest figures and
different fields of development presented to the readers. The first
Edition of A Hand Book of Karnataka was published in 1996 by the
then Chief Editor Dr. Suryanatha U Kamath; the Kannada version of
the same edition was also published in 1996; an updated edition of
the same volume was published in 2001 by the then chief editor Dr.
S.R. Honnalingaiah and the third updated edition was published in
2005 by the then Chief Editor H.Chittaranjan K.A.S.,The Kannada
Version of the Hand Book of Karnataka will be brought out in the
year 2010-11.

The present edition of the Hand Book of Karnataka has been

thoroughly revised and also updated till 2008. I am indebted to the
former Secretary Kannada and Culture, Information and Tourism
Department Sri I.M. Vittalamurthy I.A.S., for suggesting to convert
this volume into a multi coloured one and this has been executed
neatly. I wish to record the encouragement given by Sri Subir Hari
Singh, I.A.S., then Principal Secretary and by Sri B.R.Jayaramaraje
Urs I.A.S., the present Secretary Kannada and Culture, Information
Department in all our academic pursuites. I personally extend my
thanks to the editors and investigators of my office who have striven
hard to update, edit and also prepare the final revised manuscript for
printing. I would like to place on record the services rendered by Dr.
A.L. Narasimhan, Former Investigator for designing this volume and
my colleagues Sri S.A. Jagannath Senior Editor (l/C) and Sri S.N. Raju
Editor for undertaking this stupendous task of overseeing the editing
as well as printing work.

My acknowledgments for the private as well as Government

agencies who have given high resolution photographs to this volume
(a list is appended separately). I wish to personally acknowledge the
help rendered by the Commissioner, Census Department,
Government of India by providing their Pictorial Atlas published
recently. By the by I am very happy to note this volume has been
prescribed as reference book for the K.A.S., examination by the
Karnataka Public Service Commission.

I am indebted to the Director, ISRO for generously providing us

a CD' on recent 'Chandrayana' Mission and also permitting us to use
this for the cover page of this attractive volume.

S.A. Jeelani k a .s

C hief Editor
Karnataka Gazetteer
 Contents
Chapter I_______________________ Introduction_________________________1-48
Area and population (3), Territorial Changes (4), Administrative
Divisions (7), Physiography (7), Northern Karnataka Plateau (7),
Central Karnataka Plateau (9), Sourthern Karnataka Plateau (9),
Karnataka Coastal Region (9), Topography (9), GEO LO G Y (10),
Mineral Resources (12), Production of Minerals (13), Water
Resources (15), Krishna Basin (15), The Krishna (15), The
Ghataprabha (16), The Malaprabha (17), The Bhima (17), The
Tungabhadra (17), Cauvery Basin (17), The Cauvery (17), The
Hemavathi (17), The Kabini (17), Godavari Basin (17), Pennar and
Palar Basins (18), West Flowing Rivers (18), Ground Water
Resources (18), CLIMATE (19), Temperature (20), Rainfall (22),
FAUNA (23), FLORA (27), FORESTS (30), Anshi National Park (35),
Bandipur National Park (35), Bannerghatta National Park (37), The
Kudremukh National Park (37), Nagarahole National Park (38),
Western Ghats in Karnataka (39), Western Ghats -Talacauvery Sub-
Cluster (41), Western Ghats-Kudremukh sub-sluster (41),
Environment Situation in Karnataka (41), Air Pollution (43),
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (43), Seismicity in Karnataka
(44), Area, Population and Administrative Divisions (47)
Edby:S.N .Raju By:S.N .Raju

Chapter II_________________________ History_________________________ 49-122

Prehistory (49), The Shatavahanas (51), Bird's eye view (52),
Kadambas of Banavasi (C.345-C.540M54), Alupas of Tulunad (55),
Gangas of Talakad (C.350-C.1024 A.D)-(55), Chalukyas of Badami
(C.540-757) (58), Rashtrakutas of Malkhed C.753-973) (59)
Chalukyas of Kalyana (C.973-1189) (61), Sevunas of Devagiri (C
1173-1318) C 65), Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra (C.1052-1342)- (66),
Vijayanagara Empire (C.1336-1646)- (69), Bahamani Kingdom
(C.1347-1520)-(73), Adilshahis of Bijapur (1489-1686) (76), Keladi
Kingdom (78), The Marathas (80), Mysore Rulers (81), Hydar Ali
(83), Tipu Sultan (83), British Rule (84), Commissioner's Regime
(85), Rendition (86), Economic Changes (86), Anti-British Uprisings
(87), Beginning of Renaissance (89), Modernisation (91), Cultural
Development (94), Fight for Freedom (95), Gandhiji's Early Visits to
Karnataka (96), Gandhiji in Karnataka (1927), Civil Disobedience
Movement (99), Gandhiji in Karnataka (1934) (99), Gandhiji's Later
Visits to Karnataka (1936 & 1037) (100), Flag Satyagraha (101), Quit
 India Movement 1942-43 (101), Mysore Chaloo Movement (1947),
(102), Unification of Karnataka 1956 (102), General Election Results
(104), Governor of Karnataka (118), Chief Ministers of the State from
1947(122)
Ed b y: S.Rajendrappa B y : Dr. Suryanatha U. Kamath
Editor

Chapter III People 123-144

Demography (123), Sex Ratio, Density of Population (124), Marital
Status (125), Urbanisation (125), Urban Agglomeration and Cities
(125), Rural Areas (126), Houses, Households and Amenities (126),
Migration (127), SC and ST Population (127), Disabled Population
(128), Literacy (128), Languages (129), Religions (129), Hinduism
(130), Veerashaivism (130), Vaishnavism (131), Buddhism (132),
Jainism (133), Sikhism (133), Islam (134), Christianity (134), Modern
Religious Movements (135), Festivals and Fairs (136), Jatras (137-
141),
Ed by : S.A. Jagannath By : S.R.Myalaraiah
Senior Editor Stephen Paul

Chapter IV Agriculture and Allied Activities 145-206

Agricultural Land Utilisation (146), Agricultural Census (148),
Summary Tables of Area, Production and Average Yield of Principal
Crops (149), Cropping Pattern (155), Soil Conservation (159), Seeds
(159), Manures and Fertilizers (159), Plant Protection (160),
Programmes of Agricultural Development (160), Crop Insurance
(160), IRRIGATION (161), Irrigated Area (163), Minor Irrigation
Tanks (167), Medium Irrigation Projects (168), Flood Control and
Sea Erosion (169), Completed Major and Medium Irrigation Projects
(169), Progress of On-going Major and Medium Irrigation Projects
(169), Horticulture (172), Major Horticultural Crops (174), Post
Harvest Infrastructure and Management (177), Cold Storages (178),
Processing of Fruits and Vegetables (178), Marketing (179), Exports
(179), Dryland Horticulture (181), ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (186),
Live-stock Farms (186), Dairy Development (189), Milk Procured by
Dairies (190), Veterinary Institutions (191), Egg Production (192),
Meat Production (192), FISHERIES (193), Marine Fisheries (193),
Infrastructure Development (195), Fisheries Co-operatives (196),
Fisheries Corporation (196), Inland Fisheries (197), Leasing Policy
(198), Fish Farmers Development Agencies (198), Inland Fish
Production (198), Brackish Water Shrimp Farming (199), Fishery
Resources and Potential (199), Fish Sanctuaries (200), Fish Aquaria
(200), Marine Fish Catch (201), Fisherman Population (202), Fishing
 Harbours (203), District-wise Marine and Inland Fish Production
(205)
Ed by: S.N.Raju B y:S.N . Raju
Editor

Chapter V Industries and Power (207-254)

Manufacturing Sector (208), Production of Use-based groups of
Manufacturing industries (209), Production of Selected Industries
(210), Traditional Industries (212), Beginning of Modern Industries
(215), Economic Conference (216), Public Sector Units (219),
Keonics (224), Information Technology (225), International
Technology Park Ltd. (225), Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) (228), Indian National Satellite (INSAT) System (228),
Infrastructure for Space Development (230), Space Sciences
(Chandrayana-1) (228), International Co-operation (229), Bio-
Technology (229), Industrial Status (229), Handlooms (231),
Handicrafts (231), Coir Industries (233), Khadi and Village Industries
(233), Viswa Programme (235), Sericulture (236), Large and Medium
Scale Industries (237), Minerals in Karnataka (239), Export from
Karnataka (241), Export promotion drive of Karnataka Government
(241), New Industrial Policy (2006-2011) (243), Power (246),
Karnataka Electricity Board (250), Energy Potential (251), Non
Conventional Sources (251), Rural Energy (251)
Ed by : S.Y. Bettegowda By : H.R.Rangegowda and
Editor Stephen Paul

Chapter VI Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 255-270

Agricultural Banks (256), Development of Banking (257), Banking
Network (259), Major Banks (259), Banks and their Branches (263),
Co-operative Movement (264), Co-operative Ventures (265),
Regulated Markets (268), Important Markets (270)
Ed b y: S.Rajendrappa B y : M.B. Patil and
Editor G. Bhanudas

ChapterVII Transport and Communications 271-312

Development of Roads (273), National Highways (274), State
Highways (275), Major District Roads (275), Rural Communication
Programme (275), Bridges (277), Bangalore City and its Fly-overs
(278), Transport Department (279), Road Accidents (282), Public
Conveyance (282), Namma Metro (284), RAILWAYS (286), Railway
Projects under Progress (291), AIR TRANSPORT (292), Bangalore
Airport (292), Mangalore Airport (294), Bangalore International
Airport (294), Passport Office (294), WATER TRANSPORT (295),
 Inland Waterways (295), OCEAN TRANSPORT (297), Ports of
Karnataka (299), Karwar Port (299), Belikeri Port (299), Tadri Port
(299), Kundapur Port (299), Bhatkal Port (300), Honavar (300),
Malpe (300), Hangarakatta (300), Old Mangalore Port (300), New
Mangalore Port (301), Sea Erosion (301), POSTAL SERVICES (301),
Telegraph (305), TELECOMMUNICATION (306), BSNL (Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Ltd (307), ALL INDIA RADIO (308), TELEVISION
(309)
Ed b y: S.Rajendrappa, Editor B y: S.Lakshminarayana Shetty

Chapter VIII Economic Trends and Planning 313-350

Advent of British (313), Planning in Mysore (314), Development
under Plans (315), First Five Year Plan (315), Second Five year Plan
(315) Third Five Year Plan (315), Fourth Five Year Plan (315), Fifth
Five Year Plan (316), Sixth Five Year Plan (316), Seventh Five Year
Plan (316), Eighth Five Year Plan (317), Ninth Five year Plan (317),
Tenth Five Year Plan (318), Eleventh Five Year Plan (318), Economic
Situation (319), State Income and per capita income (320), Interstate
Comparison (323), Prices (332), Financial Resources (338), Other
Trends (338), Economic Census (340), Employment (343), Wage
Employment (348)
Ed b y: S.Y.Bettegowda, B y : R. Madhwaraj and
Editor S.Y. Bettegowda

Chapter IX Administration 351-376

Administration (351), Table of New Districts (354), Land Reforms
(355), List of Chief Secretaries (359), Judicial Administration (360),
List of Chief Justices (363), Police Administration (363), Prisons
(365), Local Self Government (366), Changes After 1956 (368),
Panchayath Raj (369), Karnataka Panchayath Raj Act 1993 (371),
Revenue Receipts (373), District Wise Urban Local Bodies (374)
Ed b y : S.A.Jagannath, Senior Editor By : Stephen Paul,
P.R. Srinivas, Investigator T.G. Narasimha Murthy,
R.G. Kulakarni

Chapter X Education and Sports 377-414

Primary Education (379), The Trimester Scheme (381), Operation
Black Board (OBB) (381), Mobile Schools (382), Secondary
Education (382), SSLC Examination (384), Sanskrit Education (384),
Hindi Education (384), Teacher's Education (385), Training of
Graduate Teachers (386), Pre-University Education (389),
Vocational Education (390), Collegiate Education (390), University
Education (393), Women's University, Bijapur (396), Gulbarga
 University (396), The Indira Gandhi National Open University
(397), Medical Education (397), Rajiv Gandhi University of Health
Sciences (398), The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (399),
Indian Institute of Science (399), Technical Education (401),
Engineering Degree Colleges (402), Community Polytechnic
Scheme (403), (C.F.T.R.I) (403), Legal Education (404), Libraries
(405), Sports (410), Arjun Awardees from Karnataka (408), The
Department of Youth Services and Sports (410), Men and Women
Ekalavya Awardees Karnataka Upto 2006 (410), The List of
Dronacharya Awardees (411), List of Ekalavya Awardees (411)

Ed b y : T.G.Narasimha Moorthy, B y : T.G. Narasimha Moorthy

Senior Editor
S. Rajendrappa, Editor

Chapter XI Medical and Public Health Services 415-446

Introduction (415), Departmental Setup (417), Urban Health
Services (417), Rural Health Service (418), Community Health
Centres (418), Family Welfare, Mother and Child Wealth
Programme (418), Community Needs Assessment Approach (419),
Reproductive and Child Health Services Programme (419), Urban
Health Centres (421), ASHA (421), Pulse Polio Immunization
Programme (421), Vital Statistics (422), Indian System of Medicine
(422), Unani, Yoga (423), Homeopathy (423), Nature Cure (423),
Communicable Diseases (423), National Leprosy Eradication
Programme (425), National Programme for Control of Blindness
(426), Upgradation of Medical Colleges (427), Upgradation of
District Hospitals (427), Eye Bank and Eye Donation Centres (427),
IOL Training (427), School Eye Screening Programme (428) National
Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (428), National Filaria
Programme (429), Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Control Programme
(429), Dengue Fever (430), Chikun gunya (430), AIDS (431), Mental
Health Programme (431), List of Hospitals (432), State Institute of
Health and Family Welfare (435), Public Health Institute (437),
Directorate of Medical Education (438), Nursing Schools (439)
Medical Institutions (439), Para-Medical Activities (440), Karnataka
State Chief Minister's Medical Relief Society (440), Karnataka Drug
Logistics Warehouse Society (441), Districtwise Health Institutions
and Hospital Facilities (442).
Ed by : S.N.Raju, Editor By : R.G. Kulakarni
Mahesh Muttalagiri, Investigator
Chapter XII Social Welfare Measures 447-476
Labour Welfare (447), Employees State Insurance Scheme (448),
Trade Union Movement (449), Welfare of SCs and STs (450),
Scheduled Tribes Welfare (457), Backward Classes Welfare (459),
Women and Child Welfare (462), Welfare of the Disabled
Population (466), Other Welfare Schemes (467).
Ed b y : S.Rajendrappa, Editor By : G.M. Mustafa and
U. Sumana, Investigator K.M. Vijayalakshmi

Chapter XIII Culture 477-528

Literature (477), Kannada Literature (477), Jnanapita Award Winners
(484), Karntaka Ratna Award Winners (484), Basava Puraskara (484),
Central Sahitya Academy Award Winners (484), Pampa Award
Winners (485), Rajyothsava Award Winners (485), Dana
Chintamani Atthimabbe Award Winners (485), Janapada Shree
Award Winners (485), National Poet Award (485), Karnataka Sahitya
Academy Award (485), Anuvada Academy (485), Tulu Language
and Literature (486), Kodava Langauge and Literature (487), Konkani
in Karnataka (488), Urdu in Karnataka (490), Urdu Academy Award
Winners (491), Sanskrit in Karnataka (491), Telugu in Karnataka
(492), Tamil in Karnataka (493), Malayalam in Karnataka (494),
Marathi in Karnataka (495), Journalism in Karnataka (496), Karnataka
Madhyama Academy Award Winners (499), T.S.R. Award Winners
(500), Folk Literature (500), Janapada Tagna Award Winners (503),
Janapada and Yakshagana Academy Award Winners (504), Theatre
in Karnataka (504), Karnataka Nataka Academy Award Winners
(509), Yakshagana (509), Painting in Karnataka (512), K. Venkatappa
Award (516), Central Lai ithakala Academy Award (516), Karnataka
Lalitha Kala Academy (516), Karnataka Shilpkala Academy Award
Winners (516), Jakanachari Award (516), Music in Karnataka (517),
Hindustani Music (519), Kanaka Purandara Award Winners (521),
State Sangeetha Vidwan Award Winners (521), T. Chowdaiah
Award Winners (522), Santa Shishunala Shareef Award Winners
(522), Central Sangeetha and Nataka Academy (522), Dance in
Karnataka (522), Natyarani Shantala Award Winners (524), Cinema
In Karnataka (524)
Ed b y: Dr. A.L.Narasimhan B y : K.M. Vijayalakshmi
and Dr. A.L.Narasimhan
Chapter XIV Karnataka, The Tourist Paradise 529-616
Adichunchanagiri (551), Aihole (552), Amritapura (553), Anegundi
(553), Annigeri (554), Aralaguppe (554), Arasikere (554), Avani
(555), Bagalkote (555), Badami (555), Bagali (556), Banavasi (557),

xiii
Bangalore (558), Bankapura (569), Basava Kalyana (570), Basavana
Bagewadi (570), Belawadi (571), Belgaum (571), Belgami, (573),
Bellary (573), Belur (574), Bhadravati (575), Bhagamandala (575),
Bidar (575), Bijapur (576), Chamarajanagar (577), Chikmagalur
(577), Chitradurga (577), Dambal or Dammavolal (578),
Davanagere (578), Devala Gangapura (578), Dharmasthala (578),
Dharwad (579)Doddagaddavalli (580), Gadag-Betgeri (581),
Gokarna (581), Gulbarga (582), Halasi (583), Halebid (583), Hampi
(584), Hangal (585), Harihara (585), Hassan (585), Haveri (586),
Horanadu (587), Hosaholalu (587), Hubli (588), lkkeri( 589), Itagi
(590), Kalagi (590), Kambadahalli (591), Kannambadi (592), Karkala
(593), Karwar (593), Kittur (594), Kolar (594), Kokkare Bellur (595),
Kollur (595), Koppal (595), Kotilingeshwara (596), Lakkundi (596),
Lakshmeshwara (597), Maddur (597), Madhugiri (598), Madikeri
(598), Magadi (598), Mahadeshwara Betta (599), Mandya (599),
Mangalore (599), Melukote (601), Mysore (601), Nanjangud (604),
Pattadakal (604), Raichur (605), Sandur (605), Sannati (606),
Saundatti (606), Shimoga (607), Sirivala (607), Shivagange (608),
Shravanabelagola (608), Sira (609),I Sirsi (609), Somanathpur (609),
Sonda (610), Sringeri (611), Srirangapattana (611), Surpur (612),
Talakad (612), Talakaveri (613), Tumkur (613), Udupi (613), Ulavi
(614), Vajrapoha Falls (614), Yana (615), Yediyur (616)
Ed by : S.A. Jagannath By : Dr. Suryanatha U Kamath
Senior Editor

Annexures 617-670
Ed.by: S.N.Raju,
P.R. Srinivas,
Mahesh Muttalagiri

xiv
 GAZETTEER STAFF LIST - 2009-2010

NAME DESIGNATION

Smt. and Sri:

S. A. Jeelani, k .a .s . Chief Editor
S. A. Jagannath Senior Editor (Incharge)
T.G . Narasimha Moorthy (Till 23.07.2009) Senior Editor (Incharge)
S.N. Raju Editor
S. Rajendrappa Editor
S.Y.Bettegowda Editor
P.R. Srinivasa (Since 08-09-2008) Investigator
U. Sumana (Since 22-10-2008) Investigator
Mahesh Muttalagiri (Since 22-10-2008) Investigator
B.Janaki (Since 10-09-2007) Superintendent
T. Prabhakar (Since 13-06-2005) First Division Assistant
N.S. Shankar Rao (Since 07-08-2006) First Division Assistant
K.S. Subbalakshmi Second Division Assistant
P. Suneetha Stenographer
C. Nagalakshmi Typist
M. H. Shivanandini Typist
M. Babu (Till 01.02.2010) Driver
T. B. Kushalappa Driver
H. Chandra Group 'D'
H.N. Raghavendra Group 'D'
C. Sugunamma Group 'D'
M. N. Padma Group 'D'

xv
 Illustration Credits
^ Indian Space Research Organization, Bengaluru.
^ Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India,
Bengaluru Circle, KendriyaSadan, Bengaluru-560 034.
^ Commissioner, Census of India, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala,
Bengaluru-560 034.
^ Director, Survey of India (Southern Zone), Sarjapur Road,
Koramangala II Block, Bengaluru - 560 034
Director, Information and Publicity Dept., Infantry Road,
Bengaluru-560 001
Director, State Archaeology and Museums, Exhibition Ground,
Mysore.
Boards and Corporations, Under Karnataka Government and
Government of India.
^ Sri Astro Mohan, Udayavani Press, Manipal, Udupi Dist.
^ Sri Nagesh, Press Photographer, Bengaluru.
Dr. A.L. Narasimhan, New Temple Street, Malleshwaram,
Bengaluru.
Gina Engineering Company Pvt. Ltd. Indiranagar,
Bengaluru - 560 038.

xvi
 Karnataka Government Websites 2009-10
Category: Government Departments
Department URL

Accountants General, Karnataka http://agkar.cag.gov.in

Agricultural Department http://raitamitra.kar.nic.in
Agricultural Marketing http://maratavahini.kar.nic.in
Audit Monitoring System http://ams.kar.nic.in
Bangalore Customs http://www.bangalorecustoms.gov.in
BMRDA http://www.bmrda.kar.nic.in
Bangalore MahanagaraPalike http://www.bbmp.kar.nic.in
CGHS Bangalore http://www.cghsbng.kar.nic. i n
Central Excise Bangalore http://centralexcisebangalore.kar.nic.in
Central Excise Mysore http://www.centralexcisemysore.gov.in
Central Excise, Belgaum http://www.centralexcisebelgaum.kar.nic.in
Central Poultry Development http://www.cpdosrbng.kar.nic.in
Organization (SR)
Central Public Works http://www.cpwdsz3.kar.nic.in
Department (SZ-III)
Commercial Tax Department (VAT) http://vat. kar. n ic. i n
Commercial Taxes Department http://ctax. kar. n ic. i n/
Controller of Defence Accounts, http://www.cdablore.gov.in
Bangalore
Department of Animal husbandry http://www.ahvs. kar. n ic. i n
and veterinary services
Department of Backward Classes http://www.backwardclasses.kar.nic.in
Department of Child Labour http://balashrama.kar.nic.in
Department of Cooperative Audit http://sahakaradarpana.kar.nic.in
Department of Ecology & Environment http://parisara.kar.nic.in
Department of Electrical Inspectorate http://ksei.gov.in
Department of Gazette http://www.kar.nic.in/gazette
Department of Handlooms & Textiles http://www.textiles.kar.nic.in
Department of Health and http://karhfw.gov.in
Family Welfare
Department of Horticulture http://www.horticulture.kar.nic.in
Department of Housing http://housing.kar.nic.in
Department of Industries and http://belgaumdic.gov.in
Commerce, Belgaum
Department of Parliamentary Affairs http://dpal.kar.nic.in
Department of sericulture http://reshmesiri.kar.nic.in
Department of Woman & http://dwcd. kar. n ic. i n
Child Development
Dept. Of Mines & Geology http://mines.kar.nic.in

xvii
Directorate of Economics & Statistics http://des.kar.nic.in
Directorate of Employment & Training http://emptrg.kar.nic.in
Directorate Of Kannada & Culture http://www.kar.nic.in/samskruthi
Directorate of Mass Education http://karmassed n.gov. i n
Directorate of Municipal Administration http://municipaladmn.kar.nic.in
Directorate of Social Security http://dssp.kar.nic.in
and Pensions
Directorate of Translations http://www.translations.kar.nic.in
Directorate of Welfare of Disabled http://welfareofdisabled.kar.nic.in
and Senior Citizens
DPAR Uanaspanadana Cell) http://janaspandana.kar.nic.in
DPAR (Services) http://dpar.kar.nic.in
DPAR-RTI http://www.dpar-rti.kar.nic.in
Employees Provident Fund Organisation http://www.epfbng.kar.nic.in
Finance Department http://fi nance, kar. n ic. i n
Food & Civil Supplies http://ahara.kar.nic.in
Home Department http://home.kar.nic.in
Indian Army Paramotor Expedition http://www.armyparamotorexpedition.
kar.nic.in
Infrastructure Development Department http://idd.kar.nic.in
JawaharNavodyaVidyalaya,Mangalore http://www.jnvmangalore.gov.in
Karnataka Appellate Tribunal http://kapt. kar. n ic. i n
Kannada & Culture Department http://kannadasiri.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Education http://karnatakaeducation.gov.in
Karnataka Forest Department http://karnatakaforest.gov. i n
Karnataka Gazetteer Department http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Information Department http://karnatakainformation.gov.in
Karnataka Legislature http://kla.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Public Library http://www.kar.nic.in/publib
Karnataka State Seed Certification Agency http://kssca.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Sugar Institute http://salcogen.gov.in
Labour Department http://l abou r. kar. nic. i n
Mangalore Customs http://customsmangalore.gov.in
Material Organisation,Karwar http://mokarwar.gov.in
National Rural Employment http://karnregs.kar.nic.in
Guarantee Scheme
North Karnataka Postal Region http://www. nkpost. kar. n ic. i n
NSSO South Zone http://www.nsso.kar.nic.in
Official Liquidator, Bangalore http://www.olkarnataka. kar. n ic. in
Passport Office, Bangalore http://www.rpobangalore.gov.in
Passport Office, Cochin http://passcoc. kar. n ic. i n
Passport Office, Kozhikode http://passkoz.kar.nic.in
Passport Office, Trivandrum http://passtvm.kar.nic.in
Planning, Statistics, Science and http://planning.kar.nic.in
Technology Dept.

xviii
Press Information Bureau, Bangalore http://www. pibbng.kar.nic.in
Regional Commissioner Office,Belgaum http://www.regional-commissioner-
belgaum.gov. in
Regional Commissioner Office,Mysore http://rcmysore.gov.in
Rural Dev. &Panchayat Raj Dept. http://rdpr.kar.nic.in
Social Welfare Department http://sw.kar.nic.in
South Karnataka Postal Region http://www.skpost.kar.nic.in
State Livestock Breeding and http://slbtc.kar.nic.in
Training Centre
The Parachute Regiment http://www.indianparachuteregiment.
kar.nic.in
Transport Department http://rto.kar.nic.in
Water Resources Department http://waterresources.kar.nic.in
Watershed Development Department http://watershed.kar.nic.in

Category: Organisations
Department URL

Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of Karnataka http://cedok.kar.nic.in

District Reorganisationcommittee, Bangalore http://drc.kar.nic.in
Drought Monitoring Cell http://dmc.kar.nic.in
Environment Management & Policy Research Institute http://empri.kar.nic.in
Environmental Management System (ENVIS) http://envisempri.kar.nic.in
ENVIS Node - Department of Ecology & Environment http://parisaramah iti .kar.n ic. i n
Jala Samvardhane Yojana Sangha http://www.j sys. kar. n ic. i n
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology http://kidwai.kar.nic.in
National Tuberculosis Institute http://ntiindia.kar.nic.in

Category : Boards & Corporations

Department URL
Karnataka State Agricultural Produce http://kappec.kar.gov.in
Processing and Export Corporation Ltd
Bangalore Metropolitan Region http://www. bm rda. kar. n ic. i n
Development Authority
Central Ground Water Board http://cgwbswr. kar.n ic. in
Central Silk Board http://indiansilk.kar.nic.in
Coffee Board http://www. kar. n ic. i n/exportcoffee
Employees' State Insurance http://www.esickar.gov.in
Corporation, Karnataka
Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board http://www.kiadb.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Land Army Corporation http://www.klac.gov.in
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd http://kred I. kar. n ic. i n
Karnataka State Building Center (KARNIC) http://www.nirmithi.kar.nic.in
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board http://kspcb.kar.nic.in
Karnataka State Small Industries Corporation Limited http://www.kssidc.kar.nic.in
xix
Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation http://kstdc.nic.in
Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited http://ashraya.kar.nic.in
Southern Regional Electricity Board http://www.srpc.kar.nic.in
The Roerich &Devika Rani Roerich Estate Board http://www.roerich.kar.nic.in

Category : Judiciary & Commissions

Department
Administrative Reforms Commission http://arc.gov.in
First National Judicial Pay Commission http://www. kar. n ic. i n/fnj pc
High Court of Karnataka http://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Information Commission http://www.kic.gov.in
Karnataka Lokayukta http://lokayukta.kar.nic.in
Karnataka State Consumer Disputes http://kscdrc.kar.nic.in
Redressal Forum
Karnataka State Election Commission http://karsec.gov.in
Karnataka State Public Service Commission http://kpsc.kar.nic.in
Karnataka State Transport Appellate Tribunal http://www. kstat. kar. n ic. i n
KIC-RTI http://www.karrti.kar.nic.in
Staff Selection Commission http://www.ssckkr.kar.nic.in
Nyayadegula http://nyayadegula.kar.nic.in

Category: Educational
Department
Abdul Nazir Sab State Institute for http://www.sirdmysore.gov.in
Rural Development
Administrative Training Institute, Mysore http://www.ati mysore.gov. i n
Apex Hi-Tech Institute, Bangalore http://www.apexh itech .gov. in
Common Entrance Test Cell http://cet.kar.nic.in
Department of Collegiate Education http://www.dce.kar.nic.in
Department of Public Instruction http://www.schooleducation.kar.nic.in
Directorate of State Education http://www.dsert.kar.nic.in
Research & Training
Directorate of Technical Education http://dte. kar. n ic. i n
Government Arts College, Bangalore http://gacb.kar.nic.in
Government Science College, Bangalore http://www.govtsciencebangalore.
kar.nic.in
Gulbarga University http://www.gu Ibargau n ivers ity. kar. n ic. i n
India Education Digital Library http://ed ud I.gov. i n
Institute of Hotel Management, Bangalore http://www.ihmbangalore.kar.nic.in
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, http://www.jnvdbangalorerural.kar.nic.in
Doddaballapur, Bangalore Rural
JawaharNavodayaVidyalaya, Panchavati, http://www.jnvuttarakannada.gov.in
Uttara Kannada
JNV Bijapur http://j nvbijapur.gov. i n
JNV Dharwad http://j nvd harwad. kar. nic. i n
xx
JNV Haveri http://j nvhaveri .gov. i n
JNV Mandya http://jnvmdy.gov.in
JNV Mudugal http://www.j nvm udgal .gov. i n
JNV Shimoga http://www.j nvsh i moga.gov. in
Karnataka Veterinary, Animal & http://www. kvafsu. kar. nic. i n
Fisheries Sciences University
KendriyaVidyalayaAsc Centre http://kvasc.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Residential Educational http://kreis.kar.nic.in
Institutional Society
KendriyaVidyalaya, Raichur http://www. kvraich ur. kar. n ic. i n
KendriyaVidyalaya No 1, Hubli http://www.kvno1 hubli.kar.nic.in
KrishiVigyanKendra,Bellary http://www. kvkbel lary. kar. n ic. i n
Power Systems Training Institute http://www.kar.nic.in/psti
Pre University Education http://pue.kar.nic.in
PUC Board http://www.puc.kar.nic.in
Regional Institute of English, South India http://www. riesi. kar. n ic. i n
SSLC Results http://www.sslc. kar. n ic. i n
State Institute of Urban Development http://www.si udmysore.gov. i n
Women University, Bijapur http://www.womenuniversity.kar.

Category : Districts
Department URL
Bagalkot District http://www. bagal kot. n ic. i n
Bangalore Rural District http://www.bangalorerural.nic.in
Bangalore Urban District http://bangaloreurban.nic.in/
Belgaum District http://www. be Igau m. n ic. i n
Bellary District http://www.bellary.nic.in
Bidar District http://www.bidar.nic.in
Bijapur District http://www. bijapur.nic.in
Chamraj Nagar District http://cham raj nagar. nic. i n
Chikballapur District http://www.chikballapur.nic.in
Chickmagalur District http://www.ch ickmagal ur. n ic. i n
Chtradurga District http://www.chitradurga.nic.in
Dakshina Kannada District http://www.d k. n ic. i n
Dharwad District http://www.d harwad. nic. i n
Gadag District http://gadag.nic.in
Gulbarga District http://www.gu Ibarga. n ic. i n
Hassan District http://www.hassan.nic.in
Haveri District http://haveri.nic.in
Kodagu District http://www. kodagu. n ic. i n
Kolar District http://kolar.nic.in
Koppal District http://www.koppal.nic.in
Mandya District http://www.mandya.nic.in
Mysore District http://www. mysore. n ic. i n

xxi
Raichur District http://www.raichur.nic.in
Shimoga District http://www.shimoga.nic.in
Karwar District http://uttarakannada.nic.in/
Udupi District http://udupi.nic.in
ZillaPanchayat, Belgaum http://zpbelgaum.kar.nic.in
ZillaPanchayat, Bellary http://www.kar.n ic. i n/bel lary
ZillaPanchayat, Dakshina Kannada http://www. kar. n ic. i n/zpd k
ZillaPanchayat, Gulbarga http://www.kar.nic.in/gulbarga
ZillaPanchayat, Raichur http://www.kar.nic.in/raichur
ZillaPanchayat, Shimoga http://www.shimoga.nic.in/zpshimoga
ZillaPanchayat,Davangere http://www.zpdavangere.kar.nic.in
ZP, Karwar http://www.zpkarwar. kar. n ic. in

Category: Others
Department URL
Biomass Energy for Rural India Project http://bioenergyindia.kar.nic.in
Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka http://ceokarnataka. kar. n ic. in
e-Granthalaya http://egranthalaya. kar. n ic. i n
Kannada Development Authority http://www. kan nada-praad h i kaara.gov. in
Kannda and Culture Department http://suvarnakarnataka.kar.nic.in
Karnataka Government Secretariat Library http://vslib.kar.nic.in
Karnataka State Legal Services Authority http://www. ks Isa. kar. n ic. i n
Presiding Officers Conference http://pocbangalore.kar.nic.in
Project Monitoring Unit http://pmu.kar.nic.in
Raj Bhavan http://rajbhavan.kar.nic.in
Rajajinagara Assembly Constituency http://www. raj aj i nagara. kar. n ic. i n

MSME-Development Institute http://msmedibangalore.gov.in

E-Mail Address
Chief / Additional Chief / Principal Secretaries and Secretaries
SI. Designation E-Mail Address
No
1 CHIEF SECRETARY OFFICE
1 Chief Secretary Office [email protected]. i n
2 Additional Chief Secretary [email protected]. i n
3 Additional Chief Secretary & [email protected]. in
Development Commissioner
II PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES
01 Principal Secretary Agriculture [email protected]
02 Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry [email protected]. i n
and Fisheries
03 Principal Secretary Commerce and Industries [email protected]

xxii
04 Principal Secretary Co-Operation [email protected]. i n
05 Principal Secretary DPAR [email protected]. i n
06 Principal Secretary DPAR-AR [email protected]
07 Principal Secretary Education-Higher [email protected]
08 Principal Secretary E-Governance [email protected]. i n
09 Principal Secretary Energy [email protected]
10 Principal Secretary Finance [email protected]. i n
11 Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies [email protected]. i n
12 Principal Secretary Forest Ecology [email protected]. i n
& Environment
13 Principal Secretary Food Processing and [email protected]. in
Harvesting Technology Agriculture
14 Principal Secretary Health [email protected]
15 Principal Secretary Home [email protected]. in
16 Principal Secretary Housing [email protected]. in
17 Principal Secretary Information Technology [email protected]. in
& Bio Technology & Science and Technology
18 Principal Secretary Information, [email protected]
Tourism, Youth Services
19 Principal Secretary Infrastructure [email protected]
20 Principal Secretary Irrigation-Minor prs-m [email protected]. i n
21 Principal Secretary Planning, Statistics, [email protected]
Science and Technology
22 Principal Secretary Public Works [email protected]. in
23 Principal Secretary Public Enterprise [email protected]
24 Principal Secretary Revenue [email protected]. i n
25 Principal Secretary Social Welfare [email protected]. i n
26 Principal Secretary Transport [email protected]. in
27 Principal Secretary Urban Development [email protected]. in
28 Principal Secretary Water Resources [email protected]. i n
29 Principal Secretary Women and
Child Welfare [email protected]. i n
III SECRETARIES
01 Secretary -1 RDPR [email protected]. i n
02 Secretary - 2 RDPR [email protected]. i n
03 Secretary Budget [email protected]. in
04 Secretary Commerce and Industries secym i [email protected]. i n
05 Secretary Primary and Secondary [email protected]
06 Secretary Environment [email protected]. i n
07 Secretary Finance [email protected]. in
08 Secretary Forest [email protected]. i n
09 Secretary Home and Transport [email protected]. in
10 Secretary Horticulture [email protected]. in
11 Secretary Kannada and Culture [email protected]. i n
12 Secretary Labour [email protected]
13 Secretary Law [email protected]. i n
14 Secretary Medical Education [email protected]

xxiii
15 Secretary Parliamentary Affairs [email protected]. i n
16 Secretary Public Works [email protected]. i n
17 Secretary Revenue secy [email protected]. in
18 Secretary Urban Development [email protected]. i n
19 Secretary Water Resources [email protected]. i n
IV SPECIAL SECRETARIES
01 Special Secretary Energy [email protected]. in
02 Special Secretary Law [email protected]

Heads of Departments
Designation E-Mail Address

1 Administrative Officer Balbhavana [email protected]

2 Advocate General [email protected]
3 Chief Conservator of Forest [email protected]. i n
4 Chief Engineeer Architecture ce-arch [email protected]. i n
5 Chief Engineeer North [email protected]. i n
Communication and Bulding
6 Chief Engineeer South ces-cn [email protected]. i n
Communication and Building
7 Chief Engineeer W RDO [email protected]. i n
8 Chief Engineer National Highways [email protected]. i n
9 Chief Engineer North Major Irrigation [email protected]
10 Chief Engineer North Minor Irrigation cen-m [email protected]. i n
11 Chief Engineer South Major Irrigation [email protected]
12 Chief Engineer South Minor Irrigation ces-m [email protected]. i n
13 Chief Inspector Electrical [email protected]
14 Commissioner Agriculture [email protected]
15 Commissioner Backward [email protected]
16 Commissioner BDA [email protected]
17 Commissioner BMP [email protected]
18 Commissioner BMRDA [email protected]
19 Commissioner Collegiate Education [email protected]
20 Commissioner Commercial Taxes [email protected]
21 Commissioner Excise [email protected]
22 Commissioner Handloom & Textiles [email protected]
23 Commissioner Health and [email protected]. in
Family Welfare
24 Commissioner Home Guards [email protected]. in
25 Commissioner Industries commn-ind [email protected]. i n
26 Commissioner Labour [email protected]
Commissioner Labour Welfare [email protected]

xxiv
28 Commissioner Pollution Control Board [email protected]
29 Commissioner Public Instructions [email protected]
30 Commissioner Social Welfare com [email protected]. in
31 Commissioner Sugarcane [email protected]
32 Commissioner Tourism [email protected]
33 Commissioner Transport [email protected]
34 Director Pre-University Education [email protected]. i n
35 Controller Drugs controller d [email protected]. i n
36 Controller Legal Metrology controller [email protected]
37 Director Administrative [email protected]. i n
Training Institute
38 Deputy Director Bangalorel dd-b1 @karnataka.gov.in
39 Director Agriculture Marketing [email protected]. i n
40 Director Animal Husbandry [email protected]. in
41 Director Archeology and Museums [email protected]. i n
42 Director Archives dir-arch [email protected]. i n
43 Director Area Development Program [email protected]. i n
44 Director Bangalorel dir-bl @karnataka.gov.in
45 Director Cooperative Audit [email protected]
46 Director Co-operative Societies [email protected]
47 Director Disabled [email protected]. in
48 Director Drought Monitoring Cell [email protected]. i n
49 Director DSERT [email protected]. i n
50 Director Economics and Statistics d i [email protected]. i n
51 Director Employment [email protected]
52 Director ESI [email protected]. i n
53 Director Fisheries [email protected]
54 Director Food and Civil Supplies d i [email protected]. i n
55 Director General COD [email protected]. i n
56 Director General Police dg-po [email protected]. i n
57 Director General Prisons [email protected]
58 Director Health and Family Welfare d i [email protected]. in
59 Director Horticulture [email protected]. in
60 Director Indian Medicine [email protected]
61 Director Industries [email protected]
62 Director Information [email protected]
63 Director Information Technology [email protected].
64 Director Kannada and Culture dir-kanandcultu [email protected]. i n
65 Chief Editor Karnataka Gazetter [email protected]. i n
66 Director Karnataka Judicial Academy d i r-kaj @karnataka.gov. i n
67 Director KG ID [email protected]. in
68 Director KGS Training d i r-kgstrain i [email protected]. in
69 Director KSBPE [email protected]
70 Director Factories & Boilers d i r-factbo i [email protected]. i n

xxv
71 Director Lake Development Authority [email protected]. in
72 Director Mass Education [email protected]
73 Director Medical Education [email protected]
74 Director Mines d i r-mi [email protected]. i n
75 Director Minorities d i r-mi [email protected]. i n
76 Director Municipal Administration d i [email protected]. i n
77 Director Muzrai [email protected]. in
78 Director PMI RDPR [email protected]. in
79 Director Printing Press [email protected]
80 Director Public Prosecution d i [email protected]. i n
81 Director RDS [email protected]. in
82 Director Rural Energy d i [email protected]. i n
83 Director Rural Water Supply d i [email protected]. i n
84 Director Sainik Welfare d i r-sai n i kwe [email protected]. i n
85 Director Sericulture Department d i r-sericu Itu [email protected]. i n
86 Director Small Savings d [email protected]. in
87 Director SSLR [email protected]. in
88 Director State Accounts Department d i [email protected]. i n
89 Director State Libraries [email protected]
90 Director State Treasuries d i [email protected]. i n
91 Director Technical Education d i [email protected]. i n
92 Director Town Planning d i r-townplann i [email protected]. in
93 Director Translation [email protected]. in
94 Director Vocational Education d i [email protected]. in
95 Director Watershed Development d i [email protected]. i n
96 Director Women and d i [email protected]. i n
Child Development
97 Director Youth Services d i r-youthservi [email protected]. i n
98 Inspector General Stamps and [email protected]. in
Registration
99 Lokayuktha [email protected]. i n
101 Member Secretary State Legal Services [email protected]
10 Special Officer CET [email protected]. in
10: Special Commissioner for BMP [email protected]
10: State Chief Information Commission [email protected]. in
10- State Information Officer [email protected]

Deputy Commissioners
Designation E-Mail Address

1 Deputy Commissioner Bagalkote dc-bagal [email protected]. i n

2 Deputy Commissioner Bangalore Rural [email protected]
3 Deputy Commissioner Bangalore Urban [email protected]
4 Deputy Commissioner Belgaum dc-be Igau [email protected]. in

xxvii
5 Deputy Commissioner Bellary dc-bel [email protected]. i n
6 Deputy Commissioner Bidar [email protected]
7 Deputy Commissioner Bijapur [email protected]
8 Deputy Commissioner Chamrajanagara dc-cham raj [email protected]. i n
9 Deputy Commissioner Chickmagalur dc-ch ickmagal [email protected]. i n
10 Deputy Commissioner Chitradurga dc-ch itrad [email protected]. i n
11 Deputy Commissioner Dakshina Kannada [email protected]
12 Deputy Commissioner Davanagere [email protected]
13 Deputy Commissioner Dharwad [email protected]. i n
14 Deputy Commissioner Gadag [email protected]. i n
15 Deputy Commissioner Gulbarga dc-gu [email protected]. i n
16 Deputy Commissioner Hassan [email protected]. in
17 Deputy Commissioner Haveri [email protected]
18 Deputy Commissioner Kodagu [email protected]. in
19 Deputy Commissioner Kolar [email protected]
20 Deputy Commissioner Koppal [email protected]. in
21 Deputy Commissioner Mandya [email protected]. in
22 Deputy Commissioner Mysore [email protected]. in
23 Deputy Commissioner Raichur dc-raich [email protected]. i n
24 Deputy Commissioner Shimoga [email protected]
25 Deputy Commissioner Tumkur [email protected]
26 Deputy Commissioner Udupi [email protected]
27 Deputy Commissioner Uttara Kannada [email protected]

Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayath

SI. Designation E-Mail Address
No.
1 Bagalkote [email protected]. i n
2 Bangalore Rural [email protected]
3 Bangalore Urban [email protected]
4 Belgaum [email protected]
5 Bellary ceo-zp-bel [email protected]. i n
6 Bidar [email protected]. in
7 Bijapur ceo-zp-bijapu [email protected]. i n
8 Chamrajanagara [email protected]. in
9 Chickmagalur ceo-zp-ch ickmagal u [email protected]. i n
10 Chitradurga [email protected]
11 Dakshina Kannada ceo-zp-d kan [email protected]. i n
12 Davanagere [email protected]. i n
13 Dharwad [email protected]. i n
14 Gadag [email protected]
15 Gulbarga ceo-zp-gu [email protected]. i n
16 Hassan [email protected]. i n

xxvii
17 Haveri [email protected]. i n
18 Kodagu [email protected]
19 Kolar [email protected]. i n
20 Koppal [email protected]. in
21 Mandya [email protected]. in
22 Mysore [email protected]. i n
23 Raich ur ceo-zp-raich [email protected]. i n
24 Shimoga ceo-zp-sh i [email protected]. i n
25 Tumkur ceo-zp-tu mku [email protected]. i n
26 Udupi [email protected]
27 Uttara Kannada [email protected]. in

Superintendent of Police
SI. Designation E-Mail Address
No.
1 Bagalkote [email protected]
2 Bangalore Rural [email protected]
3 Bangalore Urban [email protected]. in
4 Belgaum [email protected]. in
5 Bellary sp-bel [email protected]. in
6 Bidar [email protected]
7 Bijapur [email protected]
8 Chamrajanagara [email protected]
9 Chickmagalur [email protected]
10 Chitradurga sp-ch itradu [email protected]. i n
11 Dakshina Kannada [email protected]
12 Davanagere [email protected]. i n
13 Dharwad [email protected]. in
14 Gadag [email protected]. i n
15 Gulbarga sp-gu [email protected]. i n
16 Hassan [email protected]. in
17 Haveri [email protected]
18 Kodagu [email protected]. in
19 Kolar [email protected]. in
20 Koppal [email protected]
21 Mandya [email protected]
22 Mysore [email protected]. i n
23 Raich ur [email protected]
24 Shimoga sp-sh i [email protected]. i n
25 Tumkur sp-tu mku [email protected]. i n
26 Udupi [email protected]
27 Uttara Kannada [email protected]

xxviii
 Annexures 671

Padma Awards
1 Awards and Awardees Year Awards and Awardees Year 1

--------------------- BHARATHA RATHNA----------- Sri Closepet Dasappa Narasimhaiah 1990

Dr. C.V. Raman 1954 Dr. Basavaraj Rajaguru 1991
Dr. Sir M. Visveshwaraiah 1955 Smt. B. Sarojadevi 1992
-------------------- PADMA VIBHUSHANA---------- ------- Dr. Girish Karnad 1992
Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao 1974 Dr. Kadur Venkatalakshmamma 1992
Dr. Rajaramanna 1975 Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturi Rangan 1992
Dr. Satish Dhavan 1981 Prof. Vaidhyeshwaran Rajaram 1998
Prof. S.N.R. Rao 1985 Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy 1998
Smt. Kamala Devi Chattopadhayaya 1987 Sri H.Y. Sharada Prasad 2000
Sri Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa (Kuvempu) 1988 Sri P. Chandrashekar 2000
Sri Kumara Ghandharva 1990 Sri Rajanikanth 2000
Sri Somagudi Srinivasa Iyengar 1990 Sri D. Virendra Hegde 2000
Dr. Mallikarjuna Bhimarayappa Mansoor 1992 Sri Arcot Ramachandran 2003
Sri R.K.Narayan 2000 Prof. Rajendra Kumar 2003
Smt. Gangubhai Hangal 2002 Sri T.R. Satish Chandran 2005
Prof. Govinda Rajan Padmanabhan 2004 Sri Azim Premji 2005
Sri Obaid Siddhique 2006 Smt. Kiran Majumdhar Shah 2005
---------- Dr. Narasimhaiah Sheshagiri 2005
Sri V. Narahari 1954 Dr. Devaki Jain 2006
Sri K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu) 1958 Sri K.P.P. Nambiyar 2006
Sri Mysore Vasudevacharya 1959 Dr. Madhav Gadgil 2006
Sri Svetoslav Roerich 1961 Dr. N.S. Ramaswamy 2006
Sri R.K. Narayan 1964 Sri Nandan Nilekani 2006
Dr. D.C. Pavate 1967 Sri P.S. Appu 2006
Dr. K. Shivaram Karanth 1968 Pandith Puttaraja Gavai 2010
Dr. M.C.Modi 1968 Prof. Belle Monappa Hegde 2010
Dr. P.L.Bhatnagar 1968 Dr. Bala Gangadharanatha Swamiji 2010
Smt. Gangubhai Hangal 1971
Dr. Satish Dhavan 1971 Sri Humayun Mirza 1955
Sri Mohammad Maiyath 1972 Dr. M.C. Modi 1956
Sri Aadhya Rangacharya 1972 Dr. S.R. Ranganathan 1957
Sri R.M. Majumdhar 1973 Smt. Devikarani Roerich 1958
Dr. Arunachala Srinivasan 1974 Sri Mathew Kandhathil 1959
Dr. D.V. Gundappa 1974 Dr. Mary Rathnamma Isaac 1959
Sri Mallikarjuna Mansoor 1976 Dr. Vaidyanath Subramanian 1960
Prof. Udupi Ramachandra Rao 1976 Sri Veeranagowda Veerasanghagowda Patil 1961
Dr. Mysore Narasimhachar Srinivas 1977 Miss Evangeles 1961
Dr. V. Doraiswamy Iyengar 1983 Agaram Krishnamachar 1961
Dr. Rajkumar 1983 Sri C.K. Venkataramaiah 1962
Dr. H. Narasimhaiah 1984 Dr. Tonase Madhava Anantha Pai 1965
Prof. Shivaraj Ramsheshan 1985 Dr. Vishnu Madhava Gatge 1965
Dr. Pandit Bhimasen Joshi 1985 Sri Soughan Basappa Mallanagowda Patil 1966
Sri T.R. Mahalingam 1986 Dr. Satish Dhavan 1966
Prof. Rodham Narasimha 1987 Sri C.M. Krishnaiah Shetty 1968
 A Handbook of Karnataka 672

1 Awards and Awardees Year Awards and Awardees Year 1

Smt. Sudha V. Reddy 1968 Dr. P.T. Narasimhachar (Pu.Ti.Na) 1991

Sri O.M. Krishnaiah Shetty 1968 Sister Leonard Kasargi 1998
Smt. B. Sarojadevi 1969 Dr. Manmohan Athavar 1998
Sri Singhannachar Narasimhaswamy 1969 Dr. N.R. Narayanamurthy 2000
Sri E.A.S. Prasanna 1970 Sri Allopiyan Fernandis 2000
Sri Ganashyam Das Goel 1970 Dr. H. Sudarshan 2000
Dr. P. Narasimhaiah 1970 Dr. Chandrashekara Kambara 2001
Sri Mallikaijuna Mansoor 1970 Dr. De. Javaregowda 2001
Dr. Basavatna Narayana Balakrishnarao 1971 Smt. Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla 2001
Sri Gundappa Ranganath Viswanath 1971 Dr. C.G. Krishnadas Nair 2001
Kum. Shantha Rao 1971 Sri Govardhan Mehata 2001
Smt. Roy Mother Mary Tedosin 1971 Dr. P.S.Goel 2001
Sri B.S. Chandashekar 1972 Sri R.T. Venkatachalamurthy 2001
Sri M.P. Jaiswal 1972 Sri Mahesh Bhupathi 2001
Dr. Ravivarma M.Varma 1972 Prof. Ramanath Koushik 2002
Sri P. Seetharamaiah 1972 Prof. N. Balakrishnan 2002
Sri C.R. Subramanya 1973 Prof. Padmanabhan Balaram 2002
Kum. Kodhanda Rohini Poovaiah 1973 Dr. Kota Harinarayan 2002
Sri Harishchandra Kashinath Karve 1973 Sri B.L.S.Murthy 2004
Prof. Govinda Swarupa 1973 Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty 2004
Sri Kaluri Gopalrao 1974 Sri Samuel Paul 2004
Dr. Seetharamrao Valluri 1974 Syed Shah Mohammed Hussaini 2004
Sri Girish Karnad 1974 Sri N.R. Mohanthi 2004
Sri Basavaraj Rajaguru 1975 Sri T.S. Prahalad 2004
Sri Rattahalli Nagendra 1976 Sri V. Prakash 2004
Sri B.V. Karanth 1981 Sri K.S. Shankar 2004
Dr. Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil 1981 Sri Rahul Dravid 2004
Dr. K. Kasturi Rangan 1982 Smt. Anjubabi George 2004
Mr. Syed M.H. Kirmani 1982 Sri Anil Kumble 2005
Sri Vakkaleri Narayan 1982 Smt. Kavitha Subramaniyam Krishnamurthy 2005
Sri Ramaswamy Vanika Vasagam 1982 Sri K.C.Reddy 2005
Sri Prakash Padukone 1982 Prof. Bhagatulla Dattaguru 2005
Sri Nilamber Panth 1984 Dr. Mahadevappa Madhappa 2005
Sri P.P. Kale 1984 Sri Devappagowda Chinnaiah 2006
Major General Somanath Bhaskar 1985 Smt. Sudha Murthy 2006
Dr. G.B. Joshi 1986 Smt. Arundhati Nag 2010
Dr. Devi Prasanna Puttanayak 1987 Dr. B. Ramana Rao 2010
Dr. Ramdas Pani Mangalore Shenoy 1987 Prof. Kodaganur S. Gopinath 2010
Smt. Chindodi Leela 1988 Prof. N.R. Satyanarayana Rao 2010
Kum. Kiran Majumdhar 1989 Dr. Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath 2010
Prof. Mallappa Krishna Bhargav 1990
------------- DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD -
Dr. Bangalore Puttannaiah Radhakrishna 1991
Dr. Singanallur Rajkumar 2006
Belluru Krishnamachar Sundarraj Iyengar 1991 Lifetime Achievement
Sri Ramesh Gelli 1991 Mr. V.K. Murthy 2010
Sri Rudraaradhya Muddu Basavaradya 1991 Best Cinematographer
Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan 1991
 Chapter I
INTRODUCTION
Karnataka has a rich heritage, inspiring its people to create a bright future.
With its special geographical location full of variety-its rivers, hills, valleys,
plains, forests and resources-the State is known for its tourist and industrial
potential. Its long history of over 2,000 years has left many beautiful forts,
tanks, temples, mosques and towns of historical importance to the posterity.
These old towns have grown to be industrial, commercial and educational
centres. They are provided with all modern facilities.
Bordered by the Western Ghats with tall peaks and lush greenery in the west,
the tableland is fertile because of its black soil and river and tank irrigation
facilities. The coastal strip to the west of the Ghats is renowned for its silvery
beaches and rich green paddy fields.
Karnataka has rich religious and artistic traditions. The land has been
described by a poet in a stone record in the 15th Century in following words:
A mine o f good discipline,
The dwelling place o f Brahma,
The land which had acquired great fortune,
The birthplace o f learning and wealth,
The true home o f unequalled splendid earnestness
Thus distinguished in many ways
Shone the lovely Karnata Country.
The temples of antiquity speak of the piety of their devotees. The agraharas
and mathas spread all over vouch to the scholarly pursuits to which people
were attached. The hero stones strewing the land speak of the heroic traits
of the warrior race of antiquity. Long traditions of growing cotton are clear
evidence to once flourishing rich textile industry. The ports along the coast
remind one of the rich overseas trades that flourished through them. The black
soil plains speak of its agricultural potential. The State’s human resources with
racial and religious varieties and professional skills promise to make it a hub
of industriousness.
With an antiquity that dates to the paleolithic, Karnataka has also been
home to some of the most powerful empires of ancient and medieval India.
The philosophers and musical bards patronized by these empires launched
socio-religious and literary movements which have endured to the present
day. Karnataka has contributed significantly to both forms of Indian classical
music, the Carnatic (Karnataka Music) and Hindustani traditions. Writers in
the Kannada language have received the most number of Jnanapith awards
in India. Bangalore is the capital city of the State and is at the forefront of the
rapid economic and technological development that India is experiencing.
A Handbook of Karnataka 2

Location and Boundaries

The State of Karnataka, confined roughly within 11°35’ North and 18°30’
North latitudes and 74°5’ East and 78°35’ East longitudes, is situated on a
Introduction 3

tableland where the Western and Eastern Ghat ranges converge into the Nilgiri
hill complex. Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India. It was created on
November 1, 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganization Act. Originally
known as the State of Mysore, it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. Karnataka is
bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to
the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala
to the southwest. The state extends to about 750km from North to South and
about 400km from East to West.
Area and Population
The state covers an area of 74,122 sq miles (191,791 km2), or 5.83% of the
total geographical area of India. It is the eighth largest Indian state by area, the
ninth largest by population and comprises 29 districts. Kannada is the official
and most widely spoken language. Though several etymologies have been
suggested for the name Karnataka, the generally accepted one is that Karnataka
is derived from the Kannada words karu and nadu, meaning elevated land.
Karu nadu may also be read as Karu (black) and nadu (region), as a reference
to the black cotton soil found in the Bayaluseeme region of Karnataka. The
British used the word Carnatic (sometimes Karnatak) to describe both sides of
peninsular India, south of the Krishna River.
There are 29 districts in Karnataka—Bagalkote, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru
Urban, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur,
Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Davanagere, Dharwad,
Gadag, Gulbarga, Hassan, Haveri, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore,
Raichur, Ramanagara, Shimoga, Tumkur, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. Each
district is governed by a district commissioner or district magistrate. The
districts are further divided into sub-divisions, which are governed by sub-
divisional magistrates; sub-divisions comprise taluks containing panchayats
(village councils) and town municipalities. As per the 2001 census, Karnataka’s
six largest cities sorted in order of decreasing population were, Bangalore,
Hubli-Dharwad, Mysore, Gulbarga, Belgaum and Mangalore. Bangalore is
the only city with a population of more than one million. Bangalore Urban,
Belgaum and Gulbarga are the most populous districts, each of them having a
population of more than three million. Gadag, Chamarajanagara and Kodagu
districts have a population of less than one million.
According to the 2001 census of India, the total population of Karnataka is
52,850,562, of which 26,898,918 (50.89%) are male and 25,951,644 (49.11%)
are female, or 1000 males for every 964 females. This represents a 17.25%
increase over the population in 1991. The population density is 275.6 per km2
and 33.98% of the people live in urban areas. The literacy rate is 66.6% with
76.1% of males and 56.9% of females being literate. 83% of the population
are Hindu, 11% are Muslim, 4% are Christian, 0.78% are Jains, 0.73% are
Buddhist, and with the remainder belonging to other religions.
A Handbook of Karnataka 4

te r rito ria l Changes

The erstwhile princely State of Mysore came into existence after the Fourth
Anglo-Mysore war in 1799 A.D. and it formed the Nucleus State for the New
Introduction 5

State of Mysore under the States’ Reorganization Act of 1956. The area reported
corresponding to the unit was 75,412 sq. km. In 1881 this unit consisted of only
seven districts namely Bangalore, Tumkur, Kolar, Kadur, Mysore, Chitradurga
and Shimoga. In 1886 Hassan district was carved out as eighth district And
in 1939, Mandya district was created as the ninth district In 1953, the Bellary
district of Madras State (excluding Adoni, Alur and Rayadurga taluks) was
transferred to Mysore State when the State of Andhra Pradesh was formed,
resulting in an addition of 9,897 sq. km. to the area of the State.
Political movements for the creation of new, linguistic-based states developed
around India in the years after independence. The movement to create a Telugu-
speaking state out of the northern portion of Madras State gathered strength in
the years after independence, and in 1953, the 16 northern, Telugu-speaking
districts of Madras State became the new State of Andhra. In December
1953, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appointed the States Reorganisation
Commission to prepare for the creation of states on linguistic lines. This
was headed by Justice Fazal Ali and the commission itself was also known
as the Fazal Ali Commission. The efforts of this commission were overseen
by Govind Ballabh Pant, who served as Home Minister from December 1954.
The commission created a report in 1955 recommending the reorganization of
India’s states.
The States Reorganization Act of 1956, which went into effect on November
1st, eliminated the distinction between part A, B, and C states. It also reorganized
the state boundaries and created or dissolved states and union territories. On
November 1st, 1956, India was divided into states and union territories. The
Mysore State was enlarged by the addition of Coorg state and the Kannada
speaking districts from southern Bombay state and western Hyderabad state.
The State of Mysore (rechristened as Karnataka with effect from 1.11.1973)
with its territorial content as it exists now was formed on 1st November 1956
under the States’ Reorganization Act. It comprised of a) the old Mysore State
including Bellary district; b) Bijapur, Dharwad and Uttara Kannada district
and Belgaum district excluding Chandgad taluk with an area of 54,347 sq.km;
c) Gulbarga (Except Kodangal and Tandur taluks)-16,274 sq.km; Raichur
(except Alampur and Gadwal taluks)-14,078 sq.km; and Bidar district (except
Ahmedpur, Nilanga and Udgir taluks, Nayalkar Circle of Bidar taluk, Zahirabad
taluk except Nirna circle and three villages of Humnabad taluk and Narayankhed
taluk) with an area of 5,363 sq.km. from former Hyderabad State; d) Dakshina
Kannada (except Kasargod taluk and Amindivi islands) with an area of
8,385 sq.km; and Kollegal taluk of Coimbatore district with an area of 2,786
sq.km. from former Madras State; and e) former part C State of Coorg (Kodagu)
district with an area of 4,131 sq. km.
In 1969, Savanur taluk was created and in 1974, Hagaribommananahalli
taluk was created by the abolition of the former Mallapuram taluk In Bellary
A Handbook of Karnataka 6

district During 1986, Bangalore Rural district was carved out of the former
Bangalore district. Bangalore district includes Anekal taluk, Bangalore North
taluk (including Jala hobli of the former Devanahalli taluk and Dasanapura
hobli of the former Nelamangala taluk), Bangalore South taluk (including
Tavarekere hobli of the former Magadi taluk and Bidarahalli hobli of the former
Hoskote taluk) and Bangalore Urban Agglomeration areas. The Jurisdiction
of Karnataka state extends over portions land-locked within Maharashtra i.e.
Dhamne S. Bailur and Kudrimani of Belgaum taluk and Mukhed of Aurad
taluk of Bidar district.
In August 1997, seven more districts were newly formed raising the number
of districts in the State to 27. Bijapur district was bifurcated into Bijapur and
Bagalkot districts. Out of eleven taluks, Jamkhandi, Mudhol, Bilgi, Bagalkot,
Badami and Hungund taluks were brought under the new Bagalkot district. The
present Bijapur district has Indi, Sindhagi, Bijapur, Basavana Bagewadi and
Muddebihal taluks. The new Davanagere district was formed by transferring
Davanagere, Harihara and Jagalur taluks from Chitradurga district, Channagiri
and Honnali taluks from Shimoga district and Harapanahalli taluk from
Bellary district. Dharwad district was divided into three districts viz, Dharwad,
Gadag and Haveri. Haveri district included Shiggaon, Savanur, Hanagal,
Haveri, Byadgi, Hirekerur and Ranibennur taluks. Gadag district comprises
of Nargund, Ron, Gadag, Mundargi and Shirahatti taluks while the remaining
five taluks viz Dharwad, Navalgund, Hubli, Kalghatgi and Kundgol constituted
Dharwad district.
Raichur district was bifurcated into Raichur and Koppal districts.
Gangavathi, Koppal, Kusthagi and Yelburga taluks were brought under the
newly formed Koppal district while the remaining five taluks viz Devadurga,
Lingsurgur, Manvi, Raichur and Sindhanur taluks constituted new Raichur
district. Dakshina Kannada was bifurcated into Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
districts. Belthangady, Bantwal, Mangalore, Puttur and Sullya taluks remained
in new Dakshina Kannada while Karkala, Kundapur and Udupi taluks were
transferred to the newly created Udupi district. Out of the eleven taluks of
old Mysore district, Chamarajanagar, Gundlupet, Kollegal and Yelandur
taluks were transferred to the newly formed Chamarajanagar district while
the remaining seven taluks viz Heggadadevanakote, Hunsur, Krishnarajnagar,
Mysore, Nanjangud, Periyapatna and Tirumakudal Narasipur taluks formed
part of Mysore district.
During August 2007 Ramanagara district was formed by altering the limits
of Bangalore Rural District and Chikkaballapur District was formed by altering
the limits of Kolar District vide Government Order No RD 27 Bhudapu (p-3),
Bangalore, dated 3rd August 2007 and subsequent amendment dated17th
August 2007 with effect form 23-08-2007. Ramanagara, Magadi, Kanakapura
and Channapatna taluks of Bangalore Rural district were brought under
Ramanagar District. Chikkaballapura, Shidlaghatta, Chintamani, Bagepalli
Introduction 7

Gudibande and Gowribidanuru taluks were transferred from Kolar district to

the newly formed Chikkaballapura District,
Adm inistrative Divisions
Karnataka State has been divided into four Revenue divisions, 52 sub­
divisions, 29 districts, 176 taluks and 747 hoblies/Revenue Circles for
administrative purposes. The district-wise area, population and administrative
divisions of Karnataka State are given in Table . The Bangalore Division comprises
of Bangalore (Urban), Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Kolar, Chitradurga, Shimoga
and Davanagere districts with headquarters at Bangalore. The Mysore Division
consists of the districts of Mysore, Mandya, Hassan Chikmagalur, Dakshina
Kannada, Kodagu, Udupi and Chamarajanagar districts with headquarters at
Mysore. The Belgaum Division has Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri,
Uttara Kannada and Bagalkot districts under its jurisdiction with headquarters
at Belgaum; and Gulbarga division with headquarters at Gulbarga covers the
districts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Bellary, Raichur and Koppal districts. The State
has 27,481 inhabited and 1,925 uninhabited villages, 270 towns and urban
agglomerations, 5,628 Grampanchayats and 219 Municipal Corporations.
Karnataka has only one city with more than a million population viz, Bangalore.
It is one of the six largest urban agglomeration out of 23 metropolises,
urban agglomerations and cities in India. It occupied fifth position in 1981.
In 1991, among six biggest cities only Delhi has grown at a faster rate than
Bangalore. The taluk-wise area in sq km. Population, number o f inhabited and
uninhabited villages, number of sub-divisions and No. of hoblies is given in
Appendix.
Area and A dm inistrative d ivision s (Numbers)

Area in Villages Cities &

Sl.No. Year Taluks Hoblies
Sq.Km. Inhabited Un - Inhabited Towns
1 1961 191757 175 662 26377 NA 231
2 1971 191773 175 739 26826 2707 245
3 1981 191791 175 745 27024 2362 281
4 1991 191791 175 745 27066 2127 254
5 2001 191791 176 745 27481 1925 270
Physiography
Physiograpically Karnataka State forms part of two well defined macro regions
of Indian Union; the Deccan Plateau and the Coastal plains and Islands. The
State has four physiographic regions as follows:
1) northern Karnataka Plateau: Northern Karnataka Plateau comprises of
the districts of Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Gulbarga. It is largely
composed of Deccan Trap. It represents a monotonous treeless extensive
plateau landscape with a general elevation of 300 to 600 metres from the
A Handbook of Karnataka 8

mean sea level. However the river plains of the Krishna, the Bhima, the
Ghataprabha and the Malaprabha with the intervening watersheds, the
step like landscapes, lateritic scarpments, residual hills and ridges break
the monotony of this extensive plateau. The general slope is towards east
and this region is largely covered with rich black cotton soils.

74° E A S T O f GR EE N W IC H 75° 76° 77° 7» ° 7/

Introduction 9

2) Central Karnataka Plateau: Central Karnataka Plateau covers the

districts of Bellary, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Dharwad,
Gadag, Haveri Raichur, Koppal and Shimoga. The region represents the
transitional surface between the Northern Karnataka Plateau of Deccan
Trap and Southern Karnataka Plateau with relatively higher surface. By
and large, this region represents the area of Tungabhadra basin. The
general elevation varies between 450 and 700 metres. However, this
transitional ground is broken by several sets of parallel ridges mainly
made up of Dharwar system of rocks. The height of such residual hills is
about 900 metres above mean sea level. The general slope of this region is
towards the east.
3) Southern Karnataka Plateau: The Southern Karnataka Plateau covers the
districts of Bangalore, Bangalore Rural, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya,
Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Tumkur. This region largely covers the
area of the Cauvery river basin lying in Karnataka. It is bounded by
600 metres contour and is characterised by a higher degree of slope. In
the west and south it is enclosed by the ranges of Western Ghats and the
northern part is an interrupted but clearly identifiable high plateau. In
the east the valleys of the Cauvery and its tributaries open out to form
undulating plains. The general elevation of the region varies from 600 to
900 metres. However residual heights of 1,500 to 1,750 metres are found
in the Biligirirangan hills of Mysore district and the Brahmagiri range of
Kodagu district
4) Karnataka Coastal Region: The Karnataka Coastal Region, which extends
between the Western Ghats edge of the Karnataka Plateau in the east and
the Arabian Sea in the west, covers Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara
Kannada districts. This region is traversed by several ridges and spurs of
Western Ghats. It has difficult terrain full of rivers, creeks, water falls,
peaks and ranges of hills. The coastal region consists of two broad physical
units, the plains and the Western Ghats. The Coastal plains, represent
a narrow stretch of estuarine and marine plains. The abrupt rise at the
eastern flanks forms the Western Ghats. The northern parts of the Ghats
are of lower elevation [450-600 metres) as compared to Southern parts
(900 to 1,500 metres). The Coastal belt with an average width of 50 to 80
km covers a distance of about 267 km. from north to south. At certain
places the crest of adjoining Western Ghats reach the sea as close as 13
km near Karwar. The average height is generally 75 metres from the mean
sea level.
topograp h y
Karnataka has representatives of all types of variations in topography - high
mountains, plateaus, residual hills and coastal plains. The State is enclosed by
chains of mountains to its west, east and south. It consists mainly of plateau
which has higher elevation of 600 to 900 metres above mean sea level. The
entire landscape is undulating broken up by mountains and deep ravines.
A Handbook of Karnataka 10

Plain land of elevation less than 300 metres above mean sea level is to be
found only in the narrow coastal belt, facing the Arabian Sea. There are quite
a few high peaks both in Western and Eastern Ghat systems with altitudes
more than 1,500 metres. A series of cross-sections drawn from west to east
across the Western Ghat generally exhibit, a narrow coastal plain followed to
the east by small and short plateaus at different altitudes, then suddenly rising
upto great heights. Then follows the gentle east and east-north-west sloping
plateau. Among the tallest peaks of Karnataka are the Mullayyana Giri (1,925
m), Bababudangiri (Chandradrona Parvata 1,894 m) and the Kudremukh
(1,895 m) all in Chikmagalur district and the Pushpagiri (1,908 m) in Kodagu
district There are a dozen peaks which rise above the height of 1,500 metres.
The percentage of area coming under different elevations is as follows: less
than 150 metres-5.16; 150 to 300 metres-1.95; 300 to 600 metres-43.51; 600
to 1,350 metres-48.81 and more than 1,350 metres-0.57.
g eo lo g y

Karnataka consists of four main types of geological formations; the Archean

complex made up of Dharwad schists and granitic gneisses, the Proterozoic
non-fossiliferous sedimentary formations of the Kaladgi and Bhima series,
the Deccan trappean and intertrappean deposits and the tertiary and recent
laterites and alluvial deposits. Significantly, about 60% of the state is composed
of the Archean complex which consist of gneisses, granites and charnockite
rocks. Laterite cappings that are found in many districts over the Deccan Traps
were formed after the cessation of volcanic activity in the early tertiary period.
Eleven groups of soil orders are found in Karnataka, viz. Entisols, Inceptisols,
Mollisols, Spodosols, Alfisols, Ultisols, Oxisols, Aridisols, Vertisols, Andisols
and Histosols. Depending on the agricultural capability of the soil, the soil
types are divided into six types, viz. Red, lateritic, black, alluvio-colluvial, forest
and coastal soils.
The geological history of Karnataka is largely confined to the two oldest eras
- the Archaean and the Proterozoic. The substantial part of North Karnataka
is covered by Deccan Trap. The bulk of the rocks of Karnataka are Archaean
in age.
Ancient supracrustals are the oldest rocks dated so far in Karnataka. They
are a group of grey gneisses giving an age of 3,400 million years. They are also
described as belonging to Sargur schists.
Auriferous Schist Belts (Kolar type) are next in order of age and are a series
of basic igneous rocks. They are well developed in the eastern part of the
State. Older Gneissic complex consist of an extensive group of grey gneisses
(3,400 to 3,000 million years) and act as the basement for an extensive belt of
schists. Younger Gneiss complex consist of a group of gneissic rocks mostly of
granodioritic and granitic composition. They are found in the eastern parts of
the State and range in age from 2,700 to 2,000 million years.
Younger Schist Belts (Dharwar type) are the prominent schistose rocks. They
are Archaean in age and belong to the age group of 2,900 to 2,600 million
Introduction 11

years. Two main divisions in this super group are Bababudan and Chitradurga.
Ranebennur group is presently classified as the top most formation within
Chitradurga group.
A Handbook of Karnataka 12

--------- SYENITE
AMPHIBOLITE/HORN BLEND ESCHIST METAULTRAMAFITi
BANDED FERROG INO US CHERT METABASALT/METAANDESITE WITH FERROGENIOUS BANDS
--------- DOLERITE & AMPHIBOLITE DYKES PEGMATITE VEIN
FELSITE-PORPHYRY-DIORITE DYKE AND LAMP HROPHYRE D Y K E --------- PINK GRANULITE
FERROGINOUS/MANGANIFERROUSCHERT= PYROXENEGRANULITE
FERRUGINOUSCHERT/B.H.Q/B.F.Q PYROXENEGRANULITE
--------- GRANITE -------- PYROXENITE, GABBRO
IRON FORMATION QUARTIZITE
--------- IRONSTONE QUARTZ REEF
MAGNATITE QUARTZITE -------- QUARTZ VEIN
MANGANESE AND IRON FORMATION WITH PHYLLITE AND CHERT QUARTZITE/SILLIMANITE7FUCHSITE

Younger (Closepet) Granites extends in north-south directions as a narrow

belt 50 km. Wide. This is a complex of coarse to medium pink and grey granites.
Isolated masses of granites like those of Chitradurga, Arasikere, and Banavara
belong to the same age group as the younger Granites (2,600 million years).
Chornocktes are a group of Pyroxene bearing granulites and they are not
regarded as separate intrusions and are located in the southern parts of the
State.
The close of the Archaean is marked by a period of dyke formation. The
majority of the dykes are younger than 2,400 million years. They are of doleritic
composition. Besides dolorites, a number of alkaline dyke intrusives have been
described in the southern part of Karnataka.
M ineral Resources
There are four main types of geological formations in Karnataka according
to Radhakrishnan and Vaidyanadhan. 1) The Archean complex made up of
Dharwad schists and granitic gneisses: These cover around 60% of the area
of the state and consist of gneisses, granites and charnockite rocks. Some of
the minerals found in this region are dolomite, limestone, gabbro, quartzite,
pyroxenite, manganese and iron ores and metabasalt. 2) The Proterozoic non-
fossiliferous sedimentary formations of the Kaladgi and Bhima series: The
Kaladgi series has horizontal rocks that run for 160 km in the districts of
Belgaum, Raichur, Dharwad and Bijapur districts. The Bhima series that is
present on either side of the Bhima River consists of rocks containing sandstone,
limestone and shale and this is present in the Gulbarga and Bijapur districts.
3) The Deccan trappean and intertrappean deposits: This is a part of the Deccan
traps which were formed by the accumulation of basaltic lava. This is made up
of greyish to black augite-basalt and 4) The tertiary and recent laterites and
alluvial deposits: Laterite capping are found over the Deccan Traps and were
formed after the cessation of volcanic activity in the early tertiary period. These
are found in many districts in the Deccan plateau and also in the coast.
Karnataka is endowed with fairly rich mineral wealth distributed more
or less evenly over its territory. It has one of the oldest Geological Survey
Department in the Country, started as far back as 1880. The State contains
deposits of asbestos, bauxite, chromite, dolomite, gold, iron ore, kaolin,
limestone, magnesite, manganese, ochre, quartz and silica sand. Karnataka is
the sole producer of felsite and leading producer of gold (84%), moulding sand
Introduction 13

(63%) and fuchsite quartzite (57%). But now gold deposits have been mostly
exhausted.
Production o f Minerals in Karnataka

Sl.
No. Minerals Units 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

I. Metallic
a) Ferrous
in thousand
1. Chromite 15 18 19 27 27
MT
in thousand
2. Iron Ore 18902 22595 24044 34107 39693
MT
Mangaese in thousand
3. 219 213 223 359 564
ore MT
b) Non-Ferrous
in thousand
4. Bauxite 50 52 30 58 68
MT
in thousand
5. Copper - - - - -
MT
in thousand
6. Gold 2140 2475 2705 0 3390
MT
in thousand
7. Silver 219 275 270 337 399
MT
II. Non - Metallic

8. Asbsestos in tonnes - - - - -
9. Clay (other) in tonnes - - - - -
10. Corundum in tonnes - - - - -
11. Fireclay in tonnes 3346 15360 11296 0 0
12. Kaolin in tonnes 11877 15781 14978 5827 0
13. Kyanite in tonnes 355 230 297 301 635
14. Magnesite in tonnes 25536 21214 17179 19693 2653
15. Ochre in tonnes 25776 25047 34349 1080 2058
16. Quartz in tonnes 10260 6849 2973 62500 67363
17. Steatite in tonnes 0 0 1892 671436 0
III. Building Materials

18. Dolomite in tonnes 92780 123025 166967 262051 433298

19. Lime Shell in tonnes 53320 89224 87712 92856 101106
in thousand
20. Limestone 9839 10481 12181 1359 9215
MT
Moulding in thousand — — — — —
21. Sand MT
A Handbook of Karnataka 14

KARN ATAKA
S lo p e

Leg en d % TG A
Level to n early le v e l(0 -1 % ) 17.58
Very gen tly s lo p in g (1 -3 % ) 38.60
G en tly s lo p in g (3 -8 % ) 32.09
M o d erately s lo p in g (8 -1 5 % ) 4.78
M od. ste e p ly s lo p in g (1 5 -3 0 % ) 2.15
S teep ly slo p in g ( >30 % ) 1.90
R ock land 2.56
S e ttle m e n ts
W a te r bod ies

S/a Sahara i— t

a —i
Source : Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur.
Karnataka is the major gold producing State in the Country, with the two
major mines located in the districts of Kolar and Raichur. The gold mines at
Kolar and Hutti are producing about 2,000 kg of gold per annum. There are
vast deposits of iron ore in different parts of the State. The iron ores of Bellary-
Hospet region are considered to be one of the world’s best iron ores. The total
reserve of the high grade iron ore available in the State is of the order of 1,000
Introduction 15

million tonnes. The Sandur Manganese and Iron Ores Ltd. produces the largest
quantity of Manganese ore, about 2,30,000 tonnes from its mines in Sandur
area of Bellary district Kudremukh Iron Ore Co. are engaged in mining iron ore
in Western Ghats. Mysore Minerals and Trading Corporation is also active.
About 4,200 sq.km of granite and granitic rocks area contains granites of
ornamental quality in the State. Most of the ornamental granites are found in
Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Bangalore, Mandya, Tumkur, Kolar, Chitradurga,
Davanagere, Bellary, Raichur, Koppal, Bagalkot and Bijapur districts.
W ater Resources
Karnataka accounts for about six per cent of the Country’s surface water
resources of 17 lakh million cubic metres (M.cum). About 40 per cent of this is
available in the east flowing rivers and the remaining from west flowing rivers.
There are seven river basins which with their tributaries drain the State. The
names of river system and the area drained by them are as follows:
River System Drainage area in the State Estimated average Yield
No. 000 Sq. Km % Mcum TMC %
1. Krishna 111.74 58.56 27,451 969.44 28.20
2. Cauvery 36.13 18.97 10,980 387.76 11.28
3. Godavari 4.43 2.32 1,415 49.97 1.45
4. West Flowing 24.53 12.88 56,600 1,998.83 58.14
rivers
5. North Pennar 6.91 3.64
6. South Pennar 3.76 1.97 906 32 0.93
7. Palar 2.97 1.56
190.50 100 97,352 3,438.00 100
Krishna Basin
About 43.74 per cent of the Krishna basin lies in the State. The rivers course
for 483 km lies in the State. The Tungabhadra which has a drainage area of
66,237 sq. km is the largest and the important of the Krishna’s tributaries.
Its major tributaries are the Bhima, Koyna, Panchaganga, Dudhaganga,
Tungabhadra, Hiranyakeshi, Ghataprabha and the Malaprabha. This basin
covers 18 districts and about 60 per cent of the geographical area of the
State.
The Krishna: The river Krishna rises in the Western Ghats, at an altitude
of 1,336 metres near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, flows from west to east
for a length of about 1,400 km, through Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh. The Krishna has a drainage area o f about 2.59 lakh sq km. Together
with its tributaries, it flows for about 704 km length in the State.
A Handbook of Karnataka 16

t h e Ghataprabha: The Ghataprabha river rises in the Western Ghats, at an

altitude of 884 metres and flows eastwards for a length of 283 km before joining
the Krishna. The river debouches by 53 metres at Gokak Falls in Belgaum
district The total catchment area of the river and its tributaries accounts for
8,829 sq.km in Maharashtra and Karnataka States.
Introduction 17

The Malaprabha: The river Malaprabha also rises in Western Ghats at an

altitude of 792 metres in Belgaum Dt, The river flows first in easterly and
then in north-easterly directions and joins the Krishna at Kudalasangama,
about 304 km from its source. The principal tributaries are the Bennihalla,
Hirehalla and the Tas Nadi. The total catchment area of the Malaprabha and
its tributaries is 11,549 sq. km., wholly in Karnataka.
t h e Bhima: The Bhima river also rises in Western Ghats, at an altitude
of about 945 metres and flows south-eastwards through Maharashtra and
Karnataka. It flows for 861 km before joining the Krishna near Kudlu in Raichur
taluk. The latter 298 km of the Bhima’s course is in the State. It has a drainage
area of 70,614 sq. km out of which 18,315 sq. km lies in Karnataka.
t h e tungabhadra: The Tungabhadra is formed north of Shimoga at an
elevation of about 610 metres by the union of twin rivers, the Tunga and the
Bhadra, which rise together in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about
1,198 metres. The Varada and the Hagari are its important tributaries. It has a
drainage area of 71,417 sq.km out of which 57,671 sq. km lies in the State. It
flows for a distance of 293 km. in the State.
Cauvery Basin
About 42.2 per cent of the area of the Cauvery basin (81,155 sq. km) lies
in Karnataka. This basin covers 18 per cent of the State area comprising eight
districts. Its major tributaries in Karnataka are the Hemavati, Lakshmanatirtha,
Harangi, Kabini, Suvarnavati, Lokapavani, Shimsha and the Arkavati.
t h e Cauvery: The river Cauvery has its origin in the Western Ghats in
Kodagu district It flows for a length of 320 km in the State. The river flows
generally in a south-east direction. The Chunchanakatte Falls (about 20 m)
and the Shivasamudra Falls (about 100 m) exist in the State.
t h e Hem avati: The river Hemavati rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation
of about 1,219 metres and joins the river Cauvery near Krishnarajasagar. The
drainage area is about 5,410 sq.km and the approximate length of the river is
245 km.
t h e Kabini: The river Kabini has a total course of about 230 km and a
catchment area of about 7,040 sq.km. It joins the Cauvery river at Tirumakudal
Narasipur.
Godavari Basin
Godavari basin has a drainage are of 4,405 sq.km. Only a small part of
Godavari basin lies in the State. The river Manjra is the major tributary of the
Godavari and it flows for about 155 km in the State.
A Handbook of Karnataka 18

Pennar and Palar Basins

The North Pennar, South Pennar and the Palar rivers drain about 13,610
sq.km in the State.
W est flow ing Rivers: There are numerous west flowing rivers, chief among
which are the Sharavati, Kali, Gangavati (Bedti), Aghanashini and the Netravati.
The total catchment area of all west flowing rivers is 26,214 sq.km. They are
mostly harnessed for power generation.
Ground W ater Resources
Traditionally, groundwater in the State has been exploited by open dug
wells, constructed in the weathered mantle. After fast drilling rigs became
available, borewells have been drilled extensively, tapping the water stored in
rock fissures and fractures.
The water stored in the fractures and fissures ultimately comes from rainfall
infiltrating through the weathered mantle. The ground water in the weathered
mantle flows in the direction of the slope of the underlying fresh rock.
Groundwater tends to accumulate in the valley areas and to drain from ridge
areas. If the extraction exceeds recharge, ground water is said to be mined.
Mining cannot be sustained for long as it empties the ground water store.
About 4.4% of India’s ground water resources (2.7 lakh mcum) lies in
Karnataka. The total annual recharge of ground water estimated in the State
is about 17,99,591 hectare metres (ham). Net annual utilisation is estimated
at 5,76,921 ham as on 31-3-1991. In the Malnad region, the annual recharge
is estimated to be 10% o f the annual rainfall. In the region where the rainfall
is less than 700 mm, the evapotranspiration is also high, and the re-charge is
less than 5%, for the rest of the State, the recharge is estimated to be between
5% and 10%. As per Minor Irrigation Census 1986-87, there were more than
3.5 lakh open dug wells in the State. The depth to water level in these wells
from the surface ranges between 2 to 3.5 metres in valley regions and in some
places the depth goes even upto 18 metres. A large majority of the wells dry up
in summer. Nearly half of the open wells are in a poor state of maintenance.
There were 38,899 shallow and 6,673 deep tube wells as per the above Census.
During recent years, bor ewells are increasingly coming into prominence. These
are generally 150 mm in diametre and drilled to depth ranging from 30 to 60
metres. The average yield ranges from 60 to 80 litres per minute. In Kolar,
Bagalkot and Bijapur districts nearly all the available surplus ground water
has been exploited. During 1993-94, there were 1,64,728 borewells, 4,70,981
wells used for irrigation purpose, 3,03,698 wells used for domestic purpose
and 74,730 wells were not in use.
Introduction 19

c l im a t e

The State enjoys three main types of climates. For meteorological purposes,
the State has been divided into three sub-divisions namely (a) Coastal Karnataka
(Dakshlna Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts), (b)North Interior
KarnatakafBelgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag;, Haveri, Gulbarga,

AGRO - CLIMATIC ZONES

KARNATAKA

AGRO CLIMATIC ZONES

1. North Eastern Transition Zone
2. North Eastern Dry Zone
3. Northern Dry Zone
4. Central Dry Zone
5. Eastern Dry Zone
6. Southern Dry Zone
7. Southern Transition Zone
8. Northern Transition Zone
9. Hilly Zone
10. Coastal Zone

i r s\ _
BANGALORE *
Roifc-

Arabian Sea Q 5 Wt V
Uandya i it

M yvve
A Handbook of Karnataka 20

Raichur and Koppal districts) and (c) South Interior Karnataka (the remaining
districts of Bangalore Rural, Bangalore, Bellary, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga,
Davanagere, Kodagu, Hassan, Kolar, Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Mandya,
Shimoga and Tumkur districts). The Tropical Monsoon climate covers the entire
coastal belt and adjoining areas. The climate in this region is hot with excessive
rainfall during the monsoon season i.e., June to September. The Southern half
of the State experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savana climate while most
of the northern half experiences hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate.
The climate of the State varies with the seasons. The winter season from
January to February is followed by summer season from March to May. The
period from October to December forms the post-monsoon season.
The period from October to March, covering the post-monsoon and winter
seasons, is generally pleasant over the entire State except during a few spells
of rain associated with north-east monsoon which affects the south-eastern
parts of the State during October to December. The months April and May are
hot, very dry and generally uncomfortable. Weather tends to be oppressive
during June due to high humidity and temperature. The next three months
(July, August and September) are some what comfortable due to reduced day
temperature although the humidities continue to be very high.
tem peratu re: Both day and night temperatures are more or less uniform
over the State, except at the coastal region and high elevated plateau. They
generally decrease south-westwards over the State due to higher elevation and
attain lower values at high level stations. April and May are the hottest months.
In May, mean maximum temperature shoots upto 40°C over the north-eastern
corner of the State, decreasing south-westwards toward the Western Ghat
region and the Coastal belt. The highest temperature recorded at an individual
station in the State is 45.6° C at Raichur on 1928 May 23 which is 6° higher
than the normal for the warmest months. December and January are the
coldest months. The lowest temperature at an individual station was 2.8°C
on 1918 December 16 at Bidar. Temperatures at selected centres are given in
page 21.

Sub-Division Mean daily temperature °C

Maxiumum Miniumum

In terior Karnataka

a. North 32.0 20.4

b. South 29.7 19.2
Coastal Karnataka 30.7 23.3
Introduction 21

tem p eratu re at Selected Centres in th e State (in degrees centigrade)

Sl. Location of 2002 2003 2004

No. Observatory Highest Lowest Highest Lowest Highest Lowest
1. Bangalore C.O. 36.5 12.5 38.1 13.0 37.0 13.0
2. Bangalore HAL 37.1 10.0 37.3 12.0 36.1 11.6
3. Yelahanka IAF - - - - - -
4. Belgaum City 39.4 11.6 38.9 12.4 39.9 13.2
5. Sambre 40.0 8.9 38.0 9.5 39.4 9.2
(Belgaum)
6. Bellary 42.6 13.0 43.0 13.9 43.0 10.6
7. Bidar M. 48.8* 11.2* 42.8 12.4 41.4 11.6
8. Bidar IAF - - - - - -
9. Bijapur 41.6 12.8 42.4 13.8 42.2 14.0
10. Bagalkote 41.0 11.0 40.6 11.8 40.3 11.0
11. Balehonnur 35.2 11.0 34.7 11.0 37.0 11.0
12. Chikamagalur 36.0 11.6 36.2 12.6 35.5 12.1
13. Chitradurga 38.9 12.6 39.3 12.6 39.4 19.1
14. Bajpe 38.2 18.2 37.2 17.6 37.8 18.6
15. Panambur MHP 37.2 18.2 35.8 18.2 35.9 18.0
16. Gadag 39.6 12.0* 39.8 12.4 40.4 11.4
17. Gulbarga 44.0 10.0 44.4 9.8 42.8 9.4
18. Hassan 35.8 10.4 35.2 11.6 35.0 11.6
19. Madikeri 33.0 5.8 37.1 5.5 34.0 7.3
20. K.G.F. - - - - - -
21. Mandya 37.3 10.5 39.1 12.8 38.2 12.2
22. Mysore 35.6 13.2 37.6 14.0 36.8 12.8
23. Raichur 43.2 15.0 44.0 11.4 43.5 13.0
24. Agumbe 35.4 4.0 34.5 5.0 34.8 4.4
25. Shimoga 44.0* 13.0 39.4 12.2 39.1 12.1
26. Tumkur - - - - - -
27. Honnavar 36.0 16.4 36.5 16.2 38.5 17.0
28. Karwar 36.8 16.3 36.6 16.2 38.4 16.7
29. Shirali 36.9 18.5 36.5 18.0 36.0 18.0

N. A= Not Available, * All months are not received

Source: India Meteorological Department
A Handbook of Karnataka 22

Rainfall
The annual rainfall in the State varies roughly from 50 to 350 cm. In the
districts of Bijapur, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary and southern half of
Gulbarga, the rainfall is lowest varying from 50 to 60 cm. The rainfall increases
significantly in the western part of the State and reaches its maximum over the
coastal belt. The south-west monsoon is the principal rainy season during which
the State receives 80% of its rainfall. Rainfall in the winter season (January to
February) is less than one per cent of the annual total, in the hot weather
season (March to May) about 7% and in the post-monsoon season about 12%.
South-west monsoon normally sets in over the extreme southern parts of
the State by about 1st of June and covers the entire State by about 10th of
June. The rainy months July and August account individually to about 30%
and 18% of annual rainfall. There are about 26 rainy days (with daily rainfall of
atleast 2.5 mm) in Coastal Karnataka and 8 to 11 days in interior Karnataka in
each of these months. The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon begins from
the northern parts of the State around 2nd week of October and by the 15th
October monsoon withdraws from the entire State.
Normal and Actual Average r a in fa ll (in mm.)

Seasons

Cold Hot weather South-West North-East

weather period Monsoon Monsoon
Year Total
period (March to (June to (Oct to
(Jan to Feb) May) Sept) Dec)
Normal Rain
5 138 846 200 1189
(1901 - 70)
Actual
Average
1997
4 85 1147 254 1490
1998
- 80 953 252 1265
1999
4 170 990 267 1430
2000
12 103 1120 186 1420
2001
2 106 927 189 1194
2002
12 97 725 199 1033
2003
3 58 808 167 1036
2004
1 229 929 111 1271
2005
7 127 1216 234 1584
Introduction 23

The retreating monsoon current i.e. the north-east monsoon (October to

December) effects the eastern parts of South Interior Karnataka and accounts
for about 30% of rainfall in this region during the above period.
Out of the 14 heavy rainfall stations in India, with annual rainfall of more than
500 cm., four stations are situated in Karnataka. They are Agumbe in Tirthahalli
taluk of Shimoga district (annual rainfall-828 cm) and Bhagamandala (603 cm),
Pullingoth (594 cm) and Makut (505 cm) in Kodagu district. Agumbe can be called
as the Chirapunji of Southern India. District-wise monthly, seasonal and annual
rainfall (mm) for taluk headquarters (1901-1970) is given in Page No. 24 & 25.
(Source : Drought Monitoring Cell, Department of Science and Technology, Bangalore.
n o te: MM= millimetres, PREMON=Pre Monsoon, SWMON=South W est Monsoon, NEMON= North, East)

fauna

Wild animals that are found in Karnataka include the elephant, the tiger, the
leopard, the gaur, the sambar deer, the chital or spotted deer, the muntjac, the
bonnet macaque, the slender loris, the common palm civet, the small Indian
civet, the sloth bear, the dhole, the striped hyena and the golden jackal. Some
of the birds found here are the Great Hornbill, the Malabar Pied Hornbill, the
Ceylon frogmouth, herons, ducks, kites, eagles, falcons, quails, partridges,
lapwings, sandpipers, pigeons, doves, parakeets, cuckoos, owls, nightjars,
swifts, kingfishers, bee-eaters and munias. Some species of trees found in
Karnataka are Callophyllum tomentosa, Callophyllum wightianum, Garcina
cambogia, Garcina morealla, Alstonia scholaris, Flacourtia montana, Artocarpus
hirsutus, Artocarpus lacoocha, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Grewia tilaefolia,
Santalum album, Shorea talura, Emblica officinalis, Vitex altissima and Wrightia
tinctoria. Wildlife in Karnataka is threatened by poaching, habitat destruction,
human-wildlife conflict and pollution.
The State of Karnataka has a rich heritage of flora and fauna. The hill chain
of Western Ghats is the only part of the State to retain some semblance of its
natural biological heritage. This last refuge of the native fauna is subjected to
rapid decimation with the coining up of several hydro-electric and irrigation
projects, mining, the accelerated pace of forest exploitation and the increasing
demand of land for plantation and crop husbandry. The area under forests in
Karnataka today amounts to 38.72 lakh hectares i.e. 20 per cent of the total
land area of the State. With the notable exception of Bonnet Macaque, which
is under widespread religious protection throughout the State, the larger wild
mammals are almost confined to the forest areas. The wildlife bearing forest
areas of Karnataka are divided into six regions viz, Coastal region, crestline of
the Western Ghats, Malnad, Old Mysore Plateau, Kollegal hills and the Maidan.
The natural distribution of animals is largely determined by vegetation.
re g io n -I - Coastal re g io n : The district of Uttara Kannada and parts of
Belgaum constitute the northern-most sector of the hill tracts of Karnataka.
These hilly tracts have vegetation ranging from evergreen to dry deciduoustypes
A Handbook of Karnataka 24

District-wise Monthly and Seasonal Normal Rainfall in mm in

Karnataka (19o1 to 1970)
Name of the No. of
Jan Feb Mar April May Premon June
District Taluks
Bangalore 3 4.70 7.70 7.50 41.90 115.90 177.70 68.90
Bangalore Rural 8 4.30 6.00 8.10 42.10 107.40 167.80 68.20
Chitradurga 6 3.20 4.10 4.60 21.30 62.70 95.90 48.50
Davanagere 6 2.40 3.50 8.40 34.70 78.00 127.00 65.90
Kolar 11 6.90 5.80 8.90 33.30 80.10 135.10 61.10
Shimoga 7 1.60 1.70 8.20 44.00 88.80 144.30 310.50
Tumkur 10 3.10 4.10 6.10 29.60 80.90 123.80 60.60
Bangalore
51 3.74 4.70 7.4o 35.27 87.69 138.8o 97.67
Division
Bagalkot 6 2.10 2.70 5.10 23.90 48.00 81.90 65.10
Belgaum 10 2.00 1.60 7.60 33.20 65.00 109.40 104.60
Bijapur 5 2.90 4,00 6.10 18.70 35.80 67.50 79.40
Dharwad 5 0.80 3.20 7.00 45.20 84.80 140.90 95.20
Gadag 5 1.60 2.40 4.10 34.80 71.40 114.30 69.60
Haveri 7 1.70 1.60 4.60 39.60 77.40 124.90 95.70
Uttara Kannada 11 1.20 1.10 4.10 28.20 103.10 137.60 680.30
Belgaum
49 1.76 2.37 5.51 31.94 69.36 11o.93 169.99
division
Bellary 7 1.80 3.20 3.70 27.40 64.60 100.70 65.70
Bidar 5 3.30 5.50 10.70 21.80 23.60 64.80 132.30
Gulbarga 10 2.70 3.90 9.60 18.60 33.00 67.80 108.30
Koppal 4 0.90 0.40 1.90 22.90 50.30 76.30 61.60
Raichur 5 1.00 1.70 5.50 17.20 34.40 59.90 75.50
Gulbarga
31 1.94 2.94 6.28 21.58 41.18 73.90 88.68
division
Chamarajanagar 4 4.40 4.50 11.20 66.10 139.80 225.90 47.50
Chikmagalur 7 3.10 3.50 9.20 55.40 102.00 173.20 300.50
Dakshina 5 4.80 2.50 10.40 47.20 172.20 237.10 940.40
Kannada
Hassan 8 3.80 4.50 8.30 57.60 112.00 186.00 119.60
Kodagu 3 5.00 5.60 14.70 73.50 146.70 245.50 486.00
Mandya 7 2.20 4.50 8.00 49.20 116.10 180.00 42.20
Mysore 7 3.50 5.50 12.50 65.90 138.70 226.20 65.20
Udupi 3 3.50 1.80 5.10 37.00 169.70 217.10 1055.00
Mysore division 44 3.79 4.05 9.93 56.49 137.15 211.38 382.05
state 175 2.81 3.52 7.28 36.32 83.84 133.75 184.60
Introduction 25

July Aug Sep SWMON Oct Nov Dec NEMON ANNUAL

99.40 122.70 148.70 439.60 168.20 64.30 16.90 249.40 866.80

84.00 111.90 151.20 415.30 157.50 62.60 13.40 233.50 816.60
62.90 67.60 99.40 278.30 123.90 45.80 11.80 181.50 555.70
97.50 79.90 86.70 329.90 119.90 42.40 10.00 172.30 629.10
81.00 100.00 145.60 387.80 135.80 68.20 16.50 220.60 743.50
686.40 352.60 134.30 1483.80 148.40 45.10 10.10 203.60 1,831.70
68.90 85.00 127.70 342.20 142.00 56.00 10.20 208.10 674.20

168.59 131.39 127.66 525.27 142.24 54.91 12.7o 209.86 873.94

72.50 67.40 140.70 345.70 92.80 33.50 7.70 134.00 561.60

206.20 121.40 109.00 541.20 111.90 38.10 8.80 158.80 809.40
79.70 78.20 162.70 400.00 83.70 30.20 8.10 122.00 589.60
151.80 99.80 112.30 459.00 119.60 42.20 9.80 171.60 771.50
68.40 69.80 128.20 336.00 116.30 36.70 9.00 162.00 612.30
172.40 103.30 85.60 457.00 122.20 38.80 10.80 171.80 753.70
1,007.60 555.40 250.20 2,493.40 148.00 48.80 12.10 209.00 2,840.00

251.23 156.47 141.24 718.90 113.5o 38.33 9.47 161.31 991.16

83.10 95.20 144.70 388.70 103.70 32.80 8.40 144.90 634.30

182.50 180.50 194.90 690.30 70.50 18.30 4.90 93.70 848.80
161.20 144.80 192.40 606.70 80.90 16.10 5.20 102.10 776.50
82.60 87.80 135.00 367.00 100.20 19.40 6.60 126.20 569.40
108.00 112.80 152.10 448.40 84.00 22.10 6.70 112.80 621.10

123.48 124.22 163.82 500.22 87.86 21.74 6.36 115.94 690.02

52.80 67.60 99.70 267.50 162.80 75.70 19.10 257.60 751.00

673.40 382.10 159.80 1,515.90 163.90 59.40 15.70 239.10 1,928.10
1,301.20 806.00 321.10 3,368.60 980.10 629.50 18.90 369.30 3,974.90

246.40 140.50 103.90 610.30 158.90 67.80 16.00 242.70 1.039.10

938.30 529.30 218.90 2,172.60 201.70 79.70 18.70 300.00 2.718.20
45.50 62.20 115.60 265.40 161.40 60.70 13.20 235.30 680.70
99.50 76.00 89.00 329.70 151.70 61.20 13.50 226.30 782.20
1.341.60 800.40 383.20 3,580.30 224.10 78.30 19.20 321.60 4,119.00
587.34 358.o1 186.40 1,513.79 275.58 139.o4 16.79 273.99 1,999.15
282.66 192.52 154.78 814.54 154.79 63.51 11.33 190.27 1,138.57
A Handbook of Karnataka 26

due to Kalinadi hydroelectric project and a great deal of Iron and Manganese
ore mining, the habitat is highly fragmented and the forest cover is greatly
disturbed. In this region, as per observed data, the gaur are scattered, sambar
are much more widely distributed. Wild pig is most abundant and spotted deer
is seen in majority of areas. Elephants are found scattered over a wide region.
The Carnivores-tiger, panther and wild dog occur in low populations. This
region was extremely rich in wild life in the past especially tiger and gaur.
R egion II - C restline o f W estern Ghats: This region lies south of Uttar
Kannada. There is a narrow belt of forest following this crestline of Ghats.
The vegetation ranges from evergreen to moist deciduous. Most of the major
animals occur in this region but their population on the whole is very poor.
Only a few isolated herds of elephants are found here. The gaur and sambar
are frequently seen while the spotted deer occurs sporadically. Barking deer
and sloth bear are also reported to be present. Wild pig is omnipresent. The
Canivores - tiger, panther and wild dog are present but their occurrence
rating is very low. This region is a poor habitat for most large herbivores and
consequently for carnivores.
R egion III - Malnad: This is characterised by dry and moist deciduous
vegetation. The area is marked by conspicuous hills like the Bababudangiri
range. This region has one of the best wildlife concentrations only second to
Mysore plateau in the State, harbouring populations of elephants, gaur, sambar,
spotted deer, wild pig etc. The anthropogenic pressures over this area are much

Elephants from Malnad Area

Introduction 27

less and hence the wildlife is somewhat less molested. The presence of perennial
rivers, reservoirs and plenty of bamboos, grass and other fodder species with a
moderate rainfall makes this region an ideal habitat for elephants.
r e g io n IV - M ysore plateau: The western edge of Mysore Plateau, flanked
on three sides by the southern-most ranges of the Sahyadris, Nilgiris and
eastern spur of hills towards the Biligirirangan Hills, is an undulating plain
and is covered by moist and dry deciduous forests. This area has the richest
wildlife concentrations in South India, harbouring large herds of elephants,
spotted deer, wild pig.Awild dog, sloth bear, gaur, sambar and occassionally
tiger and cats.
r e g io n V - K ollegal Hills: This hilly area is an eastern spur of the Western
Ghats. Apart from the moist deciduous or semi-evergreen forests on these hills,
the rest of the region is covered by dry deciduous forest mostly degraded into
scrub. Elephant, sambar, spotted deer and wild pig occur throughout this
region. The wild dogs have fairly extensive distribution, though tiger, gaur and
panther are much more restricted. Almost all the wild life species occur in this
region in small numbers except elephants.
r e g io n VI - Maidan: There is very little forest in the Maidan areas on the
Deccan Plateau and whatever is left is in highly degraded form. Ranebennur is
notable for the occurrence of good herds of black bucks. Wolves are becoming
rare but have been reported from several places in this plains.

flora

Karnataka State has a rich and varied vegetation resulting from several
lines of plant migration conditioned by climate, soil and topography. Biotic
factors have in many areas modified the original climaxes evolved through the
centuries.
Considering topography, bio-climate and soil, the vegetation of Karnataka
could be grouped under the following four categories viz, 1) Littoral vegetation,
2) West coast tropical vegetation. 3) Upland deciduous vegetation and
4) Southern tropical montane vegetation.
Littoral vegetation: There are two types of littoral vegetation in Karnataka.
The first is terrestrial on the sand dunes and the second, halophytic along
estuaries. The limitations imposed by the scorching sun, shifting sands and
salt-laden winds are overcome by special plants called psammophytes. The
dunes above the tide mark are held down by a number of sand binders.
Sundews and bladder worts often form a seasonal carpet on the wet sands of
the rear beach.
A Handbook of Karnataka 28

Limited mangrove formations occur in the riverine estuaries where the

salinity gradient rises rapidly towards the sea. The best examples o f halophytic
vegetation are near Kundapur and Gokarna. It is mostly of the Rhizophora -
Avicenia - Bruguiera type. The trees and shrubs have to overcome the restrictions
of a marshy saline habitat with strong tidal currents and fluctuations in water
level as well as the asphyxiating conditions of a slushy soil.These littoral plant
formations have ecological role in the balance of nature. The psammophytes
help in preventing the sand of the beaches from being blown landwards on to
agricultural lands and human habitations. They also protect the beaches for
their recreational value. Mangroves stabilise the river embankments against
erosion. They afford breeding ground to several fishes and other marine
animals.
M oist Deciduous Coastal Vegetation: The natural vegetation in this region
immediately to the east of the coastline is of the secondary moist deciduous
type. It is sometimes considered a degraded stage of an evergreen climax.
In the broader coastal low land of Dakshina Kannada, the Hopea - Syzygium-
Holigama series is usually found with dense understorey of shrubs like Grewia,
Ixora and Psychotria. Lianas especially Hugonia mystax and Uvaria riorum are
frequent. The secondary moist deciduous forests are better preserved towards
the foothill of the Ghats. The biotic factor which is high in the vicinity of the
Coastal urban centres is less towards the Ghats.

Flowershow Lalbagh, Bangalore

Introduction 29

W est Coast Tropical Evergreens: The lower slopes and valleys of the Ghats
present fine examples of the West Coast tropical evergreen forests. These close
canopy forests are nurtured by the heavy seasonal precipitation to form a climax
vegetation. Erect buttressed trunks, unbranched for 20 or more metres fan out
to meet the contiguous tree tops. There are several variations in the dominant
canopy trees. The commonest association is of Eupterocarpus ~ Kingiodendron-
Vataria between 70 to 600 metres above mean sea level. There are several other
plant forms in these forests. The biological diversity and its spatial distribution
within the forest apportions solar energy as effectively in the conversion of
water and carbon-di-oxide into life sustaining organic compounds.
upland m oist deciduous Vegetation: The decreasing rainfall on the
leeward side of the mountain gives rise to another climax type - the upland
moist deciduous vegetation. While in leaf, the canopy of these forests is dense,
during the dry months there is a short period of leaf fall to avoid loss of water
due to transpiration. Flowering of the trees occurs during the leafless period.
This moist deciduous belt running from Belgaum to Kodagu is the habitat of
the Tectona - Dillenia - Lagerstroemia - Termtinalia series which include teak,
matti, kanagalu, nondi, which are local names. Extensive areas on the eastern
fringe of the Ghats were once covered with clumps of bamboos.
upland dry deciduous vegetation: The bio climate of the eastern part of
the Maidan permits a climax dry deciduous vegetation in several protected
areas. The canopy is open and the trees leafless during the driest months.
Flowering and fruiting are generally far advanced before the first flush of new
leaves appears with the conventional showers in April-May.
upland thorn and scrub: There are several parts of Chitradurga, Davanagere,
Bellary, Raichur, Koppal, Gulbarga and Bidar districts where broad leaved
deciduous forests give place to armed trees with tiny leaflets. Some remaining
patches of these forests are made-up o f Acacia, Albizia and Hardwickia. (Jali,
Bilwara, ennemara being local names). The Maidan is dotted with numerous
irrigation tanks usually supporting an interesting aquatic Jlora,
Southern Tropical Montane Vegetation: An altitudinal variation of the
tropical evergreens, is found above 1,500 metres especially at Kudremukh, and
in the Bababudan and Biligirirangan Hills. This vegetation of grassy meadows
and low wooded patches forms the Southern Tropical Montane Vegetation. The
grassy mountain meadows present a quick succession of herbs that appear in
short lived profusion. A good part o f the wet forests has been greatly altered by
biotic factors.
The vegetation dynamics in Karnataka indicate several changes in the
natural vegetation due to biotic factors especially human intervention. Inhabited
coastal areas present a thick canopy of coconut trees. The climax formations
of dry types of vegetation with a distinct canopy, an understorey o f shrubs and
A Handbook of Karnataka 30

a ground cover of herbs are confined to a few inaccessible pockets or to areas

of reserved forests. Felling for fuel and grazing especially by goats threatened
even these remnants of the original plant cover. The forest unless covered is
slowly converted into grasslands with scattered trees. In some areas forests
have been cleared and low lying areas are converted into paddy fields while the
hilly terrain is often planted with plantation crops.
forests

Kamataka State has a geographical area of 1,91,791 sq km of which 38,284 sq.km

(19.96 per cent) is under the control of the Forest Department. The forests are classified
as reserved (28,689.99 sq.km),protected (3,930.70 sq.km), unclassed (5,230.99 sq. km),
village (124.2 sq.km) and private (308.42 sq. km) forests. The unclassed areas include C
and D class lands which are mostly barren, transferred from the Revenue department.
The percentage of forest area to geographical area in the State is less the all-India
average of about 23%, and 33% prescribed in the National Forest policy. The
area under forests in the neighbouring States is as follows : Andhra pradesh
62 lakh ha (9% of the total area of the Country), Maharashtra 54 lakh ha (8%),
Tamilnadu 22 lakh ha (3%) and Kerala 11 lakh ha (2%).

Forest near Dandeli, Uttara Kannada

Introduction 31

The area under each category o f forests and th e estim ated growing
stock as in 1999-2000 are as follows:

Percentage Forest area Growing Growing

SI. of the total under each Stock per Stock each
Type type in ‘000 type in
forest area. ha. ha. inM3 milliom M3
1. Evergreen and Semi
15.15 580 175 101.50
evergreen.

2. Most deciduous 15.10 578 100 57.80

3. Dry deciduous 18.99 727 50 36.35
4. Scrub and Thorny 21.79 834 25 20.45
5. Unwooded 28.97 1,109 - -
Total 100 3,828 - 216.1
Forest Area by M anagement, Legal Status and typ e
Sl.
Particulars 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
No.
1. By Management (a to d) 3828 3828 3828 3828
a. Forest Department 3409 3409 3409 3409
b. Revenue Department 376 376 376 376
c. Corporate Bodies 12 12 12 12
d. Private 31 31 31 31
2. By Legal status (a to e) 3828 3828 3828 3828
a. State/Reserve Forests 2869 2869 2869 2869
b. Minor or Protected Forests 393 393 393 393
c. Unclassified Forests 523 523 523 523
d. Village forests 12 12 12 12
e. Private Forests 31 31 31 31
3. By Type (a to f) 3828 3828 3828 3828
a. Ever-green forests 580 580 580 580
b. Semi-ever green forests - - - -
c. Moist Decidious Forests 578 578 578 578
d. Dry Decidious Forests 727 727 727 727
e. Shurb and Thorny Forests 834 834 834 834
f. Others (Unforested) 1109 1109 1109 1109

Source: Forest Department.

A Handbook of Karnataka 32

Outturn o f M ajor forest produce

Sl. Type of
Unit 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 (p)
No. production
1. Timber
a) Rose Wood Cubic mtrs. 8749 8401 7719 3342
b) Teak Wood Cubic mtrs. 12002 4749 3752 2849
c) Other kinds of
Cubic mtrs. 67266 56573 52276 19802
timber
2. Pulp wood Cubic mtrs. 129222 27180 28557 9543
3. Eucalyptus Cubic mtrs. 63393 299 4512 20955
4. Match Wood Cubic mtrs. 76 58 1502 136
5. Sawn timber Cubic mtrs. 5121 6677 1329 596
Timber in round
6. Cubic mtrs. 54056 38135 29711 46779
pole
7. Fire wood Cubic mtrs. 313453 230099 257683 143791
8. Bamboo 191152 202791 106061 954809
9. Sandalwood Tonnes 62 95 70 24
Source: Forest Department
Outturn of minor forest produce
Sl.
Item Unit 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
No.
1. Charcoal Tonnes 1171 1530 672 25
2. Cane M.Tonnes 1171 211297 219199 215248
3. Rubber Tonnes 441592 0 3440 0
4. Cashewnuts 0 49 165 31
5. Ivory Kgs 47 42 45 0
6. Honey Tonnes 155 43 112 105
7. Wax Tonnes 15 2 5 5
8. Barks Tonnes 1 1 8 4
9. Tamarind Tonnes 2856 1717 1081 1709
10. Oilseeds Tonnes 25 8 0 0
Oils (Eucalyptus
11. Kgs. 0 0 0 0
& Rosha)
12. Seegekai Tonnes 676 1045 1134 654
13. Gums Tonnes 4 2 2 18
14. Specis Tonnes 170 132 132 145
15. Antavalakai Tonnes 433 442 2023 226
16. Halamaddi
(Dhoopa) Tonnes 1 23 151 38
17. Seeds (Misc) Tonnes 452 1 70 48
18. Alalekai Tonnes 441 118 1181 216
19. Beedi leaves Tonnes 1028 507 357 189
Source: Forest Department.
Introduction 33

Revenue From forests

Sandal Fire
Year Timber Bamboo Misellaneous Total
Wood Wood
2001-02 4153 121 818 298 4619 10009
2002-03 4667 230 708 395 4088 10088
2003-04 3941 297 519 209 13112 18078
2004-05 3808 1456 673 351 10607 16895

Source : Forest Department

About two lakh ha. of forest area is lost for non-forestry purposes since 1956
to 1986-87 and the details are as follows: For hydroelectric purposes : 22,194
ha, electricity lines 1,688 ha, roads: 330 ha, tanks - 35,840 ha, townships-
1,791 ha, mining -42,676 ha, agriculture - 67,217 ha, rehabilitation - 25, 820
ha, other purposes 6,357 ha and total 2,03,913 ha. The outturn of major forest
produce for the year 1991-92 is as follows: 1) Timber - a) Rosewood 4,522 M3,
b)Teak -3,376 M3 c)Other kinds of timber - 41,253 M3 2)Pulpwood - 213 M3
4)Matchwood - 131 M3, 5)Sawn Timber - 618 M3 6) Timber in round pole -
32,067 M3 7) Firewood - 1,66,039 M3, 8)Bamboo - 19,299 M.T. and Sandalwood
1.418 M3.
Though 20% of the land area is classified as forests (3,86 million ha) in the
State, only about 11% is well wooded. The remaining area is in different stages
of degradation. The State is facing shortage of fuel wood, fodder and timber
as the demand has increased considerably due to the increase in population
of both human and cattle. The forests in the State are managed as per the
prescriptions of the working plans which are prepared for periods of 10 to 15
years after taking into consideration the type of forests, the condition of the
existing crop, the demand for various forest produce and the requirements of
the area for maintenance of ecological balance.
Karnataka Government has established many National Parks and Wild Life
Sanctuaries to protect important species. The following is the list of National
parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries (WS) and their year of establishment.

There are five National Parks and 21 wildlife sanctuaries covering an

extent of 6,360 Sq. km. of the total forest area. They comprise of evergreen to
scrub type of forests thus forming a network of representative ecosystem to
conserve endangered species of plants as well as animals and birds. As per
the 1989 census of the larger mammals, there were 257 tigers, 283 panthers,
4.418 elephants and 5,473 bisons. As per the Census of Wildlife population
conducted during 1997-98 there were 395 tigers, 1,360 gaur, 6,185 elephants,
817 panthers, 2,324 bears, 15,760 wild bears, 23,850 deer, 8,484 bisons,
4,998 sambars and 957 foxes.
A Handbook of Karnataka 34

Area in Year of
National Park/Sanctuary District
sq.km. est.
1. Anshi N.P. 250 Uttara Kannada 1987
2. Bandipur N.P. 874 Mysore/Chamarajnagar 1974
3. Bannerghatta N.P. 104 Bangalore 1974
4. Kundremukh N.P. 600 Chikmagalur 1987
5. Nagarhole N.P. 643 Mysore and Kodagu 1974
6. Adichunchanagiri Peacock 0.84 Mandya 1981
Sanctuary
7. Arabithittu 14 Mysore 1950
8. Bhadra W.S. 492 Chikmagalur and Shimoga 1974
9. Biligiranagana Temple W.S. 540 Mysore / Chamarajnagar 1987
10. Brahmagiri W.S. 181 Kodagu 1974
11. Mookambika W.S. 247 Dakshina Kannada/ 1974
Udupi
12. Nugu W.S. 30 Mysore 1974
13. Sharavathy 431 Shimoga 1974
14. Someshwara 88 Dakshina Kannada/ 1974
Udupi
15. Shettyhally W.S. 396 Shimoga 1974
16. Ranebennur Blackbuck W.S. 119 Dharwad 1974
17. Pushpagiri 103 Kodagu 1974
18. Cauvery W.S. 527 Mysore 1987
19. Tala Caouvery W.S. 105 Kodagu 1987
20. Melkote Temple W.S. 247 Mandya 1974
21. Ghataprabha Bird S. 30 Belgaum 1974
22. Dandeli W.S. 843 Uttar Kannada 1987
23. Ranganatittu Bird S. 0.67 Mandya 1940
24. Gudavi Bird S. 0.73 Shimoga 1989
25. Daroji Bear Sanctuary 55.87
26. Attiveri Bird Sanctuary 2.23
NP - National Park; W.S - Wild life Sanctuary

Karnataka forests support 25% of the elephant and 10% of the tiger population
of India. Many regions of Karnataka are as yet unexplored, so new species
of flora and fauna are found periodically. The Western Ghats, a biodiversity
hotspot, includes the western region of Karnataka. Two sub-clusters in the
Western Ghats, viz. Talacauvery and Kudremukh, both in Karnataka, are
on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. The Bandipur and
Nagarahole National Parks, which fall outside these subclusters, were included
Introduction 35

in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 1986, a UNESCO designation. The Indian

roller and the Indian elephant are recognized as the state bird and animal
while sandalwood and the lotus are recognized as the state tree and flower
respectively.

Anshi National Park: is located in Uttara Kannada district, in the Indian

state o f Karnataka, bordering the state of Goa. The 340 square kilometres park
adjoins the Dandeli wildlife sanctuary, and together with six other protected
areas in the states of Goa and Maharashtra, forms a protected forest area of
over 2200 square kilometres. The park is a habitat of melanistic leopards, tigers
and elephants, amongst other fauna. The forest in the area was declared the
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary on 10 May 1956. The state proposed carving out a
section of the sanctuary to form the Anshi national park, and the proposal was
implemented on 2 September 1987. The initial proposal covered 250 square
kilometres. When the final notification of the park area was issued in 2002, it
was extended by another 90 square kilometres. Anshi and Dandeli were granted
the status of Project Tiger sanctuaries in January 2007. Located in the Western
Ghats range, Anshi’s altitude varies from 200 m to 925 m above sea level. The
park is situated in the North Western Ghats montane rain forests and North
Western Ghats moist deciduous forests eco regions, both of which are deemed
endangered by the World Wildlife Fund. Anshi National Park and the adjoining
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary together form the Dandeli Wildlife Division of the
Karnataka Forest Department, headed by a Deputy Conservator of Forests.
The forests in the area are rich in flora and fauna. Trees and plants that can be
found here include Bamboo, Bauhinia, Eucalyptus, Lantana, Silver Oak, Teak
and Xylia xylocarpa. A variety of Bonnet Macaque, deer (barking, mouse and
spotted), Indian bison, Malabar Civet, Malabar giant squirrel, pangolin and sloth
bear make their home in the forests of the park. Besides, the black panther,
elephants and tigers are rare species found in the park. Reptiles spotted in the
park include the King Cobra, Krait, Python, Rat snake and Viper. Around 200
species of birds are recorded in the park. These include the Adjutant Stork,
Ashy Woodswallow, Black-crested Bulbul, Blue-headed Pitta, Brahminy Kite,
Broad-billed Roller, Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Hornbill, Golden-backed
Woodpecker, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Yellow-footed
Green Pigeon.

Bandipur national Park: is one of India’s best known sanctuaries, and is

an important Project Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar district
of southern Karnataka in south India, and is contiguous with the Mudumalai
National Park in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, the Wynad Wildlife
Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest. It is
home to around seventy tigers and over three thousand Asian elephants (as per
the 1997 census ), along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. Bandipur
is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster
(6,000+ km2), including all of Bandipur National Park, is under consideration
by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage
Site. A sanctuary of 90 km2 was created at this site in the Bandipur Reserve
A Handbook of Karnataka 36

Forest in 1931. As it was realized that this was too small for effective wildlife
conservation, leading to the instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this
site, extending over 800 km2. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in
1973 by carving out 880 km2 from the Wildlife Park. Recognized under Project
Tiger in 1973 this park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population. Also
famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora. Bandipur National
Park’s altitude is between 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini
river at the foothills of the Western Ghats.The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and Moyar
flow through the reserve. Climate - Winter minimum 10, Summer maximum
28 degrees, Monsoon from June to September and best time to visit is open
throughout the year but preferably in monsoon when wildlife is plenty and
forest is green. Greenery is quite lean when viewed from road but gets thicker
as we proceed into the forest.

M ajorflora: Teak(Tectonagrandis),Dalbergialatifolia,Pterocarpusmarsupium,
Adina cordifolia, Grewia tiliaefolia, Emblica officinalis, Lagerstroemia lanceolata,
Terminalia tomentosa, Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia chebula, Schleichera
trijuga, Odina wodiar, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Dendrocalamus
strictus, Bambusa arundinacea , Chloroxylon swetenia, Acacia catechu, Shorea
talura, Randia uliginosa. Major fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar
(deer), Chital, Sloth Bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four
horned Antelope, Hyena. Endangered species: Tiger, Four horned Antelope,
Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth Bear, Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey.
Birds: Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red­
headed Vulture, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl, Malabar
Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, Plain
Flowerpecker. Reptiles: King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper,
Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard,
Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.

CENSUS FIGURES FOR BANDIPUR

1991 1993 1995 1997
Tiger 58 66 74 75
Leopard 51 81 86 88
Elephant 1107 2214 2214 3471
Gaur 1097 1373 1373 2427
Dhole 148 181 181
Chital 3333 5858 5858 8204
Sambar 706 1196 1196 2386
Slothbear 51 66 66
Chousingha 14
Langur 1468 1751 1751
Pig 148 181 181
Muntjac 72 131 131
Introduction 37

Bannerghatta National Park: is situated 22 km south of Bangalore,

Karnataka, India. The journey to the park takes nearly half an hour from
Bangalore. This hilly place is the home for one of the richest natural, zoological
reserves. The 25,000 acre (104.27 km2) zoological park makes this a major
tourist attraction of Bangalore. The Bannerghatta Tiger and Lion Reserve has a
reserve of Indian tigers including white tigers, lions and other mammals. Safaris
- Tiger & Lion Safari and Grand Safari (including herbivores) - conducted by the
KSTDC,aid in the funding of the reserve. The Tiger Reserve of the park has been
recognised by the Forest Department of India. There is a small museum in the
zoo which showcases zoological exhibits. The zoo, which is a major attraction
in this area, also has a reptile park and a small theatre. The Zoo is closed on
Tuesdays (weekly holiday). The country’s first Butterfly Park was established
at the Bannerghatta Biological Park. The Butterfly Park is spread across 7.5
acres (30,000 m2) of land. It comprises a butterfly conservatory, museum
and an audio-visual room. The butterfly conservatory has a polycarbonate
roof and is a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m2). circular enclosure, inside which the
living environment has been carefully designed to support over 20 species of
butterflies. The environment has a tropical setting — complete with the humid
climate, an artificial waterfall, a narrow walking bridge and host plants and
shrubs that attract butterflies. The conservatory leads to the second and third
domes, which house the museum containing dioramas and exhibits of carefully
preserved, exquisite butterflies. The collaborative agencies are the Zoo Authority
of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences and the Ashoka Trust for
Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).
The Kudremukh national Park: is the second largest declared Wildlife
Protected Area (600.32 km2) of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the
Western Ghats. Kudremukh National Park is located in Udupi and Chikmagalur
districts of Karnataka states. The Western Ghats is one of the thirty four
hot spots identified for bio-diversity conservation in the world. Kudremukh
National Park comes under the Global Tiger Conservation Priority-I, under
the format developed jointly by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and World
Wide Fund-USA. The British Government declared Kudremukh region as a
Reserved Forest in 1916, to stop rampant slash and burn cultivation practices
from penetrating deeper into the Ghats. Well known environmentalist and Tiger
expert Dr. Ullas Karanth, undertook a detailed and systematic survey of the
distribution of the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque in Karnataka during 1983­
84 with support from Government of Karnataka. He observed that suitable
and extensive rainforest habitat for Lion-tailed Macaque existed in Kudremukh
and that the tract probably harbored the largest contiguous population of lion
tailed macaques in the Western Ghats outside the Malabar region. He further
suggested that Lion Tailed Macaques could be effectively used as a ‘flagship’
species to conserve the entire biotic community in the region and prepared a
conservation plan for survival of wild population of Lion Tailed Macaques in the
A Handbook of Karnataka 38

region delineating the present national park area as a proposed nature reserve.
Based on his report, the Karnataka State Wildlife Advisory Board suggested
to the Government that Kudremukh National Park be created. Subsequently,
the first notification of the Kudremukh National Park was issued. In 1987, the
Government of Karnataka declared these Reserved Forests as a National Park
based on the above suggestion.
The town of Kudremukh is primarily an iron ore mining town where the
government run Public Sector Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL)
operates. It is noted for its scenic beauty. Owing to the dense forests, sighting
wildlife can be challenging, though the area is rich in wildlife. Nonetheless
the drive through the forest ranges can be enchanting and exhilarating. Three
important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have
their origin here. A shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha image, 1.8 m
within a cave are the main attractions. The Tunga river and Bhadra river flow
freely through the parklands. Kadambi waterfalls area is the definite point of
interest for anyone who travels to the spot. A diverse assemblage of endangered
large mammals is found in the park supporting three large mammal predator
species Tiger, Leopard and Wild Dogs. The important Tiger prey base found
within the Park is Gaur, Sambar, Wild Pig, Muntjac, Chevrotain, Bonnet
Macaque, Common Langur and the Lion Tailed Macaque. The wet climate and
the tremendous water retentive capacity of the shola grasslands and forests has
led to the formation of thousands of perennial streams in the region converging
to form three major rivers of the region, Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi that
form an important lifeline for the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Lobo house is an old abandoned house on top of Kuduremukha.
nagarhole national Park: also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is
located 94 km from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts.
Located to the northwest of Bandipur National Park, Kabini reservoir separates
the two. The exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers o f Mysore, the park
has rich forest cover, small streams, valleys, and waterfalls. In 1975 its area
stretched to 575 km2. The place derives its name from Kannada, Naga meaning
snake and hole referring to streams. Set up in 1955, it is one of the best-
managed parks in the country. The climate is tropical; summer is hot and
winter is pleasant. The park boasts a healthy tiger-predator ratio, and tiger,
bison, and elephant are much more populous here than in Bandipur. The park
is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster
(6,000+ km2), including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under consideration
by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage
Site. Mostly moist mixed deciduous forest (Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia)
in the southern parts, dry tropical forest (Wrightia tinctoria, Acacia) towards
the east, and Sub mountain hill valley swamp forest (Eugenia) are found in the
Park. Mammals: Elephant, Jackal ,Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Muntjac, Sambar,
Spotted deer, Mongoose, Civet cat, Hyena. Reptiles: King Cobra, Krait, Python,
Introduction 39

Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard ,Toads etc. The main trees found are Rosewood,
Teak, Sandalwood and Silver oak.
Western Ghats in Karnataka
The Nilgiri Bio-sphere is home to the largest population of Asian Elephants
and forms an important Project Elephant and Project Tiger reserve. Brahmagiri
and Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuaries are important elephant habitats. Karnataka’s
Ghat areas hold over six thousand elephants (as of 2004) and ten percent of
India’s critically endangered tiger population. The largest population of India’s
Tigers outside the Sundarbans is in the unbroken forests bordering Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The largest numbers and herds of vulnerable Gaur are
found here with the Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole together holding
over five thousand Gaur. To the west the forests of Kodagu hold sizeable
populations of the endangered Nilgiri Langur. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and
project tiger reserve in Chikmagalur has large populations of Indian muntjac.
Many Asian Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, vulnerable Sloth Bears, Leopard, tiger
and Wild Boars dwell in the forests of Kerala.
Bannerghatta National Park and Annekal reserve forest is an important
elephant corridor connecting the forests of Tamil Nadu with those of Karnataka.
Dandeli and Anshi national parks in Uttara Kannada district are home to the
Black Panther and normal variety of leopards and significant populations
of Great Indian Hornbill. Bhimgad in Belgaum district is a proposed wildlife
sanctuary and is home to the endemic critically endangered Wroughton’s
freetailed bat. The Krishnapur caves close by are one of only three places in
the country where the little-known Theobald’s tomb bat is found. Large Lesser
False Vampire bats are found in the Talevadi caves.
1 Reptiles- The snake family Uropeltidae of the reptile class is almost entirely
restricted to this region.
1 Amphibians- The amphibians of the Western Ghats are diverse and
unique, with more than 80% of the 179 amphibian species being endemic
to the region. Most of the endemic species have their distribution in the
rainforests of these mountains. The endangered Purple frog was discovered
in 2003 to be a living fossil. This species of frog is most closely related to
species found in the Seychelles. Four new species of Anurans belonging
to the genus Rhacophorus, Polypedates, Philautus and Bufo have been
described from the Western Ghats.
1 Fish- 102 species of fish are listed for the Western Ghats water bodies.
Western Ghats streams are home to several brilliantly coloured ornamental
fishes like Red line torpedo barb, Red-tailed barb, Osteobrama bakeri,
Gunther’s catfish and freshwater puffer fish Tetraodon travancoricus,
Carinotetraodon imitator and marine forms like Chelonodon patoca
(Buchanan-Hamilton,1822); mahseers such as Malabar mahseer.
A Handbook of Karnataka 40

1 Birds- There are at least 508 bird species. Most of Karnataka’s five hundred
species of birds are from the Western Ghats region. Bhadra Wildlife
Sanctuary is located at the northern end of the Malabar ranges and the
southern tip o f the Sahyadri ranges and bird species from both ranges can
be seen here.
1 Insects- There are roughly 6,000 insect species from Kerala alone. Of 334
butterfly species recorded from the Western Ghats, 316 species have been
reported from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
1 Molluscs- Seasonal rainfall patterns of the Western Ghats necessitate a
period of dormancy for its land snails, resulting in their high abundance
and diversity including at least 258 species of gastropods from 57 genera
and 24 families.
In 2006, India applied to the UNESCO MAB for the Western Ghats to be
listed as a protected World Heritage Site. This will be composed of 7 adjoining
areas. The areas within the State of Karnataka are:
W estern Ghats—Talacauvery Sub-Cluster (with S ix Site Elements): All
site elements in the Talacauvery region are situated in Karnataka state except
the Aralam Reserved Forest (RF) in Kerala state. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
(92.65 km2) has dense evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation, with shola-
grassland in areas of higher elevation. The steep terrain of the Sanctuary
has resulted in scenic waterfalls along its many mountain streams. Altitude
varies from 160 to 1,712 m, the highest point being the Pushpagiri Peak in
the north of the park. Temperatures range from 10-38°C, with annual rainfall
exceeding 6,500 mm. Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary (181.29 km2) also consists
of evergreen and semievergreen forests in the lower-lying areas with shola-
grassland habitat in the higher altitudes. The eastern tip of the Sanctuary is
adjacent to the north-western boundary of Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National
Park, separated by a narrow strip of coffee plantations. The highest point in
the Sanctuary is the Brahmagiri Peak on the south-eastern boundary, while
elevation varies between 65 m and 1,607 m. Temperatures range from 5°-32°
C, and mean annual rainfall varies from 2,500 mm to 6,000 mm. Talacauvery
Wildlife Sanctuary (105.01 km2) is located in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of
Karnataka. Its forests are predominated by tropical evergreen forests. It is
named after Talacauvery the origin of the Cauvery river which lies on the eastern
edge of the Sanctuary. Altitudinal and temperature ranges are 64-1,659 m and
10°-35° C, respectively. Annual rainfall is above 6,500mm. The areas between
Talacauvery and Pushpagiri sanctuaries have been excluded from the proposed
area mainly due to the fragmentation and habitat degradation caused by the
Mangalore-Madikeri road. There is no natural forest cover for about 2 km on
either side of this road. There are some teak and rubber plantations near the
road.
Introduction 41

W estern Ghats—Kudremukh Sub-Cluster: (with Five Site Elements): The

Kudremukh National Park, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, and surrounding
Reserved Forests of Someshwara, Agumbe and Balahalli of Karnataka state
are situated centrally in the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot. Kudremukh
National Park has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Western
Ghats, encompassing evergreen, semi-evergreen and grasslandshola habitat
characteristic of high altitude Western Ghats regions. Altitude varies from 120
to 1,892 m, the highest point being the Kudremukh Peak in the south of the
Park. The Park has average temperatures ranging between 17° C and 28° C.
Annual rainfall varies from 1,778 mm to 6,350 mm, with an average of 4,000
mm and a maximum recorded rainfall of 10,000 mm in 1994. The topography
is mountainous with a central ridge running north-south through the Park.
The Park is dotted with crystal-clear streams and picturesque waterfalls.
Kudremukh National Park is flanked by coffee and tea estates on the north
and east, whereas on the west, the land drops down to the Arabian Sea. In
the northwest is a forest corridor that connects the Park with the Someshwara
Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, named after the famous Someshwara
Temple located within it, and the adjoining 105.3 km2 of Reserved Forest are
predominantly evergreen forests, along with semi-evergreen vegetation. These
Reserved Forests are in the process of being included within the Sanctuary.
Elevation ranges from 75-870 m and the temperature varies between 20° C and
30° C, with an average annual rainfall of 6,000 mm.
Environm ent Situation in Karnataka
Survival of life on earth depends on the availability of natural resources. The
use of these resources has an impact on the environment around us. Water
usage leads to its pollution. Coal, oil, minerals and metals are being depleted
by increasing usage. A high level of irrigation, unless accompanied by proper
drainage, make the soil saline or waterlogged. Combustion of fuels results in
greater accumulation of carbon dioxide leading to global warming. This use
and depletion of resources has an Impact on our environment.
About sixty per cent of the land area in the States is under one or other type
of agriculture. This is above the national average of 51%. A portion o f this land
is marginal for agriculture and requires higher inputs but gives lower yields. As
subsistence farming is economically nonviable, this land is soon degraded and
the soil is eroded. Land that cannot support agriculture could well be suitable
for forestry and pasture.
Irrigated land has been rendered saline or water-logged due to water use.
Thus in the upper Krishna Project about 71,000 ha, have become either saline
or alkaline. In the command area of the Tungabhadra reservoir about 33,000
ha, are either saline or water logged; 24,455 ha are saline or waterlogged in the
Malaprabha and Ghataprabha (command) area and 16,500 ha, in the Cauvery
basin. Remedial measures are being undertaken in some areas at a high cost.
A Handbook of Karnataka 42

Pasture lands in the State have been steadily decreasing. During 1956 to
1983, pastures came down by 31% while animal units increased by 30%. Over­
grazing is bound to follow together with compacting of the land cattle paths.
As a result of the expansion of agriculture and its allied activities, the
natural vegetation in the plains has suffered the most. In fact the characteristic
vegetation of this habitat namely the scrub forest has almost vanished. The wild
life too has practically been wiped out in this tract except in isolated pockets.
Similarly in the Western Ghats, the fragmentation of natural vegetation has
already reached alarming proportions and this would have serious consequences
on the rate of extinction of species. The wild life has been decimated in many
parts of the State and its numbers are rapidly dwindling due to loss of habitat,
constant fragmentation and illegal killing.
The forest areas in the Western Ghats are being converted into plantations
of cardamom, cocoa, rubber, coffee and tea. Simultaneously timber and fuel
wood species are replacing the rich tropical forests. These plantations while
being commercially remunerative can cause great harm to the bio-diversity
and habitat of the flora andfauna. Vast forest areas have been submerged by
hydel projects on the west-flowing rivers. Resettlement of the people displaced
by development projects has further reduced the forest area by honey combing
the forests with human settlement.
Silting is the most serious problems with tanks and reservoirs. The capacity
of the tanks goes on decreasing every year, the tank irrigating less and less land,
ultimately becoming altogether useless for irrigation when the sluices can no
longer be opened. The solution proposed for the silting problem is afforestation
of the catchment to the extent possible, banning cultivation in the foreshore
lands and construction of small checkdams upstream to trap the silt.
The exploitation of renewable and non-renewable natural resources is likely
to have an environmental impact. Increased production of minerals will vary
with the location, method and magnitude of operations. Area surrounding the
mines will also be affected by the works as well as workers. So the extent and
mode of mining must be regulated by ecological considerations for the long
term utilisation of resources.
Pollution is the introduction of extraneous materials into environment
adversely affecting its normal use. Water pollution is caused mainly by
discharge of waste waters into natural water courses and water bodies. Water
is being polluted by industries and human habitations. Industrial effluents
can cause organic, chemical and even hazardous pollution. In order to
control this pollution, effluent standards have been prescribed industry-wise.
Thermal pollution caused by water with temperatures above the ambient water
temperature is also to be controlled. The Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act was enacted by Parliament on 23rd March 1974,
Introduction 43

The greatest water pollution in the State is caused by Urban Agglomerations.

It is obligatory on the authorities to treat the sewage before discharging it.
However 139 of the 172 Municipalities do not have functional underground
drainage or sewage treatment plants.
A ir pollution
Stack emissions from industries also emits fumes containing both suspended
particles as well as abnoxious gases. Stack emission are to be controlled
and have to conform to standards using devices like cyclones, scrubbers,
electrostatic precipitators and similar devices. The resultant particulate matter
gives a sludge which again has to be disposed off. The Raichur Thermal power
plant produces around 3,000 tonnes of ash a day. The Mangalore Super
Thermal Power Plant is estimated to generate 20,000 tonnes of ash a day.
A step towards controlling pollution and protection of our environment was
taken by the Central enactment of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
1981.
Noise pollution caused by 1) Industrial Noise, 2) Traffic Noise, 3) Cultural
Noise is also under the purview of this Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act of 1981. Noise is as harmful to the human being as polluted air and water.
Noise pollution associated with urban life is on the increase. The vast majority
of people are under the false impression that ears adapt to increased noise
levels. The truth is that they never do, but silently surrender their functions,
with increasing age of an individual.
More comprehensive legislation to provide for the protection and improvement
of the environment was Centrally enacted and termed the Environment
(Protection) Act on 23rd May 1986.
The Department of Ecology and Environment was established in March
1981 to have an integrated approach to deal with, prevention and control of air
and water pollution, preservation and development of forest wealth and other
natural resources in the State. The Environment (Protection) Act came into force
from November 1986 and the existing Water Act and Air Act have been amended
over the last two years. The new provisions of the environmental laws enable
the general public to question the authorities involved in the environmental
pollution control in a court of law. The Ecology and Environment department is
now responsible for the management of hazardous chemicals and control o f oil
pollution in coastal waters. In addition beach management has also been given
considerable importance.
Karnataka State Pollution C ontrol Board
The Karnataka State Board for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution
was constituted by the Government of Karnataka on 21st September 1974 in
pursuance of the Water(Prevention and Control of Water Pollution) Act 1974.
After the enactment of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981,
the enforcing responsibility was entrusted to the Board. The Board was later
renamed as Pollution Control Board in 1985.
A Handbook of Karnataka 44

The Board is also enforcing the following Acts and Rules viz 1) The Water
(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 as amended by the
Amendment Act 1991; 2) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) cess
rules 1978; 3) the rules framed under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 a)
Hazardous waste (Management and handling) rules 1989 and b) Manufacture,
Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals rules 1989 and 4) The Public
Liability Insurance Act 1991.
The Board has identified 9,012 industries upto 31st March 1999 under
pollution control laws. There are 120 highly polluting industries, 437 industries
have been identified under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling)
Rules 1989. The total quantity of hazardous waste generated in the State is
33,282 MT/Annum. (Recyclable/Reusable -13,313 MT/Annum, Incinerable
- 3,328 MT/Annum and Land fill - 16,641 MT/Annum. During 1998-99
Environment clearance have been granted to 124 industries. About 888
toilets and 7 crematoriums have been completed under National River Water
Conservation Programmes by the State Pollution Control Board, Urban Water
Supply and Drainage Board.
S eism icity of Karnataka
The area of Karnataka state lies in a zone which is affected by the earthquakes
less frequently. According to the available records, the area had been affected
by:- Bellary earthquake of 1st April, 1843 (Magnitude = 6.0), Coimbatore
earthquake of 8th Feb. 1900 (Magnitude = 6.0), and Latur (Killari) earthquake
of 29th Sept. 1993 (Magnitude 6.3). The maximum intensity due to these
earthquakes in the Karnataka state has been estimated between VII & VIII on
the Modified Mecalli. Besides, the earthquake of May 12th, 1975 (Magnitude
= 5.0) near Dharwar was widely felt in Karnataka and the earthquake of 20th
March 1984 (Magnitude = 4.5) was also felt at Bangalore and adjoining area.
Recently, on January 9th 1996, an earthquake of slight intensity (Magnitude
+ 4.5) on Richter scale occurred in Dharwar District of Karnataka. This
earthquake was widely felt in the state. A list of important earthquakes that
could have been experienced in the region is given in next page.
A swarm type of earthquake activity (Magnitude below 2.5 on the Richter
scale) has also been experienced in the Karnataka state time to time. Mention
may be made of 1955 swarm in Bijapur District, 1956 swarm in Bidar District
1965 swarm in Bijapur District, 1956 Swarm in Bidar District, 1965 Swarm
in Kolar District, 1972 swarm in Mandya District and 1980 swarm in Hospet
Taluk.
In the seismic zoning map of India prepared under the auspices of Bureau
of India Standards (BIS), the area of Karnataka state lies in the zone I, II& III.
The seismic zone I, II & III broadly associated with a maximum intensity of V,
VI & VII on the Modified Mecalli Scale.
 Introduction
7 1 °3 0 ' 7 2 °0 0 ' 7 2 °3 0 ' 7 3 °0 0 ' 7 3 °3 0 ' 7 4 °0 0 ' 7 4 °3 0 ' 7 5 °0 0 ' 7 5 °3 0 ' 7 6 °0 0 ' 7 6 °3 0 ' 7 7 °0 0 ' 7 7 °3 0 ' ?8 °8 0 ' 7 8 °3 0 ' 7 9 °0 0 ' 7 9 °3 0 ' 8 0 °0 0 ' 8 0 °3 0 ' 8 1 °0 0 '

KARNATAKA EARTHQUAKE ZONES

w e

Total geographical A rea o f the state

= 1 9 0 .2 3 8 L a k h ha.

E arthquake M oderate Dam age Risk

Zone III (M S K V II)
= 4 2 .1 7 3 L a k h h a. (2 2 .1 3 %)

Earthquake m oderate d am ag e risk zo n e -ll

□ l
(M S K V II)
Earthquake low d am ag e risk zo n e -ll
'---------1 (M S K V I) 50 0 50 100 150 Kilom eters

7 1 °3 0 ' 7 2 °0 0 ' 7 2 °3 0 ' 7 3 °0 0 ' 7 3 °3 0 ‘ 7 4 °0 0 ' 7 4 °3 0 ’ 7 5 °0 0 ' 7 5 °3 0 ' 7 6 °0 0 ' 7 6 °3 0 ' 77W 7 7 °3 0 ' 7 8 °0 0 ' 7 8 °3 0 ' 7 9 °0 0 ' 7 9 °3 0 ' 8 0 °0 0 ' 8 0 °3 0 ' 8 1 °0 0 '

Disclaimer: This is a draft map prepared referring to IS 1893 (Part 1): 2002 .However UNDP do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same.
-1^
Ui
A Handbook of Karnataka 46

List o f Earthquakes from IMD Catalogue occurring between Lat 11.50

T o 18.50 deg. N And Long 74.00 T o 78.00 deg. E for The Period
1505 T o 1997.

DATE O-TIME LAT LONG DPTH MAG

1843-4-1 000.0 15.00 76.00 0.00 6.0
1916-1-7 000.0 13.00 77.00 0.00 5.0
1984-3-20 104529.5 12.82 77.43 21.00 4.5
1985-5-27 65712.0 17.20 74.00 33.00 0.0
1985-12-15 131052.0 17.36 74.00 39.00 0.0
1987-2-2 91838.0 17.30 74.10 10.00 0.0
1988-9-11 203914.0 17.23 74.00 37.00 4.3
1992-10-18 17333.2 18.10 76.90 33.00 4.4
1992-11-2 070.2 18.20 76.60 33.00 3.9
1993-9-29 222547.5 18.07 76.62 12.00 6.3
1993-9-29 231057.5 18.00 76.40 10.00 5.0
1993-9-30 05313.0 18.00 76.50 12.00 4.7
1993-9-30 21656.3 18.10 76.60 12.00 4.5
1993-9-30 33146.0 18.20 76.60 12.00 3.8
1993-10-1 17116.8 17.90 76.60 12.00 4.4
1993-10-2 231530.5 17.90 76.60 12.00 3.6
1993-10-4 211934.8 18.00 76.60 12.00 3.9
1993-10-8 2045.73 18.00 76.70 33.00 4.6
1993-10-16 85811.6 18.00 76.50 15.00 3.3
1993-10-17 0.712.3 17.90 77.20 1.00 3.8
1993-10-18 18939.9 17.90 76.60 2.00 3.5
1993-10-28 192117.4 18.00 76.50 1.00 3.2
1993-11-1 62844.3 18.00 76.80 21.00 3.4
1993-11-12 132731.0 18.00 76.60 3.00 5.0
1993-11-13 4212.2 18.10 76.60 4.00 3.4
1993-11-18 14131.6 18.30 76.80 33.00 0.0
1993-11-24 14461.6 18.00 76.60 1.00 4.4
1995-12-21 63153.0 18.00 76.50 33.00 1.2
1993-1-5 11845.0 16.30 74.30 33.00 0.0
1996-1-9 24515.0 15.20 75.40 33.00 4.5
1996-1-29 132345.5 18.10 76.50 33.00 2.5
1996-9-2 195336.0 18.10 76.60 0.00 3.0
1996-11-10 904.1 18.30 76.69 33.00 4.1
1997-1-23 23446.0 17.44 76.06 33.00 0.0
1997-2-21 93739.0 18.00 76.60 0.00 3.2
No. of Earthquakes = 35
Introduction 47

Area - Population and Adm inistrative Divisions in Karnataka

Area Population % of Density No.of No.of
District % of State
(Sq.km) (2001) State (2001) Taluks Hoblies
Bangalore 2190 1.14 6537124 12.36 2985 4 17
Bangalore 2259 1.78 850968 3 324 4 17
Rural
Ramanagaram 3556 1.85 1030546 290 4 18
Chitradurga 8440 4.40 1517896 2.87 180 6 22
Davanagere 5924 3.08 1790952 3.39 302 6 24
Kolar 3969 2.07 1387062 308 5 27
Chikballapur 4254 2.22 1149007 270 6 26
Shimoga 8477 4.42 1642545 3.11 194 7 40
Tumkur 10597 5.53 2584711 4.89 244 10 50
Chikmagalur 7201 3.75 1140905 2.16 158 7 32
Dakshina 4560 2.38 1897730 3.59 416 5 17
Kannada
Udupi 3880 2.02 1112243 2.10 287 3 9
Hassan 6814 3.55 1721669 3.26 253 8 38
Kodagu 4102 2.14 548561 1.03 134 3 16
Mandya 4961 2.59 1763705 3.34 356 7 31
Mysore 6854 3.57 2641027 4.80 385 7 33
Chamaraja- 5101 2.66 965462 1.83 189 4 16
nagar
Belgaum 13415 6.99 4214505 7.97 314 10 35
Bijapur 10494 5.47 1806918 3.42 172 5 18
Bagalkot 6575 3.43 1651892 3.13 251 6 18
Dharwad 4260 2.22 1604253 3.04 377 5 14
Gadag 4656 2.43 971835 1.83 209 5 11
Haveri 4823 2.51 1439116 2.72 298 7 19
Uttara 10291 5.37 1353644 2.56 132 11 35
Kannada
Bellary 8450 4.41 2027140 3.84 240 7 27
Bidar 5448 2.84 1502373 2.84 276 5 30
Gulbarga 16224 8.46 3130922 5.92 193 10 48
Raichur 6827 3.56 1669762 3.16 245 5 37
Koppal 7189 3.75 1196089 2.26 166 4 20
State 191791 100 52850562 100 276 176 747
A Handbook of Karnataka 48

Towns/ Municipa-
Gram Un­
Urban licities/ Inhabited Pop.
Pan- inhabited Sex Ration
District Agglome­ Corpo­ Villages Growth
chayats villages 2001
rations rations (2001) rate (%)
2007-08 (2001)
2001 2001
Bangalore 86 19 2 668 31 908 35
Bangalore Rural 98 6 5 949 101 955 19
Ramanagaram 130 4 4 770 53 964 8
Chitradurga 185 6 6 946 113 955 15
Davanagere 230 6 6 810 113 952 15
Kolar 156 6 6 1598 199 972 14
Chikballapur 151 6 6 1321 193 966 14
Shimoga 260 9 9 1443 87 978 13
Tumkur 321 11 10 2574 134 967 12
Chikmagalur 226 9 9 1034 83 984 12
Dakshina 203 20 8 354 - 1022 14
Kannada
Udupi 146 6 4 248 - 1130 7
Hassan 258 9 8 2394 165 1004 10
Kodagu 98 5 4 291 5 996 12
Mandya 232 8 7 1369 110 985 7
Mysore 235 11 9 1216 124 964 15
Chamarajanagar 120 4 5 424 85 971 9
Belgaum 485 22 17 1255 15 960 17
Bijapur 199 6 6 660 17 948 18
Bagalkot 163 12 12 623 4 980 19
Dharwad 127 6 6 361 18 949 17
Gadag 106 9 9 329 8 969 13
Haveri 208 9 8 691 7 944 13
Uttara Kannada 206 13 11 1246 43 971 11
Bellary 189 11 10 524 30 969 22
Bidar 175 6 6 599 22 949 20
Gulbarga 337 17 15 1360 77 966 21
Raichur 164 9 7 836 53 980 22
Koppal 134 5 4 599 35 983 25
State 5628 270 219 27481 1925 965 17
Source : KarnatakaAt A Glance 2008 DES No.: 10/2008 DES, Bangalore.
 Chapter II
HISTORY
Geographically located on the south western part of South India, Karnataka
has abundant natural resources. Its western ghats with rich forest resources,
and plain valleys, is crowned with more prosperous narrow coast line. Its
Mangalore Newport has enhanced its value in terms of international trade with
rich foreign exchange. Above all, it has rich cultural tradition and puranic
legends of historical importance.
Pre History : Karnataka has a hoary past. It is blessed with innumerable
inscriptions, memorial (viz. Hero, Mahasati and Self immolation) stones and
monuments of rich historical and cultural heritage. It has many sites of Pre­
historic period and most of them are found scattered on the river valleys of
Krishna, Bhima, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Cauvery, Hemavathi, Shimsha,
Tungabhadra, Manjra, Pennar, Netravati etc. and their tributaries. It is very
interesting to note that the Pre-historic studies in India started with the discovery
of ashmounds at Kupgal and Kudatini in 1836 by Cuebold, a British officer in
Bellary region, which then formed part of Madras Presidency. Subsequent
discoveries have revealed the existence of stone age man with innumerable
Pre-historic sites in Karnataka. The Pre-historic 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. Places like Hunasagi,
Gulbal, Kaladevanahalli, Tegginahalli, Budihal, Piklihal, Kibbanahalli, Nittur,
Anagavadi, Kaladgi, Khyad, Nyamati, Balehonnur and Uppinangadi (Lower
Palaeolithic) ; Herakal, Tamminahal, Savalgi, Salvadgi, Menasagi, Pattadakal,
Vajjala, Naravi and Talakad (Middle Palaeolithic); Kovalli, Ingaleshvara,
Yadwad and Maralabhavi (Upper Palaeolithic); Begaumpur, Vanamapurahalli,
Hingani, Ingaleshwara, Tamminahal, Sringeri, Jalahalli, Kibbanahalli,
Sanganakal, Brahmagiri, Uppinangadi, Mani and Doddaguni (Mesolithic);
Maski, T. Narasipur, Banahalli, Hallur, Sanganakal, Hemmige, Kodekal,
Brahmagiri, Kupgal, Tekkalkote, Kurnal, Srinivasapura,Beeramangala,
Frenchrocks (Pandavapura) and Uttanur (Neolithic and Chalcolithic); Rajana
Kolur, Bachigudda, Aihole, Konnur, Terdal, Hire Benakal, Kumaranahalli,
Tadakanahalli, Maski, Banahalli, Badaga-Kajekaru, Belur, Borkatte, Konaje,
Kakkunje, Vaddarse and Hallingali (Megalithic) are some of the important Pre­
historic sites of Karnataka. The ragi grain is found commonly in Pre-historic
sites of Africa and Karnataka. The early inhabitants of Karnataka knew the use
of iron, far earlier than the North and iron weapons dating back to circa 1500
B.C have been found at Hallur, now in Hirekerur Tq. of Haveri district
A Handbook of Karnataka 50

Traditionally, it is believed that parts of Karnataka subjected to the

rule of the Nandas and the Mauryas. Maurya Chandragupta (either
Chandragupta I ‘Ashoka’s Grandfather or Samprati Chandragupta, Ashoka’s
Grandson) is believed to have visited Shravanabelgola and spent his last years
History 51

there. Fourteen Ashokan (10

minor and 4 major) Rock Edicts
are 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
(viz., 13th and 14th) major edicts
at Sannati in Gulbarga district) P re historic Dolmens, Hire Benakal, Koppal District

testify to the extent of the Mauryan Empire. It is interesting to note that,

Emperor Ashoka’s name occur for the first time in his Maski minor rock edict
wherein, his familiar epithet “Devanampiya Piyadasi” is accompanied with his
personal name Ashoka. Hence his Maski edict has a unique place among all
his royal edicts. The language used in these Ashokan inscriptions is prakrit and
the script used therein is Brahmi. Brahmi, has been regarded as the mother
of all Indian scripts, including the Devanagari script. Places like Brahmagiri,
Chandravalli, Maski, Sanganakallu, Piklihall, Banavasi, Hallur, T.Narasipur,
Vadagoan-Madhavapur, Banahalli, Sannati, etc., have yielded rich remnants of
Early (Proto) historic period, datable to C 3rd Century B.C. - 1st Century A.D.
The Shatavahanas (circa 30 B.C to 230 A.D.) of Paithan (also called
Pratishtana) in Maharashtra 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, Hampi in
Bellary district, Brahmagiri in Chitradurga district and several other places,
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 is noticed. Kanaganahalli near Sannati has the ruins
of Buddhist Stupas of their times covered with sculptures on them. Among
the findings at Sannati, images of Lord Buddha (both in sitting and standing
postures) is significant.Moreover the figures of eight Satavahana rulers is also
unearthed from this place. Later, Karnataka fell into the hands of the Pallavas
of Kanchi. Their feudatories, the Chutu Satakarnis, ruling from Banavasi after
the fall of the Shatavahanas, also seem to have accepted the overlordship of the
Pallavas. Pallava domination was ended by two indigenous dynasties, namely
the Kadambas of Banavasi and the Gangas of Talakad, who divided Karnataka
between themselves.
A Handbook of Karnataka 52

Bird’s eye view

A bird’s eye view of Karnataka’s political history is presented here briefly. The
Gangas and the Kadambas ruling from c.345 A.D; the Chalukyas of Badami in
Bagalkot district (c.540 to 753 A.D) overthrowing the Kadambas and subjugating
the Gangas; the Alupas ruling in coastal region as minor rulers for morethan
1000 years; the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from Gulbarga district (753 to
History 53

973 A.D) succeeding the Badami Chalukyas, and they in turn were overthrown
by the Chalukyas of Kalyana (973 to 1189A.D), 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 A.D., paved way for the Chola
rule when their territory viz., Gangawadi-96,000 (Southern Karnataka) was
occupied by the Cholas. The Cholas who dominated over Southern Karnataka
from about 1004 A.D. were overthrown by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana in
circa 1114 A.D.
During the Kalyana Chalukya rule, came the Kalachuri Interregnum
(1162-1184). It witnessed Basava and his Veerashaiva movement. 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 Sultanate 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. O f the five Shahi Sultanates which succeeded the Bahamanis,
the Adilshahis of Bijapur (1489-1686) and the Baridshahis of Bidar (1504­
1619), who held sway over northern parts of Karnataka and at a later stage, the
former dynasty overthrew the latter. The city of Vijayanagara was ransacked
by the combined Shahi forces of Deccan in 1565, The flee away Vijayanagara
commander Venkatapatiraya and Tirumalaraya decided to shift the capital of
the empire first to Penugonda (1565), and later, to Chandragiri both in Andhra
Pradesh and subsequently to Vellore (Tamilnadu), beyond the frontiers of
Karnataka. It continued as capital till 1646.
O f 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. The northern regions were under
the control of the Adilshahis of Bijapur till 1686, when they were overthrown
by the Mughals. 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 both Keladi
and Chitradurga Kingdoms in 1763 and 1779 respectively and extended his
sway over Mangalore. Later, 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 by British. 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’.
A Handbook of Karnataka 54

K ad am bas o f B anavasi (C .345-C.540)

The Kadamba Dyanasty was founded by Mayuravarma, son of
Bandhushena in c. 345 A.D. He was a brahmin student from the
celebrated Talagunda Agrahara (an Agrahara is a settlement of scholarly
brahmins, engaged in religious and academic pursuits) in Shikaripur
taluk of Shimoga district. He had gone with his grand father Veerasharma
to the Ghatika of Kanchi for higher studies. Subjected to some kind of
humiliation at the Pallava capital Kanchi, Mayuravarma gave up his
hereditary priestly vocation (but his brahmin origin has been questioned
often by several research scholars in recent days) and took to the life of
a warrior and revolted against the Pallavas. The Pallavas were forced to
recognise him as a sovereign, when he crowned himself at Banavasi in
Uttara Kannada district. His Chandravalli inscription speaks about the
construction or repair of a tank at Chandravalli by mayura varma near
Chitradurga. One of his successors, Kakustha Varman (c. 435-55) was
such a powerful ruler that even
the Vakatakas and the Guptas
cultivated marital relationship
with this family during his time.
The great poet Kalidasa seems to
have visited his court.
The earliest Kannada record
found at Halmidi (C.450 A.D.)
in Belur Taluk, Hassan district,
was issued by this dynasty. The
Kadambas built fine temples
and bastis and the Kadamba
Nagara style stepped Shikharas
is their contribution. They also
created first rock-cut shrines of
Vedic tradition at Aravalem (in
Goa which was then under their
control) in a laterite hill range.
The tanks at Chandravalli and
Gudnapur are among the many
irrigation tanks they built. They
P illa r inscription, Talagunda, Shimoga Dist.
had Lion as their royal insignia.
History 55

They were overthrown perhaps by the Chalukyas of Badami in c. 540 and at

later stages, two branches of Kadamba family (one from Hanagal and the other
from Goa) ruled during medieval period, as subordinates of the Chalukyas of
Kalyana. A branch of the Kadambas was also ruling from Orissa as subordinates
of the Gangas of Kalinga in medieval times.

Alupas o f Tulunad: The Alupas who ruled over

parts of coastal and adjacent region between 4th
and 16th century A.D. with Udyavara, Mangalore,
and Barakur as their capitals, had good cultural
contact with the contemporary imperial dynasties
of Karnataka like the Chalukyas of Badami,
Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas of Kalyana and other
subsequent dynasties, is worth mentioning.
Inscriptions of this dynasty found at Kadri,
Someshwara, Udyavara, Barakur, Belmannu,
Vaddarse etc. speak about their rule in coastal
Karnataka. The metal sculpture of Avalokeshwara
seen in the Manjunatha temple at Kadri near
Mangalore, installed by Alupa Kundavarma in
968 A.D. is unique in South India.
Avalokeswara, Kadri, Dakshi Kannada Dist.
Gangas o f talakad (C.350-C.1024 A.D.)
The Gangas seem to have started their rule in c. 350 from Kolar and later their
capital is said to have been shifted to Talakad (Mysore district). Elephant was
their royal insignia. Till the advent of the Badami Chalukyas, they were almost
a sovereign power. 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 and parts of Tamilnadu) till
the close of 10th century, as subordinates of the Badami Chalukyas and the
Rashtrakutas. It is the Gangas who withstood the onslaught of the Pallavas
and the Cholas, 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
Sanskrit poet Bharavi is said to
have lived in his court for some time.
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 Kolaramma Temple, Kolar
A Handbook of Karnataka 56

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. Mankunda in Channapatna taluk
is said to have been his royal residence (?) for sometime.
History 57

A later prince of this family, Sripurusha (c.725-88) was not only a strong ally
of the Chalukyas, but also resisted the Rashtrakutas who tried to subdue him,
after the overthrow of the Chalukyas of Badami by them in 753. Sripurusha,
as a Chalukyan ally killed Pallava Nandi Varman II at Vilande in 731 and
assumed the Pallava ruler’s title Permanadi. This great ruler also wrote a
Sanskrit work ‘ Gajashasthra’, a treatise on theme of taming the elephants.
He shifted his capital to Manne (Manyapura) in Nelamangala Taluk. His son
Shivamara II (788-816) and grandson Rachamalla I (816-53) continued to resist
Rashtrakuta power. In the end, Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga I (814­
78) sought reconciliation with the Gangas by marrying his daughters to the
Ganga princes. 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 (939-67) to humiliate the Cholas by killing
the Chola crown prince Rajaditya in the battle
held at Takkolam (949) as elucidated in Atkur
inscription, a unique memorial stone erected to
commemorate the demise of Kali, a hound, while
fighting against a wild boar, now displayed in the
Bangalore Visveswaraya museum. Finally their
territory came to be subdued by the Cholas in
1004, and thus the Ganga rule ended. The Cholas
who ruled major part of Gangavadi-96,000 with
Talakadu as its provincial head quarters, were
ultimately expelled from Gangavadi in 1114
by Vishnuvardhana. However, a branch of the
Gangas ruled from Orissa from 496 A.D. and Veenadhara Shiva, Narasamangala

became celebrated in history as the Eastern or the Kalinga Gangas. Among

their feudatories, the Nalambas played a vital role in the regional politics
in accordance with the political vicisitudes of the day. 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. Ganga Hero Stones found
at Begur, Doddahundi etc and the
masti stones found at places like
Mankunda, Settihalli etc. are worth
mentioning. Their fine temples
are seen at Kolar, Talakad, Begur,
Nagavara, Gangavara, Nandi,
Aretippur and Narasamangala. The
last named has wonderful stucco
figures of remarkable beauty. They Eswara Temple Bagur near Bangalore
A Handbook of Karnataka 58

also built Jaina bastis at Kambadahalli and Shravanabelagola. The tall Gommata
monolith at Aretippur near Koolagere in Maddur Taluk. of 10 ft. erected in
918 AD; and the other at Shravanabelgola, 58ft. in height is the creation of
their minister Chavundaraya in c. 982 A.D. are outstanding. Excavations held
during the preceding decades at Talkad, have brought to light rich remnants
of Ganga Period.
Chalukyas of Badami (C. 540-757)
It is the Chalukyas of Badami (also called Vatapi in inscriptions) who brought
the whole of Karnataka under a single rule. They are also remembered for
their contributions in the field of art and architecture. Their monuments are
concentrated at Badami, Nagaral, Aihole, B.N. Jalinal, Pattadakal, old and new
Mahakuta in Karnataka and at Alampur, Gadwal, Satyavolal and Bichavolu
in Andhra Pradesh. They are both rock-cut and structural, with wonderful
sculptures wrought in hard red sandstone. Their Shiggaon copper plates,
speak of 14 tanks in Haveri district. The first great prince of the dynasty was
Polakeshi 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) after subduing many
rulers including the Kadambas. His
grandson, Polakeshin II (c.608-42 A.D.)
built a vast empire, which extended
from the Narmada in the north, to the
Cauvery, in the south. In the east,
he overthrew the Vishnukundins
and appointed his younger brother
Vishnuvardhana, as the Viceroy of
Vengi. This prince founded the Eastern
Chalukya Dynasty which ruled for five
centuries in Andhra. (A later prince Roackcut Temples. Badami
of this Vengi line, Kulottunga, even
succeeded to the Chola throne in
1070). Harsha of Kanauj was defeated
by Polakeshin II. 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 Polakeshin II’s Durga Temple, Aihole
History 59

army. His Aihole inscription,

a prashasti composed by his
courtpoet Ravikirti in 634 A.D.
not only eulogises the political
campaigns of Polakeshi II in
glorious terms but also refers
to poet Kalidasa of early times.
Later his son Vikramaditya
I (655-81) reconquered the
Chalukyan capital and
reorganised his father’s empire
and restored the fame of
their army ‘Karnatabala’ as Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal

‘invincible’. The earliest representative carving of a measuring rod of 18 spans

of his period found on a rock (Kattebande) at Kurugodu in Bellary Taluk, an
unique example even now visible.
Vikramaditya I’s son Vinayaditya (681-96) defeated the ruler of Kanauj,
who claimed to be the paramount lord of the North (Sakalottarapathanatha).
He even sent an expedition to Cambodia. He was succeeded by Vijayaditya
(696-733). The Arabs who had conquered Sindh (711) under the leadership of
Mohamed Khasim, tried to make inroads into the Deccan. They were defeated
by the Chalukya feudatory in South Gujarat called Avanijashraya Polakeshin
in 739. The Arabs were forced to leave Sindh after this defeat. The Chalukyan
empire included not only the whole of Karnataka and Maharashtra, but a
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. But he did not loot Kanchi,
like the Pallavas who had done at Badami in C. 642. Instead after inspecting
its Jewels and Treasures, he redonated them to the Rajasimheshwara temple
of Kanchi, as elucidated in a kannada inscription found carved on one of the
pillars of the above said temple at Kanchi. His queens Lokamahadevi and
Trailokyamahadevi built the Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples at Pattadakal
to commemorate this victory. But the Chalukyan power was weakened in the
long run by its frequent wars with the Pallavas and ultimately dismembered
during Kirtivarma II’s regime in 757 A.D.
Rashtrakutas o f Malkhed (C.753-973)
In 753, Dantidurga, a feudatory chieftain of Rashtrakuta origin overthrew
the Chalukyan king Keerthivarman II, and his family inherited the fortunes
of the Chalukyas. He claims that he did this by defeating the ‘Karnatabala’ of
the Chalukyas, described as ‘invincible’ in those days. 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
A Handbook of Karnataka 60

the Narmada, and after defeating the celebrated princes like Vathsaraja of the
Gurjara Prathihara family and Dharmapala, the Gouda King of Bengal, and
extracted tribute from the ruler of Kanauj, ‘the seat of India’s Paramountcy’. His
son Govinda III (793-814) also repeated the feat when he defeated Nagabhata
II, the Gurjara Prathihara, and Dharmapala of Bengal and again extracted
tribute from the king of Kanauj. His ‘horses drank the icy liquid bubbling in the
Himalayas’ says a record, testifying to his victorious march in the North. The
achievements of the Chalukyas o f 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” as
Dr. Suryantha Kamath righily points
out.
Amoghavarsha Nripatunga (814­
78), the renowned 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 II at Tripumsha Temple, Gadag

Vinagavalli. He was a peace-loving

monarch who used matrimony as
one of the weapons in diplomacy.
Although he killed as many as six
contemporary political potentates
who created trouble for him, he did
not conduct Digvijayas like his father
and grandfather. He succeeded
in maintaining the Empire intact.
Himself a scholar, Amoghavarsha
patronized scholarship and great R e lie f Sculpture on a Pillar, Kadur (Now at Mysore)

Jaina savants like Veerasena,

Jinasena, Gunabhadra, grammarian
Shaktayana and Mathematician
Mahaveera adorned his court.
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 Panchalingeshwara Temple, Kukanur
History 61

composed by his court poet Srivijaya in C. 850 A.D. His great grandson Indra
III (914-29) even captured Kanauj and held it under his control for two years.
One of his feudatories, Arikesari of Vemulavada patronised Sanskrit writer
Somadeva (of Yashastilaka fame) and the famous early Kannada poet Pampa.
Rashtrakuta Krishna III (936-67) subdued the Cholas in the South and
established a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram. In fact the so-called ‘Age of
Imperial Kanauj’ in Indian history was the Age of Imperial Karnataka, when
the prowess of the Kannadiga was felt all over India. Even Rajashekhara, the
celebrated Sanskrit writer, has called the Karnatas as great experts in the
technique of war. Soldiers from Karnataka were employed by the Pala rulers of
Bengal. One such Kannada warrior founded the Sena Dynasty of Bengal and the
other Karnata Dynasty o f Mithila (modern Tirhath in Bihar). The Rashtrakutas
sponsored the engraving of many Hindu rock-cut temples on the Buddhist
model like the Dashavatara Shrine at Ellora, the Jogeshwara near Bombay
and the one at the Elephanta Island. (Some scholars ascribe the last named to
their Kalachuri feudatories). Arab traveller Suleiman who visited India in 851
A.D, tell us that the Rashtrakuta Empire was the largest in India and he ranks
it with the then greatest Empires of the world viz., the Eastern Roman, the
Arab and the Chinese Empires. The Rashtrakutas constructed many tanks and
their temples are found at places like Sirivala, Sulepet, Gadikeshwar, Adaki,
Sedam, Handarki, Mogha, etc., in Gulbarga district; Naragund, Nidagundi,
Naregal, Ron and Savadi in Gadag district; Badami, Banashankari, Pattadakal
etc. in Bagalkot district; and at Hampi also. Some Rashtrakuta Hero Stones
of exception are seen at Ron, Kaujageri, Karmadi, Belvanaki, Gadag, Betageri,
etc. in Gadag district, needs a special mention. These two dynasties viz., the
Chalukyas of Badami and the Rashtrakutas popularised animal husbandry
by donating cows in thousands. The stones commemorating such grants
(gosasakallu) are seen all over.
Chalukyas o f 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 made Kalyana as
his new capital (modern Basava
Kalyana in Bidar district). The
Chola king Rajadhiraja was killed
by him at Kuppam in 1054. Kalleshwara Temple, Haveri
A Handbook of Karnataka 62

Bracketfigure, Jalasangvi, Bidar Dist.

History 63

His son Vikramaditya VI (1076-1127) proudly called as the Lord of more

than 1000 inscriptions, is the king who started the Vikrama Saka Samvatsara
on his coronation, celebrated in history as the patron of the great jurist
Vighnaneshwara, who wrote Mithakshara, a standard work on Hindu law, and
the emperor has been immortalised by poet Bilhana (hailing from Kashmir)
who chose his patron as the hero for his Sanskrit work, viz., Vikramankadeva
Charitam. Vikramaditya defeated the Paramaras of Central India thrice and
even plundered their capital Dhara once. 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 monument, eulogised in an inscription as “Devalaya
Chakravarthy” (Emperor among Temples). His son Someshwara III (1127-39)
was a great scholar. He has compiled Manasollasa, a Sanskrit encyclopaedia and
Vikramankabhyudayam, a poem to which his father is the hero. 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. It has 100 sections discussing
various aspects of human
activity.
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.
He had Basaveshwara, the
celebrated Veerashaiva
religious leader, a rebel
against Vedic tradition,
who was the illustrious
son of Madarasa, the head
of Bagewadi Agrahara,
as his treasurer. 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
Kaitabeshwara Temple, Kubatur
A Handbook of Karnataka 64

Chalukyan territory, and finally divided Karnataka between themselves. The

representative carving of measuring rods used during this period are being
discovered on the temples at Dambala, Kodikop, Bhairapura and Shirasagi.
The Chalukyas were great builders, and their beautiful temples renown for
fine and intricate engravings are found at many places like Itagi, Ron, Naregal,
Gadag, Dambal, Lakkundi (Gadag District), Lakshmeshwara, Bankapur,
Hangal, Haveri, Abbaluru, Hamsabhavi, Chikkerur in Haveri District; Balligavi
(Shimoga District), Kuruvatti, Chaudadanapura (Ranebennur Taluk), Unakal,
Annigeri, Kundagol, Moraba, etc. in Dharwar District; and at Nagavi, Adki,
Yewur, Sedam, Kulageri, Kollur, Diggavi, Madiyala and Kalagi (in Gulbarga
Dt); Saudatti, Okkunda, Hulsi, Belgaum etc. in Belgaum district; Badami,
Pattadakal, Aihole, Mahakoota, etc. in Bagalkot district; Gabbur, Devadurga in
Raichur district; Koppal, Kukkanur, Itagi, Yelburga in Koppal District; Kurugodu,
Hadagili, Hampi, Kogali, Bagali in Bellary District; and 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 Veerashaiva movement saw
the advent of Vachana literature in Kannada, initiated by Jedara Dasimayya
and Kembhavi Bhoganna. It grew during the Kalachuri Interregnum when more
than 770 Sharanas including Basava, Allama, Siddarama, Channabasava,
Akkamahadevi and others lived. Veerashaivism preached equality of men, tried
to emancipate women, and stressed the importance of bread-labour concept by
calling it as ‘Kayaka’, for worshipping God.

Chaturlinga Temple, unkal, Near Hubli

History 65

sevunas o f Devagiri (C 1173-1318)

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.
A Handbook of Karnataka 66

Bhillama V captured Kalyana in 1186, and later clashed with Hoysala Ballala
II at Soraturu in 1190. Though he lost the battle, he built a vast kingdom
extending from the Narmada to the Krishna. His son Jaitugi (1192-99) not only
defeated Paramara Subhata Varman, but also killed Rudra and Mahadeva, the
Kakatiya kings of Warangal.
Singhana II (1199-1247), the greatest of the Sevunas, extended the Sevuna
kingdom upto the Tungabhadra. But the Sevunas were defeated by the army of
Delhi Sultan in 1296, again in 1307 and finally in 1318, and thus the kingdom
was wiped out. Their feudatory, Kumara Rama and his father Kampilaraya of
Kampili also died fighting against the Muslims in C. 1327 A.D. The Sevunas
have become immortal in history by the writings of the famous mathematician
Bhaskaracharya, the great writer on music Sharngadeva, and o f the celebrated
scholar Hemadri. The Sevunas and the Hoysalas drained their energy in
mutual warfare, and thus the south could be easily subdued by the armies
of the Delhi Sultans. Sharngadeva’s work, Sangita Ratnakara, is the basis for
the growth of classical music and Vidyaranya during the 14th century wrote
‘Sangitasara’ based on Sangita Ratnakara. 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
built and renovated many temples in North Karnataka.
Hoysalas o f Dwarasamudra (C.1052-1342)
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 Somanathapura. The first great ruler of the dynasty, Vishnuvardhana
(c.1108-1152) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas (who had held it since 1004),
in 1114 A.D. and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated
Keertinarayana temple at Talakad, and Vijayanarayana (Chennakeshava)
Temple at Belur, His kingdom was visited by Ramanujacharya, who stayed
at Saligrama, Tonnur, and Melkote in Karnataka for long. Vishnuvardhana
patronised the saint and believed to have earlier influenced by Srivaishnava
Chola officers in Gangavadi. As he wanted to be an Emperor by challenging
his overlords, the Kalyana Chalukyas expediency forced him to perform certain
Vedic rituals like Agnishtoma and Hiranyagarbha sacrifices (yajnyas). Jainism
did not sanction such performances. But he continued to patronise Jainism,
as many of his commanders and his accomplished queen Shantala were Jains.
His commander Ketamalla built the famous Hoysaleshwara (Vishnuvardhana)
temple at Halebidu.
The Agraharas in Karnataka which were numerous by then had created
such a healthy intellectual atmosphere that Ramanuja, the great preacher of
Srivaishnavism from Tamilnadu could get a hearing to his teachings from the
intellectuals in Karnataka, which was denied to him in his own native country.
Even his life was under threat there.
History 67

The H oysalas of Dorasam udra

(1000 A .D -1346 A.D)

Though Vishnuvardhana did not fully

succeed in his serious effort to overthrow
the Chalukyan yoke, his grandson Ballala II
(1173-1220) not only became free, but even defeated
Sevuna Bhillama V at Soraturu in 1190, after having
Dharpanadharini, Belur
A Handbook of Karnataka 68

defeated Chalukya Someshwara IV in 1187. When the Cholas were attacked

by the Pandyas in Tamilnadu, Ballala II drove the Pandyas back and thus
assumed the title “Establisher of the Chola kingdom” . Later, in the days of his
son Narasimha II (1220-35), Hoysalas even secured a foothold in Tamilnadu
and Kuppam near Srirangam became a second capital of the Hoysalas. As a
consequence, the empire was divided among his two sons and the collateral
branch continued for over six decades.
Ballala III (1291-1343), the last great Hoysala, had to struggle hard to hold his
own against the invasions of the Delhi Sultans. He died while fighting against
the Sultan of Madhurai. It was his commanders Harihara and Bukka, who
founded the Vijayanagara Kindgom, which later grew to be an Empire. Hoysala
age saw great Kannada poets like Rudrabhatta, Janna, Kereya Padmarasa,
Harihara and Raghavanka. Hoysala temples at Beluru, Halebidu, Maddur,
Somanathapur,Tonnur, Kikkeri, Bhadravathi,Banawara, Basaral, Arasikere,
Aralaguppe, Talakad, Amritapura, Hosaholalu,Melkote, SunkaTonnur,
Nagamangala, Kaidala Kurudumale, Sindhaghatta, Hosabudanur, Santhe-
bachahalli,VarahanathaKallhalli, Koravangala, Aghalaya, Shravanabelagola,
Javagal, Kaivara, Govindanahalli, Nuggehalli, Tenginaghatta, Turuvekere, etc.,
are wonderful works of art. The representative carving of land measuring rods
used during this period are being discovered at places like, Amritapura, Mugur,
and Bhairapura.

Nageswara and Channakeshava Temples, Mosale, Hassan District

History 69

Vijayanagara Empire (C.1336-1646)

When the armies of the Delhi Sultanat destroyed the four great Kingdoms of
the south viz., the Sevunas of Devagiri, 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 Seuna
feudatory from Kampli in Bellary district, perished while resisting the muslim
onslaughts. The people were bewildered over the attack on their religious
places and the barbaric crudities perpetrated on the vanquished cities by these
invaders from the North. Poems and ballads on Kumara Rama illustrate this
A Handbook of Karnataka 70

bewilderment. When the Vijayanagara kingdom was founded by the Sangama

brothers, viz. Harihara, Bukka, Kampana, Muddappa, and Marappa, people
whole-heartedly supported them. Tradition says that sage Vidyaranya had even
caused a shower of gold to finance the Sangama brothers. Perhaps the sage
succeeded in securing financial help from various quarters to the founders of
Vijayanagara. To Vidyaranya’s guru Bharatiteertha, Harihara and his brothers
made some grants at Sringeri in 1346. This grant had a supplementary donation
on the same day by Hoysala Queen Chikkayi Tayi a Alupa queen, who appears
to have been present on the occasion.
Harihara (1336-56) 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. After the death of Ballala III (1343) and his son
Virupaksha Ballala in 1346, the whole of the Hoysala dominion came under his
control. The above grant noted at Sringeri with the Hoysala queen, Chikkayitayi
and the kingdom glorifying Kumara Rama, demonstrates its efforts as successors
of these potentates that had perished. His brother Bukka (1356-77) succeeded
in destroying the Madhurai Sultanate: He even sent an embassy to China. 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 Konkan, beyond Goa upto Chaul.
In the East, he conquered Pangal to the north of the Krishna. Efforts made by
Firuzshah Bahmani to conquer this fort were foiled by Devaraya II (1424-49), the
greatest of the Sangamas, who defeated the Bahamanis when he was the crown
prince, and this resulted in the shifting of the Bahamani capital to the North
i.e. Bidar in c. 1426. He defeated the Gajapatis of Orissa twice and foiled the
efforts of the Bahamanis to wrest Mudgal. One of his commanders even invaded
Ceylon and extracted
tribute, and the princes
of Pegu and Tenesserim
in Burma also owed
him allegiance. He
highly patronized the
Veerashaivas. The
Hazara Rama Temple at
Hampi is his creation.
Abdul Razak, the Persian
traveller who visited his
court, says of the capital
that “nothing in the world
could equal it.” Himself
Hazararama Temple, Hampi
a scholar, Devaraya II ^ ^
History 71

patronized Gunda Dindima, a Sanskrit poet and Shrinatha, a Telugu poet. The
Hampi inscription of Davaraya II of 1420 A.D exolls the good qualities of his
famous commander Lakshmidhara poetically in glorious terms.
The weak and vicious kings who followed Devaraya II in the Sangama
dynasty would have caused the dismemberment of the empire, had not Saluva
Narasimha, an able commander assumed power (1485). It paved way for
the rule of Saluva dynasty(1485-1505) for a short while. It was during this
period Purtuguese navigator Vasco-da-Gama landed on the western coast at
Calicut in 1498 and thus opened a new vista for foreign rule. Later, there was
a second usurpation, under the leadership of Tuluva Vira Narasimha. He was
succeeded by the Tuluva Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) a great warrior, scholar
and administrator of Tuluva dynasty (1509-1570). He secured Raichur doab
in 1512, and later marched victorious into the capitals of his enemies like
Bidar (1512) Bijapur (1523) and in the East, Cuttack (1518), the capital of the
Gajapatis. Being a great devotee of Tirumalai Venkatesha, he visited Tirupati
frequently (7 times) and made lavish grants to Lord Venkatesha. As a token the
bronze statues of Raya with his two queens is seen even today at Tirumalai.
“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 o f 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. Raya
built the Krishnaswamy Temple in the capital. It was during his time that the
Portuguese conquered Goa from Bijapur rulers in 1510. They had a flourishing
trade with Vijayanagara, and to whom they supplied Arab horses on priority.
Portuguese rule in Goa had far reaching effects. They introduced new floras
like groundnut, chilly, tobacco etc., besides bringing printing technology from
the New World. Mangalore and Barakuru were the most important provinces
in Coastal area during the Vijayangara times and they were administered by
the governers appointed by the Viajayanagara rulers from time to time.
During the rule of Sadashiva Raya (1543-70) the four Shahi Sultans attacked
the Empire, and after killing
Aravidu Ramaraya (1542­
65), the Vijayanagar minister
and Krishnadevaraya’s son-
in-law, at Rakkasa Tangadi
(Rakkasagi-Tangadagi) in 1565
and destroyed the capital
Vijayanagara. Later, his
brothers Thirumalaraya and
Venkatapatiraya shifted the
capital first to Penugonda, and
later Chandragiri and Vellore
became the subsequent capitals Mahanavamidibba, Hampi
A Handbook of Karnataka 72

of late Vijayanagara rulers. The Tuluva rule was set aside by the Aravidu
dynastry (1570-1646). Srirangaraya III, its last ruler was given shelter by Keladi
rulers till his demise in 1670. During the Vijayangara regime, local rulers
like the Ajalas, Chauta, Banga, Mula, Hegde, Ballala, Domba and other small
principalities ruled almost independently in the coastal region of Karnataka.
Venur, Moodabidre and Karkal prospered as important Jaina Centres during
this period. Vijayanagara rulers patronized all religions. The Portuguese traveller
Barbosa testifies to this catholic outlook of the emperors. Every existing temple
was provided with a strong enclosure, a lofty tower at the entrance and vast
mantapas. Literary activity in all South Indian languages was encouraged.
The empire took upon itself the responsibility of conserving Indian traditions
in philosophy, religion, science, literature and culture. Vijayanagara played a
greater role in conserving local religion and cultural traditions. In addition to the
commentaries on the Vedas, Sayana compiled many works like Yajnyatantra
Sudhanidhi, Ayurveda Sudhanidhi, Purushartha Sudhanidhi, Subhashita
Sudhanidhi and Alankara Sudhanidhi to conserve Indian tradition. Madhava
(Vidyaranya) wrote Sarvadarshana Sangraha introducing all religions of Indian
origin. His parashara madhaviya is a commentary on parasharasmriti, a work
on Hindu life, and law and Parashara Madhaviya has clearly stated that the
Sati (suicide by a widow) is “kalivarjya”, to be abhorred totally in Kaliyuga.
The Emperors not only built fine temples of all denominations (Shaiva,
Vaishnava, Srivaishnava, Jaina etc.,) but renovated many temples destroyed
prior to their rule. All existing temples were provided with huge prakaras
(enclosures) and tall impressive entrance towers called as rayagopuras found
not only at Hampi but also at Srishailam, Kalahasti, Tirupathi, Srirangam,
Chidambaram, Kanchi etc. in Andhra and in Tamilnadu. In addition, they also
provided the existing temples with vast and impressive Kalyana Mantapas and
Sabha Mantapas which were open pillared pavilions. Each mantapa had scores
of tall monolithic pillars which
were solid pieces of art. These
public works provided jobs
to thousands. Their temples
seen at places like Hampi,
Haravu, Belluru, Kikkeri,
Ambaligere, Holalkere,
Sringeri, Kurugodu, Bagali,
Khandya, Kalasa etc. in
Karnataka are noteworthy.
Besides, they have also
built innumerable temples
in the neighbouring
states of Tamilnadu and
Andhrapradesh. Sanskrit, Stone Chariot Vitthala Temple, Hampi
History 73

Kannada, Tamil and Telugu literature flourished

during this time. The Veerashaiva religion saw a
renaissance. Karnataka Music came to blossom by
the works of Vidyaranya, 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. Foreign merchants and travellers
like Nicolo Conti(1420), Abdul Razak (1443),
Barbosa (1500-11), Paes (1520), Nuniz (1535), and
Caesar Fredrick (1567), who visited the Empire give
a vivid account on the flourishing condition that
prevailed in the empire in general and the capital
Kanakadasa
city Vijayanagara, in particular.
Bahamani Kingdom (c.1347-1520)
The Bahmani Sultans are remembered for the great contribution they made
in the field of Indo-Sarcenic art in the South. Founded by Alla-Ud-Din Hasan at
Gulbarga in 1347, the Bahmani Kingdom clashed with Vijayanagara all through
its history. Muhammed Bahaman Shah, built the famous Jamia Maszid at
Gulbarga fort in 1367. It is a huge monument of enduring beauty. 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. He took pleasure in the society of learned men
and patronized Surhindi, a scholar, and Hassan Gilani, an astronomer. He
erected the observatory at Daulatabad.
Ahmed (1422-36), the
successor of Firuz shifted
his capital to Bidar, where
fine palaces came to be
raised in course of time. The
Solha Kamb Mosque is a
fine creation of his time. He
was highly devoted to Sufi
saint Bande Nawaz. The
prince himself was called
‘Vali’ (saint) and his tomb at
Ashtur near Bidar is highly
venerated.

Jamia Masjid, Gulbarga

A Handbook of Karnataka 74

A n o th e r g r e a t fig u r e in B a h m a n h is to r y is M a h a m u d G aw a n , a
g r e a t m in is te r w ho w a s b o rn in P e r s ia (1411).O n h is v is it
to B id a r (1445) he w a s g iv e n an im p o r ta n t p o s itio n in th e
B a h a m a n i c o u rt, an d he w a s th e c h ie f a d m in is tr a to r o f th e
k in g d o m fro m 1461 t i l l h is d e a th in 1481. He a d m in is te r e d
th e t e r r it o r y d u r in g th e m in o r ity of two Sultans, and extended
History 75

The Barid Shahis of Bidar

(1487 A.D -1619 A.D)

v0 / .

B o u n d a ry . In te rn a tio n a l

S t a t e / U .T .
.. K a rn a ta k a
,, D is tric t
" B a rid S h a h is
kin g d o m
R iv e r w ith n a m e

P re s e n t s ta te c a p ita l
C a p ita l o f th e kin g d o m
Im p o rta n t p la c e s o f
th e kin g d o m

it in the South upto Hubli, in the

West upto Goa and the Konkan
Coast, andin the East upto Kondavidu
and Rajamahendri. A scholar and
writer himself, he founded a college
at Bidar and provided it with a
library from his own personal income. M ura l Painting, Ashtur, Bidar
A Handbook of Karnataka 76

The forts built at Gulbarga and Bidar of the period needs a special mention. The
college building (Madrasa) now in ruins was once a fine structure. Gawan fell a
victim to court intrigues and was ordered to be executed by Sultan Muhammad,
whom Gawan had educated
and brought up.With him
vanished the glory of the
Kingdom, and soon it broke
up into five Shahi Kingdoms
of the Deccan. The fine
Indo-Saracenic buildings
like the Bande Nawaz
Dargah, Jamia Masjid, Sath
Gumbaz, etc., at Gulbarga,
Gawan’s Madarasa at Bidar
and his dome at Ashtur are
the important contributions
of this Sultanate. Tombs o f barid shahis, Ashtur

Adilshahis o f Bijapur (1489-1686)

O f the five Shahi Kingdoms that rose from the ruins of the Bahamanis, the
Adilshahis of Bijapur ruled over the greater part of Karnataka. It was founded
in 1489 by Yusuf Adil Khan, a commander and governor under the Bahamanis.
The Adilshahis were great patrons of art and men of letters. Yusuf has been
called “a powerful and prosperous king’ by Varthema, the Italian Visitor. His
son Ismail (1510-35) was recognised as a ruler by the Shah of Iran and he sent
an embassy to Bijapur. 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. The Jami Mosque at Bijapur
with a wonderful design was raised by him.
Ibrahim II (1580-1626), Ali’s nephew is the
greatest Adilshahi king. He captured and merged
the Baridshahi Kingdom of Bidar in 1619.
He was a tolerant ruler and was nicknamed
‘Jagadguru’. He built the temple of Narasimha
Saraswati (Dattatreya) in the citadel of his fort.
A lover of Hindu music, he had 300 singers in
Muhammad (1626-56) extended the kingdom
in the south upto Bangalore and in the
South-East upto Vellore. Bangalore and
the surrounding regions were granted as
jahgir to Shahji Bhosle, Shivaji’s father. The
Marathas retained Bangalore till 1686. It is Jamia Masjid, Bijapur
History 77

this prince who has built the magnificient Gol Gumbaz

at Bijapur. He was succeded by Ali II (1656-72) and during Sikhandar Adil
Shah (1672-86) that the Adhilshahi Kingdom was annexed by Aurangzeb in
1686. Adilshahi buildings at Bijapur like Asar Mahal and Ibrahim Rauza have
paintings. Ragmala paintings and personal portraits of members of the royal
family including Chand Bibi are preserved in the Bijapur Museum. Some of
the Bijapur rulers were Shiahs and celebration of Moharram by installing
A Handbook of Karnataka 78

tabuts became common in Karnataka. A form of Urdu called Deccani Hindi

also developed in their court.
In the meantime, Mughals extended their territory to the South. They
conquered Bangalore in 1686. It was obtained by Chikkadevaraya of Mysore
by paying a huge amount
to Mughals. They made Sira
in Karnataka and Arcot in
Tamilnadu as 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
Asar Mahal, Bijapur
Mughals.
Keladi Kingdom
The Keladi Nayakas, who were the feudatories of Vijayanagara, became
practically free in the days of Venkatappa Nayaka I (1586-1629), who merged
the coastal territories like Gersoppa into his kingdom. Shivappa Nayaka (1645­
60), a great soldier and statesman ousted the Portuguese, of their possessions
on the West Coast, namely Mangalore, Honnavar and Basrur. He reformed the
land revenue system, and it is renowned as ‘Sisthu’. He helped reclamation of
land on a large scale. Keladi enjoyed a rich overseas trade, especially in spices,
textiles and rice. Their capitals viz., Keladi, Ikkeri and Nagara are in Shimoga
district
His daughter-in-law, Chennamma (1571-97) is renowned for her valour, as
she gave shelter to Maratha
prince Chatrapati Rajaram
(son of Shivaji) and braved
Auranzeb’sarmy. Her successor
Basavappa (1697-1714) wrote
shivatatvaratnakara, aSanskrit
Encyclopaedia. They have
raised fine temples at Keladi,
Ikkeri, and Nagar a wonderful
hill fort at Kavaledurga. Keladi
was captured by Haidar Ali in
1763, and the kingdom was
Rameshwara Temple, Keladi
merged with Mysore.
History 79

O f the other feudatories of Vijayanagara, while Kempegowda I of Magadi

rulers family also called as Yalahanka Nadaprabhus, raised the fort and
new city of Bangalore in 1537. Later they were forced to shift their capital
to Magadi, where they ruled upto 1728. Magadi fort is one of their creations.
The Chitradurga Nayakas raised the magnificient hill-fort at Chitradurga and
continued to rule till their extinction by Hyder Ali in 1779.
A Handbook of Karnataka 80

The Marathas :
The Marathas, who were encroaching upon the Bijapur dominion came to
have control over parts of Karnataka to the North of the Tungabhadra. Shivaji
built forts at Ramadurg, Nargund, Parasgad, Gajendragad, Katkol etc., in
History 81

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. Later the Marathas had secured the right of collecting
chauth and sardesmukhi, a part of the dues to the Mughals from the southern
feudatories in the days of Chatrapati Shahu (Shivaji’s grandson) from the
Mughal Emperor in 1719.
In fact. Peshwa Balaji Rao
had conquered Dharwad in
1753. Later Haidar and Tipu
wrested Dharwad area from
fx
the Marathas. Although the -
Dharwad area was restored
to the Marathas in 1791, they
finally lost it after the fall of the
Peshwa in 1818 to British.
M y so re R u le r s Mallikarjuna Temple, Malleshwaram, Bangalore A rt work by Kamalesh

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. Kantirava Narasaraja (1638-59), the first sovereign ruler,
successfully resisted the efforts of Bijapur to subdue him, and extended his
territory. He built the Narasimha temple at Srirangapattan. He issued his own
coins called ‘Kanthirayi panams’.
Chikkadevaraya (1673-1704) not only resisted the Marathas at Bangalore
and Jinji successfully, but also extended his dominions in Tamilnadu. He
secured Bangalore and its surroundings (which the
Mughals had conquered from Ekoji) from the Mughals
on lease and accepted Mughal suzerainty. He made
Mysore a rich principality by his able revenue
policies. Himself a great scholar and writer, he
patronized many Kannada writers like Tirumalarya,
Chikkupadhyaya and Sanchi Honnamma. All these
were Shrivaishnavas. Weak rulers succeeded him
and this finally led to the usurpation of power by
Haider Ali in 1761.
During this periodplaceslike Chikkanayakanahalli,
Madhugiri, Nidugal, Anekal, Chickballapur,
Gummanayakanahalli, Tarikere, Ranibennur, Belur,
Harapanahalli etc., were ruled by local Chieftains of i>a .a wodeyar. Mysore
Karnataka.
A Handbook of Karnataka 82

The N adaprabhus of Yelahanka

(1420 A.D -1728 A.D)
History 83

Hydar Ali
The defeat of the Marathas at Panipat in 1761 helped Hydar to follow an
aggressive policy. He merged the Keladi Kingdom with Mysore and extended
Mysore in all directions. He successfully used cavalry on a large scale. Mysore
came to have 80,000 square miles of territory under him. Hydar built the palace
at Bangalore, strengthened its fort and began the Lalbagh Garden. He built the
Dariya Daulat palace at Srirangapattana and laid a fine park all-round it. He
challenged the British in Tamilnadu and defeated them. But he was humiliated
by Maratha Peshwa Madhavarao more than once. Hydar allied himself with the
French against the British and successfully opposed them in the first Anglo-
Mysore war. In the meantime Hydar Ali captured and annexed the Chitradurga
Principality from the Madakari family of Chitradurga in 1779. But he died at
Narasingarayapet, near Arcot, while fighting against the British in 1782 amidst
the second Anglo-Mysore war. He had a strong Naval force stationed at Sultan
Bateri near Mangalore.
tip u sultan
Tipu Sultan (1782-99) who continued his father’s anti-British policy by
fighting the third and fourth Anglo-Mysore wars, dreamt of driving the British
out of India. He sought the assistance of Napoleon, the French ruler and also
the rulers of Turkey and Afghanistan. Tipu was a scholar and a bold general.
He introduced sericulture in Mysore Kingdom; and took firm steps to establish
industrial centres producing quality paper; steel wires for musical instruments,
sugar and sugar candy. He was very keen on promoting overseas trade and
initiated State trading and founded stores
not only in different centres of his kingdom
but also at Kutch, Karachi and Basrah in
the Middle East. He had a curious mind
and was keen on introducing novel things
in every walk of life. But his ambition of
driving the British failed and he died in
1799, fighting against the British during the
fourth Anglo-Mysore war at Srirangapatna.
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 III, as the ruler over Mysore Kingdom,
whose territories considerably reduced.
Later, under the instructions of the Madras
Presidency, Francis Buchanan visited the
area ruled formerly by Hydar and Tippu,
during 1800-01 immediately after the
demise of Tippu, (1799). He has left a vivid Tipu Sultan, Shrirangapattana
A Handbook of Karnataka 84

account in his Travelogue worth to be noticed. British also 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 of Haleri
family. In 1834, the feudatory monarchy in Kodagu (Coorg) was ended and the
State was handed over to a commissioner under the supervision o f the Madras
Governor. Sullya region belonging to Kodagu was transferred to Kanara.
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, while North
Kanara (Uttara Kannada} was tagged on to Bombay Presidency. South Kanara
remained in Madras 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, they included the princes of Jamkhandi,
Aundh, Ramdurg, Mudhol, Sandur, Hire Kurundawad, Jath, Sangli, Kolhapur,
Meeraj, Kiriya Kurundawada, Akkalkote, etc.
History 85

Mysore, as the nucleus of Karnataka, grew to be a progressive State.

It nurtured Kannada culture and encouraged Kannada literature and
scholarship. But for the Mysore State, Karnataka would have lost its identity.
Purnayya was made the Chief Administrator (Diwan) during the minority of
Krishnaraja III, and later in 1810, Krishnaraja himself assumed administration.
But the 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.
Commissioners regim e
O f 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 other districts
in the British Presidencies. They also encouraged education by increasing the
number of schools. By building roads and railways, and by introducing the
telegraph, an infrastructure was provided for industrial progress, which they
had not anticipated.
A Handbook of Karnataka 86

rendition
The year 1881 saw the Rendition, when Chamarajendra Odeyar, the adopted
son o f Krishnaraja III, secured the throne. He was assisted by able Diwans like
Rangacharlu and Sheshadri Iyer. Rangacharlu, the first Diwan, founded the
Representative Assembly in Mysore in 1881, with 144 nominated members
thus prepared the ground for responsible government. In 1891, the members
were elected from among the revenue paying landlords and rich merchants
and graduates annually. Subsequently their office of tenure was made three
years in 1894. He encouraged Kannada 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.
Economic Changes
Diwan Purnayya, earlier had raised a dam across the river Cauvery at
Sagarakatte to improve irrigation. The laying of first railway line (Broad-gauge)
between Bangalore and Jolarpet initiated during the regime of Cubbon, started
functioning from 1864, when Bowring was the Cmmissioner. Cubbon was also
responsible for the construction of new roads exceeding 2560 kms. in length,
with 300 bridges. Coffee plantations, also started by him covered over 1.50
lakh acres. He also founded the Public Works and Forest Departments. 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. The work on the line was started as famine relief during the severe famine
of 1876-78, which took the toll of one million lives in Mysore State alone.
Sheshadri Iyer who initiated gold mining in Kolar region (K.G.F.) in
1886, created the Departments of Geology (1894), Agriculture (1898), and
launched the Vanivilasa Sagara Irrigation Scheme in Chitradurga district. The
Shivanasamudra Hydro-Electric Project, which supplied power to Kolar Gold
Fields in 1902, later, also provided electricity to Bangalore city in 1905 (first
city to obtain electrical facilities in the whole country) and for Mysore in 1907,
was the first major project of its kind in India. Although it is interesting to
note that in 1887, an Hydro Electric project was started at Gokak in a small
scale by Gokak Spinning Mill, which then formed part of Bombay Presidency.
The Bangalore Mill was started in 1884 and it was taken over by the Binnys,
Bangalore Woolen, Cotton and Silk Mills in 1886.
It was about this time that elsewhere in Kamataka too, modern industrialisation
started and railway and road transport facilities began to improve. Harihara-
Pune railway line was completed in 1888. Mangalore was connected by rail
with Madras in 1907. 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). A spinning and weaving
History 87

mill was also started at Gulbarga in 1888. Gold mining had started in the Hatti
region of Raichur District after priliminary investigations in 1886. Hubli and
Gadag had many ginning mills by then. Thus Industrialization gave impetus
to urbanisation and modernisation. Agriculture was also receiving great filip
because of better irrigation and demand for raw materials. The ‘Cotton Boom’
of the 1860s of the American Civil War days gave impetus to raising cotton
crop, and though demand from Manchester fell after the 1860s, new factories
founded at Bombay and Sholapur (Sollapur) did purchase cotton from North
Kamataka area. But spinning, a domestic industry which provided hither-too
jobs to lakhs of women by assuring a wage equal to a farm worker, was totally
destroyed after the Industrial Revolution, and so was weaving. Thus pressure
on land increased.
Anti-British Uprisings
Karnataka did not tamely submit to the foreign rule of the British. There
were anti-British violent uprisings between 1800 and 1858. The earliest of
these was of Dhondia Wagh, who after the fall of Tipu, unfurled the flag of
revolt against the British in 1800 from the Bidanur-Shikaripur region; many
former princes joined him. His revolt spread from Jamalabad to Sode in Coastal
Districts and above the Ghats upto Belgaum and Raichur Districts. He was
killed at Konagal in September 1800, and his colleague Krishnappa Nayak of
Belur (Balam) was killed in February 1802. The Vellore (Tamilnadu) uprising of
1806 is to be recorded in the annuals of Karnataka, because, the rebels invited
Fathe Hyder, the son of the deceased Tipusultan to assume the leadership
which he refused. Eventually it was quelled within no time by the British. The
Koppal Rebellion led by one Virappa in 1819 was also suppressed. The year-
1820 saw the Deshmukh rebellion near Bidar. A strong revolt was witnessed
at Sindhagi in Bijapur District in 1824. The revolt of Kittur Channamma in
1824 and of Sangolli Rayanna of the same kingdom in 1829 are also famous.
This was followed by the Nagar Uprising of 1830-31 accompanied by similar
agrarian revolts in the Kanara District in 1831. Sarja Hanumappa Nayak of
Tarikere chieftains also joined the insurgents. Though this revolt failed, it cost
Krishnaraja III his throne. There was an uprising in Kodagu during 1835-37,
popularly known as ‘Kalyanappana katakayi’ so named because its leader was
Kalyana Swamy, (also called Swamy Aparamapara) projected himself as the
relative of Kodagu royal family, which was also strong in Dakshina Kannada
(Sullya Puttur, Bantawala and Mangalore). Ultimately Kalyanappa, Kumble
Subbaraya Hedge, Lakshmappa Banga and Biranna Bhanta of Kasaragod were
hanged to death in 1837. One former official of the Peshwa called Narasappa
Petkar organized a revolt against the British in 1840-41 popularly known
as Badami revolt, Karnataka responded to the 1857-58 uprisings positively.
The Chandakavate Deshmukhs joined hands with the Venkatappanayaka of
Surapur and revolted against the British. In November 1857, the Halagali Bedas
revolted against the Arms Act, They were ruthlessly suppressed by the British
A Handbook of Karnataka 88

army on 29th November midnight and several people died. During the struggle
more than 300 persons were arrested and 32 persons were hanged on Dec. 11
and 14 respectively at Mudhol and Halagali. Jamakhandi also witnessed an
uprising. The rulers of Naragund and Surapur, joined by Mundargi Bheemarao,
a Zamindar, and the Desais of Govanakoppa, Hammige, Soraturu etc, also
revolted in 1858. Mundargi Bheemarao was executed and the rebellion was
History 89

quelled. Infact, 12 copies of Tatya Topi’s Anti-British proclamation chart is

being recovered from Mundargi Bheemarao’s family. There was a long revolt
in Supa, jointly led by men from Goa and Uttara Kannada, who included some
Siddis (Negroes) in 1858-59.
Though the uprisings were suppressed, their lessons were not totally
forgotten. It was the Nagar Uprising (1830) which ultimately resulted in the
founding of Mysore Representative Assembly in 1881. The British learnt to
respond to the grievances of the people quickly. Local self governing bodies were
founded in towns during 1850’s and 1860’s. People also learnt that without
proper organisation, it is not possible to free the country from the British. The
British also felt the need to improve the means of transport and communication
to enable them to meet situations of breach of peace. The communication
facilities initiated by them mainly served their colonial economic purposes.
Beginning of renaissance
This 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 college was started at Bellary in 1869.
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. Christian Missionaries started printing in Kannada as early as 1817
(first from Serampore near Calcutta) and the first newspaper named ‘Mangaluru
Samachara’ was started by the Basel Mission in 1843. Many old Kannada
classics were printed. All these developments helped literary activity on new
lines. Prose became popular and secular themes appeared in literature.
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).
These are a few of the many such efforts. Hitachi, a Urdu paper started its
circulation since 1870 from Kaladgi, another named Karnataka vritha, weekly
from Bijapur (1892) was very popular.
Lyrical poetry in Kannada also came to be composed, beginning with the
prayer songs composed by the Missionaries. Mysore royal court also encouraged
many writers. Mudramanjusha (1823) by Kempunarayana 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 first original Kannada social novel was Suryakanta
(1892) by Gadagkar, though social novels had been translated from English,
Marathi and Bengali too by then.
A Handbook of Karnataka 90

Again the Odeyars of Mysore

(1881 A . D -1 9 4 7 A.D) „
mblem o* Mysore Odey

The stage art and music also were influenced by these changes. New drama
troupes came into existence at Gadag (1874) and Halasangi and there was a
troupe at Mysore too. The visit of Marathi troupe from Sangli in 1876-77 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.
In architecture, Western impact was seen. The Central College building (1860)
in Gothic style, the Athara Kachery (1867) with ionic pillars and the Bangalore
Museum Building (1877) in Coranthian style were built during this period.
The Basel Missionary, introducing light tiles from Mangalore revolutionised
architectural patterns. Churches too introduced the Western style. Our Lady of
Sorrow Church (Mangalore 1857), St.Mary’s Church (Shivajinagar, Bangalore,
1882), St. Joseph’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 propoganda of the Christian missions was also responsible
for this, especially of the newly founded Protestant missions, though in a
negative way. 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. Sheshadri
Iyer started separate schools for the untouchables as they were hesitating to
History 91
attend other regular schools. The Maharani’s school for girls founded in 1881
at Mysore by Palace Bakshi Ambale Narasimha lyengar became a high school in
1891 and later into College in 1901. The Ramakrishna Mission was founded in
Bangalore in 1904. These developments mainly helped emancipation of women
and attempted eradication of untouchability.
It was in this atmosphere that the history of the State also came to be written.
B.L.Rice’s Mysore and Coorg; 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. This paved the
way for the high renaissance and the national awakening in the 20 th century.
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. Written in a tone, highly charged with
emotion, the work played an important role in inculcating national feelings. He
was the Father of the Karnataka Unification Movement also.
Modernisation
The Princes of Mysore were 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.
Krishnaraja Wadeyar IV, who ruled from 1902 to 1940, led an unostentatious
life and combined piety with a modern outlook. During his reign the State made
rapid progress in all directions. His younger brother Kanthirava Narasimharaja
Odeyar, the Yuvaraja of Mysore, was also a generous patron of fine arts; for
many years he was the Honorary President of the Kannada
Sahitya Parishat. His son, Jayachamaraja Odeyar, who
came to the throne in 1940, proved as enlightened as
his uncle. 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. Sir M Vishveshwaraiah
A Handbook of Karnataka 92

Diwan P.N. Krishnamurthy (1901-06) improved the administration by

introducing up-to-date methods followed in British India in office procedure
and maintenance of records, and he founded the Co-operative Department
in 1906. The next Diwan V.P. Madhava Rao, founded
the Legislative Council (1907), the second chamber,
and took measure for forest conservation. The Central
Co-operative Bank was also his creation. An Engineer
with alarming vision, great economist and administrator
of foresightedness, Sir. M. Visveswaraya became
the Diwan in 1912. He was a man of vision and a
dynamic administrator and during his brief period of
administration that the Kannambadi Reservoir Project
initiated earlier was started and top priority was given to Sir Mirza ismail
its construction. During this period the strength of the legislative council was
increased to 24 and the second session called Budget session was initiated in
June 1917 and the assembly was made more powerful by allowing to discuss
about the budget of the state. He founded many industries and undertook
such progressive and far-reaching administrative measures that he came to be
known as “the Maker of Modern Mysore”. 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. The iron unit at Bhadravati was also his brain-child.
He founded the Engineering College at Bangalore (1917), the Medical School
at Bangalore (1917), the Agricultural 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). During this period a non Brahmin party
viz. Praja Mitra Mandali was founded in 1917 based on the demand for social
equality in public service for non Brahmins. The government appointed the
Miller committee to enquire about the grievances. Subsequently Visveshwaraya
resigned in 1918. Later in 1919, the Miller committee submitted its report
recommending for proper representation of backward class person in public
employment. The constitution, for electing the members to the representative
assembly in a more democratic way was iniated. Its strength was increased
from 250 to 275 and voting power was given to those who pay Rs. 50/- land
revenue and Rs. 10 as municipal tax and women were given the franchise.
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 based industries were expanded both in Mysore and Kodagu
regions. Kannambadi project commissioned during early Diwans regime was
History 93

completed when Sir Mirza was the Diwan. It gave impetus to Sugarcane growing
and helped the founding of Sugar-Factories at a later date. Under Diwan Mirza
Ismail, the Cauvery Upper Cana! was commissioned, benefiting over one lakh
acres of land. Industrialization in Mysore was in full swing. The Bhadravati
Iron factory had been founded by Sir. M. Visvesvaraya and Sir Mirza Ismail
expanded it by adding a steel unit.
The District Savings Banks, attached to District Treasuries were started
in 1870. Bangalore saw three banking companies in 1868, and a total of 24
such institutions were seen by 1876 in the city, though not many survived.
Chitradurga Savings Bank was founded in 1870. If, the Bombay Presidency
Bank had its branch at Dharwar in 1863 the Madras Presidency Bank had
founded its branch at Bangalore in 1864. Subsequently there branches were also
started at Belgaum and Mangalore (1867) Hubli (1870) and Kumta (1872-73)
South Kanara had its Banking Companies like the Canara Bank, (Mangalore)
(1906) and Corporation Bank (Udupi) (1906). Later came the Pangal Nayak Bank
(1920), Jayalakshmi Bank (1923), Karnataka Bank (1924), Udupi Bank (1925),
Catholic Bank (1925), Vijaya Bank (1925) and the Syndicate Bank (1925). The
Town Co-operative Bank was started at Hospet in 1915. Dharwad District saw
many Co-operative Societies beginning with the one at Kanaginal in 1906, most
of them in present Gadag district. The Dharwad D.C.C. Bank was started in
1916. Co-operative movement also made great strides in Kodagu, Udupi and
Dakshina Kannada districts.
Tile industry was expanded in South Kanara and Cashewnut husking units
were also started in 1924 such as the Pierce Leslie and the Mallya Cashew.
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. A big oil
mill viz., B.T. Mills, was started at Davanagere in 1918, and several Cotton
ginning factories had been started in the town, even earlier to this.
As already noted Sir Mirza Ismail was responsible for the founding of many
new industries in Mysore State. 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. It was he who initiated plans to produce
power at Shimsha and Jog and the most important industry initiated during
his time was Hindustan Aircrafts in 1940. Moreover, Kaiser-I-Hind Wollen Mill
had started production in 1922, and it was followed by the Minerva Mills. Thus
industrialisation was in full swing, and the Second World War gave a further
fillip. At Harihara was started the Mysore Kirloskar machine shop in 1941. The
Davanagere Cotton Mills started in 1939 gave a fillip to the founding of more
such mills in the town. Sugar factory was founded at Hospet in 1935, followed
by the Munirabad Sugar Mills in 1944. The Faruk Anwar Oil Mill was started
A Handbook of Karnataka 94

at Raichur in 1944. Oil mills, Soap units, Saw mills, etc, came to be founded
in small towns too. Banks and the Co-operative sectors provided the necessary
finance.
Cultural Developments
The Cultural Renaissance that occured during the 20th century saw
many great developments in the field of music, drama, painting and
literature. The Mysore court patronized great artists like Veene Sheshanna,
Lakshminarayanappa, Bakshi Subbanna, Vasudevacharya, Mutthayya
Bhagavatar and Bidaram Krishnappa. The younger generation also had its
great masters like T. Chowdaiah, who evolved the seven stringed violin, and
B. Devendrappa. There were great classical dancers like Jatti Thayamma and
Muguru Subbanna in princely Mysore. In the field of drama, Mysore saw great
artistes like Varadacharya, Gubbi Veeranna, Subbayya Naidu, Natakada
Subbanna, M.K. Nanjappa 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 artists. 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 Prince even
sent K. Venkatappa to Shantiniketana for training and this painter won world
renown. He was also a sculptor. Another noted sculptor from Mysore was
Siddalingaswamy. The Chamarajendra Technological Institute (Mysore) was
founded to train artists and Jaganmohan Palace was converted into an art
gallery. The traditional Gudigars of the Malenadu (Sagar-Sirsi area), imbibing
modern techniques and ideas, started producing fine figures in wood and ivory,
which secured a world market. Their handiwork can be seen in the decoration
of Mysore palace and Vidhana Soudha.
The Renaissance had its impact on literature too. Prose writing became
popular and journalism also grew. Several forms of literature like the short
story, the essay, the novel, drama and lyrical poetry, developed in Kannada.
Masti Venkatesha lyengar, Panje Mangesha Rao, M.N. Kamath and Kerur
Vasudevacharya were some of the early short story writers followed by
‘Anandakanda’, A.R. Krishna Sastry, K. Gopalakrishna Rao, Krishnakumar
Kallur, ‘Artakm’ (A.N. Krishna Rao). ‘Bharatipriya’ (Venkata Rao), Gorur
Ramaswamy lyengar, Dr. R.S. Mugali, Gauramma and ‘Raghava’ (M.V.
Seetharamaiah). Shivaram Karanth and ‘Anakru’ {A.N. Krishna Rao) are the
two celebrated novelists. English Geethegalu (1921) by B.M. Srikanthaiah is
the first collection of modern lyrics in Kannada. He was followed by Govinda
Pai, Dr. D.V. Gundappa, Dr. Bendre, P.T. Narasimhachar, G.P. Rajarathnam,
Panje Mangesha Rao, Kadengodlu Shankara Bhatta, Dr. V. Sitharamaiah,
Dr. V.K. Gokak and Dr. K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu). Govinda Pai was the pioneer
in discarding the rhyme (1911,) Gopalakrishna Adiga, through his Navya style
History 95

poems, opened a new vista in poetic composition. Modern Kannada play had its
pioneers like B.M. Srikanthaiah, Samsa, Kailasam, Sreeranga and Shivaram
Karanth. 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 traced
the manuscript of Kautilya’s Arthashasthra in the oriental Research Institute
at Mysore), and Prof. M. Hiriyanna by their Indological studies, brought world
fame to Mysore and Karnataka.
Printing became wide spread. Newspapers played an important role, helping
literary growth, spreading modern and scientific ideas, propagating patriotism
and progressive social views and trying to encourage everything that is good in
arts. 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 ‘Rajahamsa’ (Dharwad, 1891) and Karnataka Vaibhava (Bijapur
1897) were the periodicals from North Karnataka. The freedom movement
stimulated the publication of many new newspapers.
Fight for Freedom
The Freedom Movement and the demand for Unification of Karnataka
became very strong in Karnataka after 1920. They are the climax of the trends
witnessed in remnascent Karnataka. The freedom movement influenced
literature, journalism, arts, industries and even society. It sponsored with
great zeal, the programme o f eradication of untouchability and emancipation of
women. The achievement of social unity and undoing on an large scale of caste
prejudices was also the work of the movement. The Veerashaiva Mahasabha
(1904), the Okkaligara Sangha (1906) and other such organisations helped to
spread education and the creation of a consciouness of their rights among the
backward classes. In 1917 was founded the Praja Mitra Mandali in Mysore and
in 1920 Brahmanetara Parishat at Hubli with similar goals was started. Though
these movements were against Congress which spearheaded freedom struggle,
but in the long run, they whole-heartedly joined Congress in its struggle for
freedom. Prior to it, Four persons (one from Belgaum and three from Bellary)
from Karnataka went to attend the first session of Congress at Bombay in 1885.
The impact of Bala Gangadhara Tilak and his journal ‘Kesari’ on Karnataka was
great. The Bombay State Political Conferences were held at Dharwad (1903),
Belgaum (1916) and Bijapur (1918) in North Karnataka area, which were then
under the Bombay Presidency. There was picketing of liquor shops in Belgaum
in 1907 (during the Swadeshi movement, following ‘Vangabhanga’ or Partition
of Bengal) and 15 people were imprisoned. National Schools were founded at
Belgaum, Dharwad, Hubli, and Bijapur. Theosophists earlier had founded the
National High School at Bangalore in 1917.
A Handbook of Karnataka 96

Gandhiji’s Early Visits to Karnataka :

Meanwhile, on returning from South Africa in 1915, when Gandhiji (1869­
1948) visited Madras, at the request of D.V. Gundappa, he made a short visit
to Bangalore on May 8th 1915 to unveil the portrait of Gopala Krishna Gokhale,
and on this travel to Bangalore, earlier he was garlanded and honoured on the
platform at the Bangarapet Railway Station by the local Gujarati merchants.
In fact, this was his first visit to the Princely State of Mysore. In 1916 he
visited Belgaum and stayed there for 5 days by inaugurating the Bombay State
Political Conference.
Later, the first Karnataka State Political Conference was held at Dharwad in
1920, and according to its decision, nearly 800 people from Karnataka attended
the Nagpur Congress in 1920. At Nagpur, Karnataka secured a separate
provincial Congress Committee (1921) and GangadharaRao Deshpande of
Belgaum was made the first K.P.C.C. President.
In the meantime, as a part of Khilafat Movement, Gandhi visited Bangalore
on 11-8-1920 and after addressing the public speech, he left for Madras. A
week later, while returning from his Madras tour, Gandhi visited Kasaragod
and Mangalore on 19-8-1920. During the same year, on November 7th, Gandhi
visited Nippani, Chikkodi, Hukkeri, Sankeshwar and halted at Belgaum. On
10th November he visited Dharwad and on the following day after addressing
the gatherings at Hubli and Gadag, he left for Miraj. During 1921, he visizted
Bagalkot, Bijapur and Kolhar on 27th and 28th May. In the same year,
unavoidable circumstances forced him to stay at Bellary Railway Station for
few hours on 30th September night. Later he proceeded to Guntkal in the
morning.
Meanwhile, Non Co-operation Movement of 1921-22 saw many lawyers
giving up their practice and many students boycotting schools and colleges.
Khilaphat Movement was also launched with this. Nearly 50 National Schools
were started in Karnataka and over 70 persons from the British Districts
courted arrest. Picketeers were fired on in Dharwad and Bangalore, and three
Khilaphat workers died in Dharwad and two in Bangalore Cantonment. In the
meantime Dr. Hardikar from Karnataka, organised Hindusthani Seva Dal, a
voluntary corps with Hubli as its all-India headquarters.
The Belgaum (39thmeet) Congress of 1924 (20th December to 27th December),
the only Congress session ever presided over by Gandhiji was a grand success,
and was greatly responsible for public awakening in the State. Gangadhara Rao
Deshpande, Hanumanta Rao Kaujalgi and Shrinivasarao Kaujalgi of Bijapur,
Tekur of Bellary and Karnad Sadashiva Rao of Mangalore were some of the
early leaders of Congress from Karnataka.
Gandhiji in Karnataka (1927)
Meanwhile, Gandhi undertook the Khadi campaign tour in 1927. As a part
of it he visited Nippani (31st March) and in the course of it he fell ill with
History 97

Gandhi in Belgaum 1924 Gandhi in Nandi H ills 1927

Gandhi at Yeshwanthpur Railway Station 1927

A Handbook of Karnataka 98

Gandhi in conversation with Dr. H. Narasimhaiah 1936

Gandhi in M ilk Dairy Bangalore 1927 Gandhi at Malleshwaram .Association 1934

History 99

a slight paralysis stroke. On the doctor’s advise, (1st April) he left Belgaum
to Amboli (Maharashtra) for rest. But, being unsatisfied there, he left for
Nandi via Belgaum on 19th April and reached Nandi on 20-04-1927. 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(3rd and 4th
August); Davangere (12th August); Harihara, Honnali and Malebennur (13th
August); Shimoga (14th and 15th);Ayyanuru, Kumshi, Kerodi, Anandapur 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) and ultimately left
Bangalore for Vellore on 30-8-1927.
Civil Disobedience Movement
Later, the Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Gandhiji in 1930,
began in Karnataka with Salt Sathyagraha at Ankola, followed by various
law breaking programmes like Jungle Sathyagraha, Picketing of liquor shops,
Non-payment of Pasture Tax (hullubanni) and finally No-Tax Campaign when
peasants refused to pay land revenue. Over 2,000 people courted arrest in
the British districts with the Belgaum District’s quota being the biggest i.e.,
750. The movement was resumed in 1932 after the nine-months lull following
the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, with greater vigour. The No-Tax Campaign launched
in Siddapura and Ankola taluks was an epic struggle. The lands of over 800
families were confiscated and 1000 people went to jail in Uttara Kannada alone;
among them were one hundred women, and most of them were illiterate and
even conservative widows with shaven heads. They got their lands back only in
1939, and till then they suffered in silence.
Programmes and propaganda to eradicate Untouchability were launced
in Karnataka, when Gandhiji undertook a fast over the issue in 1932. The
highlights of the programme in Karnataka was to make the Harijans to enter
the Marikamba Temple of Sirsi and the Basavangudi of Bangalore. 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.
Gandhiji in Karnataka (1934)
During his 1934 tour, Gandhi visited Vidhuraswatha, Gowribidanur,
Doddaballapur, Tumkur, Tyamagondalu, Nelamangala, 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, Somanahalli, Channapatna, Ramanagar, Kanakapur, Bidadi,
A Handbook of Karnataka 100

Kengeri and reached Bangalore (6th January).

On 10th left for Vallavi Kote and after touring
Tamil Nadu, visited Mysore, Tittimatti,
Ikkeri, Ponnampet, and Hudigere (22nd
Feb); visited Virajpet, Bellur, Somwarpet,
Gundagutti, and halted at Madakeri (23rd
Feb); Proceeded to Sampaje, Sullia, Puttur,
Uppinangadi, Vittala, Kannadaka, Pane
Mangalore, Bantwal and halted at Mangalore
(24th February); Next day visited Gurupura,
Bajpe, Katilu, Kengoli, Mullri, Padabidri,
Kapu, Katapadi, Udayavara, Udupi,
Brahmavara (25th February) and halted
at Kundapur (25th and 26th February);
Left for Bhatkal, Honnavara, Kadri and
halted at Karwar (27th); Next morning went
to Binaga, Chandiya, Ankola, Hiregutti,
Mandageri, Kumta, Ammanpalli, Hegde and
halted at Sirsi (28th February); Kanasur,
Siddapur, Dasanakoppa, Isur, Yakkambi,
Samasagi, Akki Alur, Devi Hosur, Haveri, Foundation Stone o f the School, Hudli

Byadgi, Motebennur, Murughamut and halted at Haveri (1st March); next day
visited Ranebennur, Harihara, Davanagere, Duggatti, Bennihal, Harapanahalli,
Kottur, Kudligi, Kanavihalli and halted at Sandur (2nd March); proceeded to
Bellary, Hospet, Bhanapura, Gadag, Jakkali and halted at Hubli (3rd March);
proceeded further to Dharwad, Marewada, Amminabhavi, Moraba, Harobidi,
Inam 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 Yamakanamaradi, Ontamuri, Hukkeri, Gokak, and Sankeshwar, Gadi
hingalga and Hattikanagale in Maharashtra Nippani, Bhoj, Havinhal, Kotahalli,
Dholagarawadi, Chikkodi, Ankali and halted at Shedbal (7th March). On 8th
March after visiting Mangasuli, Banahatti, Athani, Honnawad, Tikota, Toravi,
Bijapur and Ilkal; via Jorapur proceeded towards Hyderabad. This tour of more
than two months duration brought social awareness and the downtrodden
mass ( whom he called Harijans) started gaining self-confidence and moral
courage.
Gandhiji’s Later Visits to Karnataka (1936 & 1937)
Later in 1936, due to High Blood Pressure, Gandhiji again fell ill. He was
advised to take rest. Hence he came to stay at Nandi Hills during May 1936.
During this stay (11th May-30th May) he recovered speedily. 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
History 101

Bangalore and stayed there upto 10-6-1936. After visiting Kengeri he left for
Madras on 11-6-1936. This was his last visit to Bangalore and Princely State
of Mysore.
Later during 1937 April, Gandhi visited Hudali (in Belgaum District), an
important Khadi Centre, to inaugurate the Khadi Exhibition. He stayed there
from 16th April to 21st April. It was his last visit to Karnataka. After this, till
his death in 1948, somehow he could not visit this region which was one of his
favourite and affectionate region in the Country. But Gandhi’s several visits to
various parts of Karnataka undoubtedly inspired the people of Karnataka.
Flag Satyagraha
Amidst all these, although there
were no agitations in Princely State
till 1937, the people of Mysore State
founded Mysore Congress in that year,
and launched the Flag Satyagraha
in April 1938 by organising the first
session of the Mysore Congress at
Shivapura (Mandya District). The
Vidhurashwatha (Kolar District)
tragedy followed soon (25th April
1938), in which 10 were killed by
police fire. This was followed by Flag Memorial, Shivapur, Maddur
the forest satyagraha movement, also insisting for responsible government
in the princely state (1939). Morethan 1200 persons were imprisoned
during the movement. T. Siddalingaiah, H.C. Dasappa, S. Siddayya,
K.C. Reddy, H.K. Veeranna Gowda, K.T. Bhashyam, T.Subramanyam, K.
Hanumanthaiah, S. Nijalingappa, M.N. Jois and Smt. Yashodhara Dasappa
were some of the important leaders
of Mysore Congress. Similarly the
Hyderabad Congress was launched
in 1938, and it made a strong demand
for responsible government. In KGF
also this agitation was launched
in 1939 and curfew was clamphed
in mines area. 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. Morteyars Memorial, Vidhurashwatha

The Quit India Movement saw unprecedented awakening in Karnataka.

Students in all colleges and schools went on strike. Labourers in Bangalore
and other places, numbering over 30,000, also struck work for over two weeks.
A Handbook of Karnataka 102

Over 50 people (of whom 11 from Bangalore alone) fell victims to firing by the
police. Seven from Bailhongal, seven from Davangere, six from Shravanabelgola
were martyrs of the Quit India Movement. Death of Mailara Mahadevappa and
two of his companions in Haveri District was a serious tragedy. The Isur village
in Shimoga district which demonstrated unbridled fury against the British
had five of its heroes hanged. A total of 15,000 people (out of which 10,000
from Princely Mysore alone) went to jail in 1942-43 from Karnataka. Dharwad
Bijapur, Belgaum, South Kanara and North Kanara areas, evidenced heroic
sabotage and subversive works by organised group of patriots, which became
famous as “Karnataka Pattern” praised even by Jayaprakash Narayan.
Mysore Chaloo Movember (1947)
Even after India becoming free in 1947, Hyderabad Karnatak region
could be liberated only after the Police Action in 1948. Among the men who
organised Congress, Ramananda Teertha, Janardanrao Desai, G. Ramachar,
Krishnacharya Joshi, A. Shivamurthy Swamy and Sharanagouda Inamdar were
the noted leaders from Hyderabad Karnatak area. In Mysore State an agitation
called “Mysore Chalo” was launched for the establishment of responsible
government. The agitation succeeded, and a team of ministers headed by
K.Chengalaraya Reddy as the Chief Minister, took charge of the administration
in October 1947. Later he was succeeded by K. Hanumanthaiah (1952) and
Kadidal Manjappa (1956) as Chief Ministers in the erstwhile Mysore State. 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 ‘Janavani’, the Tayinadu*,
‘Navajeevana’, ‘Veerakesari and Vishwa Karnataka’ (all from Bangalore) and
‘Kodagu’ (Weekly) from Madikeri rendered yeoman service to the movement.
Women also came to the fore and participated in processions and the picketing
of liquor shops and pro-British establishments braved lathi blows and went to
jail with babies in arm. Mention can be made of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya,
Umabai Kundapur, Krishnabai Panjekar, Yashodhara Dasappa, Siddamma
Bellary and Gauramma Venkataramaiah who were in the forefront of the
movement.
Unification o f 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 different administrations like
Mysore State, Madras Presidenc, Bombay Presidency, Nizam State, Kodagu,
History 103

Kannada speaking people under

different Administrative Units, 1912 KILOMETRES

Kolhapur, Sangli, Meeraj, Chikkameeraj, Kurundawada, Chikkurundawad,

Jamkhandi, Mudhol, Jath, Akkalakot, Aundh, Ramdurg, Sondur and Savanur
principalities, Bangalore, Belgaum, and Bellary Contonment 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
A Handbook of Karnataka 104

schools and the administration was conducted in Marathi. This was the case
with many Maratha States. In Hyderbad State, Urdu dominated. In big British
Presidencies like Bombay or Madras, where Kannada districts were few and the
Kannadigas were in a minority, their sufferings were many. They had no just
share in the development activities. They could not secure minimum facilities
like roads or bridges. Everywhere the voice of the Kannadiga was a voice in the
wilderness.
The Renaissance had also created a strong yearning for Unification.
Dharwad was the centre of the movement, and Alur Venkatarao was the brain
behind it. He had supporters like Mudavidu Krishnarao, Kadapa Raghavendra
Rao and Gadigayya Honnapurmath. 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. The Nagpur Congress agreed to establish the K.P.C.C. in that
year. Thus Unification, initially an idea of the Kannada writers and journalists,
secured the support of the politicians. The first Unification Conference was
held at Belgaum in 1924 during the Belgaum Congress, with Siddappa Kambli
as its president. Nine such conferences were held between 1926 and 1947 at
Bellary (1926) and 1936) Dharwar (1928,1933, 1944), Belgaum (1929), Hukkeri
(1931), Solhapur (1940), Mumbai (1946) and Kasargod (1947) respectively. In
the meantime Hindustani Sevadal founded (1923) by Dr.N.S.Hardikar started
the signature campaign for unification in 1926 and nearly 36,000 people signed
for it. In 1928 the Jawaharlal Nehru Committee strongly recommendedfor
the formation of a separate Karnataka Province Literary figures like D.R.
Bendre, Shamba Joshi, Betgeri Krishnasharma, Sriranga, Panje Mangeshrao,
Govindapai, Shivaramakaranth, Ti.Tha Sharma, D.V.Gundappa, Kapataral
Krishnarao,Taranath, B. Shivamurthy Shastry, V.N.Gokak, A.N.Krishna Rao,
B.M.Sri, Kuvempu, Gorur Ramaswamy Ayangar, and others gave inspiration
through their writings Kannada Newspapers and Kannada organisations also
worked hard for unification later.
Karnataka came under five administrations in 1947,viz., (1) Bombay (2)
Madras (3) Kodagu (4) Mysore and (5) Hyderabad states (instead of 20). Minor
Princely States like Jamkhandi, Ramadurg, Mudhol, Sandur etc. numbering
15 have been merged with neighbouring districts soon after independence. At
the time of its merger, Jamkhandi state had B.D. Jatti as its Chief Minister.
From 1947, Unification was a demand that had to be urged upon the
Government of India. At the same the legislatures of Mumbai and Madras States
accepted the resolution for the creation of linguistic provinces in 1947. The
History 105

Karnataka Ekikarana Maha Samiti was formed in 1947 with S.Nijalingappa

as its president with A.J.Doddameati and Mangalavede Srinivasa Rao as its
secretaries. Later it was renamed as Karnataka Ekikarana Sangha in 1952.
But, the Dhar Committee appointed by the Central Government to look into
this issue, gave adverse report. This was strongly criticized at the Jayapur
A Handbook of Karnataka 106

Congress Session in 1948. To find solution, a new committee (JVP) under

Nehru, Vallabhabhai Patel and Pattabhi Seetharamaiah was constituted
in 1948 and in 1949, it recommended for the creation of Andhra Pradesh
only. The Kannadigas continued the agitation further, when in 1953 Andhra
Pradesh was formed, Bellary district was handed over to Mysore State. People
like Gorur, Kuvempu and others inspired through their speech and writings.
C.M.Poonaccha, worked for the merger of Kodagu state with Mysore. Political
leaders like S.Nijalingappa, Andanappa Doddameti, K.Hanumantaiah, Thinkers
like Sir.M.V. and others propogated for the unification in old Mysore State.
In 1953, the Akhanda Karnataka Rajya Nirmana Parishat, a newly founded
party with K.R. Karanth as the President, had to launch a major Sathyagraha
and more than 5,000 people courted arrest. Leaders like Jinaraja Hedge,
Channappa wali, Chinmayaswamy Omkarmath were its members. Finally,
the Fazl Ali Commission was appointed, in December 1953 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. Later, during D. Devaraj Urs’s regime, the state was named
‘Karnataka’, a long cherished aspiration of the Kannadigas in 1973.
GENERAL ELECTIoN REsULTs
After the Promalgamation of the Indian Constitution on 26thJanuary 1950 the
first General Election was held in 1952 for the Central and State legislatures to
elect the democratic government. Accordingly there were only 9 parliamentary
(including the two double member) constitutency and 80 (including the 19
double member) constitutencies in the state. The election results in the State
reflect the political mood and changes in the administrative set up of the State.
While furnishing the results for the 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967 elections,
political parties which have secured seats in the elections alone are mentioned.
After 1972 the number of candidates contested and elected from each party and
the percentage of votes obtained by them are also given. From 1998 onwards
election statistics given include details relating to male and female contestants
of each party also. As per the election commissions direction the size of the
council of minsters is restricted to only 15% of the total elected members of the
legislature and accordingly the state government can have a Ministry restricted
to 34 members since 2004. The Delimitation Commission of India, vide its
order No.49 dated 14th June 2007 has determined that the total number of
Parliamentary seats allocated to Karnataka, as 28 seats; of which five (5) seats
shall be reserved for scheduled castes and two (2) seats shall be reserved for
the scheduled tribes. It has assigned 224 seats to the legislative assembly
of the state. O f which thirtysix (36) seats shall be reserved for the scheduled
castes and fifteen (15) seats for the scheduled tribes.
According to the Delimitation act 2007, some constituencies like
Huliyurdurga, Kallambella and Bellavi in Tumkur districts ; Bethamangala
History 107

(SC) and Vemgal in Kolar district; Binnipet, Jayamahal, Bharathinagar in

Brihat Bengaluru Mahanagarapalike; Uttarahalli and Vartur in Bangalore
Urban district; Satanur in Ramangar district; Kiragavalu, Kerogodu and
Pandavapura in Mandya district; Gandse in Hassan district; Somavarpet in
Kodagu district; Bannur in Mysore district; Santemarahalli in Chamarajanagar
district; Vitla, Ullal and Suratkal in Dakshina Kannada district; Bharamsagara
(SC) in Chitradurga district; Brahmavara in Udupi district; Kurugodu, Kottur
and Hospet, in Bellary district; Hole Honnur (SC) and Hosanagar in Shimoga
district; Birur in Chikmagalur district; Kalmala in Raichur district; Ankola
in Uttarakannada district; Sadalga, Unchagaon, Bagewadi, Sankeshwar and
Parasgadh in Belgaum district; Guledgud in Bagalkot district; Huvina Hippargi,
Tikota, and Ballolli in Bijapur district; Kamalapur (SC) and Shahabad (SC)
in Gulbarga district; Hulsoor (SC) in Bidar district; Dharwad (R) in Dharwar
district and Mundargi in Gadag district, have been distributed either to the
neighbouring constituencies or else reconstituted and named anew.
Accordingly Tumkur rural in Tumkur district; Bangarpet (SC) in Kolar
district; Byatarayanapura, Yeshvantapura, Dasarahalli, Mahadevapura (SC) and
Bangalore south in Bangalore Urban district ; K.R.Puram, Mahalakshmi Layout,
Hebbal, Sarvajnanagar, C.V.Raman Nagar (SC); Rajaji Nagar, Govindarajanagar,
Vijayanagar, Padmanabha Nagar and Bommanahalli in BBMP; Melukote in
Mandya district; Varuna in Mysore district; Manglore (south) and Mangalore
(North) in Dakshina Kannada district, Davanagere (south) and Davanagere
(north) in Davanagere district ; Hagari Bommanahalli Vijayanagar, Kampli,
Bellary (ST) in Bellary district; Shimoga (Rural ) in Shimoga district; Maski (ST)
in Raichur district, Yellapur in Uttara Kannada ; Kudachi, Yamakanamaradi,
Belgaum (north), Belgaum (south) and Soudatti Yallamma in Belgaum district;
Terdal in Bagalkot district; Devara Hipparagi Bableshwara and Nagathana in
Bijapur district; Gulbarga Rural and Gulbarga (north) in Gulbarga district;
Bidar South in Bidar district; Hubli-Dharwar East and Hubli -Dharwar west
in Dharwad district were the newly reconstituted legislative assembly seats in
the State.
Among the 28 Parliamentary seats in the State, the Udupi and Chikmagalur
Parliamentary constituencies have been clubbed together and named after
Udupi. Out of the Bangalore south and Bangalore north constituencies a new
constituency viz. Bangalore central has been carved Kanakapura constituency
is renamed as Bangalore Rural. Haveri and Dharwad constituencies are
renamed as Dharwad South and Dharwad North respectively. The Mangalore
constituency being renamed as South Canara. Excluding the above
constituencies, others continue with the same nomenclature. But so far as the
extent of the constituencies is concerned there are few alternations. According
to the new schedule , if Bijapur, Gulbarga, Chitradurga, Chamrajanagar and
Kolar constituencies are declared as reserved for Scheduled Castes. Bellary
and Raichur constituencies are declared reserved for Scheduled Tribes .
A Handbook of Karnataka 108

Among the 224 Legislative Assembly seats 1) Kudachi, 2) Raibag in Belgaum;

3) Mudhol in Bagalkot; 4) Nagathan in Bijapur; 5) Chitapur, 6) Chincholi and
7) Gulbarga rural in Gulbarga; 8) Aurad (Bidar): 9) Lingasugur (Raichur);
10) Kanakagiri (Koppal); 11) Shirahatti (Gadag); 12) Haveri; 13) Hadagali
and 14) Hagaribommanahalli in Bellary district; 15) Holalkere (Chitradurga);
16) Mayakonda (Davanagere); 17) Shimoga rural (Shimoga) 18) Mudigere
(Chikmagalur); 19) Pavagada (Tumkur); 20) Koratagere; 21)Mulbagal 21) KGF
and 22) Bangarpet (Kolar); 23) Pulakeshinagar 24) C.V.Raman nagar 25)
Mahadevpura 26) Anekal (Bangalore Urban) 27) Devanahalli 28) Nelamangala
(Bangalore Rural) 29) Malavalli (Mandya); 30) Sakaleshpur (Hassan) 31) Sullia
(South Canara) 32) Nanjangud and 33) T.Narasipur (Mysore), 34) Kollegala
(Chamarajnagar) are reserved for schedule castes and the 1) Yamakanamaradi
(Belgaum district), 2) Surapur (Gulbarga), 3) Raichur Rural (4) Manvi 5) Maski
and 6) Devadurga (Raichur) 7) Kampli 8) Siruguppa, 9) Bellary, 10) Sandur and
Kustagi (Bellary) 12) Challakere, 13) Jagalur 14) Molakalmuru (Chitradurga)
and 15) Hegde Devanakote (Mysore) constituencies are reserved for Scheduled
Tribes.
For more details regarding this, Dilmitation Commission of India’s vide
Notification No.282/KT/2007-V dated 2nd July 2007 (special gazettee issue)
may be referred; or else it may be obtained at the office of the Chief Election
Commissioner, Bangalore.
According to the constituency reorganization committee’s report of 2007,
elections were held in the state according to the newly delimited constituencies
based on 2001 census in three phases. During May 2008, 32 political parties
and 944 independents were in the election fray. The Lokasabha and Legislative
Assembly election results of Karnataka from 1952 to 2009 is given here. For
more details Election Commissioner, Bangalore may be approached.
1. Lok sabha, 1952: Before unification (1956), there were only 9
constituencies and of them, two were double member constituencies. Of
them 10 were secured by INC and the remaining one was won by Kisan
Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP)
2. Vidhana sabha, 1952: During this election, there were 80 constituencies
and of them 19 were double member constituencies. O f the 99 seats 72
seats won by INC, nine seats went to KMPP and eleven seats were secured
by Independents. SOP secured 4, SCF 2 and CPI secured one seat.
3. Lok sabha, 1957: (Total No. of seats 26) (Double member constituencies 3)
Indian National Congress - 23; Praja Socialist Party - 1; Scheduled Castes
Federation - 1 ; Independents-1.
4. Legislative Assembly, 1957: (Total No. of seats: 208) (Double member
constituencies-29) Indian National Congress-149; Praja Socialist Party-
18; Scheduled Castes Federation-2; Peasants and Workers Party-2;
Communist rty o f India-1 ; Independents-36
History 109

5. Lok sabha, 1962: (Total No.of seats-26) (Double member constituencies

were abolished) Indian National Congress - 25; Lok Sevak Sangha - 1.
6. Legislative Assembly, 1962: (Total No.of seats - 208;) (Double member
constituencies were abolished) Indian National Congress - 138; Swatantra
Party-8; Praja Socialist Party-20; Maharashtra Ekikarana Samiti-6;
Lok Sevak Sangha-4; Communist Party of India-3; Socialist Party-1;
Independents-28.
7. Lok sabha, 1967: (Total No. of seats-27) Indian National Congress-18;
Swatantra Party-5; Praja Socialist Party-2; Samyukta Socialist Party-1;
Independents-1.
8. Legislative Assembly, 1967: (Total No.of seats - 216) Indian National
Congress -123; Praja Socialist Party-22; Swatantra Party-17; Samyukta
Socialist Party-6; Bharatiya Jan Sangh-4; Communist party of India-1;
Independents -41.

Fifth General Election to the Lok sabha, 1971

No. of seats No. of seats Percentage of of

Name of the Party
contested won votes
National Congress (J) (Later R) 27 27 70.87
National Congress (O) (NCN) 17 - 16.36
Socialist Party 1 - 1.03
Jan Sangh 2 - 1.90
Communist Party 1 - 0.68
Praja Socialist Parry 5 - 1.27
Swatantra Party 5 - 3.66
Independents 44 - 4.23
Total 107 27 100.00

Fifth General Election to the state Legislative Assembly, 1972

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
contested won of votes
Indian National Congress (I) 212 165 52.17
Indian National 176 24 26.22
Congress Organisation (O)
Bharatiya Jan Sangh 102 - 4.30
Socialist Party 29 3 1.69
Swatantra Party 28 - 0.57
Communist Party of India (CPM) 17 - 1.03
Communist Party of India (CPI) 4 3 0.99
Janata Paksha (JP) (A local party) 2 1 0.16
Independents 250 20 12.87
to tal 820 246 100
A Handbook of Karnataka 110

sixth General Election to the Lok sabha, 1977

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
contested won of votes
Indian National Congress (I) 28 26 56.80
Bharatiya Lok Dal (B LD) 28 238.89
(Janata Party)
Communist Parry of India 3 - 0.40
Republican Party of India (K) 2 - 0.33
Independents 37 -2.58
to tal 98 28 100.00

sixth General Elections to the Legislative Assembly. 1978

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
contested won of votes
Indian National Congress (I) 214 149 44.25
Janata Party (former BLD) 222 59 37.95
Indian National Congress (O) 212 2 7.99
Communist Party of India 6 3 1.19
Communist Party of India (M) 10 - 0.50
Republican Party of India 2 1 0.18
Republican Party of India (K) 7 - 0.12
Dravida Munnertra Kazhagam 3 - 0.13
All India Anna DMK 4 - 0.16
Independents 485 10 7.53
to tal 1,165 224 100.00

seventh General Election to the Lok sabha, 1980

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of Percentage

contested seats won of votes
Indian National Congress (I) 28 27 56.25
Indian National Congress (Urs) 27 16.69
Janata Party 28 1 22.93
Janata Party (S) 12 - 1.22
Communist Party of India 1 - 0.25
Communist Party of India (M) 1 - 0.22
SUCI 1 - 0.01
Independents 92 - 2.43
to tal 190 28 100.00
History 111

seventh General Election to the Legislative Assembly, 1983

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of Percentage
contested seats of votes
won
Janata Party (JNP) 194 95 33.90
Indian National Congress (INC) 221 82 40.42
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 110 18 7.93
Communist Part of India (CPI) 7 3 1.25
CPI (CPM or Marxist) 5 3 0.90
AIADMK 1 1 0.13
Independents and others 747 22 16.28
to tal 1,365 224 100.00
Eighth General Elections to the Lok sabha, 1984

Name of the Party No. of No. of Percentage

seats seats of Votes polled
contested Won
Indian National Congress 28 24 51.63
Janata Party (JNP)* 23 4 35.05
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 6 - 4.67
Communist Party of India 2 - 1.00
Communist Party of India (M) 1 - 0.10
Lok Dal (LKD) 7 - 0.49
Independents 267 - 7.03
to tal 334 28 100.00
* Headed by Chandra Shekhar at the National Level

Eighth General Election to the state Legislative Assembly, 1985

Name of the Party No. of seats No. of Percentage
contested seats of Votes
Won polled
Janata Party 207 139 43.38
Indian National Congress 224 66 41.10
Bharatiya Janata Party 117 2 3.84
Communist Party of India (CPI) 8 4 1.08
Communist Party of India (CPM)7 7 2 0.86
Indian Congress (Socialist) (ICS) 5 0.08
Lok Dal (LKD) 37 1 0.42
Repulican Party of India (RPI) - - -
All India Anna DMK 2 - 0.18
Independents 1188 11
to tal 1795 224 100.00
A Handbook of Karnataka 112

Ninth General Election to the Lok Sabha, 1989

No. of seats No. of Percentage
Name of the Party
contested seats won of votes
Indian National Congress 28 27 48.90
Janata Dal (JD) 27 1 28.34
Janata Party (JP) 26 - 10.59
B.J.P. 5 - 2.55
C.P.I. 1 - 0.77
L.D. (B) 4 - 0.52
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha 10 - 2.69
(KRRS)
Republican Party of India 3 - 1.24
Others and Independents 138 - 6.95
to tal 242 28 100.00
Ninth General Election to the Legislative Assembly, 1989
No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
Name of the Party
contested won of votes
Indian National Congress 219 176 43.77
Janata Dal 208 24 27.30
Janata Party 215 2 11.40
Bharatiya Janata Party (JP) 119 4 4.13

Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha 111 2 3.63

(KRRS)
C.P.I. 18 - 0.59
Communist Party of India (CPM) 7 - 0.54
A.I.A.D.M.K. 1 1 0.18
Muslim League 13 1 0.43
Repulican Party of Indian (RPI) 10 - 0.10
Bahujan Samaja Party (BSP) 4 - 0.03
Independents and others 1086 12 7.90
to tal 2011 222 100.00

Tenth General election to the Lok sabha, 1991

No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
Name of the Party
contested won of votes
Indian National Congress (INC) 27 22 41.98
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 27 4 28.68
Janata Dal (JD) 20 - 18.55
Janata Party 6 1 3.95
C.P.I. 1 - 0.66
Communist Party of India (CPM) 1 0.19
Lok Dal (LD) 2 - 0.22
Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha TO - 3.84
Independents and others 269 - 2.13
total 363 27* 100.00
* Election to Dharwad South Parliamentary Constituency was ountermanded due to the
death of an Independent candidate.
History 113

Tenth General Election to the Legislative Assembly, 1994

No. of seats No. of Percentage
Name of the Party
contested seats won of votes
Janata Dal 221 115 33.56
Bharatiya Janata Party 223 40 17.00
Indian National Congress 223 36 27.40
C.P.I. (M) 13 1 0.49
C.P.I. 8 - 0.23
Janata Party 36 - 0.16
AIADMK 4 1 0.24
Bharatiya Republican Party 3 1 0.13
Bahujan Samajawadi Party 78 1 0.76
Karnataka Congress Party 218 10 7.28
Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha 112 1 2.73
(KRRS)
Independents and others 1,358 18 10.04
to tal 2,497 244 100.00
Eleventh General Election to the Loksabha, 1996
No. of seats No. of seats Percentage
Name of the Party
contested won of votes
Janata Dal 27 16 34.91
Bharatiya Janatha Party 28 06 24.85
Indian National Congress 28 05 30.29
C.P.I. (M) 0.1 - 0.38
C.P.I. 0.1 - 0.38
Janata Party 0.5 - 0.20
AIIC (T) 0.7 - 0.24
Bahujan Samajwadi Party 03 - 0.15
Bharatiya Nethaji Parry 02 - 0.01
Karnataka Congress Party 11 01 3.10
Kannada Chalavali (Vatal) Paksha 02 - 0.18
Independents and others 863 - 5.31
to tal 978 28 100.00

twelfth General Election to the Loksabha, 1998

No. of seats No. of seats Percenage

Name of the Party Contested elected of votes
polled
Men Women Total Men Women Total
Bharatiya Janata 17 01 18 13 _ 13 26.94
Party
Indian National 27 01 28 09 - 09 36.22
Congress
Janata Dal 27 01 28 03 - 03 21.69
Bahujan Samajawa­ 03 01 04 - - - 0.56
di Party
Satnatha Party 03 01 04 - - - 0.08
A Handbook of Karnataka 114

C.P.I. (M) 01 - 01 - - - 0.04

C.P.I. 01 - 01 - - - 0.06
C.P.I. (ML) 01 01 02 - - - -
Lokashakti 08 02 10 03 - 03 11.50
Karnataka Vikasa 19 - 19 - - - 1.76
Party
Other Minor Partirs 19 - 19 - - - 0.39
(4)
Independents 61 03 64 - - - 0.76
to tal 190 10 200 28 - 28 100.00
thirteenth General Election to the Loksabha, 1999
No. of seats No. of seats Percenage
Name of the Party Contested elected of votes
Men Women Total Men Women Total polled
Bharatiya Janata 17 2 19 7 - 07 27.18
Party
Janata Dal (U) - 10 3 - 03 13.25
Janata Dal (S) 3 27 - - - 1085
C.P.M 1 - 1 - - 0.08
B.S.P. 6 - 6 - - - 0.65
ADMK 4 1 5 - - - 0.25
Others Parties (5) 8 - 8 - - 0.52
Independents 24 2 26 - - - 01.81
Grand to tal 119 11 130 26 02 28 100.00
Eleventh General Election to the Legislative Assembly, 1999
Name Of the No. of Seats Contesed No. of Seats elected Percentage
of votes
Party Men Women Total Men Women Total polled
Indian National
210 13 223 126 06 132 41.06
Congress
Bharatiya
144 05 149 44 - 44 20.69
Janata Party
Janatha Dal
108 04 112 19 - 19 13.52
(United)
Janatha Dal
193 10 203 09 - 09 10.42
(Secular)
Communist
0.39
Patry of India 8 - 08 - - -
(M)
Communist
11 - 11 - - - -
Party of India
Bahujan
Samajawadi 84 01 85 - - - -
Party
History 115

Kannada
Chaluvali Vatal 7 02 09 - - - -
Paksha
AIDMK 11 02 13 01 - 01
Karnataka
Rajya Raita 9 - 09 - - - 0.04
Sangha
Independents 450 25 475 19 - 19
Other Parties
43 — 43 — — - -
(13)
Total 1,278 32 1,340 218 06 224 100.00

Fourteenth General Election to the Lok Sabha - 2004

Seats contested Seats won
Name of the Party
Men Women Total Men Women Total
Indian National 26 2 28 08 01 9
Congress
Bharatiya Janatha 23 1 24 16 01 17
Party
Janatha Dal (United) 04 - 04 00 0 0
Janatha Dal 25 03 28 -02 - 2
(Secular)
Bahujana Samaja 9 0 9 0 0 0
Party
URSP 3 0 3 0 0 0
Kannada Nadu Party 20 1 21 0 0 0
Samajawadi Party 2 0 2 0 0 0
Janatha Party 6 0 6 0 0 0
Rashtriya Janatha 1 0 1 0 0 0
Dal
Shivasena 1 0 1 0 0 0
Muslim League 1 0 1 0 0 0
(KSC)
AIFB 1 1 0 0 0
Communist Party of 0 2 41 0 0 0
India (L)
Independents 39 0 0 0
Total 162 10 172 26 02 28
A Handbook of Karnataka 116

Twelfth General Elections to the Vidhana Sabha - 2004

Seats contested Seats won

Name of the Party
Men Women Total Men Women Total
Indian National 218 06 224 64 01 65
Congress
Bharatiya Janatha 195 09 204 77 02 79
Party
Janatha Dal (United) 29 01 30 04 01 05
Janatha Dal 217 04 221 56 02 58
(Secular)
Kannada Chaluvali 05 - 05 01 - 01
Vatal Paksha
Republic Party of 02 02 04 01 - 01
India
Communist Party of 06 - 06 01 - 01
India (M)
Muslim League - 01 01 - - 01
Kannada Nadu Party 169 11 180 01 - 01
Samata Samaja - 02 02 - - -
Party
Shivasena 11 - 11 - - -
AIADMK 02 - 02 - - -
Independents 134 36 170 13 - 13
Others 48 - 48 - - -
Total 1341 92 1433 218 06 224
Source: Chief Election Officer,Bangalore 13. 9th general elections to Vidhana Soudha
- 2008
General elections to Vidhana Sabha - 2008
Seats Contested Seats Won % of
Name of the party votes
Men Women Total Men Women Total
obtained
Indian National 211 11 222 80 - 80 34.59
Congress
Bharathiya Janata 214 - 224 107 03 110 33.86
Party
Janatha Dal (S) 209 10 219 28 - 28 19.13
Janatha Dal (U) 64 8 72 - - - 0.33
Kannada 6 - 6 - - - 0.04
Chaluvali(Vatal) party
R.P.I 4 - 4 - - - 0.01
C.P.I (M) 8 1 9 - - - 0.24
Muslim League 5 - 5 - - - 0.02
Kannada Nadu Party 3 - 3 - - - 0.01
Samajvadi Party 116 4 120 - - - 0.09
History 117

B.S.P 207 10 217 - - - 2.74

R.P.I (A) 10 - 10 - - - 0.01
C.P.I 10 - 10 - - - 0.11
Lok Jana Shakti 35 1 36 - - - 0.11
Party
Rashtriya Hindustani 33 2 35 - - - 0.12
Sena Karnatak
Swarna Yuga Party 25 4 29 0.15
Sarvodaya Karnataka 20 1 21 0.04
Party
Shivasena 3 - - 0.01
A.I.A.D.M.K. 7 - 7 0.03
Independents 899 45 944 6 - 06 6.92
Other Parties 50 1 51 - - - 0.21
Total 2134 108 2242 221 03 224 100
Source: Chietf Election Office, Bangalore.

District Wise Party Position - 2008 Assembly Elections

Total
Independents
District Assembly BJP won INC won JDS won
won
Seats
Bangalore 7 6 1 0 0
BBMP 21 11 9 1 0
Bangalore (Rural) 4 2 2 0 0
Chamaraja Nagara 4 0 4 0 0
Chikkaballapura 5 0 4 1 0
Hassan 7 0 2 5 0
Kodagu 2 2 0 0 0
Kolar 6 2 2 1 1
Mandya 7 0 2 4 1
Mysore 11 2 8 1 0
Tumkur 11 3 4 3 1
Ramanagara 4 0 2 2 0
Chikkamagalur 5 4 1 0 0
Chitradugra 6 2 1 1 2
Koppal 5 2 1 1 1
Dakshina Kannada 8 4 4 0 0
Udupi 3 4 1 - -
Davangere 8 6 2 0 0
Shimoga 5 4 1 0 0
Uttara Kannada 6 2 2 2 0
Bellary 9 8 1 0 0
A Handbook of Karnataka 118

Raichur 7 2 3 2 0
Bagalkote 7 7 0 0 0
Belgaum 18 9 7 2 0
Bidar 6 2 3 1 0
Bijapur 8 5 3 0 0
Dharwad 7 6 1 0 0
Gadag 4 4 0 0 0
Gulbarga 13 5 7 1 0
Haveri 6 5 1 0 0
Total 224 110 80 28 6

By Election 2008: In the by election held during Dec 2008 to the 8 Legislative
Assembly constituencies viz
1) Madhugiri, 2) Arabhavi 3) Maddur 4) Turuvekere 5) Doddaballappur
6) Devadurga 7) Karwar and 8) Hukkeri which fell vacant due to the resignation
of the sitting MLAs, excluding the Maddur constituency whose member died
unexpectedly. In this election BJP by winning five {Arabhavi, Doddaballapur,
Hukkeri, Kawar and Devadurga} seat has enhanced its totally to 115 and JD(S)
by winning the remaining three {Madhugiri, Maddur and Turuvekere) seats
has 25 seats to its credit.
Governors o f Karnataka from 1956

Smt./Sriyuths
Jayachamaraja Wodeyar 1956 to 1964
Gen. S.M. Srinagesh 1964 to 1965
V.V. Giri 1965 to 1967
G.S. Pathak 1967 to 1969
Dharmavir 1969 to 1972
Mohanlal Sukhadia 1972 to 1976
Uma Shankar Dixit 1976 to 1977
Govind Narain 1977 to 1983
A.N. Banerji 1983 to 1988
P. Venkatasubbaiah 1988 to 1990
Bhanu Pratap Singh 1990 to 1991
Khursheed Alam Khan 1991 to 1999 (two terms)
V.S. Ramadevi 1990 to 2002
T.N.Chaturvedi 2002 to 2007
Rameshwara Thakur 21-8-2007 to 28-6-2009
Hans Raj Bhardwaj 29-6-2009 (till date)
History 119

Party-wise Results o f 2009 Fifteenth Parliamentary (Lok Sabha)

Election

Name of the Political Seats Contested Seats Won

Party
Men Women Total Men Women Total

1. Indian National 26 02 28 06 - 06
Congress

2. Bharatiya Janatha 27 01 28 18 01 19
Party

3. Bahujan Samaj 27 01 28 - - -
Party

4. Janatha Dal (S) 21 - 21 03 - 03

5. Janatha Dal (U) 08 - 08 - - -

6. CPI (M) 04 - 04 - - -

7. CPI (M) - 01 01 - - -

8. Other Minor (22) 43 03 21 - - -

Parties

9. Independants 251 09 28 - - -

Total 408 17 28 27 01 28

Among the 28 Lok Sabha seats, BJP won the 1) Chikkodi, 2) Bijapur (SC),
3) Bagalkot, 4) Belgaum, 5) Raichur (ST), 6) Koppal, 7) Bellary (ST), 8) Haveri,
9) Dharwad, 10) Uttara Kannada, 11) Davanagere, 12) Shimoga, 13) Udupi Chik
Magaluru, 14) Dakshina Kannada, 15) Chitraduraga, 16) Bangalore (north),
17) Bangalore Central, 18) Bangalore South and 19) Tumkur Constituencies;
INC won the 1) Gulbarga (SC), 2) Bidar, 3) Mysore, 4) Chamarajanagar (SC),
5) Chickballapur and 6) Kolar (SC), Constituencies; Janatha Dal (S) won the
1) Hassan, 2) Bangalore Rural and 3) Mandya Constituencies.
By Election to Vidhana Soudha - 2009
During August 2009 by elections were held to the 1) Chitapur,
2) Govindaraja Nagar, 3) Channapatna, 4) Ramanagar and 5) Kollegal
constituencies and the result is as follows. If the Chitapur and Kollega
constituencies are won by BJP, Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies
went to Janatha Dal (S), and Govindaraja Nagar, seat was secured by INC.
A Handbook of Karnataka 120
History 121
A Handbook of Karnataka 122

Chief Ministers of the State from 1947

Sl.
Sriyuths Party From To
No.
1. K. Chengalaraya Reddy INC 25.10.1947 30.03.1952
2. K. Hanumanthaiah INC 30.03.1952 19.08.1956
3. Kadidal Manjappa INC 19.08.1956 31.10.1956
4. S. Nijalingappa INC 01.11.1956 19.04.1957
5. S. Nijalingappa INC 19.04.1957 16.05.1958
6. B.D. Jatti INC 16.05.1958 09.03.1962
7. S.R. Kanthi INC 09.03.1962 20.06.1962
8. S. Nijalingappa INC 21.06.1962 03.03.1967
9. S. Nijalingappa INC 03.03.1967 28.05.1968
10. Veerendra Patil INC 29.05.1968 27.03.1971
President’s Rule -1 27.03.1971 20.03.1972
11. D. Devaraj Urs INC 20.03.1972 31.12.1977
President’s Rule -2 31.12.1977 28.02.1978
12. D. Devaraj Urs Con.I 28.02.1978 07.01.1980
13. R. Gundu Rao INC 12.01.1980 10.01.1983
14. Ramkrishna Hegde Janatha 10.01.1983 02.01.1985
15. Ramkrishna Hegde Janatha 08.03.1985 13.02.1986
16. Ramkrishna Hegde Janatha 16.02.1986 11.08.1988
17. S.R.Bommai Janatha 13.08.1988 21.04.1989
President’s Rule-3 21.04.1989 30.11.1989
18. Veerendra Patil INC 30.11.1989 10.10.1990
President’s Rule-4 10.10.1990 17.10.1990
19. S. Bangarappa INC 17.10.1990 19.11.1992
20. M. Veerappa Moily INC 19.11.1992 11.12.1994
21. H.D. Devegowda Janathadal 11.12.1994 31.05.1996
22. J.H. Patel Janathadal 31.05.1996 11.10.1999
23. S.M. Krishna INC 11.10.1999 28.05.2004
24. N. Dharma Singh INC 28.05.2004 02-02-2006
25. H.D. Kumaraswamy J.D. (s) 02-02-2006 09-10-2007
(resigned
on 9th)
President’s Rule -5 09-10-2007 13-11-2007
26. B.S.Yediyurappa BJP 13-11-2007 19-11-2007
(resigned
on 19th)
President’s Rule-6 19-11-2007 30-05-07
27. B.S.Yediyurappa BJP 30-05-2007 Till date
 Chapter III

PEOPLE
Geographically, Karnataka occupies the centre tableland of the Deccan Plateau.
At times, it has been termed as an anthropological museum, where the people
of different racial traits are seen. Apart from the so-called Dravidians and Indo-
Aryan races, the land has notable strains of other categories too. The Muslim
dynasties that ruled over the region attracted considerable number of Turks,
Afghans and other people from the Middle-East. Proximity to Goa made many
run-away Negro slaves from that region are believed to have come and settled
down on the territory bordering Goa, especially in Uttara Kannada and these
people are called Siddhis. O f late, certain settlements of the Tibetans have
also come into existence. Some places on the coast like Bhatkal has people of
Arabic origin and who are locally called Navayats, having settled down there
for centuries.
The Christian population here has a considerable strain of European element
in it, as the Portugese in Goa had married local women and considerable sections
of Goan Christians have migrated to Karnataka. The contact the coastal people
had with the Arab traders helped their mingling with the local population.
The various racial elements including the indigenous, the various religious
movements and regional customs have helped in evolving the Karnataka culture
which has shaped the life of the people.
Demography
According to 2001 census, Karnataka with an area of 1,91,791 sq. km. has
a population of 52,850,562 with 26,898,918 males and 25,951,644 females.
Karnataka State ranks 9th among the 28 States and 7 Union Territories in
the Indian Union both in respect of area and population as per 2001 census.
Karnataka’s population constitutes 5.1% of India’s population. The projected
population in the state by 2008 was expected at 59,446,867 (for details see the
tables enclosed).
As can be seen from the trends in growth of population, there was a fall in
growth and a decrease during 1911-21 due to epidemics, plague and influenza.
In 30 years between 1901 and 1931 the population increased only about a
million and a half. The rate of growth of population has accelerated from 1951
onwards. The percentage growth rate of population during 1981-91 was 21.12
(Rural 17.65 and Urban 29.62) as against 26.76 during 1971-81 It reduced
to 17.50% during 1991-2001. (Rural 19.07 and Urban 50.65). Among the
districts, during 1981-91, Bangalore District has recorded the highest growth
rate of 35.10 per cent and newly formed Udupi district (1997) has registered
the lowest growth rate of 7.10 percent.
A Handbook of Karnataka 124

The district-wise population of the State in 2001 and the percentage of

decennial increase between 1991 and 2001 are as follows: Bangalore 6,537,124
35.10%; Bangalore Rural 1,881,514-12.50%; Belgaum 4,214,505-17.60%
Bellary 2,027,140-22.40%; Bidar 1,502,373-19.60%; Bijapur 1,806,918­
17.50% Chickmagalur 2,65,462-9.30%; Chitradurga 15,17,896-09.30%;
Dakshina Kannada 1,897,730-14.90%; Dharwad 1,604,253-16.70%; Gulbarga
3,130,922-21.30%; Hassan 1,721,669-09.70%; Kodagu 548,561-12.30%; Kolar
2,536,069-14.40%; Mandya 1,763,705-07.30%; Mysore 2,641,027-15.80%;
Raichur 1,669,792-23.50%; Shimoga 1,642,545-13.10%; Tumkur 2,584,711­
12.10% and Uttara Kannada 1,353,644-10.90%.

Sex Ratio: The sex ratio is defined as the number of females for every 1000
males in a given area. The sex ratio of population in 2001 was 965. The rural sex
ratio was 977 and that of the urban ratio was 942, as compared to the figures
to that of 1991 (Rural 975, Urban 930; Total 961). The sex ratio has almost
remained the same for the total population of the state with a slight decrease
in the number of females whereas in the rural areas the ratio was higher and
in the urban areas it was a little less during 2001. During 2001, the district-
wise sex ratio was as follows: Bagalkot 980; Bangalore 908; Bangalore Rural
955; Belgaum 960; Bellary 969; Bidar 949; Bijapur 950; Chamarajanagar 971;
Chickmagalur 984; Chitradurga 955; Dakshina Kannada 1022; Davanagere
952; Dharwad 949; Gadag 969; Gulbarga 966; Hassan 1004; Haveri 944;
Kodagu 996; Kolar 972; Koppal 983; Mandya 986; Mysore 964; Raichur 983;
Shimoga 978; Tumkur 967; Udupi 1130, and Uttara Kannada 971. These
figures indicate that the sex ratio in the districts of Bangalore, Bangalore
Rural, Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Dharwad, Haveri
and Mysore was less than the State’s average and Udupi has higher sex ratio
than other areas.
Density o f Population: The number of persons for every square kilometre
area is called the density of population. The density of population in the state
was 235 in 1991 as against 194 in 1981 which is less than that of the country
(267 in 1991 as against 230 in 1981). Among 35 states and union territories in
the country Karnataka occupies the 20th position in density of population in
1991 and 2001.
According to 2001 census Bangalore District has registered the highest
density of 2,985 persons per sq. km and the lowest of 132 persons per sq.km.
in Kodagu and Uttara Kannada district. The density of population in the
urban areas of Bangalore district in 2001 was 10,375 per sq km and next
comes Mysore district which has a density of 5,508 per sq. km. in the urban
areas. Apart from Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Mysore, Mandya, Dharwad,
Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Kolar and Davangere districts have a density of
more than 300 persons per sq. km. Those with a density between 250 and
300 were Haveri, Udupi, Bidar, Hassan and Bagalkot districts; with a density
People 125

between 200 and 250 were Bidar, Chitradurga, Hassan and Tumkur. Raichur,
Tumkur, Bellary, Gadag, Mysore and Mandya districts have an urban density
of more than 5,000.
Marital Status: According to 1990-91 census the total number of married
person under the age group 15-44 in the state was 1,32,55,554 (56,59,555
males, 75,95,999 females) and the percentage of these figures to the total
population was 64.24% (53.75% for males and 75.05% for females). Likewise
according to 2001 census the total number of married persons between 15-44
age group was 2,56,43,500 (1,30,79,600 males and 1,25,63900 females) and
among them 1,25,400 persons (19,200 males and 1,05,200 females) of between
age group 15 and 44 were either divorced or got separated.
Urbanisation: Karnataka stood 10th in the level of urbanisation in 1981
census and has moved to 11th rank in 1991 census among the States and
Union Territories in India. The rate of urbanisation is faster in Karnataka when
compared to other states of India. This trend has been growing from 1901
till 1991. In the 1991 census, there are 306 places in the State classified as
towns as against 281 towns in 1981 census. The State is becoming steadily
urbanised. It has a larger proportion of its population living in urban areas,
than the average for the country as a whole. The districtwise total number of
towns as per 1991 census was as follows: Bangalore 33; Bangalore Rural 9;
Belgaum 22; Bellary 12; Bidar 5; Bijapur 18; Chickmagalur 10; Chitradurga
10; Dakshina Kannada 27; Dharwad 20; Gulbarga 19; Hassan 13; Kodagu 9;
Kolar 15; Mandya 11; Mysore 18; Raichur 13; Shimoga 16; Tumkur 12 and
Uttara Kannada 14.
Urban Agglomeration and Cities: There were 22 Urban Aglomerations in
Karnataka as per 1991 census and they were Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore,
Belgaum, Gulblarga, Davanagere, Bijapur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Raichur,
K.G.F., Bhadravathi, Hospet, Bidar, Udupi, Hassan, Chitradurga, Gangavathi,
Shahabad, Sirsi, Arasikere and Wadi. The number of towns in each class and
their growth rate during the decade 1981-1991 in the State were as follows:
Class I- population 1,00,000 and above : 21, + 42.14, Class II- population
50,000 to 99,999: 17, +47.34; Class III- population 20,000 to 49,999 : 82+28.71;
Class IV-population 10,000 to 19,999 : 70, +27.27; Class V-population 5,000
to 9,999 : 2.08, -5.85 and Class VI population less than 5,000 :24, +23.42 (the
first figure indicates the number of towns and the second figure indicates the
growth rate). Accordingly to 2001 census 270 town in the state which included
the 24 urban agglomerations viz., Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Karwar,
Sirsi, Ankola, Kumta, Bhatkala, Belgaum, Ramadurg, Athani, Gulbarga,
Shahabad, Wadi, Harihara, Bijapur, Gangavathi, Robertsonpet (KGF), Bidar,
Udupi, Hassan, Arasikere, Channarayapatna, Chitradurga in the state. It
also included eight city corporations, 44 City Municipal Councils, 94 Town
A Handbook of Karnataka 126

Municipal Councils, 68 Town Panchayats, besides the census towns, notified

area committee township.
Rural Areas: The rural areas include all villages and areas such as forest
and settlement not falling within the limits o f a village. They comprise all areas
not classified as Urban. A village without any inhabitants is referred to as
‘uninhabited’ or ‘bechirack’. Bechirack literally means “without any light’.
According to 1991 census the district-wise rural population and the percentage
to the total population in the districts were as follows (The first figure indicates
the rural population and the second figure indicates the percentage to the total
population of the district):
Bangalore 6,69,909-13,84%; Bangalore Rural 13,69,908-81.87%; Belgaum
27,41,820-76.81%; Bellary 13,25,692-13%; Bidar 10,10,096-80.43%; Bijapur
22,39,244-76.48%; Chickmagalur 8,45,422-83.11% Chitradurga 15,91,765­
73.00% Dakshina Kannada 19,31,670-71.71%; Dharwad 22,79,259-65.06%
Gulbarga 19,72,366-76.38% Hassan 12,96.962-82.63% Kodagu 4,10,514­
84.04% Kolar 16,99,906-76,68% Mandya 13,77,570-83.77% Mysore
22,24,724-70.29%; Raichur 18,29,765-79.21%; Shimoga 14,03,621-73.50%
Tumkur 19.23,656-83.43% and Uttara Kannada 9,25,744-75.86%. for
districtwise 2001 census rural population see the table at the end.
The total number of inhabited villages at each census from 1901 to 1991
were as follows: 1901-28,288, 1911 -28,548, 1921-28,349, 1931-28,635,
1941-28,290, 1951-27,629, 1961-26,377, 1971-26,826, 1981-27,028 and
1991 -27,066. In 2001 there were 27,481, inhabited and 1925 uninhabited
villages in the state. Refer chapter I for village details.
Houses, Households and Amenities
As per 2001 census there were 1,38,30,096 census houses (89,98,481 rural
(85%) and 48,31,615 (34.9%) (urban) and 1,02,32,133 (66.75,173 (65.2%)
rural and 35,56,960 (34.8%)urban) households in the state. Among the total
census houses, 1,26,57,293 were (95,51,113 residential, 5,18,186 residential
cum others, 7,79,024 shop and offices, 1,16,719 schools and colleges, 62,858
hotels-lodges and questhouses, 38,380 hospitals, dispensaries 1,80,891 factory,
workshops and sheds, 2,07,332 worshiping places and 12,02,790 other non
residentials. Occupied census houses and 11,72,803 were unoccupied census
houses.
Among the total house holds (1,02,32,133) 56,13,007 are permanent,
36,45,185 semipermanent 9,71,473 temporary and 2468 are of unclassified
nature. Among the total households, 60,25,364 depend on tap 17,50,387 on
handpumps . 8,76,001 on tubewells, 12,68,913 on wells 1,10,689 on tank
and ponds, 1,11,748 on river and canals 30,640 on springs and 54,491 on
other water sources likewise if 13,68,797 use pit latrine, 19,07,116 use water
closets 5,61,118 use other latrines and 63,95,107 (62,5%) households have
People 127

no latrine at all. Similarly if 80,37,052 (78.5%) households have electricity,

21,26,345 have kerosene 21,989 have solar energy 5,187 have other oil 7,047
any other source as their lighting sources, 34,513 households have no lighting
at all. Regarding drainage and sanitation facilities if 17,66,563 households
have closed drainage and 34,75,862 have open drainage 49,89,708 households
have no drainage facilities at all.
Migration: Migration is one of the key factors in changing the size and
structure of the population. It may be temporary or permanent. Temporary
migration may be seasonal and it may be continued to certain periods in a year.
Generally, people from plains move to Malnad districts both during sowing
and harvesting seasons and later return to their houses. The migration of
females is mainly due to marriages. Other socio-cultural factors like education
and employment also contribute to the migration of the people. The number
of immigrants from the neighbouring states of Karnataka has increased
considerably between 1971 and 1981 and these figures are as follows: Andhra
Pradesh by 62,000; Kerala by 60,000; Maharashtra by 67,000 and Tamil Nadu
by 1.53 lakhs. There were 11.88 lakh persons hailing from other States in
India, 21,394 persons from other Asian countries and 2,859 persons from
non-Asian countries as in 1981. As per 2001 census there were 5,82,799
immigrants from Andhra Pradesh, 5,47,156 from Tamilnadu, 3,87,567 from
Maharastra, 2,83,764 from Kerala, 79,730 from Rajasthan, 38,679 from U.P.,
31,060 from West Bengal 29,898 from Bihar 25,375 from Gujarat 16,840
Orissa, 4,664 from Punjab, 4,664 from Jammu Kashmir, 1,02,925 from other
states and 44,305 from outside the country. Likewise from Karntaka there
were 12,67,421 emigrants to Maharastra, 2,88,862 to Andhra 1,32,882 to Goa,
1,19,993 to Tamilnadu, 55,685 to Kerala 28,098 to Gujarat 16,309 to Delhi
12,262 to Uttara Pradesh 10,432 to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar-9077, Rajasthan
- 8,294, West Bengal-5,327, Punjab - 4,042, Haryana - 3,293, Uttaranchal-
2,697, Chattisgarh - 2,635, Jharkhand-2,274, Pondichery - 2,023, Chandigarh,
1,830 Orissa-1,822, Jammu and Kashmir-1,452, Assam - 1,438, and 4,0671
persons other parts of the country.
SC and ST population: Scheduled Castes means such castes, races, or
tribes or parts of groups within such castes, races or tribes as are deemed under
Article 341 of the Constitution of India. Scheduled Tribes means such tribes
or_tribal communities as deemed so under Articles 342 of the Constitution.
In 1976, the Government of India by an amendment to the Scheduled Castes
and the Scheduled Tribes order published a list of Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes for the State of Karnataka. According to 2001 census there
are 101 Schedule Caste and 49 Schedule Tribes in Karnataka. A vast majority
of people of the Schedule Caste and the Schedule Tribes live in rural areas.
According to 2001 census there were 85,63,930 Scheduled Castes people in
the State (64,17,243 in Rural and 21,46,687 in Urban) which is about 16.2%
A Handbook of Karnataka 128

of the total population of the State and there were 34,63,986 Scheduled Tribes
people (29,34,530 Rural and 5,29,456 Urban) which is about 6.6% of the total
population of the State. Both the Central and the State Governments have
taken up a number of welfare measures for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes and voluntary organisations are also functioning for
the benefit of the weaker sections of the community (see Chapter XII - Social
Welfare Measures for more details ).
Disabled Population: The census of disabled population was discontinued
since 1941 and however it has been continued during 1981, the International
Year of the Disabled. The data on crippled has been collected during 1981 for
the first time in the history of Indian Census. According to 1981 census, the
disabled population in the State is (the first figure in the bracket indicates
for Rural areas and the second figure in the bracket is of the Urban areas)
Dumb(14,970; 2,643); Blind(15,162; 2,944) and crippled (15,208; 3,803). For
a population of 10,000 there were six totally blind six totally crippled and six
totally dumb persons in rural areas and the corresponding figures for the urban
areas were three, four and three respectively. Incidence o f disabilities is greater
in rural areas than in urban areas and this might be due to the lack of public
health services, sanitation, personal hygiene, cleanliness, food and nutrition.
The Central and the State governments and many voluntary organisations have
come forward with various kinds of programmes for the rehabilitation, of the
disabled (See chapter XII - Social Welfare Measures for more details). According
to 2001 census, among the total disabled population of 9,40,643 were 4,40,875
blind, 90,717 dump 48,861 deaf 2,66,551 crippled and 92,631 mental disorder
person.
Literacy: A person is treated as a literate if he can read and write with
understanding in any language. For this no minimum educational standard
or formal education is required. All children of the age group 0-4 are treated
as illterate. The percentage of literacy in the State according to 2001 census is
66.6% as against 47.05% in 1991; 38.41% in 1981; 31.52% in 1971 and 25.40%
in 1961. These figures indicate that there is a steady increase in the proportion
of literates to the total population. The trend has been maintained for both
male and female literacy in the State. Among the males it has improved from
41.62 percent in 1971 to 48.61 percent in 1981 and 56.41 percent in 1991 to
76.1% in 2001. Among the females, the literacy percentage has increased from
20.97 percent in 1971 to 27.83 percent in 1981 and 37.31 percent in 1991 to
56.9% in 2001. The male literacy rate has increased from 9.9 percent in 1901
to 76.1 percent in 2001 and that of the female literacy rate has increased from
0.6 percent in 1901 to 56.9 percent in 2001. In all the districts, literacy both
among the males and females has considerably improved. Bangalore district has
topped the list in the district wise female literacy rate (77.5%) in 2001 followed
by Dakshina Kannada (77.2%), Udupi (75.2%) and Kodagu (72.3%). Raichur
People 129

still has the lowest literacy rate in the State. The district-wise literacy rate
according to 2001 was as follows: Bagalkot 57.3%; Bangalore 83%; Bangalore
Rural 64.7%; Belgaum 64.2%; Bellary 57.4%; Bidar 60.9%; Bijapur 57%
Chamarajanagar 50.9%; Chikmagalur 72.2%; Chitradurga 64.5%; Davanagere
67.4%; Dakshina Kannada 83.4%; Dharwad 71.6%; Gadag 66.1% Gulbarga
50% Hassan 68.6% Haveri 67.8%; Kodagu 78 % Kolar 62.8% Koppal 54.1%
Mandya 61%; Mysore 63.5%; Raichur 48.8%; Shimoga 74.5% Tumkur 67%
Udupi 81.2% Uttara Kannada 76.6% But in general, Dakshina Kannada
(83.4%) was in top and pushed Bangalore in a minute difference (83%) to next
and Udupi (81.2%) comes under third place. Bangalore was in top place in 1991
census. The literacy rate of urban areas under the existing 27 districts (2001)
of the state were as follows: Kodagu District topped the list (89.7%) followed by
Udupi district (89.5%) and Raichur has the lowest rate in the state (66.9%). In
the males and females literacy rate Dakshina Kannada dist. topped the list for
males (89.7%) and Bangalore District topped the list for females (77.5%).
languages: As many as 15 languages are recognised in our Constitution as
the main languages of the country. Though Kannada is the principal language
of the state, accounting for more than 65% of the total population (according to
1981census) there are people who speak other major languages also. According
to 1981 census the number of persons speaking some major languages in the
State was as follows: Assamese 157; Bengali 10,226; Gujarathi 36,390; Hindi
6,57,561; Kannada 2,41,99,576; Kashmiri 94; Konkani 6,40,738; Malayalam
5,90,709; Marathi 13,91,311; Oriya 2,118; Punjabi 9,536; Samskrita 509;
Sindhi 11,597; Tamil 13,85,313; Telugu 29,93,501; Tulu 12,17,834 and Urdu
35,12,831.
According to 1991 census, 66.22% of the population of the state were
speaking Kannada, Urdu 9.96% Telugu 7.3%, Tamil 3.84%, Marathi 3.65, Tulu
3.07%, Hindi 1.97%, Malayalam 1.68%, Konkani 1.75%, Coorgi 0.21%.
Religions
Karnataka is a land of many religions. Every religion has contributed in
its own way in shaping the life and activities of the people and promoting the
culture of Karnataka. Majority of people in Karnataka are adherent to Hinduism
and the other major religions of the State are Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism,
Islam and Sikkhism.
According to 1991 census the population and the percentage of the total
population of different religions and religions not stated were as follows (the
first figure in the bracket indicates the population and the second figure is
the percentage of the total population : Buddhists (73,012 - 0.16), Christians
(8,59,478 - 1.91), Hindus (3,84,32,027 - 85.45), Jains (3,26,114 - 0.73),
Muslims (52,34,023 - 11.64), Sikhs (10,101 - 0.02), other religions and
persuations (6,325 - 0.01) and religion not stated (36,121 -0.08).
A Handbook of Karnataka 130

According to 2001 census the population and the percentage of the total
population of different religions are as follows (the first figure indicates the
population and the second figure is the percentage of the total population)
Buddhists 393300, 0.74; Christians 1009164, 1.90; Hindus 44321279, 83.86;
Jains 412659,0.78; Muslims 6463127,12.23; Others 115460, 0.22; Religion not
stated 120247, 0.23; Sikhs 15326,0.02. For districtwise detail see the table.
Hinduism: Hinduism comprises of several sects and faiths. The Hindu
Code denotes all persons who profess Hindu religion either by birth by Hindu
parents or by conversion. All Indians who are not Muslims, Christians,
Parsees or Jews, can be termed as Hindus. Hinduism according to Hindu Law
includes followers of Vedic tradition, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Veerashaivas,
Arya Samajists, Bramhos and the followers of aministic cults including Bhuta
worship etc. There are a number of cults and religious practices, among Hindus.
Gokarna is an important Shaiva centre of great antiquity. Pranaveshwara
temple at Talagunda is one of the oldest among the Shiva shrines of India.
Shankaracharya (circa 788-820) visited Karnataka and the Sringeri Peetha
is one of the four mathas believed to have been
founded by him in India. He preached the doctrine of
Monism or Advaitha, according to which Brahma or
the Supreme Being alone is real and the universe is
illusory or Maya. He advised people to worship any
of the six deities, Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Kartikeya,
Ganapathi or Surya. In addition to Sringeri, Shankara
Mathas were also founded later at Kudali, Shivaganga,
Avani and Sankeshwara in Karnataka. Many groups
of Brahmanas like the Badaganadu, Mulukanadu,
Babburakamme, Kota, Karade, Hoysala Karnataka,
Uluchukamme, and Chitpavan are adherents of the
school of Shankara in Karnataka. ,
Shankaracharya

Veerashaivism: Veerashaivism is a full blown offshoot of earlier Shaivism

Five Acharyas had earlier taught this cult. It was
popularised by Basava (circa 1131-1167), th e
Treasurer of Kalachuri Bijjala of Kalyana. Basava
and his contemporaries preached their religion in
Kannada. The Veerashaiva teachers preached through
Vachanas (poetic-prose) and they propagated the
worship of Shiva and the leading of a life of morality
and condemned social evils like caste differences and
untouchability. Basava stressed the dignity of labour
by his statement ‘Kayakave kailasa’ (‘worship through
work’) and wanted every Veerashaiva to follow some
useful profession to earn his rightful livehood. Jedara j ag ajyoti B asaveshwara
People 131

Dasimayya and Ekantada Ramayya, two saints who had preceded Basava and
contemporaries of Basava like Allama Prabhu, Channabasava, Siddarama,
Madivala Machayya (a washerman), Kakkayya (a cobbler), Hadapada Appanna
(a barber) and women like Akka Mahadevi, Akka Nagamma, Neelambika
Muktayakka and others were among those who composed Vachanas and
profounded this philosophy. The Veerashaivas are a major section and are
recognised by the Ishtalinga which they wear on their body. The practice of
‘dasoha’ led to the starting of free hostels by the Veerashaiva Mathas and
in the long run to educational institutions. The Veerashaivas are rendering
yeoman service in the field of education in the state.
Natha Pantha, believed to be a blend of Mahayana
Buddhism and Shaivism, was also popular in
Karnataka. Natha Pantha Mathas are found in many
parts beginning from Handi Badaganath in Belgaum
District to Kadri and Vittala in Dakshina Kannada.
Adichunchangiri in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya
district was once a centre of this cult. Dattatreya
worship (influenced by the Natha Pantha) is a popular
cult in Karnataka. Narasimha Saraswathi (1378-1455)
believed to be an ‘avatara’ of Dattatreya had visited
Bidar and is described to have cured Bahamani Sultan,
Allaudin of some serious sickness. Devara Ganagapur
in Gulbarga district, Kurugadda in Raichur District
Narasimha Temple, Ganagapur and Baba Budangiri in Chikamagalur district are a few

notable centres of Dattatreya worship in Karnataka.

Another form of Shaivism that was and is popular in Karnataka is the
worship of Mailara and his consort Malachi (Malavva). Centres of this worship
are found at Adi and Mangsuli in Bidar district, Mailara in Bellary district,
Guddadaguddapur in Haveri district and Bellur in Mandya District are the
other important centres of this seet. Promoters of
this cult, wearing red robes and a cap made of bear
skin are found even today and are called Goravas or
Vaggayyas.
Vaishnavism is another old religion in Karnataka.
Some of the early Ganga rulers were also Vaishnavas.
Ramanuja (1017-1137) who was born at Sriperumbudur
in Tamil Nadu, came to Karnataka during the beginning
of the twelth century. His parents were Bhumi Piratti
(Kantimati) and Keshava Perumala. Ramanuja taught
qualified monism or Vishishtadwaitha. Vishnu is the
Supreme Deity, accompanied by his consort Lakshmi
and she represents divine grace. Lakshmi is the Ramanujacharya
A Handbook of Karnataka 132

mediator between God and men. That is why this religion

is called Srivaishnavism. Ramanuja tried to preach to
all in the society and even admitted the ‘untouchables’
into the temples on specified days in a year. Many fine
Vaishanava temples including the one at Belur in the
Hoysalas style were constructed during this time. Melkote
has the famous Cheluvarayaswamy temple and Mysore
City has the famous Parakala matha of this cult. After
Ramanuja came Acharya Madhwa (1238-1317) who was
born at Pajaka near Udupi. He preached the philosophy
of Dualism or Dwaita and worship of Vishnu, who is the
Supreme Devotee according to him. The teachings of
both Ramanuja and Madhwa, who propounded Bhakti
(devotion) gave an impetus to the Bhakti Movement of Madhwacharya

North India. He started eight Mathas to conduct the worship

of the Lord Krishna in turns. Uttaradi Matha at Hospet and
Raghavendra Brindavana at Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh
are other noted centres of this sect.
Worship of Shakti or the Mother Deity is found in various
forms in different parts of the state. Most of the villages have
village deities who are believed to protect the villages. The
epidemics like cholera, small pox, plague etc. are believed
to be caused by the anger of the Mother Deities. These
deities are also called Gramadevatas under different names
like Maramma, Malagamma, Yellamma, Renukamma, Kolaramma K olar
Durgamma, Dyamawwa and Kalikadevi in different parts of the state. A village
deity is often represented by an image, a shapeless stone or some other symbol
and in many places, She has shrines built in her honour. There can be wooden
images also, some of them gaily painted. Blood sacrifice was also offered to
these deities. Yellamma at Saudatti, Kolaramma at Kolar, Banashankaramma
at Banashankari, Marikamba at Sirsi, Mayavva at Chincholi (Belgaum district)
and Chandralamba at Sannati are some notable centres of such worhsip. The
Jatra of Madduramma at Huskur (where the priests are from the Scheduled
Castes) near Bangalore is attended by scores of thousands.
Buddhism: Buddhism was popular in Karnataka from the
time of Ashoka. It is believed that Ashoka had sent Buddhist
missionaries to Banavasi. Hiuen- Tsiang who visited
Karnataka in about 640 A.D. says that Banavasi country
had hundreds of Viharas. At Sannati and Kanaganahalli
(Gulbarga district), remains of Stupas of Shatavahana times
have been unearthed. There are Buddist monuments of
Chalukyan times at Badami and Aihole in Bijapur district.
Buddha Aihole
People 133

Tharabhagavati images have been found at Belgavi (Balligave, Shimoga Dt.)

and Koliwada (Dharwad Dt). Many Buddhist remains were unearthed in and
around Hampi. Some of the centres of Buddhist worship as in Kadiri later were
converted into centres of Shaiva worship and Manjushri at Dharmastala became
Manjunatha. They came under the influence of the Natha Panthis. There are
worderful 10th Century bronze images at Kadri which include Lokeshwara.
There is a Mahabodi Society at Bangalore active both in social and spiritual
activities. O f late many SC’s have embraced Neo-Buddhism.
Jainism: Jainism has been an important religion of Karnataka and it
has contributed quite substantially to the culture
of Karnataka. Bhadrabahu, the last Shrutakevalin,
migrated to Karnataka with a large number of followers
including a Maurya prince and spent his last years at
Shravanabelgola. Banavasi Kadambas built Jaina basti
at Halsi, the ancient Palashika in Belgaum dt. The
Gangas highly patronised Jainism and famous Gomata
monolith at Shravanabelagola was erected (Circa 982)
by Chavundaraya noted scholar and Ganga general.
But even before that Gommata sculpture was erected
at Aretippur in Madaur taluk as early s\as 918 A.D.
Besides Bastis were built at Shravanabelgola, Manne
and Kambadahalli during the Ganga rule. There were Gomata, Shravanabelagola
Jaina scholars like Pujyapada (Devanandi) and Kundakunda in the Ganga
court and Kannada authors Nemichandra and Chavundaraya were also Jains.
The Kadambas, the Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas of Kalyana were the great
patrons of Jainism. Great mathematician Mahavira, the earliest Kannada poets
Srivijaya, Pampa, Ponna and Ranna who were Jains. Gommata monoliths were
erected at Gommatagiri in Hunsur Taluk (Mysore district), Karkala in Udupi
dt. (1432), Venuru (1603) and recently at Dharmasthala (1982) in Dakshina
Kannada District. The Jains in Karnataka are mostly followers of the Digambara
sect and Swetamabaras came in recent years from Gujarat and Rajasthan
mainly to trade and are found mostly in commercial and urban towns.
Sikhism: Sikhism also has left Its Imprint on Karnataka. Guru Nanak is
believed to have visited Bidar and there is
Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib in his memory. One
of the close disciples (Panch Piyares) of Guru
Govind, Bhal Sahib Chand (later known as
Sahib Singh), a barber, was from Bidar and
he was among the five who were initiated to
the Khalsa. Considerable number of Sikhs
took service under Hyder and Tipu and many
have come and settled down in the cities of
Guru Nanak Jhira, Bidar
A Handbook of Karnataka 134

Karnataka in recent decades. There are Gurudwaras at Bangalore, Gulbarga

and Hubli.
Islam: Islam entered Karnataka soon after its propagation in Arabia as Arabs
were trading at the ports of Karnataka. Some of the Arabs had settled on the
West Coast and inscriptions speak of them as Tajjikas. As testified by Sanjan
plates, the Rashtrakutas had a Tajjika Governor and Arab travellers also speak
of Muslim settlement in the major commercial centres of Rashtrakuta empire.
Their guild called Hanjamana (Anjuman) is mentioned in the records of the
Kadambas of Goa, Alupas of Dakshina Kannada and of Vijayanagara. The
Navayats and the Mapilles (Moplas) are the Muslims from Karnataka Coast,
who follow the Shafi sect like the Arabs. The Afghan, Turks, Persians etc. are
called Dakhni Muslims, who speak Urdu and belong to Hanafl sect. Islam
introduced the Persian and the Arabic languages into Karnataka and Dakhni
Urdu also developed in the South. Fine Indo-Sarsenic monuments at Gulbarga,
Bidar, Bijapur, Shahpur, Sagara, Gogi, Ashttur, Sira and Srirangapatna have
the pride of place in the history of
Islamic art of Karnataka. The Sufi sect
is also popular in Karnataka and the
tomb of Bande Nawaz Gesu Daravaz
at Gulbarga is higly venerated by
all. The Sufi saints received royal
patronage from Bahmani rulers and i
they were active at Gulbarga, Bidar
and Bijapur. The Muslims introduced
coffee, paper and agarbatti [joss I
stick) industry into Karnataka. Tipu i
Juma M asjid (Masjid-E-Ala), Srirangapattana
introduced sericulture.
Christianity: With the advent of the Portugese,
Catholic Christians entered Karnataka. Portugese
founded factories at Mangalore, Kundapura and
Honavar where they also tried to secure converts
to their religion in the days of Vijayanagara.
Inquisition, epidemic and famines forced many
Catholic Christians to leave Goa and enter
Karnataka. Keladi rulers encouraged their
migration as the Christians had acquired new
techniquesin agriculture and animal husbandry.
Keladi Channamma granted a site to them to build
a church at Mangalore. During the beginning
of the 19th century, Protestant missionaries
like the Basel Mission, the London Mission and
the Wesleyan Mission entered Karnataka. The St. M a ry ’s Basilica, Bangalore
People 135

London Mission was first founded at Bellary in 1810 and from there they came
to Bangalore in 1820. The wesleyans started their activites in princely Mysore
from 1821 and the Basel Mission started its activity in Mangalore in 1834
and later spread to other places like Dharwad, Hubli, Haveri and Gadag. The
Basel Mission started the first Kannada news paper, ‘Mangaluru Samachara’ in
1843 and printed Kannada classics which were found written on palm leaves.
Both Catholics and Protestants popularised English education in Karnataka
by opening schools at Mangalore, Madikeri, Bangalore, Bellary, Dharwad
and Belgaum. They also took up service in the field of healing and ran many
hospitals.
Modern R eligious M ovem ents: The modern
religious movements like Brahma Samaj, Arya
Samaj, Theosophical Society, Ramakrishna
Mission, Chinmaya Mission and Prajapitha
Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya
have influenced the life of Karnataka by starting
their activities in the State. The Theosophical
Society started functioning in the State in 1886
with its first unit at Bangalore City followed
by Bangalore Cantonment unit in the same
year and subsequently started its branches
in various places like Mangalore (1901) and
Dharwad (1902). The Ramakrishna Mission was
first started at Bangalore in 1904 followed by
one at Mysore in 1927. Swami Vivekananda had
visited Belgaum and Mysore in 1892 and the then Mysore ruler Chamaraja
Wodeyar extended financial help to Swami Vivekananda for his journey to
Chicago. A trusted follower of Swami Vivekananda, Alasinga Perumal (1865­
1909) was from Chikmagalur and he founded the journal ‘Brahmavadin’ from
Madras at the Swami’s instance.
Brahma Samaj opened its first branch in Karnataka at Bangalore in 1866
followed by branches at Mangalore and Mysore. Kudmul Ranga Rao, who
started Depressed Classes Mission at Mangalore in 1897 was influenced by
Brahma Samaj. Sir Narayan Chandavarkar of the Prarthana Samaj hailed from
Honnavar in Uttara Kannada.
Arya Samaj started functioning in Mysore State by early 1880s and a branch
was opened at Mangalore in 1919 and at Bangalore in 1922. The modern
religious movements have not only played an important role in social reforms
such as work against untouchability and emancipation of women but also in
promotion of moral education. Men like Sir Sheshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore
were influenced by these movements and enacted laws aimed at social reform.
A Handbook of Karnataka 136

Festivals and Fairs

The Hindus have several religious holy days,
occasions of festivals and fasts throughout
the year. Some of the important festivals for
Hindus are: New Year Day or Ugadi (the first
day of Chaitra month); Ramanavami (the birth
day of Lord Rama, the ninth day of Chaitra);
Basava Jayanthi the birth day of Basaweshwara
A Jatra Scene
(Akshayatritiya); Shankara Jayanthi the birth
day of Acharya Shankara (Vaishaka Shuddha Panchami); Kara Hunnime (full
moon day of Jyestha, a festival for peasants); Ashadha
Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright half of Ashadha);
BheemanaAmavasya (New Moon day of Ashadha);
Nagapanchami the festival of Serpent God (on the fifth day
of Shravana); Gokulashtami, the birth day of Lord Krishna
(the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Shravana); Ganesh
Chaturthi (fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada when
God Ganesh is worshiped); Navarathri or Dasara (first ten
days of Ashweeja Masa); Deepavali (thirteenth day of dark
half of Ashvija) and the festival of light and day to worship
Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi (lasts for five days); Bhogi
and Makara Sankranthi (on the 13th and 14th January, Karaga, Malleshwaram
respectively); Mahashivarathri 13th or the 14th day of the dark fortnight of
Magha, a festival in honour of God Shiva; and Holi or Kamana Habba, marking
the death of Kama (God of Love) on the full moon day of Phalguna, marked in
places with much noise and gay abandon.
In many places, Navarathri is also celebrated as Nada Habba (State festival)
and in Mysore, on Vijayadashami day
(the victorious tenth day), the statue of
Goddess Chamundeshvari is taken in a
colourful procession to Bannimantapa
with all pomp and pageantry, consisting
of tableaux of historical episodes,
infantry, mounted horses, Bharat
Scouts and Girl Guides, NCC., Bharat
Seva Dal etc. Rama Navami and
Ganesh Chaturthi are marked by public
celebrations accompanied by speeches,
dance and music recitals. Kodavas have Dasara Procession, Mysore
three important festivals like Koil Muhurta, Cauvery Sankramana and Huthri
(harvest festival).
The chief Muslim festivals are Id-ul-fitar or breaking the fast, which marks
the conclusion of Ramazan; Idul-ul-Zuha or Bakrid which is held on the ninth
People 137

day of the month called Zil-hajah and the Shab-e-Barat which is celebrated
during the evening of the fifteenth day of the month of Shaban. Moharram is
celebrated publicly in many places by honouring symbols called tabuts.
The Christians observe the New Year day, Good Friday, Ascension day. Feast
of St. Joseph, Easter Sunday (the Day of Resurrection), birth day of Mary,
Christmas (the birth day of Christ), Thanks Giving Day, Harvest festival and
church anniversary.
The Jains celebrate most of the Hindu festivals in
their own way and according to their own tradition
and they give importance for fasting, praying and
hearing the recitation of the religious texts. Some of
the important festivals observed by them are Chaitra
Pratipad (Ugadi) to commemorate the victorious
Digvijaya of Bharata, son of Teerthankara Adinatha
(Vrishabhadeva); Mahavira Jayanthi (Chaitra Shukla
Trayodashi); Dasara (Vijayadashami) is believed to
be the date when Adinatha attained Kevala Jnana
or enlightment and the date when his son Bharata
secured his disc or Chakraratna); Deepavali (celebrated
as the date of Mahanirvana of Mahavira and they
. x i i ‘\ 1 ^ 1 *• Mahamasthakabhisheka
worship Lakshmi and Jnana Lakshmi) and Shivaratri Dharmasthala
(celebrated as Jinaratri as Adinatha is believed to have attained salvation on
the dark 14th of Magha).
The Sikhs observe Guru Nanak’s birth day of Karteeka Pournima and
Gurudwara inauguration day at Nanak Jhira, Bidar with enthusiasm and
pomp with ‘akhand pathan’ of Guru Granth Sahib. Kirtan and Satsang attract
a large number of Sikhs from many places.
Jatras: Every year, the Jatras (fairs) are held in
honour of village dieties (grama devathas) generally
after the harvest takes place. In Hindu temples,
Muslim dargahs, Jain bastis and in other holy
places of worship people celebrate annual festivals.
Men,women, people of rural and urban areas take
part in these jatras with full enthusiasm without
discrimination of caste, creed and religion. Itinerary
merchants open their stalls to sell toys, sweets,
sarees, vessels, bangles and other items during
these jatras. Cattle fairs are also held in many
places during the jatras and these are the centres
of large trade and commerce. Jatras promote social
and religious harmony among various sections of
G old Chariot, Udupi
the society.
A Handbook of Karnataka 138

Districtwise list of some important Jatras and Uruses is given below

attendance

Deity / Saint in Approxi­

No. of
Place Month* Whose honour the mate
days
jatra is Help attendance
Bagalkot dt.
Hanagal Kumara
Sivayogamandir, Jan/Feb.
Swamy 4 50,000
Badami taluk
Bangalore district
Dharmaraya
Bangalore city Apr. 1 5 lakhs
(Karaga)
Nagartharapete
Basavanna
Basavanagudi Nov. 1 50,000
(Groundnut fair)
Hanumanthanagar Aug. Kumaraswamy 3 3 lakhs
Bangalore Rural dt.
Feb/Mar. Madduramma 1 40,000
Huskur, Anekal taluk
Magadi Apr. Ranganatha 1 1 lakh
Melinajuganahalli, Ghati
Dec. 1 1 lakh
Doddaballapur taluk Subrahmanya
Shivagange Jan Gangadhare-
7 50,000
Nelamangala Taluk (Sankranti) shwara
Belgaum dt.
Panth Balekundri, Apr/May Datta Maharaj 3 25,000
Belgaum taluk
Oct/Nov/Dec More than
Saundatti Yellamma devi
(Bi - annual) 1 lakh
Handi Badaganatha Feb.
Kalabhairava 2 50,000
Khanapur Tq. (Shivaratri)
Chinchili, Raibag taluk Feb Mayavva 1 1 lakh
Bellary dt.
Mailara, Hadagali Apr. Mailaralinga 4 2 lakhs
taluk
Hampi, Hospet taluk Nov. Virupaksha 4 2 lakhs
Bellary Feb. Malleshwara 7 80,000
Kurugodu, Bellary Tq. Apr. Basaveshwara 2 50,000
Sandur Nov. Kumaraswamy 4 20,000
Yashvantanagar, Apr. Siddarame- 2 50,000
shwara
Sandur taluk
Kottur, Kudligi taluk Jan/Feb. Basaveshwara 4 50,000
Hazrat Syed
Bidar dt. Tajuddin
(Shawwal) 5 25,000
Basavakalyana Bagsawar
Urus
Basavakalyan Apr/May Basaveshwara 3 50,000
Humnabad Dec. Veerabhadra 7 30,000
People 139

Bijapur dt.
Jan/Feb. Siddeshwara 8 30,000
Bijapur
Chamarajanagar dt.
Mahadeshwara Hills, Malai
Oct/Nov. 7 1 lakh
Kollegal taluk Mahadeshwara
Chikmagalore dt.
Inam Dattatreya Dattatreya-
Mar. 3 25,000
Peetha, Bababudan
Chikamagalur Tq.
Antarghatta, Antarghattamma
Tarikere taluk Feb. 10 1 lakh
Chitradurga dt.
Nayakanahatti, Mar. Thippe Rudra 15 45,000
Challakere taluk
Dakshina Kannada
Manjunathe-
dt. Nov. 3 1,00,000
shwara
Dharmasthala

Davanagere dt. Mar. (once Duggamma 1 80,000

in 3 years)

Yalebethur Jan.(once
Davanagere taluk in 3 years) Marikamba 1 80,000

Dharwad dt.
Raja Bagh Savar
Yamanur, Navalgund Mar/Apr. 1 20,000
Urus
Tq.
Dharwad Aug. Ulvi Basavanna 1 30,000
Dharwad Feb. Murugendra 1 30,000
Hubli Feb. Siddharudha 7 1 lakh
Gadag dt.
Apr. Thotada 1 20,000
Gadag

Mukti Mandira, Dharama More than

Feb. 7
Shirahatti taluk Rathotsava 1 lakh

Morethan
Itagi, Ron Tq. Itagi Bheemavva,
50,000
Gulbarga dt.
Mar. Sharana Basappa 15 1 lakh
Gulbarga
Khaja Bande
Gulbarga Zekhaida 3 1 lakh
Nawaz
Diggi, Shahapur taluk Aug. Sangamanath 3 50,000

Ganagapur(Devara)
Feb. Dattatreya 5 50,000
Afzalpur taluk

Mahamastak-
Hassan dt. (Once in
bhisheka of
Shravanabelagola 12 years) 13 2-3 lakhs
Gomateshwara
A Handbook of Karnataka 140

Haveri dt.
Shishuvinal, Mar. Shishunal Shariff 1 20,000
Shiggaon taluk
Guddada Guddapura Mailara
Sep/Oct. 2 25,000
Ranebennur Tq. Lingeshwara
Kodagu dt.
Bhagamandala, Oct/Nov. Cauvery 2 20,000
Madikeri taluk
Kolar dt.
Thoranahalli, Jan. SappalaHZHmma 10 30,000
Malur taluk
Avani, Mulbagal taluk
Feb. Ramalige-shawara 10 30,000
Thalakayalubetta,

Sidlaghatta taluk Feb. Venkataramana 10 25,000

Nandi, Bhoga and Yoga

Feb. 7 40,000
Chikkaballapur Tq. Nandeeshwara
Doddakurudipalli,
(Vidhuraswatha) Arp. Vidhuranayana 8 40,000
Gouribidnur Tq.

Devaragudipalli, Gadadam

Bagepalli taluk May. Venkataramana 16 30,000

Koppal dt.
June Gavisiddeshwara 5 20,000
Koppal
Kukanur May Gudneshwara 1 50,000

Mandya dt.

Melcote, Pandavapur
Mar/Apr. Chaluva Narayana 6 1 lakh
taluk
Adichunchanagiri,
Jan/Feb Bairava 10 30,000
Nagamangala taluk
Srirangapattana Jan. Ranganatha 1 25,000

Mysore dt.
Chamunde-
Chamundi Hills, Oct. 3 50,000
shwara
Mysore
Nov/Dec.
Talakadu, Panchalinga
(once 7 2 lakhs
T.Narasipur taluk Darshana
in 12 years)

Nanjangud Mar/Apr. Srikanteshwara 15 75,000

Mudukuthore,
Feb/Mar. Mallikarjuna 3 25,000
T.Narasipur taluk

Raichur dt. Syed Shams Alam

Aug. 1 50,000
Raichur Hussain Ali Urus
People 141

Devarbhupur,
Feb/Mar. Amareshwara 1 50,000
Lingasugur Tq.
Shimoga dt. 20,000
Apr. Kote Anjaneya 3
Shimoga
Islapura, Shimoga Tq. Jan. Guddakal 2 80,000

Pulangere, July Venkataramana 1 30,000

Jan (Once
Sagar Marikamba 9 40,000
in 3 years)
Humcha, Hosanagar Padmavati and 10,000
Mar. 1
Tq. Parshwanatha

Tumkur dt.
Siddhalinge- 50,000
Siddaganga, Tumkur Feb. 10
shwara
Siddhalinge- 50,000
Yadiyur, Kunigal taluk Apr. 7
shwara
Devarayanadurga Apr/Mar Narasimha 1 50,000

50,000
Udupi dt. Jan.(Once Lord Krishna 7 Udupi

Kollur, Kundapur Tq. Nov. Mookambika 10 1,00,000

Subrahmanya,Sullia 25,000
Dec. Subrahmanya 1
Tq.
Uttara Kannada dt.
Dec. Madhukeshwara 2 1 lakh
Banavasi
Mar (Once in 1 lakh
Sirsi Marikamba 7
2 years)
Sonda(Swadi), Sirsi 25,000
May Vadiraja 5
taluk
Channabasave- 50,000
Ulvi, Supa taluk Jan/Feb 8
shwara
Mar. 50,000
Gokarna, Kumta taluk Mahabaleshwara 1
(Shivaratri)

* The month slightly varies where lunar thithi is followed

A Handbook of Karnataka 142
People 143
 DISTRIBUTION OF RU R A L AND URBAN POPULATION 1901-2001 IN KARNATAKA

35,000,000

30,000,000

25.000.000
z
o
^ 20 , 000,000

z>
CL
O 15,000,000
Q-

.
10 000.000

5,000,000

1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001

CENSUS YEARS ■ Rural ■ Urban

 Chapter IV
AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED ACTIVITIES
Agriculture provides the main economic support to the State. The importance
Karnataka had given to agriculture is indicated by the statement of famous
Kannada poet Sarvajnya who says that meti vidye (agricultural science) is
superior to koti vidye (millions of other sciences). The same poet further states
that together with meti (agricultural implement), raati (spinning wheel) must
also turn without stop. This shows that Karnataka had its peasants, especially
women, also engaged in spinning as a parttime vocation. This has been testified
to by many records including travellers like Buchanan (1800) who says that a
full-time worker engaged in spinning earned as much as a farm labourer. But
Industrial Revolution in England and the tariff policy in Britain resulted in
India being reduced to an agricultural country by ruining its weaving industry
and other crafts. Consequently those engaged in those crafts had to fall back
on agriculture, depending on the limited land available.
In historical times, Karnataka was famous for its rice, ragi and jowar
crops and rice was a major export from its coastal ports. Spices like pepper,
cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger etc., were also grown in plenty, some
of them being wild crops. Literary and epigraphical sources speak of its rich
rice fields and plantations of coconut, areca and plantains. Ibn Batuta, in
1347, says that the coastal area had very rich rice fields and in their centre
were houses surrounded by a garden of flower plants and fruit trees. “These
dominions are well cultivated and very fertile” says Domingo Paes who visited
Vijayanagara Empire during the first part of the 16th century. “This land has
plenty of rice and Indian corn, grains, beans, and other kinds of crops which
are not sown in our parts; also infinity of cotton. O f the grains there is a great
quantity because besides being used as food for men, it is also used for horses,
since there is no other kind of barley, and this Country has also much wheat,
and that good,” Paes adds.
The Portuguese introduced maize, tobacco, groundnut, potato, chillies and
tomato from the New World and Karnataka could get the knowledge of these
new crops early due to its proximity to Goa, and further Goan Christian farmers
migrated to Karnataka in good number, especially to the coastal and Malnad
area. Buchanan held in 1800 that the rice grounds here were more “neatly
cultivated” than in Malabar.
The British introduced long fibred American cotton in India and especially in
Bombay Karnataka. The Cotton Boom of the American Civil War days (1860s)
gave an unprecedented fillip to cotton cultivation. Coffee plantations were
raised on a large scale by the British during the 19th century.
A Handbook of Karnataka 146

Though the rulers of Karnataka paid much attention to irrigation, especially

tanks, irrigated area did not exceed five percent before the major irrigation
works were taken up in our own times.
Agriculture at present is the main source of food for the population and
fodder for the cattle besides the source of livelihood for nearly 65 per cent of
the population. Agricultural holdings, farm implements, irrigation works and
livestock represent the largest fixed capital in the State.
About 69 per cent of total population lives in rural areas in the State as
against 73.9 per cent in the Country. About 38.5 per cent of total population
was main workers as against 34.2 per cent in the Country. Among main
workers 34.2 per cent were cultivators, 2.9 per cent were agricultural labourers
and 3.6 per cent were engaged in livestock, forestry, fishing, plantations and
allied activities. In Karnataka, the work participation rate of female (29.3) is
higher than in the Country (22.7) as a whole. But this rate is higher in Andhra
Pradesh (34.8), Tamil Nadu (30.9) and Maharashtra (33).
In Karnataka, the cropped area is recorded survey-number wise in Rights,
Tenancy and Crop Inspection (RTC) by the Village Accountants. During 1997­
98 Provisional Report, out of the total reporting area of 190.49 lakh ha, 61.4 per
cent was the gross cropped area which included net area sown and area sown
more than once. Net area sown was 52.89 per cent, Fallow land accounted for
10.86 per cent. Area under forests formed 16.1 per cent. Land not available
for cultivation constituted 10.95 per cent. Other uncultivated land excluding
fallows was 9.22 per cent. The net sown area was 107.4 lakh ha in the State as
against 1,358.8 lakh ha in the Country. Area available for crop growth in the
State was 7.9 per cent of the reporting area for the country.
Category - wise Land use in the State is outlined for selected years in the
following table

Land Utilisation in Karnataka - 1955-56 to 1997-98 in OOO ha.

Sl.
55-56 60-61 7O-7I 80-81 90-91 97-98
No.
1. Forest 2,707.0 2,708.8 2,89.4 3,033.1 3,074 3,063
2. Land put to 853.4 811.6 937.0 1,066.5 1,188.7 1,284
non - agril. Use (4.6) (4.3) (4.95) (5.60) (6.24) (6.26)
3. Barren and 844.0 922.8 839.2 844.3 789.6 801
uncultivalbe (4.5) (4.9) (4.43) (4.43) (4.19) (4.21)
and
4. Cultivable 620.5 656.2 615.2 502.4 446.2 439
waste (3.3) (3.5) (3.25) (2.64) (2.34) (2.34)
5. Permanent 1,744.1 1,7390 1,619.1 1,345.7 1,097.8 1,005
Pastures (9.4) (9.3) (8.55) (7.06) (5.76) (5.76)
Agriculture And Allied Activities 147

6. Land Under 373.9 366.4 310.9 342.9 316.7 313

Misc. (2.0) (2.0) (1.64) (1.66) (1.66) (1.66)
7. Curremt fallows 699.1 834.6 811.1 1,458.7 1,289.7 1,671
(3.6) (4.4) (4.27) (7.66) (6.77) (5.17)
8. Other fallow 665.5 51301 672.1 557.9 457.3 399
land (3.6) (2.7) (3.55) (2.93) (2.40) (2.26)
9. Net area sown 10,065.1 10,228.4 10,248.1 9,898.6 10,380.7 10,075
(54.4) (54.5) (54.1) (51.96) (54.49) (56.22)
10. Total cropped 10,397.6 10,587.7 10,886.7 10,660.0 11,759.0 11,696
area
11. Total 18,542.6 18,980.1 18,942.9 19,049.8 19.49.8 190.50
Geographical
area
a) Village (100) (100) (100)
papers
b) professional 19,188,0 19,190,1 19,134,5 19,179,1 19,179,1 19,179,1
Source: Directorate of Economic and Statistics.

The State income from Agriculture (average of 1986-89) at current prices was
Rs. 4,745 crores as against Rs. 82,191 crores for the Country. The proportion
of income originating from agriculture is 35% as compared to 30 per cent in
the Country. The per hectare average value added amounts to Rs. 4,014 for
the State and Rs. 4,646 for the Country. The pe r capita (rural) income from
Agriculture was Rs. 1,797 for the State and Rs. 1,564 for the Country.

Agricultural Census

Agricultural Census is a quinquenial census conducted once in five years

since its inception in 1970-71. So far seven Agricultural Census have been
conducted, the latest being 2000-01.The year 1995-96 was declared as ‘Land
Records Year’. In this census, the number and size of operational holdings were
collected both for male and female operational holders separately for the first
time.

The total number of operational holdings as per 1995-96 Agricultural census

is 62.21 lakhs and the total area of operational holdings is found to be 121.09
lakh ha. The number and area operated by male is 53.19 lakhs with 105.51
lakh ha while in case of female, the number of operational holdings is 8.94 with
14.13 lakh ha area operated.

The average size of operational holdings for the current census is found
out to be 1.95 ha. The average size of operational holdings held by female
operational holders was 1.58 ha. Which is comparatively less when compared
to 2.00 ha of average size holdings held by male operational holdings.
A Handbook of Karnataka 148

The number of operational holdings under Scheduled Caste group has

increased to 7.26 lakhs in 1995-96 and the area operated has increased to
10.38 lakh ha. Under Scheduled Tribe group also the number of operational
holdings increased to 3.34 lakhs and the area of operational holdings to
6.61 lakh.
The number of operational holdings under individual type has increased
to 61.29 lakhs where as the number of operational holdings under joint and
institutional types have decreased by 5.7 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
The area of operational holdings has decreased to 118.49 lakh ha in case of
individual type, while under joint type; it has been reduced to 2.14 lakh ha. In
case of Institutional type, it has decreased to 0.46 lakh ha. The trends in the
distribution of number and area of operational holdings and the average size of
the operational holdings since 1970-71 Agricultural Census is given here.
I Trends in Number of Operational Holdings according to major size classes
(Number in 000’)
Size Class 70-71 76-77 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 2000-01
Marginal 1081 1274 1489 1792 2262 2610 3252
Small 840 888 1057 1293 1586 1707 1909
Semi Medium 788 818 918 1035 1163 1204 1259
Medium 623 632 662 646 636 594 569
Large 219 199 183 153 129 106 70
to tal 3551 3811 4309 4919 5776 6221 7079
II tren ds in Area o f Operational Holdings according to major size classes
(Area in 000’ hectares)
Size Class 70-71 76-77 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 2000-01
Marginal 549 638 733 866 1072 1248 0.46
Small 1221 1319 1543 1888 2308 2480 1.44
Semi 2205 2288 2572 2880 3200 3298 2.72
Medium
Medium 3792 3858 4018 3881 3770 3490 5.83
Large 3601 3254 2880 2364 1971 1593 14.47
to tal 11368 11357 11746 11879 12321 12109 1.74
III trends in Average size of Operational Holdings according to major size
classes
(Area in Hectares)
Size Class 70-71 76-77 80-81 85-86 90-91 95-96 2000-01
Marginal 0.51 0.5 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.48 0.46
Small 1.46 1.49 1.46 1.46 1.46 1.45 1.44
Semi Medium 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.75 2.74 2.72
Medium 6.09 6.11 6.07 6.01 5.93 5.88 5.83
Large 16.43 16.35 15.69 15.45 15.28 15.02 14.74
to tal 3.2 2.98 2.73 2.41 2.13 1.95 1.74
Source: Agricultural Census 2000-01 issued by Directorate of Economics & Statistics.
Marginal Holdings: Below 1 hect., Small Holdings: 1 to 2 hects., Semi-medium Holdings:
2 to 4 hects.;Medium Holdings: 4 to 10 hects., Large Holdings: 10 hects. and above.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 149

summary Tables o f Area, Production and Average Yield o f Principal Crops in

Karnataka from 2001-02 to 2005-06 (area in la k h Hectares, Production in lak h
Tonnes and Average Yield in Kgs/Hectare)

Sl. Type of
Crop 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06
No. Estimates
1. Paddy Area 14.18 11.55 10.74 13.08 14.85
Production 48.49 35.83 38.24 55.57 59.96
Average Yield 3600 3267 3748 4471 4250
1A. In terms of Rice Production 32.34 23.90 25.50 37.06 39.99
Average Yield 2401 2179 2500 2982 2834
2. Jowar Area 17.91 17.86 16.89 16.63 15.20
Production 13.72 12.25 7.81 13.59 14.79
Average Yield 806 722 484 860 1024
3. Bajra Area 2.10 3.05 3.19 4.45 4.31
Production 1.12 1.20 1.91 2.66 3.91
Average Yield 564 415 632 630 954
4. Maize Area 5.80 6.50 6.18 8.50 9.36
Production 14.52 13.43 12.09 25.09 28.07
Average Yield 2634 2176 2060 3106 3157
5. Ragi Area 9.53 7.67 9.98 8093 9.39
Production 15.39 7.14 11.25 16.14 16.56
Average Yield 1699 980 1186 1903 1858
6. Minor Millets
i) Navane Area 0.42 0.25 0.35 0.29 0.28
Production 0.14 0.05 0.2 0.11 0.08
Average Yield 347 235 613 376 288
ii) Save Area 0.26 0.28 0.32 0.28 0.23
Production 0.23 0.25 0.18 0.20 0.19
Average Yield 912 921 605 758 872
(iii) Haraka Area Neg Neg Neg Neg Neg
Production Neg Neg Neg Neg Neg
Average Yield 462 457 460 460 461
iv) Baragu Area Neg Neg Neg Neg Neg
Production Neg Neg Neg Neg Neg
Average Yield 158 155 154 147 114
v) Other Minor Area 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Millets
Production Neg Neg Neg Neg Neg
Average Yield 144 144 144 144 144

Total Minor Area 0.70 0.54 0.68 0.58 0.52

Millets
Production 0.37 0.31 0.39 0.31 0.27
Average Yield 554 591 599 552 542
7. Wheat Area 2.60 2.47 2.32 2.42 2.53
Production 1.99 1.48 0.96 2.06 2.26
Average Yield 803 630 436 897 943
A Handbook of Karnataka 150

8. Total Kharif Area 30.09 29.14 29.82 35.00 35.55

Cereals
Production 56.38 43.98 47.01 73.03 76.80
Average Yield 1972 1588 1660 2196 2274
9. Total Rabi Area 19.01 18.93 18.60 16.57 16.17
Cereals
Production 14.78 13.06 9.14 13.68 16.80
Average Yield 819 726 517 869 1094
10. Total Summer Area 3.02 1.02 0.97 2.44 3.91
Cereals
Production 7.92 2.36 3.39 9.89 11.97
Average Yield 2759 2442 3672 4270 3222
11. Total Cereals & Area 52.82 49.64 50.07 54.59 56.16
Small Millets
Production 79.45 59.71 59.93 96.91 105.85
Average Yield 1583 1266 1260 1869 1984
12. Tur Area 4.82 5.14 5.32 5.62 6.00
Production 1.47 2.41 2.00 2.91 4.08
Average Yield 322 493 395 545 716
13. Horsegram Area 1.55 1.33 1.09 1.41 1.25
Khariff
Production 0.82 0.52 0.38 0.73 0.71
Average Yield 556 412 369 548 601
14. Blackgram Area 1.51 1.49 1.29 1.28 1.01
Khariff
Production 0.56 0.21 0.33 0.15 0.20
Average Yield 389 150 365 121 206
15. Greengram Area 2.51 4.02 2.64 5.18 3.93
Khariff
Production 0.65 0.26 0.39 0.81 0.96
Average Yield 274 69 157 165 258
16. Avare-Khariff Area 0.75 0.52 0.64 0.73 0.77
Production 0.18 0.13 0.16 0.18 0.20
Average Yield 244 253 249 249 258
17. Other Pulses Area 0.63 0.60 0.56 0.92 0.75
Kharif
Production 0.24 0.22 0.22 0.37 0.29
Average Yield 393 377 398 403 399
18. Total Pulses Area 6.94 7.97 6.23 9.51 7.71
Kharif
(Excluding Tur &
Bengalgram)
Production 2.46 1.35 1.48 2.24 2.36
Average Yield 372 178 250 248 323
19. Total Pulses Area 11.77 13.11 11.56 15.13 13.70
Kharif
(including Tur &
Bengalgram)
Production 3.93 3.76 3.48 5.15 6.44
Average Yield 352 302 317 358 495
Agriculture And Allied Activities 151

20. Bengalgram Area 4.80 4.80 5.09 4.18 4.18

(Gram)
Production 2.82 2.52 1.71 2.31 2.38
Average Yield 618 553 353 582 599
21. Horsegram Area 1.88 2.02 1.65 1.42 1.45
(Rabi/Summer)
Production 0.67 0.57 0.39 0.48 0.58
Average Yield 376 299 249 357 420
22. Blackgram Rabi/ Area 0.12 0.16 0.11 0.05 0.10
Summer
Production 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.05
Average Yield 395 124 554 362 504
23. Greengram Rabi/ Area 0.07 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.08
Summer
Production 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02
Average Yield 309 184 308 257 310
24. Avare Rabi/ Area 0.07 0.12 0.05 0.07 0.09
Summer
Production 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Average Yield 133 134 134 134 134
25. Other Pulses Area 0.23 0.29 0.20 0.17 0.20
Rabi/Summer
Production 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02
Average Yield 113 110 113 112 114
26. Total Rabi/Sum Area 2.37 2.70 2.09 1.77 1.92
Pulses (Excluding
Bengalgram
Production 0.77 0.66 0.50 0.54 0.68
Average Yield 343 257 253 322 375
27. Total Rabi/Sum. Area 7.17 7.50 7.19 5.95 6.10
Pulses (including
Bengalgram)
Production 3.59 3.18 2.21 2.85 3.06
Average Yield 527 446 324 505 528
28. Total Pulses Area 18.93 20.61 18.74 21.08 19.81
Production 7.52 6.94 5.69 8.00 9.51
Average Yield 418 354 320 399 505
29. Total Food grains Area 71.75 70.24 68.82 75.67 75.96
Production 86.97 66.64 65.62 104.91 115.35
Average Yield 1276 999 1004 1459 1598
30. Groundnut Area 8.55 8.44 8.17 9.69 10.40
Production 5.86 5.39 4.33 6.84 5.96
Average Yield 721 672 558 743 603
31. Sesamum Area 0.73 0.74 0.58 1.07 1.03
Production 0.27 0.29 0.26 0.57 0.89
Average Yield 390 414 463 567 912
32. Soyabean Area 0.48 0.58 0.94 1.59 1.33
Production 0.40 0.48 0.45 1.00 0.75
Average Yield 874 874 507 659 590
A Handbook of Karnataka 152

33. Nigerseed Area 0.36 0.29 0.27 0.33 0.33

Production 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.06
Average Yield 196 193 190 191 194
34. Rape & Mustard Area 0.07 0.04 0.06 0.06 0.07
Production 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02
Average Yield 272 269 285 281 270
35. Sunflower Area 5.84 8.77 11.35 12.71 14.27
Production 2.62 3.74 3.65 5.28 6.68
Average Yield 473 449 338 437 492
36. Safflower Area 0.92 0.85 0.99 0.94 0.81
Production 0.73 0.55 0.42 0.49 0.62
Average Yield 832 685 444 544 800
37. Castor Area 0.22 0.17 0.17 0.20 0.25
Production 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.17 0.26
Average Yield 779 972 944 913 1095
38. Linseed Area 0.20 0.17 0.13 0.14 0.13
Production 0.07 0.06 0.01 0.03 0.04
Average Yield 353 370 81 222 351
39. Total Oilseeds Area 17.37 20.05 22.67 26.73 28.63
(Excluding
Coconut)
Production 10.20 10.74 9.34 14.46 15.27
Average Yield 618 564 434 570 562
40. Cotton Area 6.08 3.93 3.17 5.22 4.13
Production (in 6.12 3.31 2.65 6.25 5.85
lakh bales of
170 kgs. Each
in lint form)
Average Yield 180 151 149 214 253
41. Sugarcane (H) Area 4.07 3.83 2.43 1.79 2.21
(a)
Production 330.17 324.85 160.15 139.93 196.48
Average Yield 85 89 69 82 93
(in tonnes/
hect)
(b) Sugarcane (P) Area - - 0.92 1.26 1.95
42. Tobacco Area 0.72 0.82 0.98 0.91 1.01
Production 0.59 0.59 0.55 0.68 0.64
Average Yield 851 757 592 777 667
43. Mesta Area 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.02
Production (in 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.03
lakh bales of
180 kgs. Each)
Average Yield 255 244 271 258 231
44. Sunhemp Area (in lakh 0.03 Neg Neg Neg Neg
hects)
Production (in 0.01 Neg Neg Neg Neg
lakh tonnes)
Average Yield 251 252 252 251 229
Agriculture And Allied Activities 153

45. Banana Area 0.40 0.40 0.33 0.42 0.44

Production 8.16 6.82 4.31 5.27 5.17
Average Yield 20262 17122 12988 12552 11874
46. Papaya Area 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01
Production 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.04
Average Yield 2346 2330 2415 2406 2470
47. Cashewnut * Area 0.56 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.60
(Raw nuts)
Production 0.32 0.32 0.33 0.33 0.33
Average Yield 569 569 568 568 565
48. Cashewnut* Area 0.56 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.60
(Processed Nuts)
Production 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08
Average Yield 143 143 143 143 142
49. Grapes Area 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.09 0.06
Production 2.02 2.95 2.97 2.43 1.77
Average Yield 24369 29745 29304 25869 29950
50. Mango Area 0.96 0.98 1.02 0.98 1.18
Production 2.55 4.15 2.99 3.18 4.51
Average Yield 2648 4238 2950 3232 3814
51. Guava Area 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.05
Production 0.36 0.31 0.22 0.18 0.14
Average Yield 6602 6120 5523 4191 3100
52. Sapota Area 0.10 0.10 0.09 0.13 0.16
Production 0.23 0.32 0.25 0.31 0.54
Average Yield 2374 3140 2660 2440 3360
53. Lemon Area 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.04
Production 1.45 1.44 1.29 1.38 0.14
Average Yield 18099 17353 15815 15355 3822
54. Potato Area 0.39 0.51 0.53 0.52 0.73
Production 4.73 1.49 3.43 3.61 3.29
Average Yield 12727 3103 6798 7311 4727
55. Tomato Area 0.29 0.26 0.34 0.27 0.31
Production 2.37 2.18 2.3 2.52 2.65
Average Yield 8053 8260 6705 9407 8480
56. Beans Area 0.07 0.06 0.08 0.07 0.05
Production 0.42 0.42 0.56 0.52 0.33
Average Yield 6051 7304 6737 7176 6127
57. Brinjal Area 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.09 0.11
Production 1.17 0.80 0.81 0.86 0.99
Average Yield 8876 6729 6965 9797 8735
58. Tapioca Area 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Production 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.07
Average Yield 8101 7935 7977 7987 8400
59. Onion Area 1.26 1.15 1.01 1.36 1.51
Production 7.21 5.36 3.6 8.41 9.40
Average Yield 6033 4905 3749 6510 6540
A Handbook of Karnataka 154

60. Sweet Potato Area 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.03

Production 0.26 0.27 0.29 0.29 0.27
Average Yield 7709 8022 8103 8231 8235
61. Coconut Area 3.70 3.75 3.76 3.83 3.96
Production (in 1503.64 1525.29 1529.14 1551.93 1606.89
Million nuts)
Average Yield 4107 4104 4108 4090 4100
(in number of
nuts/hectare)
62. Dry Chillies Area 1.93 1.55 0.7 1.52 1.26
Production 1.26 1.53 0.95 1.05 1.07
Average Yield 655 987 1352 687 850
63. Dry Ginger Area 0.11 0.11 0.08 0.11 0.22
Production 1.41 1.44 1.08 1.43 2.82
Average Yield 1330 1328 1324 1315 1316
64. Turmeric # Area 0.07 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.06
Production 0.36 0.29 0.26 0.19 0.34
Average Yield 5153 4337 4876 4751 5341
65. Cardamom Area 0.20 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.20
Production 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Average Yield 57 57 57 57 57
66. Garlic Area 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.05 0.05
Production 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.03
Average Yield 770 718 738 696 714
67. Black Pepper Area 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.15
Production 0.22 0.23 0.24 0.28 0.32
Average Yield 231 225 223 225 221
68. Arecanut (Raw Area 1.36 1.44 1.49 1.53 1.61
nuts)
Production 8.79 9.27 9.56 9.79 10.34
Average Yield 6525 6499 6484 6475 6479
69. Arecanut Area 1.36 1.44 1.49 1.53 1.61
(Processed nuts)
Production 1.83 1.93 1.99 2.04 2.15
Average Yield 1357 1352 1349 1347 1347
70. Coriander Area 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.10 0.09
Production 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
Average Yield 165 146 154 157 154
* A re a , Production and A v e ra g e Y ie ld o f C ashew n u t crop refers to agricultural h oldin gs only.

From 1994-95 Production o f Turm eric calculated b y applyin g dry y ie ld rates and for earlier years w e t yield
rates w e re used.

N ote: In order to tally w ith the group/sub group totals, the figures in the second decim al p lace h ave been
adjusted w h ile ro u n d in g-off the actual figures.

Agriculture in the State is mainly dependent on rainfall as more than 70 to

75 per cent of area depends wholly or partially on rainfall for crop production.
The rainfall is not evenly distributed across the area as well as over time, and
Agriculture And Allied Activities 155

this gives rise to low productivity in rain fed agriculture. South-West (June to
September) and North-East (October to December) monsoons are the important
sources of rains. South-West Monsoon constitutes nearly 71 per cent of annual
rainfall. During 1998, season-wise normal and actual rainfall in mm is as
follows: South West monsoon - 846.6; 1173, North-East monsoon - 199.5; 233,
Cold Weather period (January to February)-4.8; nil, and Hot Weather period
(March to May)-137.7; 70. As regards the distribution of net area sown under
rainfall regions in the State, 66.3 per cent of the area is distributed under low
rainfall region and 24.3 per cent of area under medium rainfall region.
The different soils in the State have distinct, varying morphological and
physico-chemical properties that have an influence on the unique status of
the soils. The extent of coverage of different types of soils is as follows: 1)
Shallow black soils (1.3%), 2) Medium black soils (20.34%), 3) Deep black soils
(10.25%), 4) Red sandy soils (29.27%), 5) Mixed red and black soils (11.82%), 6)
Red loamy soils (15.14%), 7) Laterite soils and laterite gravely soils (9.3%) and
Coastal alluvial soils (2.58%).
Cropping Pattern
In Karnataka cropped area is recorded survey number-wise in RTC (Record
of Rights, Tenancy and Crop Inspection) by Village Accountant and consolidated
at village, at taluk and district levels. Major crops grown are grouped as cereals,
pulses, oilseeds and cash crops. Out of 1, 16, 96,181 hectares of total gross
cropped area during 1997-98, 45.99% of the area was under cereals, 14.38%
under pulses, 20.28% under oilseeds and 6.93% under cotton and sugarcane
crops. The remaining 8.5% of the area was under other crops.
Area under cereals has decreased from 62, 73,000 hectares during 1960-61
to 53, 78,618 hectares during 1997-98. During the same period, area under
pulses increased from 13, 06,000 to 16, 81,587 hectares. The area under
oilseeds registered an increase of 11, 25,000 hectares from 12, 47,000 to 23,
71,986 hectares. The total (gross) cropped area had been increased from 1, 05,
88,000 to 1, 16, 96,181 hectares.
Paddy, jowar, ragi, maize, bajra and wheat are the cereal crops grown in
the State. Ragi, Paddy and jowar occupy about 80% of the area under cereals.
Cereal crops are largely grown in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal,
Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bellary, Chitradurga, Davangere, Mysore and
Chamarajnagar districts. Red gram and Bengal gram are the major pulsecrops
which occupy about 4.5% of the area under pulses. Pulses are largely grown
in Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts.
Groundnut and sunflower are the important oilseed crops which occupy
about 80% of the area under oilseeds. Oilseeds are largely grown in Bijapur,
Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Chitradurga,
Davanagere and Tumkur districts. Cotton Is predominantly grown in Dharwad,
Gadag, Haveri, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary and Belgaum districts which occupy
about 75% of the area under the crop. Sugarcane is largely grown in Belgaum,
Mandya, Bijapur and Bagalkot districts.
A Handbook of Karnataka 156

Paddy Field
Agriculture And Allied Activities 157

Paddy is one of the major cereal crops of the State. It is predominantly

grown in Shimoga, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Raichur,
Koppal, Mysore, Dharwad, Gadag and Haveri districts. It was grown in 13.53
lakh ha during 1997-98. Area under this crop increased from 8.78 (1955-56)
to 13.53 lakh ha (1997-98). It is cultivated in all the three seasons i.e. Jowar
(76.2%), rabi (3.98%) and summer (19.82%). About 9.33 lakh ha of paddy
area was under irrigation and 80.2% of area under paddy was sown with high
yielding varieties. The yield in kg per hectare under irrigated conditions is 4,286
and un-irrigated condition is about 2,546.
Jowar is another major cereal crop grown largely in northern districts.
Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Bellary,
Davanagere and Bidar districts account for nearly 90% of the area under the
cropA About 18.97 lakh ha of area was under this crop during 1997-98. About
79.1% of the area under this crop was grown in rabi season alone. Only 1.43
lakh hectares of this area was irrigated. About 37.1% of the area under this
crop was sown with hybrid varieties. The yield obtained from the irrigated crop
is 1,898 kg/ha while the yield got under un-irrigated crop is only 610 kg/ha.
Ragi is largely grown in southern districts of the State. Predominant ragi
growing districts are Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Hassan, Chitradurga, Mysore,
Chamarajnagar, Kolar and Mandya. About 17.45% of the area under cereals
was shared by ragi crop. About 9.39 lakh ha of area was under this crop during
1997-98. About six per cent of area was irrigated. About 97% of area was sown
with high-yielding varieties. The average yield per ha from rain fed crop is 13.6
quintals.

Irrigation Tank
A Handbook of Karnataka 158

Threshing Yard

Maize and bajra occupied 5.61 and 3.02 lakh ha respectively during 1997­
98. These two crops together account for 16% of area under cereals. These
two crops are largely grown in northern districts of the State. Wheat, another
important food crop, is grown in the rabi season. It is also largely grown in
northern districts of the State. About 2.51 lakh ha of area was under this crop
during 1997-98.
Red gram (tur) is one of the major pulse crop grown in the Kharif season in
the State. Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal and Bidar districts accounted for 70% of
the area under this crop in the State. It is mainly grown in rain fed areas. About
4.22 lakh ha of area was under this crop during 1997-98. About 25% of area
under pulses was covered by Red gram crop.
Bengal gram is one of the important pulse crop grown in the rabi season.
Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad, Gadag, Haven and Belgaum
districts accounted for 86% of area under this crop in the State. About 3.37
lakh ha of area was under this crop during 1997-98. About 20% of the area
under pulses was covered by this crop.
Groundnut is an important crop of the State largely grown in Tumkur,
Chitradurga, Davanagere, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Raichur, Koppal,
Bagalkot and Bijapur districts. These districts accounted for 69% o f the area
under this crop. About 10.4 lakh ha was under this crop during 1997-98.
About 43.86% of the area under oilseeds was covered by groundnut and only
22.85% of area under this crop was irrigated.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 159

Sesamum is another oilseed crop of the State grown in the Kharif season
in rain fed condition only. Gulbarga, Bidar, Koppal and Raichur accounted for
58% o f area under this crop. About 1.15 lakh ha was under this crop during
1997-98 and it formed 4.96% of the area under oilseeds.
Sunflower is an important oilseed crop grown in Bijapur, Bagalkot,
Raichur, Koppal, Gulbarga, Bellary, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Davanagere and
Chitradurga districts. These districts accounted for 84% of the area under this
crop. This crop was grown in 9.29 lakh ha during 1997-98 and about 19.3% of
the area under this crop was irrigated. About 39.4% of the area under oilseeds
was covered by this crop.
Safflower is another important oilseed crop grown in the rabi season in rain
fed areas. Bijapur, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Belgaum,
Koppal and Raichur districts accounted for 91% of the area under this crop.
The share of the area under the crop to oilseeds was 5.54%.
Sugarcane is an important commercial crop mostly grown in irrigated areas
in the State. Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Mandya and Bidar districts accounted
for 74.8% of the area during 1997-98. Belgaum district alone covered 45.5% of
the area under this crop.
Cotton is an important fibre crop of the State. Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri,
Bellary, Belgaum, Koppal and Raichur districts accounted for 81.9% of area
under the crop. About 5.02 lakh ha of area under this crop during 1997-98.
soil Conservation: The main objective of soil conservation activity is to
arrest the runoff of rain water and there by conserve soil and moisture. It is
estimated that 85 lakh ha. of land require soil conservation measures. Soil
conservation works include land shaping, contour bunding, bench terracing
etc. The area covered under soil conservation measures as at the end o f March
1999 was 46.55 lakh ha. The Centrally sponsored soil conservation scheme in
the catchments of the River Valley Projects viz, (1) Tungabhadra 2} Nizamsagar
and 3) Nagarjunasagar are in operation.
seeds: The State Agricultural Universities are basically responsible for the
production and supply of breeder seeds of different crops. In all, there were 73
seed farms in the State. The foundation seeds produced in the departmental
farms were being handed over to the Karnataka State Seed Corporation for
processing and further multiplication. The role of the private seed industry has
been well recognised and they have been provided with all the facilities. Many
multi-national Companies are also engaged in seed production. There are two
seed testing laboratories, one at Hebbal and another at Dharwad. About 3.64
lakh quintals of certified seeds were distributed during 1998-99. There is one
more seed testing laboratory at Lalbagh, Bangalore under the control of the
Horticulture department.
Manures and Fertilizers: Due to the high cost of chemical fertilizers, the
development and use of organic manures assumes great importance. Bio­
fertilizers like Rhizobium, Blue green algae, Azatobacter and Azospirillum
A Handbook of Karnataka 160

are being popularised among farming community. Steps are being taken to
improve production of rural compost by educating the rural folk to prepare it on
scientific lines. Local bodies are engaged in the preparation of urban compost.
The consumption of fertilizers which was just 3,960 tonnes of nutrients during
1956-57 has reached a record 11.49 lakh tonnes during 1998-99 in the State.
The per hectare consumption of chemical fertilizers is 68 kg which is still lower
than the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu States. The Karnataka
Fertilizer Concessional Price Scheme implemented from 1992-93, makes
provision for the supply of super phosphate, diammonium phosphate, muriate
of potash and complex fertilizers at concessional price,
Plant Protection: The department of Agriculture has taken a number
of steps to popularise plant protection measures such as supplying plant
protection equipments and chemicals at subsidised rates. An area of 63 lakh
ha was covered under plant protection measures during 1997-98, and about
3000 tonnes of technical grade material was used for plant protection.
Programmes o f agricultural Development: The Department of Agriculture
has been chalking out various programmes and policies for the development of
Agriculture. The department is implementing the thrust programmes in selected
districts to increase production of major crops like Integrated programme of
Rice Development, Special Food grains Production Programme for maize, ragi,
jowar and bajra, oilseeds production programme, National Pulse Development
Programme etc., Besides the new programmes like Bhooguna, Hanithene
and Krishi Prashasthi have been implemented to motivate and to encourage
the farmers for adopting improved agricultural practices and to increase
the production and productivity. Under National Watershed Development
Programme in selected 86 taluks for popularising dry farming, soil and water
conservation schemes are being implemented. Danida assisted project for
training farm women and farm youth especially to teach the skills required
in the farm operations were being focussed. Under Special Component Plan,
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers were provided with inputs,
implements, plant protection equipments, bullock and bullock carts etc.
Crop Insurance: Comprehensive Crop Insurance scheme is in operation
since 1985 in all the taluks. The scheme is operated through the General
Insurance Corporation (GIC) of India. The coverage in respect of crops insured
in the State is shared between GIC and the State Government in the ratio of
2:1. During 1997-98, 3.25 lakh farmers in an area of 5.70 lakh ha insured the
crops for a sum of Rs. 18,545 lakhs. About 1,986 lakh rupees were paid as
claims to 1.16 lakh farmers.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 161

IRRIGATION
The ancient rulers of Karnataka undertook construction of a large number
of tanks and paid maximum attention to irrigation. (See Chapter II on history).
But in later period Vijaynagar rulers did put up a dam across the Cauvery
in 1347 near Talakadu, impounded the waters of Kumudvatirivulet to create
Masur Magada (which is over 400 acres in area), dug many canals from the
Tungabhadra near the capital and tapped maximum quantity of water for
irrigation from rivers. We hear of a hydraulic engineer (Jalasutradhari) in one of
their records. The Mysore ruler Kanthirava Narasaraja Wodeyar’s Bangaradoddi
Canal (17th century) drawn from the Cauvery is famous. Chikkadevaraya raised
Chunchanakatte dam, a brick work during the same century.
Excavating tanks or their repair was held as a meritorious duty. So wide
and systematic was the tank network all over, that one of the Commissioners
of Mysore, Bowring says the following of it : “As the country is generally
undulating, and intersected by numerous valleys threaded by natural water
courses, it occurred to the natives many centuries ago, to dam up the supply
thus furnished, in order to irrigate their fields in the dry season, and in this
way, as population increased additional land was brought under the plough, a
chain of such tanks was formed, gradually increasing in size and capacity as
the line was prolonged” . He further adds. “In many instances, advantage has
been taken of the gorges in hills to throw up colossal embankments, which
have withstood with fair success, the floods of centuries” . The arrangement
was a chain of tanks, in a single catchment’s area. Every reservoir in the chain
received surplus water from the one at the upper level, and thus there was no
wastage to point out.
During the pre-independence era, the British and Mysore State Government
took up some notable irrigation works such as Krishnarajasagar, Sagarakatte
Dam, Dhudpal veir near Gokak, Vanivilas Sagar, Marconahalli and
Anjanapur.
The Ultimate irrigational potential in the State at present has been estimated
at 55 lakh ha. Which forms 51.4 per cent of net sown area. This would comprise
of 35 lakh ha. under major and medium irrigation projects, 10 lakh ha. under
minor irrigation using surface waters and remaining 10 lakh ha. from ground
water sources.
As per the master plans prepared by the State, the ultimate utilisation in
Krishna basin is likely to be 1,156 tmc. and the State’s use in the Cauvery
basin is likely to be 408.62 tmc. The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award
has resulted in an allocation o f 22.37 tmc for its project in the State. The State
A Handbook of Karnataka 162

has presently formulated projects for utilising a total quantum of 103.31 tmc
in Palar, Pennar (North and South) and west flowing rivers.

Tungabhadra Dam, Hospet

Tunga Dam, Shimoga District

The utilisations committed (for irrigation only) of various river basins upto
the end of March 2000 is 1,179.47 tmc comprising the following: a)Krishna
basin - 712.06 tmc; b) Cauvery basin - 392.87 tmc; c) Godavari basin - 22.37
tmc and other basins - 52.17 tmc.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 163

The cumulative irrigation potential under major, medium and minor

irrigation (surface water) is anticipated to go upto 29.36 lakh ha. during 2000­
2001. The projects, both major and medium which have been completed have
contributed for the creation of an irrigation potential of 4.64 lakh ha.
Irrigated area in Karnataka
Unit: Area in Hectares.
Sl.No. Particulars 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
1. Reservoirs 45 45 49 49
2. Canals
a Government
i) Number 153 154 157 159
ii) Length (km) 5472 5472 5487 5492
3. No.of tube/borewells (00’s) 3625 4379 5053 5208
4. Irrigation wells (00’s)
i) Masonry 2257 2304 2209 2263
ii) Non-Masonry 2505 2532 2529 2541
5. Lift Irrigation 9913 18263 18736 18746
6. Tanks
i) Ayacut of > 40 ha 3036 3045 3027 3027
ii) ayacut of < 40 ha 31213 30168 30173 30173
7. Irrigation pumpsets (00’s)
i) Electrical 12724 13304 13654 14022
ii) Diesel 370 363 360 353
* Includes temporary irrigation also. Source: Annual Seasonal and Crop Report
of DE&S. Bangalore
Net area irrigated by source (hundred ha)

Sl.No. Particulars 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

1. Canals 9035 7727 7434 9486
2. Tanks 2434 1830 1470 1767
3. Wells 4797 4477 3913 4270
4. Tubewells 5742 7370 7741 8822
5. Other sources 3641 3101 3284 2487
6. All sources 25649 24505 23842 28203
Gross area Irrigated by crops (Hundred ha)

Sl.No. Crops 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

I Cereals
1. Paddy 9923 7291 6763 9231
2. Jowar 1158 1144 1216 1544
3. Ragi 497 633 529 476
4. Wheat 1167 978 958 1200
5. Maize 2351 2549 2164 3211
6. Other cereals 261 304 308 518
Total cereals and
7. 12357 12899 11938 16180
millets
A Handbook of Karnataka 164

II
Pulses 881 918 941 1057
III
Sugarcane 4068 3826 3352 3044
IVOther food crops 4064 4107 3899 4279
VTotal food crops 24370 21750 20130 24560
VICotton 885 471 385 801
VIIOilseeds 2370 3433 3648 5042
VIIICoconut 1715 1805 1932 1967
IXMulberry 672 617 562 545
Other non food
X 277 334 371 362
crops
Total non food
XI 6819 6660 6898 8717
crops
Total food and
XII 30889 28410 27028 33277
non food crops
As against the potential, the net area irrigated during 1997-98 was 23.63
lakh ha. Net area irrigated by canal was the highest with 38.24% of the total
irrigated, followed by wells (19.05%), tanks (10.14%), tube wells (17.39%),
other sources (10.51%) and lift irrigation (4.7%). About six lakh ha. of land was
irrigated more than once bringing the gross area irrigated to 28 lakh ha. Net
area irrigated for the country as a whole was 32% of net area sown in 1989-90.
In Karnataka, the percentage of net area irrigated to net area sown which was
21.2 during 1991-92 has increased to 23.5 during 1997-98. The Percentage
of net area irrigated to net area sown for the state of Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh are 48 and 38 respectively.

Irrigation Tank, Kunigal

Agriculture And Allied Activities 165

Ayyana Kere, Chikmagalur Distric

The cumulative potential created under minor irrigation from surface water
upto 1997-98 was 9.38 lakh ha. All irrigation works having an atchkat of 2,000
ha. are classified as minor irrigation works. The Karnataka Tank Irrigation
Project with the World Bank assistance is being implemented from 1981-82. An
amount of Rs. 155 crores is spent upto November 1993 and 73 tank irrigation
projects were completed creating a potential of 23,310 ha. Minor irrigation
works are also taken up under Ganga Kalyana Scheme, Special Component
Plan, Tribal Sub-plan etc., There were about 40,411 minor irrigation works
benefiting an atchkat of 8.68 lakh ha. which comprises of 36,555 tanks with
an atchkat of 6.59 lakh ha and 4.29 lift irrigation schemes with an atchkat of
88.367 ha and 3,427 other minor irrigation works with an atchkat o f 1, 20,588
ha.
National Water Management Project in Karnataka aims at improvement of
the existing canal system served by reservoirs for increasing the productivity
and farm income. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 74 crores. The expenditure
Incurred upto end of March 1993 was Rs. 47 crores. The Command Area
Development programme is intended to tackle the problem of non-utilisation
of irrigation potential created and to reduce the gap between potential created
and potential utilised. During 1998-99, the area brought under field irrigation
channels was 10,530 ha; the area brought under on-farm development works
was 17,630 ha and about 8,230 ha was covered under warabandi system.
The total investment upto end of March 2000 on Irrigation in the State is
Rs 14,267 crores comprising of Rs. 13,399 on major and medium irrigation
A Handbook of Karnataka 166

and Rs. 868 crores on minor irrigation (using surface waters). This does not
include the investment on irrigation prior to plan period i.e., prior to 1951. Upto
the end of March 2000 a total irrigation potential of 36,22,921 ha (including
9,08,563 ha of potential from ground waters) is created, bringing the percentage
of potential created to net sown area to 33.85%. This comprises of a) 4,53,054
ha under 8 major and 32 medium completed projects, b) 12,88,717 ha under
19 major and 21 medium ongoing projects bringing the total potential under
major and medium projects to 17,41,771 ha, c) 9,39,566 ha under completed
minor projects using surface waters, d) 33,021 ha under 13,743 small tanks
having less than 4 ha ayacut (now with Zilla Parishat) and e) 9,08,563 ha under
irrigation from ground water resources.
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
has sanctioned a loan assistance of Rs. 106.98 crores during 1995-96 for
completing six medium irrigation projects viz Votehole, Lower Mullamari,
Amarja, Chulkinala, Maskinala and Manchanabele under Rural infrastructure
Development fund (RIDF-1) upto end of March 2000 Rs. 193.06 crores has
been utilised. NABARD has sanctioned a loan assistance of Rs. 50 crores for
one major irrigation project viz Bennithora during 1996-97 inder RIDF-II.
The State has constituted Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL)
under the Company’s Act 1956 with a view to expedite 10 projects under
Krishna basin by mobilising additional resources required for the project.
The ten projects coming under this Nigam are Malaprabha, Ghataprabha III,
Upper Tunga Project, Bhima Lift Irrigation Scheme, Harinala, Markandeya,
Singatalur, Hippargi Barrage project, Gandharinala project and Tunga lift
Irrigation Scheme. This Nigam has raised Rs 475.32 crores through private
issues of bonds/debentures upto March 2000.
The National Hydrology project is taken up with the world bank assistance,
since 1996-97. It envisages setting up of reliable and well designed net work in
the state for collection of Hydrological and Meteorological data for surface as
well as ground water both quality and quantity aspects. The implementation
period of this project is six years. The expenditure incurred upto the end of
March 2000 is Rs. 5.58 crores.
The state has constituted Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited during 1994
under the Company’s Act of 1956 with a view to expedite the works of Upper
Krishna Project and to complete it early by mobilising additional resources
required for the project. The Nigam has raised Rs. 2,629.59 crores and spent
Rs 3,496.78 crores upto the end of March 2000.
The Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) is functioning at
Dharwad since May 1986 and is conducting training programmes for officers
of Irrigation and Agriculture Department and the farmers.
Govt. of India has launched the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit programme
(ABIP) during the year 1996-97 for the purpose of early completion of some of the
ongoing irrigation projects which have been lingering due to shortage of funds
Agriculture And Allied Activities 167

for the last several years. Govt. of India has released Rs. 61.25 crores during
1996-97 and Rs. 87.50 crores during 1997-98. The amount has been spent on
five on-going projects viz. UKP Stage-1, Malaprabha, Hirehalla, Ghataprabha
III and Karanja. During 1999-2000, the above five projects were continued
under AIBP and an expenditure of Rs 160.47 crores was incurred.
Minor irrigation covers both surface and ground water schemes. All irrigation
works having an individual atchkat upto 2000 ha are classified as minor
irrigation works. District wise details of Minor irrigation tanks in Karnataka
are given here.
District-wise details of Minor irrigation tanks in Karnataka

District Tanks Tanks Tanks Total No.

under under under tanks of Wells
T.D.B Z.P M.I (1975)
< 4 ha. 4 -40 ha >40ha
1. Bangalore 98 395 67 560 7,674
2. Bangalore Rural 435 890 206 1,513 25,782
3. Turnkur 441 1,200 381 2,022 33,427
4. Kolar 1,489 2.461 336 4,286 48,919
5. Chitradurga 8 133 166 307 12,812
6. Davanagere 76 255 89 420 4,219
7. Shimoga 2,303 3,414 327 6,044 1,077
8. Mysore 557 565 99 1,221 2,650
9. Chamarajnagar 2 87 64 153 5,497
10. Mandya 224 692 50 966 5,961
11. Hassan 2,502 2,933 174 5,609 1,826
12. Chikmagalur 1,122 1,624 122 2,868 1,737
13. Kodagu 434 679 33 1,146 65
14. Dakshina 13 129 2 144 14,565
Kannada
15. Udupi 88 443 4 535 15,273
16. Bellary 39 101 61 201 5,885
17. Koppal 0 20 44 64 5,071
18. Raichur 332 223 53 608 4,849
19. Gulbarga 76 311 134 521 13,429
20. Bidar 0 15 80 95 11,309
21. Bagalkot 0 0 49 49 10,913
22. Bijapur 0 0 92 92 27,487
23. Gadag 0 4 23 27 4,038
24. Dharwad 408 496 107 1,011 754
25. Haveri 721 1,139 262 2,122 4,567
26. Uttara Kannada 2,258 932 87 3,277 18,905
27. Belgaum 117 490 210 817 43,264
A Handbook of Karnataka 168

Medium Irrigation Projects under the Control o f Minor Irrigation

Name of the Project District Year of Cost in Atchkat
Rs. lakhs (in ha)
I south Zone
1) Gundamgere, Bangalore 1980 28 405
(R)
DoddabllapurTq
2) Kanva, Bangalore 1946 35 2,076
Channapatna Tq (R)
3) Gayathri, Chitradurga 1963 40 2,005
Hiriyur Tq
4) Narayanapura Chitradurga 1961 34 1,924
Challakere Tq
5) Sangenahalli, Davanagere 1958 43 648
JagalurTq
6) Ambligola, Shimoga 1964 116 2,955
ShikaripurTq
7) Anjanapur, Shimoga 1936 21 6,736
ShikaripurTq
8) Mangala, Tumkur 1970 60 850
Kunigal Tq
9) Marconahalli, Tumkur 1940 35 4,560
Kunigal Tq
10) Sonnaikanahalli Tumkur 1957 21 405
Kunigal Tq
B. north Zone
11) Areshankar Bijapur 1957 22 1,255
Basavana
Bagewadi Tq
12) Kalaskop, Bagalkot 1960 25 1,143
Bagalkot Tq
13) Nagathana, Bijapur 1961 15 650
Bijapur Tq
14) Ramenahalli, Bijapur 1958 42 1,943
Sindagi Tq
15) Chitwadgi, Koppal 1971 41 890
Kushtagi Tq
16) Dharma, Uttara 1964 133 5,668
Mundagod Tq Kannada

The recurring droughts during the last decade has resulted in an

unprecedented spurt in the ground water usage from just about 2,000 M.cum
in 1980-81 to 3600 M.cum in 1990-91 in irrigated sector. Likewise the number
of drinking water bore wells increased from about 50,000 in 1981 to 1.58 lakhs
by 1998. This extra-ordinary growth has resulted in steep decline of water table
Agriculture And Allied Activities 169

in several parts of the State. So the systematic study of the status of ground
water, its occurrence, behaviour and remedial measures to be adopted is being
undertaken by the Ground Water Cell of Mines & Geology Department.

Flood Control and sea Erosion: Karnataka has a coastline of about 300
km. with narrow beaches. Due to high wave action of sea, the coastline is being
eroded. Erosion along the beaches causes loss of valuable coconut plantations
and property. Anti-erosion works have been taken up in Dakshina Kannada,
Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts since 1979-80. Sea walls were constructed
with 200 Kgs armour stones in two layers of coconut leaf mat. Permanent
measures have been evolved with nylon synthetic filter cloth mesh with flat
slopes and 1,360 Kg stones are laid in two layers. It has been identified that
about 73 km of sea coast are subjected to sea erosion. A Master Plan to protect
these vulnerable reaches at a cost of Rs. 145 crores has been sent to Govt. of
India for clearance. An expert committee has been formed to examine designs
and suggest works to be taken up along identified reaches of the sea coast. The
committee has suggested two designs with individual armour stones weighing
560 and 570 kgs which are now being adopted. A project report for priority
reaches for Rs. 40 crores was cleared by the Beach Erosion Board.
Completed Major and Medium irrigation projects

Project Basin Year of Utilisation Irrigation

completion in time in ha
A Major Projects
1. Cauvery Anicut Cauvery 1900 57.70 77,172
Channels
2. Krishnarajasagar Cauvery 1944 61.20 79.312
3. Nugu Cauvery 1959 7.7 10,526
4. Ghataprapha I & II Krishna 1980 32.45 1,39,383
5. Tunga Anicut Krishna 1956 11.50 8,704
6. Vani Vilas Sagar Krishna 1908 8.2 9,190
7. Vijaynagar Krishna 1600 12.05 12,210
Channels
Total (1) Krishna 86.70 2,06,991
Basin
(2) Cauvery Basin 126.60 1,67,010
Major Projects Total 213.30 3,74,001
B. Medium Projects
1. Ambligola Krishna 1964 1.40 2,955
2. Anjanapur Krishna 1936 2.50 6,736
3. Areshankar Krishna 1957 0.38 1,255
A Handbook of Karnataka 170

4. Bachanki West- 1974 0.52 1,776

flowing
5. Bhadra Anicut Krishna 1923 3.10 4,466
6. Byramangala Cauvery 1945 1.00 1,619
7. Chandrampalli Krishna 1972 1.90 5,223
8. Chikkahole Cauvery 1969 0.70 1,650
9. Chithwadgi Krishna 1971 0.26 891
10. Dharma Krishna 1964 2.20 5,668
11. Gayathri Krishna 1963 0.45 2,305
12. Gokak Canal Krishna 1897 1.40 5,757
13. Gundal Cauvery 1980 1.40 4,048
14. Hagari Bommanahalli Krishna 1978 2.00 2,966
15. Hathikoni Krishna 1973 0.50 2,145
16. Hebbala Cauvery 1972 0.40 1,214
17. Jambadahalla Krishna 1968 0.70 1,538
18. Kalaskop Krishna 1960 0.33 1,143
19. Kanakanala Krishna 1975 0.40 2,064
20. Kanva Cauvery 1946 1.20 2,076
21. Kolchi Weir Krishna 1953 0.53 1,275
22. Mangala Cauvery 1970 0.60 850
23. Marconahalli Cauvery 1941 4.00 4,560
24. Nagathana Krishna 1961 0.08 650
25. Nallur Amanlkere Cauvery 1987 0.40 1,300
26. Narayanapur Krishna 1961 0.60 1,624
27. NarihaUa Krishna 1979 0.90 1,512
28. Rajolibanda Krishna 1960 1.20 2,380
29. Bamanahalli Krishna 1958 0.44 1,943
30. Soudagar Krishna 1987 0.26 1,417
31. Suvamavathy Cauvery 1984 3.60 2,833
32. Teetha Palar 1987 0.36 1,214
Total (a) Krishna 21.53 59,913
basin
(b) Cauvery basin 13.20 20,150
(c) West flowing 0.52 1,776
(d) Palar 0.36 1,214
Medium Projects 35.61 35.61 79,053
Total
Major and Medium 248.91 4,53,054
Projects
Source : Irrigation in Karnataka, 1999-2000, Irrigation Department, Government of
Karnataka.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 171

Financial and potential progress o f on-going Major and Medium

Irrigation Projects
Financial (Rs. in crores) Potential (in ha)
SI. Name of the Latest Expendi­ Ultimate Potentioal
No. Project cost ture upto potential created upto
March 2000 March 2000
a Krishna Basin
I. Major projects
1. Upper Krishna 9,066.21 5,329.84 6,22,020 3,07,181
I & II
2. Hippargi 524.21 37.75 59,690
3. Ghataprabha III 871.00 425.13 1,78,064 48,487
4. Malaprabha 703.71 559.96 2,18,191 1,76,074
5. Bennithora 195.42 164.15 20,236 8,302
6. Bhadra 170 167.43 1,05,570 1,05,570
7. Tungabhadra 319.09 259.30 2,44,381 2,44,199
LBC
8. Tungabhadra RB 79.48 50.29 80,910 70,439
HLC
9. Dudhganga 110.00 12.57 19,668 -
10. Markandeya 134.53 21.32 32.375 -
11. Ramthal lift 114.05 22,260 -
12. Bhima flow 185.18 0.49 42.170 -
13. Bhima Lift 153.00 5.00 24.282 -
14. Upper Tunga II 832.46 39.40 94,700 -
15. Singatlur 123.00 19.06 20.241 -
to tal Major 13,581.34 7,091.69 17,84,758 9,60,252
II. Medium
Projects
16. Amarja 97.50 89.74 8,903 6,639
17. Lower Mullamari 115.00 101.77 9,713 2,611
18. Hirehalla 120.81 112.90 8,103 -
19. Maskinala 38.50 32.78 2,833 -
20. F.C. to Ranikere 9.49 9.49 3,328 283
21. Gandhorinala 153.00 26.16 8,094
22. Itagi Sasalwad 12.15 0.53 5,700 -
23. Upper Mullamari 19.92 19.65 3,279 3,279
24. Basapur 14.02 1.05 2,276
25. Hodirayanahalla 11.87 0.47 - -
26. Kagna 51.91 - . 7,689 -
27. Harinala 30.60 19.38 4,370 -

Total Medium 14,256.11 7.505.61 18,48,866 9,73,064

B. Cauvery Basin
I. Major Project
1. KRS 390.00 248.14 2,125 -
Modernisation
2. Harangi 373.00 292.72 53.538 42,682
3. Hemavati 2,100.00 1,431.49 2,83,596 1,89,194
A Handbook of Karnataka 172

4. Kabini 480.00 356.24 87,900 41,083

5. D. Devaraj Urs 255.00 230.28 32,376 395
Canal
6. Yagachi 239.79 115.43 21,450 1,995
to tal Major 3.837.70 2.674.30 4.80.985 2.75,349
II. Medium Projects
7. Manchanabele 67.50 66.31 3,845 1,288
8. Votehole 47.50 40.29 7,487 7,487
9. Arkavati 106.50 57.26 6,232 “
10. Chiklihole 17.35 17.14 1,184 526
11. Iggalur 70.00 44.29 4,047 3,369
12. Kamasamudra 18.00 16.28 3,104 800
13. Hutchnakoplu 19.80 10.89 2,300 -
14. Uduthorehalla 144.01 102.55 6,273 -
15. Taraka 51.00 26.66 7,090 7,090
16. Nanjapur 28.40 2.15 4,050 -
Total Medium 570.15 383.82 45.612 20.560
to tal Cauvery 4,407.85 3,058.12 5,26,597 2,95,909
Basin
C. Godavari Basin
I. Major
1. Karanja 340.00 252.17 35,614 15,580
II. Medium
2. Chulkinala 65.70 59.21 4,047 4,047
3. Manjara Lift 93.21 - 2,752 -
D. Other Basins
I. Major
1. Varahi 122.50 21.28 15,702 -
II. Medium.
2. Mahadayi 180.76 - - -
Total Major 17,881.54 10,039.44 21,37,059 12,51,181
Total Medium 1,518.89 856.95 1,16,519 33,372
grand to tal 19,400.43 10,896.39 24,33,578 12,84,553

Source Irrigation in Karnataka, 1999-2000, Irrigation Department, Government of

Kamataka.

Horticulture

Karnataka occupies a prominent place in the Horticulture map of the

country. The Horticulture crops are grown in an area of 15.80 lakh ha. with
a total production of over 124.00 lakh tones at the end of VIII plan period. At
present it is estimated that the Horticultural crops occupy an area of 15.81
lakh ha. with an estimated production 95.81 lakh tones at the end of 2002­
03. Although the area comprises only 14.44 per cent of the net cultivated area
in the state, the total income generated from the horticulture sector accounts
to over 40 per cent of the total income derived from the combined agriculture
sector. This accounts for 17 per cent of the GDP of the state.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 173

M a rigold Plant

Coffee Plant
A Handbook of Karnataka 174

Horticulture provides excellent opportunities in raising the income of the

farmers even in the dry tracts. A significant shift towards horticulture is
evident in the state with an increase in area and production. For instance,
about 58,000 ha. area has been brought under horticultural crops through
the watershed programmes. Horticulture provides higher unit productivity and
offers great scope for value addition and this sector is taking inroads throughout
the length and breadth of the state. Karnataka having the highest acreage
under dry farming in the country next only to Rajasthan, has a great potential
to grow high value but less water demanding horticultural crops.
Major Horticultural crops: Karnataka is a progressive state in the field
of modern horticulture in the country. The diverse agro-ecological conditions
prevailing in Karnataka has made it possible to grow different types of
horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, plantation crops,
root and tuber crops, medicinal and aromatic crops etc. Karnataka is the
3rd largest producer of fruits and stands 5th position in area and production
of vegetable crops. State stands 1st in area and 3rd in production of flower
crops. It occupies 2nd and 3rd position with respect to area and production of
plantation crops. Karnataka is the largest producer of Spices, Aromatic and
Medicinal crops.
Karnataka is known for production of almost all the fruits produced
elsewhere in the country, except apples. Even apples were once cultivated
around Bangalore on commercial scale in the last century. At present, the state
is leading in the production of Pomegranates, Fig, Jack, Papayas and Melons.
Also, Karnataka is the home of several minor fruits and wild fruits. Further, the
fruits grown in the state are being sent to various markets in India and even
abroad.
Right since beginning, Karnataka is spearheading in the field of cultivation
of commercial flowers, in the entire country. The area under traditional flowers
in the State is about 21,000 hectares and the total production is of the order
of about 1.5 lakh tons per annum. The major traditional flowers grown in
Karnataka are as follows: Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Crossandra, Open Roses,
Jasmine, Aster, Tuberose, Gaillardia and Champaka etc.
Although the commercial flowers occupy hardly 1.5% of the total area under
horticulture crops in the State, they generate an annual revenue of over 300
crores. This speaks of the high remunerative nature of the commercial flower
corps. The average size of holding of the traditional flower crops is hardly half
an acre. As many as 50,000 farm families are totally depending on flower
cultivation in the State, and more than 2 lakh people are indirectly involved in
the flower trade.
The emergence of cultivation of flowers under protected environment is of
very recent origin in the State. It started in the early nineties. The first flower
that was subjected to protected cultivation was Rose, which is even today the
leading cut flower produced in the State. The other cut flowers such as gerbera,
carnations, green house chrysanthemums, anthuriums and orchids are also
Agriculture And Allied Activities 175

under hi-tech cultivation. In all, there are 30 big units (companies) and 200
small units (farmers) involved in the production of hi-tech cut flowers. The
total value of these hi-tech cut flowers is about Rs.50 crores per annum
Hi-tech flower cultivation in India first started in Karnataka. As far as back
during 1960s itself, M/s. Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Bangalore, started
producing flowers in green houses. Perhaps, this is the beginning of hi-tech
floriculture in India. This success story paved way for large-scale hi-tech flower
production started during 1990s. Even now, Karnataka is leading in hi-tech
flower production in the entire country, with a share of about 40% of the total
production
The commonly grown major vegetable crops of the state are Onion,
Potato, Tomato, Chillies, Brinjal, Bhendi, Carrot, Radish, Beans, Gourds,
Leafy vegetables, etc. For the integrated development of these crops and to
suit the current demands of the farming community from the point of view of
improving and enhancing the productivity, cost effective production packages,
popularization of farm mechanization practices, post harvest management,
processing and value addition, market linkage support plans and replicable
publicity and propaganda activities, a comprehensive developmental plan was
been drawn for the year 2005-06 to the tune of Rs.158.65 lakhs.
The Department of Horticulture has the credit of laying out and maintaining
several beautiful parks and gardens in the State. The state has a long proud
legacy of creating parks and gardens of high fame, since the early days. Bangalore
is regarded as the ‘Garden City’, because of the profusion of beautiful parks
and gardens sprawling across its length and breadth. In the city of Mysore also,
a large number of parks and gardens of exquisite beauty have been laid out by
the Department. The world famous Bhrindavan garden at Krishanrajasagara,
near Mysore, is known for its enchanting beauty world over. Similarly, in many
other cities and towns of the state, a large number of parks and gardens have
been established and the people of the state are enjoying the beauty of these
gardens.
There are two hill stations maintained by the Department of Horticulture
in State. They are Nandi Hill Station in Kolar district and Krishnarajendra Hill
Station at Kemmannagundi, in Chickamagalur district. These two locations
have an elevation of 4850 and 4900 feet from MSL, respectively. These two
hill stations have been beautified by the Department of Horticulture, through
creation of lush lawns, planting of enchanting annual and perennial flowering
and foliage plants and tree species. Required facilities for the pleasant stay of
visitors have also been created in both the hill stations
The Government of Karnataka, Department of Horticulture has established
a State-of-the-Art Biotechnology Centre in the new millennium at Hulimavu
Horticultural Farm, Bangalore. This Centre is the first of its kind in the country
under public sector aiming at integrating many spheres of biotechnology for the
cause of horticultural development exclusively. The activities of the centre were
dedicated to the nation on 20th January 2001. The main objective of the center
is to adopt eco-friendly biotechnological approaches for generating useful inputs
A Handbook of Karnataka 176

and essential services to facilitate overall development of horticultural sector in

the state. In this endeavor, facilities and expertise in the areas of conservation
and documentation of rare and endangered horticultural varieties including
medicinal and aromatic plants, plant propagation, organic horticulture, plant
nutrition, sanitary and phytosanitary, quality control, disease diagnosis and
human resource development, have been established at this centre. The
following are the important activities during 2005-06.
The Tissue Culture Laboratory at Bio-centre Hulimavu is the only public
sector unit of its kind in the entire country. The state of the art facilities
have been created here for the production of TC plants of Banana, Vanilla,
Ornamental foliage plants, Orchids, Anthuriums and a score of Aromatic and
Medicinal plants. The built in production capacity of this lab is about 1 million
plantlets per year. The TC Banana of plants produced in this lab have become
extremely popular among the farmers of Karnataka
Karnataka has the richest source of horticultural diversity. Nanjanagud
banana, Mysore betelvine, Udupi jasmines, Coorg oranges are a few examples
of Karnataka’s rich genetic diversity. The ecosystems of Western Ghats and
deciduous forests of Karnataka are rich in medicinal plant biodiversity with
more than 2500 species of plants. But many of these species are in the verge
of extinction due to perceptional changes for maximizing production, mono
cropping, destructive harvest and susceptibility to pest and diseases. In order to
preserve these land races for posterity, the centre has taken up the challenges
of conserving and developing the rare and endangered germplasm under
both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Up to 2004-05 more than 500 species of
medicinal and aromatic plants, 150 varieties of fruits and flowering plants have
been introduced and documented at the generic level by adopting DNA marker
technology. During 2005-06 more than 80 species of medicinal and aromatic
plants of which rare species like Crataeva nervula, Entada puseathea, Garcinia
xanthochymus and Garcinia morella and endangered species like Persea
macarantha, Symplocos racemosa, Gnetum ula, Myristica malabarica, etc. are
conserved and documented. Similarly 85 species of fruits and ornamental are
added to the germplasm bank of the Biocentre during 2005-06.
An exclusive sales outlet for the organically produced fruits and vegetables
has been opened at Lalbagh, Bangalore, wherein the producers can sell their
safe products to the consumers. The products sold here carry the brand name
“Jaivik’ and have created great demand among the organic produce lovers of
Bangalore. The Bio-Centre, Hulimavu, which is monitoring this sales outlet,
is planning to open another still bigger “Jaivik’ produce outlet in Lalbagh, to
cater to the needs of ever increasing number of consumers, who have developed
awareness and inclination towards safe food
During the regime of old Mysore province, the Department of Public
Gardens (which later became the Department of Horticulture) started the first
Horticulture Farm in 1942 at Maddur, Mandya District with an intention of
producing planting materials and to distribute the same at reasonable price
and to serve as demonstration plots for transfer of technical know how to the
farmers for introducing horticulture in farmers field.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 177

Crops 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

Fruit crops
3.15 3.13 2.61 2.57 2.55
Area
Production 48.27 46.41 41.65 40.29 40.39

Plantation and spice

crops
Area 8.64 8.97 8.71 9.26 9.40
Production 12.46 12.25 8.31 8.04 8.94

Vegetable Crops
Area 2.59 3.29 3.77 3.83 3.67
Production 52.56 43.11 66.54 48.90 44.94

Flower Crops
Area 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.18 0.18
Production 1.24 1.32 1.57 1.42 1.47
to ta l Area 17.18 15.6 15.30 15.85 15.81
Production 128.07 103.09 118.20 98.76 95.81
After this, to suffice the horticulture requirement of farmers it became
necessary to establish such horticulture farms and Nurseries in different parts
of the State. This activity of establishing horticulture farm was intensified
after the creation of separate Horticulture Department during the year 1963.
At present, totally 415 such horticulture Farms and Nurseries under the
Horticulture Department are functioning, spread over all parts of the State.
The present area under horticulture crops is 15.81 lakh hectares and the
production is 95.81 lakh tons (2002-03).Although, the area under horticulture
crops is only 13% of the total cultivated area, the value of horticultural produce
amounts to Rs.8405 crores, which is about 40% of the total income derived from
the combined agriculture sector in the State.Area (In lakh ha) Production (In
lakh tons)
Post harvest infrastructure and Management: Karnataka is one of the
Horticulturally progressive State in India . Due to its ideal Agro-climatic
conditions and enterprising farming community, almost all types of horticultural
produces are produced in Karnataka. As per statistics of 2002-03 the area
under horticultural crops was 15.81 lakh hectares with an annual production of
95.81 lakh tons. Out of this 41% of area and 87% of total production accounts
for fruits and vegetables. Since, fruits and vegetables are highly perishable,
efficient Post Harvest Management has become an absolute necessity. It is also
important for effective exploitation of export potential of fruits and vegetables.
In Karnataka, only one per cent o f the total production of fruits and vegetables
are processed into different products. About 25-30% of the produce is lost due
to improper Post Harvest Management. To avoid the Post Harvest Losses a
chain of cold storages, processing and marketing facilities need to be created.
Among Post Harvest Management practices like pre cooling, cold storages and
refrigerated transport are most important.
A Handbook of Karnataka 178

Cold storages: The cold storage units provide a vital link between the
production and marketing of Agricultural and Horticultural produce. It helps
in storing the horticultural produce during glut and making them available
in off season with least degradation in quality. At present there are 54 cold
storage units spread over 11 districts with a total storage capacity of 91,830
MT, for handling fruits and vegetables. Of these units, 11 are in the co-operative
sector (9190MT), 41 are in the private sector (82,380 MT) and two are in the
public sector (260MT). The fruits and vegetables that are readily stored are
Potato, Grapes, Tamarind, Citrus, Pomegranate, Pineapple, Chilli, Apple and
cut flowers.
Processing of Fruits and Vegetables: Government of Karnataka is
considering fruit and vegetable processing sector as a thrust area for
development. With growing urbanization and increasing quality consciousness,
the market for processed fruit and vegetable is expected to grow rapidly.
Therefore, there is enormous potential for developing agro products. At present
there are 1533 licensed processing units in the State with annual production of
2.00 lakh tons of processed products. The processed fruits are Mango, Grapes,
Pineapple, Papaya, Guava and others. The major vegetables processed are
Tomato, Potato, peas, Gherkins and others.
Agri Export Zones have been created in Karnataka. The concept of AEZ
attempts to date a comprehensive look at a particular produce/produce located
in a contiguous area for the purpose of leading to final exports. Such Agri
Export Zones have been created for Gherkins, Rose Onion and Floriculture.
The Government of Karnataka proposes to establish Food and Agriculture
Technology Parks (FATP) at 6 locations i.e. at Malur, Bagalkote, Belgaum ,
Chitradurga, Maddur and Jewargi. Out of 6 Food and Agriculture Technology
Parks sanction has been given by Government of India for Food and Agriculture
Technology Parks at Malur and Bagalkote. These Food and Agriculture
Technology Parks are established at a total cost of Rs.10 crores each.
The main objective of establishing Food and Technology Parks is to promote
agro and processing industries in cluster in area where there is predominant
production of processable agriculture and Horticulture Products. These parks
will also provide the required infrastructural and common facilities which are
essential for sustenance of the industries. Quality assurance laboratories,
Ware housing including cold storages, common effluent treatment plants
etc. Another important aspect of the Food and Technology Parks is creating
awareness among the farmers and producers of Agriculture and Horticulture
products about the advantages of cultivating/growing right variety of primary
products which are amenable for processing and thus ensure that the twin
objectives of assuring a better return to the farmers and assured supply of raw
materials to the processors are achieved. Development of Agro Food Parks is
expected to give a boost to the Horticultural sector in an around the area of
Agro Parks.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 179

The Government is giving importance to marketing and processing of

Agricultural and Horticultural Crops to avoid Post Harvest Losses. The initiative
of Government of Karnataka in this direction has lead to establishment of a
gigantic Horticultural Marketing Complex at Kannamangala by NDDB at a
total cost of Rs.150 crores. This complex is expected to become operational
by the first quarter of 2003. This facility is designed to handle 1600 MT of
horticultural produce per day. Department o f Horticulture has handed over 60
acres of land at Kannamangala for this purpose. This terminal market complex
will have modern, Auction Centre, refrigerated plant, storage facilities, 10,000
MT capacity cold storages, processing unit of 50,000 MT capacity, collection
centres, wholesale shops, distribution centres and others.The State’s first ever
Agro Food Industrial Policy, which cold revolutionaries agriculture, as well as
put fresh graded fruits and vegetables into the urban market is expected to
generate Rs.5,000 crores in foreign exchange over 3 years.
Marketing: The Department of Horticulture acts as the facilitator for
creation of infrastructure facilities for marketing of fruits and vegetables in the
state. The Department of Agricultural Marketing is facilitating the marketing of
agricultural/horticultural produces in the state. The Department of Agricultural
Marketing recently established ‘Raithra Santhe” wherein the growers/farmers
can bring their fruits and vegetables to the market and sell them directly to the
growers .The Department o f Agricultural Marketing is also handles the notified
Fruits and Vegetables in the state through APMC’S. The other marketing
infrastructure in the state are
The Department promoted HOPCOMS - a Co-operative society for marketing
of horticultural produce in Bangalore which handles a quantity of 100 Metric
tones of fruits and vegetables per day. 2. The Department promoted District
Horticultural Societies in all the Districts to market Fruits and Vegetables.
At present 17 District Horticultural societies are functioning in the state. 3.
Karnataka Agro Industries Corporation - a State Agency is functioning for
marketing of flowers in Bangalore .
The Department of Horticulture have initiated to modernize the fruits and
vegetable market in the State through National Dairy Development Board in
Bangalore , which will start functioning in Ist quarter of 2003 and expected
to handle around 30% of Fruits and Vegetables required for Bangalore . The
Department also initiates to start Modernized Fruits and Vegetable market
in Mysore , Hubli-Dharwar and Bijapur. The Marketing section of the
Horticultural Department monitor the prices of important horticulture crops
and publish the prices book annually for the use of departmental officers/
officials and also submits the proposals to the Government whenever the prices
of these commodities falls in the market to intervene and purchase of these
commodities.
Exports: During the year 2001-02, produces such as Gherkins, Bangalore
Rose Onion, Cashew nut, Coffee, flowers and horticultural processed products
A Handbook of Karnataka 180

exported to countries like America , Singapore , Russia , Malaysia , Indonesia

, Australia , France , Italy and Japan . The total value of the export is valued
about Rs. 1517.13 Crores. The details of horticultural produces exported during
2003-04 from the state as follows
(Rs. in crores)

Coffee and its products 757.57

Cashew and its products 265.72
Processed food 361.25
Spices and its products 99.58
Onion 30.84
Fruits 2.17
to tal 1517.13

To boost the exports of horticultural produces from the state, to improve

the export performance of the state, to provide opportunities to the farmers
to earn incremental income, to promote on-farm and off-farm employment
generating activities and to earn foreign exchange Agri Export zones were
created. Creation of Agri-Export Zones(AEZ) provides the development of all
important infrastructure like Cold storage, pre-cooling houses, post harvest
management centers, refrigerated transport besides Research and Human
Resource Development. At present Gherkins, Bangalore Rose Onions and
Floriculture were brought under these zones. Mango, Pomegranate and other
horticultural crops will also be brought under these zones shortly.
The National Diary Development Board with the active support from GOK
is setting up a terminal market for fruits and vegetables at Bangalore for
horticultural produce. It is proposed to set up 3 or 4 more similar terminal
markets in the state. It is also envisaged to prepare a crop specific and location
specific marketing plan. The government will encourage and promote contract
farming in horticulture crops. Government also proposes to provide minimum
support price for horticultural crops in consultation with state agricultural
price commission to encourage domestic marketing of horticultural produce.
Promotion o f Organic Cultivation o f Horticultural Crops for
export: Organic Farming is a silent revolution in the making and is slated
to be the next big boom for Karnataka after IT & BT. The Global market for
organically grown fruits, vegetables, spices, aromatic and medicinal plants has
been growing tremendously for the past 5 years. Karnataka with large extent
of dry land where traditional ‘natural’ farming methods are still being followed,
the conversion of these lands into organic farms is much easier. In light of
the above, it is very much needed to tap export potential of organically grown
horticulture produces by providing production and market linkages to organic
cultivators
satellite mapping o f Horticulture crops with the help of Is RO to develop
a Horticultural data Bank: Data base is essential to take up developmental
programmes. The data on area and production of Horticulture crops brought
out by various departments/organizations do not match with each other. At
the time of taking policy decision, the data base plays a crucial role. Therefore,
Agriculture And Allied Activities 181

the Department proposes to take up one time survey for perennial horticultural
crops and also to use the services of ISRO to employ the latest and sophisticated
methods to map the area under different Horticultural crops in the state. This
would help in proper and real estimation of area under horticultural crops in
the state. This would further lead to more scientific estimation of yield and
production of Horticultural crops in the state
Major initiative to conserve water for horticultural crops: Keeping
in view the limited availability of water and depletion of ground water levels,
the use of water saving devices needs to be promoted to maximize overall
irrigation potential. The efficient and maximum utilization of available water is
possible through Micro-irrigation. The state Government intends to bring more
horticultural area under Micro-irrigation. To meet the demand of farmers for
adoption of Micro-irrigation system in their orchards, it is proposed to increase
the flow of funds towards Micro-irrigation through diversion of funds from
Minor Irrigation Department @ 10 per cent annually. It is also envisaged to
encourage Rain water harvesting on farmers field by providing incentives.
Dry land Horticulture: Dry lands, in fact are the only hope of the future
for feeding the fast increasing population. To improve the economic conditions
of the people in the dry tracts and their nutrition and health standards, it is
necessary to encourage dry land horticulture through extension support for
dry land orchards and support for development of new technologies for dry
land horticulture through R&D. The state has given the highest priority for
watershed management of farm areas and also tank development.
Area and Production o f Horticulture Crops in Karnataka - 2003-04

Yield in
Area in Production in Value in
Sl. No. Name of the Crop Tons /
hectares tons. lakh Rupees
hectare
I f r u it c r o p s
1. Mango 116261 1111206 10 84421
2. Banana
a) Cavandish 15579 443548 28 20524
b) Others 35141 794070 23 49094
Total - Banana 50720 1237618 24 69618
3. Guava 6870 124922 18 6198
4. Sapota 18499 201902 11 13957
5. Citrus Varieties
a) Lemon 9076 189421 21 25291
b) Sweet Orange 688 9525 14 2801
c) Orange (Mandarin) 2332 33285 14 1639
d) Other Citrus 242 4032 17 117
Total - Citrus 12337 236262 19 29849
6. Pineapple 2396 118236 49 4685
7. Pomegranate 11162 116892 10 28164
8. Jack 6324 218055 34 4934
A Handbook of Karnataka 182

9. Papaya 3153 221711 70 48516

10. Ber 704 24876 35 1190
11. Annonaceous Fruits 2028 12631 6 469
12. Grapes
a) Bangalore Blue 2133 45300 21 2201
b) Anab-E-Shahi 1248 29239 23 2082
c) Seedless 4918 78820 16 9019
d) Others 804 17526 22 1641
Total - Grapes 9103 170885 19 14944
13. Fig 571 4475 8 914
14. Other Fruits 2276 30613 13 25936
total - f r u it c r o p s (I) 242405 3830284 16 333795
ii. v e g e t a b l e c r o p s
1. Potato
Kharif 45858 261807 6 14088
Rabi 13395 260202 19 8831
Summer 243 4728 19 224
Total - Potato 59496 526737 9 23143
2. Tomato
Kharif 17028 383967 23 12630
Rabi 10481 347655 33 11166
Summer 9487 291782 31 10360
Total - Tomato 36996 1023405 28 34156
3. Brinjal 14130 328203 23 10926
4. Beans 10855 112934 10 4673
5. Onion
Kharif 104494 277048 3 55457
Rabi 22492 192898 9 11882
Summer 5378 68905 13 2075
Total - Onion 132365 538851 4 69414
6. Green Chillies 27505 320995 12 13653
7. Tapioca 1202 12224 10 336
8. Sweet Potato 3550 41779 12 1707
9. Khol Varieties
a) Cabbage 5943 117120 20 3674
b) Knol - Khol 2117 38280 18 1258
c) Cauli Flower 2307 39653 17 2855
Total - Khol 10367 195053 19 7787
10. Peas 1205 19598 16 1221
11. Lady’s Finger 7142 59771 8 2371
12. Radish 3613 44494 12 1381
13. Beet Root 2173 38404 18 1364
14. Carrot 4020 73850 18 3281
Agriculture And Allied Activities 183

15. Capsicum 1628 27826 17 1833

16. Cluster Beans 1892 13889 7 1302
Drumstick (in lakh
17. 1234 2612 2 1041
sticks)
18. Amorphos Pholus 95 865 9 119
19. Watermelon 10297 347220 34 10544
20. Muskmelon 328 5211 16 344
21. Gourd Varieties
a) Ash Gourd 1546 31344 20 778
b) Snake Gourd 711 9896 14 330
c) Bitter Gourd 1804 14719 8 1005
d) Ridge Gourd 2621 21397 8 977
e) Pumpkin 1754 38477 22 1317
f) Cucumber 8009 114122 14 2713
g) Little Gourd 903 15656 17 622
h) Gherkins 637 13320 21 759
i) Others 1680 23690 14 575
Total - Gourd Varieties 19665 282621 14 9076
22. Leafy Vegetables
Menthi
a) 1824 18655 10 709
Palak
b) 1615 12827 8 562
Amaranthus
c) 1761 26845 15 562
Curry Leaves
d) 1159 6915 6 251
Other Leafy
e) Vegetables 6035 55458 9 1633
Total - Leafy Vegetables 12393 120699 10 3717
23. Other Vegetables 1354 15254 11 546
total - vegetable
363506 4149883 11 203934
crops (II)
III. s p ic e c r o p s
1. Pepper 13840 3874 0.28 2400
2. Cardamom 19865 2360 0.12 4288
3. Tamarind 14660 75283 5 9223
4. Ginger 11532 113746 10 21320
5. Turmeric 8007 47392 6 3838
6. Garlic 5003 43210 9 9774
7. Dry Chillies 101289 118741 1 26644
8. Corriander 7891 9599 1 2735
9. Fenu Greek 325 915 484
10. Cumin Seed 50 25 1 1
11. Clove 161 140 1 286
Nutmug * (lakh
12. 218 163 1 200
nuts)
13. Cinnamom 29 19 1 8
A Handbook of Karnataka 184

Vanilla (Green
14 2455 511 0.21 17899
Beans)
15. Fennel 12 24 2 5
16. Dill 142 716 5 25
17. Paprika
18. Others 1080 2934 3 208
total - sPICE c r o p s (III) 186559 419489 2 99337
IV. garden / p l a n t a t io n c r o p s
Coconut * (lakh
1. 458410 47292 0.10 258765
nuts)
2. Arecanut 180223 275835 2 244470
Betelvine ** (lakh
3. 6340 118567 19 6966
leaves)
4. Cocoa 2460 25019 10 4106
5. Oil Palm 2093 13963 7 3137
6. Cashew 68744 71127 1 18314
7. Others 10632 3129 0.29 101
total - garden /
728902 389073 1 535859
p l a n t a t io n c r o p s (IV)
v . c o m m e r c ia l f l o w e r c r o p s
1. Aster 710 6857 10 526
2. Crossandra 1624 7669 5 1882
3. Marigold 4583 49777 11 2222
4. Jasmine 3451 20244 6 8265
5. Chrysanthamum 2964 36294 12 3931
6. Tube Rose
a) Single 925 8122 9 1557
b) Double (lakh spikes) 121 996 8 265
Gladiolus (lakh
7. 135 307 2 360
spikes)
8. Rose (lakh flowers) 1530 3628 2 3041
Bird of Paradise
9. 27 21 1 92
(lakh flowers)
Golden Rod (lakh
10. 27 85 3 39
flowers)
Calla Lilly (lakh
11. 9 14 2 3
flowers)
(For Sl. No. 12 to 16 Area
in units)
Orchids (lakh
12. 2002 12 0.01 12
spikes)
Carnation (lakh cut
13. 38 186 5 1376
flowers)
Anthurium (lakh cut
14. 40 96 2 106
flowers)
Agriculture And Allied Activities 185

Gerbera (lakh cut

15. 33 77 2 56
flowers)
16. Statice
Free Flowering
a) Variety (lakh cut 81 122 2 12
flowers)
Seasonal Variety
45 58 1 5
(lakh cut flowers)
17. Others 2075 14343 7 928
total - c o m m e r c ia l
18182 143306 8 24681
flow er CROPS (V)
v i . m e d ic in a l plants
1. Ashwagandha
2. Sarpagandha
3. Sweet Flag 38 380 10 57
4. Coleus Forskholli 73 94 1 38
5. Glory Lilly
6. Long Pepper 66 22 0.34 6
7. Periwinkle 25 58 2 12
8. Roselle
9. Kokum 51 162 3 49
10. Isabgol 48 96 2 10
11. Others 278 277 1 8843
total - m e d ic in a l
580 1089 2 9014
plants (VI)
VII. a r o m a t ic plants
1. Dhavana 105 1129 11 80
2. Kasthuri Bendi
3. Lemon Grass 246 1395 6 111
4. Rosemary
5. Patchouli
6. French Jasmine
7. Lavender 49 2 0.03 0.13
8. Vetiver 109 317 3 75
9. Citronella Grass 49 1058 22 83
10. Geranium 45 389 9 193
11. Others 367 1362 4 138
total - a r o m a t ic
970 5652 6 681
plants (VII)
GRAND TOTAL - ( I to VII) 1541103 8938775 6 12073033
Note : 1. Area of Nutmug, Coconut and Betelvine are included in the Total Horticultural
Area.
2. Production o f Nutmug, Coconut (* in lakh nuts) and Betelvine (** in lakh leaves)
are excluded in the Total Production
A Handbook of Karnataka 186

a n im a l h u s b a n d r y

Livestock rearing plays a very vital role in rural economy in supplementing

family income from agriculture and also providing employment. Farmers are
dependent on animal husbandry activities to utilise agricultural by-products
and crop residues to convert them into animal products with good returns. The
Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas In historical times donated cows in thousands
(gosahasra) and the gosasa stones are found in hundreds to commemorate this
act. These cows were donated to villagers all over their empire to encourage
animal husbandry. There was “benne chavadi” , a department to collect ghee
at the Mysore Court. Haider Ali made efforts to promote Amritmahal bullock
breed which were excellent draught animals.
As per 1997 Livestock Census, the livestock and poultry population in the
State is 285.52 lakhs and 187.55 lakhs respectively. The number of cattle,
buffaloes, sheep, and pigs were 10,248 4,126, 7,443, 4,452 and 347 thousands
respectively.
The spread of Veterinary services has resulted in the improvement of animal
health. The State had a network of 3,638 Veterinary Institutions, comprising of
244 veterinary hospitals, 803 veterinary dispensaries, 2,018 primary veterinary
centres, 400 artificial insemination centres and 73 mobile veterinary clinics
during 1998-99. There were 6,577 attacks of various diseases resulting in
1,296 deaths. Vaccinations against outbreaks of various diseases were given to
about-215 lakh animals. A total of 22 lakh artificial inseminations were done
and 2.68 lakh calves were born.
Cattle development is carried out mainly through artificial insemination
technique. Frozen semen technology has been adopted. There are about 2,054
veterinary institutions providing artificial insemination facility to animals.
Indigenous breeds such as Hallikar, Amritmahal, Khillari, Krishna Valley and
Deoni are being improved by selective breeding.
Livestock Farms
There are eleven livestock farms under the control of the Department of
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, of which some are composite
in nature. Composite livestock farms are engaged in production of superior
germplasm, fodder seeds and imparting training to farmers. The details of
livestock farms are given here.
1. State Livestock Breeding and Training Centre, Hesaraghatta - Jercycattle
breeding, bull-calf production, frozen semen production, farmer’s training,
fodder and fodder seed production.
2. Livestock Breeding Farm, Hesaraghatta - Cross breeding and bull calf
production, fodder development, Pig and Rabbit rearing.
3. Jercy Cattle Breeding Station, Kudige, Kodagu District - Jercy Cattle
Breeding, bull- calf production, farmer’s training, fodder development
and pig development.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 187

4. Livestock Breeding farm, Koila, Dakshina Kannada District - Cross

breed calf production, Surti buffalo production, fodder development, pig
production and farmers training.

Cattle
A Handbook of Karnataka 188

5. Hallikar Cattle Breeding Station, Kunikenahalli, Tumkur District -

Hallikar Cattle Breeding, bull-calf production and distribution and fodder
development.
6. Amritmahal Cattle Breeding Station, Ajjampur, Chikmagalur District
-Amritmahal cattle Breeding, bull-calf production and distribution,
Rabbit production and distribution and fodder development
7. Khillar Cattle Breeding Station, Bankapur, Haven District - Khillar Cattle
Breeding, fodder development, bull-calf production and distribution.
Rabbit production and distribution.
8. Jercy Cattle Breeding and Training centre, Dharwad UAS Campus -
Jercy Cattle Breeding, bull-calf production, farmer’s training, fodder
development and frozen semen production.
9. Buffaloes Breeding Farm, Tegur, Dharwad District - Surthi Buffalo
breeding, bull-calf production and distribution, fodder production.
10. Livestock Breeding and Training Centre, Munirabad, Raichur District
- Jercy Cattle Breeding, fodder development, farmer’s training, frozen
semen production and distribution.
11. Livestock Breeding and Training Centre, Karikuppi, Bellary District -
Cross Breed bull-calf production, fodder production, fodder development
and farmer’s training.
There are six sheep breeding farms functioning in the State. The largest
farm is located at Challakere where crossbred rams are produced. Deccani and
Bandur breeds of sheep are crossed with Corrie dale and Rambulet rams.
The six Sheep Breeding farms which were under the department at
Dhangur, Challakere, Ulavarthy, Guttal, Anagawadi, and Suttatti have been
transferred to the Sheep and Wool Development Board. Under the Central
Wool development Board six carpet weaving centres are established at
Kengeri, Kolar, Mulbagal, Ranebennur, Haveri and Ghataprabha. Under Zilla
Pachayat control, seven Sheep and Wool Development Schemes at Malavalli,
Nagamangala, Channarayapatna, Hosadurga, Hospet, Bijapur and Yadgir
are functioning. Ten Sheep Breeders Associations are also functioning at
Nagamangala, Krishnarajpet, Mysore, Channarayapatna, Ramanagaram,
Tumkur, Doddaballapur, Kolar, Chitradurga and Ranebennur.
There are 32 poultry institutions in the State the details of which are as
follows:
1. The State Poultry Breeding and Training Centre at Hesaraghatta,
Bangalore; 2. Three Regional Poultry Breeding and Training Centres at Malavalli,
Gangavathi and Haveri ; 3. Eight District Poultry Rearing and Training centres
at Gulbarga, Davanagere, Kudige, Bidar, Bijapur, Gundlupet, Mangalore and
Agriculture And Allied Activities 189

Kolar; 4. Thirteen Poultry Rearing centres at Tumkur, Shimoga, Raichur, Kumta,

Kundapur, Chikmagalur, Ponnampet, Hassan, Ramanagaram, Tirumakudal
Narasipur, Holenarsipura, Koila and Kurikuppe; 5. Five Intensive Poultry and
Egg Marketing Centres at Bangalore, Mysore, Dharwad, Belgaum and Gulbarga
are merged with Karnataka Cooperative Poultry Federation; 6. One Livestock
and Poultry Feeds’ Quality control wing at Bangalore and 7. One Registration
and Hatcheries wing in Bangalore.
Karnataka is the first State in the Country to bring Karnataka Poultry
and Livestock Feed {Regulation of Manufacture and Sale) Order, 1987 under
section-3 of Essential Commodities Act, 1955. This was given effect from 7th
March 1988. All feed manufacturers and dealers should obtain the License for
manufacture of feed for sale and distribution of Poultry and Livestock feeds. The
quality feed should be as per standards specified by the Licensing Authority as
per the advice of the expert committee.
Karnataka Co-operative Poultry Federation at Bangalore is functioning
since 1995. The five Intensive Poultry and Egg marketing centres have been
transferred to this federation. During March 1988, 18 primary co-operative
societies were sanctioned Rs 116.21 lakhs as share capital loan from the
National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC). 44 primary co­
operative societies are functioning under the control of the federation.
The Swine breeding policy aims at usage of exotic breeds of pigs like Landrace
and Yorkshire. There are three pig breeding stations functioning in the State
for the development of piggery activities at Hessaraghatta in Bangalore District,
Kudige in Kodagu District and Koila in Dakshina Kannada District. The demand
for rabbit meat is mounting and to meet this demand, the department has
started 9 rabbit breeding centres at Hessaraghatta, Ajjampur, Habbanaghatti,
Sirsi, Kotekar, Kalasa, Bangarpet, Kudige and Bankapur. Foreign breeds from
America and Russia are also introduced. These centres produce and supply
rabbits to the interested rabbit rearing farmers.
Fodder development programme is being implemented to meet the demand
for feed and fodder. Intensive fodder cultivation has been taken up in all the
livestock farms. These farms produce and supply root slips and fodder seeds to
the needy farmers at nominal prices. During 1999-2000, 80 lakhs of root slips,
400 quintals of fodder seeds and 9,100 minikits were supplied to the farmers.
The department is also implementing the Socio-economic programmes such
as Special Component Plan, Tribal sub-plan and special livestock breeding
programme for the upliftment of weaker sections of society.
Dairy Development
Dairy development activities under “Operation Flood” programme pertain to
providing guaranteed and remunerative market to the rural milk producers and
supply of hygienic milk and milk products to the Urban consumers. Karnataka
A Handbook of Karnataka 190

Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd (KMF) has been designated as

implementing agency for Operation Flood Project. Financial assistance for
capital investments in the district Milk Unions flows from National Dairy
Development Board. The main objective of KMF is the co-ordination of various
phases in production of milk and milk products like procurement, processing,
marketing and distribution. The technical input is provided by KMF through
milk unions to the farmers of Dairy Co-operative societies.
During the year 1993-94, 205 new dairy co-operative societies have been
established and 45,353 farmers have been enrolled, thus bringing the total
organised dairy co-operative societies and numbers enrolled to 6,611 and 12,
31,782 respectively. The production of milk (estimated) in the State during
1992-93 was 29.1 lakh tonnes. The total milk procured during 1992-93 was
4.01 lakh tonnes. Karnataka’s per capita milk production was only 62.6 kgs as
compared to 66.9 kg for the country as a whole. During the year 1998-99, 387
new dairy co-operative societies were established. The daily milk procurement
was 20.4 lakh kg and the estimated milk production in the state was 42.31
lakh tonnes. The details of milk procured by Dairies are given here.
Milk Procured by Dairies
(in thousand tonnes)
No. Location of the Dairy 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-2000 2000-01
1. a)Bangalore Dairy
b) Mother Dairy, Bangalore 144 148 155 181 195
2. Mysore 35 35 35 41 45
3. Mandya Product Dairy 43 45 51 58 55
(Gejjalagere)
4. Kudige (Kodagu)}
5. Hassan 26 31 34 38 38
6. Tumkur 23 27 26 30 31
7. Dharwad 20 22 24 22 22
8. Belgaum 17 18 18 21 19
9. Gulbarga 9 10 7 7 7
10. Shimoga 28 32 37 42 44
11. Mangalore 15 18 24 28 33
12. Bijapur 7 6 7 7 7
13. Raichur
14. Bellary 12 13 14 14 13
15. Kolar 133 133 144 170 181
Total 512 538 576 659 690

Source: Statistical Outline of Karnataka 2000-01, DES NO. 76/ 2004, Directorate
of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, 2004. Karnataka CO-Operative Milk
Producers Federation Limited
Agriculture And Allied Activities 191

There are 13 Milk Unions, 15 Dairies, two product dairies, 3 cattle feed plants,
one bull breeding farm, one frozen semen bank, 4 diagnostic laboratories, 3
liquid nitrogen plants and 4 training centres in the State during 1998-99.
Veterinary Institutions
(in Numbers)
No. Category 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01
1. Veterinary Hospitals 244 244 244 294 294
2. Veterinary Dispensaries 803 803 803 1052 1052
3. Primary Veterinary Centres
(Rural Veterinary Dispensaries) 2018 2018 2018 1855 1855
4. Veterinary Aid centres 0 0 0 0 0
5. Mobile Veterinary Clinics 173 173 173 173 173
6. Artificial Insemination Centres 400 400 400 399 400
Total 3638 3638 3638 3773 3774
Source: Statistical Outline of Karnataka 2000-01, DES NO. 76/ 2004 Directorate of
Economics and Statistics, Bangalore, 2004.

sample survey for estimation o f production o f milk, egg, wool and meat
for the year 2006-07: As per the survey 47.04% of the households in the state
possessed bovines, 21.42%-poultry, 8.58%-Sheep, 10.95% goats and only
0.41% of the households were rearing pigs. Nearly 82.09% of the households
possessed 1 to 5 boviness while 1.04% possessed more than 25 animals. There
were 7.10 lakhs of in milk and 9.30 lakhs of milch cows of cross breed in the
state. The estimated population of in milk and milch buffaloes was 15.09
lakhs and 23.06 lakhs respectively. The average milk yield per day per animal
in respect of in milk cross breed cow was 5.8 kg and that of indigenous cow
was 2.2kg. In respect of in-milch buffalo, the average yield per buffalo per day
was 2.5 kg. The milk yield was highest in winter season in respect of cows and
buffaloes the total milk production during 2006-07 was 4,124 thousand tones,
of which, cow milk production was 2,714 thousand tones (65.81%), buffalo
milk production was 1,367 thousand tones (33.15%) and goat milk production
was 43 thousand tones (1.04%). Amount 6.02% of milk was consumed in the
households in fluid form and a major portion of the milk (63.85%) was sold as
fluid milk and only 10.13% of milk was converted into milk products. As per
the recommendations of the Indian council of medical research, an individual
needs 240g of milk per day to keep up his/her health in good condition. As per
the survey, the per capita availability of milk per day was 194 g. during 2006­
07 as against 193 gr. During 2005-06 in the state
An in-milk cow was being given 15.11 kg of feed per day comprising of
6.6 kg of green fodder, 6.3 kg of dry fodder and 2.2 kg of concentrates. In
case of buffaloes each in milk animal was being fed with 14.9 kg of feed per
day, comprising of 6.7 kg of green fodder, 6.2 kg of dry fodder and 2 kg of
concentrates. The average dung per animal per day was 6.2 kg. The estimated
total production of dun was highest in the summer season followed by rainy
and winter seasons in order.
A Handbook of Karnataka 192

Egg Production: About 78% of householdes possessed upto 5 poultry

birds. The estimated population of layers was 109.5 lakhs and it was highest
during rainy season. The estimated population of Desi Layers forms 44.5%
and that of improved layers being 55.5 %. The average annual egg production
per layer Desi has been estimated to be 97 eggs where as in case of improved
breed it is 242. Out of 19498 lakh eggs produced during 2006-07, 4741 lakh
(24.31%) eggs were Desi and 14757 lakh (75.69%) eggs were improved. About
50% of eggs produced in the households were consumed by the households,
where as 19.11 % eggs were sold by the producer and 27% eggs were kept
for hatching. Remaining eggs were got damaged due to mishandling. The
per capita availability of eggs per year in the state during 2006-07 was 34.
According to nutritional experts an individual needs a minimum of 180 eggs
per year for the maintenance of good health. Hence a lot of improvement in
respect of poultry activities has to be carried out in the state average quantity
of feed supplied per young one was 51 gm. In case of adult male bird it was
110 gm where as in the case of an adult female bird it was 121 gm. It indicates
that the adult female poultry birds were fed with more quantity of feed than the
adult male birds. The reason is due to the poultry rearing is done mainly for
the purpose of egg production.
Meat production: In the context of the ratio of individual species
slaughtered, the percentage of sheep slaughtered accounts to maximum with
52.78% followed by goats (35.08%). The percentage slaughter of cattle, pig
and buffaloe has been the least with 3.7%, 6.3% and 2.2% respectively. The
total number of animals slaughtered during the year 2006-07 was 38,61,976
as against 40,05,795 during 2005-06. The average meat yield per animal in
respect of cattle, buffaloes and pigs was 109 kg, 129 kg and 55 kg respectively.
The average meat yield per animal in respect of sheep (15 kg) and goats (14.8
kg) has remained almost close.
Poultry meat production during 2006-07 was 16,180 tonnes forming 15.2%
of the total estimated meat production in the state. The production of sheep and
goat meat put together constituted about 47.5% of the total meal production
and that of cattle, buffaloes and pigs all together constituted only 37.3%. There
were 109 registered slaughter houses in the state.Wool production : The total
number of sheep sheared during 2006-07 was 75,36,146, the average wool
yield was 743 g (per sheep) and the total wool production was 5,599 tonnes.
Estimates of milk, egg, wool and meat production
Year Milk (000 Eggs (in Wool (in Meat (in
tones) lakhs) tones) tones)
1997-98 3970 18124 4691 83994
1998-99 4231 19380 5205 90120
1999-2000 4473 19918 5441 50584
2000-2001 4598 19916 5703 94828
2001-2002 4784 20273 5757 97373
2002-2003 4539 19927 5469 98876
Agriculture And Allied Activities 193

2003-2004 3857 17277 5355 97220

2004-2005 3917 17719 5484 98515
2005-2006 4022 18348 5585 99702
2006-2007 4124 19498 5599 106591

Source : Report on Integrated Sample Survey for estimation of production of Milk, Egg,
Wool and Meat for the year 2006-07

f is h e r ie s

Karnataka State (erstwhile Mysore State) emerged as a maritime State in

1956 with the reorganization of the States. An independent Department of
Fisheries was set up during 1957. Since then, the Department of Fisheries
has been consistently striving for development of fisheries and of fishermen
by implementing various developmental schemes in both Marine and Inland
fisheries Sectors.
The Fisheries Sector plays an important role in the socio-economic
development of State, in view of its contribution to the food basket, nutritional
security, large foreign exchange earnings, employment generation and income.
The fish production o f Karnataka was around two lakh tonnes in early eighties
and reached to a peak of over three lakh tones in mid nineties. The average fish
production in the last five years is about 2.73 lakh tonnes with the contribution
of Marine sector being 64% and Inland sector being 36%. The fish production
from the state contributed about to 4.8% of India’s total fish production. The
current level of per-capita fish availability in the State is 5.3 kg. The Gross
domestic product (GSDP) of the State has witnessed a steady increase over the
years. The contribution of Fisheries Sector to GSDP at current prices during
1993-94 was Rs 16,316 lakh and it increased to Rs. 64,585 lakh in 2002-03
and later it increased to Rs.92,318 lakh in 2006-07.
Marine Fisheries
The State has 300 km of coastline, and 27,000 square km of continental shelf
area, rich in pelagic fisheries resources. Out of the Indian Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) of 2.02 million square km, Karnataka has a share of 87,000 square
km. Traditionally, Karnataka coast is known as mackerel coast. The marine
fisheries resource potential of the State is estimated at 4.25 lakh metric tonnes,
of which 2.25 lakh metric tonnes from inshore zone up to a depth of 70 metres
and remaining 2.0 lakh metric tonnes from the off shore/deep sea zone.
The pelagic fishery wealth of Karnataka coast, mainly comprising mackerel
and oil sardine, used to be traditionally harvested by operating giant shore
seine known as Rampani. But this method has now become almost obsolete.
The mechanization of fishing operation was initiated with the introduction of 30
ft. to 43 ft. trawlers in 1960s for exploiting inshore demersal fishery including
shrimps. Introduction of purse seines in 1970s enhanced the area of fishing
A Handbook of Karnataka 194

operation and pelagic fish landings. Motorization o f traditional crafts, like gill-
netters and long liners and encouragement of off shore fishing beyond 50metres
depth using bigger vessels for a duration of 7-8 days, have effectively increased
the range and effort of fishing operation. Further, financial institutions have
extended the required loan facilities for acquiring fishing boats, which has
helped in enhancing the fleet strength.

Fisher man
Agriculture And Allied Activities 195

At present there are about 2,777 trawling boats, 338 purse seiners, 4,389
gill-netters, 138 long liners, 50 other mechanized boats, and 20,985 non­
mechanized boats operating in the State. In the recent years, fishermen have
been trained in operation of sophisticated electronic equipments in fishing
and navigation. Marine fish production from Karnataka coast is showing
considerable variation. During 1996-97 it had reached the peak of 2.23 lakh
metric tonnes and the lowest production recorded during 2001-02 was 1.28
lakh metric tonnes. During 2004-05 the total production was 1.71 lakh metric
tonnes. The total shrimp catch during 2004-05 was 11,840.61 MT valued at
Rs. 165.04 crores and during 2003-04 it was 11,730 MT valued at Rs. 116.13
crores. During 2004-05 10,349 MT o f marine products worth Rs. 76.92 crores
was exported from the State. The fish production during 2006-07 was 1.68
lakh metric tons and 26,723 metric tons of marine products worth Rs. 149.49
crores were exported from the State.
Fishing by mechanized boats during monsoon has been prohibited under
the provisions of Section 3 of the Karnataka Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act,
1986. According of Government order No. AHF 126 SFM 2005 dated 25-06­
2005 the prohibition period is 57 days from 15th June to 10th August along the
coasts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts and, 45 days along the coast
of Uttara Kannada district from 10th June to 29th July. The State Government
is supplying 55,000 KL of sales tax exempted diesel to the mechanized fishing
boats so as to render the fishing operations economical and to encourage
offshore fishing.
Infrastructure Development
The State has given importance for the development of infrastructure
facilities like fishing harbours, landing centers, auction halls, and to setting up
of ice plants, cold storages, freezing plants and frozen storages. There are five
fishing harbours in the State located at Karwar, Tadri, Honnavar, Malpe and
Mangalore, besides 25 fish landing centres. Construction of fishing harbour at
Gangolli is being taken up. Fish landing centres at Kodibengre, Hejamadikodi
have been recently constructed. The construction of fish landing centres at
Belekeri and Alvekodi with central assistance is under progress. Extension
of wharf at Mangalore and Karwar fishing harbours is being constructed with
central assistance. Under ‘Sea Bird’ naval project, Karwar, construction of
fishing at Amdahalli at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,032.00 lakh has been initiated.
As on 31-03-2007, there were 163 ice plants with a capacity of 2,463 metric
tones of ice per day, 29 cold storages with a capacity of 2,370 metric tones, 14
freeing plants with a capacity of 117 metric tones per day, 12 frozen storages
with a capacity of 1,728 metric tones, 8 canning plants with a capacity of 528
metric tones and 17 fish meal plants with a capacity of 174 metric tonnes in
marine districts.
A Handbook of Karnataka 196

Fishermen Co-operatives
The first fishermen co-operative society has registered in 1915 at Karwar.
By 1956, Karnataka had 39 marine and 9 inland co-operative societies with one
district level fish marketing federation at Mangalore. However, at present there
is one State level Co-operative Fisheries Federation at Mysore and two District
level Co-operative Fish Marketing Federations at Mangalore and Karwar. There
are 455 Primary Fisheries Co-operative Societies in the State with 1,36,383
members and a total paid up share capital of Rs. 15.04 crore. These societies
are engaged in fish production, harvesting, marketing and allied activities.
There were 416 working Fisherman co-operative societies as on 31-03-2007.
Co-operative Marketing Federations
There are two District Co-operative Fish Marketing Federations, one in
Dakshina Kannada District and another in Uttara Kannada District. These
Federations are engaged in fish marketing and production of ice for supply to
fishermen, sale of diesel and lubricants, besides sale of fishery requisites to the
members. These federations are also implementing NCDC funded Integrated
marine Fisheries development project.
Fisheries Corporation
The Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation was established during
1971 under the Indian Company’s Act, 1956. The authorized share capital is
Rs. 6.00 crores. The Corporation is engaged in activities like ice production,
cold storage, freezing plant, and frozen storage for fishermen and processors,
besides marketing of frozen fish through its cold chain.

Fishers Boat, Malpe

Agriculture And Allied Activities 197

Fish Harbour, M alpe Udupi

Inland Fisheries
The State has 5.20 lakh ha of inland water resources, comprising 2.93 lakh
ha of major (6,015 no) and minor (19,697 no.) tanks, 2.27 lakh ha of reservoirs
(74 no.) besides 5,813 km length of rivers, which provide immense scope for
development of inland fisheries. The departmental had 3,399 tanks comprising
1.72 lakh ha and 24,624 gram panchayat tanks comprising 1.21 lakh ha. The
estimated potential of these resources is around 2.75 lakh metric tones of fish
per annum. As an 31-03-2007, there were 40 ice plants with a capacity of
762 metric tonnes per day, 13 cold storage plants with storing capacity of 345
metric tonnes per day and, one frozen storage plant with a storage capacity of
two metric tonnes per day.
During the period between 1956 and 1966 the foremost activities in the
inland sector were to import fish seed, mostly riverine major carp fry collections,
from West Bengal. Fish seed production and rearing farms have been set up in
the government sector with a view to develop the much needed infrastructure
for producing the required quantities of fish seed for stocking in tanks, ponds
and reservoirs of the State. At present there are 55 fish seed production and
rearing farms under the control of State Department, Zilla panchayats and
Fish Farmers Development Agencies. The State requires about 46 crores of
fish seed to develop all water resources suitable for fish culture. At present,
there are 81 fish seed production and rearing farms in the private sector and
the present total fish seed production capacity in the State is about 23.30 crore
fry per annum.
A Handbook of Karnataka 198

Tank fishery development plays a strategic role in providing employment

to rural folk. The fish produced by them provides income to their livelihood
or additional income to them. The fishery rights of the tanks with atchcut
more than 40 ha vest with the fisheries department. These water bodies are
disposed of either by lease or tender cum auction. As per the Government
Order No. RDPR/165/ZPS/2002 dated 01-03-2004 tanks upto 40 ha. Atchkut
area have been transferred to the respective Gram Panchayats for disposal of
fishery rights and development of fisheries.
Leasing Policy
A comprehensive policy for disposal of tanks, reservoirs and rivers has
been formulated vide Government Order No. AHF 52 SFM 95 dated 09-06­
1997. Amendments have been issued for the above order vide Government
order No. AHF/166/SFS/2004 dated 15-01-2005 and 04-05-2005. As per
these amendments the tanks are leased in the following order of priority.1.
Jalasamvardhana Yojana Sangha , 2. Karnataka Co-operative Fisheries
Federation, Mysore, 3. Societies that have obtained membership of this
Federation, 4. Registered fisheries co-operative societies, 5. unemployed
fisheries graduates, 6. Registered water users co-operative societies and other
societies / institutions.
Karnataka co-operative Fisheries Federation
Karnataka Co-operative Fisheries Federation was formed with the object
of development of Fisheries in tanks and reservoirs through Fishermen Co­
operative Societies, who are members of the federation by stocking quality
fingerlings and marketing of fish through retail-outlets and upliftment of socio­
economic conditions of inland fishermen. The reservoir fisheries development
project with NCDC assistance was implemented in the districts of Mysore,
Mandya and Hassan at a total cost of Rs.428.30 lakh. NCDC funded “Integrated
Inland Fisheries Development Project” is being implemented at a cost of Rs.
13.40 crore in the districts of Raichur, Bellary, Shimoga, Dharwad Davanagere
and Haveri through KCFF, Mysore. During the year 2004-05, Rs. 43.97 lakhs
has been released.
Fish Farmers Development Agencies
Under the centrally sponsored scheme on development of fresh water
aquaculture, 13 Fish Farmers Development Agencies covering 17 districts have
been established in the State for development of fisheries in ponds, minor tanks
and derelict waters. Under this scheme unemployed youths are trained in fish
culture and fisheries activities and suitable water bodies are leased to them
for fisheries development. The beneficiaries are assisted to obtain loan from
the financial institutions for purchase of fish seed, feed, manure and fishery
requisites and renovation of ponds, and are provided with subsidy.
Inland Fish production
There has been a steady increase in inland fish production from 0.70 lakh
metric tonnes in 1994-95 to 1.21 lakh metric tones in 2001-02. However the
Agriculture And Allied Activities 199

production has come down to 0.80 lakh metric tones on account of drought
in 2004-05. There is considerable scope to increase inland fish production
by undertaking sustainable stocking of the suitable water bodies with quality
fingerlings.
Brackish water shrimp farming
Karnataka has about 8,000 ha. of brackish water area, of which 4,200 ha
are suitable for shrimp culture. In order to encourage scientific fish farming
in these waters, two brackish water fish farmers development agencies were
established, one at Karwar and another at Brahmavara (presently in Udupi).
These agencies are engaged in training of farmers in shrimp culture, selection
of sites, and preparation of project reports for getting financial assistance from
the banks to the beneficiaries. 25% subsidy is provided to the shrimp farmers
to encourage scientific shrimp farming. Central and State governments equally
share the cost.
Fishery Resources and Potential
Marine: Out of 29 districts in Karnataka, only three districts viz. Dakshina
Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada are having marine resources. The total
coastal length of Karnataka is 300 km out ofwhich 42 km. in Dakshina Kannada
district, 98 km in Udupi district and 160 km in Uttara Kannada district. The
state has rich continental shelf o f27,000 square km with an Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) of 87,000 square km having a resource potential of 4.25 lakh metric
tonnes of fish production per annum. The details o f the continental shelf area,
annual catchable potential of important fish and marine fisheries resources in
Karnataka are as follows.
Continental shelf area in different Bathymetric Division o f Karnataka

Depth range Division of continental shelf based on depth range (Area in square km)
Division 0-10 fathoms 10-40 Fathoms 40-100 Fathoms 0-100 Fathoms
12/74 172 858 429 1,459
13/74 1,200 6,689 258 8,147
14/74 1,200 2,830 0 4,030
13/73 0 1,715 3,945 5,660
14/73 0 3,259 4,459 7,718
Total 2,572 15,351 9,091 27,014
Soure : “Demersal Fisheries Resources off the South-West Coast of India” by Exploratory
Fisheries Project, Government of India.
Inland
There are 26 inland districts in the State in addition to three marine districts
i.e., Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada which are having lesser
inland resources. The state is one of the richest among the India States having
inland water spread area of about 5.20 lakh hectares comprising 74 reservoirs
and 26,023 tanks, 5,813 km of river stretch and about 3,000 km of irrigation
canals besides innumerable wells and other small sheets of water, perennial as
well as seasonal, having a resource potential of about 2.75 lakh metric tonnes
of fish production per annum.
A Handbook of Karnataka 200

Year wise fish production in Karnataka (Qty.:in metric tonnes)

(Value : Rs. in lakh)
Year Marine Inland Total
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
1995-96 2,17,511 27,819 87,354 8,735 3,04,865 36,554
1996-97 2,22,779 23,825 1,01,654 10,165 3,24,433 33,990
1997-98 1,89,859 23,643 1,20,542 28,394 3,10,401 52,037
1998-99 1,60,627 21,009 1,18,419 27,995 2,79,046 49,004
1999-00 1,65,653 23,684 1,26,646 29,706 2,92,299 53,390
2000-01 1,77,907 24,829 1,27,468 29,911 3,05,375 54,740
2001-02 1,28,416 19,942 1,21,196 28,343 2,49,612 48,285
2002-03 1,80,161 33,653 86,262 9,805 2,66,423 43,458
2003-04 1,87,003 40,498 70,036 18,783 2,57,039 59,281
2004-05 1,71,227 45,873 80,470 21,582 2,51,698 67,455
2005-06 1,76,974 46,598 1,20,599 32,321 2,97,573 78,918
2006-07 1,68,545 55,143 1,23,919 37,176 2,92,464 92,318
details o f Fish sanctuaries in Karnataka

Sl. Place Name of the river Length of

No. protected area
1. Ramanathapura, Arakalgoodu, Hassan Cauvery 1 km
2. Ranganathittu, S.R.Patna, Mandya Cauvery 5 km
3. Muttathi area, Malavalli, Mandya Cauvery -
4. Shishila, Belthangadi, D.Kannada Kumaradhara 500m
5. Abhirama fish Sanctuary Tunga -
(Hariharapura) Koppa, Chikmagalur
6. Dharmasthala, Belthangadi, D. Nethravathi 1 km
Kannada
7. Kelkaru, Belthangadi, D.Kannada Palguni -
8. Marakatha, Sulya, D.Kannada Yenekkal -
(Kumaradhara)
9. Seethanadi, Karkala, Udupi Seethanadi -
10. Nakurgaya, Puttur, D.Kannada Nethravathi -
11. Nisargadhama, Kushalnagar, Kodagu Cauvery -
12. Uppukala, Sulay, D.Kannada Kallaje -
13. Bachanayakanagudi, Sulay, Yenekkal 500m
D.Kannada (Kumaradhara)
14. Thodikana, Sulya, D.Kannada Chandragiri 500m
15. Thingale, Karkala, Udupi Seethanadi 500m
16. Sringeri, Sringeri, Chikmagalur Tunga 1km
17. Jammatagi, (Hariharapura), Koppa, Tunga 500m
Chikmagalur
18. Chippalagudda, Thirthahalli, Shimoga Tuga 500 m
19. Mattur-Hosahalli, Shimoga Taluk & Tunga 1.5 km
District
Agriculture And Allied Activities 201

Details of Aquaria in Karnataka

Sl. Name of the Aquarium Executing Total Supervision and Remarks

No. Authority Estimate Maintainance
1. Govt. Aquarium PWD 19.03 Fisheries Opened for
Cubbon Park, Department Visitors
Bangalore
2. Govt. Aquarium PWD NA Fisheries Opened for
Lalbagh, Bangalore Department Visitors
3. Marine Aquarium, KSCC 23.90 ZP Opened for
Karwar Visitors
4. Shree Kshetra, KLAC 10.92 ZP Aquarium
Sogala, Aquarium installation
Belgaum (under WGP) pending
installation
5. Bootharamanahatti, KLAC 15.15 ZP Opened for
Belgaum (under WGP) Visitors
6. Children Park, PWD 14.79 Fisheries Opened for
Shimoga Department Visitors
7. Visvesharaiah Irrigation 28.50 KCFF Mysore Opened for
Aquarium, K.R.Nagar, Dept. Visitors
Mandya
8. Kolar Amanikere Initially NA ZP Opened for
KLAC later Visitors
on ZP
Engg. Dvn
9. Bijapur City (Near PWD 21.87 ZP Opened for
Stadium) Visitors
10. Children’s Park, ZP Engg NA ZP Opened for
Gulbarga Dvn Visitors
11. Aquarium, Bidar KLAC 5.00 ZP Opened for
Visitors
12. Balabhavana, Tumkur KLAC 33.00 Fisheries Construction
Department is in progress
13. T.B. Dam, Hospet T B Board 45.00 T B Board Opened for
Visitors
14. Hassan KLAC 27.05 Fisheries Opened for
Department Visitors
15. Hadagali, Bellary 9.98 ZP Opened for
district. Visitors
Year-wise marine fish catch, value
Quantity
Quantity (in Value (Rs.in Value (Rs.in
Year Year (in metric
metric tons) lakh) lakh)
tons)
1990-91 1,85,706 5,858.00 1999-00 1,65,653 23,684.00
1991-92 1,80,843 8,177.85 2000-01 1,77,907 24,828.86
1992-93 1,74,193 10,514.33 2001-02 1,28,416 19,942.13
1993-94 1,74,522 14,443.00 2002-03 1,80,161 33,653.08
1994-95 1,72,500 18,629.54 2003-04 1,87,003 40,497.97
1995-96 2,17,511 27,819.42 2004-05 1,71,227 45,873.03
1996-97 2,22,779 23,825.49 2005-06 1,76,974 46,598.00
1997-98 1,89,859 23,642.68 2006-07 1,68,545 55,112.43
1998-99 1,60,627 21,009.09
A Handbook of Karnataka 202

Districtwise fisherman population and active fisherman population

Sl. Fishemen population Active Fishermen

District
No.
Male Female Total Male Female Total
1. Bangalore (U) 2,783 2,439 5,222 1,384 505 1,889
2. Bangalore 22,286 12,973 35,259 8,316 4,318 12,634
rural
3. Bagalkote 2,055 2,023 4,078 1,203 112 1,315
4. Belgaum 2,222 2,003 4,225 1,483 114 1,597
5. Bellary 22,624 19,574 42,198 11,039 3,020 14,059
6. Bidar 1,444 1,323 2,767 439 141 581
7. Bijapur 3,736 287 4,023 2,257 120 2,378
8. Chamaraja- 11,615 5,858 17,473 5,797 3,938 9,735
nagar
9. Chickma- 4,642 2,127 6,769 985 335 1,320
galur
10. Chitradurga 2,689 2,050 4,739 682 125 807
11. Dakshina 12,541 11,085 23,626 6,159 7,946 14,105
Kannada
12. Davanagere 8,726 8,343 17,069 1,830 242 2,073
13. Dharwad 607 238 845 496 112 608
14. Gadag 1,323 773 2,096 1,323 773 2,096
15. Gulbarga 3,207 1,645 4,852 2,631 1,228 3,859
16. Hassan 20,234 19,010 39,245 1,397 455 1,851
17. Haveri 8,379 594 8,973 1,458 225 1,684
18. Kodagu 449 491 940 222 42 265
19. Kolar 49,914 40,279 90,193 5,853 1,358 7,211
20. Koppal 7,545 7,434 14,978 5,934 3,788 9,721
21. Mandya 50,162 47,992 98,154 7,161 99 7,260
22. Mysore 75,018 38,758 1,13,775 17,258 1,653 18,911
23. Raichur 7,777 7,474 15,251 1,333 586 1,919
24. Shimoga 15,432 13,735 29,167 2,493 898 3,391
25. Tumkur 8,557 6,999 15,556 4,156 1,267 5,423
26. Udupi 54,760 49,218 1,03,978 23,493 13,390 36,883
27. Uttara 49,456 56,564 1,06,020 26,224 19,641 45,865
Kannada
Total 4,50,183 3,61,289 8,11,471 1,43,006 66,431 2,09,440

The marine coastal length, continental shelf, number of landing centres and number of fishing
villages of important States and Union Territories are given here.
Agriculture And Allied Activities 203

Sl. State/Union Length of Continental No.of No.of Fishing

No. Territory Coast Line Shelf (‘000 Landing villages
(Km) sq.km) centres
1. Andhra Pradesh 974 33 508 508
2. Goa 104 10 88 72
3. Gujarat 1,600 184 286 851
4. Karnataka 300 27 29 221
5. Kerala 590 40 226 222
6. Maharastra 720 112 184 395
7. Orissa 480 26 63 329
8. Tamilnadu 1,076 41 362 446
9. West Bengal 158 17 65 652
10. A & N 1,912 35 57 45
11. Daman & Diu 27 - 7 31
12. Lakshadweep 132 4 11 10
13. Pondichery 45 1 28 45
Total 8,118 530 1,914 3,827

Fishing Harbours in Karnataka

Total
Year of Year of
Sl. Name of Estimated GOI GOK investment
commen­ Comple­
No. Project cost Share Share (as on
cement tion
31-03-07)
1. Mangaloe 99.95 1984-85 1994-95 45.00 147.00 192.00
Harbour
Facilities available
a) Quay - 123 mtrs
b) Auction hall
2) Malpe Harbour
a) I Stage 546.00 1975-76 1986-87 290.33 546.00 845.33
Facilities available
a) Quay - 118 metres
b) Jetties - 60 m, 100 m
c) Auction hall -50 X 30 m - 1500 m2
d) Basin - 200 X 100 m = 20,000 m2
e) 270 boats can be operated
f) Road, water supply, drainage, electricity, toilet etc.
b) II Stage 1900.00 1996-97 2003-04 598.35 598.35 1863.02
(original
est.
1196.70)
A Handbook of Karnataka 204

Proposed facilities
a) Extension of Quay 220m on eastern side and 320 m. on western side
b) Berthing quay - 140 m
c) Letties - 3 No.s- 140 m length each
d) 2 Auction hall 100 X 300 m = 3000 m2
e) Harobour basin 200X200m area
f) Water supply, roads and electricity
3) Honav ar 120.99 1973-74 1980-81 45.98 75.00 120.98
Harbour
Facilities available
a) Quay (200m) and Auction hall
4) Tadri Harbour
i) I Phase 1137.88 1982-83 1992-93 845.38 254.07 1099.45
ii) II Phase 425.00 1993-94 1995-96 297.73 108.50 406.23
facilities available
a) Quay - 250 m with slopping yard and 2 groynes
b) Ice cum freezing complex
c) Auction hall - 1400 m2
d) 200 boats can be operated
e) Mechanical workshop and gear shed
f) Community hall
g) Fish markets and fish handling sheds
5) Karwar 26.00 1962-63 1972 - 26.00 26.00
Harbour
(Scheme implemented under Indo-Norwegian Project)
facilities available
a) RCC wharf of 160 m with dredging facilities
b) Auction hall and slipway
c) Boat building yard with workshop and service station
d) About 150 to 200 mechanized fishing boats of 32 to 43 feet can operate from this
harbor apart from the deep sea fishing trawlers
e) Ice plant, cold storage and freezing plant
6. M angalore 75.00 2000-01 Under 37.50 37.50 97.69
Harbour 11 prog­
II stage 60 ress
m quay
7. Karwar 229.00 2000-01 Under 64.885 65.00 136.10
Harbour progress
II stage
Quay
100m.
8. Gangoli 1132.00 2001-02 Under 416.00 416.00 728.65
Harbour progress
II stage
(Udupi
district)
Agriculture And Allied Activities 205

The district-wise marine and inland fish production in metric tons during
2006-07 has been given here.

Sl.
District Marine Inland Total
No.
I. Bangalore Division -
1 Bangalore (U) -- 3,538.13 3,538.13
2 Bangalore (Rural) -- 4,793.50 4,793.50
3 Chitradurga - 3,668.59 3,668.59
4 Davanagere - 7,423.13 7,423.13
5 Kolar - 6,024.58 6,024.58
6 Shimoga - 7,908.42 7,908.42
7 Tumkur - 16,490.40 16,490.40
II. Belgaum Division -
8 Belgaum - 729.23 729.23
9 Bijapur - 3,068.82 3,068.82
10 Bagalkote - 2,036.14 2,036.14
11 Dharwad - 2,551.77 2,551.77
12 Gadag - 968.40 968.40
13 Haveri - 4,168.75 4,168.75
14 Uttara Kannada 17,215 5,773.57 22,988.35
III. Gulbarga Division -
15 Bellary - 9,469.88 9,469.88
16 Bidar - 1,328.79 1,328.79
17 Gulbarga - 3,601.84 3,601.84
18 Koppal - 2,315.66 2,315.66
19 Raichur 3,323.81 3,323.81
IV. Mysore Division -
20 Chamarajnagar - 3,884.58 3,884.58
21 Chikmagalur - 4,432.32 4,432.32
22 Dakshina Kannada 88,972 1,064.53 90,036.53
23 Hassan - 6,058.93 6,058.93
24 Kodagu - 1,113.37 1,113.37
25 Mandya -- 7,773.63 7,773.63
26 Mysore - 8,615.03 8,615.03
27 Udupi 62,358 1,793.56 63,104.56
to tal 1,68,544.63 1,23,919.37 2,92,464.00
A Handbook of Karnataka 206
 C hapter V

INDUSTRIES AND POWER

Karnataka State is endowed with a large number of useful minerals, raw
materials, marine resources, besides infrastructural facilities such as T ransport
and Communication, Banking, Technical Man-power, Industrial Estates,
Industrial Areas, International Technological Park, Information Technology,
Bio-technology, and Electronics etc. A sound industrial base has been built up
over a period of time and good labour relations have helped the state achieve a
pre-eminent position on the industrial map of the country.

The Central and State Governments have declared special incentives and
concessions for the development of industries in the State. The mineral based
industries such as iron and steel, manganese, cement, bricks, tiles etc., have
played a vital role in the state. Agro-based industries such as sugar, cotton,
textile, oil extraction, processing of cashew-nuts, fruit processing and food
products are prominent. Wood-based industries such as saw mills, paper mills,
plywood, poly-fibres etc., are flourishing in the State. The need for supporting
institutions relevant for development of industries in the State was realised by
the Government even before independence and some of the important measures
which were introduced include starting of the Department of Industries and
Commerce (1913), the Mysore Bank (1913), and the Chamber of Commerce
(1915). Hydro electric power was first produced at Gokak Falls on a small scale
as early as in 1887 and on a large scale, to meet the needs of Kolar gold mines
in 1902 at Shivasamudram.

About 16 percent of the State’s income is expected from the industrial sector
during 2006-07. The growth of gross value added during 2002-03 which was
about 8.2%, is expected to increase by about 10.7% in the year 2006-07 in the
light of new industrial policy (2006-11). Manufacturing industries account for
63% of the secondary sector. The average annual growth of industrial production
(mining, manufacturing and electricity) was 5.73 percent in 2005-06 against
6.39% in 2004-05. According to the index of industrial production, in 2005-06,
manufacture of food products (7.06%) recorded the highest growth followed by
paper and paper products (6.18%), wood and wood products (6.08%), rubber,
plastic, petroleum and coal products (4.90%), wool, silk and synthetic fibre
textiles (3.80%). Barring items like aluminium, pig iron, saleable steel, steel
ingots, wrist watches, silk fabrics the production of the rest of the products
showed a positive growth in 2002-03. During 2005-06, 12,780 small scale
units were registered with an investment of Rs.43647 lakh crores, providing
employment to 58133 persons. In the first nine months of the current year
(April to December-2006) 8841 units were registered with an investment of
Rs.31497 lakh by providing employment to 41430 persons. As on December
2006, totally 3,43,297 SSI units have been registered with an investment of
A Handbook of Karnataka 208

Rs. 7,67,116 lakh by providing employment to 19,25,541 persons (cumulative).

In the year 2002-03 (up to Dec.’03) 5746 industrial sheds were constructed,
396 acres of land was developed and allotted to 235 entrepreneurs. In 2006-07
(upto December-2006), 653.80 acres of land was allotted to 389 units by the
Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and a total expenditure
of Rs. 5,568 laky was incurred for the development. KIADB is a statutory body
established with the main objective of acquiring land for formation of industrial
areas/estates with all infrastructure facilities for establishing industries. Action
has been taken by the KIADB to provide 25,000 acres of land for industrial
development with infrastructure facilities during the year and in future. KIADB
has already identified 10,000 acres of land in various places for industrial
development at an estimated cost o f Rs.260 crore. 1472 joint stock companies
were registered with an authorised capital of Rs.1947.84 crores in the State
in 2002-03. In the first eight months of 2003-04, 1162 joint stock companies
were registered with an authorised capital of 2046 crores.

In 2005-06 the sericulture industry produced 55,490 MT.s of cocoons of

which 49,930 M.Ts. were marketed and provided employment to 11.40 lakh
persons. In the first eight months of 2006-07 the sericulture industry produced
43,240 MTs. Of cocoons of which 42,330 MTs. Were marketed and provided
employment to 12.75 lakh persons.

Manufacturing Sector

The indices of 16 major industry groups in the manufacturing sector, for

2005-06 in comparison with those of the previous years are given in table
5.1. The provisional index of industrial production in the manufacturing sector
registered 211.46 with a growth of 5.89 percent in 2005-06 as against 7.31
percent in 2004-05. Index of Beverages, Tobacco etc., recorded the highest
increase of 14.13 percent followed by basic metal and alloys 13.49 percent,
other manufacturing industry 12.61 percent, non-metallic mineral products
8.58 percent and Transport equipment 7.81 percent. For More details see
table 5.1

Table 5.1 : Index o f industrial production in the Manufacturing sector

by major industry groups 2003-04 to 2005-06
Base:1993-94=100
Sl. Industry Group Weight 2003-04 2004-05* 2005-06* 2006-07* 2007-08*
No.
1. Food Products 20.22 188.49 213.50 222.53 245.23 267.87
(4.20) (13.27) (4.23) (10.20) (9.23)
2. Beverages, 5.03 206.45 214.29 244.57 217.46 234.31
Tobacco and (6.74) (3.80) (14.13) (-11.08) (7.75)
Tobacco Products
3. Cotton Textiles 4.37 213.83 223.39 235.64 214.60 217.47
(1.84) (4.47) (5.48) (-8.93) (1.34)
Industries And Power 209

4. Wool Silk and 4.71 171.52 176.94 175.34 198.57 208.84

Man Made Fibre (7.73) (3.16) (-0.90) (13.25) (5.17)
Textiles
5. Textile Products 4.96 184.56 189.85 203.85 238.43 252.84
(0.28) (2.87) (7.37) (16.96) (6.04)
6. Wood and Wood 1.95 196.95 193.23 193.46 198.31 204.76
Products (4.44) (-1.89) (0.12) (2.51) (3.25)
7. Paper and Paper 4.16 195.76 211.39 212.37 225.31 242.37
Products (7.94) (7.98) (0.46) (6.09) (7.57)
8. Leather and 1.62 154.48 154.73 156.70 173.91 186.32
Leather Products (2.02) (0.16) (1.27) (10.98) (7.14)
9. Chemicals 6.66 164.64 178.24 184.76 209.58 222.91
and Chemical (-1.19) (8.26) (3.66) (13.43) (6.36)
Products
10. Rubber, Plastic, 3.33 192.12 206.49 214.25 235.95 255.11
Petroleum and (9.09) (7.48) (3.76) (10.13) (8.12)
Coal Products
11. Non-Metallic 5.60 193.28 211.58 229.74 287.43 328.79
Mineral Products (6.62) (9.47) (8.58) (25.11) (14.39)
12. Basic Metal And 6.34 195.11 213.56 242.32 281.31 320.72
Alloys (7.05) (9.46) (13.47) (16.09) (14.01)
13. Metal Products 3.65 186.96 192.76 193.15 210.90 219.68
and Parts (5.48) (3.10) (0.20) (9.19) (4.16)
14. Machinery and 19.15 179.82 190.96 203.07 219.38 234.43
Equipment other (7.92) (6.20) (6.34) (8.03) (6.86)
than Transport
15. Transport 6.41 191.04 201.86 217.62 198.41 201.48
Equipment, (4.30) (5.66) (7.81) (-8.83) (1.55)
Machinery and
Parts
16. Other 1.84 133.79 135.05 152.08 146.74 156.06
Manufacturing (1.26) (0.94) (12.61) (-3.51) (6.35)
Industries
Total 100.00 186.08 211.46 228.01 245.71
(S.13) (5.89) (7.83) (7.76)

Note: 1. Fig. in brackets indicate the % growth compared to previous year

2.* Provisional Fig.
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
Production of use-based groups o f manufacturing industries
Utility-based groups are an integral part of the index of industrial production,
classified into four major groups-basic goods, capital goods, intermediate goods
and consumer goods. The average annual growth rate was 6.59 percent for the
period 1990-91 to 1993-94, While it was 5.96 percent for the period 1994-95 to
2005-06. The basic goods industry registered an average annual growth rate of
7.00 percent followed by intermediate goods industry 6.60 percent, consumer
A Handbook of Karnataka 210

goods industry 6.46 percent and capital goods industry 6.42 percent during
the period 1994-95 to 2005-06. Within the consumer goods industry group,
industries producing durable consumer goods have registered an average
annual growth rate of 5.87 percent as against 6.67 percent for non-durable
consumer goods. For details see table 5.2
Table 5.2 Index o f industrial production in the manufacturing sector in
Karnataka by utility-based groups 2003-04 to 2005-06
Base: 1993-94=100
Sl. 2004­ 2005­ 2006­ 2007­
Industry Group Weight 2003-04
No 05* 06* 07* 08*
185.05 201.18 224.11 267.46 303.77
1. Basic goods 14.5738
(6.17) (8.72) (11.40) (19.34) (13.57)
179.31 193.12 209.50 218.76 233.19
2. Capital goods 10.5179
(10.49) (7.70) (8.48) (4.42) 6.60)
Intermediate 197.10 204.76 214.68 217.17 227.41
3. 24.1644
goods (5.83) (3.89) (4.84) (1.16) (4.72)
183.67 200.49 210.87 227.47 245.39
Consumer goods 50.7439
(3.45) (9.15) (5.18) (7.87) (7.88)
a) Consumer 174.15 190.16 197.12 211.81 228.00
4. 13.6005
durables (4.35) (9.19) (3.66) (7.45) (7.64)
b) Consumer non­ 187.16 204.27 215.90 233.20 251.76
37.1434
durables (3.15) (9.14) (5.69) (8.01) (7.96)
186.66 200.85 213.58 228.01 248.27
Total 100.00
(5.12) (7.60) (6.34) (7.83) (7.76)
Note: 1. Fig. in brackets indicate the % growth compared to previous year
2. * Provisional Fig.
Source: Economics survey 2008-09.
It is observed from table. 5.2, that the overall growth in these industrial
groups was 6.34 percent during 2005-06 as against 7.60 percent in 2004-05.
During the year Basic Goods industry group registered the highest increase
of 11.40 percent and the consumer durables showed a least increase of 3.60
percent.
Production of Selected Industries
During the first nine months of the current year (2005-06) ten out of fourteen
selected industries showed an upward trend in production compared to the
previous year. Industries which showed significant growth during the first nine
months of the current year were Gold (246.5 percent), Sugar (106.4 percent),
Aluminium (83.9 percent), Wrist watches (31.3 percent), Soap (25.6 percent),
Paper (14.8 percent), Steel ingots (5.9 percent), Silk fabrics (3.8 percent),
Fertilizer (2.9 percent) and cement 0.4 percent is shown in table 5.3
Industries And Power 211

table 5.3 production of selected industries and minerals in Karnataka

for the year 2004-05 to 2006-07 (upto Dec 2006)
April to Dec % variation
Sl.
Products Unit 2006-07 2007-08 2008 over
No. 2007 2008
2007
‘000 67.36 107.80
1. Aluminium 94.18 96.38 +2.33
Tonnes (53.05) (60.04)
2. Iron and
Steel
‘000 190.75 217.89
a) Pig iron 155.66 126.82 -18.53
Tonnes (-29.40) (14.23)
b) Saleable ‘000 130.73 158.51
91.89 96.88 +5.43
Steel Tonnes (0.10) (21.25)
c) Steel ‘000 157.93 132.08
112.34 90.47 -19.47
ingots Tonnes (3.63) (-16.37
‘000 318.74 318.98
3. Paper 287.70 264.08 -8.21
Tonnes (15.12) (0.06)
‘000 3061.29 2823.49
4. Sugar 2295.96 2296.70 +0.03
Tonnes (170.70) (-7.77)
‘000 6.80 8.32
5. Soap 5.76 6.01 +4.34
Tonnes (9.68) (22.35)
‘000 575.19 628.23
6. Fertilisers 416.70 457.02 -1.01
Tonnes (1.48) (9.22)
Lakh 68.57 104.47
7. Cement 51.56 87.87 +70.42
Tonnes (-1.86) (52.36)
Sandalwood 3.07 1.11
8. Tonnes 0.80 0.19 -76.25
oil (9.64) (-63.84)
24247 21581
9. Cigarettes Millions 16512 178.34 +8.01
(7.22) (-10.99)
Wrist 62.07 67.50
10. ‘000 s 59.69 124.99 + 109.40
watches (2.09) (8.75)
‘000 380.22 352.27
11. Silk Fabric 283.66 273.39 -3.62
Mtrs (3.55) (-7.35)
‘000 33773 41284
12. Iron Ore* 29317 29517 +0.68
Tonnes (-1.03) (22.24)
2336 2636
13. Gold* Kgs. 2204 1944 -11.80
(-17.90) (12.84)
969.63 707.03
14. Silver Kgs. 205.04 193.20 -5.77
(9.60) (-27.08)
* (Revised as per Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur Report).
Note: Fig. in bracket indicate % change over the previous year.
Source: Economic survey 2008-09
A Handbook of Karnataka 212

Traditional Industries
Many crafts and industries have flourished in the state from ancient times.
O f the ancient industries of Karnataka, production of textile is an important
industry. It had centres all over Karnataka and they included places like
Binnamangala, Aigandapura (Bangalore Dt), Belgavi (Shimoga Dt), Arasikere
(Hassan Dt) and Chinmali (Raichur Dt) to speak of the most prominent centres
mentioned in inscriptions. During the medieval times Hubli, Gadag, Badami,
Ilkal, Kodiyala, Guledgud, Bangalore and Doddaballapur became notable
centres. The Adilshahi rulers of Bijapur started paper and agarbathi (joss stick)
industries in their territory in North Karnataka. A British factory founded at
Kadwad on the banks of the Kali in 1638 exported cloth from the hinterland
at Hubli. Under Chikkadevaraya of Mysore, Bangalore had 12,000 families of
Weavers and Dodballapur also grew to be a major centre of textile production.
Under Tipu, many weavers from Baramahal in Tamilnadu settled down in
Bangalore and surrounding places. Buchanan, while speaking of the Mysore
State during his visit, says that there were a class of weavers called Togataru
who wove coarse, thick, white cotton cloth with red borders and Holiars who
wove coarse, white strong cloth called parakali. Karnataka women spun yarn
using a charkha in their spare time and Buchanan says that a full-time spinner
earned as much a farm worker. But the Industrial Revolution ruined spinning
as a profession, and also throttled weaving on a major scale.
Weaving coarse blankets (kambli) also flourished and inscriptions speak of
Davangere and Dodballapur as the two centres of this industry. Dr. A. Appadorai
speaks of Budihal (Chitradurga dt.) as a centre of producing cloth from hemp
fibre. Inscriptions speak of Pattegars or silk weavers from Lakshmeshwar
(Gadag dt.) and Varagiri (Haveri dt.). Though the raw silk was imported in
ancient times, Tipu introduced sericulture in Mysore on a large scale. Buchanan
speaks of the Khatries (Kshatriyas, people from the Southern part of Gujarat) in
Bangalore who prepared very strong and rich clothes. They dyed much of their
silk and were more wealthy than other weavers, he adds. These people had
also settled in Hubli in good numbers. They were well-versed in brocade work
too. Production of oil was another flourishing industry in the state, sesamum
and linseed, soyabean, nigerseed, rape and mustard, sunflower, honge seed,
castor, coconut, kusube (safflower) etc., were used to extract oil.
The Panchalas included blacksmiths, goldsmiths, coppersmiths, braziers
and carpenters and they are also called Vishvakaramas. An inscription
of 11th Century from Mysore district speaks of a blacksmith who was an
expert in producing swords. Under Mysore Rulers, Chikkadevaraya had
Kabbinadachavadi R), perhaps to supervise production and sale of iron
tools and implements. Tipu continued this monopoly and he also founded a
state foundry at Kanakapura where even canons were forged. Buchanan speaks
of manufacture of iron from sand accumulating in the rainy seasons at places
like Madhugiri, Chennarayanadurga. Hagalavadi and Devarayanadurga. He
Industries And Power 213

gives the technical details of iron smelting too at these places. He speaks of
iron ore from Ghattipura in Magadi taluk. He also informs us of manufacture
of steel which was used to produce sword blades and stone cutter chistles
at Magadi near Bangalore and other places. He tells us that Channapatna
was a centre of production of steel wires which had a demand all over was
used in musical instruments too. Tegur near Dharwad, Halgur near Malavalli,
Benkipura (modern Bhadravati) etc., were notable centres of iron production
and charcoal to smelt iron was available in abundance in the forests of Western
Ghats, which had also abundant iron mining centres.

Pottery Making

Production of jewellery was also a flourishing industry and Manasollasa gives

a long list of jewellery worn by both men and women. Among the Panchalas, the
goldsmiths make the jewels, earlier, they minted coins by paying a fee called
tanka to the State. There were state mints at Lakkundi, Sudi, Kudutini, Belgavi,
Mangalore, Barkur and other important cities. The Kasars or Kanchugars
(braziers) produced bronzeware which included vessels, musical instruments
like bells and trumpets, lamps of various kinds, mirrors and images of various
deities. They are mentioned in many records and the one at Laksmeshwar of
the 8th century is notable among them. Carpentry was another profession of
the Panchalas and in addition to the production of agricultural implements and
household furniture; they also produced chariots, carts, boats and palanquins.
They also built palaces with decorated pillars, panels and ceilings. All old
palaces were mostly wooden as can be seen even today by those surviving ones
at Shimoga, Bangalore and Srirangapattana.
A Handbook of Karnataka 214

Production of foot-wear, waterbags, shields, beds and cushions, drums, etc.

was undertaken by leather workers called Samagars (tanners) and Mochis.
Footwears produced by them were of a variety of designs and colours as testified
to by Manasollasa. A Badami record speaks of their guild. The Kumbaras or
potters were producing earthern vessels and tiles. The vessels were both hand­
made and wheel turned. Production of salt and lime were two other notable
industries. Salt was produced from sea water on the coast and the salt sTonnes
mined. There were uppina moles or salt pans mentioned in records. Places like
Uppina Kuduru, Uppinamogaru, Uppinapatna, Uppuru, Uppalli, Uppinangadi
etc., are reminders of the fact that these places were centres of salt manufacture.
The Uppars were the caste engaged in producing salt. This traditional industry
which supported thousands, came to be ruined after the British made salt
production a state monopoly. Buchanan speaks of the industry as flourishing
at Tekal (Kolar dt) and gives details of the techniques of production adopted
at the place. Lime was produced both from sea shells on the coast and from
lime sTonnes mined. Buchanan also described the kilns at Kadugodi near
Whitefield (Bangalore dt). There was a community called Sunagars engaged in
this industry.
Production of glass bangles was also a flourishing industry. A record of
1161 from Belgaum district speaks of Senahalli, Kallakundarge (Kallakundri)
and Nittur as centres of this industry. The Balegars formed a seperate caste
and Kannada poet Ranna was of this caste. Some of them had the surname
Setti as seen from inscriptions. Buchanan speaks of Muttodu in Chitradurga
district as a centre of bangle manufacture and he mentions that these bangles
were of five colours viz., black, green, red, blue and yellow. He also states that
glass produced there was opaque and coarse and materials needed for glass
making were available in the neighbourhood of the place. He also describes
manufacturing glass bangles and bottles at Channapatna and here this industry
was started under the initiative of Tipu.
Production of jaggery, sugar candy was other notable industries. Inscriptions
speak of alemane found in many parts of Karnataka where sugar cane juice was
boiled and jaggery was manufactured. Buchanan speaks of this manufacture
as seen by him at Maddur and surrounding villages. Palm juice was also used
to produce jaggery. Tipu had made special efforts to foster sugar and sugar
candy industry and has even secured the assistance of Chinese technicians.
Buchanan speaks of sugar produced at Chikkaballapur which he describes
as very white and fine and the sugar candy of the place was “equal to the
Chinese” . The Astagrama sugar works started at Palahalli (Mandya dt) in
1847 was famous for its crystal sugar. It had the privilege of participating in
international exhibitions of 1850, 1861 and 1867 held at London and had even
won a prize. But it stopped working later due to various reasons.
Manufacture of perfumes was another industry. Manasollasa in the section
‘Snanabhoga’ (on enjoying bath) refer to perfumed oil and ointments and also
Industries And Power 215

speaks of the processes of their production, using mostly the raw materials
derived from vegetable sources. A good number of craftsmen especially in villages
were partly agricultural and also pursuing their craft which was hereditary and
the training was mostly imparted by father to son. The craftsmen had their
flourishing guilds, and even the Shatavahana records make a mention o f these
nigamas, nikayas or shrenis fin Sanskrit). In Kannada, the guilds were called
kottali, shreni, samaya, samuha or hittu. A record of the Badami Chalukya
times from the capital city speaks of the guilds of garland makers (malekaras),
cobblers etc, A record of the days of the same dynasty from Lakshmeshwara
mentions the guild of the braziers and another of Pattegars (silk weavers).
The State did protect the guilds and maintained their privileges. Inscriptions
speak of saligasamaya or jedagottalli, the guilds of weavers, oddagottali (the
stone-cutters guild) or telliganakhara or oilmen’s guild. Some of the guilds
are mentioned with certain numerical suffixes attached to thier professional
name such as telliga ayvattu (fifty) or ugura munnuru (300), the ugurus being
pluckers of betal leaves or gale munnuru (300), pluckers of fruits in orchards.
Uguru literally means nail and they plucked leaves by attaching a small chistle
to their nails, ugundi. Gale or bamboo was used to pluck fruits.
Beginning o f Modern Industries
Tipu made special efforts to introduce new industries and modern techniques
in producing sugar, glass, etc. Buchanan informs that under arrangements
made by Tipu, broad cloth, paper, watches and cutlery were manufactured by
new techniques. He got new techniques from China to improve sugar production
and men from Bengal to introduce sericulture and European experts, especially
the French to produce watches and cutlery. Dewan Rangacharlu had stated
as early as in 1881, his clear conviction that no country can prosper unless
its agricultural and manufacturing industries were equally fostered. The later
dewans like Sheshadri Iyer, Sir M. Visveswaraya and Sir Mirza Ismail also had
such a conviction and they formulated their policies based on it.
In the erstwhile Mysore State, the Kolar Gold Fields had been started by an
English Mining Company {John Taylor and Sons) in 1880. When the State was
under direct British rule. Laying of railways was an added advantage. By 1900,
two large scale textile mills came up i.e., the Bangalore Woollen, Cotton and Silk
Mills Ltd. (1884) and the Mysore Spinning and Manufacturing Company Ltd.
(1894) both at Bangalore. A Central Industrial Workshop was established by
the State Government in 1897 at Bangalore. The State Government enterprises
of Hydro-electric power generation at Shivasamudra (Mandya Dt) in 1902-03
may be said to have initiated the modern industrial development in the State.
Industrial development did take place in the Old Hyderabad and Bombay
Karnataka area also. But they were incidental and not on any planned basis. At
Gulbarga, a textile mill, the Mahaboob Shahi Kalburga Mills, was established
in 1884 with the active support of the Government of Nizam of Hyderabad. The
MSK. Mills Co, Ltd. was re-registered under the Indian Companies Act in 1888.
A Handbook of Karnataka 216

The Mill ran into difficulties in the early sixties of this century and the State
Government of Karnataka acquired the controlling interest and took over the
management in 1963 and later in 1973 the Mill was taken over by the National
Textile Corporation.

Traditional Jaggery Making (Alemane)

Except for the English-owned textile mills established in 1885 at Gokak

Falls and in 1889 at Hubli, there were hardly any major industrial enterprises
in Bombay Karnataka area. There were however some crafts such as the
Bidriware in Bidar taluk and handlooms in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad,
Gadag and Haveri districts. In the thirties and forties of the 20th century, a
few industries came up, the notable among them being the Cement factories
at Shahabad and Wadi (Gulbarga dt), Sugar factories at Kittur and Ugarkhurd
(both in Athani tq, Belgaum dt). The Swadeshi spirit did help the establishment
of a few minor units like ceramic works at coastal Karnataka and many
industrial units and beedi manufacture grew here as a home industry. Beedies
with regular labels came to be manufactured from 1914 when Mahalakshmi
Beedi Works started at Panemagalur in 1914 followed by PVS Beedies (1918),
Bharat Beedies and Ganesh Beedies (both in 1930). Tile manufacture initiated
by German missionaries (Basel Mission Tile works 1865) in Mangalore was a
notable avenue. Cashew processing was another enterprise.
Economic Conference
The starting point of planned economic development as a concept and State
policy began with the appointment of Sir M. Visveswaraya as Chief Engineer
in 1909 and he dominated the industrial scene for over five decades. It was
Industries And Power 217

at his instance that the First Mysore Economic Conference was held in 1911
and its report dealt in great detail the natural resources of the State and
identified a number of industrial possibilities. The Government accepted the
recommendation of the Economic Conference and set up a separate Department
of Industries and Commerce in 1913. The Department was reorganised in
1922 and strengthened periodically to meet the growing needs of industrial
enterprise, in both public and private sectors.
The Government Sandal Oil Factories were located in Mysore City (1915)
and Shimoga (1944) to augment the production and distillation of sandal wood
oil. The manufactured items included sandal wood oil B.P. Quality, special ‘A ’
Quality oil, sandal wood oil residue and sandalwood baloon dust.
The Government Soap Factory was established in 1918 in Bangalore with
an objective of manufacturing laundry soaps and toilet soap in sandal, jasmine
and lavender perfumes, Mysore Sandal Soap, shaving soap, Indo-cure quickfix,
glycerine etc. The Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd., a State Government
undertaking has taken over the management of the Government Soap Factory
at Bangalore and the Sandalwood oil factories at Mysore and Shimoga in 1980.
The Company is having the following units (1) Detergent Unit commissioned
in 1976, (2) Fatty Acid Unit commissioned in July 1981 (3) Soap expansion
project to boost the manufacture of soap from 6,000 tonnes to 26,000 tonnes .
(4) Sandal oil divisions at Mysore and Shimoga, and (5) the agarbathi units at
the Sandalwood oil divisions.
The Minerva Mills, a private enterprise was established in 1919 in Bangalore.
The products manufactured were 10 to 40m. single folded cloths - shirting, long
cloth, dhoties, chaddars and towels. The first major public sector undertaking
was the Mysore Iron and Steel works at Bhadravati, which was established in
1923 with the objective of converting the vast iron deposits of Kemmanugundi
in the ranges of the Bababudan Hills into pig iron and manufacture of allied
products. The nomenclature was changed to The Mysore Iron and Steel Works’
with the commissioning of cast iron pipe plant, open hearth furnace, rolling
mills and a cement plant. In the year 1962, it was changed into a company called
‘Mysore Iron and Steel Ltd.,’ with Central Government share of 40 percent of its
equity. This departmental undertaking became a Government company jointly
owned by the Central Government and the State Government of Karnataka in
the ratio of 40:60 respectively. In 1975, in order to pay tribute to its founder
the name was changed as ‘Visveswaraya Iron and Steel Ltd.’ Now it is under the
administrative control of the Steel Authority of India.
The Pierce Leslie and Company, Mangalore (1924), and Siddeshwara and
Company, Hubli, also came up during early twenties. The former was processing
cashew nuts and the latter manufacturing cash chests and steel furniture.
By the late twenties of this century, the old Mysore State had 26 major
industrial concerns excluding the Kolar Gold Fields, the textiles and hydro­
A Handbook of Karnataka 218

electric works. Prior to the States Reorganisation in 1956, the decade 1931­
1941 was the most active period in the economic development of Mysore.
The Mysore Industrial and Testing Laboratory to produce Pharmaceuticals,
chemicals, malt extracts and medicinal specialities were started in 1931 as
a Government concern. It was converted into a joint stock company with
the Government hold of 40 percent of its shares in 1945. The Mysore Match
Company Shimoga, was another enterprise of this time. The Government Silk
Weaving Factory was also established in 1932 at Mysore for manufacture of
high grade silk fabrics, sarees, cholies etc.
The Government Electric Factory was started in 1934 at Bangalore to produce
electric transformers, motors, pumps, transmission towers, etc., The Mysore
Sugar Company Ltd., at Mandya was started in 1933 with Government holding
about 55 percent of the shares to produce sugar, and alcohol such as potable
liquors, industrial spirits and power alcohol were the other important products.
The Mysore Paper Mills Ltd., at Bhadravathi was established in 1936 with the
Government holding a portion of its shares. The products manufactured were
cream laids, writing and printing bonds, azurelaids, ledger papers and other
varieties of paper. The Mysore Spun Silk Mills at Channapatna was started
in 1936 as a public limited company for manufacturing fabrics out of silk
waste. The products manufactured include spun silk yarn, raw silk fabrics,
sarees, waste silk druggets, pile carpets, coatings and shirtings, etc. It was
under liquidation in 1960 when the Government took it and is being run as a
Government concern.
The Davanagere Cotton Mills was established in 1936 in the private sector
with a view to manufacture cotton yarn, grey and bleached mull, long cloth,
dhoti, etc. The Mysore Lamp Works Ltd., Bangalore was established in 1936
with government holding 17.6 percent of the shares to manufacture all types
of incandescent electric lamps, neon signs and other components. The Mysore
Stone ware and Potteries Ltd., Chickbanavar was established in 1937. The
products manufactured were stone ware pipes, and other products and it was
managed by the Mysore Industrial Development Company. The Mysore Tobacco
Co. Ltd., a tobacco curing unit was established in 1937. It has curing centres
at Mandya, Mysore, Kolar and a grading station at White Field.
The Mysore Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd., was established in 1937 at
Belagola (Mandya District) and it manufactured ammonium sulphate, sulphuric
acid, super phosphate, nitric acid, oleum, anhydrous ammonia and ammonium
salt. It is the pioneer in the establishment of the first synthetic ammonia plant
or fertiliser unit in India.
In 1932, the Mysore Government pioneered the manufacture of insulators for
the Electric Department by starting the Government Porcelain Factory. During
1957, the Government obtained technical collaboration of NGK Insulators Ltd.,
Nagoya, Japan for the first phase of expansion from 50 tonnes of ceramics per
Industries And Power 219

month to 200 tonnes. The second space of expansion to 600 tonnes per month
was completed in 1967. It was converted into a Government Company, viz.
Mysore Porcelains Ltd. In 1976, this company became a subsidiary of Bharat
Heavy Electrical Ltd. The insulators manufactured by this company are unique
and are of international standard.
The Mysore Vegetable Oil Products Ltd., was established in 1938 at
Bangalore. The products manufactured were hydrogenated oil (Vanaspati) and
refined oil. The Mysore Coffee Curing Works Ltd., was established in 1938
at Chikmagalur. The manufactured products include curing coffee, steamed
bonemeal and other requisites. The Mysore Implements Factory at Hassan was
established in 1939 to produce agricultural, estate and garden implements and
tools, domestic articles, cutlery, sheet-metal work, light structures, ornamental
gates and grills, etc. During 1975 the Karnataka Implements and Manufacturing
Company Ltd., was established, under the provision of the Company Act of 1956.
It was formed by the merger of two erstwhile departmental undertakings o f the
Government viz, Central Industrial Workshop at Bangalore and the Mysore
Implements Factory, Hassan. The Bangalore Factory is currently engaged in
the fabrication of 20 T and 100 T trailers. The other products are road rollers,
concrete mixers, tar boilers, white washing machines, etc. The Hassan unit is
manufacturing agricultural implements like mumties, axes etc.
The Second World War not only gave a greater impetus to all the industries
but also made them self-reliant as foreign materials, machineries and spare
parts could not be imported. The needs of the war front were also considerable
as little could be imported. The industrial activity expanded substantially.
public sector units
After India became independent, Bangalore was selected as the venue for
many Central enterprises. Among the public sector undertakings of the Central
Government, the following are important.
The Bharat Earth Movers Ltd., (BEML) commenced operations on January
1st 1965 in Bangalore. It is engaged in the manufacture of high technology
transportation equipment. Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) is engaged in the
manufacture of Electronic and Communication equipments for use by Defence
Sector, AIR, Meteorology Dept, and Post and Telegraph Dept. The Bangalore
Complex has 19 Ancillary Units. Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd., 1976 (BHEL)
has produced for the first time truly distributed control system in the country.
Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd. 1953 (HMT) has bagged two contracts for supply
of machine tools worth Rs. 24.15 crore to Bulgaria and Soviet Union during
the year 1987-88. It has also entered into an agreement to render technical
assistance to telephone manufacturing unit in Algeria. It has a wrist watch
unit also. Indian Telephone Industries Ltd., (ITI) is the first public sector
undertaking set up in India in 1948 in Bangalore with five divisions, one each
for manufacture of strowger, crossbar transmission, telephones and defence
A Handbook of Karnataka 220

equipments respectively. It had also set up three more electronic switching

units during the Seventh Plan Period.
Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd., (HAL) was established at Bangalore during
1940 by the noted industrialist, the late Walchand Hirachand with Central and
State Governments as partners. It was originally intended to be an automobile
factory. The pressure of the British manufacturers of cars forced the enterprise
to switch over to aircraft servicing and assembling. At the time of the Second
World War, repairing of aeroplane, over-hauling etc., was undertaken. The first
fighter jet plane was manufactured within a period of six months from the
date of inception of the unit. During the war time, the number of workers was
around 16,000. After the war, the number of workers was reduced to 3,000.
The Rail Coach Division of the HAL commenced functioning from 1947. During
1951, the administration was taken over by the Ministry of Industries and
Commerce and latter by the Defence Ministry.
HAL made a major contribution for a standardisation of road transport
vehicles by producing pre-fabricated bus body which can be easily assembled
by operators in their workshops. It was during 1964 that all the Aero Engine
Units were amalgamated and called the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The rail
coach division was retransferred to BEML. HAL has a very reliable and extensive
maintenance division for the repair and over-haul of aircraft, aero engines,
accessories and systems.
The wide product mix of HAL ranges from rotary and fixed wing aircraft
of indigenous design to the manufacture of jet and piston engines to power
them, matched avionics and accessories to obtain operations capabilities.
It manufactures supersonic aircraft designed for specific strike, combat,
interception, observation and surveillance roles equipped with advanced
technology power plants, avionics, accessories and armament. The civilian
needs like agricultural passenger, training and cargo uplift requirements are
also met.
The Wheel and Axle Plant, Bangalore was commissioned on 15th Sept 1984
at a cost of Rs. 146 crores. The plant has unique features incorporating the
latest designs and technology in the manufacture of wheels. At the time of
installation the estimated capacity was 56,700 wheels and 23,000 axles. With
the introduction of productivity linked incentives scheme in 1990 the plant
capacity has been fixed at 67,500 wheels and 35,250 axles. In 1991-92 there
were 69,887 wheels and 43,470 axles manufactured in this plant.
In addition to these industries, Southern Railway workshops at Mysore
and Hubli and others are also noted Central Government public sector
undertakings.
The Karnataka Government has been running many industrial enterprises.
They are broadly divided into seven groups viz.
Industries And Power 221

Public Utilities:
1. Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd.,
2. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and
3. Karnataka Power Corporation.
Financial institutions:
1. Karnataka State Financial Corporation Limited and
2. Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation
Limited.
Development Enterprises(non-commercial):
1. Karnataka S/C and S/T. Development Corporation Ltd.,
2. Karnataka Backward Classes Development Corporation Ltd.,
3. Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation Ltd.,
4. Karnataka Minorities, Development Corporation Ltd., and
5. Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation.
Development Enterprises (Commercial):
1. Karnataka State Handicraft Development Corporation Limited,
2. Karnataka Agro Industries Corporation Ltd.,
3. Karnataka Film Industries Development Corporation Ltd.,
4. Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd.,
5. Karnataka Forest Development Corporation Ltd.,
6. Karnataka Compost Development Corporation Ltd.,
7. Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation Ltd.
8. Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd.,
9. Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd.\
10. Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Ltd.,
11. Karnataka Inland Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd.,
12. Karnataka State Coir Development Corporation Ltd.
13. Karnataka industrial area development board.
14. Karnataka state industrial investment and Development Corporation.
service enterprises:
1. Karnataka Housing Board,
2. Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation,
3. Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation Limited,
A Handbook of Karnataka 222

4. Shree Kanteerava Studios Ltd.,

5. Karnataka State Construction Corporation Ltd.,
6. Karnataka Urban Development Corporation Ltd.,
7. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.,
8. Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Ltd.,
9. Karnataka Land Army Corporation Ltd.,
10. Jungle Lodges and Resorts Limited,
11. D. Devaraj Urs Truck Terminals Ltd.,
12. Krishna Basin Lift Irrigation Corporation Ltd. and
13. Cauvery Basin Lift Irrigation Corporation Ltd.
Manufacturing Enterprises:
1. Mysore Sugar Company Ltd.,
2. Mysore Paper Mills Ltd.,
3. Mysore Lamp works Ltd.,
4. Mysore Tobacco Company Ltd.,
5. Mysore Paints and Varnishes Ltd.,
6. Mysore Match Company Ltd.,
7. Mysore Chrome Tanning Company Ltd.,
8. Mysore Electrical Industries Ltd.,
9. Hatti Gold Mines Company Ltd.,
10. New Government Electrical Factory Ltd.,
11. Mysore Acetate and Chemical Company Ltd.,
12. Mysore Minerals Ltd.,
13. Mysore Cosmetics Ltd.,
14. Karnataka State Agro Corn Products Ltd.,
15. Karnataka State Forest Industries Ltd.,
16. Karnataka State Veneers Ltd.,
17. Chamundi Machine Tools Ltd.,
18. Karnataka Implements and Machines Company Ltd.,
19. Karnataka Agro Proteins Ltd.,
20. Karnataka Vidyuth Karkhane Ltd.,
21. Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd.,
22. Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd.,
Industries And Power 223

23. Karnataka Milk Products Ltd.,

24. Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Ltd.,
25. Karnataka State Textiles Ltd.,
26. Karnataka Telecom Ltd.,
27. Karnataka Plywood Ltd.,
28. Karnataka Tungsten Moly Ltd., and
29. New Government Electric Factory (Hubli) Ltd.
Marketing and Advertising Enterprises:
1. Mysore Sales International Ltd.,
2. Marketing Consultants and Agencies Ltd.,
3. Karnataka State Seeds Corporation Ltd.,
4. Karnataka Meat and Poultry Marketing Corporation Ltd.,
5. Karnataka Silk Marketing Board Ltd., and
6. Karnataka small Industries Marketing Corporation Ltd.
O f the Industries of Post-War years, REMCO is notable. The Mysore
Government established a company called, the Radio and Electrical
Manufacturing Company Ltd., at Bangalore, in the year 1946 to manufacture
radios and the components, electricity and water meters, PVC wires and cables.
It has three divisions at present viz : Radio Division, Plastic Division and Metal
Division. The capital invested for Radio Division was Rs. 25 lakhs, the then
Government of Mysore holding 60 percent of the shares. The other two divisions
are wholly owned by the State Government. Domestic and community radio
receivers and their component parts are manufactured in the radio division,
extended plastic insulated wires and cables. It has been taken over a subsidary
unit of Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd.,
The Karnataka state Forest Industries Corporation was established
during 1973 with a proposed equity share capital of Rs. 200 lakhs provided
by the State Government. The following projects have been taken up by the
Corporation viz, extraction of essential oils, cultivation of pine apple, cultivation
of nutritional grasses, dehydration and pelletisation of the nutritional grasses
and running of saw mills. The decorative veneer factory has been established in
1974 at Kavachur in Uttara Kannada District in collaboration with the Italian
Plywood Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Dandeli). It produces attractive wood veneers
of various types and colours. The Mysore Match Factory near Shimoga has
been revived by an agreement entered into with West India Match Company.
The saw milling activities have been further expanded by creating two units in
Uttara Kannada.
Leather industries Development Corporation Ltd., (LIDKAR) was
established in October 1976 in Bangalore. The primary objective of the
A Handbook of Karnataka 224

corporation is so set up a common facility centre, establishing a raw material

depot, financial assistance for various leather industries and establishing joint
sector projects for tanneries, processing and manufacturing of leather goods.
The K a rn a ta k a Vidyut K a rk h a n e Ltd., was registered in 1976 with an
authorised share capital of Rs. 2OO lakhs. Its important objectives are to
manufacture all kinds of electrical operators, electrical machines and equipments
required for being used in connection with generation, transmission, distribution
and utilisation of electricity, and all kinds of transformers, rectifiers, generators
etc. It has secured orders for its transformers and motors from all over India
and abroad.
The Th u nga bh ad ra S te el P rod u ce Ltd., was established near Hospet in
1952 which was originally started as a machinery division of the Thungabhadra
Reservoir Project. It was converted into a Shutter manufacturing factory for the
manufacture of gates, hoists, and penstocks. This is the only industrial unit
which is a joint undertaking with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
The New G overnm ent E le c tric F a cto ry (NGEF) was established in Bangalore
in 1961 in technical collaboration with AEG Telefunken of West Germany. It
was converted into a joint stock company during 1965. It has the most up-to-
date manufacturing facilities with separate factories for transformers, switch
gears, motors, silicon power diodes and power rectifiers. The new addition to
the NGEF product is the line of silicon power diodes and power rectifiers. It was
making a significant contribution to the industrial development programmes in
the country. Now the unit is in the red and efforts are on to privatise it.
K a rn a ta k a In d u s tria l A re a D evelopm en t B o a rd : Since its inception
KIADB has acquired an extent of 58,865 acres and developed 81 industrial
areas in an extent of 21,220 acres in all districts of the state. It has taken
up programme of implementation of i) Export promotion, Industrial park at
Whitefield Bangalore, ii) Mini Growth Centre in five location, iii) Major water
scheme for seven Industrial Areas, iv) Acquisition of land for airport during the
year 1998-99.
Keonics
In the industrial map of Karnataka, Electronics play a very vital role. It
accounts for nearly 20 percent of the total Indian output of about Rs. 10,000
crores worth of items in 1994. In order to expand the electronics production
base, KEONICS has promoted 10 joint ventures by participating in equity
with foreign companies and Indian industrial houses. The Karnataka State
Electronics Development Corporation (1976) is involved in the promotion of
electronics industries in the State. KEONICS activities include establishment
of its own manufacturing units, promotion of joint venture electronics units,
providing package assistance to entrepreneurs, assisting industries in producing
raw materials and marketing of end products. It has established an electronic
city on 300 acres of land about 18 km from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Hosur
Road. Being the centre of electronics industries Bangalore has a large number
Industries And Power 225

of public sector electronics giants such as Bharat Electronics, Bharat Heavy

Electrical Ltd., Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd.,
etc., which provide a market for the electronics goods.
information Technology
The Information Technology industry is poised for accelerated growth in
the near future. The state of Karnataka has been in the forefront as far as
the location and growth of Information Technology industry is concerned. It
proposes to have an increased focus on this sector and aims to provide the
necessary infrastructure and environment that would facilitate and give
impetus to the significant growth expected in the IT sector. It also proposes to
go in for changes in the manner of functioning of the government machinery
by introducing the system of E-Governance. For the first time in the country
the state has formulated an industrial promotion policy for the Information
Technology industry in June 1997 offering attractive incentives and concessional
and other support for its growth.
The Department of Information Technology is a newly created department
in which four organisation viz. Karnataka Government Computer Centre,
Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Centre, Indian Institute of
Information Technology, Bangalore and KEONICS has been brought under the
administrative control of the Information Technology.
International Technology park Ltd.
The International Technology Park is a high tech park built to provide a one
stop solution to multinationals and other conglomeration for conducting high
tech business in India. It is a futuristic park built to exacting standards with
the latest state of the art infrastructure and managed by professionals. The
park houses corporate majors operating in a wide range of business such as
information technology, biotechnology, telecom(R & D), financial services and
other IT related services. Located in whitefield, 18 km. from Bangalore, the
ITP is spread over 27 hectares (68 acres) on perfectly landscaped habitat. It
has taken some of the world’s finest brain and corporate giant from Singapore
and India to conjure upon this business paradise. The ITP has been jointly
promoted by :
1. Tata industries Ltd, (47%)
2. Information Technology Park investment (P) Ltd., a consortium of Singapore
Companies (47%)
3. Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, a statutory body of the
Government of Karnataka (6%).
A special Task Force has been created in December 1999 to prepare an action
plan for the development of Information and Technology Industry. Infosys and
Wipro are the other corporate giants in the software field who have grown in a
big way.
A Handbook of Karnataka 226

A fron t view o f I T Park, Hubli

Industries And Power 227

Inner view o f Infosys, Bangalore

A Handbook of Karnataka 228

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Government of India established the Department of Space in 1972 to
promote development and application of space science and technology for socio­
Economics benefits. Indian Space Research organization (ISRO) is the primary
agency under the Department of Space for executing Space programmes.
During the severties India under took demonstration, broadcasting and Remote
sensing; designed and built experimental satellites Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Apple
and Rohini and expermental satellite Launch Vehicles-SLV-3 and ASLV. Today
India has established space systems that form an important element of the
National Infrastructure. India successfully sent the Chadrayana -I space craft
to moon in November 2008 and became the fourth individual Country to sent
a probe to the lunar surface.
Indian National Satellite (INSAT) System
Commissioned in 1983, INSAT is a multirpose satellite for telecommunications,
television broadcasting, meteorology, disaster waring and search and rescue.
Besides telecommunications and regular broadcasting services, INSAT is widely
used for interctive education, developmental communication and telemedicine.
Meteorological imaging and direct-to-community broascast capabilities of
INSAT help in issuing warnings on impending cyclones. INSAT also carries
transponders dedicated to search and rescue operations as part international
COSPAS/SARSAT programme.
Infrastructure for Space Development
India has established a strong infrastructure for executing its space
programme. They include facilities for the development of satellites and launch
vehicles and their testing; launch infrastructure for sounding rockets and
satellite launch vehicles; telemetry and command network; data reception and
processing systems for remote sensing. A number of academic and research
institutions as well as industries participate in the indian Space Programme.
Several Indian industries have the expertise to under take sophisticated jobs
required for space systems.
Space Sciences (CHANDRAYANA-I)
Earlier India has flown Gamma-Ray and Retarding Potential Analyser
payloads on two of its Streched Rohini Satellites launched in 1992 and 1994.
IRS-P3, launched in 1996, carried an X-ray astronomy payload.
Chandrayana-1, India’s first spacecraft mission to moon, was successfully
launched by PSlV-C11 on October 22, 2008 into an Earth orbit, Carrying 11
payloads built in India and abroad, the spacecraft later reached the moon
and went into an orbit around it with the help of its Liquid Apogee Motor.
After reaching its final operational path of 100 km height from the surface,
the spacecraft’s Moon impact separated and successfully reached the lunar
Industries And Power 229

surface 25 minutes later, carrying

Indian tricolour with it on November
14, 2008.
International Co-operation
International co-operation has
been the hallmark of Indian space
programme. India participates in
major space forums including the UN,
IAF, COSPAR and CEOS. India has
set up the Centre for Space Science
and Technology Education in Asia
and the Pacific(CSSTE- AP) which
is sponsored by the United Nations.
India offer in space applications to
personnel from developing under the
programme Sharing Experience in
Space (SHARES). Chandrayana-1 a
1400 kg unmanned spacecraft built
by ISRO for exploring the moon,
carried 11 scientific instruments from
India, the United States, the European
Space Agency and Bulgaria. ISRO aBa
and the French Space Agency CNES Chandrayana -1

have undertaken a joint atmospheric satellite mission Megha-Tropiques to be

launched in 2009-10.
Bio-technology
Karnataka has the training knowledge base necessary to drive the next
revolution in biotechnology. The critical mass of the Bio-tech Companies and
best research institutions have to be used to nurture that innovation, promote
entrepreneurship and facilitate effective technology transfer to the end users.
To work out the future strategies- a vision group on Bio-technology was setup.
Millennium Biotech policy has been formulated. Achievement in bio-technology
sector for the year 2003-04. Investment in Biotech sector Rs.321.22 crores
number of projects cleared by SLSWA six, turnover-Domestic Rs.63.00 crores
export Rs.177.00 crores.
industrial status
As in other States, the power sector has been going through a major
change in perception regarding the public-private sector mix in respect of
both generation and transmission and the right approach to pricing to ensure
efficiency in the use and costing of power to different categories of consumers.
At present, the public sector in Karnataka has a monopoly of both generation
and transmission in the area of conventional energy sources like hydel and
A Handbook of Karnataka 230

thermal power with limited captive power generation permitted for individual
entrepreneurs along with sales to the grid. This approach has now been
questioned and private power companies welcomed into the area of generation
through carefully worked out legal and financial arrangements. A related issue
that has gained prominence is the need to set up an independent regulatory
framework to arbitrate on pricing issues between producers, consumers and
government. Serious discussions have also commenced on this issue so that
a formal mechanism is ready by the time independent power producers are
likely to commence the supply of power in accordance with power purchase
agreements executed with the government.
Karnataka State has evolved from a basically agricultural economy into an
industrial one. Its ranking in the industry scenario in 1994 was as low as VIII
in the country. The growth of industrial production in the State during the VII
Plan was 6.6 percent compared to only 3.6 percent during VI Plan. This 6.6
percent growth is still less than the national industrial growth of 7.6 percent.
In 2006-2007 there were about 1485 large and medium scale industrial
units with a total investment of about Rs. 46614.87 lakhs, employing about
4,72,873 persons in the State.
In 2007-08 the small and village industries comprise around 3,62,020
registered units with an investment of Rs.8,94,816.18 lakhs and employment
of nearly 20,68,027 persons. Besides there were about 5.48.334 unregistered
units spread all over the State providing employment to over three million
people and there were about 15,986 women in registered SSI enterprises all
over the State. As per the Third All India Census of Registered and Unregistered
Small Scale Industries in Karnataka (up to 31-3-2001). For more details see
table 5.4
Table 5.4 Registration o f small scale industries in Karnataka
Cumlative up to 2004 - 05 Cumlative up to 2008 - 09
SL. UNIT in Rs. EMP in UNIT in Rs. EMP in
DISTRICT
NO Nos Lakhs Nos Nos Lakhs Nos
1. Bagalkot 6030 10444 27175 7261 15545 33840
2. Bangalore (U) 56540 175562 473442 64107 265716 573356
3. Bangalore (R) 15002 36884 78841 16700 48612 88632
4. Belguam 28232 47551 117546 31791 62242 135019
5. Bellary 12254 29854 55383 14818 47676 70541
6. Bidar 7238 12787 39197 7578 14271 41483
7. Bijapur 6350 10673 36649 7947 14108 41712
8. Chamaraja- 7120 6989 29895 7812 8447 34124
nagar
9. Chikka- 0 0 0 375 1791 2246
ballapur
10. Chikmagalur 5870 9427 25722 7525 12182 31684
11. Chitradurga 7645 13138 32788 9318 16590 38299
Industries And Power 231

12. D.Kannada 15565 31558 84246 18729 43482 96431

13. Davangere 6817 15474 32655 8099 17410 37340
14. Dharwad 13195 28841 119582 15613 44373 134630
15. Gadag 6463 8511 23711 7243 9887 27164
16. Gulbarga 12323 19493 55794 15146 27070 65153
17. Hassan 9264 15784 41189 10768 19526 46927
18. Haveri 7549 6707 27959 8659 12153 32424
19. Kodagu 3133 5780 21692 3464 6748 23398
20. Kolar 12150 35946 77448 13767 48661 87811
21. koppal 3855 11697 26077 4847 18527 31377
22. Mandya 7668 13200 35150 8873 16785 40331
23. Mysore 19177 32340 100226 21623 45704 113406
24. Raichur 7772 15833 38135 8754 19005 41679
25. Ramanagara 0 0 0 481 2395 3660
26. Shimoga 12033 18734 50537 14099 22881 59380
27. Tumkur 18697 35906 96416 20882 46944 108798
28. Udupi 6457 27292 41258 7719 35166 51258
29. U. Kannada 7277 15567 40265 8868 20441 47848
total 321676 691971 1828978 372866 964340 2139921
Handlooms
The traditional industry of weaving had been a major phenomenon in the
State. There were 83,395 handloom units in the State in 1990, of which 10,126
units under co-perative fold, 14,395 units under corporate fold and 58,874
units under private/ independent/master weavers. As per the 1995-96 census,
there were about 89,127 power looms and 76,173 handlooms in the State.
The Department of Handlooms and Textiles is implementing various schemes
for the development of Handlooms, powerlooms and textile mills in the state.
The state textile policy which was amended in the year 1993 envisages the
overall development of ginning, pressing and spinning units and textile mills,
handlooms, powerlooms, knitting and garment units. It contemplates training
to handloom weavers, setting up of a technology centre and the Powerloom
Development Corporation, welfare schemes for handlom weavers, subsidy to
electricity generating units in textile mills and the development of markets for
handloom products and minimum wages to weavers. Handloom and Powerloom
products worth 80 million metres and 138 million metres respectively were
produced during 1997-98.
Handicrafts
Karnataka with a rich heritage of tradition in arts and crafts, is one of the
leading States in handicrafts industry. The handicrafts of the State include
lacquer ware, sandalwood carving, rosewood inlay work, pith work, toys
and dolls, Bidiriware, decorative pottery, bronze work, cane and bamboo
crafts, leather work, sculpture, gold and silver jewellery, brocade weaving,
A Handbook of Karnataka 232

Channapattana Toys
Industries And Power 233

horn carving etc., There are about 1000 identified master artisans and the
coverage of Handicraft Development Corporation is included to sixty percent,
at present. The assistance given by the department to the craftsmen includes
supply of raw materials at subsidised rates, training of craftsmen and intensive
development projects in various crafts. The Corporation has set up complexes
for sandalwood, bidriware, inlay-works and laquer ware. It has set up six raw
material depots and nine show rooms besides a bronze production and design
centre at Bangalore and procurement centre for Kinhal toys.
There are 2,45,826 small scale units in the State with an investments of
Rs. 43,569 crores providing employment to 14,,69,388. The state is giving
cash incentives and providing infrastructure to Small Scale Industries. The
Canara Bank has also taken up a lead in organising two residential workshops,
Kausalya, at Jogaradoddi in Ramnagaram and another at Karkala. Skilled
craftsmen not only work here, but also train young persons in a variety of
handicrafts.
physical targets and Achievements o f Handicrafts (Ks HDC)
1999-2000 2000-2001
Target Achievement Target
a) Production (Rs. in Lakhs) 300.00 300.00 300.00
b) Employment (No. of Families) 3875 3875 3750

Coir Industries

Karnataka ranks second in the production of coconut and have great

potential for the development o f Coir industries. The State Government has set
up a Coir Development Corporation for promoting coir based industries and to
provide employment in rural areas besides procurement-cum-distribution and
training centres.

In te g ra te d C o ir D evelopm ent P r o je c t : Rs. 200 lakhs have been provided

of which Rs. 100 lakhs is grant and Rs. 100 lakhs is investment to assist 4
Primary Coir Co-operative Societies and take up 18 programmes in the area
of Manpower development through the Karnataka State Coir Co-operative
Federation Limited, Primary Coir Co-operatives Societies and Karnataka State
Coir Development Corporation. Rs. 4 crores have been provided as State’s share
to set up new mini tool rooms at Bagalkot, Bidar and Shimoga.

Khadi and Village Industries

Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board came into existence
under the Karnataka Khadi and Village Industries Act 1956 (Karnataka Act
of 1957). The board was established by the Government of Karnataka with
A Handbook of Karnataka 234

the objective to organise, develop and regulate Khadi and Village Industries
activities in Karnataka

The main objective of the KVIB is to go give priority for Khadi and Village
Industries in rural areas and to develop provide assistance, generate employment
opportunities in rural areas and improve the economic status of the rural
artisans.

About 3 lakh artisans are employed In the Khadi and Village Industries,
of whom, the Karnataka State Khadi and village Industries Board has been
assisting 1.4 lakh artisans. The Board has taken steps to organise new
institutions in the uncovered areas of the State. It also extends assistance for
village industries like oil industry, carpentry, blacksmithy, leather industry,
soap industry, mat weaving etc., It has also initiated a concerted drive to install
biogas plants in the State. Karnataka is famous for producing national flags
and printed khadi silk sarees in this sector.

O f the agro-based industries, bee-keeping is also notable and the Western

Ghats districts like Kodagu, Hassan, Chikmagalur and Shimoga produce honey
in large quantities.

Rural Employment Generation Programme (Margin Money Scheme)

(Present scheme under operation)

The Government of India has launched Rural Employment Generation

Programme to provide more employment opportunities of rural artisans. The
Margin Money will be provided to the units of these entrepreneurs identified by
Khadi and Village Industries Commission/ Khadi and Village Industries Board.
This Margin Money will be adjusted to the loan account of the entrepreneur
only after two years of successful establishment of the unit. For more details
see table 5.5

This Scheme is applicable to the rural area.

V This is applicable only to rural village industries which are not in the
Negative list of industries.

V Margin Money Scheme benefits will not be provided to Khadi, Polyvastra,

Wool and Silk Industries.

V The loans for the projects are extended by the selected Nationalized Banks,
Private Scheduled Banks, Grameena Banks and Co-operative Bank which
are approved by Khadi and Village Industries Board.

V 69 Banks have been recongnised by KVIB to take up the scheme.

Industries And Power 235

Table 5.5 progress achieved under Rural Employment Generation

programme for the year 2006-07
(Rs. In Lakhs)
Target for the year Achievement for the year
Sl. 2006-07 2006-07
No District Name Margin Employ­ Margin Employ­
Units Money ment Units Money ment
1. Bagalkot 35 39.00 650 26 33.60 538
2. Bangalore Rural 33 37.00 617 43 58.43 935
3. Bangalore Urban 41 46.00 767 15 41.23 660
4. Belgaum 46 51.00 850 42 53.03 848
5. Bellary 48 53.00 883 53 41.16 659
6. Bidar 40 44.00 734 38 54.35 870
7. Bijapur 34 38.00 634 39 53.12 850
8. Chamarajanagar 23 26.00 425 07 9.19 147
9. Chickmagalur 20 22.00 367 37 52.61 842
10. Chitradurga 30 33.00 550 42 30.42 487
11. Dakshina 57 63.00 1050 77 144.12 2306
Kannada
12. Davanagere 37 40.00 667 61 57.82 925
13. Dharwad 33 37.00 617 31 46.09 737
14. Gadag 23 26.00 425 23 23.73 380
15. Gulbarga 59 64.00 1062 37 50.42 807
16. Hassan 24 27.00 450 19 32.35 518
17. Haveri 46 51.00 850 34 29.34 469
18. Kodagu 12 15.30 255 15 19.77 316
19. Kolar 49 54.00 900 17 42.12 674
20. Koppal 42 47.00 800 41 39.99 640
21. Mandya 30 33.00 550 18 19.44 311
22. Mysore 38 42.00 700 32 30.18 483
23. Raichur 36 40.00 667 33 23.70 379
24. Shimoga 34 38.00 634 60 50.73 812
25. Tumkur 28 31.00 517 39 53.68 859
26. Udupi 68 75.00 1250 72 125.83 2013
27. Uttara Kannada 40 44.00 734 63 90.64 1450
to tal 1006 1116.30 18605 1014 1307.09 20913

Vishwa programme: Vishwa programme was launched in order to rejuvenate

the traditional crafts and village industries and to provide self-employment to
the youth while encouraging them to make use of the raw materials available
locally. This programme was named after Sir M. Visveshwaraya. This was
launched on 2nd October 1991. The programme is intended to overcome the
scarcity of raw materials and proper marketting faced by craftsmen in rural
Karnataka. This will enable them to prosper with their own traditional know
how. Under this programme, it is envisaged to give institutional status to
rural industries and crafts, to train the youth so as to enable them to take up
A Handbook of Karnataka 236

proper industrial activity and to provide financial assistance to take up self

employment.
sericulture
The area covered under mulberry in the state was about 0.88 lakh hectares.
Sericulture provided employment to 11.40 lakh persons in 2005-06. The
production of raw silk in the state was about 7470 tonnes in 2005-06 as against
7300 tonnes in 2004-05. In the first eight months of 2006-07 production of
cocoons increased from 35,520 Mts to 43240 Mts during the corresponding
period of previous year. The quantum of cocoons marketed has increased
from 33,310 Mts to 42,330 Mts during the same period. For more details see
table 5.6
table 5.6 sericulture in Karnataka
April to Percent
Sl. November variation
Category Unit 2004-05 2005-06
No. 2006 over
2005 2006 2005
1. Area under 000’
77.99 87.73 86.76 98.06 13.02
Mulberry hectares
2. Production of 43.24
cocoons 000 mts. 54.21 55.49 35.52 21.73
3. Quantum
of cocoons 000 mts 47.02 49.93 33.31 42.33 27.08
marketed
4. Raw Silk
000 mts 7.30 7.47 4.74 5.78 21.94
production
5. Employment
in Sericulture Lakhs 10.13 11.40 11.28 12.74 12.94
Source: Department of Sericulture, Bangalore

' • A , j * ^

i ✓
>
A ♦

f * "
r
r i *
v
J \ *
‘ * •« < \ i

Cocoons
Industries And Power 237

Silk Weaving

Large and Medium Scale Industries

The Industrial policy of 1993 replaced the division of the State into zones
by the three fold classification under which Bangalore and its surrounding
became ineligible for subsidy; growth centres got a higher subsidy of 30% and
other areas a subsidy of 25%. This was modified in 1996 and subsidy restricted
to small scale industries, with medium scale industries being extended only
sales tax incentives. Hitech and renewable energy projects, non polluting and
exporting units were given special attention apart from exemption from power
cuts and stamp duties. The 2001-2006 new industrial policy, in order to achieve
the objectives as set out in this policy and to ensure that the strategy/approach
detailed in this policy is implemented successfully, the government offers the
following incentives and concessions for new investment made in industrial
sector on or after 1st April 2001. For the purpose of various incentives and
concessions, the state has been classified into four zones namely; Zone - A
Developed areas, Zone-B developing areas, Zone-C backward areas and Zone -
D growth centres and mini growth centres, specialised industrial parks.
In the 8th Plan 77 mega projects with investment of Rs. 54,700 crores and
employment potential of 90,490 have been approved, Vijayanagar Steel Plant
was started. Mangalore Refinery was commissioned, the Singapore Information
Technology Park at Whitefield commissioned, a textile policy is announced,
the National Institute of fashion Technology project is initiated, a software
services support and education centre with ECC and Government of India and
an Electronics Trade and Technology centre set up. Major projects approved
A Handbook of Karnataka 238

include the TVS Suzuki two wheeler project with an investment of Rs. 150
crores, a heavy duty truck manufacturing facility by Volvo with an investment
of Rs. 300 crores and a special purpose vehicle manufacturing unit of Telco
with an investment of Rs. 300 crores. The high level committee has cleared
seven major projects, important among them being construction o f Equipment
manufacturing plant of Eicon, two cement grounding units at Toranagallu
and Kolar, a fertiliser plant of Jindal fertilisers Ltd. At Torangallu, expansion
projects of Mahadeshwara sugar along with a co-generation plant, a multi­
disciplinary high technology Rand D centre of GE India Technology Centre at
Whitefield, Bangalore.
In 1999-2000, the high level committee cleared seven major projects
involving investment of Rs. 11,108.28 crores. The state level single window
agency cleared large and medium projects involving Rs. 1,862 crores despite
the general economic and industrial slowdown in the country.
During the year 2007-08, the state level window clearance committee has
approved 779 large and medium projects with an investment of Rs. 64762.54
crore and to employment potential of 361051, besides, State High Level
Clearance committee cleared 36 projects with an investment of Rs. 62,173.79
lakh and to employment potential of 6,33,260. See more details table 5.7 and
table 5.8
Table 5.7 District-wise large and medium scale industries
(Rs. in Crores)

Sl.
District No. of Units Investment Employment
No.
1. Bangalore Urban 375 11326.15 202248
2. Bangalore Rural 74 1577.15 27941
3. Bagalkote 14 889.76 4380
4. Bidar 07 229.69 2554
5. Bellary 48 24775.78 21941
6. Belgaum 26 1932.53 17893
7. Bijapur 02 146.41 874
8. Chamarajanagar 04 182.92 353
9. Chickmagalur 02 10.71 302
10. Chitradurga 04 111.68 557
11. Chickballapur 02 15.47 117
12. Dakshina Kannada 17 7602.68 5083
13. Davanagere 07 294.97 1506
14. Dharwad 19 754.38 3791
15. Gadag 02 49.98 1591
16. Gulbarga 07 1683.95 4960
17. Hassan 08 589.58 4112
18. Haveri 08 369.41 3793
Industries And Power 239

19. Kodagu 00 00 00
20. Kolar 05 123.83 519
21. Uttara Kannada 03 795.20 4006
22. Koppal 15 1260.88 2453
23. Mandya 09 535.22 3324
24. Mysore 56 3387.80 19758
25. Raichur 09 3110.27 6967
26. Ramanagar 14 1093.84 5646
27. Shimoga 11 848.74 6922
28. Tumkur 26 894.92 4704
29. Udupi 05 168.64 2756
to tal 779 64762.54 361051

Table 5.8 Achievements from 2001 to 2006 up to December

Year No. of Products Investment Employment
approved (Rs. in Crores) (in Nos)
2000-01 292 4,511.35 1,38,204
2001-02 103 2,042.92 46,007
2002-03 195 1,822.97 32,072
2003-04 164 3,893.47 1,11,453
2004-05 202 4,524.76 1,09,028
2005-06 204 4,665.40 1,25,406
2006-07 (Up to 630 8,882.43 5,73,343
December 2006)
to tal 1630 30,343.30 11,35,513
The state was able to attract severe competition from other states, regarding
the prestigious project of the Toyota Motor Corporation covering an investment
of Rs. 4,200 crores to establish an automobile unit for the manufacture of
passenger cars.
Minerals in Karntaka
Karnataka is also producing minerals like Chromite, Kyanite, Dolomite,
Magnesite, Bauxite, Felsite, Dunite and Quartz. During 2006-07 Mineral wise
leases and production is given in table 5.9
table 5.9 Mineral production in Karntaka
Production for the year
Name of the Mineral Total no. of leases
2006-07 (in metric tones)
Iron 178 4,16,72,254
Manganese 37 1,82,064
Soap Stone 05 690
Moulding 39 1,00,220
Limestone/Dolomite 157 1,47,45,413
Quartzite 05 -
Aluminous laterite 06 1,75,748
A Handbook of Karnataka 240

Clay 14 30,603
Bauxite 04 1,15,797
Graphite 06 1,997
Vermiculite 02 -
Kyanite 06 2,264
Felsite 13 972
Magnesite 11 11,720
Gold/Copper 06 23,94,722
Silica sand 23 2,06,541
Lime Shell 17 7,17,182
Quartz 44 57,371
Total 580 580,20,86,995
Karnataka state is bestowed with vast resources of granite deposits. These
granite deposits had brought the Karnataka State into the international secnario.
It is essential to bring back the glory to the granite industry of Karnataka by
way of initiatives in the current mineral policy. Total granite production for the
year 2006-07 is 1.96 lakh cu.m. The granite varieties resources and number
of leases are given in table 5.10 and minerals export in karnataka given in
table 5.11
Table 5.10 Minerals Resources in Karntaka
Resources in
Granite Varieties No. of Leases
million cu. m
Pink Multi-coloured Granite 133 288
Pink Granite-Prophery, Red 15 205
Grey Granite 65 130
Black and Green granite 07 186
Yellow granite 04 04
Quartzite/sand stone 574 -
Total 798 813
Table 5.11 Minerals export in Karntaka during 2006-07
(In lakh tones)
Ore Domestic use (annual) Export (Annual)
Iron Ore 201.81 271.35
Mangenese 3.5 -
Limestone 145.26 -
Dolomite 3.74 -
Dunite 0.13 -
Chromite 0.11 -
Bauxite 11.37 -
Clay 0.31 -
Quartx 11.37
Soapstone 0.002 -
Gold 2.39 -
Silica Sand 1.01 -
Industries And Power 241

Limeshell 0.55 -
Redoxide 0.16 -
Felsfer 0.03 -
Moulding sand 0.5 -
Felsite 0.01 -
Kyanite 0.02 -
Magnesite 0.01 -
Graphite Aluminous laterite 1.18 -
Shell 1.9 -

Export from Karnataka

International Trade is one of the important means for developing the country’s
economy. The present era of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation
poses up several challenges as well as opportunities. After the formation of
World Trade Organisation (WTO), the world has shrunk into a Global Village.
World is now one Market place.
Exports from Karnataka have shown tremendous growth in recent past.
From the value of Rs. 29,898 crores in 2002-2003, exports have increased
nearly five times and have crossed Rs.1,32,703 crores from the year 2007-08.
It has to be noted that during 2007-08 the share of Karnataka in the country’s
exports was 16.23% and as on now Karnataka stands 4th in the country in
merchandise exports.
Karnataka has made rapid and spectacular strides in exports of Electronic
and Computer software. Petroleum and Petroleum Products, Ready made
garments, Gem and Jewellery, Engineering goods, Iron ore and Minerals apart
from the traditional sectors like silks, cashews, spices, coffee and handicrafts
etc.
A major attraction of the State is the excellent living conditions, which brings
talented professionals from all over the country and overseas to live and work
here. A number of residential and international schools offer quality education
in a stimulating environment.
Export promotion Drive o f Karnataka Government
Visvesvaraya Industrial Trade Centre (VITC), is the Nodal Agency of the
State Government of promotion of exports from Karnataka. VITC regularly
conducts export related programmes/workshops and participates in trade
fairs/ exhibitions at both national and international level. It also offers regular
counselling to exporters and also resolves their grievances through vanious
committees like State Level Export Promotion Council, State Level Export
Promotion Committee, Export Facilitation Co-ordination Committee and also
through Committees of other Central and State Government Organisations.
VITC is working closely with District Industrial Centres, District level
ChambersAssociations for undertaking export promotion programmes for
improving the of export scenario of the state and also assisting the exporters to
participate in international events by offering financial support under the MDA
scheme of the state.
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Table 5.12 Export Perform ance o f Karanataka Satate

SL. 2008-09
Commodity 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
No (Apr-Sept)
1. Electronic and Computer
11533.05 15899.77 20522.28 31488.73 42180.81 56478.16 79517.50 28033.00
Software
2. Readymade Garments 2820.00 4000.00 4038.00 4500.00 4980.00 6773.00 4125.00 2433.66
3. Petroleum and Petroleum NA 1915.00 4472.15 6186.00 11912.00 11602.25 11232.00 9205.58
Products
4. Engineering 1048.07 1650.11 1899.49 3021.35 3052.00 5461.00 8301.00 2649.43
5. Iron Ore and Minerals 691.56 1524.00 2093.43 4480.00 5920.10 8791.32 10197.00 2934.10
find, granites)
6. Silk Products 672.24 746.09 967.99 898.80 1050.68 1273.94 912.12 354.73
7. Coffee Products 881.42 730.65 757.57 705.65 1103.94 1476.65 1307.60 876.26
8. Basic chemicals, 320.24 413.33 649.22 746.03 1018.63 1839.05 2069.70 1499.90
Pharamaceuticals and
Cosmetics
9. Agriculture and Processed 349.51 366.99 361.25 362.41 384.11 398.36 415.51 275.47
Food Products
10. Gem and Jewellery 281.05 295.85 2631.00 4644.00 5725.00 7799.11 9749.00 5406.97
11. Cashew and Cashew 163.54 279.83 265.72 518.35 521.81 552.78 527.05 369.39
Kernals
12. Handicrafts 48.59 ___ 260.58 324.28 330.15 360.01 389.01 428.36
13. Leather Products 237.64 ___ 221.58 276.51 186.75 214.59 218.05 201.28
14. Chemicals and Allied 201.22 215.36 338.62 705.52 732.00 745.12 399.28 175.24
products
15. Marine Products 85.76 96.91 ___ 51.58 91.65 98.22 136.13 153.46
16. Plastic Goods 83.07 96.84 ___ 749.07 2779.10 1850.70 552.15 215.25
17. Spices 69.12 76.80 — 91.65 99.58 109.54 160.98 219.72
18. Wool and Woollen 44.46 ___ 89.25 109.40 124.86 140.03 147.29 47.29
19. Miscellaneous and others 615.03 1016.55 1053.25 775.13 880.16 2529.76 2559.52 1258.11
Total 20145.58 299289.96 ___ 29897.99 41670.24 62638.56 82279.60 107375.59
Country’s Exports State’s 245517.97 299289.96 349581.93 430888.00 546466.00 709641.87 877872.00 ___

242
Share in Country’s Exports 8.27% 9.99% 11.92% 14.54% 15.06% 15.13% 16.23% —
Industries And Power 243

Ministry of Commerce, Government of India releases funds Under Assistance

to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) to
the State based on the export performance. VITC is the Nodal Agency for the
above scheme.
VITC (Government of Karnataka Centre for Export Promotion), Export
Agencies and Exporting Community should work hand in hand to accelerate
the export growth from the state and to achieve envisaged target.
New Industrial policy 2006-2011
Karnataka is one of the top five industrialized States in the country. It has
a history of pioneering industrial development initiatives since the time of the
Princely State of Mysore and subsequently in the post independence era. The
State was the first in the country to have brought out a State Industrial Policy
during 1982-83, followed by successive State Industrial Policies in 1988, 1990,
1993, 1996 and in 2001.
During the just concluded 2001-06 Industrial Policy period, investment
approvals o f projects (with investments o f over Rs. 50 crores each) by the State
High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) and large and medium projects
by the State Level Single Window Agency (SLSWA) have shown sustained
increase/growth. The number of projects approved by the SHLCC is 148 with
an investment of Rs.1,15,882 crores and with an employment potential of
11,03,824 persons. Similarly, the number of projects approved by SLSWCC is
861 with an anticipated investment of Rs. 19,043.73 crores and employment
potential of 5,90,869 persons. During the same Policy period 65,231 SSI units
registered with Rs. 2,079.62 crores of investment and provide employment to
2,95,487 persons.
The State GDP growth rate during 2005-06 us 8.7% with industrial sector
accounting for 18%. Having regard to this it is felt that the new policy should
have a mission to achieve GSDP growth of over 9%.
The industrial recession, which was prevalent upto 2002-03 has now
given way to increased investments and growth, as is evident in the year-wise
investment approvals by SHLCC and SLSWCC.
However, this increased flow of investment need to be supported with
(i) On demand infrastructure availability, (ii) Haman resource for diverse
sectors, (iii) Support to technology up-gradation, quality improvement and (iv)
Single Window support and facilitation mechanism, so that the project are
implemented expeditiously and go into operation.
Today, there is intense competition between States for attracting investments.
Investors naturally choose the State that offers best combination of (i) Industrial
and Social infrastructure, (ii) Human resources, (iii) Technology savvy work
force and (iv) The State that offers “Ease of doing Business”
A Handbook of Karnataka 244

The fiscal/taxation regime and incentives & concessions offered by the

States and Government of India also have important bearing on the locational
decision of projects.
His Excellency, the President of India Dr. A.P. Abdul Kalam, in his
address to the members of the Karnataka Legislature on 20-10-2005 on the
occasion of “Suvarna Karnataka celebrations” had advocated 11 Missions for
Karnataka prosperity. Of these, Missions on Textiles, Bio-fuel, Agro processing
and Entrepreneurship are related to industries sector and addressed in this
Policy.
Government accords highest priority to the objectives of dispersal of
industrial investments in various backward regions/districts of the State so
that the fruits of economic development and employment opportunities are
shared by segment of society and in all parts of State in as equitable manner
as possible.
The New Industrial Policy 2006-2011 attempts to address the above aspects
in a balanced manner.
v is io n

Policy to help facilitate the State achieves a GSDP growth o f over 9%, which
in turn call for an industrial sector growth of over 12%.
To focus on strengthening of the manufacturing industry in the State and to
increase it’s percentage share of the GSDP from the present average of 16.70%
to over 20% by the end of the policy period.
To achieve an increased share of Karnataka’s exports in the National exports
from the present 15% to 20% by the end of the policy period.
To create additional employment generation to at least 10.00 lakh persons
in the manufacturing and service sectors during the Policy period.
Promote diversified industrial base with strength in both old economy and
new economy fields.
Facilitate reduction of regional imbalance in the matter of economic
opportunities, employment and growth.
Endeavour to promote sustained industrial growth by facilitating accelerated
flow of investments.
In short, to promote sustained, growth oriented industrialization with
employment and revenue generation, for overall social-economic development
of the state.
s TRATEGY: Keeping the above objectives in mind, the strategy for further
industrialization of the State during the next 5 years would be:
To classify various taluks of the State into 3 Zones for the purpose of focused
attention:-
Industries And Power 245

i) Zone-1 79 Taluks- most/more backward Taluks as categorized by

Dr. D. M. Nanjundappa Committee Report.
ii) Zone-2 :- 85 Taluks- (Taluks not covered in Zone 1 and 3).
iii) Zone-3 :- 12 Taluks- o f Bangalore Urban and Rural Districts (excluding
Taluks o f Kanakapura and Magadi) Mangalore and Mysore Taluks.
To develop industrial infrastructure facilities ahead of the requirements, in
various key location of through the KIADB/KSSIDC. Annually a minimum of
5,000 acres of quality industrial infrastructure would be created, during the
Policy period. Such industrial Areas will be developed in an integrated manner
reserving up to 25% of the area for housing and other social infrastructure. The
equity base of KIADB would be strengthened through greater support.

Keeping in view the fact that water is a crucial support requirement for
industrialization, Government would facilitate implementation of mega
industrial water supply schemes for potential locations through Special Purpose
Vehicles (SPVs).
A comprehensive Power Policy would be formulated by the Department of
Energy. This Policy would encourage power generation from IPPs and also
through captive power generation.
To meet the rising energy requirements of the State on account of rapid
industrialization, Government would facilitate preparation of a “Gas Distribution
Master Plan” to enable public/private sector players to bring in gas from diverse
sources for distribution.
Apart from standard infrastructure in the form of industrial areas and
industrial estates, specialized industrial infrastructure for specific sectors and
Special Economic Zones (SEZ) (Multi-product, Product specific, Sector specific
and Free Trade Zones) would be encouraged to be established through both
KIADB as well as private sector promoters. The establishment of multi-product
and product specific SEZs will be encouraged in all districts of the State except
Bangalore Urban District. However, establishment of SEZs even in Bangalore
Urban District will also be encouraged if the proponent of SEZ comes forward
to do so in his/her own land or through a joint development agreement with
the land owners.
The ONGC in association with Govt. of Karnataka is already implementing
a large Multi-product SEZ that would predominantly house Petroleum refining
and Petro-Chemical projects. Govt. would take up with Govt. of India for
enlargement of the size and scope of Mangalore SEZ Ltd. In to Petroleum,
Chemicals and Petro-chemicals investment Region (PCPIR).
A Handbook of Karnataka 246

Industrial corridor/Cluster development would be encouraged in potential

locations.

State would encourage alternate partnership & financing options for

infrastructure development.
Focused attention on sub-sectors/areas where the State has core
competency i.e., Aerospace, Engineering, Automobile, Machine-tools, Steel,
Cement, Pharmaceuticals, Food Processing, Apparel and Textiles, Electronics,
Information Technology, Bio Technology etc.,
In view of the fact that the silk reeling sector is highly employment oriented,
a separate package will be formulated in consultation with the Sericulture
Department.

Impetus for development of renewable and non-conventional energy sources

through Mission approach.
Human Resource Development-Government would promote/help facilitate
establishment of specialized skill development institutions at key locations
suitable for the manufacturing industries and emerging vocations in the service
sector. A scheme of State support through public, private partnership would be
evolved and implemented.
pow er

Karnataka was a pioneer in the development of hydro power and had a

power surplus situation till the seventies. Due to rapid industrialisation and
other structural problems, now it is facing acute power shortage. In 1998­
99 against an unrestricted demand of 26,300 MUs generation from the State
Grid has only 17,245 MUs leaving a gap of 9055 MUs. After the contribution
of Central Stations to the extent of 5,549 MUs, the state is left with an annual
defecit of 35,506 MUs. It is estimated that energy demand and peak load in the
state at the end of the Ninth Plan (2001-2002) will be 31,208 MUs and 5,422
MWs respectively as per the 15th Power Survey Report of Central Electricity
Authority. A major reason for the chronic power shortage is the dependence on
hydel power. The hydel-thermal mix is 70:30, leaving the State with a heavy
dependence on rainfall in the catchment area. Karnataka is endowed with
hydro power potential of about 7,800 MWs of which only about 2,836 MWs has
been harnessed, 472 MWs can be expected from hydro projects under various
stages of execution. Environmental issues connected with the submersion of
forests, rehabilitation of displaced persons as well as delay in the settlement of
interstate disputes have affected the utilisation of available hydel power.
Industries And Power 247

Sir K. Sheshadri Iyer Hydro Pow er Station, Shivasamudra M alavalli Taluk, Mandya District
A Handbook of Karnataka 248

Raichur Thermal Pow er Station ( RTPS)

Industries And Power 249

Almatti dam, Bijapur District

In 1887, Gokak Mills (formerly Gokak Water Power and Manufacturing

Company) by an agreement with the Government of erstwhile Bombay State,
made use of 170 ft falls of the Ghataprabha known as the Gokak Falls, to
generate power at the foot of the hills for working their cotton ginning mills
situated nearby. It is said that they generated water power with 3 units of
500 kw each in 1911 and one unit of 1000 kw in 1924 using Francis Hydro
Turbines.
By 1902, the east-bound Cauvery had been harnessed to generate 4.3
MW at Shivasamudram making use of the Cauvery falls popularly known as
Gaganachukki and Bharachukki. The electricity of this station was supplied
to Kolar Gold Mines, a distance of 147 km through 78 KV transmission lines
which at that time was the world’s longest transmission line. Subsequently
the generating station was extended by the second installation in 1903, the
third in 1907, the fourth in 1914-15, the fifth in 1918 and the sixth in 1919.
The seventh installation was sanctioned in 1925. The power generated in this
station was supplied to Bangalore and Mysore cities besides important industrial
concerns. The Shimsha power house was commissioned in 1940. It is located
at the confluence of Shimsha and Cauvery rivers near Shimshapura village of
Malavalli taluk (Mandya dt.) It has an installed capacity of 17.2. MWs.
The Mahatma Gandhi Hydro-Electric Station was established during 1947­
48 on the west-flowing Sharavati near Jog Falls with an installed capaity of 48
MW. This project is producing the bulk of energy that is consumed by the State
at present.
A Handbook of Karnataka 250

The Bhadra Power house is at the main dam on the Bhadra river and was
commissioned in 1962. The Munirabad Power Station (1962) located on the left
bank of the Tungabhadra Dam near Hospet has three generating units of 9MW
each. The Right Bank Power House releases 14.40 MW of power to the State,
which is 20 percent of the total production and the rest is utilised by Andhra
Pradesh. The Kali Hydro-Electric Project was cleared for execution in March
1971. The work on Varahi Project has been commissioned.
The Raichur Thermal Plant is the first power plant of its kind in the State and
is the first attempt to achieve the much needed power mix. It has the following
seven units. RTPS Stage I commissioned on 29.3.1985 (210 MW); Stage II on
2.8. 1986 (210 MW); Stage III 3.10.1991 (210 MW); Stage IV 29.9.1994 (210
MW) ; Stage V on 31.1.1999 (210 MW) Stage VI on 22.7. 1999 (210 MW); Stage
VII On 18.10, 2000 (210 MW). The Nuclear Power Project at Kaiga of Uttara
Kannada District put up by the Central Government, will bring in further
diversification has been commissioned during 1993-94. It has already gone
critical . The diesel power station at Yelahanka near Bangalore has also been
commissioned.
During the year 1999-2000 the plan outlay was Rs. 672,18 crores and
revised estimate was Rs.325 crores. It was programmed to create an installed
capacity of 250 MWs. The third unit of Kodasalli dam and powerhouse (40
MWs) was commissioned in July 1999 in 34 months with considerable savings
in project costs. Thus, the total installed capacity of 250 MWs. as per target
was already achieved.
Karnataka Electricity Board
Unlike the electricity boards in other states, the Karnataka Electricity Board
is vested mainly with the function of transmission and distribution. The KEB
purchases power generated by Karnataka Power Corporation at the rates
specified from time to time by the State Government. Another unique feature is
that the two power houses in the Tungabadhra river situated in the State are
owned and operated by Tungabhadra Board which is represented by the State
Government of Karnataka and Andhra pradesh and the Government of India,
and 2o % of the energy generated by these stations is the share of Karnataka
Electricity Board. Further, there is Central allocation to Karnataka from the
National Thermal Power Corporation and other agencies. Karnataka has 16%
share out of this. The following were the position of the KEB as on June 1993. 1)
53,45.805 installations, 2)45,381 workers 3) 354 sub stations with an aggregate
capacity of 8233.95 MVA; 4) 3,78,543.366 Kms of distribution lines; 5) 79,665
distribution transformers with an aggregate capacity of 5,154 MVA; 7) 2,21,948
low tension installations and 8) 7,33,000 irrigation pump sets energised.
After corporatising Karnataka Electricity Board to Karnataka Power
Transmission Corporation Ltd. on 1st August 1999, the Viswesvaraya Vidyuth
Nigama Ltd (V.V.N.L) was set up to control and maintain the generating stations
(348 MW) which was earlier under the KEB. KPTCL has also constituted an eight
Industries And Power 251

in-house working groups for implementation of Reforms and restructuring.

These working groups are actively functioning giving directions for successful
implementation of reforms and restructuring in power sector.
Investigation, formulation, design, construction, operation and maintenance
of power projects and generation of power in Karnataka is handled by the
Karnataka Power Corporation, a wholly owned Stated Government company
Energy potential
Energy consumption and demand for energy has become exponential in view
of the acute imbalance that developed in the power sector. At the end of VII
Plan, power generation was 11,108 MW, whereas the demand was 19,756 MW
leaving a gap of nearly 8,648 MW. In 1996-97 against an unrestricted demand
of 26,409 MUS generation from the State Grid was 12210 MUs leaving a gap
of 11,199 MUs. After importing from neighbouring states and the contribution
are of Central Stations to the extent of 6,275 MUs, the state was left with an
annual deficit of 4,924 MUs. The energy generation in 2000-2001 at 20,787
MUs was expected to show a decrease of 1.4 % over the 1999-2000 level of
21,092 MUs.
The power transmission and distribution system is said to be characterised
by several weaknesses. There are heavy line losses, frequent load shedding and
variation in voltage. The tempo of construction of major transmission lines and
Sub-station and system improvement works has been intensified to bring down
transmission distribution losses. To check theft the vigilance cell of the KPTCL
has been strengthened. Tamper proof plastic tubes have been provided for
suspect installations. The State Government further proposed to bring about
necessary laws making theft of power a cognisable offence. The present Act did
not provide for punishment to those involved in power theft.
Non-conventional sources
To promote renewable energy sources and to admit the availability of
energy and provide viable options in wide range of applications, Government of
India, has established a separate department in 1982 to exclusively deal with
renewable energy technology for the same reason and for co-ordinating and
integrating activities undertaking by the KPTCL Karnataka Power Corporation,
KSCST and RDP and a separate organisation called KRED (Ltd.) (Karnataka
Renewable Energy Development Ltd.) was established March 1996. Projects
started under this scheme.
Rural Energy
Near 90% of the energy consume by the rural people consists of non­
commercial fuels like firewood, cow dung and agricultural waste which account
for 40% of energy consumed in the country. The continued and wide spread use
of the sources of energy is resulting in the large scale destruction of environment
through deforestation, atmospheric pollution, soil erosion and consequent loss
of fertility. Next the renewable source of energy and maximisation of potential
A Handbook of Karnataka 252

of bio-energy. The popularise bio-gas plans the state has initiated programme
called Anila Yojana. For more details see table 5.13 and 5.14
table 5.13 Details o f Major electric stations under different Basins as
on 31-03-2oo8 (owned by Karnataka power Corporation Ltd)
Sl No. of Units X Installed Capacity
Power Station
No. Capacity in MW in MW
A. Hydel
1. Cauvery River Basin project
a. Sri Sheshadri Iyer Hydro Elect. Station 4X6
(Shivasamudram) 6X3 42.00
b. Shimsha Hydro Electric Station 2X8.60 17.20
to tal 59.20
2. sharavathi Hydro electric project
a. Linganamakki Dam Powerhouse 2X27.50 55.00
b. Mahatma Gandhi Hydro Electric 4X21.60
Station
4X13.20 139.20
c. Shravathi Generating Station 10X103.5 1035.00
d. Gerusoppa Dam Powerhouse 4X60 240.00
to tal 1469.20
3. Kalinadi Hydro electric project
a. Supa Dam Powerhouse 2X50 100.00
3X135
b. Nagjhari Powerhouse
4X150 855.00
c. Kadra Dam Powerhouse 3X50 150.00
d. Kaddasalli Dam Powerhouse 3X40 120.00
to tal 1225.00
4. Varahi Hydro electric project
a. Mini Dam Powerhouse 2X4.50 9.00
b. Varahi Underground Powerhouse 2X115 230.00
to tal 239.00
5. Krishna River Basin projects
a. Almatti Dam Powerhouse 1X15
5X55 290.00
to tal 290.00
6. Mini Hydro electric projects
a. Bhadra Right Bank 1X7.2
1X6 13.20
b. Bhadra Left Bank 2X12
1X2 26.00
c. Ghataprabha 2X16 32.00
d. Mallapur 2X4.5 9.00
e. Sirwar 1X1 1.00
Industries And Power 253

f. Kalmala 1X0.40 0.40

g. Ganekal 1X0.35 0.35
h. Munirabad Powerhouse 2X9
1X10 28.00
Total 109.95
Total A: 3392.35
B. therm al
a. Raichur Thermal Power Station 7X210 1470.00
C. diesel Generating station
a. Yalahanka Diesel Generating Station 6X21.32 127.92
D. wind
a. Kappatagudda Wind Farm 9X0.225
11X0.230 4.55
Grand to tal 4994.82
On Going Projects
Installed
Sl.
Name of Project Units Capacity District
No.
in MW
A. therm al
1. Bellary Thermal Power Station Unit-1 1X500 500 Bellary
2. RTPS Unit VIII 1X250 250 Raichur
3. Bellary Thermal Power Station Unit-2 1X500 500 Bellary
to tal 1250
B. Hydro
1. Varahi Hydro Electric, Project-II Stage 2X115 230 Udupi
Unit-3 and 4
2. R.M. and U of NPH Units 4,5, and 6 3X15 45 North Karnataka
to tal 275
Grand to tal 1525
Proposed New Projects
Installed
Sl.No. Name of New Project Units Capacity in District
MW
A. therm al
1. Kalgarki T.P.S. 2X500 1000 Bijapur
2. Annechakana Halli T.P.S. 2X500 1000 Hassan
3. Edlapur T.P.S. 1X500 500 Raichur
4. Yermarus T.P.S. 2X500 1000 Raichur
5. Yadgir T.P.S. 2X500 1000 Gulbarga
6. BTPS Units-3 1X500 500 Bellary
7. Kuditini T.P.S. 3X500 1500 Bellary
B. Hydro
1. Gundia Hydro Power Project | 2X200 4001Hassan
C. Gas
1. Bidadi Combined Cycle Power- 2X700 1400 Ramanagar
Station
to tal 8300
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Table 5.14
Districtwise and Sectorwise Consumption o f Electricity as on 2006-07
Sl. Districts Domestic consumption Industrial Commercial I.P. Sets consumption Steet Lights
No consumption consumption
Nos Units in Nos Units in Nos Units in Nos Units in Nos Units in
Lakhs Lakhs Lakhs Lakhs Lakhs
1 Bangalore (Urban) 2411455 24768.20 70392 27334.10 358545 20434.20 21731 1900.80 13618 1063.40
2 Bangalore (Rural) 493946 1622.40 20351 4524.90 39018 673.20 103722 7842.50 3753 441.30
3 Chitradurga 286779 770.90 5261 611.70 20969 151.50 62005 3983.30 2103 247.00
4 Davanagere 354932 1304.30 6560 791.50 31232 293.40 66183 4403.90 2205 235.40
5 Kolar 533763 1676.80 10387 1291.52 45675 290.70 126014 13600.30 5223 952.40
6 Shimoga 273896 1298.98 5096 2901.48 36162 296.04 37042 2887.12 3540 136.38
7 Tumkur 565763 1556.20 10233 1357.70 38827 301.60 134504 8071.30 5411 564.50
8 Chikmagalur 189272 716.96 3208 305.20 21091 158.11 35295 2436.54 2410 172.79
9 Dakshina Kannada 346951 3065.30 0 1860.43 51171 1404.00 57022 1675.60 4391 196.55
10 Udupi 202827 1495.99 4084 820.10 28861 666.62 45414 602.23 618 54.58
11 Hassan 326760 873.10 5400 401.51 28652 217.81 54610 3019.17 3583 206.89
12 Kodagu 95586 417.25 1290 76.47 11554 126.97 4809 145.12 755 16.33
13 Mandya 326378 871.99 8000 529.09 29517 168.79 54967 5104.89 2976 373.81
14 Mysore 457708 2502.20 9137 3730.33 58967 831.35 39529 3056.34 4837 285.86
15 Chamaraianagar 129100 363.19 2262 107.90 12100 72.69 41525 3532.80 1546 212.06
16 Belgaum 654241 2457.28 22298 3789.42 59163 595.11 161536 12795.79 2970 155.79
17 Bijapur 260755 850.03 6859 273.27 23238 372.70 78373 4144.96 1959 116.00
18 Bagalkot 255844 796.32 10105 712.86 24155 199.99 70380 7499.42 1615 117.00
19 Dharwad 318046 1741.10 7178 1541.72 38411 647.43 14416 583.85 1735 143.51
20 Gadag 191768 551.98 3544 346.15 15186 113.93 16965 1353.12 1152 91.15
21 Haveri 245500 635.76 4128 353.01 19543 119.13 40725 3241.08 1639 179.57
22 Uttara Kannada 274981 1191.46 3974 531.91 28471 301.15 37041 453.76 2291 103.90

23 Bellary 288154 1288.97 7549 2756.36 35502 436.00 46150 4524.12 1203 154.79
24 Bidar 155923 610.28 5408 504.93 25099 156.77 49290 3043.41 1013 415.22
25 Gulbarga 346164 1535.17 13475 1776.17 50957 433.53 51892 3275.00 2890 365.51
26 Raichur 171552 661.92 5606 1000.96 22935 209.22 30760 2940.06 1054 135.52
27 Koppal 116952 425.73 3445 1583.48 16620 117.07 33996 3933.29 1441 185.07
S ta te G ran d T o ta l 10274996 5 6 0 4 9 .7 6 255230 6 1 8 1 4 .1 7 1171621 2 9 7 8 9 .0 1 1515896 1 1 0 0 4 9 .7 7 77931 7 3 2 2 .2 8

Numbers: Indicate Number of consumers.

254
Source : Karnataka At a Glance 2006-07- Directorate o f Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
 Chapter VI
BANKING, CO-OPERATIVES AND TRADE
Karnataka has a rich cultural heritage. Early epigraphs o f ancient Karnataka
do refer to goods and financial transactions. They speak about trade activities,
rate of interest that prevailed and the community living that existed in those
days. Temples acted as banks and the socio-economic activities of the society
revolved around the temples. Karnataka has made a greater stride in modern
banking in India during 20th century. The functioning of Organised Banking
sector was evidenced with the establishment of the branches of the then
Presidency Banks, i.e.. The Bank of Bombay (1840) and The Bank of Madras
(1843) which opened their branch offices at Dharwad in 1863 and at Bangalore
Cantonment in 1864 respectively. In course of time, many more branches of
the Presidency Banks were opened at Belgaum (1867), Mangalore (1867), Hubli
(1870) and Kumta (1872-73). Mangalore Branch of the Madras Presidency Bank
was started to meet the requirements of the port traders. Dharwad branch was
opened mainly to facilitate the cotton traders of the Bombay-Karnataka area.
The Un-organised banking sector was mainly dominated by the local money
lenders viz. Sahukars, Zamindars and Traders. Money-lending was a profitable
business. It was commonly practised by all communities. The Marwadis,
Gujarathis, Jains, Mahajans, Chettiyars, and Multhani money lenders from
the North came and settled in important trading centres of Karnataka. They are
found engaged in money lending business even to-day. Bangalore Cantonment
area was dominated by the European money lenders (including widows of army
officers) together with the natives. During the British days even special civil
courts were set up to settle such money lending disputes called as small causes
courts, amounting to Rs.500/-.
In the absence of strict regulatory measures which came much later,
especially after independence, the promoting of a banking company was much
easier. Small banking companies with a limited capital base and inexperienced
management were the common features. There was a mushroom growth of
banking. Even in semi-urban and rural areas banks were promoted. Nearly half
the total number of banks born in the State was registered during 1930-1940.
The Swadeshi Movement also contributed much for the growth of Commercial
banking activities in the State, promoted specially by the local traders. Most
of these banks had a limited life span. In those days, the banks were started
with impressive names to attract the customers, especially on the basis of
religion, caste and community. Many a time, local community spirit reflecting
itself in commercial spirit contributed much for the faster growth of community
banking. This tendency was very much evident especially in Dakshina Kannada
(South Kanara), which is said to be the cradle of modern banking industry in
Karnataka. The contributions of undivided Dakshina Kannada district to the
modern banking industry is unique. Branch banking was started here as early
A Handbook of Karnataka 256

as 1923. During the four decades (1906-1945), the district became the cradle
and creche in nursing as many as 22 banks.
In different Parts o f the integrated areas of Karnataka, sporadic commercial
banking activities were ushered in at different times, based on local demand,
expertise and economic potentialities. In princely Mysore the period of
Commissioner’s rule (1831-1881) was of great significance. It ushered in an
era of modernisation by adopting the British system of administration in all
spheres including banking. The establishment of Bangalore Cantonment in
1809 and shifting of the State Secretariat from Mysore to Bangalore in 1831
gave a fillip to commercial and industrial activity in Bangalore which was partly
supported by the banking institutions.
The joint stock banks that were promoted in princely Mysore were Bangalore
based banks i.e., Bangalore Bank Ltd and Mysore Bank Corporation Ltd.,
both registered in 1868 with a share capital of Rs. 7 lakhs and Rs. 2 1akhs
respectively. As said earlier, Bangalore City including the then Cantonment
area had a rich potentiality and infrastructure which boosted the growth of
banking both in the organised and unorganised sectors.
During 1868-1876, there were nearly 24 banking companies operating
in Bangalore City area. During the next few decades i.e., from 1890 to 1949
about 12 banking companies though were founded in Bangalore City, all did
not survive. Among the Bangalore based banks, the Bangalore Union Bank
founded in 1890 had the longest service of fifty years before its liquidation in
1940. The Devanga Bank (1926) was amalgamated with the Vijaya Bank in
1963. The Vysya Bank (1930) and the Bank of Mysore (1913) survived and the
later becoming State Bank of Mysore at a later stage.
The royal capital, Mysore, did not lag behind in promoting joint stock
banks. In 1874 (six years later than Bangalore), two banking companies,
viz., the Rajadhani Bank and the Town Bank of Mysore were promoted here
and continued to function not beyond 1913. A decade thereafter, in 1885
Nanjangudu Srikanteswara Swamy Bank was promoted. This is the only bank
which served for nearly 80 years till its licence was refused in 1965. During
the period of two-and-a half decades (1884-1908) as many as 17 joint stock
companies were promoted here, combining banking and trading. Among the
oldest banks o f the princely Mysore which are no more now, a mention may be
made of Chitradurga Savings Bank founded in 1870 at Chitradurga which had
a record service of nearly 96 years before its merger with Karnataka Bank Ltd
in 1966.
Agricultural Banks: In 1894, the Mysore Government had promoted a new
breed of banks styled as Agricultural Banks, by adopting the principles of
limited guarantee of joint-stock companies in their structure and co-operative
principles in their modus operandi. These banks were mainly meant for
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 257

extending agricultural credit to the poor farmers at a cheaper interest and

to save the peasants from the ruinous interest rates and exploitation by the
money lenders. By 1901, there were 64 such banks in the princely state. The
credit facilities extended by these institutions at cheaper rates, were misused
by the big land holders. Many of these banks became defunct and by 1917 all
these banks were closed. Although, was a unique experiment, but failed due to
lack of supervision and liberal financial assistance by the Government to these
institutions.
In the former Bombay-Karnataka area, where the Urban co-operative
movement was strong enough, the ventures for promoting commercial banks
by the local merchants were very much limited. However, some of the earliest
efforts to promote local commercial banks in this region were: the Union
Bank of Bijapur and Sholapur (1908), Bagalkot Commercial Bank (1922), Sri
Lakshmi Bank, Hangal (1929) of Dharwad Dt, Hubli City Bank (1930), Belgaum
Bank, Belgaum (1930) and the Bank of Citizens (1939) Belgaum. The earliest
commercial bank to be founded in Uttara Kannada district was Bank of Rural
India founded at Karwar in 1940. By 1930-40, the Bombay and Mangalore
based banks specially Canara, Syndicate, Corporation Bank, Union Bank, S.B.I.
and Central Bank of India opened their branches in the commercial towns of
Bombay-Karnataka area. In the former Hyderabad-Karnataka areas, till the
establishment of the State-owned Hyderabad Bank in 1941, there were no
conspicuous commercial banking ventures. However, from Gulbarga district,
the Saraswati Bank (1922), Gulbarga Banking Co.(1930) and Commercial
Banking Company, Yadgiri (1938) were some of the earlier banking enterprises.
Raichur had two banks i.e., Sri Sharada Banking Co.(1937) and Osmania Aziz
Bank (1933). Bidar had no commercial banks till 1946.
In the former Madras Presidency area which included the present South
Canana, Udupi, Coorg, Bellary districts and Kollegal taluk of present
Chamarajanagar district, commercial banking was in full swing.
Development o f Banking :
There have been remarkable changes in the banking in the country,
specially after the nationalization in 1969. Out of the 20 nationalised banks
in the country, four are from Karnataka viz., Canara Bank (1906) and Vijaya
Bank (1930) both originating from Mangalore, and Corporation Bank (1906)
and Syndicate Bank (1925), both originating from Udupi. Among the private
sector banks the Vysya bank Ltd., Bangalore (1930) and Karnataka Bank Ltd.,
Mangalore (1930) are the leading banks of the State, having branches outside
the State also. Recognising the growing banking business in Karnataka, the
RBI opened its branch at Bangalore in 1953. The total number of employees
working in the RBI Bangalore Branch office was 1695 as in September 1992.
Since nationalisation, the concept of ‘class banking’ has been transformed into
the concept of ‘mass banking’. Now, Banks are considered as active instruments
in bringing the socio-economic transformation at the grass-root level. They are
A Handbook of Karnataka 258

playing vital role in the implementation of economic policies of the State and
the Central Government according to plan priorities. In lending, the policy of
credit-worthiness of the purpose has dominated over the credit-worthiness of
the person. There is a remarkable change in the lending policy of banking
institutions. Now, the lending policy is target and priority sector oriented.
Both public sector and private sector including co-operative banks in the State
have actively responded continuously to the national policies of banking. In
the popular loan mela programmes (1985-1987), the banks of Karnataka did
not lag behind; so also in the promotion of Grameena Banks. The innovative
banking policies like Lead Bank Scheme, loans under D.I.R., IRDP, 20 Point
Programmes, Anthyodaya, adoption of villages by commercial banks and co­
operatives for their all round development, and the service area approach to
lending in rural area etc., have been fully implemented by the banks working in
the State. Many commercial banks in the State have diversified their activities
towards merchant banking, leasing, housing etc.,
Since 1976-77, after the establishment of Grameena banks, better and
intensive banking services are provided in the rural areas. Now, rural area
is better served than before in 1969. All the districts of the State are covered
by the Grameena Banks which has reduced the imbalanced economic growth
between the urban and the rural areas to a certain extent.
In 1990, in terms of ratio of number of banks serving per lakh population,
Karnataka stood fourth rank in the country having 9.5 number of bank offices
per lakh population, as against 7.1 bank offices at the all-India level. The
developed States in this regard other than Karnataka were Gujarat, Haryana,
Maharashtra, Punjab and West Bengal. From among the list of developed states,
the rank of Karnataka was 2nd. The spread of banking services in the rural
areas was much better in Karnataka when compared to some other developed
States. The spread of number of banks in rural segments per lakh population
was 8 in the State, being next only to Punjab where it was 9. The Credit Deposit
ratio of rural banks in the State was the highest among the States i.e., 107.4%
in June 1990, as against all-India C.D.R. of 65.2%. The C.D. ratio of semi-
urban branches also was the highest in Karnataka (76.9), compared to the
national ratio of 50.5% The geographical spread of rural branches in the State
which was only 25% in June 1969 had increased to 55% in March 1989. This
was mainly due to rapid expansion of Grameena Banks all over the State.
The lending of commercial banks to priority sector including weaker section
exceeded the stipulated target of 40% fixed by the R.B.I. In Karnataka, of the
total lending, the share of priority sector was 45% (Rs. 3,487 crores) as in
1991.
Karnataka was in the 8th rank among the major States in per capita
deposit, which being Rs. 2,362. The per capita advance was Rs. 1,844 which
was higher than the national average of Rs. 1,570, though it was lower than
Maharashtra (Rs. 3,801), Punjab (Rs. 2,201), and Tamilnadu (Rs. 2,438). The
deployment of credit was better in the State compared to all-India figures.
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 259

The total investment made by commercial banks in Karnataka in the State/

Central Government loans floated during 1991-92 were as follows: Central Rs.
64 crores, State Development Loan Rs. 14.10 crores; other State Loans Rs.
4.50 crores (RBI Report). Some key indicators of commercial banks in the State
as in March 1992 were as follows:- C.D.R,: 77.2%; Loans under D.I.R: Rs.
7167.3 lakhs; Loan under 20 point economic programme: Rs. 1,21,513 lakhs;
Loans under IRDP: Rs. 26,174 lakhs; Priority sector advances: Rs. 3,47,005
lakhs; percentage of priority sector to total advances 42%; per branch deposit
Rs. 251.75 lakhs; per branch advance Rs. 194.24 lakhs; rural deposits: Rs.
1,57,318 lakhs; rural advances: Rs. 1,24,724 lakhs.
Banking Network : Karnataka has a better banking network system than
any other state in the country. Apart from the 19 nationalised banks, State
Bank of India and its 7 associate banks are operating in Karnataka. There are
also over 25 private sector banks besides 13 Regional Rural Banks operating
in the State. There were 4,704 commercial bank branches (including 1,103
branches of 13 Regional Rural Banks) in the State as on March 2003 of which
3,180 were in rural areas. The share of rural branches was 46% against 25% at
the time of nationalization. As in March 2003 the average per branch population
for the state as a whole was 12,395. The aggregate outstanding deposits of
commercial banks (including Regional Rural Banks) stood at Rs.63,840 crores
and outstanding advances amounted to Rs.41,592crores at the end of March
2003. The credit deposit ratio of the state works out to 65% against the RBI
stipulation of 6 0% The priority sector advances amounted to Rs.19,436 crores
as in March 2003, which works out to 46.73% of total advances against the
RBI stipulation of 40%. The advances to agriculture and allied activities in the
state stood at Rs.8,177 crores. The weaker section advances in the state stood
at Rs.3,342 crores. While the per branch business for the state as a whole
works out to Rs.22.41crores, that for rural branches it was significantly lower
at around Rs.7.05crores. For the country as a whole it was Rs.30.52crores and
for rural branches Rs.7.75 crores. In 2002-03, as many as 9,284 individual
families were assisted under Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana(SGSY) that
came into effect from 1-4-1999. Apart from this 2,016 Self Help Groups(SHGS)
were assisted to the extent of Rs.66.02crores in the same period.
Major Banks : The major Banks operating in Karnataka (with total branches
shown in brackets) as in 2002-03 are Canara Bank (523), State Bank of Mysore
(501), Syndicate Bank (478), Vijaya Bank (390), State Bank of India (309),
Corporation Bank (205), State Bank of Hyderabad (114); other nationalized
banks are Allahabad bank (17), Andhra Bank (23), Bank of Baroda (39), Bank
of India (62), Bank of Maharashtra (42), Central Bank of India (54), Dena Bank
(24), Indian Bank (59), Indian Overseas Bank (61), Oriental Bank of Commerce
(5), Punjab National Bank (46), Punjab & Sind Bank (5), State Bank of Patiala
(4), State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (3), State Bank of Indore (1), State Bank
of Saurastra (2), State Bank of Travancore (12), UCO Bank (24), Union Bank
of India (85), United Bank of India (7); other commercial Banks are Karnataka
Bank Ltd. (251), Vysya Bank (104), Bank of Rajasthan (1), Bharat Overseas
A Handbook of Karnataka 260

Bank (2), Catholic Syrian Bank (9), City Union Bank (4), Dhanalakshmi Bank (6),
Federal Bank Ltd. (10), Ganesh Bank of Kurundwad (6), Jammu and Kashmir
Bank (2), Karur Vysya Bank (23), Lakshmi Vilas Bank (16), Nedungadi Bank
(6), Ratnakar Bank (12), Sangli Bank (28), South Indian Bank (17), Tamil Nadu
Mercantile Bank (5), United Western Bank (4), Development Credit Bank (NA),
Lord Krishna Bank (NA), U.T.I. Bank (NA), ICICI Bank (NA), Centurian Bank
(NA), HDFC Bank (NA), IDBI Bank (NA), Industrial Bank (NA), The Regional Rural
Banks which are operating are Bijapur Grameena Bank (89), Cauvery Grameena
Bank (122), Chikamagalur -Grameena Bank (46), Chitradurga Grameena Bank
(93), Kalpatharu Grameena Bank (79), Kolar Grameena Bank (62), Malaprabha
Grameena Bank (238), Netravathi Grameena Bank (22), Krishna Grameena
Bank (106), Sahyadri Grameena Bank (29), Tungabhadra Grameena Bank
(162), Varada Grameena Bank (30), Visveswaraiah Grameena Bank (25), The
Foreign Banks operating are ANZ Grindlays Bank PLC, HongKong & Shanghai
Banking corporation, City Bank N.A., BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered Bank,
Deutsche Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Bank of
Muscat International, Society General. As on March 2006, there were 5002
bank branches of different banks including the 1120 regional rural banks
with an deposit amount of Rs.134698 crores and total credit issued by them
amounting to Rs.103456 crores. As on 2007 March, there were 5,165 branches
including the 1128 regional rural banks in the state with Rs. 171898 crores
of deposits, Rs. 133177 crores of credit being handled by the various banks in
the state. As on March 2008, there were 27 Public Sector Banks, 16 Private
sector Banks and 5,390 branches including the Regional Rural Banks in the
State. See the table for details. As on September 2008, there were 5,590 branch
banks including the 1,168 regional rural banks handling 2,24,001 crores of
deposits and Rs. 74, 990 crores credit amount respectively.
The table given here provides districtwise statistics relating to the banking
activities in the State.

District-wise distribution o f the number of Branches, Aggregate Deposit

and Gross Bank Credit o f Scheduled Commercial Banks
in Karnataka from 1969 to 2008
(Amount in Crores Rs.)

District 1969 1980 1991 1994 1998 2003 2006 2008

Branches 150 540 637 657 755 859 984 1,135

Bangalore Deposits 101 792 4,820 6,538 15,190 41,272 85,349 1,36, 805

Advances 90 727 4,304 5,493 12,310 26,454 66,149 1,07,596

Branches - - 101 102 107 109 111 66

Bangalore
Deposits - - 132 184 348 872 1,545 1,362
(Rural)
Advances - - 111 138 225 369 763 1,166
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 261

Branches 69
Ramanagara Deposits Newly formed in 2007 1,852
Advances 572
Branches 64 201 282 284 306 324 338 354
Belgaum Deposits 18 122 594 783 1,414 2791 4,103 6,137
Advances 8 62 370 423 771 1529 3,083 5, 027
Branches 30 111 172 172 175 158 164 171
Bellary Deposits 5 43 231 329 572 1149 2,538 4,389
Advances 7 45 227 289 481 987 2,498 4,791
Branches 7 36 90 92 93 91 87 91
Bidar Deposits 1 11 99 139 257 500 776 1,059
Advances 1 8 72 91 167 273 489 760
Branches 40 118 239 240 244 122 122 128
Bijapur Deposits 6 47 295 404 905 817 1111 1,651
Advances 3 26 192 251 495 578 1055 1,729
Branches 121 125 137
Bagalkot Deposits Newly formed in 1997 914 1215 1,665
Advances 599 1103 1,585
Branches 55 55 57
Chamaraj-
Deposits Newly formed in 1997 255 368 534
nagar
Advances 173 342 493
Branches 31 79 130 130 132 134 139 143
Chikmagalur Deposits 5 45 202 266 559 925 1264 1,838
Advances 4 37 173 210 584 1049 1243 1,616
Branches 21 80 195 199 203 116 115 118
Chitradurga Deposits 4 39 236 321 560 599 858 1,265
Advances 6 33 206 240 447 411 744 1,081
Branches 125 127 131
Davanagere Deposits Newly formed in 1997 775 1190 1,730
Advances 694 1328 2,031
Branches 168 372 462 472 496 308 322 348
Dakshina
Deposits 40 257 1370 1928 3020 5203 7359 10,123
Kannada
Advances 23 144 855 884 1336 2108 4010 5,774
Branches 63 203 326 332 349 200 210 224
Dharwad Deposits 16 110 568 778 1412 2360 3357 4,931
Advances 6 67 363 455 784 1299 2903 4,362
A Handbook of Karnataka 262

Branches 79 79 84
Gadag Deposits Newly formed in 1997 440 622 921
Advances 264 561 795
Branches 19 107 168 170 170 176 175 188
Gulbarga Deposits 4 34 253 360 724 1434 2058 2,967
Advances 2 19 180 217 413 801 1810 2,878
Branches 32 85 155 155 163 166 169 173
Hassan Deposits 4 41 218 293 579 977 1408 2,128
Advances 3 28 165 196 378 767 1285 1,816
Branches 95 97 104
Haveri Deposits Newly formed in 1997 467 727 1,050
Advances 363 2498 1,047
Branches 27 68 108 108 109 111 109 112
Kodagu Deposits 6 42 178 250 523 733 941 1,408
Advances 3 25 109 121 285 633 872 1,102
Branches 20 84 185 186 185 179 179 99
Kolar Deposits 3 39 222 302 547 1006 1390 1,269
Advances 1 22 163 187 354 566 1126 908
Branches 84
Chikballapur Deposits Newly formed in 2007 779
Advances 1,627
Branches 76 79 82
Koppal Deposits Newly formed in 1997 387 610 892
Advances 418 114 1,026
Branches 16 72 127 127 127 127 128 132
Mandya Deposits 2 27 151 199 356 657 935 1,304
Advances 1 15 113 132 221 424 827 1,149
Branches 48 189 251 257 266 242 257 276
Mysore Deposits 16 111 650 896 1707 3031 4656 7,169
Advances 8 79 458 545 969 1660 3252 4,933
Branches 26 101 161 162 163 98 103 113
Raichur Deposits 3 33 212 280 529 647 925 1,389
Advances 3 32 187 221 455 622 1124 1,671
Branches 36 111 175 180 181 157 160 171
Shimoga Deposits 8 53 288 380 680 1376 1882 2,860
Advances 14 51 278 314 522 987 1634 2,194
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 263

Branches 19 88 179 182 184 182 178 186

Tumkur Deposits 4 39 244 328 569 1077 1505 2,211
Advances 1 23 154 193 315 640 1282 1,616
Branches 204 217 232
Udupi Deposits Newly formed in 1997 3262 4068 5,697
Advances 828 1620 2,435
Branches 34 105 157 158 164 168 173 182
Uttara
Deposits 7 48 253 340 630 1470 1938 2,965
Kannada
Advances 2 20 113 128 240 422 783 1,020
Branches 851 2750 4300 4364 4572 4772 5002 5,390
Karnataka
Deposits 255 1934 11216 15298 31882 75398 134698 2,10,350
(Total)
Advances 186 1460 8793 10728 21753 45919 103456 1,64,112

^Deposits and Advances were rounded off to the nearest crore of Rupees and hence the
district totals need not tally with the State Figure

Note: Since 1986 Bangalore District has been bifurcated into Bangalore Rural District
and Bangalore District. Likewise the districts of Mysore, Dharwad, Dakshina Kannada,
Chitradurga, Shimoga and Raichur were bifurcated in 1997. Further in 2007 the
districts of Bangalore Rural and Kolar have been bifurcated but due to non availability
of split figures, separate figure are not given for the newly carved districts of Ramanagar
and Chickballapur respectively upto 2006.

Source:1. Pigmy Economic Review Feb. 1984, Syndicate Bank.

2. Karnataka at a glance 1990-91, 1993-94, 1997-98, 2003 and 2006 Directorate

of Economics& Statistics, Bangalore.

Major Banks and their Branches :Among the 2,357 centres which are having
banking services in the state, if 1827 centres are served only by Scheduled
Commercial Banks, 67 centres are served only by the co-operative banks, the
remaining 469 centres are served by both type of banks. Among the 5,591
bank branches that are working in the state, 2, 143 are located in rural areas,
1,144 in semi-urban areas, and the remaining 2,304 are working in urban
areas (including the 1,116 branches working in metropolitan centres). Among
the top 200 centres in the country, if Bangalore (17.27%) ranks third next
only to Mumbai and Delhi having. 1,116 reporting offices, transacting 1,40,309
crores deposits and 1,15,935 crores credit, with an annual growth of 19.2% as
against the national growth rate of 20% and 25.79% respectively. Mangalore
(35th), Mysore (47th), Hubli-Dharwad (58th), Belgaum (74th) and Udupi (97th)
are the other centres finds place among the first 100 banks. Bellary (117th),
Gulbarga (132), Sagar (152nd), Shimoga (167th), Hospet (176th) comes in the
next 100 ranks enlisted by RBI.
A Handbook of Karnataka 264

As on March 2007, more than 75 banks with 5402 branches were serving in
the state. Among them if Canara Bank topped the list by having 565 branches
followed by Syndicate Bank (560), State Bank of Mysore (532), Vijaya Bank
(439), Karnataka Vikas Gramina Bank (407), Pragathi Grameena (360), State
Bank of India (346), Corporation Bank (287), Karnataka Bank (271), Cauvery
Kalpataru Grameena Bank (207), State Bank of Hyderabad (119), Krishna
Grameena Bank (109), ING Vysya Bank (107), Indian Overseas Bank (77),
Union Bank of India (93), Indian Bank (67), Bank of India (69), Central Bank of
India(58) and YES Bank with single office was the least.
Co-operative Movement
Karnataka has a fascinating history of Co-operative Movement. Co-operative
culture in various economic activities in the State is clearly evident. It is deep-
rooted since the official launching of the movement in 1904. The first Primary
Agricultural Credit Society to be founded in the country was at Kanaginhal
(Gadag tq) of Gadag district on 8th May 1905, and it is still functioning.
Similarly, the first Urban Co-operative Credit Society to be organised in the State
was at Betageri on 18-10-1905 [Gadag district, now defunct). The Swadeshi
Movement of 1905 inspired many local leaders and social workers to start the
co-operatives to cater to their local needs. Bangalore City Consumers Co-op.
Society started in December 1905 is said to be the first Co-operative institution
in princely Mysore. By 1906, the places like Belgaum, Gokak, Mysore, Hubli,
Dharwad and Sira had urban co-operative Banks.
The erstwhile princely Mysore State had promoted a unique breed of
financial institutions called “Agricultural Banks” in 1894, a decade earlier to
the official launching of the Cooperative Movement by the Government. The
modus operandi of agricultural banks was such that they had imbibed co­
operative principles though their constitution was of public company, limited
by guarantee.
Since 1912, the diversification took place in the Co-operative Movement.
In course of time, non-agricultural and non-credit societies emerged in large
number all over the state. In the early years, the Governments of Princely
Mysore and the Bombay Presidency earnestly encouraged the spread of the
movement in rural areas by extending special incentives and appointment of
honorary co-operative supervisors to guide the co-operative institutions.
It is interesting to know that in order to cater to the needs of the local
people, special economic activities like fencing, hunting, bunding, cattle
breeding, insurance, farming, grain banks, fisheries, forest labour, special
marketing, education, irrigation, house building, consumer goods selling etc.,
were undertaken under co-operative sector much earlier.
Holding the taluk and district level co-operative conferences to review the
progress of the movement was a regular feature in Bombay-Karnataka area in
1920-1930. In order to propagate the principles of co-operation in the rural
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 265

areas and to have a mass appeal there was a special drama troupe to propagate
the idea of Co-operation at Amminabhavi of Dharwad district. Many of the
District Central Co-operative banks, specially the banks working at Dharwad,
Madikeri, Sirsi, etc., came to the help of groaning indebted farmers during
the economic depression of 1929-30 when the movement in general had also
received a setback. Many of the farmers could not pay their overdue to the
banks. Though these Co-operative banks purchased the pledged properties of
the debtors, the same was returned to them without any profit when the debt
was cleared. This spirit of co-operation helped those co-operative banks to grow
further when the economic conditions improved. Many banks arranged debt
reconciliation boards for settlement of loans.
Co-Operative Ventures : Karnataka has many firsts in the co-operative
ventures in the country. The Hubli Cotton Sales Society Ltd., Hubli, organised
in 1915 is considered to be the first Indian co-operative marketing society. The
Farmers Service Society (FSS) sponsored by Canara Bank in 1973 at Bidadi
in Bangalore district is such first society in the country. Similarly, the Sports
Promotion and Development Society at Chandargi of Belgaum district is a
unique organisation of all-India importance founded in 1984. Hulkoti Co-op.
Education Society (1921), J.G. Co-operative Hospital at Ghataprabha (1951,
Belgaum district) and Rural Electricity Society at Hukkeri of Belgaum district
(1969) are some of the earliest special types of co-operatives in the State. The
Hiranyakeshi Co-operative Sugar Factory of Sankeswar of Belgaum district
founded in 1956 is considered as one of the best co-operative sugar factories in
the State. (These are the few examples). Karnataka is one of the leading States
in the country where the Urban Co-op. Bank movement has emerged strong.
Karnataka ranked 3rd in the country next only to Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Karnataka is the first State in the country to have the Federation of Urban
banks (1965). It is conspicuous that after the Reorganisation of the State, the
orbit of the Co-operative movement has been expanded in all its spheres. Some
of the apex institutions at the district and the State level have established their
record growth vertically and horizontally. Increased financial participation
in the form of share capital, subsidy, grants etc. by the Central and State
Government, N.C.D.C. etc., have facilitated the increase in the number of co­
operatives. Many of the major industries like spinning, cotton processing,
textile, sugar, tiles, food processing etc., have been started in the State in the
co-operative sector.
During 1976-77, most of the economically non-viable, weak primary societies
were amalgamated. This process of amalgamation on large scale, strengthened
the base of primary societies and their number was reduced considerably.
Recognising the prominent position of the State in the co-operative sector,
the Institute of Co-operative Management was founded in Bangalore (1962). In
1990, the National Agricultural and Rural Development Training Institute was
founded at Bangalore to train the bank and co-operative sector officials.
A Handbook of Karnataka 266

The district-wise number of co-operatives (including under liquidation) in

the State as on 31-3-2003 was as follows : Bangalore (Circle I) 530 & (Circle
II) 1,463, Bangalore Rural 1,659, Kolar 2,295, Tumkur 1,362, Chitradurga
689, Shimoga 975, Belgaum 3,861, Dharwad 1,012, Bijapur 973, Uttara
Kannada 852, Mysore 1,581, Mandya 1,534, Hassan 1,191, Chikmagalur 508,
Kodagu 335, Dakshina Kannada 727, Gulbarga 1,851, Raichur 741, Bellary
1,065, Bidar 820, Davanagere 1,242, Bagalkot 1,196, Haveri 916, Gadag 895,
Chamarajnagar 596, Udupi 511 and Koppal 528.
As on March 2008, there were 239 urban co-operative banks with their
573 branches holding Rs. 869442.39 lakhs of deposits and Rs. 510783. 70
lakhs of credit. Likewise there were 4738 other co-operative banks and 177
PLD banks together disbursing Rs. 104309.17 lakhs credit to the members.
Besides there were 4,959 agricultural and 3,958 non agricultural credit co­
operative societies working in the state. Among them the agricultural credit
co-operative societies had given Rs. 2,270.83 crores of short term and middle
term loans to its members. Moreover there were 13,016 non credit co-operative
societies which included 329 marketing, 1,457 house building, 10,667 milk
or/and 11,592 other societies were in existence. Similarly the liquidated co­
operative societies in the state was 2517 (342 credit and 2175 non credit co­
operative societies).
The table given below indicate the comprehensive picture of the decadal
growth of co-operative societies in Karnataka in the last five decades.
Decadal Growth o f the Co-operative Societies in Karnataka Since during
1961-2007.
No. Particulars 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2003 2007
1. Primary Co-operative
Agricultural & Rural 118 170 177 177 177 177 177
Development Banks
2. Primary Agricultural
9,107 8,675 4,871 4,350 4,388 4739 4959
Credit Societies
3. Grain Banks 1027 851 844 151 123 121 NA
4. Urban Banks NA 210 239 223 313 308 296
5. Employees and other
Co-operative Credit NA 766 1594 1599 2913 3534 NA
Societies
6. Marketing Co- 259 207 192 189 177 154 329
Opertive societies (G)
Purpose
7. Specialised NA 62 144 340 135 197 NA
Commodity
Marketing
Co-operative Societies
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 267

8. Processing 29 40 69 32 101 94 NA
Co-operative Societies
9. Farming Co-operative 144 499 595 242 108 61 NA
Societies
10. Milk Supply 70 617 2577 6291 8253 9331 10667
Co-operative Societies
11. Live Stock NA 63 90 73 241 317 NA
Co-operative Societies
12. Irrigation Co­ 35 63 225 564 1421 2843 NA
operative Societies
13. Fisheries Co­ 70 123 193 272 375 473 NA
operative Societies
14. Consumer Co­ 3951 1302 1541 1650 1502 1677 NA
operative Societies
15. Housing Co-operative 350 920 1309 1606 1274 1539 1457
Societies
16. Weavers Co-operative 621 798 831 726 410 614 NA
Societies
17. Industrial Co­ 1064 1835 1892 1001 891 879 NA
operative Societies
18. All Other types of 1388 855 1368 1439 3305 1513 563
Co-operative Societies
19. Societies under 277 2175 4408 4158 3823 3207 2517
Liquidation
Total 14954 19431 23159 25083 29930 31908 25945

Growth of Co-operative Movement in Karnataka for some years during

the last decade
(Rs. in lakhs)

Membership
Year No. of Co-op. Share Capital Working Capital
societies
1990-91 25,083 1,18,00,000 43,108.00 3,15,833.00
1994-95 25,903 1,33,26,000 70,411.02 6,86,091.00
1995-96 26,411 1,35,58,480 76,565.76 10,26,550.86
2000-01 29,930 1,62,00,000 1,47,316.00 21,19,867.00
2001-02 30,862 1,86,00,000 1,49,990.00 21,57,543.00
2002-03 31,908 1,95,00,000 1,62,740.00 22,65,420.00
2003-04 32,804 1,97,00,000 1,70,877.00 23,78,690.00
Source: Registrar of Co-operative Societies in Karnataka, Bangalore.
A Handbook of Karnataka 268

Regulated Markets
Establishment of regulated markets especially for agricultural produces went
a long way in providing fair and remunerative prices to the growers. The need
for the establishment of Regulated Markets, especially in respect of agricultural
produces was keenly felt as early as in 1928 by the Royal Commission on
Agriculture. In different parts of integrated Karnataka efforts were made
to establish regulated markets in a phased manner depending upon the
potentialities. In the former Bombay Karnataka area, as early as in 1927, major
cash crop cotton was the first commodity to be brought under regulation under
the Bombay Cotton Market Act 1927. In the former Hyderabad Karnataka area
regulated markets came into being in 1930. In the Madras-Karnataka area,
Madras Commercial Crop Act of 1933 was ushered in to regulate the marketing
of commercial crops. In a tiny Kodagu State, coffee being the main commercial
crop, marketing of it was covered under Coffee Marketing Expansion Act 1942,
and Coffee Act of 1942 of the Central Government.
In the former Mysore State, Mysore Agricultural Produce Markets Act 1939
was enacted for the purpose. The First Market Committee to be established
in old Mysore was at Tiptur under which the trade of copra and coconut was
regulated. The Reorganisation of the State in 1956 brought in its control 54
regulated markets governed under different Marketing Legislations that were in
force including marketing personnel and market committee officials. In 1966,
an Act, more comprehensive, uniform and applicable to the entire State known
as Karnataka Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act was enacted and
brought into force from May 1968.
There is a State Agricultural Marketing Board (1978) to guide, regulate,
co-ordinate and finance developmental activities of regulated markets in the
State. The activities of the Board are mainly promotional. Karnataka is the
first State in the country to manage a college at Hubli (1964) and Mysore for
training of officials and other members engaged in agricultural marketing and
allied activities. Again Karnataka is the first State to cover hamals, cartmen
and weighmen of the A.P.M.Cs. under group insurance. APMCs. are extending
short term loan to farmers upto Rs. 50,000 on pledge of produces.
Since the implementation of the Regulated Markets Act in 1968, efforts are
being made to bring more and more new areas and notified commodities under
the regulation. By 1978-79, the number of markets increased to 115, and that
of sub-markets to 201. With this, Karnataka ranked 6th in the country in
respect of regulated markets and sub-markets. By 1991-92, the State had 116
main markets and 303 sub-markets. The Division-wise distribution of market
and sub-markets were: Belgaum 39 (118), Bangalore 33 (72), Gulbarga 26(63),
Mysore 18(50) (The number in the brackets indicates the number of sub­
markets). In 2002-03 the State had 144 main markets and 343 sub-markets.
Banking, Co-operatives and Trade 269

The Division-wise distribution of main markets and sub-markets were: Belgaum

43 (129), Bangalore 38 (89), Mysore 37 (56) and Gulbarga 26 (69). (brackets
indicate sub-markets) During 2006-07 there were 145 main markets and 350
sub markets in the state (See the following table for details).
The largest number of Main Markets is in Belgaum district with 10 numbers.
Even in the case of sub-markets Belgaum district has the largest i.e., 36 followed
by Tumkur district with 25. The number of Regulated Markets are more in the
former Bombay-Karnataka area because of the earlier implementation of the
Regulated Markets Act and the coverage of the wider areas under the market
regulations.
Districtwise Number o f Regulated Markets as in 2006-07

SI. Sub Turnover

District Main Markets Total
No. Markets (Rs.in lakhs)
1. Bangalore 2 7 9 200778.13
2. Bangalore (R) 4 10 14 8829.72
3. Chitradurga 4 10 14 20116.69
4. Davanagere 6 8 14 48495.31
5. Kolar 8 16 24 37895.62
6. Shimoga 4 18 22 58407.37
7. Tumkur 9 25 34 24300.07
8. Belgaum 10 36 46 31208.08
9. Bijapur 3 14 17 14169.82
10. Bagalkot 5 15 20 14337.63
11. Dharwad 5 11 16 44090.13
12. Gadag 5 17 22 24534.63
13. Haveri 7 12 19 56454.28
14. Uttara Kannada 8 20 28 24684.99
15. Bellary 6 14 20 40738.18
16. Bidar 5 9 14 14111.93
17. Gulbarga 7 22 29 53908.95
18. Raichur 4 11 15 70056.62
19. Koppal 4 13 17 56433.07
20. Chimagalur 6 9 15 12554.86
21. Dakshina
Kannada 5 4 9 33364.24
22. Udupi 3 3 6 6439.53
23. Hassan 6 17 23 20368.42
24. Kodagu 3 4 7 6839.53
25. Mandya 6 10 16 19372.17
26. Mysore 7 8 15 46183.08
27. Chamarajanagar 3 4 7 5454.31
State 145 350 495 994156.83
Source: Department of Agricultural Marketing, Bangalore. State at a Glance 2007­
2008.
A Handbook of Karnataka 270

Important markets
There are certain important markets for certain notified commodities, spread
all over the state. Based on the quantity of arrivals of notified commodities
during 2007-08, the following are the important regulated markets for some
important produces:
Cotton Bijapur, Ranebennur, Bailhongal, Raichur, Santhesarguru,
Haveri, Soundatti, Hubli, Dharwad, Bellary, Nargund.
Groundnut Chalkere, Gadag, Chitradurga, Raichur, Davangere, Hubli.
Dry Chillies Byadagi, Hubli,Renebennur and Haveri.
Jaggery Mandya, Mahalingapur, Bhadravathi, Chamarajnagar,
Belgaum, Bagalkot, Jamkhandi, Bangarpet.
Areca : Shimoga, Sagar, Sirsi, Mangalore, Chitradurga.
Coconut : Kadur, Tarikere, K.R.Pete, Tiptur (copra), Arsikere, Mandya,
Channarayapatna.
Fruits,Flowers
& Vegetable : Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum and Hubli.
Paddy : Gangavathi, Sindhnoor, Raichur, Siraguppa, Manvi,
Davanagere, T.Narsipur, Bellary.
Jowar Gadag, Haveri, Belgaum, Bijapur.
Wheat Gadag, Bijapur, Belgaum Dharwad.
Ragi Arsikere, Hassan, Tumkur, Harappanahalli.
Tur and Dal Gulbarga, Bidar, Yadgir, Sedam, Chitapur and Raichur.
Betel leaves Honnavar, Dharwad, Ranebennur, Savanur, Tumkur and
Channapatna.
Onion Bangalore, Hubli, Belgaum, Davangere, Challakere and
Mysore.
Potato Mysore, Malur, Chikballapur, Bangalore, Hassan, Belguam
and Hubli.
Spices Madikeri, Gonikoppal, Mudigere and Sakleshpur.
Silk Ramanagar, Channapatna, Kanakapura, Sidlaghatta,
Vijayapura and Kollegal.
Tender
Coconut : Maddur
Source : Quarterly Statistics on Deposits and Credit of Scheduled Commercial Banks,
September 2008, RBI, Mumbai 2008.

Statistical Tables relating to Banks of India, RBI, Mumbai 2007, 2006-07

 Chapter VII
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Karnataka has a rich cultural heritage. In the ancient Indian works of Kautilya,
and foreign accounts of, Pliny Ptolemy and Alberuni there are reference
to transport and conveyance system pertaining to Karnataka also. Early
settlements of prehistoric culture and the existence of Atokan Rock edicts in
different parts of Karnataka speaks much about the socio-cultural contacts
that might have prevailed in those days, Hala, the Satavahana ruler of Kuntala,
in his work Gatha Saptasathi, a poetic compilation also refer to major and
minor roads. Moreover existence of early road system and flourishing trade
centres in ancient Karnataka has been recorded in early inscriptions. A Copper
Plate record (713 A.D.) of Ganga Shivamara I from Hallegere in Mandya taluk,
refer not only to the construction of a bridge across Kilini river, but also a
‘Rajapatha” (Highway) passing across the village. Likewise according to a record
of 1123 A.D., a major road was connecting Terdal and Halasi, the two important
commercial centres in North Karnataka. A Chola inscription refers to a major
road running from Tanjore to Kalyana viz., Basava Kalyana, the Chalukyan
capital. Another Highway or ‘Doddamarga’ was connecting Konkan area with
the interior Karnataka and a place on the borders of Goa has that name even
now. There were aravattiges (where drinking water was provided), choultries
and shady groves all along such roads. Ferries and boats were operating across
rivers and streams in between the land. Goods were transported on head load,
kavadi or else on the back of bullocks, asses or he-buffaloes. Carts were moving
wherever roads existed. One bridge was connecting Hampi and Anegondi
across the Tungabhadra river. Similar old bridges can also be seen at Harihara,
Srirangapattana, Shivanasamudra, Panemangalore and such other places.
Construction of systematic roads in the Bombay Karnataka area was started
only after 1856. Among them, Belgaum-Hubli road on the Pune-Harihara
route, and Dharwad-Mundgod-Sirsi-Kumta roads were prominent. The oldest
road in the Gulbarga area, is the road from Gulbarga to Firozabad via Kotnur,
Nandikere, Shirur and Parvatabad. The road development activity in the Kodagu
area was started actually after 1834, by the British. Some Ghat roads opened
or improved in Dakshina Kannada District during 1837-1843. Madras was
connected with Mangalore via Bangalore, Mysore and Madikeri. The Mangalore
road which runs through Madikeri and Sampaje Ghat was started in 1837.
The road connecting Konkan and Malabar on the western coast was premitive
and passed through Kundapur, Udupi, Mangalore and Kasargod, had series
of rivers and streams to be crossed by ferries and boats. In the early days,
condition of roads in Bijapur district was not satisfactory. There were only
two roads in 1820, and the first one was between Shikaripur to Sholapur via
A Handbook of Karnataka 272

Bijapur while the second one connecting sea coast with the Nizam’s territory
through Bagalkot.
The turn of 20th century saw the beginning of all-round development of road
network throughout the State. From 1930 onwards the roads under Bombay
Presidency were classified as Class I, Class II-A. II-B and Class III, depending on
the importance of such roads. The Chiplun (Ratnagiri dist.)-Hyderabad Class
I Road was passing through Bijapur district. Another Class I road originating
from Sholapur was connecting Bijapur with Hubli. The most important link
in the northern circle of the Bombay Presidency was Pune-Bangalore road. In
the days of Commissioner Cubbon, he saw to it that Bangalore, the capital of
Mysore State was connected with all district headquarters and by the time he
left office (1861), the State had 2,555 km of new roads and 309 bridges.

Bullock Cart Transportation (an art work by N. Hanumaiah)

The road communication system in the Old Mysore State was very good
in the pre-independence period. Roads were classified as State Fund Roads
and District Fund Roads for the purpose of construction and maintenance.
In contrast, till 1943, there was no systematic classification of roads in other
parts of the country. Later according to the Nagpur Plan in 1943, the roads
were classified into National Highways, State Highways, Major District Roads,
Other District Roads and Village Roads. In 1951, the road length in Dakshina
Transport and Communications 273

Kannada and Udupi district was about 2,000 km. At the time of the merger
of Bellary with the Old Mysore State in 1953, the length of the roads was
1.218 km and in 1956, the integrated State had 43,182 km road length, of
which 26,423 km was from old Mysore and the share of Bombay-Karnataka
and Hyderabad-Karnataka region was 11,260 and 2,478 km respectively. The
districts of Dakshina Kannada (including Udupi district) and Kodagu had a
road length of 2.109 and 912 km, respectively.
Development o f Roads
In 1956, the road length including that of the integrated areas in the State
was 43,182 km. The road development in Bidar, Gulbarga, Bellary, Raichur and
Koppal was very poor. Special attention was paid to the development of roads
in those areas during various Five Year Plans. From 1956 to 1978, about 6,059
km new road length was added and 21,854 km existing roads were improved.
During the same period, 16,344 km road length was asphalted. For providing
accessibility to the villages, about 30,543 km. rural roads were formed and 460
bridges were constructed.
The total road length in 1981 w as98,523 km and an account of implementation
of several road schemes, it went up to 1,21,266 km in 1992. The roads which
were in charge of P.W.D. increased from 32,177 km in 1956 to 64,628 km in
1981. The quality of the roads maintained by the P.W.D. was also improved.
The cement concreted/asphalted road surface which stood at 3,858 km in
1956 increased to 26,022 km in 1979 and was 36,229 during 1992. The length
of cement concrete roads has decreased substantially due to its recoating with
black topped surface. Unmetalled roads in the control of P.W.D. in 1956 were
2,343 km when compared to 8,935 km in 1966 and during 1992 it was 11,089
km. In addition, 11,089 km roads have been transferred from the control of
P.W.D. to the Zilla Parishads (1-4-1987).
The Government has retransferred 10,000 km road length from the control
of Zilla Parishads to the PWD on 18th February 1992. The aim was to improve
them at the rate of 50 km per Assembly Constituency. Besides, they are being
upgraded into major district roads. For the development of Gulbarga division
(Gulbarga, Bellary, Bidar, Raichur and Koppal Districts), roads and bridges are
being constructed. During 1990-91 and 1991-92, a sum of Rs. 61.60 lakhs was
spent on roads and bridges. In 1990, a scheme for the improvement of roads
was launched. Under this programme, a sum o f rupees twelve lakhs was spent
on road works in each Assembly constituency. An amount of Rs. 867.08 lakhs
was spent in 1990-91 and in 1991-92 Rs. 1,694.39 Lakhs.
The total road length in the State by 1998 was 1,42,687 km comprising
2,335 km National Highways, 11,037 km State Highways, 28,301 km Major
District Roads, 1,644 km Other District Roads, 42,791 km Village Roads,
31,583 km TDB Roads, 9,417 km Irrigation Dept. Roads and 2,582 km Forest
Dept. Roads, the excluding 8,366 km of Municipality Roads and 4,665 km of
A Handbook of Karnataka 274

Grampanchayati Roads. Among them, 97,392 km were surfaced, and others

were unsurfaced Roads. The average road length per one lakh population is
288 km and the average road length per sq km is 64 km. These are above the
national average of 238.8 km and 61.3 km respectively. During the 8th plan
(1992-97), a sum of Rs. 42,717.24 lakhs were spent on laying and improving of
8,537 km, asphalting 3,321 km of roads and building 1,323 major and minor
Bridges within the State. During the 9th plan(1997-2002) , a sum of Rs. 953
crores has been provided for construction, improvement and maintenance of
roads and bridges in the state. During the year 2000, 72 roads and 17 bridges
were completed with NABARD assistance. As on December 2004, the total
road length in the State was 1,44,130 km. comprising 3,973 Km of National
Highways, 17,252 Km State Highways, 30,647 Km Major District Roads, 1620
Km of Other District Roads, 48,148 Km of Village Roads and 42,490 Km of
Other Roads with an average of 246 Km Road length per one lakh population
and an average road length of 70 km per 100 Sq. Km area. As on March 2006,
the total road length in the state had gone up to 1,67,779 km.s (comprised of
52,205 kms PWD roads and 1,15,574 Kms of Rural roads) while 3973 km. of
national highways, 17,240kms of state highways and 30,992 kms of major
district roads is controlled by the PWD. The remaining 1,15,574 km.s roads
considered as rural roads are being maintained by the Rural Development and
Panchayat Raj Department. The latter, include Other District Roads and Village
Roads. Among the Rural Roads while 57,068 km. is surfaced the remaining
58,506 kms roads of unsurfaced nature. As on 2008 March, the total road
length in the state had enhanced to 2,07,379 kms (comprised of 62, 654 km
maintained by PWD and 1,44, 725 kms of rural roads) maintained by Rural
Development Panchayat Raj Department.
National Highways: The National Highways are very important highways
which connect Metropolitan cities, State capitals, Ports etc. throughout the
country. The length of the National Highways in 1961 was 1,269 km and
in 1981 it was about 1,968 km. They were under the control of the Central
Government previously. Since 1971, the National Highways are maintained
by a separate wing of the State PWD, out of the Central funds. As in 1992-93,
there were seven National Highways traversing in the state, with a total length
of 1,997 km. It was proposed to declare, another 13 roads with a length of
4,765 km as National Highways. During the last decade, 30 km o f the National
Highway No.4 has been widened from two lanes to four lanes. About 231 km
length of the National Highway nos. 9, 13, 17 and 48 were widened, from single
lane to double.
The Kozhikode-Kollegal section passing through Sultan Batheri, Gundlupet,
Nanjangud, Mysore, T.Narasipur, Mugur, Uttamballi, and the road between
Bangalore-Dindigal via Kanakapura, Halagur, Malavalli, Sattegal, Kollegal,
Yelandur, Santhemarahalli and Chamarajanagar in the state were declared
as NH-209 and NH-212 respectively on June-July 1999 and the work is in
Transport and Communications 275

progress. The Government of India has declared the 193 km of Bijapur-Hubli

road as the 13th National Highway in the State (NH-218) in October 2000. As
a result, as on 2000 March, there were 13 National Highways traversing in the
State totaling about 3,524 km. The second phase of Hubli-Dharwad by pass
on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis has been completed and commissioned
for traffic. Under the Asian Development Loan Assistance, a length of 25 km.
of the NH-7 has been taken up for converting it into four lanes (from Bangalore
to Tamilnadu border near Hosur). In february 2004, NH-218 has been further
extended from Bijapur upto Humnabad (220 kms.) via Jevargi in Gulbarga
district. As a result Gulbarga district also figures in the country map of National
Highways. Likewise the road linking Gundlupet with NH-212 has also been
declared as NH-67 in february 2004. As a result as on 31-03-2008, there were
14 National Highways (viz., N.H.-4, N.H.-4A, N.H.-7, N.H.-9, N.H.-13, N.H.-
17, N.H.-48, N.H.-63, N.H.-67, N.H.-206, N.H.-207, N.H.-209, N.H.-212 and
N.H.-218) passing through the State with a road length of 3,973 km excluding
the districts of Kodagu and Raichur which are deprived of National Highways,
all other districts have National Highways passing through their jurisdictions.
Uttarakannada district with 329 km NH, tops the list, Mandya and Gadag
districts with 73 kms apiece are at the bottom.
NH-4 which falls under the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Project and NH
7 which come under the North the South Corridor Project of 6 lanes, planned
at National level and being executed through National Highway Authority,
(NHAI) is under progress in the State. As a result NH-4 and NH-7 are gradually
improving. This work is under progress even now.
State Highways: They are important joining links connecting the district
headquarters with the state capital and interconnecting links between the
National Highways in the state. As on March 2005 there were altogether 105
State Highways running in the state having 17240 kms road length. As on
March 2008, it has raised to 20, 738 kms in the state. Belgaum district with
2341 kms tops the list. Bangalore (Urban) district with171 kms at the bottom.
The road widening work on ST 17 (Mysore-Bangalore) and (Srirangapattana-
Bidar) has also brought the expected results with free traffic movement.
Major District Roads: As on March 2008, there was 37, 943 km roads
of this category was in the State, maintained by the PWD. If Tumkur district
with 3,761 kms was ranked first.Bangalore (Urban) with 456 km was at the
bottom.
Rural Communication Programme: For the benefit of the rural population in
the State, the Rural Communication Programme was launched in 1959-60. Its
objective was to provide all-weather roads to important villages, construction of
missing links and construction of cross drainages (culverts) with a linear water
way of more than 20 feet on P.W.D. roads.
A Handbook of Karnataka 276

M a jor D istrict Road

During the Chief Engineers’ Conference, a road development programme for
twenty years (1961-1981) was chalked out. This plan envisaged improvements
to the existing roads or upgrading or new construction of additional roads.
The Public Works Department undertook a survey in 1970-71, to ascertain
the number of villages connected by all-weather roads or any type of roads.
This survey revealed that out of 26,286 inhabited villages, 10,299 villages were
connected by metalled and all-weather roads, 9,865 villages were connected
by unmetalled roads and the remaining 6, 122 villages were not connected by
any roads.
For providing speedy accessibility to villages, Integrated Comprehensive
Rural Communication Programme was started in 1972-73. An amount of Rs.
9.63 crore was spent in the Sixth Plan period, for constructing about 1,803
km new roads. Between 1985-86 to 1991-92, an amount of Rs.1.60 crore was
incurred for constructing 77 km of roads and some other Master Plan Rural
Roads (1st Phase C.D. Works). Besides this, Minimum Needs Programme was
started during 1974-75 and a sum of Rs. 53.77 crores was spent for connecting
1,398 villages with all-weather approach roads from 1974-75 to 1991-92. Till
the end of 1991-92, the villages linked with All-weather roads were 12,649. It
constitutes 47% of the total inhabited villages in the State numbering 27,028.
As many as 6,747 villages were provided with Fair Weather Roads and 7,433
with Katcha roads which accounted for 25% and 27% respectively. The rest of
the 199 villages were without approach roads. The Halli Heddari scheme was
started in 1984-85. Under this scheme, till the end of 1991-92, 167 villages
having a population of less than 1000 were provided with all-weather roads. The
expenditure incurred was Rs. 827.26 lakhs. The scheme of approach roads to
Transport and Communications 277

colonies of the Scheduled Castes was launched in 1983-84. A sum of Rs. 37.13
crores were spent from 1983-84 to 1991-92, for constructing about 2,099 km.
road length. Construction of roads under people’s participation was launched in
1986-87, to give high priority to the rural road works which have local people’s
participation. The Zilla Parishads also executing this programme. During 1987­
88 to 1991-92 about 113 km. village limit roads were constructed/improved
and an amount of Rs. 161.53 lakhs were spent. The Government has approved
to upgrade 10,000 km of rural roads to that of Major District Roads and since
1995, road development in each constituency has been started as a special
scheme. Since 1996, road development in Sugar factory areas has also been
started. In 1995, World Bank aid being sought for State Highway improvement
and NABARD loan is sought to improve rural communications in the State.
The government has constituted “Karnataka Road Development Corporation”
in June 99, with its registered office at Bangalore with an authorised initial
share capital of Rs. 200 crores aimed at improving roads, bridges etc., with
developmental programmes. It has taken 5 roads for upgradation with the
financial aid of Rs. 750 crores from HUDCO. By 2000 among the 27,066
inhabitated villages in the State, 15,800 villages have All-weather roads, 8,026
villages have Fair weather roads, and 3137 villages have Katcha roads and the
remaining 103 villages were not connected by any roads. But due to various
steps taken by the state government village roads have been improved to a
greater extent. As a result, by 2008, there were 24710 villages with all weather
Roads, 6,540 villages with fair weather Roads, 3376 villages with Katcha roads
and 17 villages unconnected by any roads in the state.
Bridges : The Sethubandhana Programme was commenced with the aim of
constructing cross drainages on Non-PWD roads in the rural areas. In 1956,
the number of bridges having 30.40 m linear water ways was 304. In 1985­
86 at a cost of Rs. 90.07 lakhs, 184 Cross Drainage Works were completed.
With an expenditure of Rs. 154.09 lakhs, 258 works were completed during
1991-92. A scheme was started to provide cross-drainage having a linear
water way of less than six metres. Since 1985-86 to 1991-92, as many as 346
cross-drainage works were completed.The pace of the bridge construction was
speeded up and in 1991-92, there were 1,204 bridges in the State. Compared
to 33,066 minor bridges in 1978, the minor bridges which included culverts
also on all the categories of roads, were 97,473 at the end of 31-3-1992. By
1998 there were 97,781 culverts, 13,990 minor bridges (6-60 m} and 469 major
bridges (60 m and above) built across all category of roads. As on march 2003,
there were altogether 72,447 (including culverts, minor and major) bridges on
the roads maintained by the PWD Department viz., National Highway, State
Highway and Major District Roads. They comprised 62,757 culverts of 6mt.
10,241 minor bridges (6-30 mt.) and 449 major bridges (30 mt. and above).
Among them 6,080 bridges situated on National Highways, 20,683 bridges on
State Highways and 45,684 bridges on Major District Roads. As on March
A Handbook of Karnataka 278

2006, there were 486 major bridges raning between 60 mt.s t 300 mt.s and
above, were in the existence on various rivers and streams in the state. Among
them, of Dakshina Kannada district with 34 topped the list Bangalore Urban
District had no major river bridge worth mentioning. As on March 2007, of
the 524 major bridges in the state. If 309 were located in the south zone, the
remaining 215 were situated in north zone.
Bangalore City and its Fly-overs : The Fly-over built in Bangalore
city, linking Sirsi Circle with Corporation via City Market, the longest of its
kind in Asia has reduced the traffic pressure near City Market and Mysore
Cirlce considerably. Likewise among the other Fly-overs, the one connecting
Richmond Circle with Kengal Hanumanthaiah Double Road; another built on
NH-4 near Krishnarajapuram (unique for its cablestay bridge); fly-overs built
at Dairy circle (Hosur Road), at National College; at Malleshwaram Circle; at
Basaveshwara Nagar, at Hebbal Tank, at Marathalli and Mekri Circle (Bellary
Road) at Yeshwanthpur, at Jayadeva Hospital, at Rajajinagar entrance, at
Palace Guttahalli, are few more examples which reflect on the action taken by
the government to improve the traffic movement in the city. Likewise the railway
under bridge made near fire brigade station in Mysore is worth mentioning.
The government has signed with the Kalyani groups of India for the
construction of Bangalore-Mysore Express Highway to be executed by the
Kalyani Group of Companies on its own investment, to be maintained for 30
years, handing it over in motorable condition to the State Government after
recouping the expenditure incurred along with profit by way of toll fixed in
consent with the State Government at regular intervals.

Fly-over, Hebbal, Bangalore

Transport and Communications 279

Fly-over, N ear K.R. Market Bangalore

Transport Department: Till 1989, called as Motor Vehicle Department, it was

started in 1957 and entrusted with the work of registration and tax collection
of motor vehicles, issuing of permits, driver’s and conductor’s licences etc., to
the public in accordance with the provisions of 1) The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
(Central Act 59 of 1988), 2)Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, 3) The Karnataka
Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 4) The Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act 1957
(Karnataka Act 35 of 1957) and 5) KarnatakaMotorVehicles Taxation Rules
1957. At the time of integration of Karnataka, there were 25,976 registered
motor vehicles. Their total number stood at 17,18,494 in 1992-93. Among the
vehicles, the two wheelers were 12,30,200 and 1,59,888 were motor cars .
Besides Commercial Vehicles, those on the farm front too, received a boost with
the increase in the number of tractors from 20,561 in 1956-57 to 52,592 in
1992-93. The total number of motor vehicles in the State as on 31-3-1994 was
1,87,537 which included 1,67,207 motor cars, 20,237 buses (including 16,190
K.S.R.T.C. buses) and 81,869 goods carriers. As on December 1999, there were
32,60,663 registered motor vehicles in the State. They include 23,38,021 two
wheelers, 3,00,687 Motor Cars, 38,990 Jeeps, 16,711 Cabs, 1,16,487 goods
vehicles, 27,743 Omni Buses, 1,40,238 Autorikshaws, 20,876 K.S.R.T.C.
Buses, 6,302 Private Buses, 98,406 Tractors, 99,015 Trailers, 574 Contract
Carriers, besides 56,713 other vehicles with an overall increase of 9.17% during
98-99. By March 2000, there were 33,51,076 motor vehicles registered in the
state with Bangalore division having highest number (17,84,812) of registered
motor vehicles in the State. The same had gone up to 44,61,105 by the end of
March 2003. It included 32,45,652 motor cycles and scooters, 4,28,437 motor
cars, 24,032 cabs, 1,74,151 Autorikshaws 40,930 Omni buses, 1,48,025 goods
vehicles and 3,99,878 other vehicles. By 2007 March, the state had 69,39,710
registered vehicles and among the districts, if Bangalore tops the table with
A Handbook of Karnataka 280

27,60,766 registered vehicles, Chamarajanagar with 45,530 registered vehicles

touched the bottom. The Transport Department is one of the major revenue
earning departments in Karnataka and the following table gives the district-
wise Registered Motor Vehicles as on December 1999, March 2003, 2007 and
2008. It has increased to 80.25 lakhs by 2008.

B M TC Bus stand, Majestic Bangalore

District-wise Registered Motor Vehicles in Karnataka

SI. December March March March

District
No 1999 2003 2007 2008
1. Bangalore (Urban) 11,69,461 13,70,291 2,70,076 30,09,565
2. Bangalore 1,35,982 1,42,403 1,93,776 1,97,155
(Rural) (including
Ramanagar dt.)
3. Ramanagar (newly 1,01, 187
formed in 2007)
4. Chitradurga 42,881 59,425 92,841 1,05,050
5. Davanagere 94,514 1,30,244 1,85,322 2,03,772
6. Kolar (including 89,391 1,19,246 1,84,073 1,35,307
Chickballpur
district)
7. Chickballapur 62,261
district new formed
in 2007
8. Shimoga 1,07,743 1,50,025 2,14,542 2,32,320
9. Tumkur 98,561 1,36,691 2,14,349 2,41,804
10. Belgaum 2,20,781 3,00,082 4,33,038 4,67,354
11. Bijapur 49,430 78,700 1,11,826 1,23,888
12. Bagalkot 51,383 73,573 1,19,507 1,34,458
Transport and Communications 281

13. Dharwad 1,30,528 1,69,677 2,43,744 2,65,042

14. Gadag 32,916 42,573 61,944 67,897
15. Haveri 36,739 59,583 92,961 1,02,398
16. Uttara Kannada 69,871 97,952 1,33,369 1,44,583
17. Bellary 89,208 1,20,811 1,88,011 2,20,135
18. Bidar 37,319 50,341 74,453 83,163
19. Gulbarga 80,629 1,21,189 1,83,699 2,04,307
20. Raichur 40,057 61,684 98,364 1,00,436
21. Koppal 25,594 39,1779 62,716 69,203
22. Chikmagalur 53,327 71,280 1,05,077 1,16,890
23. Dakshina Kannada 1,46,709 1,95,444 2,85,241 3,13,462
24. Udupi 58,531 84,146 1,26,566 1,39,228
25. Hassan 66,089 89,737 1,38,675 1,54,679
26. Coorg 41,765 47,267 63,934 69,723
27. Mandya 51,968 71,233 1,11,127 1,29,240
28. Mysore 2,20,281 2,81,637 4,14,088 4,53,543
29. Chamarajanagar 19,005 26,0911 45,530 52,048
state total 32,60,663 44,61,105 69,39,710 75,19,098
T ran sport D epartm ent reports.

The Transport Commissioner is the Chairman of the Karnataka State

Transport Authority, a Quasi-Judicial body, in accordance with section 68 of
the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. This Authority has two other official members
also and it grants permits to tourist or passenger vehicles or goods carriages
as per Inter-State Agreements. The Regional Transport Authorities under this
State office grants permit to the transport vehicles or renew or cancel them
This department is authorised to issue both Driver’s and Conductor’s
Licences and by the end of December 1999, 28,12,183 driver’s and 3,84,679
conductor’s licences were issued. Likewise, by December 2002, they went upto
35,56,560 and 37,30,797 respectively. They went o increasing and as on 2005
march there were 43,86,951 driving licenses and 4251280 conductors licenses
in the state. As on March 2008, they had gone upto 62,71, 528 and 9,,45,869
respectively. Under the scheme of issuing Plastic Driving License Cards, the
Transport Department had issued 2,40,285 Blue Plastic Cards for two wheelers,
40,789 Green Plastic Cards to LMVs, 1,53,219 Red Plastic Cards to both two
wheelers and LMVs and 5,667 Khaki Plastic Cards to HTVs were issued since
1985. In cities like Bangalore, issuing of plastic license cards being issued by
using video image superior quality cards is being given to the licence holders
As per the Central Govt. Motor Vehicle Act of 1989, to check air pollution,
Transport Department has made Smoke Emission Control Test compulsory in
the State since 1993 and as a result, there were 218 Smoke Emission Checking
Centres in the State, of which 115 are in Bangalore. Since January 1998, the
government has restricted issuing Auto permits in Bangalore city. Autorikshaw
A Handbook of Karnataka 282

drivers’ accident relief fund has been created to provide a relief of Rs. 50,000 to
the family of the auto drivers who die or permanently become disabled due to
accidents. The department has earned a revenue of Rs 320 crores at the end of
December 1999. Computerisation of the department is under progress. Radio
Taxi facilities being introduced in Bangalore city to provide better transport
facilities to the publics and at present 126 radio taxis are serving on the roads
of Bangalore. It is proposed to provide the same facility even to the other
important towns like Mysore, Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum. As per the motor
vehicle act, the department is insisting on the adoption of speed brakers to
transport and goods vehicles and as made it compulsory from 2008. But the
Goods vehicle owners have expressed their dissatisfaction over this issue.
Road Accidents : Road accidents occurred dams the last five years are
alarming. During 2001-02, there were 33,000 accidents resulting in 5,805
death and 42,193 persons injury. During 2004-05 due 38,869 accidents 6497
persons died and 50,395 persons were injured. Bangalore district with 9249
cases, 912 deaths and 6999 injuries.
public Conveyance
Prior to 1948, public conveyance was solely in the hands of private
entrepreneurs. In earlier times, bullock, buffallo, ass and horses were the main
beasts of burden. Kavadis and Bullock Carts were used to carry goods. Bullock
Carts and Horse Carriages transported people. In 1911, Public Traffic Control
act was implemented in Mysore and in 1920, there were already private buses
serving the public. Around 1935, their number was 100. The Mysore Traffic
Board started in 1936 in old Mysore area controlled the public conveyance.
After independence, when nationalisation of roads was initiated in 1948,
Mysore State Road Transport Department (MSRTC) came into existence on 12th
September 1948 with 20 buses. By 1949, it had 120 buses covering 81 schedules
and 15,000 km road mileage. Although the nationalization of Road Transport
in Hyderabad State had been initiated as early as 1936 by the Hyderabad
State Road Transport Department established during 1932, its impact was
very limited, Contrary to this, in Bombay Presidency nationalisation of Road
Transport was implemented in 1947, was extended even to Belgaum Division in
1949 with the name “State Transport” (ST). At the time of Unification in 1956,
it received 825 buses and 778 scheduled routes from Bombay, Hyderabad and
Old Mysore States. By 1957 it ranked fourth at national level with 1100 buses
under its control. As per the Central Road Transport Corporation Act of 1950,
this department became a Corporation in 1961 and after 1973 came to be
called as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). By 1982, it
ranked fifth at national level with five Regional Offices located at Bangalore
(2), Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga, having control over 12 divisions and 68
depots. It had 5,700 passenger buses covering 3,855 scheduled routes of 11.20
lakh km route milage per day and providing service to 20.9 lakh passengers.
Transport and Communications 283

In November 1985, Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur, Bellary, Hassan and Raichur

districts nationalisation process was completed and partial nationalisation
being done in the districts of Kolar, Bangalore {Rural and Urban), Mysore and
Chikmagalur. By 1991, KSRTC had 6 Regional Offices, 14 divisions and 91
Depots with 7,602 scheduled routes and 8,824 buses, with an annual income
of 404.82 crores. As on March 1997, the KSRTC had 19 divisions, 109 depots
with 8,493 schedules, 13,273 routes of 9.491akh route km and 31.01 lakhs
of daily km service to the public with a daily revenue of Rs. 350.38 lakhs. On
15th August 1997, the government divided KSRTC into KSRTC (Old Mysore-
Hyderabad area), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC)
(Bangalore City); and on 1-11-1997, the North Western Karnataka Road
Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) with its headquarters at Hubli, covering
Hubli, Gadag, UK, Belgaum, Bijapur and Bagalkot divisions was inaugurated.
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) separated from KSRTC
on 15-8-1997, is entrusted with the work of serving the public of Bangalore
Metropolitan City with sincerity and punctuality. Prior to its separation, it was
looked after by Bangalore City Transports (North and South divisions) through
13 depots with 1839 schedules, 1991 buses and a central workshop. BMTC
covers Bangalore city with 30 km radius and by March 1998 it had 2088 buses
and 1934 schedules (740 city, 925 sub-urban and 269 Pushpak schedules)
with 4,42,953 scheduled route km to its credit. At present it is operating 2,285
schedules with a fleet strength of 2412 buses through 17 depots, 3 major bus
stations, 8 sub-bus stations and one central workshop. Its total revenue for the
year 1999-2000 was Rs. 20,425.84 lakhs and is running under profit. Recently
during 2000-01, KSRTC has under gone furtherer bifurcation and as a result
the North-Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation(NEKRTC), a separate
independent corporation for Hyderabad-Karnataka area with its head quarters
at Gulbarga has come into existence. As a result, at present, KSRTC, BMTC,
NWKRTC and NEKRTC are administering the transport services along with
Private Agencies in the State. Daily city passess introduced at Bangalore and
Mysore cities have received good public response. Besides the 7th days tourist
pass scheme in introduced the transport corporation is also noteworthy.
BMTC’s average no. of buses run on roads, perday was 3533 with an route
mileage of 3056-82 kms serving 11,453.70 lakh paasengers and the annual
revenue derived was Rs. 50,618.65 lakhs for the year 2004-05 Likewise the
details of Karnataka road transport corporation (2004-05) is as follows :
Corporations No.of b u ses on G ross k m operata P assen gers Revenue
and their road per day an n ually carried A nn u aly
headquarters an n ually
KSRTC (Central) 4,347 5 9 72 .3 4 (lakh) 5 8 4 7 .3 1 lakh 79 899.21
NEKRTC 2,290.6 1759.3 0 3,289. 3 2 4 7 1 .1 5
G u lbarga
NWKRTC Hubli 3,644.4 3,869.70 6,248.80 5 5 ,6 76 .2 6
BM TC (Bangalore) 3 ,533.4 3,056.82 11,4 5 3 .7 0 5 0 ,6 18 .6 5
A Handbook of Karnataka 284

As on March 2008, BMTC had 30 depots, one workshop and covered 4773
schedules with 4,891 buses serving 10.56 lakh schedule km daily. Over 2, 064
scheduled routes apart from the 299 Pushpak services and gaining an annual
profit of Rs. 810.80 crores. By Dec. 2009 it has 5271 buses.
Likewise KSRTC has 12 divisions, 59 depots, two regional workshops and
one printing press. It had 5,950 buses with 5,478 schedules, 5,762 routes and
20.80 lakh daily km. service and gained Rs. 3,389.77 lakhs as net profit during
2006-07. By December 2009 it had 6,477 buses in its depots. Likewise NWKRTC
had 4889 buses and NEKRTC had 2,742 buses under their jurisdiction for
public service.
The reservation system is networked and computerised and tickets can
be availed at designated kiosks in towns and cities. An on line reservation
system called “AWAAR‘ has also been divised by KSRTC for public use. It is
plying different category of buses viz. Airavatha (Volvo), Mayura, Rajahamsa,
semiluxury, express and rural transport buses.
Namma Metro : In order to control the traffic pressure on the roads of the
Bangaloe Metropolitan City, a modern MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) that
not only integrates the existing transport systems but also offer solution to the
problem. The State Government Commissioned Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
(DMRC) who with the help of Rail India Technical and Economic Services
(RITES) conducted a study. It concluded that Bangalore with its projected Peak
Hour Peak Direction Trips of about 40,000 by 2021. Hence it recommended
for Metro Rail System, to be planned and executed in two phases. To begin
with it identified two main corridors to be built under phase I of Bangalore
Metro. Although there were several proposals for this project, since 1982,
Delhi Metro Road Corporation in partnership with RITES prepared a detailed
project report for Bangalore metro rail phase I in 2003 at the instance of the
state government. It proposed a two double line corridors viz., East-West and
North-South corridor with a total length of 33 km.
The Bangalore Metro Rail finally took shape with the Karnataka Government
clearing the project in March 2005 and union government giving its accord in
April 2006.
Among the two metro corridors, the east-west corridor of 18.10 km long
line starting from Byappanahalli Passes through old Madras Road, C.M.H.
Road, Ulsoor, Trnitiy Circle, M.G. Road, Cricket Stadium, Vidhana Soudha,
Central College and after touching Majestic and City Railway Station continue
towards Tollgate, Hosahalli, Vijayanagara, Deepanjali Nagar and terminates at
the Mysore Road. The North-south corridor of 14.90 km long beginning from
Yeshwanthpur terminal, passes through Soap Factory, Mahalakshmi Layout,
Rajajinagar, Kuvempu Road, Malleswaram, Swastic and after touching Majestic
proceeds further via Chickpet, City Market, K.R.Road, Lalbagh, Southend
Circle, Jayanagar and terminate at R.V. Road area Terminal. Out o f the 33 km
route 6.76 km in Majestic will be underground near City Railway Station, City
Transport and Communications 285

Market, Vidhana Souda and Swastik. Most of the rest will be elevated tracks
with little surface level grader tracks.

ProposedNamma Metro, Bangalore

Proposed M etro Station, Byappanahalli ,Bangalore

A Handbook of Karnataka 286

The construction work has started fom Byappanahalli point and the full
network of phase I is expected to be commissioned by 2011. The track would
be standard gauge of 1.435 mts. The journey time between north-south corridor
will be 33 minutes and that east-west corridor will be 28 minutes. It is designed
to a maximum train speed of 80 km.ph
The Metro has been designed for a capacity of 40,000 passengers during
peak hours. The daily passenger traffic is estimatged at 10.20 lakhs in 2011
and 16.10 lakh by 2021.
The total project outlay envisage of the project is Rs. 6398 crores which is to
be metout through equity, subordinate debt and senior term debts with 30%,
25% and 45% respectively.
The total land required for this project is 202.22 acres comprised of 138
acres central government 32.22 acres of state government and 27 acres of
private lands and the land acquisition process by the state government is
almost nearing completion.
r a il w a y s

The first railway line in the old Mysore Area was from Bangalore to Madras
(Broad-gauge), laid by the Madras Railway Company and was opened for traffic
in August 1864. In 1877-78, construction work of another important section,
Bangalore-Mysore Metre - gauge line of about 138 km long was taken up and
completed in stages and commissioned in February 1882 by spending a sum of
Rs. 55.48 lakhs. The Metre - gauge section between Bangalore to Tumkur was
started in October 1882 and about 69 km line was opened for traffic in 1884.
Later, it extended to Gubbi (18 km) in December 1884. The Southern Marata
Railway, undertook the construction work of Harihara-Birur and Birur-Gubbi
sections and both these sections were opened for traffic in 1889. The Pune-
Harihara line traversing through Belgaum and Dharwad districts was laid in
1882 and completed during 1887. Goa was linked up with Londa in Belgaum
district. As a result, direct link was established between Pune-Bangalore via
Harihara. The Birur-Shimoga-Bidare line having a distance of about 64 km.
was constructed by the Princely government itself in 1899. This line linked
Shimoga with the Bangalore-Harihara sections. For speedy execution of the
works, State Railway Construction Department was set up in June 1912. The
Mysore-Arasikere Metre-gauge line of 165 km taken for construction in 1916
was completed and commissioned in 1918. Due to the keen interest taken by
the State in developing the railway network, the total length o f the railway line
rose from 657 km in 1911-12 to 913 km in 1923-24. Later Birur-Shimoga line
was extended in stages upto Talguppa (1940), a distance of about 161 km.
Transport and Communications 287

In Gulbarga area, the Guntakal-Raichur-Gulbarga-Sholapur section was

laid during 1861-1871, to connect Bombay and Madras Presidencies. Another
Broad-gauge line, passing from Wadi-Secunderbad via Chitapur and Sedam
(43 km in Gulbarga district) was commissioned for traffic in 1874 and a vital
link was established between Hyderabad, Madras and Bombay. The Bellary-
Hospet line was laid in 1884 followed by the Metre - gauge track between Hubli
and Hospet laid in 1885 which linked the southern states. The Broad - gauge
line of the Vikarabad-Parli-Baijnath section, runs through Bidar district for a
distance of 78.73 km, started operating since 1932.
Dakshina Kannada had only 12.87 km railway track leading towards Madras
before 1956. When the Hassan-Mangalore railway line opened for traffic
in 1979, the length of the railway line in the district went up. Before 1951,
the present Karnataka State was served by the then Madras and Southern
Maratha Railway, the South Indian Railway, Mysore State Railway, Nizam’s
State Railway and Great Indian Peninsular Railway systems. In 1951, the
Railways were taken over by the Central Government and Railway Zones were
formed. The Southern Railway was formed on 14-4-1951 with its headquarters
at Madras; and in October 1966 South-Central Zone, with its headquarters at
Secunderabad was created.

o ld Railway Engine, Railway Museum, Mysore

A Handbook of Karnataka 288

At the time o f Unification of the State in 1956, the length of Railway line was
2,595 km. Out of which Broad - gauge was 352 km, Metre - gauge 2,080 and
narrow-gauge 163 km. The Indian Railways, have undertaken modernisation
and many development programmes for the expansion of the railway network
in the country. Under the uni-gauge programme, 178 km. metre-gauge track
between Dharmavaram-Bangalore was converted into Broad - gauge and
opened for traffic in January 1985. Similarly the Mysore-Bangalore Broad-
gauge line of 138.25 km was opened for public traffic on 16th April 1993 by
spending a sum of Rs. 134.26 crores. Railway Workshop at Ashokapuram
(Mysore) is being modified to handle Broad - gauge rolling stock. Some of the
railway lines converted into broad - gauge and opened for traffic are Bangalore
Cily-Yeshwanthpur-Yelahanka (17.50km), Bellary-Rayadurga (54km),
Bangalore-Tumkur-Arasikere-Shimoga (in stages completed) and Rayadurga-
Chitradurga-Chikjajur. Electrification work of the Bangalore City-Jolarpet
section was completed in 1992 and the first Electric Train was operated on
19th May 1992.
Broad gauging of 67.65 km between Hotgi and Bijapur is being completed
and since May 1998, rails are on operation. The Bijapur-Bagalkot-Gadag
gauge conversion is also completed recently and the trains are running since
2009 January. The Mysore-Arasikere line conversion is also completed and
put to traffic from 1998. Hassan-Mangalore gauge conversion work started in
1995 is completed and (2005) train service upto Puttur (Mangalore side) and
Sakleshpur (Hassan side) was made available. But due to strong public opinion
the railways have thrown open the Hassan-Mangalore broad-gauge line for
passenger movement since Dec.8th 2007 and trains have started flying between
Yashavanthapur and Mangaloe via., Mysore-Hassan. The Railway service to
Mangalore via Tumkur Arasikere and Hassan is yet to be flagged off.
The ambitious Konkan Railway Project for connecting Mangalore with Roha
was opened for freight traffic in 1996. The Mangalore-Udupi line was started
first and was extended to Kundapur in 1995. The 760 km long line was opened
for passenger traffic in December 1996. As a result, the distance between
Mangalore and Bombay was reduced by 1,200 km and Mangalore-Delhi by 800
km. In 1998 (31-3-98) the total length in the State was 3270 km. ofwhich Broad -
gauge is 2706 & Metre-gauge 564. The South Western Railway Zone was newly
commissioned in October 2002 and Bangalore was made its headquarters. But
after Public Protest in North Karnataka, its Headquarters was shifted to Hubli.
The track doubling work between Bangalore and Kuppam has been completed
and dedicated to the country in 2004. As on March 31st 2004, Karnataka had
a total Railway route length of 3,270 km of which 2,761 km are of Broad - gauge
and the remaining 509 km are of Metre - gauge line. There were 354 railway
Transport and Communications 289

stations in the state. At present, (as on 2009 Jan) excluding the Shimoga-
Talaguppa line all other are Broad gauge lines. The Broad-gauge conversion of
Mysore-Nanjangud and Chamarajanagar route was taken in 1997. In the first
phase Mysore Nanjangud work was completed in June 2008 and on Nov 2008
Nanjangud-Chamarajnagar railway work was completed and thrown open for
traffic. No Narrow gauge lines are operating in the State. Chickballapur-Kolar
narrow-gauge track has been abandoned long back. Its conversion to broad
gauge too being insisted by the local people and the work is under progress. As
a result, (as on Jan 2009) except Kodagu, all other Districts in the State have
the railway line passing through their jurisdiction and the railways are planning
to implement the long-standing demand for Mysore-Madikeri rail line. Hubli-
Ankola line is also being planned. The Bangalore-Mysore route has been taken
for laying double track in phases, In the first phase, double line laying work
is proposed upto Ramanagar and as the work upto Bidadi is completed, it is
opened for traffic in March 2008. The remaining work upto Ramanagara is also
completed recently and track service is made available to the public since Nov
March 2008. The laying of new railway line between Bangalore and Hassan via
Nelamangala, Yedeyur, Belur Shravanabelagola and Channarayapatna under
progress and the work between Hassan-Channarayapatna and Sravanabelagola
was completed in March 2006. The remaining work is under progress and needs
to be completed briskly. A new survey is being conducted to connect Bangalore
with Chamarajnagar via, Kanakapura, Malvalli and Kollegal. Amidst all these,
the long pending rail route connecting Chamarajanagar with Mettupalyam via
Erode needs an early attention. As on March 2008, Karnataka had 3171.76
kms rail (2,761 kms line of broad gauge and 410.65 km metre gauge).
The Giant Wheel and Axle Plant, the only unit of its kind in the whole country
was started at Yelahanka in 1984. This plant is manufacturing wheels and
axles for the railway carriages with latest design and technology. It is playing a
vital role in promoting the Indian Railways on progressive path. At present it is
producing 1.35 lakh units of wheels and axles and the remaining 70,000 units
required being imported from other countries. In order to meet the domestic
requirements the railways have decided to invest Rs. 200 crores on this unit to
enhance its production capacity to two lakhs from 2008-09. The factory has
exported Rs. 5.31 crores worth wheel axles to Africa, Senegal, America, Latin
America and other foreign countries. Hence the railways have planned to start
another unit at Chapad in Bihar State with one lakh unit production, very
shortly. There is a Railway Museum at Mysore where several unique exhibits
are displayed. The Railway workshop functioning at Hubli, is looking after
rolling stock in respect of Metre - gauge. With the metre-gauge engine being
rolled out from the workshop in 1994, this section is no more in existence.
A Handbook of Karnataka 290

Railway lines opened for Traffic in the State since 1861

Broad
Sl. Beginning gauge
Railw ay line G auge Km
No. Year conversion
yea r
1. Bom bay-M adras-
(Sholapur-G ulbarga- B road - gau ge 220 1 8 6 1-7 1 -
R aichur-G untkal)
2. Bangalore-M adras B road - gau ge 88 1864 -
3. G u ntkal-B ellary B road - gau ge 43 18 7 1 -
4. W adi-Chitapur-Sedam -
B road - gau ge 43 1874 -
S ecu nd erabad
5. Bangalore-M ysore Metre - gau ge 138 1881-82 1993
6. Bangalore-Tum kur-
Metre - gau ge 87 1884 2001
G ubbi
7. Bellary-H ospet Metre - gau ge 59 1884 1995
8. H ubli-Gadag-H ospet Metre - gau ge 144 1885 1995
9. Gadag-Bijapur-H otgi-
Metre - gau ge 249 1885 2008
Sholapu r
10. H ubli-Londa-Belgaum -
Metre - gau ge 115 1887 1995
Pune
11. H arihar-H ubli Metre - gau ge 129 1887 2000
12. Londa-M arm goa-Vasco Metre - gau ge 50 1888 1995
13. H arihar-B irur-G ubbi Metre - gau ge 229 1889 2000
14. Y eshw anthpur-
Metre - gau ge 83 1890 1983 Ja n
H indupur (upto Border)
15. M ysore-N anjangud (upto
Metre - gau ge 24 1891 2008 Jun
S u jath a Mills)
16. Bangarpet(Bowringpet)-
B road - gau ge 14.84 1894 -
M arikuppam
17. S u jath a Mills-
Metre - gau ge 0.76 1899 2008 Jun
N anjangud
18. Birur-Shim oga-B idare Metre - gau ge 6 1 .1 5 1899 NA
19. B ellary-R ayadurga Metre - gau ge 5 3 .6 7 1905 NA
20. H ospet-Kottur Metre - gau ge 69.46 1905 NA
21. G u n d a Road Jn-
Metre - gau ge 21 1906-07 NA
Sw am ihalll
22. M adras-M angalore (upto
Metre - gau ge 12. 87 1907
S tate Border)
23. Bow ringpet (Bangarpet)- Narrow - Broad
17.60 19 1 3
Kolar gauge Gauged

24 Narrow -
C h ikballapu r-Y elah an ka abandoned 1915 NA
gauge
25 Narrow -
C hikballapur-K olar abandoned 1 9 16 Under
gauge
Transport and Communications 291

26. Y elahanka-
Narrow -
Y eshw anthpur- 25 19 18
gauge
Bangalore
27. M ysore-Arasikere Metre - gau ge 165 19 18 1998
28. D andeli-Alnavar Metre - gau ge 3 1 .7 1 9 19 NA
29. C hikkajajur- Metre - gau ge 21 19 2 1 NA
C hitrad u rga
30 Nanjangud- Metre - gau ge 35 1926 Nov 2008
C h am arajan agar
31 Shim oga-Shim oga Metre - gau ge 06 1929 NA
Bidare
32 V ikarabad- B road - gau ge 78.32 1932
Parli-Baijanath
(Bidar,Khanapur,
Kam alapur)
33 Shim oga-T alaguppa Metre - gau ge 93 1940 Still
meter gauge
34 G untkal-H ospet B road - gau ge 102 1966 -
(Separate Line)
35 H assan-M angalore Metre - gau ge 189 1979 2005
36 M angalore-M angalore B road - gau ge 11 1983 -
New port
37 M angalore-Roha B road - gau ge 76 1996 -
(Konkan Express)
38 Bangalore - Kuppam B road - gau ge N.A. 2004 -
(double line)

* E xclu ding Shim oga-T alaguppa line w hich is also under conversion all other railway
lines are either B road-G auge lines or else converted to B road - gauge. A t present,
excluding the abandoned C hikballapu r-K olar N arrow -gauge lin e, the rem aining Narrow
gau ge lines have been converted into B road-gauge lines. There is a proposal even for its
conversion.

Railway projects under progress: The state government has been actively
supporting the railway projects in the state. A sum of Rs 100 crores has been
provided in the 2008-09 budget for new cost sharing railway projects by sharing
upto 2/3 of the total project cost. As a part of Sholapur - Gadag Gauge conversion
project (50;50 share) Bagalkot - Gadag work, is nearing completion.
Shimoga - Talguppa Gauge conversion project is taken up under 50;50
cost sharing basis with the railways and has made provison for Rs. 100 crores
during. Kottur - Harihara new railway (67kms) line projects is taken up under
2/3;1/3 cost sharing basis. Ramanagar - Mysore railway doubling is under
progress. Bidar - Gulbarga (104 kms) new railway line is taken up under 50;50
cost sharing basis. Munirabad Mehaboobnagar new railway line (190 km) is
taken up under 50;50 cost sharing basis.
A Handbook of Karnataka 292

a ir t r a n s p o r t

The first aeroplane flight in India was introduced in January 1911. The
Tata and Sons Ltd., flew its aircraft for the first time in Karnataka in October
1932. This flight was operated between Karachi and Madras with stops at
Ahmedabad, Bombay and Bellary. Later, Deccan Airways of the Hyderabad
Government operated a daily flight from Hyderabad to Bangalore and back
in 1946. On 1st August, 1953, Airlines in the country were nationalised and
Government owned Indian Airlines started connecting Bangalore with various
other cities in the country. The ‘open skies’ policy of the Centre has ended the
monopoly of plying their aircraft between Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Hyderabad
etc. The private companies serving in the field were Jet Airways, East-West
Airlines, Damania Airways, Deccan Airlines, Sahara and Modi Luft. Apart from
Bangalore, the cities of Belgaum, Mangalore and Hubli are also on the air map
of the country.
Bangalore Airport, constructed in an area of 865 acres of land which
belongs to HAL and the Airports Authority of India. In the Indian Airlines
network, Bangalore Airport ranks fifth in respect of revenue earnings. During
1992-93, on an average there were about 60,000 incoming passengers and
60,000 outgoing passengers at Bangalore Airport per month and the incoming
and outgoing cargo handled during 1992-93 was 5,104 and 6,711 M.Tonnes
respectively. During 1991-92, the incoming and outgoing cargo handled by the
Mangalore Airport was 99 and 57 M. tonnes respectively. Direct flight to perth
(Australia) and Singapore have begun from Bangalore from 1995. There is a
proposal to construct an International Airport near Bangalore at Devanahalli.
The State run ‘Flying Training School’ was started in 1948 at Bangalore to
impart training to the youth in flying. This school is also undertaking joy flights,
charter flights and also providing flying facilities to scientists and engineers of
the defence. In 1991-92, of the nine candidates undergoing the training for
commercial pilots licence, three of them have passed the course. At the same
period 98 students were undergoing training for the private pilot’s course.
It maintains a civil enclave on 20 acres comprised of domestic passenger
terminal building suitable to maintain 700 departing passengers and the
integrated international terminal building inaugurated in January 99, suitable
to handle 700 domestic arrivals and 600 International passengers at a time,
fully air conditioned built at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.83 crores. It is equipped
with five escalators, four passenger elevators and staircase for transferring
passengers from ground floor to first floor and vice-versa. At present, it has
all modern facilities. But with the inauguration of Devanahalli International
Airport this airport has been closed.
Transport and Communications 293

Terminal Building Check in Counters

A Handbook of Karnataka 294

Mangalore Airport: The Mangalore Airport is located at Bajpe 26 km away

from the district headquarters. It was started in 1951 by the civil aviation
department, spreading over 140 acres of land suitable for Airport. In the
beginning Dakota Plane service was made available once a week. But with the
unification of Karnataka (1956), weekly trip to Bombay was started in 1957.
In 1960, the airport was expanded to meet the needs of Avrose flights. In
1972, daily service between Madras and Bombay via Bangalore, Mangalore
and Belgaun was started. It resulted in 14 planes passing through Mangalore
Airport. In 1996 an office was started to receive the passport application from
aspirants at Mangalore. At present daily service is available from Mangalore to
Mumbai, Bangalore, Madras and other places. The flight services are operated
by Indian Airlines, Deccan Airlines and Jet Airlines. Due to the formation, a
new runway to facilitate the requirement for international flights by the Indian
Aviation Authority, the Airport is providing services of international standard.
Bangalore International Airport: At Devanahalli the Bangalore International
Airport has started working from May 24th 2008. This project commenced in
July 2005, spreading over an area of 4000 acres . So far Rs.2,530 crores being
spent on this project. It is being managed by the Airport Authority of India.
It has all the required facilities of an International Airport and is situated at
a distance of 35 km from Bangalore City. It is expected that on an average
30 flights per hour being landed at this airport and nearly 10 lakh passenger
traffic is expected over the years. The Airport authority has turned all stones
to extend attractive service to its customers. Signal free traffic services being
provided to this airport from different parts of the city.
There is a proposal to provide Highspeed Rail link to the BIA located at
Devanahalli. The government has planned to construct Airports at all District
headquarters in the state. Improving and upgrading of Mangalore, Hubli, and
Belgaum Airports is under progress.
Besides, the government has planned to develop four green-field air ports at
Gulbarga, Shimoga, Hassan and Bijapur. The government has planned to build
Airstrips for the landing of aeroplanes at Davanagere, Raichur, Chikmagalur,
Udupi, Madikeri - Kushalnagara, Gokarna, Chitradurga, Bagalakote, Haveri,
Gadag and Kollegala by providing a sum of Rs 50 crores during 2008-09.
Passport Office: A separate office for the State was established at Bangalore
on 12th June 1978, on the bifurcation of Regional Passport Office at Chennai.
It is now located in No. I/A, Brunton Road, (across M.G. Road), Bangalore.
It is providing passport facilities to the people in Karnataka. The number of
passports issued 2000 during 1978 ws 17,146. It enhanced to 1,23,150 in
1992.
By the end of 2000, out of the 1,31,769 fresh applications received, 1,28,943
were disposed of by issuing passports. Generally it takes 30 to 40 days to
issue fresh passports. Under Tatkal Scheme, Passports are issued quickly by
Transport and Communications 295

charging addition fees. Renewal of old ones, issuing of duplicate passport in

case of lost and damaged passports and Emigration services are also extended
to the public. Tele-Enquiry, Special counters etc., are opened to assist the
public. ‘KIOSK’ - Touch Screen System has been installed to make know the
position of passport applications. On-Line Registration services started to help
the working personnel living in different districts has been appreciated by the
public. It has also launched a web-site of its own, which help the public to
know the position of their applications and objections if any. It has its passport
application collection centres at Mangalore started in 1996, and at Gulbarga
in February 2000. The Speed Post Passport services have also been launched
at selected post offices in March 2001. Since then, the Passport office through
its innovative services has reached the public more effectively. As a result of
easy and on-line processing of passport applications, passport holders are
increasing regularly since 2005.
w ater transport

Karnataka, a maritime State with a coastal line of about 300 Km with 287
Nautical km covering Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada Districts
of Coastal Karnataka. Water Transport which include Inland Waterways and
Ocean Transport is crucial for the economic growth of the State, as it is cheap
and also indispensable at places where there are no bridges. In earlier times
rivers and seasonal streams were crossed by using the country boats, rafts,
basket boats and ferries. In recent years mechanised boats and launches are
also being used. The district of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada
are more favourable for Water Transport. Chronicles of the overseas travellers,
mention of the foreign boats going even to the upstreams of Barakur, Basrur,
Gersoppe and Kadra. Navigation is possible in the waterways of the State only
for short distances, particularly in some portions of the West flowing rivers,
their estuaries and backwaters. In Uttara Kannada district, some portions of
the Gangavali, the Aghanashini, the Kali and the Sharavathi are navigable.
Navigable portions are found in the Halady, the Kubja, the Chakra and the
Kollur rivers in Udupi District. and the Udyavar, Netravathi etc., in Dakshina
Kannada district.
Inland waterways : With a view to have proper control and supervision over
navigation and ferry services, Inland Waterways Branch was created in 1972
and attached to the Ports Directorate, situated at Karwar in Uttara Kannada
District. Many ferry services are directly run by the Inland Waterways. In
1981-82, there were 673 ferries in the State to cater to the needs of the rural
population. Consequent on the construction of more roads and bridges in rural
areas, the number of ferries, have come down to 477 in 1992. During VIII Plan
period, an amount of Rs 60 lakhs was spent for the development of ferries.
Even then by 2000 AD, the number of ferries was 378 in the State. Out of
A Handbook of Karnataka 296

them, while 26 were maintained by the department, 42 have been given to

private individuals on auction, and a sum of Rs. 2,73,110 was obtained as
revenue out of it. By March 2007, there were altogether 356 ferries operating
in the State. Of them while 17 were managed departmently and 45 have been
given to Private agencies on auction and a sum of Rs. 5,65,583 being derived
as revenue out of it.

Nada Doni

statistics of Men and Materials Transported by the Departmental Ferries

(2006-07)
(in tonnes)
P articulars 1999-2000 2003-04 2006-07
P assen gers 1 1.4 1,9 5 4 39 ,76 ,5 70 7,8 8 ,72 7
Scooters/M otor C ycles 8 ,2 17 32 ,8 12 35,38 7
R icksh aw s 46 67 04
C ars 2,248 2,837 10,238
V ans 940 1,806 1,322
T ru cks 67 68 882
B u se s 7 ,5 7 1 5,329 6,442
C arts 47 - -
Jeep s 2,428 3 ,0 17 6,298
C ycles 8,827 32 ,8 12 27,470
Transport and Communications 297

Anim als 2,356 719 677

Goods (in tonnes) 8,404 7,68 2 .5 6,72 5 .5 0
E stim ated cost - - 4 5 4 0 751
M aintenance - - 4 6 0 10 15
Revenue collected Rs. 17,60,984 Rs. 22,02,354 Rs. 21,90,625
Estimated cost - - Rs. 45,50,751
maintenance cost Rs. 46, 01,015

Source: K arn ataka Ports & IWT Dept. Karwar.

B oat House

ocean transport

There were no ports in the Old Mysore State. Attempts were made to acquire
and develop Bhatkal Port when Sir M. Visweshvaraya was the Diwan of Mysore
State. Finally, this proposal was shelved in 1923. After the integration of the
States, Karnataka came to have 18 ports, in addition to the major ports of
Karwar and Mangalore. These ports are located in the coastal districts of
Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. They are Bhatkal, Shirali,
Murdeshwar, Manki, Honavar, Kumta, Tadri, Ankola, Belikeri, Chendiya,
Binaga, Karwar and Majali in Uttara Kannada. Mangalore (Old Port), New
Mangalore Port (Panamburu) Malpe in Dakshina Kannada and Hangarakatta,
Kundapur and Baindur in Udupi Districts. These ports could not get proper
attention earlier due to the presence of major ports like Bombay and Cochin on
the west coast along with Goa, though it was under the Portuguese.
A Handbook of Karnataka 298

In 1957, Mysore Port Department was formed and a sum of Rs.18 lakhs
was sanctioned to provide minimum Port facilities. The Karwar, Belikeri and
Honavar ports commenced exporting iron ore during 1957and 1960. During
the Third Plan period, the outlay was Rs. 280.3 lakhs. The Centre accorded
sanction for the development of New Mangalore Port at Panambur into an all­
weather port. Also included in the Third Plan, was the scheme of developing
Karwar into an all-weather port. The Fourth Plan outlay was Rs. 128 lakhs. The
minor ports saw increase in the traffic of general cargo and fisheries and cargo
handling capacity of the ports reached 14.43 lakh tonnes. To cope up with
the increase in the cargo movement, it was proposed to improve port facilities;
during Fifth Plan. The total investment proposed for Fifth Plan was Rs. 850
lakhs. The proposed expenditure during the same period, by way of Central
grant for the development of Karwar port was Rs. 257.24 lakhs. The strategy
during the subsequent Annual Plans was to complete on-going schemes,
construction of wharves, jetties and other facilities, purchasing dredging
machinery, installation of Navigational equipments etc. The traffic in nine ports
exceeded 11 lakh tonnes annually.
Based on the traffic volume, Karwar port was taken up for development as
an All-weather port, at a cost of Rs. 8.5 crores under the State sector. Other
ports selected for development due to more traffic potential were Belikeri, Tadri,
Honavar, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Hangarakatta, Mangalore old port and Malpe. A
sum of Rs. 1,750 lakhs was spent for the development of ports to handle more
cargo traffic during VIII Plan period. The government has sanctioned an outlay
of Rs 40 crores for development of ports during the IX Plan period (1997-2002)
in Karnataka. As against the alloted amount of Rs. 350 lakhs for the year 1999­
2000, only Rs 276.12 lakhs were spent on various activities.

D aily Passengers, Boat Transport

Transport and Communications 299

As on March 2004, the state had 10 minor Intermediate Ports viz., Mangalore
(old), Malpe, Hangarakatta, Kundapur, Padubidri, Bhatkal, Honnavar, Tadri,
Belekeri, Karwar (including Sadashivagad) and one major Port namely New
Mangalore Port. During 2003-04 under foreign trade by sea 2,53,505 tonnes of
cargo worth Rs. 24,406 lakh of imports and 7,13,859 tonnes of cargo worth Rs.
23,730 lakhs of exports being done through the different ports of Karnataka.
Under Coastal trade 85,528 tonnes worth Rs. 5,082 lakh of imports and
1,14,726 tonnes worth Rs. 4,425 lakhs was handled in the state.
ports of Karnataka
K a rw a r P o rt: Karwar port has been considered as one of the finest natural
ports in the world. It was predicted that the cargo movement through this
port would be around seven million tonnes during 1995-96. The main export
items are iron/manganese ore, granite blocks, agricultural, forest and marine
products. Now it has also been declared as customs port and as an all-weather
port. The total cargo handled (both import and export) during 1999-2000 is
4,59,400 metric tonnes. During 2003-04, it handled 3,25,845 tonnes of imports
and 6,26,352 tonnes of exports. Under Tenth five year plan (2006-07) a sum
of Rs. 2,800 has been alloted for the improvement of Karwar Port. During the
first two years of this plan period a sum of Rs. 781.11 lakhs has been spent
for its improvement and development. During 2006-07 Rs. 293 lakhs spent for
improvement. It has earned a revenue of Rs. 13.38 crores during 2006-07. It
handled 2,716 thousands of goods traffic during 2007-08
B e lik e ri P o rt: The Port handled exports of about 60,895 metric tonnes of
iron/manganese ore, during 92-93. A sum of 90 lakhs was alloted in the Eighth
Plan for the development of the port. It is located about 27 km to the South of
Karwar. It handled 96,960 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. Under the 10th
Plan for its improvement a sum o f Rs. 6.58 lakhs has been spent during 2003­
04. Rs. one laksh was spent during 2006-07 for its improvement.
T a d ri P o rt: The Port lies at the mouth of Aghanashini, about 54 km north
of Honavar. About 2,790 tonnes of silica sand was exported through this port
during 1992-93. It reduced to only 610 metric tonnes during 1999-2000.It
hadled only 815 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. During the first two years
of 10th plan period a sum of Rs. 13 lakhs was spent for its development, Rs. 10
lakhs being spent during 2006-07.
K u n d a p u r P o rt: It is located about 33 km to the north of Udupi, the district
head quarters, at the confluence of Gangolli river. There was considerable
movement of traffic through this port, prior to the development of Karwar port.
About 5,538 metric tonnes of goods were exported from this port in 1992-93.
About 46,445 metric tonnes of cargo was handled during 1999-2000. During
the first two years of 10th Plan period, a sum of Rs. 13 lakhs was spent for its
development. No expenditure was made during 2006-07.
A Handbook of Karnataka 300

B h a tk a l P o rt: In olden times Bhatkal was an important trading centre for

foreign trade. This natural port, was a major outlet on the West Coast during
Vijayanagara times. Bhatkal is situated about 40 km to the south of Honavar
and at the mouth of the Sharabi river. Commercial traffic through this port is
very negligible. A sum o f Rs. 8 lakhs has been spent for its development during
the first two years of 10th plan period. Rs. 4 lakhs was spent during 2006-07
for its development.
H onavar: It is situated at the mouth of the Sharavati river and second
important port after Karwar. The port has been developed during the successive
Five Year Plans. Total exports handled by the port were 1,609 M.tonnes, during
1992-93. A sum of Rs. 12.85 lakhs has been spent for its development during
the first two years of 10th plan period. Rs. 4 lakhs was spent during 2006-07
for its upliftment.
M aIpe: The Malpe port is located at the confluence of Udyavara river and
lies 64 km to the north of Mangalore and five km to the west of Udupi. About
17,700 tonnes of silica sand exports were handled by this port in 1992-93. In
1999-2000, 17,105 metric tonnes of silica sand was exported from this port. It
handled 1223 tonnes of Imports and 9650 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. A
sum of Rs. 148.67 lakhs has been spent for its development during the first two
years of 10th plan period. Rs. 66 lakhs was spent to improve the port during
2006-07. It handled only 14 thousand tonnes of goods traffic during 2007-08
H a n ga ra k a tta : This port lies at the mouth of the Sitanadi and at a distance
of 22 km south of Kundapur. During 1992-93, only 80 metric tonnes of cargo
was exported from this port. A sum of Rs. 2 lakhs has been spent during 2003­
04 for its development. Rs one lakh being spent to improve it during 2006-07.
O ld M a n ga lore p o rt: No major development took place in the development
of Mangalore old port during the previous six plans. The old port is located
about eight km South of New Mangalore Port and controlled by the State
Government. By taking into account the transactions of this port and its
Shipping needs, it was decided to develop the port at an estimated cost of
about 12.5 crores, in the VII Plan, construction of wharf and dredging of inner
channel were completed. Total imports and exports routed through this port in
92-93, was 58,374 metric tonnes. This port also provided sea transportation
to the Lakshadweep Islands. It handled 12,025 tonnes of imports and 94,808
tonnes of Exports during 2003-04. A sum of Rs. 455.10 lakhs has been spent
for its improvement during the first two years of the 10th plan period. Besides
these, steps are being taken for the improvement of Old Mangalore port.
Government of India has accorded sanction for handling petroleum products
through Karwar port. Container service has been introduced there to serve
Northern Karnataka. The Karwar, Belikeri, Tadri, Malpe, Honnavar, Bhatkal,
Hangarakatta and Old Mangalore Ports together have handled 3.12 lakh metric
tonnes of exports and 2.27 lakhs metric tonnes of imports for the year 1999-
Transport and Communications 301

2000. During 2003-04 they went upto 8.28 lakh metric tonnes and 3.39 lakh
metric tonnes respectively. The old Mangalore port has earned a revenue of Rs.
1.28 crores during 2006-07. Passengers travelling facility being used by 18233
passenger from the port. It handled only 76000 tonnes of cargo traffic during
2007-08. For the development of the Padubidri port a sum of Rs. 99,000 has
been spent during 2003-04. During 2006-07, a sum of Rs. 230 lakhs being
spent on various developmental activities.Nothing was spent during 2006-07
for the improvement of Padubidri port.
New M a n ga lore P o r t : The New Mangalore Port has been developed into an
all-weather major port, by the Government of India. The port was declared in
1974, as the ninth major port in the country and was developed over the years.
During Eighth Plan, a sum of Rs. 60 crores was alloted by the Centre. Apart
from it, some more facilities are expected to be created to handle crude oil,
coal, LPG etc., and the user agencies have also agreed to meet the expenditure.
Now this port is being administered by New Mangalore Port Trust Board under
Government of India. During 1974-75 it handled only 0.09 million tonnes of
cargo through 77 ships and during 1984-85 it has gone upto 3.38 million
tonnes and 342 ships. During 1994-95, the cargo handled was 8 million tonnes
and ships visited were 514. During 2004-05 it had gone up to 33.89 million
tonnes and cargo ships visited the port was 1,057. During 2006-07 it handled
82.04 million tonnes of traffic with 17.92 million tonnes opf imports and 14.12
million tonnes of exports. It also handled 1015 vessels including 18 cruise
vessels during 2006-07.
Excluding the new Mangalore port, and the Karwar, Malpe and old Mangalore
ports, the cargo traffic handled at other minor ports during 2007-08 was 6,085
thousand tonnes.
Sea E rosion : Out of the 300 kms of coastal belt, nearly 240.54 kms of it faces
severe sea erosion. Besides this, the tidal reaches of as many as 14 rivers like
Kali, Aghanastuni, Gangavali, Sharavathi, Kollur, Sita, Guropur, Netravathi,
Belekeri etc are also subject to river bank erosion. As a precautionary measure,
till March 2007, about 57 kms long erosion protection wall has been built
in different critical places at a cost of Rs. 60 crores. A master plan to find
permanent solution to this problem costing Rs. 292 crores has been sent to the
Central Water Commission of India for approval.
p o s t a l s e r v ic e s

As early as 17th century, old Mysore State had local postal system called
Anche’, the word popularised by prince Chikkadevaraya. ‘Anche’, being the
Kannada form of ‘Hamsa’, the messenger used by Nala and Damayanti of epic
fame. Under Odeyars, it was a part of the intelligence department and was
headed by the Anche Bakshi. Imperial Post Offices working under the British
at Srirangapatna, Hunsur and Tumkur were included in the Anche Dept. Of
A Handbook of Karnataka 302

the two imperial postal lines functioning, the Bangalore-Bambay postal route
was passing through Chitradurga and Harihara; the other from Bangalore to
Mangalore via Mysore and Madikeri. There were Imperial Post Offices at places
like Bangalore, Mysore, Harihara and Pandavapura in the princely state of
Mysore (French Rocks). The British had opened their post offices at Bangalore
Cantonment and Mangalore during the first decade of the nineteenth century
and other centres of Bombay-Karnataka during the second and third decades
of the nineteenth century. Dharwad had a post office in 1820 and Hubli in
1833. The number of post offices rose from 180 (1882) to 412 (1886) in the
Mysore Kingdom and Quarter Anna post cards were introduced in old Mysore.
The Mysore Anche system until its merger with the imperial postal department
in 1889 was rendering services at a very cheap rate.
For some time, in the beginning, the post was carried by the runners and
delivered to the destinations. There was a cartline service between Madras and
Bangalore. After the completion of Railway line between Bangalore and Madras
in 1864, mail was transported in trains. With the introduction of motor vehicles
during the early decades o f 20 th century, mail was carried by the motor buses.
The Bangalore General Post Office (GPO) was opened in 1800 and was one
of the most important post offices in the Madras circle after Madras GPO. In
1854, Bangalore was a Saddar or Head office and Subordinate offices attached
to it were Pandavapura (French Rocks), Hunsur, Harihara. Madikeri, Mysore,
Shimoga, Srirangapatna and Tumkur. In 1870, there were receiving houses
at Bangalore Cantonment and Bangalore city. Kollegal was transferred from
Coimbatore Head office to Bangalore Head office in 1889. In 1891, Money Order
services were transferred from State Treasury to Post Offices.
The old post offices in Kodagu district were Virajpet (1864), Madikeri (1870)
and Ammathi (1871). Post was directly transported from Mysore Railway Station
to Madikeri on Horse carts in 1894. District Postal Department was under the
control o f PMG Madras. The postal division of Dakshina Kannada included the
entire district and a part of the present Kerala. Bellary district in the Madras
Presidency had a postal division. There were 30 post offices at Kumta and
Karwar in 1883. Besides, there were 17 sub-post offices and 11 village post
offices also were working during the same period.
In Hyderabad-Karnataka, the Nizam’s Govt. had a Postal Department of its
own and the Govt. service mail was carried and delivered by the orderlies or
sawars. In 1869 the first postage stamp of Hyderabad was introduced and
postal insurance scheme in 1907. There was a British Indian post office at
Humnabad. The postal dept. of Hyderabad was merged with the central postal
system on 1.4.1950. The Hyderabad Karnataka region was under the Gulbarga
postal division from 1959-60.
Transport and Communications 303

Stamps Collection (Related to Karnataka)

A Handbook of Karnataka 304

^Tf^cRT’ 07 Kam apex

1 0 .0 8 .2 0 0 7
kkK ivf f^cRT Heritage Day

First Day Postal Cover

The Bijapur and Belgaum districts were under the Southern Maratha postal
division in 1884 and the Head offices were functioning at Bijapur, Kaladgi
and Belgaum. In Belgaum district 40 post offices and one telegraph office at
Belgaum were functioning during 1884. From Bombay to Karwar, posts were
carried by steamers once a week. In 1803, a runner route was opened between
Bombay and Madras via Belgaum, Dharwad, Harihara and Bangalore. About
230 runners were employed for this purpose. Another runner route was passing
from Malabar to Bombay through Honavar and Dharwad. Postal bags were
exchanged at Dharwad, since it was an important centre in the postal system.
In 1921-22, the Director of Industries and Commerce was appointed liasion
officer, between the State and the British Post and Telegraph Department.
There were four Head Offices, 109 Sub Offices and 376 Branch Offices in the
Princely Mysore State during 1923-24,
With the formation of Karnataka Post and Telegraph Circle on 1.4.1960,
Gulbarga Division (Hyderabad circle); Dharwad and Belgaum Divisions
(Bombay circle); Bangalore, Mysore, Dakshina Kannada and Bellary Divisions
(Madras Circle) were transferred to the Karnataka Postal Circle. One Railway
Mail Service (RMS) Division at Bangalore (Q division) was also transferred from
Madras circle. Under the control of this division, there were six RMS sorting
offices in running trains. There is a phenomenal increase in the postal activities
after the formation of Karnataka Circle. As on 1.4.1960, there were 3,966 post
offices in the State and on an average, one post office was there for every 48.38
sq.km and to a population of 5,934. On 1.7.1965, the Quick Mail Service (QMS)
was started between Bangalore and Delhi and later it was extended to the
Transport and Communications 305

district headquarters and other centres. Three Speed Post centres were located
at Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. In Bangalore alone, there were 33 speed
post booking centres apart from six in Mangalore and three in Mysore, point
to point Speed Post facility is available in many cities. There are at present
eight speed post centres on National network and 28 speed post centres at
state level, with a revenue earning of Rs. 12,42,11,984 from speed post service.
The corresponding statistics as on 31.3.1992 was 9,707 post offices on an
average of one for every 19.80 sq.km and for a population of 4,680. By March
1999, there were 9,852 post offices working in the state. In March 2000, the
Karnataka Postal Circle office had control over the three regions of Bangalore,
South Karnataka and North Karnataka with their head quarters at Bangalore
for the first two and Dharwad for the last one. There were altogether 9,873
post offices comprising 70 Head Offices, 1785 Sub Post Offices, 296 Extra
Departmental Sub-Offices and 7,722 Extra Departmental Branch Offices in the
State. During the year 1999-2000, 1,23,34,011 registered articles were booked
in the state. As on March 2003, there were 9,908 Post Offices in the State. But
by March 2008, it had come down to 9,826. If Belgaum district with 726 post
offices ranked first, Bangalore (Rural) district with 122 post offices was at the
bottom.
The number of letter boxes which stood at 8,557 in 1960, rose to 27,348
in 1992, an almost 319% increase over the last few decades. The number of
letter boxes in use by March 2000 was 30,367 comprised of 8,105 boxes at
urban places and 22,262 boxes in rural areas. There were 8,060 rented post
boxes, 401 postbags, 177 post boxes cum bags earning a total revenue of
Rs 13,05,701 from them. There are also seven Night Post Offices working at
Bangalore (2) Mysore, Davanagere, Hampanakatta (Mangalore), Belgaum and
Hubli respectively. Two Philatelic Bureaux in the state are at Bangalore GPO
and Mangalore H.O. At present, 15 philatelic counters were working in the
State. Since 2000, all H.O.’s have been authorised to open philatelic counters.
The mail is carried over a route length of 11,443 km by rail, 1,00,459 km by
road, 12,195 km by runners and 32,334 km by other modes in the State. The
total revenue earned from all sources by the department during the year was
Rs. 135.12 crores as against the working expenditure of 218.44 crores. The
Postal Training Centre at Mysore is imparting training to the newly recruited
postal assistants, sorters, instructors and others. As a result of liberalisation,
private agencies like Courier, VRL, Professionals, DTDC, The Franch Express
and Eagle Fly Fax are also providing effective postal services with accuracy and
punctuality.
Telegraph: Construction of telegraph lines was started around 1853 and
by 1856 about 537 km telegraph lines were laid in princely Mysore. Madikeri
was an important centre in the coastal telegraphic division of Malabar during
1869-90, as the telegraph line from Mysore to Cannanore passed via Madikeri.
There was a branch line to Mangalore in 1865. Mangalore had one central
A Handbook of Karnataka 306

telegraph office. The two telegraph offices working in the state in 1870-71, were
at Mysore and Bangalore. British had also connected their district headquarters
like Bangalore cantonment, Bellary, Belgaum and Dharwad by telegraph lines.
By 2000, there were 4,032 combined telegraphic offices and 253 independent
telegraphic offices in the state with 81 telegraphic offices accepting the telegrams
even in Devanagari Script. But due to maximum use of Telephones and Cell
phones, telegraphic usage is lessening considerably throughout the country,
even then it still continues domestically with less significance.
t e l e c o m m u n ic a t io n

Bangalore Cantonment appears to be the first recipient of telephone

system, soon after its installation at Madras. During the Khedda Operation
at Kakanakote in 1889, a line of about 36 miles was laid between Hunsur
and Kakanakote. Another line of about 17 km was laid between Hesaraghatta
Water Reservoir and Chikkabanavar during 1896. During the plague outbreak
in Bangalore and Mysore in 1898, temporary telephone lines were installed
at Bangalore for anti-plague operations. In 1899, 50 government offices were
provided with permanent lines. In 1909, new lines were laid in Mysore city and
later connected to Bangalore in 1911-12. The telephone system was under the
control of Electricity Department in the beginning. By 1918, the total length of
telephone lines in the princely Mysore State was about 852 km.
Use of telephones in the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad was started in
1936. On 31.3.1936, a telephone exchange of 50 connections was established
at Dharwad. Belgaum city appears to have got telephone in 1930.
The Belgaum Exchange started functioning from 1957. Telephone Exchange
of Bellary was commissioned in 1940, and had 50 connections at the outset.
In 1952, telephone link between Mysore and Madikeri was established. Use
of Telephones in Madikeri City began on 22-1-1955. The first telephone
exchange in Chitradurga district, was started at Davangere on 5-2-1953 with
44 connections. The telephone exchanges at Mandya and Chikmagalur, were
started in 1955 and 1956.
When Karnataka Postal Circle was formed in 1960, the administration of
the Postal and Telecommunication services in the State was with this newly
created postal circle. Due to the expansion of postal and telecommunication
services, the combined set-up was bifurcated on 1.9.1974. The Karnataka
Postal Circle was headed by the Post Master General, whereas Karnataka
Telecommunications Circle was headed by the General Manager. There was a
separate General Manager for Bangalore city telephones.
A separate circle was formed for Bangalore Telephones in 1964. It was
upgraded into major Telephone district on 23-7-1976. The growth of Bangalore
Telecom District was spectacular. In 1966, there were only 13,300 telephones
Transport and Communications 307

in Bangalore and it increased to 44,800 in 1978 and to 57,658 in 1982. During

1989, there were 85,475 phone connections.
In 1971, there were 33 exchanges with 7,310 telephones in Dakshina
Kannada district. Mangalore City alone had 4,200 telephones. There were
18,753 connections in use in 1960-61, and their number in 1991-92 was
1,39,503. There were 1,30,230 telephones in Dakshina Kannada District,
where as 52,011 telephones were operating in Udupi District. by March 2000.
During the period from 1982 to 1992, there was rapid expansion in the
telephone system. As a result, 83,258 telephones which were in use during
1982, rose to 3,75,043 telephones in 1992-93. By March 2000, there were
18,29,400 telephones working in the State and Bangalore (Urban) District.
ranked first with 6,08,103 telephones. As on March 2003, there were altogether
27,53,499 telephone connections serving the needs of the people in the State.
There were 739 telephone exchanges functioning in Karnataka Circle in 1982,
as against 1707 in 1992. As many as 92 new exchanges were started in 1992­
93 and thus bringing the total number to 1,799 exchanges. They rose to 2,354
by March 2000. As on March 2003, it had gone upto 2,696. Due to substantical
growth in information technology mobile phones are increasing considerably
and all the same time there land lines are decreasing to certain extent. As
a result by March 2008 there were 2727 telephone exchanges to serve the
26,10,353 telephone subscribers in the state. If Bangalore (Urban) district with
8,80, 435 telephones topped the list, Dakshina Kannada district with 1,86, 446
telephones ranked second. Chamarajanagar with 17, 389 telephones ranked
last. This is due to mobile phones gaining more popularity.
Bharat sanchar N igam Ltd., (BsNL): It is providing varied telecommunication
services to the whole country. Besides it, Private Agencies are also in the field.
Mobile Phone Service has become more common now a days and through it
people are getting maximum benefit. Infact it has succeeded in bringing the
people closer and closer. Mobile instruments are available at competitive price
with facilities like SMS (Short Message Service), Camera, Playing games etc.,
provided within them.
In 1992-93, the number of STD/ISD routes in the State was 590. Apart from
district headquarters, 159 taluk headquarters were brought under the STD
network. During 92-93, 767 STD points were newly opened in order to facilitate
greater access to the non-telephone owning public. The total STD points stood
at 2,800. By providing new connections to 1,207 village panchayats, altogether
5,644 village panchayats were linked up with the telephone network. Traveling
public too were taken care of by installing 207 public telephones on the national
highways. There were 20,933 public STD booths working in different parts of
the state by the end of March 1999. Free phone connections were provided to
598 tribal villages and 48 hospitals at various district headquarters. At present,
all the taluk and hobli headquarters were brought under STD network and
A Handbook of Karnataka 308

majority of the villages were provided with telephone services. Coin booths have
entered rural villages and common man being given access to it. The advent of
cellphones has brought revolutionary effect in the field of telecommunication,
private companies like Airtel, Reliance, Vodaphone, Air-cell, Idea, Tata-indicom
have competing with BSNL by extending varieties of schemes to the customers.
Cell companies like Sony, Nokia, Samsung etc are bringing vivid type of mobile
units regularly.
The first Telex Exchange in Karnataka was established at Bangalore in 1963.
Later followed the Telex Exchanges at Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum,
Davanagere, Bellary and Raichur, Nine more exchanges were opened during
1992, thus bringing the number of Telex Exchanges to 3,079, and those on
the waiting list were 462. Fax service, E-mail and internet facilities have made
communication both cheaper and quicker. The telecommunication department
by providing broad band connections to its subscribers in recent years has
made internet facilities easily available to its customers.
ALL INDIA RADio
A radio transmission centre called Akashavani was started by Dr. M.V.
Gopalaswamy, a Psychology Professor of Mysore University at Mysore in 1935
through private effort. The station was later taken over by the State Government
in January 1941. At a later state it was taken over by the Centre and shifted
to Bangalore in November 1955. In the same year, the Bangalore AIR Station
commenced its broadcast through one high power transmitter. The First A.I.R.
Station in the North Karnataka region started functioning at Dharwad, on 8th
November, 1950. In 1964 Vividh Bharati (CBS) was added to Dharwar unit.
Opening of this station was a boon to the cultural field of North Karnataka.
Auxiliary stations at Bhadravati and Gulbarga were started in 1965 and 1966
respectively. Another low power transmitter at Mysore was inaugurated on the
14th November 1974. It was upgraded in 1989 as an independent regional
station. The Mangalore Station was inaugurated on the 14th November 1976.
After 1990, seven more A.I.R. stations began to operate at places like
Chitradurga and Hassan (1991), Hospet(1992), Madikeri and Raichur(1993),
Karwar(1994) Bijapur(1997) and Bellary (2003). Consequently, by October
2006, the total number of stations has increased from six to 14. Among
them, while Dharwad, Bangalore and Bhadravati AIR stations have 2 x 100
KW transmitters, Gulbarga and Mangalore have 2 x 10 KW transmitters;
Chitradurga has 6KW and Hospet has 2.5 KW transmitters; Hassan, Madikeri,
Raichur, Karwar and Bijapur have 2x3 KW transmitters, whereas Mysore has
only 1 KW transmitter. It is proposed to equip the AIR station at Mysore with
10 KW transmitter to broadcast the routine programmes more effectively.
For the purpose of broadcasting Vividh Bharati Programmes separate low
powered transmitters have been set up at Bangalore and Dharwad. Both the
Stations are attached with regional news units which brings out three regional
Transport and Communications 309

Kannada news bulletins daily. The radio stations cover about 96% of the
State’s population. FM (Frequency Module) stations operating at Bangalore
(FM Rainbow and Amruthavarshini serve the listeners of , Mysore, Mangalore,
Bijapur and other places with news and vivid cultural programmes. Along with
these private F.M. stations are also serving the public with attractive cultural
programmes. AIR-Bangalore has a primary channel Vividh Bharati (CBS)
(1972), FM Rainbow (2001), Amrutavarshini (2004), a classical music channel.
Its local archives has the voices of more than 1300 eminent personalities of
film, music, politics, social works, business, science, arts, literature and other
cultural fields broadcast during the last 50 years.
t e l e v is io n

Although, Doordarshan entered India on September 15, 1959 (Delhi)

Gulbarga was the first centre in Karnataka to have a relay centre. It was
inaugurated on 3-9-1977 and at the outset, in a radius of 40 km, 240 villages
and towns of Raichur and Bijapur districts and Gulbarga were benefited by
community viewing. The community viewing T.V. Sets were maintained and
serviced by the Doordarshan Kendra, Gulbarga. Bangalore City was provided
with an interim TV relay centre on 1 -1 -1981 .Initially, Bombay and Madras TV
Programmes were relayed for a limited period on the selected days of the week.
But programmes could be locally produced and telecast only from December
1983. In 1984, TV transmitters were commissioned at Mangalore, Davangere,
Bijapur, Bellary, Gadag, Raichur, Dharwad, Mysore, Belgaum and Hospet. The
full-fledged production centre of the Bangalore Doordarshan was started in
1988.
The Doordarshan Kendra, through regional langauge satellite service started
relaying Kannada programmes from 1-3-1990. It was gradually regularised
from 1-11-1990. On 12-1-1992, Shimoga had a 10 KW transmitter. As on 18­
5-1993, there were 27 TV transmitters working in the State. All of them are
connected to Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra. Apart from Kannada Programmes,
the Kendra is also telecasting programmes in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Urdu,
Kodava, Konkani and other Indian langauges. About 72% of the population and
an area of 86% in the State, was covered by the Doordarshan from 93-94. The
Kendra started its DD9 (Chandana) transmission from 15-8-1994. Kannada
Movie club was initiated in August 1995 and the Karnataka Regional Services
DDK tract was inaugurated from December 1995.
By 1998, there were altogether 46 T.V. transmitters, comprised of 4 (HPT),
39 (LPT) and 1 (OT) respectively. During 1999-2000, besides upgrading the
Hassan centre from LPT to HPT (10KW), new LPTs have been commissioned
at Hiriyur, Hosadurga and Dandeli along with the VLPT commissioned at
Badami in Bagalkot district The exclusively part-time Kannada Channel, DD9
was made a 24 hours Kannada Channel (Chandana) of 12 hours of repetition,
meant mainly for Kannada literary programme, socio-economic and cultural
A Handbook of Karnataka 310

activities with 30% of commercial viable programmes. The Doordarshan

Kendra, Bangalore had earned a sum of Rs. 19,61,67100 in 1998-99 from both
sponsored programmes and commercial sources, but its revenue has fallen down
to Rs. 12,05,87,975 for the year ending 1999-2000. So far it has succeeded in
covering 75.9% of the total area and 69.8% of the total population in the State
which is well below the national average of 88.5% and 75.5% respectively. It is
estimated that nearly 2.8 crores of the total state population were regular T.V.
viewers within the State. There is a proposal not only to upgrade Mysore and
Mangalore D.D. Centres from LPT to HPT, but also to install LPTs at Mudhol
and Sindhanur. As on Dec 2000, 4 HPTs, 46 LPTs and 3 VLPTs were operating
in the state and providing DD1, DD2 and Chandana Channel services to the
people of Karnataka.

Bangalore Doordarshan Kendra

Besides Doordarshan channels like D.D.1., Chandana, privately initiated

satellite channels like Udaya,Udaya 2, Udaya Movies, Udaya News, Ushe,
Kaveri, Suprabhata , TV 9/ Amogha, Suvarna, Kasturi, and Eenadu; Tamil
Channels like Sun, Raj and Vijaya; Telugu channels like Eenadu, Gemini T.V.;
Hindi channels like Zee, Home and Sony; Malayalam channels like Eenadu and
Asianet; Other Channels like Star, ESPN, Tensports, BBC, Discovery, National
Geographic, FTV, MTV, Channel V, Pogo, CNN., etc., are providing varieties
of entertainment through Cable Operators. At present, local cable operators
in the towns and cities are associating together to form a single city cable
network, through which the programmes are telecasted within the respective
city jurisdictions. DTH (Direct To Home) services has given the T.V. viewers
Transport and Communications 311

freedom in selecting the channels according to their taste at a cheaper rate.

But still cable network has an upper hand in this regard. Under DD Direct
Plus, was started by Doordarshan on 16th Dec. 2004. It is the first free DTH
service offering 33 TV channels and 12 radio-channels to the customers. Today,
Doordarshan has two Kendras Bangalore (1983) and Gulbarga(1994) and
maintenance centres at Bangalore, Belgaum, Bijapur, Davanagere, Gulbarga,
Hospet, Mangalore and Mysore. As on March 2006, Doordarshan has 2
studios at Bangalore and Gulbarga. 55 (8 HPTs, 47 LPTs) as National Channel
Transmitters, 6 (4HPTs and 2 LPTs) news channel transmitters and 7 VLPT
regional channels in Karnataka. It has covered 76.2% of the area and reached
82.4% of the population in the state through its DD-1 National Channel by
March 2006. It is estimated that the DD Chandana channel is being tuned by
40, 78,000 households during 2006 Jan-Dec in Karnataka.
A Handbook of Karnataka 312
 Chapter V III
ECONOMIC TRENDS AND PLANNING
Even before the advent of the British there were slight changes in the cropping
pattern in agriculture. The introduction of agricultural crops like potato,
chillies, groundnut and tobacco was one factor. The discovery of new sea route
by the Portuguese brought new competitors to Arabs, who enjoyed almost a
monopoly of Indian’s overseas trade. Soon the Dutch and the English appeared
on Karnataka’s coast and overseas demand for Indian goods like rice, textiles,
diamond and spices received a fillip. Production of agarbathi has been initiated
by the Adilshahis in North Karnataka area. Tipu introduced sericulture and
also started glass and paper industry.
Advent o f British
With the advent of the British, an increase in roads, bridges and
communication facilities resulted in fostering trade. Railways gave a further
fillip to this activity. But Industrial Revolution in England and British colonial
policies gave a severe blow to spinning industry which till then provided
jobs to lakhs of women engaged in weaving and textiles; besides gunny bag
manufacture, iron industry and paper industries also. Salt monopoly threw
thousands of salt makers out of job and introduction of kerosene weakened
indigenous oil extractors, which resulted in affecting their prosperity. Thus
pressure on land and dependence solely on agriculture increased. But coffee
plantations and public works gave job to thousands. Famines and epidemics
like plague during the later half of the 19th century killed lakhs depleting the
labour force. The newly started textile factories in Bangalore had to be closed
for some months for want of labour. But famine relief works provided jobs to
many. Abolition of Slavery Act (1843) also brought about many changes in
labour supply, especially in plantations and public works.
The British, according to their colonial policies, were encouraging the raising
of crops which served as raw material, required for their industrial productions.
They introduced American long fibre cotton into Karnataka. The Cotton Boom
of the 1860’s (American Civil War days) had its own impact. In the long run it
helped in creating cotton processing units. As a result, Cotton weaving not only
received a setback, but its massive foreign market was also lost.
The administrative policies of the British helped the expansion of urban
centres like Bangalore, Bangalore Cantonment, Mysore, Mangalore, Davangere,
Hubli, Gadag, Hospet, Gulbarga etc., This was due to increased industrial
activity and concentration of offices or units like railway workshops. Mangalore
A Handbook of Karnataka 314

saw tile factories started by Basel Mission. During the first half of the 20th
century, new towns like Mandya, Bhadravati, Raichur, Harihar, Chikmagalur,
etc., expanded. New towns saw starting of hotels, giving a fillip to demand for
milk in bulk. Mysore’s economic planners were to start a process of economic
activity not seen earlier by raising dams and starting industries and by
generating power. The process had been set afoot by Dewan Sheshadri Iyer.
In the meanwhile co-operative movement and banking expanded during the
first quarter of the 20th century. Beedi rolling, a domestic industry emerged by
providing labour to the needy.
Planning in Mysore
The economic conference (between 1911 and 1931) initiated by Sir
M.Visveswaraya in princely Mysore introduced through his book ‘Planned
Economy for India’ has suggested schemes for the development of Industries and
thus for the improvement of the State economy. ‘Industrialise or Perish’ was his
slogan. Princely Mysore State was the first State in the country to formulate an
economic plan which contained a number of schemes in 1946 at an estimated
cost of Rs. 48.99 crores. Despite this, the State was largely pre-industrialised
and under developed at the commencement of the era of planning. Free India
later launched a programme aimed at the Welfare State and at the same time
developing basic and key industries. Thus came many Central Government
industries to Bangalore and attempts were made to expand irrigation potential
by raising the Tungabhadra Dam and other irrigation projects. Even though the
State was predominantly agricultural the minimum infra-structure for growth
of industries had been created. The economy of the princely State by 1950 was
characterised by the following features:
1. Population was not relatively in proportion to the utilisation of
resources,
2. Agricultural sector which was not progressive due to low yield and poor
credit and marketing facilities and prevalence of uneconomic holdings,
3. Low level of Industrialisation,
4. Low p er capita income. low rate of capital formation and inadequate
infrastructure.
In order to offset these drawbacks in the State Plans, major thrust was on
the following facts:
1. Removal of poverty and attainment of self-reliance,
2. Increasing the level of per capita income both in real and in money
terms,
Economic Trends And Planning 315

3. Providing employment opportunities,

4. Optimum utilisation of available resources,
5. Development of Agriculture and Industry.
6. Holding the price line,
7. Meeting the minimum requirements of the people through Minimum
Needs Programme,
8. Equitable distribution of wealth and income.
d evelopm en t under plans
First Five Year P la n (1951-56) : In the first plan the outlay was Rs. 47.58
crores and the expenditure was Rs. 40.51 crores in the erstwhile Mysore State.
The major expenditure was Rs. 15.37 crores for irrigation, Rs. 10.39 crores for
power, Rs. 4.80 crores for industries and Rs. 3.60 crores for agriculture.
Regarding Physical Progress, ‘Grow More Food’ campaign was popularised.
National Extension Scheme was introduced, 4,100 acres of afforestation
was achieved and three major and 11 medium irrigation projects were
undertaken.
S econ d Five Year P la n (1956-61) : The Second plan was revised after
State Re-organisation, with an outlay of Rs. 145.13 crores. The expenditure
was 142.82 crores. The major expenditure was on irrigation {Rs. 28.27 crores),
on power Rs. 28.02 crores and on social services Rs. 32.42 crores. During this
plan agriculture production increased. Minor irrigation facility was extended
by 3 lakh acres and three major and 12 medium size projects were taken up
for construction at an estimated cost of Rs. 78.69 crores. Additional power
generation went up to the extent of 269.5 Million KW.
Third Five Year P la n (1961-66) : This was the first comprehensive plan for
the economic development of the State, with an outlay of Rs. 246.22 crores and
an expenditure of Rs. 264.75 crores. About 41 percent was earmarked for better
utilization of water and power development, 18.46 per cent for agricultural and
allied activities. The p er capita expenditure went up to Rs. 106 as against Rs.
64.5 in second plan. The important projects under this plan were the Harangi,
the Hemavathi, the upper Krishna and the Malaprabha. During the Annual
Plan of 1966-67, the expenditure was Rs. 54.68 crores.
Fourth Five Year P la n (1969-74) : The main emphasis of this plan was on
(a) regional development (b) adoption of district plans. The strategy of the plan
included the objectives of achieving a growth rate of 5.6 percent in agriculture.
The expenditure incurred was Rs. 386.82 crores.
A Handbook of Karnataka 316

Regarding achievements, total irrigated area increased from 13.15 lakh

hectares in 1969-70 to 15.94 lakh hectares in 1973-74. Installed capacity
of power increased from 877.5 MW to 966.6 MW at the end of Fourth Plan.
Per capita consumption of energy increased from 82 units to 121 unit, area
under agriculture from 10,028,000 hectares to 17,504,000 hectares and food
production from 56,38,00 tonnes to 66,41,000 tonnes.

F ifth Five Year P la n (1974-79) : The main feature of this plan was removal
of poverty and attainment of economic self-reliance. The main objectives were
(1) to achieve a growth of 8.5% per annum, to raise the level of per capita
income to that of national level, (2) to provide highest priority for power and
communication, (3) to maximise productive employment both in rural and
urban areas, (4) To bring about enlarged and more diversified and decentralised
industrial base in the State.

The outlay was Rs. 1076.33 crores and the expenditure was Rs. 852.39
crores by 1977-78. The plan came to an end by 1977-78, instead of 1978-79.
This worked out at cent per cent expenditure. The percentage of average annual
growth from 1973-74 to 1977-78 was 7.1 at current prices and 6 at constant
prices of 1956-57. The State income at the end of the Plan was Rs. 2,913 crores
at current prices and the per capita income was Rs. 840 at current prices.

The last year of Fifth plan 1978-79 and the next year 1979-80 were called
Annual plans. Total outlay was Rs. 345.27 crores in 1978-79 and Rs. 385.39
crores in 1979-80 and expenditure was Rs. 303 crores respectively.

S ix th Five Year P la n (1980-85) : The main feature was to achieve full

employment by 1988, and for the maximum utilisation of the State’s resources
and to achieve a growth rate of 6.5 per cent and to increase the per capita
income from Rs. 1,115 (1979-80 prices) to Rs. 1,500 in 1984-85. The outlay
was Rs. 2,400 crores. The physical achievements include, increase of food
production from 57.74 lakh tonnes in 1980-81 to 67.37 lakh tonnes in 1981­
82; the total number of villages electrified increased to 17,626; the installed
capacity in 1981-82 was 1847 MW; 39,927 small scale industrial units were
employing 3.25 lakh persons with an investment of Rs. 332 crores; severe
draughts causing not only decline in agriculture but also power production
giving a blow to industries was also evidenced during the period.
Seventh Five Year P la n (1985-90) : The outlay was Rs. 3,575 crores and
the expenditure was Rs. 4,056.4 crores. During the Seventh plan period the
annual average growth in the State Domestic Product was placed at five percent
compared to 5.6 per cent at the national level (S.D.P reflects the growth of
Economic Trends And Planning 317

real output in economy). The annual average growth in agriculture and allied
activities in the State during the Seventh plan was only 2.1 per cent (3.4 per
cent at all-India level). In Industrial production, the growth was 6.6 per cent (7.5
per cent at all-India level). The growth in the unorganised sector of the industry
which accounted for 50 per cent of the industrial output in the State in early
1980s had slackened. The main reasons for this slow growth rate of State’s
economy are low growth in creation of irrigation potential coupled with frequent
draughts and chronic power shortages. Nearly 75 per cent of the net sown
area is still depending on rainfall. The State Plan outlay is being considerably
increased, the level being nearly 10 times that of the Second Plan even in real
terms. During 6th and 7th plans investment on Centrally-sponsored schemes
has also increased. There has been marked increase in the private investment
also. There were significant shortfalls in the State Plan expenditure. The State’s
share in the total plan outlay for all states in the country which was 5.5 per
cent during Fifth plan has declined to 4.4 per cent in Seventh plan and 5.4 per
cent in Annual Plans of 1990-92.
E ig h th Five Year P la n (1992-97) : The approved outlay for the Eight five
year plan of Rs. 12,300 crores at 1991-92 prices was more than double the
Seventh plan level of Rs. 3,500 crores. Against annual approved outlay of Rs.
16,150 crores, expenditure has fallen short by 8.0 percent to Rs. 14,894 crores.
In real terms this is 8.3 percent less (Rs. 11,272 crores) than the Eighth plan
approved outlay of Rs. 12,300 crores although still almost double than that of
the Seventh plan. Major Eighth plan achievements against original targets are
labelled below.
1. Annual average growth of 5.6%.
2. Bringing the percentage of people below the poverty line to 25% from
38%.
3. Generating 15 to 20 lakh employment opportunities.
4. Increasing operational efficiency in irrigation and power and
5. Increasing basic facilities such as housing, health education and water
supply.
N in th Five Year P la n (1997-02) : The outlay approved by the planning
commission for the Ninth five year plan (1997-2002) was Rs. 23,400 crores at
1996-97 prices. This is almost double (90 percent higher than) the Eighth plan
approved outlay of Rs. 12,300 crores at 1991-92 prices and 57 percent higher
than the 8th plan expenditure of Rs. 14,894 crores. The Ninth plan has been
formulated keeping in view the changed national scenario and the consequent
expected role of planning, identified strengths and weakness in the State’s
A Handbook of Karnataka 318

economy, as well as its critical needs. The State’s growth performance must
keep pace with national growth rates and over strip. Productivity in different
sectors must also go up. The growing problem of unemployment needs to be
addressed by reserving the observed phenomenon of secondary and tertiary
sectors to proportionately absorbing as much of the disguised unemployment
in the primary sector as their growth would warrant. The ultimate goal of
development efforts is human development with its two prerequisites of
reduction of poverty and improvement of the quality of life. Within this overall
goal inequalities and injustices must be set right and issues of original and
gender equity redressed. Crucial areas requiring attention are basic facilities
like education, health, drinking water, sanitation and housing.
T e n th f iv e y e a r p la n (2002-07) : The outlay approved by the planning
commission for the Tenth five year plan (2002-07) was Rs.43,558 crores at
2001-02 prices. This is 86 percent of the Ninth five year plan approved outlay
of Rs.23,400 crores. The outlay for the annual plan 2002-03 is 8616.61 crores
and Expenditure is Rs.8163.91 crores. The outlay for the annual plan 2004­
05 is Rs.12322.92 crores. This represents an increase of 26 percent over the
budgeted outlay of Rs.9779.75 crores in 2003-04 and forms 28 percent of
the Tenth plan outlay of Rs.43558 crores. Tenth Five Year Plan outlay and
Expenditures are given below.
o u tla y and Expenditure during th e Ten th Five Year Plan (2002-03 to
2006-07)
(Rs. in crores)

Year Approved outlay (B.E) Expenditure

2002-03 8610.61 8163.92
2003-04 9779.75 8619.45
2004-05 12322.92 11888.70
2005-06 13555.00 12852.84*
2006-07 16166.00 16166.00
* Revised Estimates. /B.E: Budget Estimates.
E leven th Five Year P la n (2007-12) : The outlay for the Eleventh Five Year
Plan (2007-12) is Rs. 96703 crores, which represents an increase of 122% over
Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07) outlay of Rs. 43558 crores. The outlay proposed
in the Annual Plan 2007-08 is Rs. 17783 crores, which represents an increase
of 10% over the budgeted outlay of Rs. 16166 crores in 2006-07 and forms
18.4% of the Eleventh Five Year Plan outlay.
The District Plan size for Eleventh Five Year Plan is Rs. 10,800 crores
and for Annual Plan 2007-08 it is Rs. 1980 crores. The outlay proposed for
Economic Trends And Planning 319

Externally Aided Projects in Annual Plan 2007-08 is Rs. 3025.51 crores and
Rs. 12041.40 crores in Eleventh Five Year Plan. Under the Special Component
Plan Rs. 2916.42 crores in Annual Plan 2007-08 and Rs. 15858.36 crores in
Eleventh Five Year Plan have been earmarked for the welfare of the Scheduled
Castes. Under the Tribal Sub Plan Rs. 1129.12 crores is Annual Plan 2007-08
and Rs.6143.54 crores in Eleventh Five Year Plan have been earmarked for the
welfare for the Scheduled Tribes.
Priorities : In the Eleventh Five Year Plan, 38.36% of the outlay has been
allocated for the Irrigation and Energy sectors followed by Social Services sector
with an allocation of 33.58%, Transport 12.39%, Rural Development 4.74%,
Agriculture & Allied sector4.25% In the Annual Plan 2007-08, 35.25% of the
outlay has been allocated for the Irrigation and Energy sectors followed by
Social Services sector with an allocation of 34.41%, Transport 1336%, Rural
Development 5.26% Agriculture & Allied 4.65%
Eleventh Plan 2007-12 (Proposed) Outlays o f Karnataka State
Eleventh Plan 2007-2012
Sl. No Heads of Development
Outlay (Rs. in lakhs)
1. Agriculture and Allied Activities 410662.00
2. Rural Development 458719.00
3. Special Area Programmes 65000.00
4. Irrigation and Flood Control 2476335.00
5. Energy 1224815.00
6. Industry and Minerals 119786.00
7. Transport 1198427.00
8. Science, Technology and Environment 130336.00
9. General Economic Services 234130.00
10. Social Services 3231899.00
11. General Services 120180.00
Grand total 9670289.00

Source: Draft Annual Plan of Karnataka State for the year 2007-08 volume-I & II
Econom ic situation : The performance of the state’s economy in terms of
growth in Gross State Domestic product has improved over the last three years.
During the current year, growth in agriculture is low because of the persistence
of drought in 128 taluks in the state. However, the overall improvement in
economy is supplemented by secondary and tertiary sectors.
The State achieved a fair rate of growth of the economy during the last three
years, consistent with its continued developmental policies and programmes.
2006-07 is the fifth year of the 10thfive year plan and the expected achievement
of growth is 7.9 percent in the State. The quick estimates of 2005-06 reveal a
growth rate of 9.0 percent during 2005-06 and 9.2 percent during 2006-07.
A Handbook of Karnataka 320

The advance estimate of Gross State Domestic Product growth in the primary
sector consisting of agriculture, forestry and logging, fishing mining and
quarrying is 2.0 percent during 2006-07. At current prices, growth in the GSDP
of Karnataka is estimated at 9.3 percent. The estimated real growth in GSDP (at
constant prices) for secondary sector consisting of ‘manufacturing, construction
and electricity’ sector is 9.9 percent during 2006-07. The marginal increase
compared to 8.3 percent during 2005-06 is due to a fall in value addition from
the electricity sector. At current prices, the growth in this sector would be 14.2
percent. Value addition in manufacturing during 2006-07 grew by 10.7 percent
compared to 6.9 percent in 2005-06. The manufacturing industry account for
bulk ( i.e. 63 percent) of the secondary sector. Under the manufacturing sector,
the general index of fourteen industry groups during April to December 2006
has slightly increased to that of the corresponding previous year. In the first
three quarters of the current year, all the sixteen groups, show a positive
growth rate over the previous year’s. Manufacturing of non-metallic minerals
registered the highest growth of 61.22 percent, followed by manufacturing of
basic metals and alloys (37.3 percent), metal products 15.38 percent, wool and
silk 15.02 percent and rubber and plastic 12.89 percent. In absolute terms,
according to the latest and observed trends, the tertiary sector is expected
to grow from Rs. 73,375 crores in 2005-06 to Rs. 80,100 crores in 2006-07
at constant prices. At current prices, this sector is estimated at Rs. 1,06,040
crores during 2006-07 against Rs. 92,237 crores during 2005-06.
State incom e and per capita incom e
At constant (1993-94) prices, the quick estimates of State income i.e.,
Net State Domestic product (NSDP) at factor cost of Karnataka in 2002-03
was estimated at Rs.63,968 crores as against Rs.61386 crores in 2001-02
registering an increase of 4.2 percent during the year. At current prices, the
state income in 2002-03 is estimated at Rs.100406 crores as against Rs.93383
crores showing an increase of 7.5 percent during the year. The corresponding
growth rates in Nation Income at current and constant prices are 6.5 percent
and 4.2 percent respectively.
The Per capita income (per capita NSDP) at factor cost in real terms, at
1993-94 prices is estimated at Rs.11,799 for 2002-03 as against Rs.11516
for 2001-02, registering an increase of 2.5 percent. The per capita income at
current prices is estimated at Rs.18521 in 2002-03 as against Rs.17,518 in
2001-02, showing an increase of 5.7 percent. The corresponding per capita
income growth rates at current and constant prices are 4.7 percent and 2.4
percent respectively at national level.
S ectorial shares o f State incom e : The shares of broad sectors Viz.,
primary, secondary and territory sectors in the total State Income at current
Economic Trends And Planning 321

prices in 2005-06 were 20.9 percent, 23.0 percent and 56.1 percent. In 1999­
2000 (base year), the corresponding shares were 29.9 percent, 21.3 percent
and 48.8 percent respectively. Sectorial composition of state income in 2005­
06 compared to 1999-2000 indicates a gradual decline in dependence of State
economy on agriculture (reduction in the share of 9.0 percent over 1999-2000)
is over the years. The Share of the Secondary sector has almost been static
during this period. More details see table 8.1 and 8.2
Table.8.1 Net s ta te D om estic Product at Factor Cost by Industry o f
origin -at Current Prices
Rs. in Crores
Sl. 1990­ 2000­ 2001­ 2005-06
Industry 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
No. 00 01 02 Q.E
1. Agriculture 23,197 24,362 19,916 19,396 17,466 22,729 27,261

2. Forestry and 1,514 1,590 1,682 1,616 1,719 1,931 2,047

Logging
3. Fishing 543 533 497 600 498 545 736
4. Mining and 405 461 557 629 952 1,625 1,660
Quarrying
Primary sector 25,659 26,946 22,652 22,241 20,635 26,830 31,704
5. Manufacturing 10,382 10,653 12,009 14,714 17,213 19,100 21,051
6. Registered 6,663 6,595 7,787 9,858 11,973 13,510 14,950
7. Un-registered 3,719 4,058 4,222 4,856 5,240 5,590 6,101
8. Construction 6,556 6,261 7,265 7,894 8,825 9,982 11,735
9. Electricity Gas and 1,375 1,819 1,794 1,744 1,711 1,683 2,088
Water supply
secondary sector 18,313 18,733 21,068 24,352 27,749 30,765 34,874
10. Trade, Hotels, 15,315 16,879 19,110 21,337 24,868 28,483 33,002
Transport and
Communication
11. Financing, 14,814 17,079 19,549 22,455 25,477 29,034 33,680
Insurance, Real
Estate & Business
Services
12. Community, 11,777 12,257 13,189 13,981 15,498 16,832 18,479
Social & Personal
Services
Tertiary sector 41,906 46,215 51,848 57,773 65,843 74,349 85,161
Total G s DP 85,879 91,895 95,569 1,04,366 1,14,228 1,31,943 1,51,741
Per Capita G s DP 16,603 17,496 17,923 19,338 20,900 23,848 27,101
(Rs.)

Q.E= Quick estimates

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
A Handbook of Karnataka 322

Table.8.2 Net s ta te D om estic Product at Factor Cost by Industry o f

origin -at Constant (1993-94) Prices
Rs. in Crores

Sl. 2005-06
Industry 1990-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05
No. Q.E

1. Agriculture 23,197 24,791 21,521 19,747 16,703 20,983 22,475

Forestry and
2. 1,514 1,509 1,567 1,476 1,454 1,519 1,535
Logging

3. Fishing 543 562 496 526 467 463 568

Mining and
4. 405 521 621 722 954 1,112 913
Quarrying

Primary sector Total 25,659 27,383 24,205 22,471 19,578 24,077 25,491

5. Manufacturing 10,382 10,263 11,373 13,588 14,980 15,542 16,416

6. Registered 6,663 6,289 7,275 9,008 10,254 10,693 11,275

7. Un-registered 3,719 3,974 4,098 4,580 4,726 4,849 5,141

8. Construction 6,556 6,911 7,508 7,913 7,972 8,676 9,570

Electricity Gas
9. 1,375 1,675 1,617 1,488 1,382 1,360 1,628
and Water supply

secondary sector
18,313 18,849 20,498 22,989 24,334 25,578 27,614
Total

Trade, Hotels,
10. Transport and 15,315 16,974 18,897 20,628 23,096 25,354 27,709
Communication

Financing,
Insurance, Real
11. 14,814 16,265 17,402 19,153 20,447 23,192 25,415
Estate and
Business Services

Community,
12. Social and 11,777 11,942 12,591 12,890 13,681 14,193 14,877
Personal Services

Tertiary sector Total 41,906 45,181 48,890 52,671 57,224 62,739 68,001

Total G s DP 85,879 91,414 93,593 98,130 1,01,136 1,12,395 1,21,107

Per Capita GSDP

16,603 17,405 17,553 18,183 18,505 20,315 21,628
(Rs.)

Q.E= Quick estimates

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
Economic Trends And Planning 323

In ter State Comparison: It compares the average annual growth rates of

State Income and per capita income during 1993-94 to 2004-05 and per capita
income at current prices for 2004-05 for the major States in India, except for
Karnataka and all India for which the same is worked out from 1999-2000
to 2004-05 (new serious). Among the fifteen major states, Karnataka stands
in seventh position in terms of per capita income at current prices. For more
details see table 8.3
Table.8.3 Average annual grow th rate o f s ta te Incom e and Per Capita
Incom e in real term s for m ajor states.

State Growth Rates (%) Per Capita income at Rank

current prices 2004-05
State Per Capita
(Rs.)
Income Income

Andhra Pradesh 6.0 4.8 23,153 08

Assam 3.2 1.5 13,633 12

Bihar 5.3 2.8 5,772 15

Gujarat 7.4 5.3 28,355 04

Haryana 6.3 3.9 32,712 01

Karnataka 5.6 4.2 23,848 07

Kerala 5.8 4.8 27,048 05

Madhya Pradesh 4.5 2.3 14,069 11

Maharashtra 5.5 3.6 32,170 02

Orissa 5.2 3.7 13,601 13

Punjab 4.3 2.6 30,701 03

Rajasthan 7.3 4.8 16,212 10

Tamil Nadu 5.3 4.2 25,965 06

Uttar Pradesh 4.1 1.8 11,477 14

West Bangal 7.1 5.6 22,497 09

a ll India 6.1 4.4 23,222 -

District-wise Incom e o f Karnataka: The District wise details of Net District

Income and corresponding per capita Income of all the 27 districts of the state
the year 2003-04 at current and constant (1993-94) prices are given in table
8.4 and 8.5
A Handbook of Karnataka 324

Table 8.4 sectoral C om position o f n et d is tric t Incom e o f Karnataka At

Current Prices during Year 2005-06
Rs. in lakhs
Agriculture
Forestry Mining Primary
Sl including
District and Fishing and sector
No. Animal
Logging Quarrying Total
Husbandry
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. Bagalkote 113862 6767 165 4230 125024
2. Bangalore 51491 11892 780 224 64387
3. Bangalore 116336 14400 1260 720 132716
(Rural)
4. Belgaum 253561 16041 846 791 271239
5. Bellary 108650 6749 2393 121344 239136
6. Bidar 40802 6226 315 102 47445
7. Bijapur 79931 6315 557 17 86820
8. Chamaraja- 42385 3599 900 440 47324
nagar
9. Chikmagalur 123068 6109 1077 28740 158994
10. Chitradurga 78587 5472 944 12161 97164
11. Dahshina 82630 6979 24902 38 114549
Kannada
12. Davanagere 108098 5948 1481 158 115685
13. Dharwad 71015 4250 584 130 75979
14. Gadag 48687 3011 2511 86 52035
15. Gulbarga 161574 9835 128 6673 179210
16. Hassan 103865 6933 1551 344 112693
17. Haveri 71789 5029 1297 215 78330
18. Kodagu 103053 3643 306 68 107070
19. Kolar 137795 10496 1837 191 150319
20. Koppal 73297 4353 613 488 78751
21. Mandya 104759 7194 2084 114 114151
22. Mysore 130461 8505 1737 268 140971
23. Raichur 76615 5619 965 16822 100020
24. Shimoga 104961 6452 1847 280 113540
25. Tumkur 127784 9636 4199 3649 145268
26. Udupi 53509 4326 9991 303 68129
27. Uttara 46026 14058 6707 483 67274
Kannada
state 2614590 199837 70717 199079 3084224
Economic Trends And Planning 325

Table 8.4 Continued

Transport
Constru­ secondary
Manufacturing Electricity Railways by other
ction sector Total
menas
Un _
Registered
Registered
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
5931 28194 26948 3017 64090 1357 11301
746191 118671 271667 57967 1194496 2640 144306
66770 25037 21930 12049 125786 3635 23618
64818 51794 65278 15328 197218 4026 25844
122841 14197 39616 6686 183340 2318 37323
3983 8247 20345 4504 37079 1408 12134
1715 11549 36012 8838 58114 2318 13215
131 10194 9390 2307 22022 356 4093
2254 6007 16398 5957 30616 1690 6942
2082 13970 23127 5926 45105 2940 10412
104843 55308 65695 7682 233528 4048 39353
6968 16339 29687 7817 60811 1052 16368
33140 17920 45440 4648 101148 3760 17566
536 13075 17643 1988 33242 1996 7453
24628 20772 62195 7534 115129 1905 21201
2808 8006 27956 5033 43803 2872 10596
20959 13051 17300 4152 55462 1532 8776
1180 2571 9676 1847 15274 0 2582
3793 19115 39208 12101 74217 2442 20226
59493 10769 17212 4178 91652 978 8977
9620 10255 28636 4459 52970 2516 6973
84190 23876 63923 8339 180328 1820 23674
5472 6740 24094 3930 40236 910 10345
6968 14885 33026 6156 61035 2335 10659
12557 27582 40584 13649 94372 1798 12568
11912 18836 30514 4459 65721 695 7144
15321 11901 34128 4337 65687 3189 9440
1421104 578861 1117628 224888 3342481 56536 523087
A Handbook of Karnataka 326

Table 8.4 (Continued)

Trade, Banking
Sl. Comm­
District Storage Hotels and and
No. unication
Restaurants Insurance
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Bagalkote 34 6275 35755 14019
2. Bangalore 1248 91164 931845 430654
3. Bangalore (Rural) 64 6690 130865 13966
4. Belgaum 175 19215 120467 38564
5. Bellary 194 9153 139843 30119
6. Bidar 106 2092 14761 11031
7. Bijapur 66 7508 25672 12703
8. Chamarajanagar 14 2146 12760 8014
9. Chikamagalur 63 7042 38690 19477
10. Chitradurga 215 6208 27418 15631
11. Dahshina Kannada 196 22589 165293 62049
12. Davanagere 129 4843 39697 23420
13. Dharwad 125 15024 64251 58618
14. Gadag 64 4516 18450 11075
15. Gulbarga 219 11177 55679 27166
16. Hassan 95 8617 28356 22600
17. Haveri 55 3556 26423 11917
18. Kodagu 25 5532 31129 14829
19. Kolar 113 6365 37204 21130
20. Koppal 61 3025 32090 7288
21. Mandya 84 6815 30294 21152
22. Mysore 240 15450 107234 60821
23. Raichur 236 3854 31953 16051
24. Shimoga 211 10940 40692 28272
25. Tumkur 51 9651 42623 13687
26. Udupi 40 5938 39076 51515
27. Uttara Kannada 64 10701 36187 28033
state 4187 306086 2304707 1073801
Economic Trends And Planning 327

Table 8.4 (Continued)

Real estate, Public Other Tertiary Net district Per Capital

Owner-Ship Adminis- Services sector domestic NDDP
of Dwellings tation Total Product (in Rs.)
and (NDDP)
Business
Services
7 8 9 10 11 12
34849 13714 37046 154350 343464 19625
97798 73053 173812 2846520 4105403 59277
52090 16127 36372 283427 541929 27188
84284 34215 91434 418224 886681 19858
46195 11247 46667 323059 745535 34715
40096 13370 33138 128136 212660 13361
39082 6464 42686 149714 294648 15392
26044 4705 16927 75059 144405 1417
32768 22069 20793 149534 339143 28059
34075 14046 31875 142820 285089 17728
54880 19811 4657 414776 762852 37943
44455 40356 39773 210093 386590 20374
45468 31929 35255 271996 449123 26424
20702 28868 21430 114554 199831 19409
78418 31642 62855 290262 584602 17624
41699 25699 30330 170864 327361 17947
27511 19714 28912 128396 262188 17197
20076 12992 11323 98488 220832 37996
64693 30039 49798 232010 456546 16992
27688 4414 27072 111593 281996 22253
36783 3502 32313 140432 307553 16460
81614 13011 57078 360942 682241 24383
37864 12390 35952 149555 289811 16382
42513 28868 37270 201760 376335 21627
67819 29614 49090 226901 466541 17038
26302 19046 29326 179082 312931 26558
32835 16799 29977 167225 300185 20932
2138601 577704 1155061 8138770 14566475 26015
A Handbook of Karnataka 328

Table 8.5 s e ctora l Com position o f n et d is tric t Incom e o f Karnataka At

Constant (1999-00) Prices during 2005-06
Rs. in Lakhs

Agriculture
including Forestry Primary
Sl Mining and
District and Fishing sector
No. Animal Quarrying
Logging Total
Husbandry
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. Bagalkote 90999 4728 153 3529 99409
2. Bangalore 43164 9433 723 179 5349
3. Bangalore 97278 5802 1167 576 104824
(Rural)
4. Belgaum 193332 13287 784 629 208032
5. Bellary 86573 5424 2217 63480 157694
6. Bidar 36051 4819 292 82 41244
7. Bijapur 66943 5011 516 14 72484
8. Chamaraja- 39863 2849 834 351 43897
nagar
9. Chikamagalur 102573 5595 998 7261 116427
10. Chitradurga 63822 4339 875 6026 75062
11. Dahshina 82179 5329 15211 37 102757
Kannada
12. Davanagere 109008 4724 1372 76 115180
13. Dharwad 58123 3294 541 104 62062
14. Gadag 39380 2347 232 68 42027
15. Gulbarga 134643 8300 1045 5761 149749
16. Hassan 93856 5819 1437 212 101324
17. Haveri 61058 3951 1201 182 66392
18. Kodagu 87595 3073 284 55 91006
19. Kolar 128231 8874 1702 154 138962
20. Koppal 64734 3452 568 390 69143
21. Mandya 87814 5638 1930 92 95474
22. Mysore 115758 6634 1609 189 124190
23. Raichur 69112 4450 894 9543 83999
24. Shimoga 96056 4985 1711 177 102928
25. Tumkur 106876 7800 3890 2814 121379
26. Udupi 47550 3277 7549 216 58593
27. Uttara Kannada 42964 8588 4751 337 56640
state 2245536 151822 54486 102533 2554377
Economic Trends And Planning 329

Table 8.5 Continued

Manufacturing Constru­ Electricity secondary Railways Transport

ction Gas and sector by other
Registered Un­ Water Supply Total means
registered

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
4451 24107 21627 2556 52741 1451 8926
559863 9038 221551 49874 930325 2823 113148
50097 21294 17904 10314 9609 3886 18651
48632 44165 52853 13513 159163 4304 20232
92166 12060 31926 5628 141780 2478 29228
2989 7032 16330 3859 30210 1505 9717
1287 900 28756 7577 47520 2478 10462
98 8689 7548 1938 18273 381 3370
1692 5108 13327 4900 25027 1807 5342
1562 11968 18630 5033 37193 3143 8416
78663 46025 53942 6542 185172 4328 28422
5227 13841 24070 6320 49458 1124 13216
24865 15135 35565 3883 80448 4019 13832
402 11167 14056 1692 27317 2134 5864
18478 17726 49567 6259 92030 2037 17041
2107 6798 22388 3803 35096 3071 8492
15727 11152 13934 3367 44180 1638 6964
885 2169 7796 1246 12096 0 2131
2846 16182 31941 10141 61110 2611 16232
44637 9245 13738 3574 71194 1046 7144
7218 8715 22945 3668 42546 2690 5649
63168 20136 51759 6896 141959 1946 18523
4106 5777 19327 3336 32546 973 8227
5229 12618 26787 5004 49638 2496 8689
9421 23579 32761 11160 76921 1922 10187
8938 15811 24974 3799 53522 743 5800
11495 10113 27705 3616 52929 3409 7427

1066249 489550 904707 189498 2650003 60443 411332

A Handbook of Karnataka 330

Table 8.5 (Continued)

Sl. Commun­ Trade, Hotels Banking and

District Storage
No. ication & Restau-rants Insurance
1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Bagalkote 25 8801 29070 11337
2. Bangalore 985 120886 715906 348291
3. Bangalore (Rural) 48 8548 100414 11295
4. Belgaum 136 26952 93677 31389
5. Bellary 148 12722 89910 24359
6. Bidar 81 2550 12115 8922
7. Bijapur 50 10494 21225 10273
8. Chamarajanagar 11 3011 11144 6481
9. Chikmagalur 49 9826 25050 15752
10. Chitradurga 167 8594 20492 12641
11. Dahshina Kannada 154 31055 126200 50182
12. Davanagere 98 6339 34706 18941
13. Dharwad 97 20828 50482 47407
14. Gadag 49 6413 15034 8957
15. Gulbarga 168 15654 45807 21970
16. Hassan 72 12057 24333 18278
17. Haveri 41 4916 21472 9638
18. Kodagu 19 7743 25901 11993
19. Kolar 88 8498 30584 17089
20. Koppal 46 4069 26034 5894
21. Mandya 63 9617 24789 17107
22. Mysore 185 20984 84026 49189
23. Raichur 178 5223 25147 12981
24. Shimoga 161 15357 34178 22865
25. Tumkur 39 13372 34667 11070
26. Udupi 32 7666 31589 41662
27. Uttara Kannada 48 14940 28355 22672
state 3238 417115 178306 868435
Economic Trends And Planning 331

Table 8.5 (Continued)

Real estate,
net district
Owner Ship Public Tertiary Per capita
Adminis- Other domestic
of Dwellings sector NDDP (in
Services Product
& Business tation Total Rs )
(NDDP)
Services
7 8 9 10 11 12
24146 10909 29927 124592 276743 15813
742356 58108 142097 2244600 3228423 46614
36747 12827 29488 221904 426336 21388
57985 27216 73735 335426 702620 15736
32107 8945 37763 237660 537134 25011
28690 10635 26711 100926 172380 10830
27069 5140 34354 121545 241549 12618
18248 3742 13683 60071 122241 11950
23089 17555 16817 115287 256741 21241
23522 11172 25762 113909 226164 14064
39642 15759 37786 333528 621457 30911
31113 32102 32166 169805 334443 17625
32287 25397 28620 222969 365479 21503
14242 22963 17332 92988 162333 15767
55491 25169 50780 234117 475896 14347
28975 20442 24471 140191 276611 15165
18839 15681 23346 102534 213106 13978
14350 10335 9159 81631 184733 31785
45264 23894 40337 184597 384669 14317
19376 3511 21964 89084 229421 18105
25205 2784 26179 114083 252103 13492
57671 10348 46307 289179 555328 19847
26395 9855 29070 118049 234594 13261
29564 22963 30163 166436 319002 18332
47225 23556 39786 181824 380125 13882
18310 15150 23843 144795 256910 21803
22829 13364 24268 137312 246881 17215
1540737 459522 935914 6479042 11683422 20866
A Handbook of Karnataka 332

Prices
“Wholesale Price” is defined as that price at which a commodity is sold to other
sellers or processors and not for ultimate consumption. This price definition
refers to the “Model Price” i.e. the price at which the largest transaction takes
place.
The price trends in wholesale pries have been based on the fortnightly
returns collected from District Marketing Offices. The movement of wholesale
prices in absolute terms from 2001 to 2005 is shown in Table Commodity
wise, during the year 2001, while the prices of Cotton lint fell by 1.63%, Paddy
fine by (2.38%) and Groundnut pods by (2.40%) respectively. But there was a
steep increase in the prices of Potato (53.07%), Gram (whole) (23.43%), Cotton
Kapas (15.42%) and Ground nut oil (13.80%). During 2002 the prices of Gram
(whole) recorded a fall of 29.0% over that of previous year, where as the fall in
the prices of Gur sort II was least i.e. 3.54% Over a period of one year i.e. 2001
to 2002 the increase in prices of cereals varied between 1.02% in case of wheat
white to as high as 13.5% with regard to Bajra. Tur(whole), Maize and Jowar
white prices rose by 12.3%, 12.5% and 12.9% respectively.
In the year 2003 the prices of Groundnut Oil, Groundnut seed, Balckgram
(whole), coconut oil, Onion, Cotton (Kapas) and Potato moved down beyond
10% compared to the position a year age although there was a moderate rise
in the prices of Groundnut pods (17.1%), Gram (whole) 16.7%), Maize (8.9%)
Respectively.
The prices of most of the items registered a declining trend during 2004. But
Rice (Medium), Wheat (white), Jowar (white)and Blackgram (whole) recorded
more than 10% increase over the previous year. During 2005, the declining
trend continued.
During the year 2005, there was an increase in the prices of many items.
Ragi registered a maximum rise of 10.6%. Again, there was a mixed trend in
the year 2005 compared to the level o f 2004. The prices of Groundnut oil, (Gur
(Sort I) and Arecanut (Cured) recorded less than five percent fall, while the fall
with regard to chillies dry (Byadgi) was more than 28%. The minimum rise was
recorded for paddy medium (0.2%).
R etail Prices o f agricultural Com m odities:
Average retail prices of some essential commodities in Karnataka from 2001
to 2005 are depicted in table no. It is seen from this table that the retail prices of
essential commodities totaling 33 showed mixed trend during 2001 compared
to the previous year. While there was a moderated increase in the prices
of pepper 37.4% Potato 36.5%, Kerosene 35.9% Onion 27.3% Gram split
24.0%, Tamarind 17.4%, while the prices of Cardamom 5.4% and Groundnut
oil 5.0% declined considerably. Tobacco raw leaf recorded a maximum fall in
Economic Trends And Planning 333

the price (89.1%) during 2001. The prices of almost all the commodities with
an exception of Gur (Sort I), Caster oil, Cashewnut, Tamarind and Cardamum,
exhibited an upward trend during 2002 compared to the preceding year.
Among cereals, the maximum increase was noticed in case of white Jowar
(12.3%), whereas among Pulses Black gram split recorded a rise of 13.6%. An
upward trend continued during 2003 also. While the increase in the prices was
maximum in case of Tobacco raw leaf (33.4%), it was between 10 to 20 percent
in case of Maize, Blackgram split, Groundnut oil, Coconut oil and Onion as
compared to the previous year. During the same period, the prices declined by
more than 20 percent in respect of Garlic.
Table 8.6 average Wholesale Prices o f Im portant agricutural
C om m odities in Karnataka 2001 -2005

Sl.
Commodity 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
No.
1. Paddy (fine) 654 639.00 713.00 754.00 745.00 755.00
Paddy (medium) 588 563.00 602.00 648.00 639.00 640.00
Paddy (coarse) 536 505.00 534.00 566.00 572.00 618.00
2. Rice(fine) 1061 1474.00 1636.00 1654.00 1593.00 1699.00
Rice(medium) 1331 1235.00 1343.00 1374.00 1382.00 1464.00
Rice(coarse) 522 952.00 975.00 952.00 1003.00 1004.00
3. Wheat (White) 1004 977.00 987.00 1011.00 1124.00 1091.00
4. Jowar ( White) 675 605.00 683.00 722.00 825.00 789.00
5. Ragi 590 541.00 518.00 599.00 603.00 539.00
6. Bajra 566 490.00 556.00 547.00 557.00 529.00
7. Maize 471 448.00 504.00 549.00 550.00 541.00
8. Arhar (tur whole) 1613 1410.00 1584.00 1605.00 1845.00 1710.00
9. Mung (Whole) 2194 2443.00 2350.00 2277.00 2187.00 2431.00
10. Blackgram (Whole) 2592 2437.00 1860.00 1567.00 1806.00 1979.00
11. Gram(Whole) 1788 2207.00 1567.00 1828.00 1838.00 1984.00
12. Groundnut (pods) 1375 1342.00 1499.00 1756.00 1719.00 1751.00
13. Groundnut(seeds) 2197 2213.00 2500.00 2916.00 2912.00 2766.00
14. Groundnut oil 3622 4093.00 4675.00 5613.00 5584.00 5374.00
15. Coconut oil 5847 5161.00 5836.00 6649.00 7612.00 7585.00
16. Gur ( sort I) 1228 1250.00 1167.00 1118.00 1610.00 1635.00
17. Sugar (open market) 1419 1460.00 1398.00 1302.00 1525.00 1716.00
18. Chillies Dry (Byadgi) 5350 5871.00 5434.00 5649.00 6679.00 4802.00
19. Coconut (per 1000) 4389 3725.00 4436.00 5466.00 6427.00 6174.00
20. Arecanut (cured / 13670 12028.00 10645.00 11072.00 11223.00 9980.00
dry)
21. Potato 439 672.00 720.00 615.00 673.00 650.00
22. Onion 438 549.00 457.00 525.00 572.00 606.00
23. Cotton (kapas) 1809 2088.00 1815.00 2189.00 2276.00 2074.00
Cotton (lint) 3744 3683.00 3217.00 3446.00 3138.00 2858.00
24. Tobacco (raw leaf) 3680 4000.00 - - - -
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics,Bangalore
A Handbook of Karnataka 334

Table 8.7 Average r e t a il Prices o f Essential Com m odities in

Karnataka, 2001 to 2005
Sl.
Commodity 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
No.
1. Rice (Fine) 16.66 16.14 17.58 17.77 17.23 18.38
Rice (medium) 14.15 13.66 14.69 14.94 15.08 16.02
Rice (coarse) 11.69 10.71 10.93 10.87 11.47 11.84
2. Wheat (white) 11.44 10.87 11.27 11.52 12.48 12.37
3. Jowar (white) 8.84 7.43 8.34 8.85 9.91 9.71
4. Bajra 6.76 6.03 6.60 6.74 7.86 7.39
5. Maize 6.98 6.40 6.59 7.42 7.86 7.27
6. Ragi 5.93 5.50 6.04 6.57 6.77 6.73
7. Gram (Split) 22.63 28.06 26.71 25.29 24.79 25.79
8. Artar (Tur Split) 29.50 28.66 29.35 30.06 32.42 31.02
9. Mung (Split) 28.93 32.29 32.37 30.79 28.58 31.75
10. Blackgram (Split) 37.57 37.36 32.29 27.60 27.53 32.27
11. Gur (Sort-I) 13.40 14.28 13.83 12.97 18.02 18.89
Gur (Sort-II) 14.45 14.22 14.25 13.55 18.16 19.43
12. Sugar (Open 15.21 15.46 14.98 14.01 16.21 18.57
Market)
13. Groundnut oil 41.38 43.44 49.43 58.19 57.87 56.25
14. Castor oil 43.72 40.25 42.83 49.50 51.74 49.88
15. Coconut Oil 63.78 59.04 62.48 72.38 83.05 84.07
16. Potato 6.19 8.45 9.31 8.22 8.78 8.92
17. Onion 5.65 7.19 6.17 7.14 7.40 8.30
18. Cashewnut 281.90 252.522 240.56 242.02 253.62 267.12
19. Arecanut (dry/ 179.68 151.40 37.91 139.09 127.78 137.50
curdnut)
20. Tobacco raw leaf 34.41 59.39 65.23 43.47 66.61 50.42
21. Ghee (AG mark) 135.21 141.81 143.78 145.91 161.29 156.99
22. Tamarind 26.51 21.90 20.40 20.52 32.69 32.10
23. Chillies dry 59.59 67.10 63.81 64.83 73.72 55.98
(Byadgi)
24. Garlic 35.70 36.00 41.62 32.26 29.45 26.60
25. Pepper 253.98 158.94 139.75 129.83 106.04 98.47
26. Cardamum 695.17 732.68 786.58 733.05 591.73 568.22
27. Mutton 96.74 103.25 104.93 108.10 114.36 118.06
28. Egg ‘A’ grade (per 19.43 19.07 18.26 18.91 19.86 20.67
dozen)
29. Vanaspathi 43.90 40.58 45.18 49.15 51.76 50.04
30. Kerosene (per 10.56 14.35 15.31 16.09 17.84 19.61
litre)
So u rce: D irecto rate of Eco n o m ics and S ta tis tic s , B ang alore.
Economic Trends And Planning 335

Table 8.8 Wholesale Price Index numbers o f

Agricultural Com m odities in Karnataka
(Base:1981-82=100)

Year Index Percentage change over

previous year/month
1995-96 369 6.65
1996-97 386 4.61
1997-98 408 5.70
1998-99 435 6.62
1999-2000 429 -1.38
2000-2001 401 -6.53
2001-2002 387 -3.49
2002-2003 397 2.58
2003-2004 428 7.81
2004-2005 439 2.57
2005-2006 461 5.01
2006-2007 501 8.68
2007-2008 546 8.98
(April to Sep.2008)
April 2008 600 4.17
May 2008 604 0.67
June 2008 615 1.82
July 2008 653 6.18
August 2008 681 4.29
September 2008 694 1.91
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
Table 8.9 Consumer Price Index numbers for Industrial Workers in
Karnataka
(Base:1960=100)

Year Index Percentage change over

previous year/month
1995-96 1727.63 10.87
1996-97 1881.31 8.90
1997-98 2013.79 7.04
1998-99 2180.96 8.30
1999-2000 2270.21 4.09
2000-2001 2344.56 3.28
2001-2002 2426.75 3.51
A Handbook of Karnataka 336

2002-2003 2516.00 3.68

2003-2004 2626.50 4.39
2004-2005 2728.50 3.88
2005-2006 2856.00 4.67
2006-2007 3033.08 6.20
2007-2008 3252.67 7.24
(April to 0ct.2008)
(Base:1987-88=100)
April 2008 401 1.26
May 2008 401 -
June 2008 405 1.00
July 2008 414 2.22
August 2008 422 1.93
September 2008 432 2.37
October 2008 438 1.39
Note: The above index is the average of 16 centres (11 State series + Central series)
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
Table 8.10 Consumer Price index numbers for Industrial W orkers in
India and Karnataka

India Karnataka
Month Base:2001=100 Base:1987-88=100
2007-2008 2008-2009 2007-2008 2008-2009
April 128 138 369 401
May 129 139 372 401
June 130 140 375 405
July 132 143 381 414
August 133 145 381 422
September 133 146 380 432
October 134 148 382 438
November 134 - 384 -
December 134 - 387 -
January 134 - 392 -
February 135 - 393 -
March 137 - 396 -

Note:*Average of 16 centres (11 State series + Central Series)

Source: 1) Labour Bureau, Shimla
2) Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Bangalore.
Economic Trends And Planning 337

Table 8.l1 Consumer Price index for agricultural labourers

Year/Month All India Karnataka

Food General Food General
1995-96 1507 1381 1548 1440
Base 1986-87=100
1996-97 260 256 273 263
1997-98 264 264 276 271
1998-99 299 293 315 301
1999-2000 312 306 331 314
2000-2001 303 305 311 306
2001-2002 302 309 303 306
2002-2003 312 319 319 320
2003-2004 325 331 340 338
2004-2005 333 340 343 343
2005-2006 345 353 332 339
2006-2007 370 375 342 352
2007-2008 436 435 426 425
April 2008 429 429 416 418
May 2008 430 431 420 421
June 2008 434 434 425 425
July 2008 444 442 433 429
August 2008 453 450 444 437
September 2008 458 455 454 446
October 2008 463 459 462 454

Source: Labour bureau, Shimla

During the year 2004 the prices continued to rise with an exception of
Gur sort _II (34.01%), Pepper (18.3%), Sugar (open market) 15.7%), Coconut
Oil (14.7%) and Chilies dry (13.7%) which showed a declining trend. Similarly,
the year 2005 also registered an increase in the prices of all pulses except
Arhar split, and mung split (hesaru bele) which fell by 4.3% and 11.1%
respectively. But there was a substantial rise in the prices of Tobacco raw leaf
(24.3%), Chillies (byadgi) 24.1%), Blackgram split 17.21% and Kerosene 9.9%
respectively. On the whole the retail prices showed a moderate increase in most
of the commodities between 2001 to 2005. Similarly during the same period
the prices of certain commodities fell moderately expect during 2001 when the
price of Tobacco raw leaf fell sharply (89.1%).
A Handbook of Karnataka 338

Financial Resources
The State’s resource management is claimed to be reasonably good. As in
1989-90, the tax effort (per capita state’s own Tax Reserve as per cent of per
capita income) was 17.44 as compared to 12.44 in respect of all states, and
18.68 in Tamil Nadu. The resource picture for the eighth plan was based on a
much better initial position. The State has taken various measures to augment
internal resources. The economy of the State experienced a recovery in 1991­
92 with a growth rate of 7.4 per cent. The growth rate observed in the Net State
Domestic Product and per capita NSDP of the state which generally measures
the growth rate in State’s economy, showed an increase in 1991-92, compared
to previous years. The NSDP and pe r capita income (PCI) at current prices
increased by 22 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. On the price front there
has been a perceptible improvement in the country during 1993-94. The rate
of inflation is 8.5 per cent compared to 10 per cent in 1992-93. The state in
GSDP is expected to be 5.0 percent as against 5.9 percent at the all-India level.
The wholesale price index for agricultural commodities increased from 424 in
March 1999 to 436 in October 1999 (A rise of 3.70 percent compared to a rise
of 4.95 percent during the corresponding period of the previous year) inflation
measured in terms of the consumer price index for the industrial workers on
point to point basis is lower than in the previous year at about 4.62 percent
against 5.80 at the national level.
o th e r Trends
The State is endowed with rich natural resources. The hydro electric
potential in the State has been assessed at 4,347 MW at 60 per cent load factor.
The actual installed capacity was 3002 MW as in March 1992. An additional
capacity of 156.21 MW raising the total capacity was 3,265 MW by the end of
1993-94 was envisaged. The energy generated in 1993-94 was of the level of
12.8 per cent over the level in 1992-93. However the generation of power in
1993-94 was about 14,385 MWs. Energy generated in 1999-2000 was 20,688
MW an increase of 20% over the 1998-99 level of 7245 MW (0.6%). Hydel power
generation is expected to show an increase of 14% in 1999-2000 over the 97-98
level of 10,356 MUs (Million Units). Power generation in 2006-07 by K.P.T.C.L.
at 24,478.15 MUs. is expected to show an increase of 23.1 percent over the
2005-06 level of 19,899Mus. Hydel Generation in 2006-07 at 14,147 MUs. is
expected to show an increase of 32.10 percent over the 2005-06 level 10,709
MUs. Good Monsoon this year is also certainly a contributory factor. Thermal
Generation in 2006-07 at 10,318MUs is expected to show an increase of 12.58
percent over level of 9,164.73 MUs in 2005-06. The power generation from
private sector is expected to be 2,249 MUs. in 2006-07 and total is estimated at
Economic Trends And Planning 339

40,049.32MUs including imports from Central Generating Stations and other

states 12,459.71MUs. Availability of power is estimated at 40,049.32MUs in
2006-07.
Power reform is a predominant and conspicuous component in the revised
Medium Term Fiscal Plan (MTFP) of the state (2006-07). A ten year Financial
restructuring Plan (FRP) was announced, with a deep commitment to extend
financial support of Rs. 12,141 crore to the power sector over a ten year period.
The Government of India have now launched an unique scheme called Rajiv
Gandhi Grameem Vidyudeekaran Yojana (RGGVY) for strengthening Rural
Electricity Infrastructure and for electrification of rural households. The
electrification of Dalit Bastis is also included under this scheme. All the five
ESCOMs have prepared the schemes covering 26 districts in the state. An
amount of Rs.613.40 crore has been sanctioned by Government of India for
the scheme covering all the 26 districts in the state. It is planned to create
infrastructure to access the electricity for over 20.03 lakhs rural households in
the state and to electrify 9.02 lakhs rural BPL households under Kutir Jyothi
norms. To implement this secheme a Triparite agreement has already been
signed by the RECL Government of Karnataka and the concerned ESCOMs on
25th July 2005.

In Industry, iron, iron ingots, steel, sugar, soap, silver, iron ore, cement,
cigarettes and aluminium have shown an increase while the production of
sandalwood, oil, paper, fertilisers, silk fabrics, wrist watches, and gold have
declined in the year 1999-2000 compared to the previous year. Under special
employment programme an additional 25 lakh man-days was generated during
1999-2000 compared to the previous year. There is an increase of 2.88% in the
number of registrants in employment exchange which is a matter of concern.
The annual rate of inflation was 3% in 1999. It had recorded an increase of
8.88% during 1998-99. The annual rate of inflation fell to 2.9% which was due
to fall in the price of essential commodities. There has been an increase in the
price index of edible oils, rubber and plastic products, non-food articles and
textiles and significant low increase of other items was noticed in 1999-2000.
The wholesale price index (base of 1981-82) rose to 6.56% compared to 4.10%
of 1998.
The price of all the essential commodities moved up during 1992 as compared
to previous year and in previous decade. The index numbers of working class
moved up in all the 10 centres of the State. The index moved up by more
than 15 per cent in Madikeri, Bhadravathi, Davanagere, Mysore and Mangalore
centres. In 1987-88, 32 per cent of the population in the state lived below the
poverty line. In order to alleviate the problem, several schemes like Jawahar
A Handbook of Karnataka 340

Rozgar Yojana, Indira Awas Yojana, Million Wells Programme, Drought Prone
Area Programme, Western Ghat Development Programme, Integrated Rural
Development Programme, Assistance to Surplus Land Grantees, Assistance
to Marginal Farmers for increasing agricultural production, Development
of Women and Children in Rural areas, Rehabilitation of released bonded
labourers, Border Area Development Programme, and National Scheme of
Training of Rural Youths for Self-Employment were implemented. Hyderabad
Karnataka Development Board, Malnad Area Development Board etc., have
also been constituted.
Econom ic Census: The economic census was conducted in 1990 and the
final results revealed that there were 16.94 lakh enterprises in the State forming
7.8 per cent of all-India total. The highest was in West Bengal (27.95 lakhs) and
the State occupied sixth position. The number of persons usually working in
these enterprises was 50.04 lakhs, whereas it was 87.03 lakhs in Maharashtra.
Karnataka occupied 5th place. The average number of workers per enterprise
was 3 (3 in rural, 4 in urban). Out of 16.95 lakh enterprises, 14.86 lakhs (87.7
per cent) were non-agricultural enterprises. Agricultural enterprises were 4.3
lakhs in Andhra Pradesh with West Bengal standing first (25.33 lakhs).
As per the 1998 Economic Census, there were 19.12 lakh enterprises in
Karnataka, engaged in different economic activities other than crop production
and plantation, with 52.53 lakh persons usually working in them. Karnataka
accounted for 8.01 percent of all India enterprises (23.8 million) contributing
8.15 percent of persons usually working in all enterprises of the country as
compared to the provisional figures of all India 1998. The Economic Census
1998 reveals that there has been an increase in number of enterprises as well
as in total employment over the corresponding figures of 1990. Number of
enterprises in Karnataka increased from 16.94 lakhs in 1990 to 19.12 lakhs in
1998 or by (12.87%) with increase in the number of persons usually working
in these enterprises from 50.83 lakhs to 52.53 lakhs (or by 3.35 percent). In
the hired workers category, there was a decrease from 28.72 lakhs in 1990 to
27.28 lakhs in 1998, or by +5.01%.
Out of 19.12 lakh enterprises operated in Karnataka in 1998, 16.52 lakh
enterprises accounting for 86.4% were engaged in non-agricultural activities
and the rest 2.60 lakh enterprises accounting for 13.6% were engaged in
agricultural activities other than crop production and plantation. As against
this, the corresponding shares of non-agricultural activities and agricultural
activities in terms of percentages were 87.7 and 12.3, respectively, during
1990. O f the total number of enterprises in 1998, 11.52 lakh enterprises
(60.3%) were located in rural areas and the remaining 7.60 lakh enterprises
Economic Trends And Planning 341

(39.7%) were in urban areas. As against this, it was 61.0 percent in rural areas,
and 39.0 percent in urban areas, in 1990. Own Account Enterprises (OAE)
i.e., enterprises which are owned and operated with the help of household
labour only, numbering 11.93 lakhs constituted about 62.40 percent of the
total number of enterprises. Establishments (i.e., enterprises which employed
at least one hired worker on a regular basis) numbering 7.19 lakhs constituted
37.6 percent of the total enterprises. The increase during 1990-98 in Own
Account Enterprises and Establishments was observed to be 11.1 percent and
16.2 percent, respectively. The detailed picture with regard to the number of
enterprises and employment therein with rural and urban breaks up are given
in the table 8.12
Table 8.12 Distribution o f Enterprises and Em ploym ent by
ru ra l - Urban Location during 1998

SI. Type of
Rural Urban Combined
No. Enterprises and
Percentage
Employment Number Percentage % Number Number
%
agricultural activity
1. All Enterprises 246690 95.18 12488 4.82 259178
a) Own Account 172236 95.02 9029 4.98 181265
Enterprises
b) Establishment 74454 95.56 3459 4.44 77913
2. Persons usually
working in
enterprises
a) Own Account 379039 95.57 17582 4.43 396621
Enterprises
b) Establishment
i) Total 311498 95.54 14527 4.46 326025
ii) Hired 202334 95.15 10310 4.85 212644
Non-agricultural activity
1. All Enterprises 905402 54.79 747051 45.21 1652453
a) Own Account 595175 58.86 416060 41.14 1011235
Enterprises
b) Establishment 310227 48.38 330991 51.62 641218
2. Persons usually
working in
enterprises

a) Own Account 882603 57.27 658403 42.73 1541006

Enterprises
A Handbook of Karnataka 342

b) Establish­
ments
i) Total 1184243 39.61 1805544 60.39 2989787
ii) Hired 996493 39.61 1519235 60.39 2515728
Agricultural and non-Agricultural activity
1. All Enterprises 1152092 60.27 759539 39.73 1911631
a) Own Account 767411 64.35 425089 35.65 1192500
Enterprises
b) Establishment 384681 53.49 334450 46.51 719131
2. Persons usually
working in
enterprises
a) Own Account 1261642 65.11 675985 34.89 1937627
Enterprises
b) Establish­
ments
i) Total 1495741 45.11 1820071 54.89 3315812
ii) Hired 1198827 43.94 1529545 56.06 2728372
Source: Fourth Economic Census 1998, Page 20.
T a x structure: The Tax structure in Karnataka was fairly elastic. State Tax
Revenue, share in Central Taxes, and total non-tax receipts are given in the
table 8.13
Table 8.13 Trends in revenue and capital receipts in Karnataka
(Rs in Crores)

State’s Share in Total Total Total

SI. Total tax Aggregate
Year own tax central Non-tax Revenue Capital
No. Receipts Receipts
Revenues taxes Receipts Receipts Receipts

1. 1975-76 236.73 86.65 323.38 190.94 514.32 137.44 651.76

2. 1980-81 474.68 197.71 672.39 281.05 953.44 312.56 2266.00

3. 1985-86 1075.58 555.99 1631.57 581.54 2213.11 1183.76 3396.87

4. 1990-91 2882.12 660.35 3542.47 899.71 4442.18 1117.92 5560.10

5. 1991-92 2900.20 782.70 3682.90 1093.19 4776.09 1432.21 6208.30

6. 1992-93 1397.81 931.97 4029.78 1391.88 5421.66 1604.19 7025.85

7. 1993-94 3812.34 1017.40 4829.74 1494.90 6324.64 1728.65 8053.29

8. 1994-95 4289.31 1135.93 5425.24 1543.15 6968.39 1749.23 8717.62

9. 1995-96 5273.92 1444.67 6718.59 1824.85 8543.44 1838.48 10381.92

10. 1996-97 5767.83 1729.80 7497.63 2124.55 9422.18 2401.95 12024.13

Economic Trends And Planning 343

11. 1997-98 6411.87 2176.33 8588.20 2025.19 10613.39 2011.05 12624.44

12. 1998-99 6943.04 1923.92 8866.96 1469.92 11250.44 3522.34 14752.78

13. 1999-00 7744.36 2132.78 9877.14 1611.29 12906.45 4851.15 17757.60

14. 2000-01 9042.68 2573.83 11616.51 1659.97 14822.72 4807.60 19630.32

15. 2001-02 9853.27 2623.38 12476.65 1093.42 15321.26 6558.03 21879.29

16. 2002-03 10439.71 27826.2 13225.91 1277.67 16168.75 7878.30 24047.05

17. 2003-04 12570.12 3244.81 15814.94 2958.38 20759.87 8273.16 29033.04

18. 2004-05 16072.32 3878.44 19950.76 4472.33 24423.09 7503.80 31926.89

19. 2005-06 18631.55 4213.42 22844.97 3874.71 30352.05 4401.54 34753.59

20. 2006-07 23301.03 5374.33 28675.30 4098.41 37586.94 6444.85 44031.79

21. 2207-08 27218.32 6300.00 33518.32 1802.10 40840.22 7009.19 47849.42

(R.E)

22. 2008-09 31875.85 7982.38 39858.23 1913.65 47240.32 11033.63 58273.94

(B.E)

R.E: Revised Estimates; B.E: Budget Estimates Source: Economic Survey

2008-09
Em ploym ent
Removal of unemployment and providing placements to the unemployed are
the major objectives of planning. The number of registrations in the live register
of Employment Exchange is considered to be a proxy measure of unemployment.
The number of registrations in the State was 6,39,890 in 1981, 13,27,761 in
1991, 15.11 lakhs in 1993. 18.18 lakhs in March 1999 and 17.431 lakhs in
March 2004. However it is also to be noted that all those who have registered
are not unemployed and all the employed may not have got placements through
Employment Exchange. In 2004 there are 46 Employment Exchanges in the
State, of these 26 are district employment exchanges, one project employment
exchange, one Sub-Regional Employment Exchange, one Professional and
Executive Employment, one Special Exchange for SC/ST, one for the Physically
Handicapped, six University Employment Bureau, six compulsory notification
vacancy, one career study centre, one job development and industrial service
centre and one state computer centre. The total number of job seekers on
the Live Register of Employment Exchange for all-India as on June 2004 was
409.20 lakhs. The total employment in the organised sector during 2003-04
was 18.20 lakhs of which 10.67 lakhs was in the public sector and 7.53 lakhs
were in private sector. The organized sector employment at the end of March
2003 was 18.50 lakhs and 18.20 lakhs in March 2004. The following table 8.14
and 8.15 gives organised sector employment by industry group wise.
A Handbook of Karnataka 344

Table 8.14 Em ploym ent in th e organised sector in Karnataka from

1970-71, to 2006-07
in thousands

Year Public Sector Private Sector Public and private Sector

Total Women Total Women Total Women
1970-71 558.7 52.6 274.2 56.7 832.9 109.3
1975-76 669.1 65.6 305.5 52.5 974.6 118.1
1980-81 794.2 90.0 348.3 55.5 1142.5 145.5
1981-82 816.1 95.0 355.9 57.1 1171.6 152.1
1982-83 831.8 97.3 359.9 59.6 1191.7 156.9
1983-84 863.5 103.0 355.2 58.5 1218,7 161.5
1984-85 894.1 114.4 367.1 61.5 1261.2 175.9
1985-86 926.2 124.0 372.2 63.9 1290.4 197.9
1986-87 948.9 128.5 374.4 64.4 1323.3 192.9
1987-88 962.1 135.5 389.3 67.2 1351.4 202.7
1988-89 987.5 146.7 398.0 75.9 1385.5 222.6
1989-90 1004.9 149.4 403.0 82.3 1407.9 231.7
1990-91 1017.3 160.0 430.0 92.1 1447.3 252.1
1991-92 1028.0 167.0 451.5 98.2 1479.5 262.5
1992-93 1026.0 170.7 475.0 110.7 1501.0 280.7
1993-94 1032.8 178.6 497.6 127.8 1530.4 306.4
1994-95 1050.6 190.5 527.6 138.5 1578.2 329.0
1995-96 1058.4 199.0 700.9 273.8 1759.3 472.8
1996-97 1083.6 216.9 731.9 289.4 1815.5 506.3
1997-98 1086.3 223.0 757.2 308.6 1843.5 531.6
1998-99 1092.0 234.6 756.9 310.5 1848.9 545.1
1999-00 1112.6 246.3 750.6 306.5 1863.2 552.8
2000-01 1112.6 254.5 767.1 314.2 1879.7 568.7
2001-02 1090.0 255.5 765.9 320.5 1855.7 576.0
2002-03 1075.0 260.0 775.0 321.4 1850.0 581.4
2003-04 1067.1 266.8 753.2 297.5 1820.3 564.3
2004-05 1059.3 268.3 802.7 309.9 1862.0 578.2
2005-06 1051.2 267.5 864.3 323.6 1915.5 591.1
2006-07 1050.4 268.8 1040.9 401.1 2091.3 669.9
Source : Directorate o f Employment and Training, Govt. o f Karnataka.
Economic Trends And Planning 345

Table 8.15: Em ploym ent in Public and Private sectors (Industry

Groupwise)
(in lakhs)

Sl. Industry Employed as on Employed as on

No. 31-3-2003 31-3-2004
Public Private Total Public Private Total
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. Plantation and
0.33 0.18 0.51 0.33 0.18 0.51
Forestry
2. Mining and
0.24 3.61 3.85 0.20 3.29 3.49
Quarrying
3. Manufacturing 0.61 1.60 2.21 0.56 1.59 2.15
4. Electricity, Gas
0.77 0.03 0.80 0.77 0.03 0.80
and water
5. Construction 0.07 0.36 0.43 0.07 0.37 0.44
6. Wholesale and
Retail Trade,
2.45 0.31 2.76 2.25 0.32 2.68
Hotels and
Restaurants
7. Transport, Storage
and Communi­ 3.07 0.37 3.44 3.09 0.43 3.52
cations
8. Finance, Insu­
rance, Real Estate
3.10 1.24 4.34 3.21 1.27 4.48
and Business
Services
9. Social and
0.11 0.05 0.16 0.08 0.05 0.13
Personal Services
Total 10.75 7.75 18.50 10.67 7.53 18.20

Between March 2003 and March 2004, there is a fall of about 30,000 jobs
in the organized sector. There is a decline in employment both in public and
private sectors. Public sector employment has declined from 10.75 lakhs in
March 2003 to 10.67 lakhs in March 2004. Employment in the private sector
also declined from 7.75 lakhs in March 2003 to 7.53 lakhs in March 2004.
Employment in sectors such as plantation and forestry, electricity, gas and
water, construction has remained constant. In sectors such as transport,
storage and communication, finance, insurance, real estate and business
employment has increased. In all other sectors, employment has declined.
Branch wise analysis of organized sector employment is given in Table 8.16
A Handbook of Karnataka 346

Table 8.15 (Continued)

Employed as on Employed as on Employed as on

31-3-2005 31-3-2006 31-9-2006

Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

0.32 0.17 0.49 0.30 0.16 0.46 0.30 0.16 0.46

0.09
0.06 0.15 0.08 0.06 0.14 0.08 0.06 0.14

0.63 4.99 5.62 0.60 5.08 5.68 0.60 5.39 5.99

0.39
0.01 0.40 0.39 0.01 0.40 0.40 0.01 0.41

0.35 0.02 0.37 0.34 0.02 0.36 0.32 0.02 0.34

0.07 0.38 0.45 0.07 0.39 0.46 0.07 0.41 0.48

1.57 0.13 1.70 1.56 0.14 1.70 1.56 0.15 1.71

1.05 0.91 1.96 1.05 1.38 2.43 1.05 2.23 3.28

6.12 1.37 7.49 6.11 1.40 7.51 6.11 1.43 7.54

10.59 8.04 18.63 10.5 8.64 19.14 10.49 9.86 20.35

Table 8.16: Em ploym ent in Public and Private sectors (Branchwise)

(in lakhs)
Sl. Branch March March March March March March March
No. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
1 Central
1.33 1.29 1.27 1.23 1.08 0.98 0.97
government
2 State
5.56 5.61 5.59 5.62 5.70 57.09 56.74
government
3 Central
government 1.84 1.80 1.69 1.63 1.65 16.79 16.66
(Quasi)
4 State 1.74 1.73 1.67 1.59 1.58 15.68 15.43
government
(Quasi)
5 Local bodies 0.67 0.69 0.68 0.68 0.67 6.52 6.59
Public sector 11.14 11.13 10.90 10.75 10.67 105.93 105.12
Economic Trends And Planning 347

6 Private sector - 6.80 6.92 6.91 7.0 6.78 72.73 79.20

Act
7 Private Sector- 0.70 0.75 0.74 0.75 0.75 7.54 7.23
Non-Act
Private sector 7.57 7.67 7.66 7.75 7.53 80.27 86.43
total 18.71 18.80 18.56 18.50 18.20 186.20 191.55
As could be seen from the above table, employment in the central
government has declined by about 15000jobs and private sector by about 22000
between March 2003 and March 2004. During the period, state government
employment increased by 8000 jobs. In the remaining branches, employment
remained more or less constant.
The Directorate of employment and training in Karnataka publishes live
register figures of employment exchanges. The number of job seekers as per
live register figures of employment exchanges shows that there were 18.90
lakhs job seekers as at the end of march 2003 which has decreased to 17.43
lakhs at the end o f march 2004. The table 8.17 gives the comparative position
of number of registrations from 1975-76 to November-2006 and the table 8.18
gives number of vacancise notified and placements made from 1970 - 71 to
2006- 07
Table 8.17: reg istra n ts on the live registers o f Em ploym ent
Exchanges in Karnataka
(in thousands)

Year Post Graduates Diploma ITI Metric Below Total

Graduates Holders Metric
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1975-76 4.36 37.90 3.5 6.41 166.04 145.08 373.3
1980-81 5.51 69.10 5.52 8.40 290.78 228.48 607.4
1981-82 5.37 70.28 6.88 12.38 308.26 227.91 631.0
1982-83 6.00 71.32 8.01 11.96 348.21 249.05 694.5
1983-84 6.79 69.78 9.21 14.04 385.64 258.32 743.7
1984-85 7.83 77.71 10.00 15.67 422.56 257.79 785.5
1985-86 7.10 88.35 12.96 19.55 517.34 309.14 954.7
1986-87 8.39 100.35 15.75 24.23 581.37 339.79 1069.8
1987-88 6.89 86.74 16.91 27.98 538.01 313.75 990.02
1988-89 8.18 93.76 20.48 31.63 604.89 323.75 1082.6
1989-90 9.72 105.60 25.88 36.66 699.74 371.05 1248.6
1990-91 10.35 112.71 24.31 38.53 773.49 368.37 1327.7
1991-92 11.96 119.61 28.38 41.95 867.77 374.00 1443.6
1992-93 13.02 129.38 31.20 45.94 941.51 350.33 1511.4
A Handbook of Karnataka 348

1993-94 14.11 156.25 33.13 45.92 1007.87 323.38 1580.66

1994-95 14.82 158.98 34.50 49.07 1055.15 336.70 1649.22
1995-96 14.82 163.59 32.57 51.58 1126.76 349.68 1739.00
1996-97 14.24 166.04 36.89 58.32 1164.15 340.58 1780.22
1997-98 13.81 171.70 37.50 61.17 1187.67 335.01 1806.86
1998-99 14.50 159.34 38.15 65.02 1235.65 305.39 1818.05
1999-00 14.90 161.27 38.81 74.46 1288.82 312.26 1890.52
2000-01 14.733 164.111 42.667 78.935 1311.352 340.621 1952.419
2001-02 15.792 168.302 44.899 91.845 1346.447 339.232 2006.517
2002-03 15.162 158.644 42.587 83.400 1665.424 325.059 1890.276
2003-04 15.581 151.283 38.718 80.384 1158.000 299.126 1743.092
2004-05 12.390 132.856 34.609 72.947 988.188 270.059 1511.049
2005-06 7.390 117.160 31.869 70.898 789.096 230.871 1247.284
Nov-2006 4.890 106.159 30.616 65.610 735.147 205.914 1148.336
Table 8.18: Number o f Vacancies N otified and Placem ents made
from 1970-71 to 2 0 0 6 -2 o o7
(in thousands)

Year Vacancies Placements Year Vacancies Placements

notified made notified made
1970-71 27.8 15.7 1993-94 29.71 16.29
1975-76 26.9 14.1 1994-95 28.94 25.26
1980-81 33.8 20.0 1995-96 29.48 14.30
1981-82 30.1 16.8 1996-97 28.63 21.55
1982-83 38.0 18.7 1997-98 29.90 22.19
1983-84 32.0 13.2 1998-99 31.59 25.41
1984-85 32.6 15.4 1999-00 26.21 19.22
1985-86 20.7 13.3 2000-01 13.694 6.784
1986-87 23.5 9.2 2001-02 13.896 3.474
1987-88 18.6 8.4 2002-03 7.527 4.080
1988-89 15.9 9.1 2003-04 6.799 2.093
1989-90 19.6 10.2 2004-05 20.103 1.493
1990-91 18.0 5.8 2005-06 6.843 1.595
1991-92 18.9 14.4 2006-07 5.011 2.242
Source : Director of Employment and Training.
Wage Em ploym ent
During 2001-02, Government of India had introduced Sampoorna
Grammeena Rojgar Yojana (S.G.R.Y) by covering JGSY and EAS, a composite
Economic Trends And Planning 349

wage employment programme to provide additional wage employment in rural

areas besides food security and creation of durable community, social and
economic and infrastructure in rural areas. The SGRY has two components
viz.50 percent of the funds sharing 75 percent and 25 percent by the central
and state governments respectively and 50percent in terms of food grains
from Government of India free of cast. Subsequently during 2004-05 both the
schemes were integrated and implemented as a single scheme. The resources
will be distributed in the proportion 20:30:50 between Zilla panchayat, Taluk
panchayat and Gram panchayat.
Provisional figures of wage employment generated under various state
government programmes was 5.52 crore Man-days between April and
September 2006, as against 5.62 crore man-days during the corresponding
period of the preceding year. Major and medium irrigation generated 2.35 crore
mandays (42.65 percent of the total employment generated) followed by SGRY
1.00 crore mandays (18..27 percent), Roads and Bridges 0.60 crore mandays
(10.93 percent), Watershed development 0.49 crore mandays (8.95 percent),
Buildings 0.21crore mandays (3.76 percent). The wage employment generated
as a proportion of the annual target was the highest in respect of CADA 0.48
crore mandays (56.8 percent) followed by SGRY 1.01 crore mandays (48.50
percent), Buildings 0.21 crore mandays (29.4 percent), watershed development
0.49 crore mandays (27.4 percent). During the corresponding period of the
previous year 43.4 percent of the annual target was achieved is minor irrigation
followed by SGRY 40.0 percent and roads and bridges 38.4 percent. Details
are given in table 8.19. About 16.72 crore man-days of wage employment was
generated in 2005-06 compared to 17.72 crore in 2004-05. Details are in table
8.20
Table 8.19: Wage Em ploym ent Generated under M ajor program mes
2005-06 and 2006-07
(in lakh man-days)

Annual target Achievement

Target for 2006-07
Sl. 2005-06
Programmes 2006-07 (upto
No. 2005-06 2006-07 (upto
(Sept.2006) Sept.06)
Sept.05)
(P)*
1. S.G.R.Y 325.14 207.68 207.68 130.06 100.77
(40.0) (48.5)
2. Major and Medium 970.93 970.93 383.18 181.29 235.27
Irrigation and Flood (18.7)) (24.2)
Control
3. Minor Irrigation 37.37 147.96 63.02 16.23 36.68
(43.4) (24.8)
A Handbook of Karnataka 350

4. CADA 71.46 85.27 28.25 26.07 48.44

(36.5) (56.8)
5. Watershed 336.75 180.46 72.18 74.28 49.38
Development (22.0) (27.4)
6. Roads and Bridges 301.35 331.35 162.02 115.73 60.30
(38.4) (18.2)
7. Buildings 58.74 70.48 30.43 18.69 20.75
(31.8) (29.4)
Total Programmes 2101.73 1994.13 976.76 562.35 551.59
(26.8) (27.7)

Source: Economic survey of Karnataka 2006-07.

Figures in brackets indicate percentage to annual target, *P- Provisional
Table 8.20 Wage Em ploym ent Generated under M ajor Program mes
2004-05 and 2005-06
(in lakh man days)

Sl. Programmes 2004-05 2005-06

No.
Target Achieve­ Percentage Target Achieve­ Percentage
ment ment
1. S.G.R.Y 303.39 491.04 161.85 325.14 394.82 121.43
2. Major and 679.03 566.63 83.44 970.93 422.94 43.56
Medium
Irrigation and
Flood Control
3. Minor 23.01 58.61 254.71 37.37 37.94 101.52
Irrigation
4. CADA 54.89 31.67 57.70 71.46 66.29 92.77
5. Roads and 175.66 384.25 218.74 301.35 491.53 163.11
Bridges
6. Watershed 242.00 168.43 69.59 336.75 185.00 54.94
Development
7. Buildings 36.86 71.26 193.33 58.74 73.23 124.67
grand Total 1514.84 1771.89 116.96 2101.74 1671.75 79.54
 Chapter IX

ADMINISTRATION
Many of our administrative institutions were the legacy of the administrative
arrangements that existed in the past. The text on Hindu polity like Manusmriti,
Arthashastra, Kamandaka’s Nitishastra did influence administration in
Karnataka as elsewhere in India in ancient period as testified by inscription
dating back to more than 1200 years. There were Nadus of 12 villages or
30 villages like Kisuvolal-6, Mulgunda-12 or Honnathi-12, or Kolanur-30 or
Navilgunda-30 the figures indicating the number of villages in the Nadu. There
were bigger units like Nagarakhanda-70, Rattapalli-70, , Hangal-500 and
districts like Belvola-300. Terachuvadi-1000, Kuhundi-3000, but provinces
like Banavasi-12000, indicated that it had 12 districts, Nolambavadi-32000,
had 32 districts.
During the ancient period when kings ruled the land, the kingdom was
divided into Maharastrakas (zones) and Rashtras or Deshas or Mandalas or
provinces. Under these provinces were a number of districts called Nadu or
Vishaya and each district had a certain number of villages or ‘gramas’ attached
to them. Every province had a senior Viceroy or Governor to administer it apart
from the hereditary local officers. Districts had Nadagavundas with certain
powers invested in them. There were several village level officials called Patela,
or Gouda (evolved from gramakuta) a village headman who did police duties
also. Revenue records were maintained by the Shanbhogues or Senobhova
or Kulkarni (Karanika or clerk) as mentioned in many inscriptions. Revenue
records were called Kadita and officer in charge of it as Kaditavergade. Revenue
administration formed the foundation of all administrative matters. The village
headman had under him the totis, talaris, sanadis or ugranis who were the
village militia. When the British took over Bombay and Madras-Karnatak
region they appointed Collectors for districts, Mamlatdar or Tahsildar under
them for taluks, and Revenue officers for circles. The village heriditary officials
also continued. The old Mysore area which was under Wodeyars came under
the British commissioner’s rule in 1831. During this period (1831-1881) the
British system of administration was gradually introduced and in 1881 the
State was restored to Mysore Wodeyars.
Until 1-8-1986, the State was divided into 4 divisions comprising 19
districts, 49 sub-divisions and 175 taluks. With the creation of Bangalore
Rural District in the same year the number of districts rose from 19 to 20
while the number of sub-divisions and taluks remained the same. Bangalore
Rural, Chikmagalur, Chitradurga, Hassan, Kolar, Mysore, Mandya, Shimoga
and Tumkur constitute the old Mysore state as it existed from 1799 to 1953.
The present Bellary district was transferred to Mysore from Madras state
in October 1953 by which time the princely state of Sandur was already
merged in the district. Kodagu district as it exists now was a group C state.
A Handbook of Karnataka 352

The present Dakshina Kannada district was part of Madras Presidency till
1.11.1956, as also Kollegal taluk of Coimbatore district which was included in
Mysore district. The present districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Dharwad,
Haveri, Gadag and Uttara Kannada districts were in Bombay State. The whole
or portions of former princely state viz. Ramdurg, Jamkhandi, Miraj Senior,
Miraj Junior, Kolhapur, Kurundwad Junior, Sangli, Audh, Mudhol and
Savanur are found interspersed in Belgaum, Bijapur and Dharwad districts.

Tipu Palace, Bangalore Atthara Kacheri Started Here

Earlier the district of Bijapur, Belgaum and Dharwad and Uttara Kannada
were under the Bombay Presidency. These districts constitute Belgaum division.
The districts of Gulbarga, Bidar and Raichur were in the former Hyderabad state.
They constitute Gulbarga Division with Bellary district merged from Madras
Presidency. Kodagu, a group C state ruled by a Commissioner was made into
a separate district and was merged into Mysore Division into which Dakshina
Kannada, Mandya, Shimoga, Hassan, Chikmagalur and Mysore were included.
Kollegal taluk from Coimbatore district was made a part of Mysore district.
Bangalore division has Bangalore, Bangalore Rural, Tumkur, Chitradurga and
Kolar.
The areas now included in Karnataka experienced administrative changes
necessitated by the merger of princely states, by Federal Financial Integration
and by State’s Reorganisation. As many as 573 villages which formed part of 13
States have been merged in Belgaum, Bijapur and Dharwad districts. Sandur
Administration 353

State was merged in the Bellary district. The merger rendered it necessary to
extend the administative system and laws of the absorbing unit to the merged
areas. There was also the problem of integration of services. Federal Financial
Integration affected only the areas which formed part of the former princely
states of Mysore and Hyderabad. The departments in these states which
were dealing exclusively with subjects in the Union List such as Railways,
Posts and Telecommunications, Broadcasting, etc., were transferred to the
Central Government. Composite departments like the Excise Department and
the Income Tax and Sales Tax on income had to be bifurcated and the staff,
records etc., attributable to the subjects in the Union list were transferred
to the Central Government. The State Reorganisation was implemented on
1st November 1956 which resulted in the District officers being designated
as the Deputy Commissioners in the whole state and they were assisted by
the Assistant Commissioners at sub-divisional levels and the Tahsildars at
the taluk levels. In August 1997, seven more new districts (see table) were
newly formed raising the number of districts in the State to 27 vide Revenue
Secretariat Notification No. RD. 42 LRD 87 (P-III) Bangalore dated 2nd August
1997 & No. RD. 42 LRD 87 (P-III) Bangalore dated 4th August 1997 (for Koppal
District). Two New Districts were formed vide government notification No.RD 27
Bhudapu.2006(p-3) Bangalore dated 3rd August 2007; Thus the total numbers
of districts increased to 29

Visvesvaraya Tower, Podium Block, Bangalore

A Handbook of Karnataka 354

Sl District Headquarters Taluks Date

No.
1 Chamarajanagar Chamarajanagar 1.Chamarajanagar
(From Mysore Dt.) 2. Gundlupet
3. Kollegal
4. Yelandur 15.8.1997
2. Davanagere 1. Davanagere
(From Chitradurga 2. Harihar
Shimoga and 3. Channagiri
Bellary Districts) Davanagere 4. Honnali
5. Harapanahalli
6. Jagalur 15.8.1997
3. Bagalkote Bagalkote 1. Bagalkot
(From Bijapur Dt.) 2. Hungund
3. Badami
4. Jhamkhandi
5. Mudhol
6. Bilagi 15.8.1997
4. Gadag Gadag 1. Gadag
(From Dharwad Dt.) 2. Mundargi
3. Shirahatti
4. Nargund
5. Ron 24.8.1997
5. Haveri Haveri 1. Haveri
(From Dharwad Dt.) 2. Hirekerur
3. Ranebennur
4. Byadgi
5. Savanur
6. Hanagal
7. Shiggon 24.8.1997
6 Udupi 1. Udupi
(From Dakshina Udupi 2. Kundapur
Kannada Dt.)
3. Karkala 25.8.1997
7. Koppal Koppal 1. Koppal
(From Raichur Dt.) 2. Yalaburga
3. Kustagi
4. Gangavati
5. Sindhnoor 24.8.1997
8 Ramanagara (From Ramanagara 1.Ramanagara 10-09-2007
Bangalore Rural)
2. Magadi
3. Kanakapura
4. Channapatna
Administration 355

9 Chickballapura Chickballapura 1. Chickballapura 10-09-2007

(From Kolar Dt.) 2. Shidlaghatta
3. Chintamani
4. Bagepalli
5. Gudibande
6. Gowribidanuru

Land Reforms
Land Reforms programmes undertaken all over the country in the wake of
Independence had three specific objects: (1) Abolition of intermediaries like
Zamindars, Inamdars and such other absentee landlords (2) Regulation and
subsequent abolition of tenancy, and (3) Putting a ceiling on the ownership of
land by cultivating households. The Jatti Committee submitted its report in
September 1957, and these recommendations finally resulted in the enactment
of the Karnataka Land Reform Act in 1961. However a more egalitarian
legislation was enacted in 1971 which is still in operation.
The land revenue system throughout the state is the ryotwari system
wherein each landowner deals directly with the Government. Revenue records
show the extent of land held and the revenue payable for such land every year.
Systematic collection is possible only if such records are available. Records are
maintained for each village separately. These records though prepared originally
for facilitating collection o f revenue in course of time have come to be regarded
as indicating title to the land also, as all changes in ownership were being
incorporated in these accounts. These gradually came to be known as record of
rights. Village Accountants were appointed displacing the hereditary Kulkarnis
as in Bombay state in 1950, and the new officials were then called Talatis,
and in the whole of Karnataka in 1962 displacing hereditary Shanbhogues,
and they are in-charge of revenue records of their respective villages and are
responsible for collecting revenue. They are a transferable cadre. The state had
its land survyed and settlement made in 1964.
The district is the principal unit for administrative purposes. The head of
the district, or the Deputy Commissioner passes orders on most of the matters
relating to the collection of land revenue and administration of land. The
important unit between the district and the village is the taluk or tahsil. In
between the villages and the taluk office there is an executive official known
as the Revenue Inspector who supervises the work of the village officers of a
group of villages placed under his charge. His unit of jurisdiction is called a
hobli or revenue circle. In between the Taluk and the Village Office is the Nad
Kacheri for a circle. They were introduced on an experimental basis in one hobli
each in totally 175 taluks in 1986. One more circle in each taluk had a kacheri
opened in 1987. Nad kacheri is headed by Deputy Tahsildar/Shereshtedar who
supervises the work of village officers in his jurisdiction. Similarly for a group
of taluks there is a sub-divisional officer or an Assistant Commissioner who is
A Handbook of Karnataka 356

the appellate authority as well as supervisory officer in respect of the taluks

placed under him. The Chief controlling officer for matters connected with land
revenue is the Divisional Commissioner.
As the five different regions of the pre-unification days were accustomed to
different office procedure a new Secretariat Manual was prepared and enforced
in 1958. This established a uniform office procedure at the Secretariat and
at the district level. The areas which comprised the new State had their own
heritage of administrative organisation, their own laws, rules and regulations,
methods or work, development schemes etc. Taxation laws which were different
for different areas were formulated on the basis of the recommendation made
by the Mysore Finance Enquiry Committee and made them uniform throughout
the State. In addition, it also streamlined various other Acts and Rules in force
and introduced uniformity in administration.
The district administration is evolved into a fairly clear establishment,
conforming to the purpose and apparatus of Government in the district. The
purpose is three-fold, i.e., maintenance of law and order, revenue administration,
and the development activities for the economic and social advancement o f the
people of the district.
Under Article 154 of the Constitution of India, the executive power of the
State vests with the Governor. He is the constitutional head of the State and
the Government is carried on in his name and is appointed for a period of
five years. Although in theory the Governor is the repository of all executive
authority, he seldom exercises his authority directly except under extraordinary
circumstances. In practice the council of ministers exercises all the executive
powers of the state. The council is assisted by the Secretariat in running the
administration efficiently. Likewise, there is a separate Secretariat to the
Governor headed by a secretary.
The State legislature consists of two Houses viz. the Legislative Assembly
and the Legislative Council. The Legislative Assembly consists of 224 members
with one member nominated by the Governor to represent the Anglo-Indian
community. The term of office of the members is five years and they are elected
by adult franchise. The term of a member elected to the council is six years. The
council has 75 members of which 25 are elected from the Legislative Assembly,
25 by Local Bodies, 7 by Registered Graduates, 7 by Registered Teachers and
11 nominated by the Governor. The Assembly sessions are presided over by a
Speaker who is elected by the Assembly, while the Council elects the Chairman.
The Chief Minister is generally the leader of the legislative assembly.
The Constitution also provides for a council of ministers with a Chief Minister
as the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions.
Administration 357

Vikasa Soudha, Bangalore

Rajbhavan, Bangalore

The Chief Minister who is the leader of the majority party is appointed by the
Governor and the other ministers are appointed on his advice. The Council of
Ministers which is collectively called the Cabinet, consists of Cabinet Ministers,
Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers.
The Chief Minister will exercise powers in guiding, directing, controlling
and coordinating the activities of other ministers. He combines in himself the
A Handbook of Karnataka 358

roles of the leader of the party, the leader of the House and the leader of the
Government. The Chief Secretary is the head of the administrative services.
He, together with the Chief Minister will equally share and also assist him in
effectively discharging the administrative responsibilities.
The three major branches of the State Government are: 1. the Minister 2. the
Secretary 3. the Executive Head of the department. The Minister will decide the
policy, the Secretary provides advice, and the Executive head will implement
the decisions. Two major functionaries - the Minister and the Secretary are
served by the Secretariat Organisation.
At the head of the Secretariat is the Chief secretary to Government who
is responsible for the proper and efficient functioning of the administrative
set up. He is assisted by Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or
Secretaries to Government who in turn have under them Additional Secretary/
Joint Secretary, Deputy and Under Secretaries to Government.
The present set-up of the Secretariat Departments are: 1. Agriculture and
Horticulture, 2. Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Services and Fisheries, 3. Co­
operation, 4. DPAR 5. Education, 6. Energy, 7. Finance, 8. Food and Civil
Supplies, 9. Forest, Ecology and Environment, 10. Health and Family Welfare,
11. Home and Transport, 12. Urban Development, 13. Housing, 14. Industries
and Commerce, 15. Infrastructure Development, 16. Information Technology,
17, Information, Tourism and Youth Services, 18. Irrigation, 19. Kannada and
Culture, 20. Labour, 21. Law 22. Parliamentary Affairs and legislation, 23.
Public Works, 24. Revenue, 25. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, 26.
Social Welfare and 27. Women and Child Welfare.
Government has established Training Institutes in all the districts of the
state, under the Administrative Training Institute at Mysore. There is also
the Karnataka Government Secretariat Training Institute at Bangalore,
which imparts training to the staff of different categories and levels. Kannada
is the official language of the State and Kannada alone should be used in
correspondence in all the Government offices except in correspondence with
the Central Government, other State Government offices and courts.
Several Steps have also been taken to modernise the administrative system
by the introduction of computers in some departments in technical consultation
with the Karnataka Government Computer Centre and the National Informatics
Centre, Bangalore.
The State Government has appointed Karnataka Administrative Reforms
Commission in 2000 with former minister Haranahalli Ramaswamy as its
Chairman. The Committee has already submitted its Interim Report in January
2001.
Administration 359

Chief Secretaries o f Karnataka

SI. Name of the Chief Secretary Duration

No.
From To
1. P.V. Rao ICS 01.11.1956 06.01.1960
2. N.S. Hiranayya IAS 06.01.1960 18.11.1960
3, R.J. Rebello IAS 18.11.1960 13.11.1962
4. K. Narayanaswamy IAS 13.11.1962 91.05.1963
5, K. Balachandran ICS 01.05.1963 18.03.1967
6. K. Narayanswamy IAS 18.03.1967 25.08.1968
7. R.N. Vasudeva IAS 26.08.1968 07.02.1971
8. R.J. Rebello IAS 08.02.1971 01.06.1974
9. G.V.K. Rao IAS 01.06.1974 19.07.1977
10. K, Narasimha Rao IAS 20.07.1977 28.02.1982
11. R.A. Naik IAS 01.03.1982 30.09.1983
12. T.R. Satishchandran IAS 01.10.1983 31.10.1987
13. A.B. Datar IAS 31.10.1987 30.09.1989
14, K.S.N. Murthy IAS 01.10.1989 31.05.1990
15. M. Shankaranarayana IAS 01.06.1990 04.01.1991
16. N.K. Prabhakar Rao IAS 04.01.1991 31.10.1991
17. T.P. Issar IAS 31.10.1991 28.08.1992
18. J. Alexander IAS 29.08.1992 30.11.1992
19. J.C. Lynn IAS 01.12,1992 31.12.1994
20. S.B. Muddappa IAS 31.12.1994 30.12.1995
21. Cecil Noronha IAS 30.12.1995 31.08.1996
22. B.R. Prabhakar IAS 31.08.1996 31.07.1997
23. B.K. Bhattacharya IAS 31.07.1997 31.12.2000
24. Teresa Bhattacharya IAS 31.12.2000 30.03.2002
25. Dr. A. Ravindra IAS 30.03.2002 30.12.2002
26. B.S. Patil IAS 30.12.2002 31.1.2004
27. K.K. Mishra IAS 31.01.2004 30.07.2005
28. B.K.Das IAS 30.07.2005 30.09.2006
29. Malati Das IAS 30.09.2006 31.12.2006
30. Prahlad B. Mahishi IAS 31.12.2006 07.02.2008
31. Sudhakar Rao IAS 07.02.2008 30.09.2009
32. S.V. Ranganath IAS 01.10.2009 Till Date
A Handbook of Karnataka 360

Judicial Administration
Rqjadharma (the laws defining the powers and duties of kings) influenced
the rulers in ancient Karnataka for the administration of justice. This was
one of the fundamental obligations/functions of the king. The word “Dushta
shikshe, shista paripalana” in old inscriptions indicate that the king was to
punish the wicked and protect the law-abiding. Rendering impartial justice
that the king was to punish the wicked and protect the litigants were among
the sacred duties enjoined on kingship. The administration of justice was an
obligatory function of king and in its discharge he was helped by persons well
versed in the Dharmashastras, and Smritis. The ancient texts of Manu, Kautilya,
Yajnavalkya etc., had laid down rules regarding the structure and powers of
the highest court at the capital and of lower courts established under royal
authority.
The rules also provided for the recognition of the Peoples’ courts having the
power to decide on cases. The qualifications of Judges and the arbitrators had
been clearly laid down. The village assemblies and professional guilds also had
judicial powers, and disputes were mostly settled amicably. Emperor Bukka
himself settling a dispute between the Srivaishnavas and Jains during the 14th
century and another Vijayanagar Emperor sending the palace priest to settle
a property dispute between the Jains and Brahmins at Lakshmeshwar during
the 15th century are the classic examples on legal matters from Karnataka
and Vijnaneshwara from Kalyana (llth century) wrote a celebrated commentary
on the Yqjnavalkya Smrithi called Mitakshara and his elucidation of the law
regarding the right of coparceners by birth and other members of Joint Hindu
family in respect of ancestral property is accepted as an authority in the whole
of India except in Bengal where the commentary of Jimutha Vahana is followed.
The Hoysalas followed mostly the system of administration of justice handed
down by the Gangas and the Chalukyas. During Vijayanagar days, there were
certain specific laws like the law of treason, law of limitation, and the law
governing enjoyment of service inams etc. During the period of Bahamanshahis
and the Adilshahis (Muslim rulers) the king was not only the ruler, but the
judge, military leader and the religious head of the State. The Chief Justice
was Sadar-i-jahan. He was assisted by Kazis and Ulemans. The Kotwal was in­
charge of capital city. During the period of Hyder and Tipu, the revenue officers
were entrusted with judicial functions. There was a ‘Sadar’ Court at the capital
city and Kazis in other place.

In the princely Mysore, after the takeover of the administration of Mysore

State by the British in 1831 the following courts were established. (1) The
Amils, (2) Town Munsiffs 3) Sadar Munsiffs (4) Principal Sadar Munsiffs and 5)
The Court of European Superintendents.
Administration 361

H igh Court, Bangalore

By 1862 the Huzur Adalat and the Munsiffs Court were abolished and the
judicial hierarchy consisted of the Judicial Commissioner, the Superintendents
of Divisions, the Deputy Superintendents and Amildars of Taluks. As regards
criminal justice, the Judicial Commissioner, the Superintendents and Amildars
of taluk were conferred with criminal jurisdiction also. Later in 1884 the Mysore
Chief Court was constituted and later renamed as The High Court. In British
possessions like Belgaum, Bellary areas, the British judicial system pervaded
and there were District judges, civil judge and Munsiff for civil matters and the
magistrate for criminal matters at the taluk. Village committees dispensed with
petty crimes and disputes. There were the High Court, Federal Court and Privy
Council in England as Courts of appeal. After unification (1956) the High Court
became the highest court of judicature in the State. By the Karnataka Civil
Courts Act of 1964 a three-tier system of courts under uniform designation
prevailed. They were District Court (district Level); Civil Judge’s Court (district
or smaller area); and Courts of Munsiff in respect of Civil justice and District
and Sessions Judge (District level) and the Judicial Magistrate First Class (other
places) in respect of criminal cses. In metropolitan areas, the Chief Magistrate
is to be designated as Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.

Besides there are Special Tribunals like Land Tribunals (for each taluk) and
the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, Labour Courts, Karnataka Administrative
A Handbook of Karnataka 362

Tribunal (in Bangalore), Consumer’s Redressal Forums, Consumer Courts,

Income Tax Tribunal, Educational Tribunal etc. There are Legal Aid Boards,
even at the district and Taluk level to provide legal assistance to the needy. The
Advocate General is the Chief Legal Advisor and Advocate for the State. There
is a Directorate of Prosecutions, functioning with prosecutors, Asst. Public
Prosecutors assisting at the taluk level in respect of the Government cases. Lok
Ayukta (1986) (formerly Vigilance Commission founded in 1948) looks into the
cases against the public servants.
Since 40 per cent of the total number of civil cases arising in the State are
from Bangalore, it was considered necessary to have a two-tier system for the
purpose of speedy disposal of cases. Accordingly the Bangalore City Civil Courts
Act 1980 was enacted. Under the Act in the Metropolitan City of Bangalore the
City Civil Court were established.
The sanctioned strength of Hon’ble Judge of the High Court was 32
permanent judges and 8 Additional Judges during the year 2005-06. As on
31-03-2006, there were 29 Judges and 7 Additional Judges in the High Court,
127 District and Sessions Judges (including Additional Judges and Judges of
Fast Track Courts), 09 Judges of Family Courts (Bangalore, Belgaum, Bijapur,
Davanagere, Gulbarga, Mysore and Raichur), 125 Civil Judges (Sr. Division)
and CJMS (including Small Causes Court, Mysore), 294 Civil Judgfes (Junior
Division), and JMFC (including Additional Civil Judges (Junior Division), 50
City Civil and Sessions Judge including Additional Judges, 18 Judges of Small
Cause Courts including Additional Judges (City), 23 Metropolitan Magistrates
under the City Civil Courts in the State in various courts.
As on 2005-06 total number of civil cases for disposal in the High Court
was 1,22,640 and of which 48,578 cases were disposed off and out of 21,437
criminal cases for disposal 8,334 cases were disposed off. Similarly 6,89,521
civil cases were to be disposed off in 2005-06 in all other courts in the State,
of which 2,31,753 cases were disposed off. Out of 6,55,818 criminal cases,
3,31,109 cases were disposed off. In addition, in Bangalore City as on 2005­
06 1,52,144 civil cases were to be disposed off, of which 56,718 cases were
disposed and out of 2,97,481 criminal cases 84,526 cases were disposed. The
total of 11,78,023 cases were pending as on 31-03-06 of which 6,27,256 was
Civil and 5,50,767 Criminal.
The following courts were established in 1999. (1) III Additional District
Sessions Court Tumkur; (2) court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Maddur, (3)
Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) Kundapur and (4) District and Sessions
Courts at Gadag, Haveri, Davanagere and Bagalkote.
77 Courts were established in the year 2005-06
There are about 37,000 advocates enrolled in the State out of which 5,300
are women. There are the Advocates’ Association and Bar Council of India,
Karnataka branch, both with their central offices at Bangalore.
Administration 363

List o f Chief Justices in Karnataka since 1955

Duration
From To
Justice Sri LR. Venkataramaiah 10-04-1955 15-07-1957
Justice Sri Subodh RanjanDasgupta 25-07-1957 13-08-1961
Justice Sri Nittoor Srinivasa Rao 29-03-1962 07-08-1963
Justice Sri H.Hombegowda 07-08-1963 01-08-1969
Justice Sri A.R.Somanatha Iyer 23-11-1969 29-12-1969
Justice Sri M. Sadashivaiah 30-12-1969 16-09-1970
Justice Sri A. Narayana Pai 17-09-1970 07-06-1973
Justice Sri G.K.Govinda Bhat 07-06-1973 15-12-1977
Justice Sri D.M.Chandrashekar 23-02-1978 25-09-1982
Justice Sri K. Bheemaiah 28-10-1992 11-04-1983
Justice Sri V.S.Malimath 06-02-1984 23-10-1985
Justice Sri P.C. Jain 28-08-1986 16-08-1989
Justice Sri S. Mohan 28-10-1989 07-10-1991
Justice Sri Barucha 01-11-1991 30-06-1992
Justice Sri S.B. Majumdar 02-07-1993 13-09-1994
Justice Sri G.T. Nanavathi 28-09-1994 04-03-1995
Justice Sri M.L. Pendse 28-03-1995 25-03-1996
Justice Sri S.A. Hakeem 03-05-1996 09-05-1996
Justice Sri R.P. Sethi 29-06-1996 06-01-1999
Justice Sri Y. Bhaskar Rao 07-01-1996 24-06-2000
Justice Sri P.V. Reddi 21-10-2000 16-08-2001
Justice Sri N. K. Jain 31-08-2001 19-10-2004
Justice Sri N. K. Sodhi 19-11-2004 28-11-2005
Justice B.Padmaraj 29-11-2005 06-01-2006
Justice Cyriac Joseph 07-01-2006 07-08-2008
Justice P. D. Dinakaran 08-08-2008 till date

Police Administration

Under the rulers of Mysore, the duties of police were performed by Talwars,
Totis, Nirganti, Kavalgars, Kattabidi peons, Halepaikas, Umblidars, Amargars,
Hulagavals, Ankamalas and Kalla Kormaras who formed the militia and Patels
supervised them, under the rule of Tipu and Poorniah in princely Mysore.
Dewan Poornia introduced Kandachar peons for doing the work of police. In
1856, the Judicial Commissioner was appointed and he became the ex-officio
head of police. In 1879 the Chief Commissioner was in charge of the police. After
A Handbook of Karnataka 364

the Rendition the police administration was under the control of Dewans. Later
a police Secretary was appointed. In 1906 the posts of Superintendents and
Asst. Superintendents of Police were merged in the general cadre of Assistant
Commissioner. Later by 1910, the Police force in Mysore consisted of village
police and regular police.
In Madras-Karnataka Area, Talari’s (watchmen) in each village was the
ancient “Kaval” (watch system). Under this system Talaris were subordinate to
Kavalgars who were controlled by Palegars or local chieftains and later by the
Patels. In 1904, there was one constable for every six square miles of area, in
the Madras Presidency. The head of the department was the Inspector General.
Each district was under the District Superintendent of Police. In Bombay
Karnataka Area, a regular police force was organised under the administrative
control of the District Magistrates by the Bombay Regulation Act XII of 1827.
Every district had a Superintendent of police. Earlier there were village militia
consisting of talaris and shetsanandis under the supervision of the Patil.
In Hyderabad Karnataka Area there was no well organised police force till
1853. In 1866, a regular police force was raised and placed under the Revenue
authorities. In 1869 a special Sadar-ul-Mohawn or Police Minister was appointed
for Hyderabad State. After 1948, Gulbarga was the divisional Headquarters
comprising four districts of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur and Usmanabad. There
were two separate Police forces namely the Diwan’s police belonged the Nizam’s
Government and the Jahgir police belonged to individual Jahgirdars, who had
been allowed to maintain their own police establishments to administer law
and order.
After unification a common Police Act (1963) was implemented. Minor
changes have taken place in the administrative set up and as in 1993, in the
state the Police set up was as follows;
The State Police consists of 27 police districts 3 Police Commissioners at
Bangalore, Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad cities, 112 sub-divisions, 228 circles,
782 police stations, and 297 police out-posts and 7 women police stations. The
strength of the State Police as on 1991 was 50,009 with 30,434 civil police,
331 civil women police, 11,089 Armed Police 1,661 wireless staff and 6,494
KSRP. The strength of state police as on 31.12.1999 was civil police 44,765.
CM1 Women police 1416, armed police 15,741 wireless staff 1,337 and KSRP
10,439. There are six ranges viz., Central Range at Bangalore, Eastern Range
at Davanagere, Northern Range at Gulbarga, Southern Range at Mysore and
Western Range at Mangalore.
The Government Railway Police is headed by a D.I.G. of police. There are
seven Railway Circles, 18 Railway Police Stations, 25 out-posts.
Administration 365

There are four Police Training Institutes in the State viz, the Police Training
College (for officers) at Mysore, Karnataka State Police Training School,
Channapatna, Police Training School, Magodu and Armed Police School,
Bangalore.
Besides there are Criminal Investigation Department (Forest Cell, Anti-Dowry
Cell, etc.,). Dog Squad, the Civil Rights Enforcement Wing, Police Wireless and
police Motor Transport Organisation and special unit.]
There are Village Defence Parties to guard the villages, to partol for the
purpose of preventing crime to protect persons and property in the village and
to assist the police when necessary.
Home Guards Organisation also supplement the Police force in case of
need. As on 1991 there were 16,122 Home Guards including 500 women
Home Guards. As on 1991-92, there were 39 Fire Stations in the State. As on
31.12.1999, 16872 home guards were enrolled including 1,030 women guards
as against 900 in 1998 functioning in 17 district of the State. A total of 105 fire
stations were functioning in the state as on 31.12.1999.
Presently, the Police Department in the state has four officers of the rank
of Director General & Inspector General of Police and one among them will be
appointed by the Government to Head the entire department. He is assisted by
11 ADGP’s, 26 IG’s, 25 DIG’s, 57 SP’s and a host of Dy. SP’s/ACP’s, Inspectors,
Sub-Inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors and the Constabulary. The total
number of police stations in the state for the year 2006-07 was 901 that
included RPS, TPS and WPS.
Prisons
During the Non Regulation period (1837-1856) there were eight jails in the
erstwhile Mysore State. Bangalore Central Jail was constructed in 1863. In
1923, there were one Central Jail, one district jail, and 78 lock-ups in the
Mysore State. In Modern Karnataka Area, by 1905 there was a district jail at
Bellary and 9 subsidary jails. By 1926, there were 6 sub-jails in Dakshina
Kannada District with one District Jail in Mangalore. In Bombay-Kamataka
Area, by 1883 there were jails at each Mamlatdar’s office One District Jail was
at Kaladgi (later shifted to Bijapur) and subordinate jail at Basavana Bagewadi.
There were district jails at Karwar, Dharwad and Belgaum and a subordinate
jail at Athani. There was a Borstal school at Dharwad (even now it is there) and
a Central Jail at Hindalga near Belgaum. In Hyderabad Karnataka Area, there
were jails at Gulbarga, Raichur and Bidar.
At the time of Unification there were six central jails, four District jails,
two special jails and two Borstal Schools. Besides there were the agricultural-
A Handbook of Karnataka 366

cum-industrial farms at Bijapur and Khanapur. As on 1992 the following were

the prisons in the State. 1) Central Prisons(6) at Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary,
Gulbarga, Mysore and Bijapur with total accomodation of 3,679 prisoners;
2) District Prisons (6) at Mangalore, Madikeri, Raichur, Bidar, Shimoga
and Karwar (844 accomodation); 3) District central Sub-jails (7) at Mandya,
Chitradurga, Kolar, Hassan, Chikmagalur, Tumkur and Dharwad; (558); 4)
Special Sub-Jails at Davanagere and K.G.F.(113); 5) 26 taluk sub-jails under
the direct control of Prisons Department and 44 Taluk Sub-Jails under Ex­
Officio Superintenddent of Police Depts and Revenue Departments (1,669);
6) One Open Jail at Koramangala, Bangalore (80) and 7) One jail for youth
prisoners (Taruna Bandi Khane) at Dharwad (133). Totally there were 96 jails,
working strength 1318 and vacant posts were 474 are. As on 1999-2000 the
sanctioned staff strength of the jails was 1,792. The average daily expense
per prisoner in the State varied from Rs. 3.05 in 1982-83 to Rs. 10.10 in
1991-92. The daily average expenditure of a prisoner is rupees 16.75 p.
(December 1999). The total no.of prisons in the state for 2006-07 was 98 with
a total of 12094 male and 468 female prisoners in them.
Local Self Government
From the beginning, Karnataka has imbibed a rich and incessant heritage
of self-governing civic institutions keeping in harmony with the changing socio­
economic and political conditions in the course of history.
In ancient Karnataka, the tradition of village bodies was very strong. Even
in the centralised monarchy L.S.G. bodies were very much prevalent and
village assemblies functioned and dealt with local problems. The local bodies
were called Ooru (town), Okkalu (residents), Prqje (Subjects), Prajesamudaya
(congregation of subject), Oorahadinentujaati(18 communities of village) etc. In
an Agrahara villages, the assembly of mahajans. (heads of scholarly Brahmin
families) served as village councils. They looked after irrigation facilities,
took care of temples and other local affairs and settled minor disputes. The
villages grouped themselves into Nadu, and the assembly was also known as
Nadu.By about 10th century Nadu emerged to the status of modern Mandal
or Taluk Panchayat. They comprised of heads of constituent villages as their
representatives. The association of Nadus was known as MahaNadu which
consisted of the representatives of villages, towns, merchant guilds, officials
etc., It can be compared to Modern Zilla Panchayat and it was the highest
local assembly. All these assemblies were entrusted with undertaking socio­
economic, religious and cultural activities. They had their own financial
resources. They also acted as trustees of public properties and endowments.
The assembly of the towns which were founded by the enterprising merchants
were known as Nagara or Pattana and the head was known as Pattana Shetty
or Pattanaswamy. Their number depended on the size of the town.
Administration 367

All these local bodies were the creation of the local interest and the
Government remained there in an advisory capacity. Government’s interference
was evidenced when these bodies mismanaged their affairs. The advent of the
British rule in India, brought several mixed changes in the working of these
institutions. Efforts were made to bring back the lost glory of ancient village
communities by the Indian leaders like Tilak, Ferozshah Mehtha, Gandhiji and
others. The real development of villages in the modern sense started in 1863 by
the passing of Village Sanitation Act in many provinces, including the princely
Mysore. In different parts of integrated areas of Karnataka, LSG activities were
started in different times. The princely State, Mysore, constituted Municipal
Committees on an experimental basis in 1862, beginning with Mysore and
Bangalore. The local Boards (District Boards and Taluk Boards) for development
of rural areas actually came into being for the first time in 1919. In the former
Bombay Karnataka areas, local bodies were created under the East India
Company Act 1850. Belgaum Municipal committee constituted in 1851 was the
first committee for Bombay Karnataka area followed by Nippani in 1854, Hubli
in 1855 and Dharwad in 1856 subsequently Municipalities were constituted
under the Bombay District Municipalities Act of 1901. There were Borough
Municipalities with wider powers under the Bombay Borough Municipalities
Act 1925. In Madras areas, local administration was started with the passing
of Town Improvement Act 1865 for Municipalities and Local Fund Act for Local
Boards in 1871. Panchayat Boards were first started for single or group of
villages under the 1884 Act. In Hyderabad areas, levying of local cess in 1887­
88 marked the beginning of L.S.G bodies in the state. In Kodagu area Municipal
Committees were established in 1870.

Deputy Commissioner s Office, Mysore

A Handbook of Karnataka 368

Grama Panchayat Meeting

Changes after 1956

In recent years there is an increase in urban migration. The percentage of
the urban population to the total population of the State in 1991 was 30.91 as
against 28.89 in 1981. It was well above the all-India level of 25.72 per cent.
The number of towns and cities in the State have increased at a rapid rate
from 245 in 1971 to 306 in 1991. Likewise the number of cities and urban
agglomerations have also increased from 12 in 1971 to 22 in 1991. Municipal
Law known as Karnataka Municipalities Act 1964 saw major changes in .the
Municipal administration in the State. These were comprehensive, uniform and
applicable to the entire state. Many more radical changes have been brought
into force in the constitution and modus operandi of Municipal administration
in the State. More seats have been reserved for the SC/ST communities and
women. Liberal development grants are given by the State for municipalities for
undertaking the works like water supply, sanitation etc., Every Municipality is
expected to reserve 18% of its budget expenditure for the ameliorative measures
of SC/ST and other weaker sections. There are five categories of urban local
bodies in the State viz., City Municipal Corporation (Mahanagarapalike) 2) City
Municipal Councils, 3) Town Municipal Councils, 4) Notified Area Committees
and 5) Sanitary Boards.

Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act 1976 governs the Municipal

Corporations in the State. At present there are six Municipal Corporations in
the State viz. Bangalore (1949), Hubli-Dharwad (1962),Mysore (1977), Belgaum
(1977), Mangalore (1980), Gulbarga (1981) (Shimoga-Bhadravathi corporation
Administration 369

formed in 1992 was later cancelled). The number of City Municipalities is

19, and Town Municipalities 135. There are 15 Notified Area Committees.
At present only one Cantonment Board is in existence in the State ie.,
Cantonment Board for Belgaum constituted in 1832. It is administered by the
Cantonment Act 1924 of the Central Government. As on 31.3.1999 there were
216 municipalities/ corporation in the State. The coverage of local bodies by
category for the year 2003-04 is as follows : City Corporations(CCS) - 6, City
Municipal Councils(CMCS) - 40, Town Municipal Councils (TMCS) - 82 and
Town Panchayats (TPS) - 91
A seperate department! Directorate of Municipal Administration) for
Municipal Administration in the state was started in 1984-85 in order to co­
ordinate the functional activities of Municipalities in the State. The total number
of Municipal employees in the state was 19,000 in 1993. Since 1984, the State
Government has introduced a scheme of awarding cash prize to the best urban
local bodies in the State, There are special development City/Town authorities
constituted for the development of all important district head quarter towns in
the State, coordinating the activities like town planning, water supply, housing,
sewerage, slums etc. Karnataka is one among the 16 states in the country to
abolish Octroi in 1979, which used to be the main sources of Municipal income,
the loss of income is compensated by the Octroi grant by the Government.
Karnataka is the first state in the country to impose a ban, by legislation
on carrying night soil on head by the Bhangees (scavengers). It was banned as
early as in 1973. The scavengers are re-named as Pourakarmikas.
Panchayat Raj
During the course of these four decades (1952-1993) radical changes have
been brought into practice in the concept, structure, constitution and modus
operandi of Panchayat Raj institutions in practice in Karnataka by enacting
progressive legislations by the successive Governments in power in order to
translate the concept of decentralisation and ‘Grama Swarajya’ and ‘Surajya’
into a reality.
After the Reorganisation of the State, in 1960, a unified a comprehensive
Panchayat Raj Act known as Karnataka Local Boards and Village Panchayats
Act 1959, came into being since 1960. Under this Act, Village Panchayats at
the village level, Taluk Development Boards at the Taluk level and District
Development Councils for each district were constituted. Under the above
three-tier system of administration, only the Village Panchayats and Taluk
Development Boards had elected representatives. The District Development
Councils were mere advisory bodies comprising of Government officials of the
A Handbook of Karnataka 370

development departments works and schemes were non-official members.

In the above system most of the rural development works and schemes were
channelised through Taluk Development Boards. Village Panchayats worked
under the control of the Taluk Development Boards. This system of Panchayat
Raj institutions continued till 1983. In order to have decentralisation in
administration, at the Mandal levels, increased people’s participation in the
process of development etc., the earlier Act of 1959 was replaced by a new
Act known as Karnataka Zilla Parishads, Taluk Panchayat Samithis, Mandal
Panchayats and Nyaya Panchayat Act in 1983. This Act came into effect from
1985. The Nyaya Panchayats included in the Act did not come into existence.
These new Panchayat Raj institutions came into being in the State in 1987
when the elections were held to these bodies for the first time. Franchise was
extended to those completing 18 years of age. According to the new Act the
three-tier, inter-linked development oriented institutions known as Mandal
Panchayats at the village level, Taluk Panchayat Samithis at the taluk level
and Zilla Parishads at the district were reconstituted. In the new system, only
Mandal Panchayats and Zilla Parishads were having elected bodies. Taluk
Panchayat Samithis remained only as supervisory or co-ordinating institutions
between Mandals and Zilla Parishad and used to work under Zilla Parishads.
In the new setup, Zilla Parishads were entrusted with more powers and
functions. They almost functioned like the Governments of the districts. Most
of the development activities of the state were executed or carried through
Zilla Parishads and Mandals. Nearly 80% of the total development expenditure
was earmarked to Zilla Parishads. Except major and medium irrigation works,
all other developmental works were entrusted to Zilla Parishads. Mandals
had separate powers to carry out certain specified (27) developmental works
according to local neeeds. The impact to decentralised administration of Zilla
Parishads, Mandal Panchayats was very much felt in rural areas specially
in the improvement of attendance in primary schools, of both students and
teachers and doctors in the rural hospitals and field staff of other departments
as revealed by the evaluation committee on the working of Zilla Parishads and
Mandal Panchayats.
The area of operation of a Mandal was fairly larger, compared to the earlier
village Panchayat. Generally, a Mandal comprised a village or groups of closely
associated villages covering a population between 8,000 to 12,000. Before
their abolition in 1992, there were about 2,500 Mandals in the state. The term
of office of the elected members was 5 years. There was a provision for the
nomination of members from the backward communities to the council of a
Mandal. In addition to 18% reservation of seats for the SC/ST communities,
Administration 371

there was provision for reserving 25% of the total seats in all categories for
women. This system of local administration continued for the period of 5 years
till 1992. The total number of elected members of Zilla Parishads were 887 and
of them 175 were from the SC/ST communities., and 211 women. The total
number of elected members of 2,469 Mandal Panchayats were 55,188, and of
them 11,968 were from SC/ST communities and 14,025 women members of
all categories.
Karnataka Panchayati Raj Act 1993
In order to further strengthen the functioning of rural Panchayati Raj
institutions in the state by decentralisation at the appropriate level and
to improve the quality of functioning, to provide social justice by means of
extending additional reservation facilities to SC/ST communities (23 percent),
women and other backward classes (33 %} etc., the new Panchayati Raj Act
was introduced. The New Act also contemplates the reservation of seats for the
chair persons by rotation.
The new Act has come into force from 10th May 1993. It is a comprehensive
enactment to establish a three-tier Panchayat Raj system in the state with
elected bodies at the Village, Taluk and District levels. It is enacted keeping in
view of the 73rd Constitution Amendment relating to Panchayats. It ensures
greater participation of the people and more effective implementation of rural
development programmes. Panchayat at the taluk under the new Act, there will
be a Grama Panchayat for a village or group of villages, at the Taluk level, and
the Zilla Panchayat at the district level. All the three institutions will have elected
representatives and there is no provision for nomination by the Government
to any of these councils. Karnataka is the first state in the country to enact
new Panchayat Raj Act incorporating all provisions of 73rd Amendment to the
Constitution. In accordance with the provisions of the present Act, the elections
to 5,645 Grama Panchayats were held in December 1993 for nearly 79,865
seats of which 23,454 were women, whereas elections to Taluk Panchayats and
Zilla Panchayats were held in March 1995. The number of members elected to
Z.illa Panchayats and Taluk Panchayats are 919 and 3,340 respectively. Over
two crore voters have exercised their franchise in these elections. In 1999-2000
there were 5,692 Gram Panchayat with a total number of 73,547 (30,155) Taluk
Panchayats 3,340 (1345) and zilla Panchayat 919 (335) in the state. Figures in
bracket indicate women members).
In the new Act provision has been made for setting up a District Planning
Committee, Finance Commission and Permanent Election Commission.
It is reported that in these elections women will secure 40%representation in Taluk
Panchayats and 36% in Zilla Panchayats, the SC and ST communities getting 18%
and 5% seats respectively. The backward castes in A category will get 27%
A Handbook of Karnataka 372

B BM P New Office, Bangalore

B BM P O ffice, Bangalore

reservation in T.Ps and 26% in Z.P.s. The backward class in B category will get
7% in both the Z.Ps and T.P.s and general category will get 40% reservation
Administration 373

in both bodies. To facilitate early elections to Gram Panchayats the Karnataka

Gram Panchayat Act (2nd Amendment) - Ordinance 1999 was promulgated
to amend section 4 & 5 of the Act on 28.1.1999 . That State Government has
also framed the Karnataka Zilla Panchayat at (business) Rules 1998 pertaining
to monthly allowance to member, annual grant to Gram Panchayat and
convening Gram Sabhas in every village. To make Panchayat Raj institution
more accountable and responsive, government has recently introduced the
Panchayat Jamabandi.

Revenue and Capital receipts, Karnataka 2005-06 to 2008-09

C ategory o f R eceip ts 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

(RE) (RE) (R E ) (B .E )
I R even ue R eceipts
A. State’s T ax R even ue

(i) T axes on Incom e, Expenditure, 296.35 382.78 397.50 430.16

(ii) T axes on Property & C apital 19208.45 2 350 5.15 26820.82 31445.69
Transactions o f w h ich

(a) Sales Tax/VAT 10 793.74 12380.31 14468.52 1716 0 .78

(b) T axes on veh icles 1158.00 1479.66 1806.01 2098.96

© State E x cise 3347.72 4 519.95 4668.59 5626.08

(d) T axes on G ood s & Passengers 1000.73 1095.64 1169.60 1259.98

(e) Others 2908.26 4029.59 4708.09 5299.88

State’s ow n tax revenue (i) + (ii) 19504.80 23887.94 2 7 218 .32 318 75.85

(iii) T ax D evo lu tio n from Centre 3922.65 5009.62 6300.00 7982.38

Total A : (i)+ (ii)+)iii) 23427.45 28897.56 - -
B. N o n -T ax R even ues 363 7.19 4296.76 1802.10 193 1.65
C. G rants-in-aid from Central G overnm ent 2620.19 4801.48 5519.8 1 5450.43
Total I : R even u e R eceipts (A + B + C ) 29684.83 37995.79 40840.22 47240.32
II C ap ital R eceipts

(i) L o an s from G o v t.o f India 1991.83 118 7.52 1990.71 15 7 1.2 9

(ii) Internal D eb t (N et o f W & M & M B ) 4598.86 2966.02 734.73 5248.41

(iii) P u blic A /c (N et) -1 18 1.4 5 1943.01 4020.68 1143.9 5

(iv) R e co ve ry o f L o an s & A d v a n ces 29.91 44.61 63.07 69.97

(v) C on tin gen cy Fund (N et) 4.50 - - -

(vi) M iscellan eou s C apital R eceip ts - - 200.00 3000.00
Total II: C ap ital R eceip ts (i) to (V I) 5443.65 6 1 4 1 .1 6 7009.19 11033.63
A g g re g a te R eceip ts : I+II 35128.48 44136.95 47849.42 58273.94
Total T ax R even ue o f percent o f Total 66.7 65.5 70.0 68.4
R eceipts
P er C ap ita State’ s O w n T ax R even ue 4 19 8 .4 7 4227.95 - -
(R upees)

RE.:Revised Estimates. B.E:Budget Estimates

A Handbook of Karnataka 374

D istrict-wise Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as per 2001 Census.

Belgaum District: Nippani(CMC), Sadalgi (TP), Kudchi (TP) Athani (TMC),
Raybag (TP), Mudalgi(TMC), Chikodi Sankeshwar (TMC), Hukkeri (TP),
Konnur(TP), Gokak Falls (NAC), Gokak (CMC), Ramdurg (TMC), Hindalgi (CT),
Kangrali (KH) (CT), Kangrali B.K. (CT) Khanapur (TP), Londa (CT), Bailhongal
(TMC), Saundatti Yellamma (TMC), Belgaum (M.corp)

Bagalkot District: Terdal (TP), Jamkhandi (TMC), Rabkavi-Banhatti (CMC),

Mahalingpur (TMC), Mudhol (TMC), Bilgi (TP), Bagalkot (CMC), Kerur (TP),
Badami (TP), Guledagudda (TMC), Hungund (TP), Ilkal (TMC)

Bijapur District: Bijapur (CMC), Indi (TMC), Sindgi (TMC), Basavana Bagevadi
(TP), Muddebihal (TMC), Talikota (TMC)

Gulbarga District: Aland (TMC), Afzalpur (TP), Gulbarga (M.Corp), Chincholi

(TP), Kurgunta (CT), Sedam (TMC), Chitapur (TP), Shahabad ACC (NAC),
Shahabad (TMC), Jevargi (TP), Bhimarayanagudi (NAC), Shorapur (TMC),
Shahpur (TMC) Wadi (CT), Wadi ACC (NAC), Gurmatkal (TP), Yadgir (TMC)

Bidar District: Bhalki (TMC), Aurad (TP), Bidar (CMC), Basavakalyan (TMC),
Humnabad (TMC), Chitgoppa (TMC),

Raichur District: Mudgal (TP), Lingsugur (TP), Hatti Gold Mines (NAC),
Hatti (CT), Devadurga (TP), Shaktinagar (CT), Raichur (CMC), Manvi (TMC),
Sindhnur (TMC)

Koppal District: Yelburga (TP), Kushtagi (TP), Gangawati (CMC), Koppal

(TMC), Munirabad Project Area (CT),

Gadag District: Nargund (TMC), Ron (TP), Gadag-Betgeri (CMC), Mulgund

(TP), Lakshmeshwar (TMC), Shirhatti (TP), Naregal (TP), Gajendragad (TMC),
Mundargi (TP)

Dharwad District: Alnavar(TP), Hubli-Dharwad (M.Crop), Navalgund (TP),

Annigeri (TMC), Kundgol (TP), Kalghatgi (TP)

Uttara Kannada District: Dandeli (CMC), Haliyal (TP), Ambikanagara (CT),

Karwar (CMC), Yellapur (TP), Mundgod (TP), Ankola (TP), Sirsi (CMC), Kumta
(TMC), Venkatapura (CT), Bhatkal (TMC), Honavar (TP), Siddapur (TP)

Haveri District: Shiggaon (TP), Bankapura (TP), Savanur (TMC), Hangal (TMC),
Haveri (TMC), Byadgi (TMC), Hirekerur (TP), Ranibennur (CMC), Kodiyal (CT),
Administration 375

Bellary District: Hoovina Hadagali (TP), Hospet (CMC), Kamalapuram (TP),

Kampli (TMC), Siruguppa (TP), Tekkalakote (TP), Bellary (CMC), Donimalai
Township (CT), Sandur (TP), Kudligi (TP), Kotturu (TP)

Chitradurga District: Molakalmuru (TP), Challakere (TMC) Chitradurga (CMC),

Holalkere (TP), Hosdurga (TP), Hiriyur (TMC),

Davanagere District: Harihar (CMC), Harapanahalli (TP), Jagalur (TP),

Davangere (CMC), Honnali (TP), Channagiri (TP)

Shimoga District: Jog Falls (NAC), Sagar (TMC), Sorab (TP), Siralkoppa (TP),
Shikaripur (TMC), Hosanagara (TP), Tirthahalli (TP), Shimoga (CMC), Bhadravati
(CMC)

Udupi District: Kundapura (TMC), Saligram (TMC), Udupi (CMC), Yenagudde

(CT), Mallar (CT), Karkal (TMC)

Chikmagalur District: Sringeri (TP), Koppa (TP), Narasimharajapura (TP),

Tarikere (TP), Birur (TMC), Kadur (TMC), Chikmagalur (CMC), Mudigere (TP),
Kudremukh (NAC)

Tumkur District: Chiknayakanhalli (TMC), Sira (TMC), Pavagada (TP),

Madhugiri (TMC), Koratagere (TP), Tumkur (CMC), Gubbi (TP), Tiptur (TMC),
Turuvekere (TP), Adityapatna (CT), (Kunigal) (TMC)

Kolar District: Gauribidanur (TMC), Chikballapur (CMC), Gudibanda (TP),

Bagepalli (TP), Sidlaghatta (TMC), Chintamani (CMC), Srinivaspur (TP). Kolar
(CMC), Malur (TMC), Bangarpet (TMC), Robertson Pet (CMC), Mulbagal (TMC)

Bangalore District: Dasarahalli (CMC), Yelahanka (CMC), Hunasamaranahalli

(CT), Bytarayanapura (CMC), Herohalli (CT), Kengeri (TMC), Pattanagere (CMC),
Bangalore (M.Corp), Krishnarajapura (CMC), Mahadevapura (CMC), Uttarahalli
(CT), Bommanahalli (CMC), Konanakunte (CT), Kothnur (CT), Gottikere (CT),
Kadigenhalli (CT), Hebbagodi (CT), Bommasandra (CT), Anekal (TMC)

Bangalore Rural District: Nelamangala (TP), Dargajogihalli (CT), Dodballapur

(CMC), Vijayapura (TMC), Devanahalli (TMC), Hosakote (TMC), Magadi (TMC),
Ramanagaram (CMC), Channapatna (CMC), Kanakapura (TMC),

Mandya District: Krishnarajpet (TP), Nagamangala (TP), Pandavapura (TP),

Shrirangapattana (TMC), Krishnarajasagara (NAC), Mandya (CMC), Maddur
(TMC), Malavalli (TMC)
A Handbook of Karnataka 376

Hassan District: Sakleshpur (TMC), Belur (TP), Arsikere (TMC), Satyamangala

(CT), Hassan (CMC), Alur (TP), Arkalgud (TP), Holenarasipur (TMC),
Channarayapatna (TMC)

Dakshina Kannada District: Mulki (TP), Mudbidri (TMC), Bajpe (CT), Mangalore
(M.Crop), Mudushedde (CT), Kannur (CT), Bajala (CT), Ullal (TP), Munnur (CT),
Someshwara (CT), Kotekara (CT), Mulur (CT), Adyar (CT), Pudu (CT), Thumbe
(CT), Bantval (TP), Beltangadi (TP), Puttur (TMC), Sulya (TP)

Kodagu District: Madikeri (TMC), Somvarpet (TP), Kushalnagar (CT), Virajpet

(TP), Gonikoppal (CT)

Mysore District: Piriyapatna (TP), Hunsur (TMC), Krishnarajanagara (TMC),

Mysore (M.Crop), Hebbalu (CT), Belvata (CT), Bhogadi (CT), Heggadadevanakote
(TP), Nanjangud (TMC), Bannur (TP), Tirumakudal-Narasipur (TP)

Chamarajanagar District: Gundlupet (TMC), Chamarajanagar (CMC), Yelandur

(TP), Kollegal (TMC)

Note: M. Corp : Municipal Corporation/Corporation, MC: Municipal Committee,

M C I : Municipal Council, CMC : City Municipal Council, TMC : Town Municipal
Council, NAC: Notified Area Committee/Notified Area Council, C T : Census Town,
T.P: Town Panchayat.
 Chapter X

EDUCATION AND SPORTS

Ancient educational institutions in the form of agraharas, Shivapuris,
brahmapuris, ghatikasthanas and mathas existed in the State following
traditional methods of teaching. Mathas were residential schools where the
teacher and the taught lived together. Agraharas and brahmapuris were
settlements of scholars and separate arrangements existed there to teach the
three R’s. Ghatikasthanas were meant for conferring degrees or certifying
scholarships. Rich families engaged teachers to teach their children privately.
There also grew institutions like Koolimatha, Salimatha or Odisuvamatha where
a teacher ran a school either in his house or in a public place like a temple or a
choultry and was paid in cash or kind during the harvesting season. Reading,
writing and arithmetic were taught and much of the learning was through
memorising or repeating the sentences or verses collectively. The cane played
a major role in disciplining mischievous pupils including those who were slow
of learning.

Vocational learning was mostly hereditary. A boy who was to pursue

the career of an accountant or a government servant was sent to a shop or
government office after he mastered the three R’s. He was to be a probationer
for long years. Government servants initiated their own young wards into their
offices and were later absorbed into service. Administrative service was also
hereditary before the advent of the British and for long even after. The offices of
a Shanbhag (village accountant) is a case to remind the old practice.

The beginning of modern education could be traced to the establishment

of the Free English School at Mysore in 1833 by the palace of Mysore (for the
erstwhile Mysore area); of the two Marathi Vernacular schools at Dharwad
and Hubli in 1826 by the Bombay Native School and School Book Society
respectively (for the Belgaum area); of schools in Mangalore, Udupi and Bellary
in 1838 (for the Madras Karnataka area); of the Dar ul Uloom at Gulbarga in
1853 by Sir Salarjung (for the Gulbarga area); of the two Anglo-Vernacular
Schools at Madikeri and Virajpet and a Kannada School at Ponnampet by the
Government in 1934 (for the Kodagu area). Chrishtian Missionaries played a
major role in starting schools and imparting English education during the 19th
century. The Education Integration Advisory Committee constituted by the
State Government in 1956 evolved a uniform system of education for the entire
state. For the year 1999-2000, the rate of literacy among males was 67.25%
and among females it was 44.34%. The total literacy rate was 56.04%. As per
2001 census, the literacy rate among males was 76.10% and that of females
was 56.90% with a total literacy rate of 66.60% in the State.
A Handbook of Karnataka 378

The Kindergarten system of education or the pre-primary education that

served as a stepping stone for primary education had become popular as early
as 1900. Children who had learnt to speak were admitted to these schools
without much consideration of their age. Pre-primary education was generally
imparted in nursery schools attached to a few primary schools. In the erstwhile
Mysore State it was done mostly by private agencies. In 1957 the government

Traditional Gurukula, Udupi

Madarasa, Bidar
Education And Sports 379

constituted a committee to study the question of pre-primary education. As per

the recommendations of the Committee, this education came to be imparted
systematically in pre-primary schools. During 1979-80 there were 3,118 pre­
primary schools in the state with 1,90,737 children in them. Under the Centrally-
sponsored Integrated Child Development Services, non-formal pre-school
education is given to children below six years of age. For 1999-2000 in the 175
taluks of the state, 28,85,979 beneficiaries are covered. In order to encourage
community support, a school adoption programme called “Dattu Yojane” has
been introduced in government schools recently. The “Samudayadatta Shale”
programme brings schools closer to the community.

In the present system o f pre-primary education, children who have attained

3 years and ten months of age are eligible for admission to Lower Kindergarten
(L.K.G.), so that by the time they complete their Upper Kindergarten (U.K.G.),
having attained 5 years and 10 months of age, they become eligible for
admission to the first standard. With a monitory gain in view, some schools
admit children under 3.10 also and send them to a class called “Preparatory” .
Employed parents leave their kids during office hours in day-care centres called
‘Creches’ not under education department.

Prim ary education:

It was recommended to be an integrated course of seven years by the

Education Integration Advisory Committee. The four years of primary and four
years of Middle School education were combined to form an integrated course
of eight years. A common syllabus was framed and introduced in a phased
manner beginning with 1959-60, so that by 1962-63, all primary schools in
the State had a uniform curriculum and syllabus. As per this revised syllabus,
in addition to the inclusion of three languages as per the Three-Language
Formula, Kannada was introduced as a compulsory subject from the third
standard to the sixth for the non-Kannada pupils. While Health education
formed a part of science syllabus, moral education was made compulsory
and physical education syllabus was strengthened. This revised syllabus was
implemented from 1974-75. During 1955-56 there were 22,803 primary schools
(including Senior Primary and Basic Schools) with a total student strength of
19,17,258. By 1981-82, the total number of Primary Schools was 35,549 with
a total enrolment of 51,73,621 children in them. They were taught by 1,17,686
teachers of whom 1,05,751 were trained and the rest, untrained. In the next
decade, the number of schools was 40,345 with a total of 71,90,963 children
who were taught by 1,35,609 teachers of whom 1,30,987 were trained. During
1993-94 there was a total of 41,684 schools, where a total of 77,56,598 children
studied. The total number of teachers for the said year was 1,45,068 of whom
1,39,331 were trained.
A Handbook of Karnataka 380

The total number of Lower Primary schools for the year 1999-2000 was
24,042 which included 22,154 government, 378 aided and 1,519 unaided ones.
For the same year, the total number of Higher Primary schools was 25,570 of
which were 20,814 government, 2,,058 aided and 2698 unaided schools. For
the above said total of 49,612 schools, there was a total of 2,09,839 teachers
of whom 1,73,120 were in government, 18,250 in aided and 18,467 in unaided
schools. The total number of children in the said schools for the same year was
1,73,340. The enrolment rate from I to VII standards was 82.96%, the drop-out
rate was 40.46%
For the year 2003-04, there were a total of 26,394 (24,534 Government,
342 aided and 1518 Unaided) Junior Primary Schools and 24,869 (18,798
Government, 2224 aided and 3,847 Unaided) Senior Primary Schools in the
state. In both the above categories of schools, a total of 2,54,824 (1,96,558
Government, 17,777 aided and 40,489 Unaided) teachers were working. There
A total of 83,87,452 (43,53,176 boys and 40,34,276 girls) students were
studying for the said year from standard one to seven. As on March 2006 there
were 54529 primary schools providing lower and higher primary education to
78,03,008 pupil in the state. The total number of Primary schools in the state
(both higher and lower) for the year 2006-07 was 56,348 and the total no.of
children in them was 78,26,444.
Com pulsory Prim ary Education: For 2003-04 an amount of 30.00 lakhs
was allotted for the implementation of compulsory primary education and a
total of 0.58 lakh students in the age group of six to 14 years were enrolled in
schools.
Free education for girls: This scheme of free education for girls studying in
government schools from standard one to seven was implemented during 2002­
03. To improve admission to schools during 2003-04, a total of Rs. 290.00 lakh
was spent on the refund of fee for girls studying in fifth, sixth and seventh
standards. A total of 11.60 girls availed this benefit.
new schools: For the benefit of those children living in the areas without
schooling facilities, 390 new government primary schools were started and
530 Junior primary schools were upgraded as Senior primary schools, during
2003-04.
Free sch oo l bags: To encourage girls belonging to SC and ST categories
studying from standards fifth to seventh, during the said year, 2.35 lakh bags
were distributed at a cost Rs. 250.00 lakhs.
Free t e x t books: A total of 65.78 students were given free text books at a
cost of Rs. 1530.00 lakhs for the said year.
Free uniforms: For the supply of free Uniforms to Primary school children
an amount of Rs. 3150.00 lakhs was spent and the number of beneficiaries
was 66.84 students (34.45 boys and 32.39 girls) during 2003-04.
Education And Sports 381

Free Mid-day m eal program me : In order to encourage attendance in schools,

to reduce the number of drop-outs, to contribute to the health of children
suffering with mal-nutrition and to improve the capacity of learning among
children, Mid-day meal programme that was begun on the 15th August 1995
for rural children and was extended to towns and cities also during 1997-98.
This programme was named Akshara Daasoha’ during 2003-04 and extended
to the entire state. A total of 202 crore was allotted for this programme for in
said year and the total number p f beneficiaries was 50,27,497.

School Drop-Outs: The percentage of drop outs from standard one to five
that was 8.90% during 2002-03, reduced to 8.39% for 2003-04. From standard
Six to Seven also, it got reduced to 7.77% for 2003-04 that stood at 8.57%
during 2002-03.

The T rim ester schem e

This scheme has been introduced in Primary and secondary schools for
standards one to nine from 2004-05 with the objectives of making learning a
continuous and meaningful process, throughout the academic year, to remove
fear psychosis about examination, to put an end to the habit of testing by
memory and to bring the education system closer to the average child. The
academic year is divided into three unites as:

I Trimester -July, August, September.

II Trimester- October, November, December.

III Trimester -January, February, March.

Classroom teaching and evaluation will be done only for the said three
months and grading system has been introduced instead of marks. Children
carry one book that contains the syllabus for three months. The quarterly, mid­
term and final examinations that were conducted now stand cancelled.

o p era tion Black Board (oBB)

The Centrally Sponsored Operation Black Board scheme was launched in

the state from the academic year 1997-98 in a phased manner, providing for
additional teachers in single teacher schools, teaching learning equipments
and construction of additional class rooms. A total of 14,350 single teacher
schools were provided with an additional teacher and 2,,769 Lower Primary
Schools with more than 100 pupils on rolls were given with a third teacher and
a third class room. Under the extended OBB scheme 17,718 Primary Schools
were given with an additional teacher’s post each and Rs. 40,000 grant per
school was released for teaching and learning equipments. During 1999-2000
a total of 1,086 LPS with more than 100 pupils on rolls were provided with a
third teacher and 3,788 classrooms were constructed.
A Handbook of Karnataka 382

M obile schools

To provide educational opportunities to slum children and drop-outs, Mobile

School System was started on an experimental basis during 1999-2000 with
the help of KSRTC. The objective of the system was to bring such children to the
main stream of learning and to inculcate school going habit in them. During the
said year, four Mobile Schools were started in four buses which were converted
as classrooms, with a total expenditure of 5.15 lakhs, and about 180 children
were benefited from the scheme.

For the year 2003-04, the number of mobile schools has been increased
from four to eight at a cost of 10 lakhs under the ‘ Sarva Shikshan Abhiyaan’
programme. A total of 454 children were studying in such schools for the year
2003-04.

secondary Education

In the princely State of Mysore, the first Government High School was started
In 1858 in Bangalore, affiliated to the University of Madras. Later, the Mission
schools at Tumkur, Shimoga and Hassan and the Maharaja’s School in Mysore
were taken over by the Government. The Secondary Education consisted of
two stages-Middle School stage and High School stage. The District Boards
started a number of High Schools after independence. In 1882 there were four
High Schools in Belgaum area and two High Schools in Madras area. The A.V.
School in Gulbarga was upgraded into a High School in 1875, and the Central
School at Madikeri was raised to the status of a High School in 1879.

After Reorganisation, the term Secondary Education gained a different

connotation. While in Old Mysore it applied to schools with a three-year course
after the eighth standard, in Bombay Karnataka area schools had a four year
course after Seventh Standard (also called Mulki schools). In Dakshina Kannada
there were Elementary (till 5th Standard), Middle (till eighth standard) and
High school till 11th standard. Similar was the case in the Hyderabad area.
By the time of Reorganisation, there were 537 Secondary Schools in the State
(including two Military schools) with a total strength of 1,25,645 students. A
new curriculum was introduced for secondary education all over the state in
1960 and a uniformity in pattern, syllabi and examination was achieved by
1963. S.S.L.C. was uniformly made a course of ten-years duration with the
eight, ninth and tenth being treated as High School classes.

The scheme of conversion of High Schools into Higher Secondary Schools

with the introduction of standard XI was implemented from 1964-65, upgrading
50 schools all over the state. This scheme of XI standard was drawn to a close
after the I year P.U.C. was introduced which became a two year course in
1972.
Education And Sports 383

During 1981-82, the total number of High Schools was 2,416 and the
number of children rose to 7.22 lakh. The total number of teachers working
in High Schools during 1981-82 for the whole state was 22,407. For the year
1993-94, a total of 5,732 High Schools existed in the State of which 1,488 were
Government Institutions, 2,111 were aided by the government, 2,106 were
unaided and 27 came under Local Bodies. There were in all 46,527 teachers
in them whose number respectively for the above category of institutions
was 12,972 (with l,314SC’sand361 STs), 21,392 (with l,254SC’sand441 STs),
Il,941(with700 SC’sand 218 STs) and 222 (with 220 SC’s and 2 ST’s).

The following are the details of High School students who appeared for the
S.S.L.C. Examination for two years:- For the 1992 April Session, for a total of
5,06,998 (3,27,748 boys and 1,79,250 girls) who appeared, a total of 2,46,978
(1,51,287 boys and 95,691 girls) or 48.71% passed. For the October session of
the same year, the number of students who took the examination was 1,52,264
(1,08,954 boys and 6,544 girls) or 12.68%.

During the 1993 April session, for a total of 4,09,141 candidates who took
the examination under the new scheme, 2,52,109 were boys and 1,57,032 were
girls. Among them, a total of 2,10,431 (1,22,655 boys and 87,776 girls) or
51.43% passed. Under the old scheme, for a total of 1,22,552 (89,817 boys
and 32,735 girls), a total of 29,396 (20,141 boys and 9,255 girls) or 23.98%
passed.

For the Supplementary examination conducted during 1993 October, the

following were the details of candidates: New Scheme-total appeared was
97,702(67,905 boys and 29,867 girls). Total passed was 15,002(9,829 boys and
5,173 girls). The percentage of passes was 15.34. Old Scheme-Total appeared
was 68,242 (51,522 boys and 16,720 girls). Total passed was 7,684(5,524 boys
and 2,160 girls). Total percentage of passes was 11.25.

During 1999-2000 the total number of High Schools rose to 8,248 in which
were 2,547 governments, 2,649 aided and 3,059 unaided schools. The total
number of teachers in them was 78,888 of whom were 3,005 in government,
29,869 in aided and 18,114 in unaided High Schools.

The total number of children in standard VIII was 6,88,662 (3,84,026 boys
and 3,04,636 girls); in standard IX it was 6,19,065 (3,44,557 boys and 2,74,508
girls) and in standard X it was 4,63,608 (2,62,080 boys and 2,01,528 girls),
in all totaling to 18,48,335. For the April 2000 SSLC Examination, a total of
3,76,314 students (2,03,896 boys and 1,72,418 girls) appeared and a total of
1,95,420 (1,08,166 boys and 87,254 girls) passed.

During 1999-2000, a total of 341 unaided High Schools were sanctioned. For
the government High Schools started during 1998-99, one post of Head Master,
A Handbook of Karnataka 384

one post of group D employee and 434 posts of Asst. Masters were sanctioned.
500 posts of Hindi teachers were sanctioned by a the central government for
them. During the same year 961 music, dance and drawing teachers were
recruited.

There was a total of 9,750 high schools in the state during 2003-04 in which
were 2,893 government and 2,627 aided high schools. A total of 20,61,229
children (11,02,812 boys and 9,58,417 girls) were studying in them. 117
new high school have been sanctioned for 27 districts them providing higher
education. A total of 468 staff of all groups has been sanctioned for the said
schools. During 2005-06 there were 9173 high schools providing education
upto SSLC to 2156936 pupils in the state. The total no.of high schools in
the state for the year 2006-07 was 10537 with a total student strength of
24,11,646.

SSLC Exam ination

For the April-2003 session, a total of 5,46,778 candidates (2,93,281 boys
and 2,53,497 girls) appeared from different schools of whom a total of 3,06,040
(1,56,269 boys and 1,49,771 girls) passed.

O f the total o f 11,316 private candidates (7,910 boys and 3,406 girls) 1,534
(920 boys and 614 girls) passed.

O f the total number of 1,82,784 (1,27,991 boys and 54,793 girls) repeaters,
38,466 (25,607 boys and 12,859 girls) passed.

Sanskrit Education

For the year 1999-2000 there were 264 aided and 123 unaided Sanskrit
Pathashalas in the state, with three government, eight aided and nine unaided
Sanskrit colleges imparting Sanskrit education.

For the year 2003-04 there were 370 Sanskrit Schools in the State in which
261 were aided. Teachers in them have been included in the Triple Benefit
Scheme (TBF). A total of 569 Sanskrit teachers belonging to 261 schools have
been given pension benefit by the government.

Hindi Education

A total of 91 Hindi Schools (80 schools with partial government grants, Six
unaided and five run by voluntary organizations) were functioning in the state
for the improvement of the National language, during 2003-04.

Music Education

There were 34 aided and 75 unaided special Music, Dance and Drama
institutions in the state with a total of 1,762 students in them, for the said
year.
Education And Sports 385

Awards
During 1999-2000, 20 primary school and 10 High school teachers were
honoured with state awards and nine primary school and four high school
teachers were honoured with national awards.
recru itm en t
A total of 1,168 probationary Headmasters for High Schools were recruited
by the KPSC during 1999-2000.
Com puterisation
With a view to computerise the activities of the education department,
computers have been provided to BEO’s and DDPI’s of all districts. A total of 75
BEO’s have been given with computers and a Computer Training Centre was
opened at the office of the CPI, Bangalore to train the officials in computers.
During 1999-2000, 11 officers and 219 officials have been trained,
te a c h e rs ’ education
In the erstwhile State of Mysore, steps were initiated as early as 1860 for
the training of teachers with the establishment of a training school at Mysore.
A Normal School was also started at Dharwd in 1867. It later became a post-
matric training college. With the introduction of Hobli School System in erstwhile
Mysore State, Normal Schools were established at all district hearquarters
(During the great famine of 1877, these schools were closed). One such school
was established at Mysore in 1893 with Upper Secondary and Pundit courses.
Two Normal Schools were opened in 1897 at Kolar and Tumkur followed by
three more at Bangalore, Hassan and Chitradurga. The Wesleyan Mission
started a private school at Tumkur. Teachers’ training classes were started
for women at Maharani’s College, Mysore in 1888. The Zanana Normal School
for Urdu Teachers was begun at Mysore in 1916. The first course for training
Middle School men teachers was started in Mysore in 1913 and a similar one
for women was started in 1928 at Maharani’s Women Training College. By
1931-32, there were eleven training institutions in the State of which nine were
government ones, one aided and the other, unaided. O f these eight were for
men and three for women. These institutions imparted four kinds of training
courses, viz., Undergraduate training course, Upper Secondary Training
Course, Lower Secondary Training Course (all three of one year duration)
and the revised Vernacular Training Course of two years’ duration. The last
three courses were revised in 1993 and a single course of Vernacular training
extending over a period of three years was begun. It was reduced to two years
duration in 1950 and was re-named as Teachers’ Certificate Higher Course of
one year duration. By 1956, there were seven TCH and Seven TCL institutions
in the State with a strength of 2,431 men trainees and 983 women trainees. For
the year 1999-2000, there were 136 TCH institutions with a strength of 9,982
trainees in them.
A Handbook of Karnataka 386

For the year 1992-93, there was a total of 49 Pre-primary TTI.s that comprised
five government, one aided and 43 unaided institutions. There was a total of
1,365 trainees in them for the same year. They were taught by 86 Teacher-
educators, 25 craft instructors, 12 music teachers, 11 physical education
instructors and 29 part-timers, for the said year.

The total number of primary TTI.s for!992-93 was 126 of which, were 34
Government, 41 aided and Sl unaided ones. A total of 6,571 trainees for the l
year and 13,186 trainees for the II year were trained in them. The total number
of staff was 1,238 that included 636 teacher educators, 108 physical education
teachers, 39 music teachers, 103 craft teachers and 147 part-timers for the
said year.

During 1999-2000 from the 136 TCH and 28 pre-primary Teacher Teaching
Centers, a total of 9,986 candidates appeared for the examination and 7,995
out of them or 78% passed.

Training o f Graduate Teachers: Before 1914, there was no provision in

the State for the training of graduate teachers. They had to go to the Teachers’
College at Saidapet, Madras for L.T. course. A training course for graduate
teachers was started in the Normal School, Mysore in 1914. The Mysore
University which was started in 1916 introduced the B.T. degree in 1925.-In
1947, a Teachers College with practising school was started by the Government
in Mysore. The faculty of education was begun in the Mysore University in 1952
and in 1956 M.Ed course was also introduced. By the time of re-organisation
of the state (1956) there were seven colleges of education in the state with
a total of 616 students in all, that included 121 women. By 1968, the total
number of colleges went up to 17, including the Regional College of Education,
Mysore. The total number of colleges was 48 in 1982, affiliated to the different
universities of the state and had a total student strength of 4,687 trainees.

During 1992-93, the total number of B.Ed. Colleges in the state was 64
of which, eight were Government institutions (that included The Regional
College of Education, Mysore), 16 were aided institutions and 40 were unaided
ones. The total number of trainees for the said year was 801 (540 men and
261 women) in Government institutions; 1,551 trainees (737 men and 814
women) in aided institutions; 4,172 trainees (2,611 men and 1,561 women)
in unaided institutions. A total of 680 staff members including 64 Principals,
153 Readers, 387 Lecturers and 43 part-timers worked in these institutions for
the said year. For the year 1996 there are 63 B.Ed. Colleges and 129 Teacher
Training Institutions in the state with an intake capacity of 7,260 TCH and
6,400 B.Ed, seats. For 1997 the no. of B.Ed. colleges rose to 66 and teacher
Training Institutes to 132. This member rose to 70 during 2003-04 and the
total student strength was 6,900.

The total no.of B.Ed., colleges in the state for the year 2004-05 was 251 with
a total of 13,428 (7400-M, 4,028-F) students in them.
 Education And Sports
Details o f D.Ed. Institutions and admissions for the academic years 2003-04 to 2008-09

Year Total Government Aided Un-Aided Total

No.of
candi­
date
applied
No.of Total Total No.of Total Total No.of Total Total No.of Total Total
Institu­ No.of No.of Institu­ No.of No.of Institu­ No.of No.of Institu­ No.of No.of
tions Govt, candi­ tions Govt, candi­ tions Govt, candi­ tions Govt, candi­
seats dates seats dates seats dates seats dates
admitted admitted admitted admitted
2003-04 39321 37 2170 2161 39 1496 1458 55 1431 1388 131 5097 5007
2004-05 44779 370 3270 3228 40 1692 1599 470 12206 9795 547 17168 14622
2005-06 71526 37 3270 3269 40 1768 1723 647 16608 12983 724 21646 17975
2006-07 45280 37 3270 3208 40 1693 1576 657 16950 12449 734 21913 17233
2007-08 40893 37 3270 3209 40 1713 1526 879 22900 15220 956 27883 19955
2008-09 36417 37 3270 3116 40 1716 1508 931 24211 14660 1008 29197 19284

387
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Details o f B.Ed. Institutions and Admissions for the academic years 2003-2004 to 2008-09

Year Total No.of Government Aided

candidate
applied
Institut-ions Govt. Filled Not Filled Institutions Gove. Filled Not Filled
seats Seats Seats seats Seats Seats
2003-04 278702 7 700 697 3 22 1600 1582 18
2004-05 34630 8 800 800 0 22 1600 1599 1
2005-06 36647 8 800 799 1 22 1600 1598 2
2006-07 30456 8 800 795 5 22 1600 1591 9
2007-08 29200 8 800 789 11 22 1575 1546 29
2008-09 27904 9 900 899 1 22 1575 1568 7

Year Total
No.of
Unaided Total
candidate
applied
Not Filled Not Filled
Institutions Govt, seats Filled Seats Institutions Govt, seats Filled Seats
Seats Seats
2003-04 39 1947 1913 34 68 4247 4192 55
2004-05 222 11028 10064 964 252 13428 12463 965
2005-06 326 16225 14368 1857 356 18625 16765 1860
2006-07 331 16475 13209 3266 361 18875 15595 3280
2007-08 365 18365 13068 5297 395 20740 15403 5337
2008-09 379 18895 11769 7126 410 21370 14236 7134

388
Education And Sports 389

pre-university education

The scheme of one year Pre-University education was introduced in the

state in 1967 as a substitute for the old intermediate (which was a two year
course after SSLC class). PUC was made into a two-year course in 1971-72,
after the Board of Pre-University Education (presently called the Department of
Pre-University Education) was established 1970. Schooling was reduced to 10
years (till SSLC). The two-year PUC is now being imparted in PU Colleges that
are managed by Government and private bodies. The Composite PU Colleges,
the Independent PU Colleges and the PUC in the First Grade Colleges-all
these impart this course of education. Steps have been taken to separate PUC
classes in First Grade Colleges and to attach them to the Department of PU
Education.

For the year 1994-95, there was a total of 1,893 PU Colleges in the state
of which, 220 (184 private and 36 Government) were attached to First Grade
Colleges; 313 (295 private and 18 government) were Independent Colleges;
1,360 (838 private and 522 Government) were composite PU Colleges.

From all the above Institutions, a total of 3,58,225 students appeared for
March ’93 P.U.C examination of which 1,39,110 (38.83%) passed. For the April
’94 session, for a total of 3,30,700 students, 1,24,462 (37.64%) and for the
October session of the same year, for a total of 1,43,593 that appeared, 38,432
(26.76%) students passed.

During 1999-2000 the no. of PU colleges rose to 2,042 as against 1893 in

1994-95. The no. included 682 Govt.718 private aided and 642 private unaided
PU colleges, hi 1999-2000, a total of 3,17,687 students were in the I PU and
3,22,668 were in the II PU. The total no. of students who appeared for the 1999
April examination was 2,20,122 (1,26,027 boys and 94,095 girls) and the total
no. of passes was 1,05,390 (51,948 boys and 53,442 girls). During 2005-06,
421882 students I PUC and 377816 students II PUC classes have studied in
the 2554 PU colleges of the state. The total no.of pre-university colleges for the
year 2006-07 was 3,027 with a student strength of 4,96,455 in the first year
and 4,04,656 in the second year.

Revaluation o f Answer s crip ts and Issuance o f photo Copies

For the first time in the history of PU education, the revolutionary system
of issuing photo copies of second PU valued answer scripts to students in four
science subjects was introduced during 1997-98 and the same was extended
to other subjects also in a phased manner.

New Colleges: To provide Pre-University education near the residence of

students, private managements are permitted to begin new Pre-University
A Handbook of Karnataka 390

colleges. During 2003-04 permission is accorded to start 113 new Pre-University

colleges with Science subject combination.

New T ext books: Under the able guidance of educational experts, new texts
have been brought out with revised syllabus keeping abreast the modern
trend and approaches. They are already being taught during the academic
year 2004-05.

Vocational Education:

During 2003-04, the total of 26,867 candidates who appeared for different
subjects of the I year JOC, 20,009 passed and of the 18,773 second year
candidates, 14,756 passed.

This P.U. course with science subjects qualifies a student to appear for the
Common Entrance Test for medical and engineering degree courses. This test
has been started from 1986. Till the end of 2006-07, a total of students have
been selected for difference courses through CET.

C ollegiate Education

The first ever institution of higher education in the entire Karnataka

territory was the Second Grade College started by the Madras Government at
Mangalore in 1869. The Government High School of Bangalore was upgraded
into a College in 1870 and was named ‘Central College’ in 1875. The Mysore
Maharaja’s High School and the Shimoga Government High school prepared
candidates for the F.A. examination of the Madras University in 1879. The
Jesuits started St. Aloysius College at Mangalore in 1879 and the St. Joseph’s
College at Bangalore in 1882. The Maharaja’s Second Grade College founded
in 1864 at Mysore was upgraded into a First Grade College in 1902 and was
affiliated to the Madras University. The Mysore University was established in
1916, and the First Engineering College was begun by this University in 1917
at Bangalore and a Medical College in 1924 at Bangalore. Subsequently it was
shifted to Mysore in 1930. The Mysore Maharani’s College, the only college for
women in the state then, (1901) was upgraded into a First Grade College in
1920. Dharwad had The Karnatak College started in 1917 and Lingaraj College
was started by the K.L.E. Society at Belgaum in 1933. The National College and
The Basappa College were started by private agencies at Bangalore in 1945. By
1956, the erstwhile Mysore State had 14 First Grade Colleges, 14 intermediate
colleges and 14 professional colleges.

The Directorate of Collegiate Education was established in 1960 to bring

about uniformity in the administration of colleges of general education, By
then, there was a total of 42 colleges of which 17 were Government and 25 were
private, with a total of 27,338 students.
Education And Sports 391

During 1994-95, there was a total of 679 degree colleges in the state. Among
them were 136 Government Colleges, 267 Private Aided Colleges and 276
Un-aided Colleges. The total number of students in them for 1992-93 was -
4,81,920 (3,02,711 boys and 1,79,209 girls) and for 1993-94, the total was
4,36,128 with 2,70,536 boys and 1,65,592 girls.

Regional Offices of Collegiate Education were established at Bangalore,

Dharwad and Mysore in 1980, Mangalore and Gulbarga in 1985 and Shimoga
in 1996.

During 1999-2000 the total no. of degree colleges was 935 (151, government,
300 aided and 484 unaided). The total number of students in them was
4,23,565.

A total of 998 First Grade Colleges were functioning in the State during
2003-04 affiliated to the six universities that included the Government Law
College, Kolar. Among the others were, 165 Government First Grade Colleges,
300 Private aided First Grade Colleges and 532 Private Unaided First Colleges.
Regional Offices at Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Shimoga, Dharwad and
Gulbarga each under a Joint Director are in charge of their region and are
controlled by the Commissioner of Collegiate Education, Bangalore.

For the said year, the number of students was 90,061 (51584 men and
38477 women) in Government First Grade Colleges and 166814 (84802 men
and 82012 Women) in Private aided First Grade Colleges, besides 500 students
(380 men and 120 women) were studying in the only Government Law College,
Kolar. During 2005-06 of 1000 Degree colleges in the state there were 167
Government Degree Colleges (General) and one Government Law College; 765
private (General) and 67 law colleges were working in the State.

For the year 2006-07, the total no.of government and private aided degree
colleges imparting B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., and BBM education was 482 and the
total student strength was 3,43,472 (with 111095 in government and 232377
in private aided colleges)

The following table gives Districwise and University-wise details of Degree

colleges (General Law)in the state during 2005-06.
A Handbook of Karnataka 392

SI District Govt. Pvt. Total

Colleges Colleges No. of
Colleges.
General Law aided unaided
General Law General Law
1 Bangalore Urban 12 0 44 0 45 21 22
2 Bangalore (R) 07 0 04 0 08 00 19
3 Tumkur 12 0 08 0 21 02 43
4 Kolar 11 1 05 0 05 01 23
5 Mysore 09 0 13 01 21 03 47
6 Chamarajanagar 03 00 03 0 05 0 11
7 Mandya 07 0 07 0 09 02 25
8 Hassan 11 0 05 1 07 01 25
9 Shimoga 01 0 08 01 18 0 36
10 Chitradurga 07 0 07 0 19 2 35
11 Davanagere 03 0 10 0 16 1 31

12 Chikmagalur 07 06 04 0 04 1 16
13 Dakshina 07 0 19 0 18 4 491
Kannada
14 Udupi 07 0 13 0 11 02 341
15 Kodagu 01 6 03 0 03 0 8
16 Dharwad 02 0 16 1 23 03 46
17 Gadag 04 0 09 0 09 01 24
18 Haveri 04 0 08 0 08 01 21
19 Uttara Kannada 04 0 13 02 07 02 28
20 Belgaum 03 0 28 0 32 05 69

21 Bijapur 02 0 12 0 12 1 29

22 Bagalkot 14 0 15 02 33
23 Gulbarga 10 0 14 02 25 0 51
24 Raichur 04 0 05 0 06 01 16
25 Koppala 04 0 03 0 02 0 09
26 Bellary 05 0 07 0 07 01 20
27 Bidar 01 0 10 0 19 02 30
Total 167 01 292 08 473 59 1000
Education And Sports 393

u n iversity Education

The Mysore University (1916) was the First University to be started in

Karnataka. This was followed by the Karnatak University (1949), the Bangalore
University (1964), the Mangalore University (1980), the Gulbarga University
(1980)and the Kuvempu University (1987). The two Universities of Agricultural
Sciences- the one at Bangalore (1965) and the other at Dharwad(1986), cater
to the needs of students aspiring after specialisation in the different branches
of agriculture. Recently in 1991 Kannada University at Hampi has also been
started to promote the study of the Kannada language, art and culture. It has
a art study centre at Badami too. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education
(MAHE) has been granted the status of a Deemed University from 1993. As
on 2006 March there were 18 post graduate centres run by the different
universities in the State.

There are other centres of higher learning like the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore (1911), Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (1972),
the National Law School of India University, Bangalore (1987) and Institute for
Social and Economic Change, Bangalore (1972).

Karnataka University,.Dharwad
 Districtwise and universitywise No.of degree colleges for the year 2006-07

A Handbook of Karnataka
Govt, colleges Private colleges Total Pvt. Total Total
Sl.No. Aided Unaided General Pvt. Law No.of
General Law General Law General Law Colleges colleges Colleges
Name of the district
(5+7) (6+8)
1 2 392 393 394 395 396* 397* 398 399 400
BANGALORE UNIVERSITY-REGIONAL OFFICE, BANGALORE
1 Bangalore Urban 12 0 44 0 56 0 56
2 Bangalore Rural 8 0 4 0 12 0 12
3 Tumkur 12 0 8 0 20 0 20
4 Kolar 11 1 5 0 16 1 17
Total 43 1 61 0 104 1 105
MYSORE UNIVERSITY-REGIONAL OFFICE, MYSORE
5 Mysore 10 0 13 1 23 1 24
6 Chamaraj anagar 3 0 3 0 6 0 6
7 Mandya 7 0 7 0 14 0 14
8 Hassan 15 0 5 1 20 1 21
Total 35 0 28 2 63 2 65
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY-REGIONAL OFFICE, SHIMOGA
9 Shimoga 10 0 8 1 18 1 19
10 Chitradurga 7 0 7 0 14 0 14
11 Davanagere 4 0 10 0 14 0 14
12 Chickmagalur 7 0 4 0 11 0 11
Total 28 0 29 1 57 1 58
MANGALORE UNIVERSITY - REGIONAL OFFICE, MANGALORE
13 Dakshina Kananda 8 0 19 0 27 0 27
14 Udupi 9 0 13 0 22 0 22
15 Coorg 2 0 3 0 5 0 5
Total 19 0 35 0 54 0 54

394
 Education And Sports
KARNATAKA UNIVERSITY - REGIONAL OFFICE, DHARWAD
16 Dharwad 4 0 16 1 20 1 21
17 Gadag 6 0 9 0 15 0 15
18 Haveri 5 0 8 0 13 0 13
19 Uttara Kannada 4 0 13 1 17 1 18
20 Belgaum 5 0 27 1 32 1 33
21 Bijapur 2 0 14 0 16 0 16
22 Bagalkot 5 0 12 0 17 0 17
Total 31 0 99 3 130 3 133
GULBARGA UNIVERSITY - REGIONAL OFFICE, GULBARGA
23 Gulbarga 10 0 14 2 24 2 26
24 Raichur 5 0 5 0 10 0 10
25 Koppal 4 0 3 0 7 0 7
26 Bellary 6 0 7 0 13 0 13
27 Bidar 1 0 10 0 11 0 11
Total 26 0 39 2 65 2 67
Grand total 182 1 129 8 0 0 473 9 482

* Information not available

395
A Handbook of Karnataka 396

Deemed universities: At the request of the private education institutions,

the Central human resources ministry, after thorough survey and inspection
accord sanction for Deemed Universities. As a result besides the above
mentioned Universities, there are 4 such deemed universities duly recognized
by the Central human resource ministry situated in places like Belgaum, Kolar,
Manipal,. Recently six more institutions (two from South Kanara and one each
from Mysore Tumkur, Bijapur are likely to be given the deemed university
status. In this regard 14 other reputed institutions like Dharmasthala
Manjunathaeshwara Education Trust. PES Mandya, are expecting approval
from the Central Government. The total no.of universities in the state for the
year 2006-07 was 18 with location as follows; Bangalore -6, Belgaum, Bijapur;
Mysore-2, Shimoga, Tumkur; Dharwar - 2 and Dakshina Kannada, Udupi -
one each, Bellary and Gulbarga - one each.

W om en’s un iversity, Bijapur.

With the aim of providing post graduate education for women, an exclusive
university was begin at Bijapur for them during August 2003 with six
departments viz., Kannada, English, Sociology, Economics, Women’s studies
and Education. During 2007-08, the departments of Management studies,
Pharmacetical and Bio-chemistry, Electronics, Computer Science, Library and
Information Science, Journalism and Mass communication, MSW and MPEd
have been introduced The total no. of students from all the above departments
for the year 2007-08 was 300. the total staff was 41 with 2 professors, 13
readers, and 26 lecturers. A total of 124 non-teaching staff, employed on
a contract basis which is renewed every eight months are working in the
University.

The University is functioning in the District circuit house since inception for
want of accommodation. The government has granted 286 acres of land on the
Athani road for construction of its own building.

Gulbarga U niversity

Gulbarga University was formerly a post graduation centre of Karnatak

University. In 1980 The Govemment of Karnataka enacted a law and gave it the
status of a university. Its jurisdiction extends to the five districts of Gulbarga,
Bidar, Raichur, Bellary and Koppal Districts of Hyderabad Karnataka. The
main campus is located 10 km away from the Gulbarga city. The university
has more than 37 teaching departments and 4 research centres. The university
has a qualified staff of more than 200 members and around 1000 technical and
non-technical staff members. The university also has several affiliated colleges
and comprises the following faculties;

. Department of Computer Science

. Faculty of Science & Technology

Education And Sports 397

. Faculty of Arts

. Faculty of Social Sciences

. Faculty of Law

. Faculty of Education

. Faculty of Commerce and Management

. Department of Mathematics

. Faculty of Management

The Indira Gandhi National Open University

This University was established by an Act of the parliament in 1985 with

two academic programmes - Diploma in Management and Diploma in Distance
Education with a strength of 4528 students all over the country. To-day it
serves the educational needs of nearly 1-8 million students in India and 32
other countries through the 21 schools of study and 58 regional centres.

One such regional centre established in 1987 is functioning at Bangalore

controlling its 58 study centres located in Karnataka and Goa. There are 21
multi-programme learner support centres and 58 programme specific learner
support centres in Karnataka and Goa. IGNOU employes multi media like
print, audio and video to impart regardless of their age,place of stay or status.

M edical Education

The erstwhile State of Mysore started the Medical School in Bangalore in

1917. It was under the control of a senior surgeon of the Medical Department.
A training of four years duration prepared candidates for the Licentiate in
Medical Practice (LMP) course. The first Medical College preparing students for
the MBBS Course was begun in 1929 at Bangalore. These two institutions were
run for the next six years with a common teaching staff. But the Medical College
was shifted to Mysore in 1930 and the school remained in Bangalore and was
subsequently closed in 1956. The Mysore Medical College was expanded in
1940.

The Bangalore Medical College was formed in 1954. Later the Kasturba
Medical College at Manipal and the Karnataka Medical College at Hubli were
started in 1953 and 1956 respectively. By 1980, there were in all 12 Medical
colleges in the state, out of which four were Government and eight were private.
The Government Medial College, Bellary (1961) has been granted autonomous
status in 1995. The All-India Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences at
Bangalore offers P.G.Courses in M.D.(Pay.Md-) and M.Ch(Neuro-Surgery). The
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing located at Mysore makes use of non-
A Handbook of Karnataka 398

clinical facilities in the Departments of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology at

Mysore Medical College as well as clinical facilities in the Departments of ENT
and Neurology at the Mysore K.R. Hospital.

For the year 1993-94 there were 19 Medical Colleges of which four were
Government institutions. The number of Dental Colleges was 41, of which one
was a Government institution. A total of 61 Pharmacy colleges including the
Government College of Pharmacy at Bangalore and the 11 Nursing Colleges
including the Government Nursing College, at Bangalore were working in the
state. In addition to them, there are Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Unani Medical
Colleges which have been offering degrees in the respective fields of medicine.
There are 16 colleges of Ayurvedic medicine in the state of which the College of
Indian Medicine, Mysore (1908) and the Jayachamarajendra College of Indian
Medicine, Bangalore (1967) are run by the government. Thirteen colleges
are run by private managements of which those at Belgaum, Bijapur, Hubli,
Udupi and Dharmasthala are among the earliest. There are three Homeopathic
Colleges in the State offering L.C.E.H. and G.C.E. degrees. The only Unani
College of Medicione (1975) is located at Bangalore and offers B.U.M.S. Degree
of Five and a half years duration.

R ajiv Gandhi u n iversity o f Health scien ces

To ensure systematic instruction, teaching, training and researches in

modern medicine and the Indian System of Medicine, the Ayurvedic and
Unani system of medicine, and bringing all colleges imparting such systems
of medicine, under one administration the government thought it appropriate
to establish one exclusive university for the entire state and there was born
the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences at Bangalore on 1st June 1996.
It is carved out of the six universities of the state having colleges imparting
medical education. The university is headed by the health education secretary
Government of Karnataka, who is the Chancellor with the minister for medical
education as the pro-Chancellor. The full time officer is the Vice-Chancellor
assisted by a Registrar to look after the administration. There is an exclusive
Registrar to look into the examination and results. A Finance Officer deals
with all the financial matters o f the university. But the government audits the
accounts annually.

A uniform syllabus for the entire state courses is framed to achieve the
said academic progress. There is a research committee comprising experts to
develop the research policy and research projects. With its computerization
of entire administration and examination systems, the university has catered
to the academic needs of all its students without delay. To provide further
convenience to its students, two regional centres are established by the
university at Belgaum and Gulbarga. For the year 2006-07, it had a total of
65 colleges under its purview all over the state with a total student strength of
about two lakh and a teaching faculty of over 20,000 men and women.
Education And Sports 399

For the year 2006-07 there were 36 allopathic colleges with 4355 students,
68 colleges of Indian system of medicine with 12,766 students 43 Dental
colleges with 2860 students in the state under the university.

The Indian Institute o f M anagement, Bangalore (IIMB)

The IIMB Bangalore was established in 1973 by the Govt.of India. Presently
it is recognized internationally as one of the most competitive, top 100 B
schools, in the world. The institute is well known for excellence in research
and scholarship of Global character, values and diversity. It’s perspective on
economic and social issues in India is highly regarded which isdemonstrated
by the quality research and output from its faculty and research centres. The
IIMB has the following disciplines at its Bangalore centre.

• Centre for Public Policy

• Centre for Capital Market Education Research

• Centre for Corporate Governance and Citizenship

• Centre for Distance Education

• Centre for Development of Cases and Teaching Aids

• Centre for Enterprise Resource Planning

• Centre for Insurance Research and Education

• Centre for Software and Information Technology Management

• Centre for Supply Chain Management

• N.G. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning

A special programme of one year called Executive Post Graduate Programme

in Management (E-PGP) is also exclusively conducted by the IIMB
The Institute is located in a sprawling compound spread over 100 acres of
lush woods, flora and fauna.

Indian Institute o f Science

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is a Indian-Government designated,

premier (top-tier), research institution o f higher learning located in Bengaluru,
India. It was established in 1909. According to the journal Current Science (1)
IISc currently ranks first in India in terms of research output and quality of
faculty (citation and impact factor). It also ranks first among Indian universities
(and South Asian universities) in the “Academic ranking of world universities”
conducted by the SJTU, China (2)

The Institute spends the highest amount on research among all universities
in India. Admissions to IISc are highly competitive, consistently admitting
only the top 1 percentage of those attempting the Graduate Aptitude Test for
Engineers (GATE).
A Handbook of Karnataka 400

The land and other facilities for the institution were pitched in from
Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore and Tata himself. While the
Maharaja donated 372 acres (1.5 Km) of land free of cost, Jamsetji Tata gave
several buildings and landed properties towards the creation of IISc.(7) Since
then, the Government of Karnataka gifted lands during the Golden Jubilee
and Platinum Jubilee of the Institute making the Current land holding of the
Institute 443 acres.

The constitution of the Institution was approved by the Viceroy Lord Minto,
and the necessary Vesting Order was signed on 27 May 1909. Early in 1911,
the Maharaja of Mysore laid the foundation stone of the Institution and on 24
July, the first batch of students were admitted in the Departments of General
and Applied Chemistry under Norman Rudolf and Electro-Technology under
Alferd Hay. Within two months, the Department of Organic Chemistry was
opened. With the establishment of the University Grants Commission in 1956,
the Institute came under its purview as a Deemed University.

At the time of the inception of IISc in 1909, Morris Travers, William Ramsay’s
co-worker in the discovery of the noble gases, became its first Director. For
Travers this was a natural continuation of his work on the Institute, since
he had played a role in its founding. Often called Tata Institute, IISc has
made many significant contributions primarily because of certain uniqueness
in its character. It is neither a National laboratory, which concentrates solely
on research and applied works, nor a conventional university, which concerns
itself mainly with teaching. However, the Institute is concerned with research
in frontier areas and education in current technologically important areas.

The Institute was the first to introduce (i) Masters programs in engineering;
(ii) more recently, the Integrated Ph.D. Programs in Biological, Chemical,
Physical and Mathematical Sciences for science graduates; (iii) the new IISc
Young Fellowship program for the first 20 rank holders at the +2 level; and (iv)
IISc Young Engineering Fellowship program for merited III year B.E., B.Tech.
students.

The campus houses more than 40 departments, six canteens (cafeterieas),

a gymkhana (gym), three dining messes (halls), one multi cuisine family
restaurant, nine men’s and five women’s hostels (dormitories), an air strip,
a library, two shopping centres, a massage parlour, a beauty parlour and
residence areas for faculties and other staff members.

The library was established in 1911 and it is one of the first three departments
started in the Institute (the other two are Departments of General and Applied
Chemistry and Electro-technology). It is regarded as one of the best scientific
and technical libraries in India. Apart from the main library, the Institute also
has independent departmental libraries. The library moved into the present
premises in January 1965, built out of grants provided by University Grants
Education And Sports 401

Commission (UGC) in commemoration of the golden jubilee celebrations of the

Institute in 1959. IN 1995, the library was renamed as J.R.D.Tata Memorial
Library.

The Computer Centre, established in 1970 as a central computing facility,

became Supercomputer Education and Research Centre (SERC) in 1990 to
provide of computing facility to the faculty of higher order and students of the
Institute. SERC is created and fully funded by the Minstry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD) to commemorate the platinum jubilee of the Institute.

Admission into IISc is highly competitive. Usually only the top one percent
candidates qualifying the GATE examination are able to clear the cut-off for
M.E. M.Tech admissions. Depending on the department and the number of
students, the cut-off can get much higher. Admission to research programmes
of the Institute, both PhD and M.Sc(Engg), is based on career analysis and
(possibly) multiple rounds of technical interviews in the campus. Candidates
are called for interview based on the entrance test of the Institute or any other
test recognized by the Institute (which depends on the choice of department
and specialization). For course oriented degrees - M.E. and M.Tech. - the
admission is through the GATE examination conducted every year. For Master
of Business Adminstration (M.B.A) which has a ceiling strength of only 25 seats
across India, the admission is through the Joint Management Entrance Test
(JMET) examination, conducted jointly by IISc and IITs. .In addition, a group
discussion and personal interview are also conducted to select the candidates.
Recently its centenary celebratrons was conducted succesfoly in 2009.

Tech nical Education

The imparting of technical education as a part of curriculum made its beginning

in the latter part of the 19th century, when the first technical institute, the
School of Engineering was established in 1862 at Bangalore, affiliated to the
Madras University. Rao Bahadur Arcot Narayanaswamy Mudaliar established
a technical institution in the Civil and Military Station at Bangalore in 1873
where students were prepared for lower services of the P.W.D. The Industrial
School, Dharwad was established in 1873. An Industrial School at Hassan
and another at Mysore were established in 1889 and 1892 respectively.
The one started at Bidar in 1905 taught Bidri work. The Mechanical
Engineering School was started in Bangalore in 1913. These schools were later
brought under the control of the Department of Industries and Commerce.
In addition to the two major Industrial Schools viz., The Chamarajendra
Technical Institute, Mysore and the Weaving Institute of Bangalore, there were
Government Industrial Schools at Mysore, Hassan, Chickmagalur, Shimoga,
Chitradurga, Chikballapur, Dodballapur, Sagar and Nelamangala. The Zanana
Home Industrial Institute, Channapatna was the only grant-in-aid institute
A Handbook of Karnataka 402

imparting industrial training for women. At the time of integration, there were
14 industrial Schools in the erstwhile Mysore area. The Mysore Government
constituted a Council of Technical Education and a Syllabus Board in 1952.
The D.P.I, was appinted Ex-Offlcio Director of Technical Education in Mysore.
The State Board of Technical Examination also came into being in 1952 and
awarded Diploma from 1953-1954.

Indian Institute o f Science, Bangalore

Engineering Degree Colleges; The first Engineering degree College was

started by the Mysore Government in 1917 at Bangalore. After 1946, three
more colleges were started - one by Government and two by private agencies.
By the time of Integration of the State, there were totally five engineering
colleges (two government and three private) in the State. They were, the
Government Engineering College, Bangalore, Govt.BDT Engineering College
Davanagere, BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore, National Institute of
Engineering, Mysore and BVS College of Engineering, Hubli (all private). By
1993-94 there was a total of 47 Engineering Colleges in the State of which four
were Government institutions, nine were aided and the rest unaided. The large
number of professional institutions in Karnataka attracts students not only
from the several parts of India but also from foreign countries.

In 1999, The Visveshwaraiah Technological University was established at

Belgaum. For the academic year 1999-2000 there were 77 government aided
and private Engineering Colleges and 185 government aided and private
Polytechnics, six Government Junior Technical Schools, and three degree level
Education And Sports 403

aided Fine Arts colleges under the purview of the Department of Technical E
ducation. During the said academic year six private Engineering Colleges in
various places of the state and one Government Polytechnic exclusively for
women at Gulbarga were started.

During 1996-97 government started polytechnics at Koppal, Soraba,

Kushtagi, Bagepalli and SKSJT Eve. Institute at Bangalore. The intake capacity
in all engineering colleges is a total of 24,354 per year : Polytechnics - total
32,212; Junior Technical Schools total - 360 and Fine Arts colleges total 160.

During 1999-2000, eight government and aided Polytechnics were given

autonomous status, 12 Engineering Colleges and 10 Polytechnics have been
selected as “Centres of Excellence” .

For the year 2003-04, there were 308 technical education institutes of different
kinds in the state. Among them were 112 degree colleges (06 Government, 11
aided and 95 private); 187 Polytechnics (38 Government, 44 aided and 105
Private); 06 Junior Technical schools (all government) and three Art Schools
(all aided), all governed by the Vishveshwaraiah Technical University. During
2006-07 there were a total of 122 Engineering colleges in the state with a
total student strength of 41,853. The total no.of polytechnics was 179 with a
student strength of 32,937.

Com m unity P olytechnic Schem e

With a view to provide technical expertise to rural masses under direct

financial assistance from the Central Government, Community Polytechnics
were started and for 2003-04, 75 Such Polytechnics were functioning in the
state. The benefit of the above scheme can be availed by those who discontinue
their studies and the rural uneducated youth.

Two Polytechnics were exclusively started by the government for women-

one at Gulbarga during 1999-2000 and the other at Ramanagaram during
2001-02.
Central Food Tech nological Research Institute
CFTRI Mysore is one of the 40 national research laboratories set up under
the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India on 21
October 1950.
The following departments function at the Institute.
Biochemistry and Nutrition
. Fermentation Technologies and Bio-engineering
. Flour Milling, Baking and Confectionery Technologies

. Food Engineering
A Handbook of Karnataka 404

. Food Microbiology
. Food Packaging Technology
. Food Protectants and Infestation Control
. Food Safety and Analytical Quality Control Laboratories.
. Food Science and Technology Information Services (FQSTIS)
Fruit and Vegetable Technology
. Grain Science and Technology
. Human Resource Development
. Lipid Science and Traditional Foods
. Meat, Fish and Poultry Technology
. Plant Cell Biotechnology
. Plantation Products, Spices and Flavour Technology
. Proteis Chemistry and Technology
. Sensory Science.

After 50 years of tryst with India’s food destiny, CFTRI today stands out
among the largest and most diversified technology laboratories in the world.
From an institution that started with just 3 persons, it has now evolved into a
solid pool of talent and knowledge, with over 300 scientists, technologists and
engineers, and over 400 technicians, skilled workers and support staff on its
payroll. Its multi-disciplinary spread (across 16 R & D departments) covers
almost every field of scientific investigation connected with food and their
relationship to humans, including the cutting edge area of food biotechnology.

Legal Education

The first Law College in Karnatka was started at Belgaum in 1939 by the
Karnataka Law Society, a private body and the name of the college was Raja
Lakmangauda Law College. There were four Law Colleges in the state at the
time of reorganisation-two in Mysore area and two in Belgaum area with a
total strength of 758 that included two women. The course was of two years
duration, leading to the B.L.Degree of the Mysore University and the L.L.B
Degree of the Karnataka University. The latter also conducted examination for
the Master Degree in law (LLM). By 1968, the number of colleges went upto 13
with the region-wise break-up as, eight in Mysore, three in Belgaum (including
the University law College of Dharwad), one each in Mangalore and Gulbarga.
The total enrolment in all the above colleges was 4,080, including 147 women.
By 1981-82, there was a total of 32 Law Colleges in the State including the two
University Law Colleges-one at Bangalore and the other at Dharwad. The rest
Education And Sports 405

were managed by private agencies, where classes were conducted either in the
morning or in the evening to facilitate employed students.

The Law course which was to be previously taken up after graduation was
changed and the Bar Council o f India proposed a drastic change bringing legal
education at par with the other professional courses. It was made a five year
course to be taken up after the +2 course, common to students all over the
country. However the old system still prevails in a majority of the law colleges.
The National School of Law University is a prestigious institute in Bangalore,
established in 1988.

For the year 1999-2000 the number of Law colleges was 68 with 23,302
students in them (including the two University Law colleges). As on 2006 there
were (one government law college and 67 private) 68 law colleges engaged in
imparting legal education in the state, besides the two universities law colleges
at Mysore and Dharwad.

Libraries

For the year 2003-04, a total of 3,680 different kinds of libraries were
catering to the needs of the readers. They were, State Central Library- one Indira
Priyadarshini childrens Library-two; Technical Public Library- One; District
central Libraries-27; City Central Libraries-19; Mobile Libraries-15; Branch
Libraries-404; Service Centres-60; Reading Rooms-36; Gram Panchayata
Libraries-3029; Book distribution Centres-65 and aided libraries-21. There was
a total of 1334 allotted posts of different categories of staff of which 1050 were
filled. The budget allotment for the year was Rs. 2059.00 lakh. As on 2006
there were 5325 libraries located in 29 districts (including the gramapanchayat,
branch and mobile services) 269 urban libraries (including the town libraries
branch library and mobile libraries) in the state.

The total no.of libraries in the state for the year 2006-07 was 5683 which
included 5372 district and 311 urban libraries. The figure also included village
panchayat, Branch and mobile libraries in it.

SPORTS

Karnataka holds an important place in the sports map of India to-day.

Through the paintings of pre-historic period we learn that sports and games
were the favourite pastime of people in those days. Records and evidences
are available to us from the Kadamba times. Gambling and Dice were among
the means of recreation. Manasollasa, a 12th century Sanskrit encyclopeadia
gives a long list of games like playing at the swing, at sands, and in groves,
boat race, dice, animal fights etc. Several indigenous games played by boys
and girls in groups, became popular. They included Kalla-police, Kott-Koli,
Topiyaata, Cat and Rat, Run for Supper, Sun and Shadow, Upparapatte,
Kannamuchchale (hide and seek), Kunte-Bille, Gultorio, Kabaddi, Marakoti,
A Handbook of Karnataka 406

Bugariyaata, Haavvchelu, Chinni-dondu, horserace, sackrace, potato race

and the like. Indoor games included Gajjuga,, Chess, Ganjipa (a kind of card
game), Alagulimane. Swargarohana (snake and ladder), Chess etc. Krishnaraja
Wodeyar III had written a book on the game of chess.

O f late, Physical Education is being imparted on scientific principles. Several

institutions like Yogasana centres, Sevadal, Scouts and Guides and the NCC
also train children in physical exercise. Department of Education, Directorate
of Youth Services and Sports, Director of Physical Education, attached to
each University and several Voluntary Youth Organizations are also engaged
in sports activities. The Netaji National Institute of Sports (at Bangalore) and
Nehru Yuva Kendras located in almost all district headquarters are provided
with grants both by the State and the Central Government for the streamlining
of the sports sector. The Department of Public Instruction in Karnataka has
included Physical Education in the curricula of schools. After reorganization,
uniform rules were framed regarding the curriculum, staff and time-table for
Physical Education. The “National Fitness Corps” (NFC) came into being in
1965, applicable to children in the age group of nine to 16, as per which, a
new comprehensive syllabus was formed. Thus Physical Education became a
co-curricular syllabus. The NFC instructors were absorbed in the Department
of Youth Services in 1976. A post of Superintendent of Physical Education
was created to assist the D.P.I, in Karnataka. Later, a post of Divisional
Superintendent of Physical Education was also created for each of the revenue
divisions, attached to the J.D.P.I. At the University level, the Department is
headed by the Director of Physical Education with several Assistant Directors
to help him.

A seperate College of Physical Education was started by the Government

in Bangalore in 1959, where D.P.Ed. Course for graduates was offered. In
1967, CP.Ed. course was also introduced for matriculates. In 1972, when the
M.P.Ed, course was introduced, C.P.Ed, was abolished. The College was taken
over by the Bangalore University in 1976. Similarly the Physical Education
College (1972) run by the University of Mysore and two colleges of Physical
education under the Karnatak University also offered B.P.Ed, course. In
addition to this, many private colleges prepare students for C.P.Ed, course
in the State. The prominent among them being, the YMCA Bangalore, College
of Physical Education Mallihalli, Municipal College of Physical Education,
Chikkaballapur, Hemavathi College of Physical Education, Shravanabelagola
and the PE Colleges in Anchihalli (Tumkur dt.) and Bethamangala (Kolar Dt).
Several associations in different sports events have been encouraging all games
and conduct tournaments, inviting players from all over the country. There are
several recreation clubs all over the state that cater to the employed masses to
spend their evenings joyfully. Generally all factories have such clubs. Traditional
gymnasia called garadimane existed in villages where wrestling and Malkhamb
Education And Sports 407

training was imparted. During the national movement, Vyayamashalas came to

be founded in all important centres like Dharwad, Bellary, Kottur, Bangalore,
Bantwal and other places. Dr. Hardikar’s Hindustani Seva Dal played a special
role by encouraging sports and physical exercises.

Wrestling has been a favourite sport from the ancient times. ‘Garadimane’
can be seen in all towns and big villages even to-day as mentioned already. The
rulers of Mysore themselves were good wrestlers. They even conducted wrestling
competitions. Wrestling bouts were common during Dasara in Vijayanagara
times and Dasara sports were an annual feature in Mysore during the days of
royalty and even to-day.

The State can boast of a host of athletes and players in different track
and field events, athletics and other popular games. Here is a list of some
notable ones till 1982 (given in brackets are the games they represent):-
Amjad Khan (football), Allen Schofield (Hockey), Ananth K.R.(Mountaineering),
Angel Mary (Athletics), Anil Kumar (Basket ball), Anisha Prasad (Swimming
- Women), Anthony (Foot ball), Appaiah (Hockey), Aravind Savoor (Billiards),
Aswathaiah (Volley-ball), Brijesh” Patel, Kirmani SMH, Roger Binny, G.R.
Vishwanath, Chandrasekar B.S. (All Cricket), Chitra Gangadharan (Football-
Women), Deshmuthu.C. (Hockey), Dev Prasad (Cycling), Elviro Britto (Hockey-
Women), Gabriel (Athletics), Ganesh.M.P.(Hockey), Gopalappa.P.(Kabaddi),
Govinda.B.P.(Hockey), Harischandra Hejmadi (Body-building), Indira
Srinivasamurthy (Ball Badminton-Women), Jayappa (Power lifting), Jugtha
Kahai (Cycling), Kabad Jayanth (table tennis), Kasturi Rangan (Cricket), Kenneth
Powel (Athletics), Kench.R. (Cycling), Khurshed.RIrani (Cycling-Women), Krishna
Gowda.H.N.(Kabaddi), Krishnan Kutti (Mountaineering), Lakkappa.T.V.(Weight
lifting), Laxmi.V.Karanth (Table tennis for Women), Mac Britto (Hockey-
Women), Manjunath Hegde (Body building), Nirmala Uthaiah (Athletics-
women), Ponnappa .PC.(Athletics), Prakash Padukone (Shuttle), Prasanna
E.A.S. (Cricket), Ravindran.R.(Chess), Ravindranath (Karate), Ravi Prakash
(Yogasana), Swetha Devaiah (Basket ball-women), Shailendra.D.N.(chess),
Shyla K.N.and Shantha Ramamurthy (Ball badminton-Women), Sridharan. R.
(Chess), Subbanna.M. (Kabaddi), Vasudevaraju (Yogasana), and so on. Shantha
Rangaswamy had been the captain of national ladies Cricket team for long. The
ladies badminton team from Karnataka held championship for several years.

O f late, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Government of

Karnataka, has been providing facilities to athletes and sportsmen and
women to pursue their interest in sports. A Youth Service Officer is in charge
of each district and is responsible for the progress of sports activities in his
district. Athletes and sportsmen from all over Karnataka have been given all
encouragament to participate in national and international events. In the
National Women’s Sports Meet held at Bhopal in 1993, the following ladies
participated: 1) Athletics - V.A.Sumana (100 mts), Shanti Clever (400 mts),
A Handbook of Karnataka 408

Mariamma (1500 mts), Gowramma (4 x 100 relay), Shital Patil (Long jump),
G.R.Rekha (High jump). B. Padmavathi (Discuss Throw), Sharin Belliyappa
(Javelin throw), Shanti Oliver (4 x 400 relay) and Levina Lobo (4 x 400 relay);
2) Kabaddi - Jamuna Mayamma, Sumithra, Kavitha, Jalajakshi, N.C. Savitha,
S.K.Umachagi, C.R.Hadpad and N.Kavita; 3) Badminton- Sharmila, Deepa
Ganapathi and Deepa Bokil; 4) Volley ball - Jayamala, Farida, Kalpana,
Chandrakala; 5) Handball -Indumati, Veenadevi, Sahana, Renu, Rukmini,
Shobha, Kanthi, Vanaja Kalappa, Nutan, Sujata, Indira, poornima, Anita,
Veena Naidu and N.Jayashri; 6) Swimming - Vaishali, Rohini, Shanthi, Sagari,
Rajani, Seema, Sangeetha, Srikripa, Priyadarshini; 7) Hockey -Padmini,
Anuradha, Padmavathi, Tarana, Sujatha, Pratima, Varalaxmi, Rina, Savitha,
Renu, Rukmini, Shobha, Kanti, Vanaja Kalappa, Nutan and Suja; 8) Basket
ball - Shanthi, Meena, Chandrakala, Radhika, Jamuna, Santa, Sylvia, Vinita,
Sumangala, Nagarekha and Geeta S.N; 9) Gymnastics - Kavitha Ranganath,
Vinkitha Rana, Suma Rani, Chaitra and Jayalaxmi; 10) Kho-Kho - S. Shamala,
Chetana, Shanta, Asha, Bharathi, Rajashree, M.R. Patil, Maya, Chandrakala,
Radha and Pushpavathi.
Arjun Awardees from Karnataka
The List of Arjuna Awardees
1. Keneth L. Powell - Athletics - 1965
2. Elvera Britto - Ladies Hockey - 1965
3. V.G. Peter - Hockey - 1966
4. Usha Sundarraj - Table Tennis - 1966
5. E.A.S. Prasanna - Cricket - 1968
6. Shoba Murthy - Badminton - 1971
7. Prakash Padukone - Badminton - 1972
8. Jayamma Srinivasan - Ball Badminton - 1972
9. B.S. Chandrashekhar - Cricket - 1972
10. M.P. Ganesh - Hockey - 1973
11. B.P. Govinda - Hockey - 1975
12. Shantha Rangaswamy - Ladies Cricket - 1975
13. G.R. Viswanath - Cricket - 1977-78
14. Angel Mary Joseph - Athletics - 1978-79
15. C.C. Machaiah - Boxing - 1978-79
16. Arvind Savoor - Snooker - 1978-79
17. S.M.H. Kermani - Cricket - 1980-81
Education And Sports 409

18. S. Prakash - Kho-Kho- 1983-84

19. Vandana Rao - Athletics - 1987
20. D.V. Prasad - Chess - 1987
21. Ashwini Nachappa - Athletics - 1988
22. Kallegowda - Athletics Handicapped - 1997
23. Anil Kumble - Cricket - 1995
24. A.B. Subbaiah - Hockey - 1997
25. Malathi Holla - Athletics - 1997
26. Rahul Dravid - Cricket - 1998
27. Mahadev M. - Athletics - 1998
28. Ashish Ballal - Hockey - 1999
29. S.D. Eshan - Athletics - 1999
30. Shobha Narayan - Kho-Kho- 1999
31. Satish Rai - Weightlifting - 1999
32. Ranjini Ramanujam - Badminton Handicapped - 1999
33. Venkataramanappa - Athletics Handicapped - 2000
34. Nisha Millet - Swimming - 2000
35. C. Honnappa - Kabaddi - 2001
36. Abhijith - Swimming - 2001
37. Jawagal Srinath - Cricket -
38. Reeth Abraham - Athletics - 2000
39. G. Manoharan - Boxing - 2000
40. Amaladas - Boxing - 2000
41. Venkatesh Prasad - Cricket - 2000
42. B.C. Ramesh - Kabaddi - 2001
43. Shankar Iyer - Handicapped - 2001
44. T. Ramesh - Athletics - 2002
45. Yshodhara (Expired) - Power lifting - 1992
46. Pankaj Advani, Snooker Billiards - 2003
47. J.J. Shoba - Athletics -2004
48. Helen Mary - Hockey - 2004
A Handbook of Karnataka 410

t h e Departm ent o f Youth s e rvices and sports

The department has taken up measures on scientific lines for the improvement
of sports in the state with a special emphasis of sportsmen and athletes, giving
them the amenities they require.

Under the Central Scheme (2005-06) to construct or improve stadia in

different district HQ, the youth services department sanctioned a total of
13.70 crores to the following districts - Bagalkot - Rs. 25,00,000, Davanagere
- Rs. 1,79,00,000; Haveri - Rs. 2,85,00,000; Udupi Rs. 1,91,00,000; Gadag-
Betgeri Rs. 2,40,00,000; Koppal Rs. 1,30,00,000 and Chamarajnagar - Rs.
3,20,00,000

It has also been providing a lot of impetus to the sports field by giving away
prestigious awards like the Ekalavya, Arjuna and Drona awards to sportsmen
and women in different sports and games. A list of such awardees and their
specialized games is given below ;

Men and W om en ek alavya Awardees from Karnataka (1994)

Athletics: Arjun Devaiah and Sylvia Pias; Ball Badminton: V.Dhruva

and P.Asha; Basket Ball: Rajkumaran and Rekha Mallik; Body building:
Manjunath; Billiards and Snooker: B.V. Srinivasa Murthy; Cricket: Anil
Kumble; Hockey: K.S.Uthaiah; Judo: Mirza Najib Aga and M.N.Triveni; Kho-Kho:
Channabasavaiah and T.H.Veena; Kabaddi: B.Gopal; Lawn Tennis: P.Srinath
and Arathi Ponnappa, Power Lifting: Satish Kumar; Swimming: J. Abhijit and
Sajni Shetty; Table Tennis: G.K. Vishwanath and S. Poorna Rao; Weight Lifting:
Shyamala Shetty; Volley Ball: Amit Roy Chowdary and T. Padmaja; and Women
Cricket - V.Kalpana Shyamala Shetty holds the world record in weight lifting
(women) for the present.

In the 12th Asian Sports Meet held at Hiroshima in 1994, the following
Sportmen from Karnataka participated: Munivenkatappa (Kabaddi, Gold),
Sylvia Pias (4 x 400 Relay, Gold), Varsha Shamarao Padki (Weight /lifting),
Sabu Varki (Hockey), Ravi Naikar (Hockey), Sumita Thakur (Judo), Satish Rai
(WeightLifting), E.B. Shaila (Sprinter) and N. Laxmi (Weight Lifting). Jude Filix
headed the Indian Hockey Team in the said meet.

The following were the Ekalavya Awardees in different games and events
for 1995: cricket - B.K. Venkatesh Prasad and K.S. Pramila Bhatt (1995); C.K.
Harish, H.G. Apsara, Mahadev and K. Malathi Holla (1995); Ball Badminton
- Puttaraju (1995); Hockey - Vinoda Chinnappa and K.M. Neelamma (1995);
Body Building - T. Bhaskar (1995); Gymnastics -Shailesh (1995); Weight
Lifting - K.V. Sridhar Gowda and Kumari (1995) Table Tennis -Bona Thomas
John (1995) Lawn Tennis - V. Arathi (1995); Kho-Kho T.S. Siddalinga and N.
Shobha (1995); Chess - Khalil Ur Rehman (1995); Swimming - Hakimuddin and
Abhinaya Shetty- (1995); Judo - Aganel Siddi (1995); Taekwondo - A. Satish
Education And Sports 411

Kumar (1995); Wrestling - M.R. Patil (1995); Roller Skating - K. Srikantha Rao
and Kavitha Poovaiah (1995); Volley ball - T.B. Ravindra (1995) and Handball
- S. Amal Raj (1995). The National Games were held in Bangalore, between
the 31st May 1997 and the llth June 1997. The participants from Karnataka
emerged as overall champions.
LIST OR EKALAVYA AWARDEES -2002
1. Smt. Jaicy Thomas - Athletics
2. Sri N. Shiva Prakash - Badminton
3. Kum. M.F. Savitha - Basketball
4. Sri. Doddanarasaiah Ganesh - Cricket
5. Kum Savita Aneppanavar - Cycling
6. Sri. P. Lakshmikantha - Fencing
7. Kum. B.H. Sumarani - Gymnastics
8. Sri Bharath Kumar Chetri - Hockey
9. Sri H.K. Srinivasmurthy - Kabaddi
10. Sri Ramesha - Kho-Kho
11. Sri P.Kumaraswamy - Physically Handicapped
12. Kum. Archana Bhushan - Swimming
13. Kum. G. Malini - Taekwondo
14. Sri. G. Nagaraj - Wrestling
15. Sri Mahesh Bhoopathi - Lawn Tennis
LIST OF EKALAVYA AWARDEES- 2003
1. Sri Clifford Joseph Joshua - Athlitcs
2. Sri. B. Aravind Bhat - Badminton
3. Sri. Sunil Bandacharya Joshi - Cricket
4. Kum. Gangu G. Biradar - Cycling
5. Kum. C. Rumini - Fencing
6. Sri Sundeep Michael - Hockey
7. Smt. I. Helen Mary - Hockey
8. Sri Vishakanta - Kabaddi
9. Sri K.N. Vinod - Kho-Kho
10. Sri T. Seetharam - Physically Handicapped
11. Sri Rehan Poncha - Swimming
12. Sri G. Ravishankar - Table Tennis
13. Kum. C. Ravishankar - Taekwondo
14. Kum. Sneha Shampur - Triathlon
15. Kum. Shaila S. Thomas - Volleyball
16. Sri Basavaraj N. Murgod - Basketball
A Handbook of Karnataka 412

LIST OF EKALAVYA AWARDEES - 2004

1. Sri Vilas Neelgund - Athletics
2. Sri Anup Sridhar - Badminton
3. Kum. Sonam Deep Kau - Basketball
4. Sri Chandrashekar - Ball Badminton
5. Sri Sriram Sarja - Chess
6. Sri Shiddalingappa - Equestrian
7. Kum. Lairenmyum - Weight lifting
8. Sri N.S. Manju - Football
9. Kum. B.S. Archana - Wall Climbing
10. Kum. S.S. Nilan, Hockey
11. Sri H. Boniface Prabhu - Physically Handicapped
12. Kum. Reshma Millet - Swimming
13. Kum. Ambica Iyengar - Swimming
14. Sri Pankaj Advani - Billiard and Snooker
15. Kum. Mamatha Maben - Women Cricket
16. Kum. N. Geetha - Power Lifting
LIST OF EKALAVYA AWARDEES - 2005
1. Sri Parameshwara - Athletics
2. Sri Sanjay Raj - Basketball
3. Sri Sujith Bijjhali Somasuner - Cricket
4. Sri Shashidhar Singh B - Fencing
5. Sri S. Venkatesh - Football
6. Sri V.S. Vinaya - Hockey
7. Smt. Tejeswini Bai - Kabaddi
8. Sri Tulasidas R. - Kho-Kho
9. Smt U. Sudha Prabhu - Power Lifting
10. Sri Aniketh A.D’Souza - Swimming
11. Smt. Pooja R. Alva - Swimming
12. Sri Mohammed Imran - Taekwondo
13. Sri. Rohan Machanda Bopanna - Lawn Tennis
14. Sri K.Y. Venkatesh - Physically disabled
15. Sri M.N. Vikarm - Volleyball
16. Sri R. Prasad Kumar - Body building
LIST OF EKALAVYA AWARDEES - 2006
1. Sri Nagaraj - Athletics
2. Sri Rohan C Catelino - Badminton
3. Smt. Chitra Magimairaj - Billiards
Education And Sports 413

4. Smt. Neelamma M. Malligwad - Cycling

5. Smt. Harshika Basappa - Equestrian
6. Sri Sumeeth Sainath Naidu - Fencing
7. Sri Igance Tirkey - Hockey
8. Sri H.S. Pillappa - Kabaddi
9. Sri Eranna R - Kho-Kho
10. B.J. Meghana - Netball
11. Sri Anand C.K. Shashidar - Rifle Shooting
12. Smt. Tejaswini V. - Swamming
13. Ashok S.S. - Volleyball
14. Surjeet Singh - Physically Disabled
15. Sandeep G. Maidan - Weight lifting
16. Sudarshan B. - Ball Badminton
t h e List o f dronacharya awardees
Aravind Savour - Billiards - 2004
The following were the State Youth Award winners for 1999-2000
K. J. Suresh, Shankar, D.C. Manje Gowda, S. Balaji, Probodhachandra
Hejamadi, O.N. Siddaiah, T.R. Venkatesh, Ganesh Anantha Booramane, Imthiaz
Syed Mesthri and V. Chandramma. For the same year Nisarga Youth Club and
Spoorti Artistes Association got the Youth Award given to Associations. The
cricketer of international repute Anile Kumble, was conferred with ‘Padmashree’
award during 2005 January.

Common Entrance Examination for Selection to B.Ed. and D.Ed. Courses.

The Department of Education has evolved transparent systems of selection

of candidates to the B.Ed. and D.Ed. courses. Basic Degree in Science or Arts
being a must for the former and a pass in PUC for the latter, a candidate has
to score a minimum of 50% marks in the entrance examination which will be
held at all district headquarters of the state. Since Optical Mark Reader (OMR)
sheets are used as question paper cum answer booklets and are scanned for
evaluation, the system becomes all the more authentic. For the academic
year 2008-09, there were a total of 397 B.Ed. Colleges in the state of whom
were nine government, 22 aided and 366 unaided institutions. Likewise the
total no.of D.Ed. institutions was 968 of which 37 were government, 40 were
aided and 891 were unaided. The comparative details of B.Ed. institutions and
admissions for academic years 2003-04 to 2008-09 are given in the following
tables;
A Handbook of Karnataka 414
 Chapter XI

MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

Consequent on the Reorganisation of States, the newly integrated areas of
Karnataka state were lacking in medical and health service facilities especially,
in rural and border areas of the state. To overcome this, the State Government
rigorously started implementing various national and state health programmes
to improve the prevailing health services in the state in a short span. The
policy of expansion and successful implementation of comprehensive public
health service schemes has enabled the state to occupy a unique place in the
country.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare Services implements
various National and State Health programs of Public Health importance and
also provides comprehensive Health Care Services to the people of the State
through various types of Health and Medical Institutions. Health Care Services
are provided through the implementation of: Rural Health component of the
Minimum Needs Programme, Curative Services, National Rural Health Mission
(NRHM), National Leprosy Eradication Programme, National Tuberculosis
Control Programme, National Programme for Control of Blindness, National
Vector Borne Control Programme (NVBDCP), National Guinea Worm Eradication
Programme, Prevention and control of Communicable Diseases like Diarrhoeal
diseases, Kyasanur Forest Diseases, etc., Health Education, Training and
School Health Services, Nutritional Services, National Iodine Deficiency
Disorder Control Programme, Laboratory Services, A major Externally Aided
Project, Karnataka Health Systems Development & Reforms Project.

Selected Indicators o f Health Facilities in Karnataka

Sl. Physical 2006­ 2007­

Unit
No Indicators 2007 2008
1 No. of Hospitals
District Hospitals No 24 26
Other Hospitals No 42 42
2 Community Health Centres (Cumulative) No 301 325
3 Primary Health Centres (Cumulative) No 1679 2193
4 Primary Health Units No 553 -
5 Sub Centres No 8143 8143
6 Eligible Couples No in Lakh 91.32 85.24
7 Couples Protected No in Lakh 55.13 56.67
8 Proportion of Couples protected Per cent 60.38 66.00
9 Immunization (Measles) No in Lakh 10.43 10.40
Source: Directorate of Health and Fam ily Welfare Services.
A Handbook of Karnataka 416

Victoria Hospital, Bangalore

M in to Eye Hospital, Bangalore

Medical And Public Health Services 417

Departmental Set up
The Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare, co-ordinates and monitors
the working of various programs and project wings of the department. The
Department provides Services to the Community by implementing various
National and State Health Programmes in the State. The National Rural
Health Mission is headed by the Mission Director (NRHM). The Karnataka
Health System Development & Reforms Project (KHSDRP) is headed by Project
Administrator who is also the Mission Director (NRHM). The Director of Health
and Family Welfare Services is assisted by Additional Directors, Joint Directors,
Demographer, Chief Accounts Officers cum Financial Adviser and Chief
Administrative Officer to assist in all matters pertaining to Finance, Accounts
and Administration of the Department respectively. There are Deputy Directors
to assist the Joint Directors. During the year 2007, two new Districts namely
Ramanagara and Chikkaballapur were formed and new Health Offices were
established. The taluk level hospitals of these districts will be upgraded as
District Hospitals.
At the District level, there are District Health and Family Welfare Officers
assisted by the District Leprosy Officers, District RCH Officer, District Malaria
Officers, District TB Officers and District Surveillance Officer. These officers are
responsible for implementing and reporting various National and State Health
Programmes including RCH and MCH Services. The District Surgeons of the
District Hospitals are responsible for providing curative and promotive services
including referral services. At taluk Level, there are 176 Taluk Health Officers
and they are responsible for prompt and effective implementation of various
National and State Health Programmes in their taluks. At Primary Health
Centre Level, the Medical Officers of Health are similarly responsible for the
implementation of various National and State Health Programmes including
Family Welfare Programme and MCH Services. The State has a network of
8143 Sub Centres, 2195 Primary Health Centres, and 323 Community Health
Centres throughout the State, for Primary Health Care.
Urban Health Services:The District Hospitals provide preventive, promotive
and curative services. Major Hospitals, Teaching Hospitals and Specialized
Hospitals provide Secondary level Services. The details are as follows:
Hospitals No. of Institutions No. of Beds
District Hospitals 26 10045
Urban Primary Health Centres 17 102
Other Hospitals 42 10461

Each District Hospital has got the following Specialties:

1. Medicine 2. Surgery 3. Obstetrics and Gynaecology
4. Paediatric 5. Orthopaedic 6. Ophthalmology
7. Ear Nose and Throat 8. Skin and STD 9. Radiology
10. Anaesthesia 11. Dental 12. Psychiatry
13. Blood Bank
A Handbook of Karnataka 418

The Specialist Departments in the District Hospitals are catering to the

needs of the patients coming directly as well those referred from small peripheral
rural centers and moffusil hospitals. Emergency and Casualty Departments
work round the clock. The existing Blood Banks are being strengthened in
all the District Hospitals and all Major Hospitals of the State. AIDS screening
facility is being developed in District Hospitals and Major Hospitals in a phased
manner. Radiology services are available in all the District Hospitals and in
all Taluk level hospitals and Community Health Centres. Epidemic Diseases
Hospitals are functioning at Bangalore, Mysore and KGF. These Hospitals are
meant for treating epidemic diseases like Cholera, Gastroenteritis, Diphtheria,
Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Rabies, Measles, Chicken Pox and other infectious
diseases.
Rural Health Service: Primary Health Care is one of the items under the
restructured 20 Point Programme. The State is following the National Pattern of
three tier Health Infrastructure in rendering Primary Health Care by establishing
health institutions viz., Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community
Health Centres. Sub Centers: One Sub Center with a Female / Male Health
Worker is established for every 5000 population in plain areas and for every
3000 population in Hilly and Tribal areas. It is the closest point between
Primary Health Care System and the Community. There are 8,143 Sub-Centres
in the State. Primary Health Centres: One Primary Health Center is established
for every 30,000 population in plain and for every 20,000 Population in Hilly
and Tribal areas. PHC is the first contact point between village community
& the Medical Officers. It is manned by a Medical Officer supported by 14
Para-medical & other staff. It acts as a referral unit for 5-8 Sub-Centres. It
has 6 beds for in patients. The activities of PHC involve curative, preventive,
promotive & Family Welfare services. There are 2195 PHCs in the State. The
increase in Primary Health Centres is due to the up-gradation of 516 Primary
Health Units
Community Health Centres: One Community Health Centre is established
for one lakh twenty thousand population or one out of four Primary Health Centres
is to be made functional as referral institution for the rural Population. CHCs
are manned by four medical specialists i.e., Surgeon, Physician, Gynaecologist,
Paediatrician and one Dental Surgeon supported by 21 paramedical and other
staff. CHCs in taluk headquarters have 100 beds. There are 323 Community
Health Centres in the State.
Family Welfare / Mother And Child Health Programme (Reproductive
and Child Health Programme): Family Welfare Programme is renamed as
Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) from Oct.1997 and it is being implemented
in the State as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The objective of the
programme is not only to have stabilization in population but also to improve
the health of Mother and Child including interventions against RTIs and
STIs. Karnataka deserves a special mention in the history of Family Planning
Medical And Public Health Services 419

Programme due to the pioneering steps taken as early in 1930’s by the Maharaja
of Mysore by ordering establishment of Birth Control Clinics one at Vani Vilas
Hospital, Bangalore and the other at Cheluvamba Hospital, Mysore. Further,
in the implementation of the programme, Karnataka has been fairly successful,
scaling more heights than many a major state. In many of the demographic
indicators, Karnataka has bettered the national average. The important goals
of the Family Welfare and MCH Programmes (RCH Programme), as set in the
National Population Policy 2000 by 2010 are as follows: Reduce infant mortality
to below 30 per 1000 live births, Reduce maternal mortality to below 100 per
One lakh live births, Promote vigorously the small family norm to achieve
replacement levels of TFR, address the unmet needs of basic reproductive and
child health services, supplies and infrastructure.
Karnataka State has credited itself extremely well in the implementation of
the Reproductive and Child Health Programme. More than 2.47 crore births
have been averted since inception. The other notable achievements are given
here: Fall of crude birth rate from 41.6 in 1961 to 20.1 in 2006, Decline of crude
death rate from 22.2 in 1961 to 7.1 in 2006, Reduction in infant mortality rate
from 95 in 1971 to 48 in 2006, Decrease in General Fertility Rate in rural areas
from 154.9 in 1972 to 90.1 in 1999 and in urban areas from 124.9 to 67.8.
The findings of the National Family Health Survey -III, (2005-06), reveal that
Karnataka has inched forward to a total fertility rate of 2.1, an infant mortality
rate of 43. The effective couple protection rate has gone up to 60.60 by 2005­
2006 as per official reports.
Community Needs Assessment Approach: The success o f the programme
(Reproductive and Child Health Services) and the attainment of goals can
materialize faster only if it becomes a people’s programme. In due recognition
of this, a paradigm shift has been ushered in, according to which the needs of
the community are assessed and incorporated in the action plans formulated
for implementing the programme. Now planning for RCH services has started
at the sub-centre level and goes up to centre level. In other words, instead
of the previous “Centre to sub centre” approach, we have the “sub centre to
centre” approach now. In this process, quality of service also gets sufficient
priority and ensures desired impact. Implementation of special programmes
like “Sterilization-bed Scheme”, and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act are
contributing to fertility control and population stabilization. During 2007­
2008, up to the end of December - 2007 - 15,067 unwanted pregnancies were
medically terminated.
Reproductive And Child Health Services Programme:The Family
Planning Programme has crossed several milestones absorbing new schemes
and interventions like Expanded Immunization Programme (E.I.P), Universal
Immunization Programme (U.I.P), Child Survival and Safe Motherhood,
(C.S.S.M), Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT). It is with the “REPRODUCTIVE
AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES” Programme that it is entering a totally new
era with a new name, look and thrust. In deference to the decisions of the
International Conference on Population and Development, held at Cairo in
A Handbook of Karnataka 420

1994, the emphasis is now on providing quality - conscious Reproductive and

Child health Services more effectively by encouraging the community voluntary
involvement for achieving faster result rather than on mere Family Planning.
The RCH Programme encompasses Fertility Regulation, Child Survival and
Safe Motherhood, management of Reproductive Tract Infections and Sexually
Transmitted Infections and a life cycle approach to women’s reproductive health
problems. This project is externally assisted and has been shaped as a 100%
centrally sponsored scheme. Apart from services, its significant components
are civil works, hiring the services of consultants, operationalizing FRUs,
appointing contractual staff for promoting institutional deliveries, provision of
equipment and evaluation of the services and facilities.
Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH) Phase I was completed
during 2004-05. RCH II is taken up from April - 05 to March 2010 under
National Rural Health Mission. The main objectives of RCH II which is part of
NRHM are to give importance towards Mother and Child Health Care, Janani
Suraksha Yojane, Adolescent Health, Urban Health, Tribal Health, NGO, Family
Welfare Services and Infrastructure Strengthening.
Department O f Ayush ((Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha And
Homoeopathy)
The Department of AYUSH is rendering Medical relief to the public in
Ayurveda, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy Systems of Medicine
and regulates Medical Education, Drugs Manufacture and practice of
Medicine in these systems. The Director of AYUSH is being assisted by one
Chief Administrative Officer, one Drug Licensing Authority , one each Deputy
Directors for Ayurveda, Unani, and Homoeopathy, one Administrative Officer
and one Accounts Officer at the Directorate level and Deputy Directors at
Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga, AYUSH Officers in Shimoga,
Bijapur, Hassan, Kolar, Tumkur, Bidar, Mandya, Dakshina Kannada, Bellary,
Dharwad, Ramanagara, Chikkaballapura and 12 DHO’s, at Chamarajanagar,
Kodagu, Raichur, Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Chikamagalur, Chitradurga,
Davanagere, Haveri, Gadag & Bagalkot at the District level.
There are 103 hospitals with 1545 bed strength and 659 dispensaries
functioning in this State as on 31.12.2007. The system wise break up is given
here under:-
Sl No. Systems Government Hospitals No. of dispensaries
No. of Hospitals No. of Beds.
01. Ayurveda 76 1167 561
02. Unani 11 202 50
03. Homoeopathy 10 135 43
04. Nature Cure 03 26 05
05. Yoga 03 15 -
Total 103 1545 659
Medical And Public Health Services 421

Training o f MBBS doctors in the field o f Anaesthesia and Obstetrics

and Gynaecology: To reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate and Infant Mortality
Rate in Karnataka, Government has taken steps to fill up the vacant posts
of Specialists in Anaesthesia and Obstetrics. To overcome the shortage of
specialists, MBBS doctors who are in Government service will be trained in
OBG (16 weeks) and Anaesthesia (18 weeks) to give Emergency Obstetric Care
Services. A core group was formed under the chairmanship of Commissioner,
Health & Family Welfare services and the members are from Government and
established private Medical colleges and FOGSI in Karnataka state. The First
meeting was held on 28/6/06. 11 Medical colleges were identified for training of
MBBS doctors. 6 Medical colleges were identified in the first phase. Orientation
training programme in Anaesthesia for faculty of Anaesthesia department from
all the 6 medical colleges was done on 22nd December 2006 by the HOD,
Anaesthesia, AIIMS, New Delhi and Asst. Commissioner, (Maternal Health),
Government of India.
Bangalore Medical College is recognized as a training institute for giving
training in OBG. FOGSI has taken the responsibility for upgrading BMC
as Training institute. So far, 192 MBBS doctors (81 in anaesthesia, 111 in
OBG) have given consent for training. These trained doctors will be able to
give emergency obstetric care, spinal Anaesthesia and do caesarian sections in
identified FRUs. These trained doctors will be posted to identified FRUs.
Urban health Centers: Urban health centres are established to improve the
health status of the urban poor community, by the provision of quality integrated
primary health care services. They have the objective to give primary health
services in urban slums and un-served areas like antenatal care, postnatal
care, referral for institutional deliveries, immunization, services under national
programmes like DOTS, NMEP etc, family planning including IUD/NSV. So
far, as per the Government of India guidelines 34 urban health centers are
identified in Karnataka State, in the towns / cities with a population 1-10
lakhs, which have been approved by Government of India. These centers will
be started in the phased manner. The staff for these centers will be appointed
on contractual basis.
ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist):Under NRHM & RCH II Health
Programme’s like decrease in Maternal and Child deaths, institutional Deliveries
etc., to work between Community and Health Centres 11,200 ASHA Women
Workers are appointed for every thousand population. They are identified in 9
districts of the State (1.Mysore 2.Chamarajnagar 3.Kodagu 4.Bijapur 5.Bagalkot
6.Raichur 7.Gulbarga 8.Koppal & 9.Bidar)
Pulse Polio Immunization Programme (PPI): With the main objective of
eradication of Poliomyelitis by 2000 AD, the Pulse Polio Programme is being
implemented in the State since 1995-96 continuously. Every year, Polio drops
A Handbook of Karnataka 422

were administered to the children below the age of five years in two rounds.
During February 2008, 73.56 lakh children aged less than 5 years were
administered oral Polio Vaccine.
Vital Statistics
The Director of Economics and Statistics is the Chief Registrar of Births
and Deaths. The Joint Director, the Deputy Director and Assistant Directors
are in charge of Vital Statistics, as the Joint Chief Registrars. The Registration
of Births and Deaths Rules 1970 came into effect from 1971 in the State. The
Chief Registrar is the Chief Executive Authority in the State for implementing
the Act.
The total number of births and deaths, are 7,80,496 and 209,873, respectively
in 1990-91. And in 1998 the total number of births and deaths is 11,07,096
and 4,11,700 respectively. The crude birth and death rates for the year 1990­
91: 27.9 and 8.7 for 1991-92: 27.8and8.1; for 1992-93: 26.8 and 9,0; and for
1993-94: 26.8 and 9.0, respectively, and the infant mortality rate for the same
period was 80, 71, 77, 77 (for 1000 infants). For 1998-99 and 1999-2000 the
crude birth and death rates are 22, 7.9 and 21.5, 7.5 respectively and the
infant mortality rates are 58 and 50 respectively.
Indian System of Medicine
The Ayurveda system of medicine was in practice from very early times.
Several Ayurvedic Vaidyas enjoyed royal patronage. In every village there were
at least one or two families capable of offering relief to patients with the help
of herbs. Restricted to towns the Unani System of medicine was introduced in
around the 14th century, during Muslim rule. The Unani physicians known as
Hakeems enjoyed the confidence of the Muslim rulers as well as the general
public. The Bahmani King Ahmed II (1436-53) ordered the construction of a
splendid Shara Khana (hospital) at Bidar which attracted patients from all
communities. Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy and Siddha systems are also
in practice.
A Separate Directorate for Indian System of Medicine was created in 1972.
Prior to 1972, the system was under Health Department. Ayurveda, Unani,
Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy and Siddha Systems come under Indian
system of medicine. There were 34 hospitals with 901 bed strength and 436
dispensaries, three Government Ayurvedic Colleges, 39 private Ayurvedic
Colleges, one Government Unani College at Bangalore and one Nature Cure
Yoga College at Bangalore during 1992-93 in the State. There is a Nature Cure
College at Ujire near Dharmasthala.
As on 31-12-2003 there are 103 hospitals with a provision of 1,535 Beds
and 639 dispensaries in the state. The systemwise break up is given here
below:
Medical And Public Health Services 423

Name of the system Hospitals No. of Beds Dispensaries

Ayurveda 75 1147 507
Unani 11 202 45
Homeopathy 10 135 25
Nature Cure 03 26 05
Yoga 03 15 -
Siddha 01 10 -
Total 103 1535 582
There are 19 Ayurvedic Hospitals at District Level, of them Sri
Jayachamarajendra Institute of Indian Medicine Bangalore, Government
Ayurvedic Medical College Mysore and Government Taranatha Ayurvedic
Hospital Bellary are teaching hospitals.
Unani
There are 11 Unani Hospitals and 51 dispensaries in the state. The Unani
wing of 100 beds attached to SJIIM Bangalore is serving as a Teaching Hospital
for government Unani Medical College, Bangalore. 20 beds are earmarked
in Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Mysore. 10 bedded
Unani wings are functioning at Bidar, Tumkur, Shimoga, Bijapur, Raichur and
Ramanagara. A 10 bedded Government Unani Hospital is functioning at Bellary
and Two six bedded Unani hospitals are functioning at Manvi and Timmapur
Rangampet.
A clinical research unit in Unani has been functioning at SJIIM Bangalore
by Government of India.
Homeopathy
Government Homeopathy Hospital is functioning at Bangalore with 40 beds
as a Teaching Hospital to Government Homeopathy Medical College, Bangalore,
Ten bedded Homeopathy hospitals are functioning one each at Mysore, Hassan,
Shimoga, Bellary, Bijapur, Kolar and Mangalore. One 15 bedded Homeopathy
wing is functioning at Gulbarga. And the Homeopathy dispensaries are
functioning at the rural areas of the state.
Nature cure: Two ten bedded Nature Cure Hospitals are functioning at Bangalore
and Bellary. One six bedded Hospital is functioning at Mysore. There are five
Nature Cure dispensaries in the state.
Yoga: Five beds Yoga wings are provided each at SJIIM Bangalore, Ayurveda
Medical Hospital, Mysore and Bellary to provide treatment in Yoga therapy.
Further Yoga camps are being conducted.
Communicable Diseases
Cholera: Diseases like Cholera, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis are serious
intestinal diseases which become fatal if timely treatment is not given. In
Karnataka State, eight districts namely Belgaum, Bellary, Bijapur, Chitradurga,
A Handbook of Karnataka 424

Dharwad, Bidar, Mysore and Gulbarga have been declared as endemic

for Cholera. Cholera Combat Teams take up investigation, treatment and
containment on spot in each of the above districts. During 1992-93 the attacks
and deaths due to cholera were 401 and 14 respectively and the figures for
gastro enteritis for the same period were 15,262 and 608. The number of anti­
cholera inoculations administered was 12,50,316. But with the provision of
drinking water through borewells on a large scale, the incidence of cholera has
declined during the last one decade. But industrial pollution has contributed
to its appearance in many new areas like Mysore district. During the year 1999
there are 134 cholera attack cases noticed and three deaths occured. For the
same period the incidence of of Gastroenterities were 17,743 and 126 deaths
caused due to gastroenteritis. Bangalore City also registered several cases in
early 2001.
Plague: Plague is primarily a disease of some rodent and human infection
on an appreciable scale. Plague appears in two forms (1) bubonic and (ii)
pneumonic, the latter being more severe of the two. Sulphathiozle and
Sulphapyridin have been found to be useful in the treatment of the disease.
Plague is not of recent origin and dates from 1886 when it was introduced
in some parts of Bombay Presidency from China and spread rapidly over a
large part of the country. During 1897, the disease took a heavy toll. In 1898
Bangalore City alone had 4,472 deaths. Further the disease spread to Kolar,
Tumkur and Mysore districts. In Bombay State, it took a heavy toll killing nearly
30,000 in Dharwad district alone in 1898 and the disease persisted killing
thousands for almost two decades in Dharwad. After the advent of state-wide
insecticidal spray operations under the National Malaria Control Programme,
Plague declined. There have been no cases of plague in recent years. The plague
surveillance unit was founded in Bangalore in 1975 and became functional in
1976. Once again in 1994, Pneumonic plague appeared in Maharashtra spread
to Karnataka also.
Tuberculosis: All the district headquarters of the state are having
Tuberculosis Control Centres besides additional centres at Sira, Hospet, Sirsi,
Yadgir and Koppal. The Central Programme was fully integrated with the general
health service in 1992. There were 10 TB Hospitals, 172 “X ’ray Centres, 805
Microscopic Centres, 840 referral centres and one aftercare and rehabilitation
training centre at Bangalore. In l992-93 as many as 68,109 tuberculosis cases
were detected ,11,89,401 were administered BCG inoculations. During the year
1999-2000, 1,87,936 sputum examined and 48,086 T.B. cases were detected
and 11,75,688 were administered BCG inoculations. During 20-3-04 (up to
end of December 2003) 2,45,372 sputum examined and 46,212 new T.B. cases
were detected.
Medical And Public Health Services 425

National Leprosy Eradication Programme

Leprosy is a public health problem and also a social problem in the State.
National Leprosy Elimination Programme (NLEP) was conceived of as a Control
Programme and launched in 1954-55. Its main thrust was early detection,
sustained and regular treatment of all patients with ‘Dapsone’. This had some
limitations like, treatment was long leading to irregular treatment and this was
leading to development of drug resistance. After the inception of Multi-Drug
Treatment (MDT), the prevalence rate which was 50 per 10,000 populations
during 1986 was brought down to 0.61 as on 31st December 2007. Remarkable
achievement was made in prevention of deformity, i.e. the deformity rate
was brought down to 0.87 of the new case detection. As on today, the goal
of elimination i.e., prevalence rate less than one has achieved in 24 districts
(Chitradurga, Shimoga, Tumkur, Chikamagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan,
Kodagu, Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Davangere, Bagalkot,
Haveri, Gulbarga, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Bidar, Udupi, Mandya, Racihur,
Bijapur, Dharwad, Kolar, Chamarajanagar and Mysore) and two districts has
prevalence rate between 1-2 (i.e., Bellary, Chamarajnagar and Koppal).
Four Modified Leprosy Elimination Campaigns were conducted to detect
hidden and left out cases, actively and passively during the years 1998-2002.
18,911 New Cases were detected and treated. Prevention of Deformity (POD):
Orientation Training Camps for Prevention of Deformity have been conducted
for Medical Officers and Health Workers. MCR Footwear, Splints & Crutches
have been provided to the needy leprosy patients as Welfare Supportive
Measures. Five per cent of Jobs have been reserved for Cured Leprosy patients
with Grade II Deformity, in Group ‘D’ vacancies of Health Department as
Welfare & Rehabilitation Measures. Integration: As per Government of India
guidelines, during 2002-03, Integration of Leprosy Programme into General
Health Care Services has been implemented. All the Leprosy Staff along with
Other General Health Care Staff are involved in the Leprosy Control Work, as
part of their duty. Karnataka is considered as a low endemic state up to end
of 31/12/2007. There are 3,580 cases. So far, 4,85,884, have been cured with
MDT from 1986. Infrastructure facilities available for Eradication of Leprosy in
Karnataka is as follows:-
Joint Director (Leprosy), ‘EPST’, SSA Units - 1, DLOs - 25, NLCCs - 20,
MLCUs -9, ULCs - 48, THWs - 22, LTCs - 2, LRPUs -2 in addition to this
infrastructure, there are 25 Voluntary Organizations working for Elimination of
Leprosy. There are 1,110 beds available, out of which, 410 beds are maintained
by Voluntary Organizations for which, grant-in-aid is provided by Government
of India at the rate of Rs. 185/- per bed for adults and Rs. 90/- per bed for
children. The achievement under this programme is given hereunder.
A Handbook of Karnataka 426

Year New Cases Detected Cases Cured Deformity Rate

2005-06 5253 6705 0.42
2006-07 4299 4455 1.23
2007-08 up to
3555 3188 0.87
Dec 07
National Programme For Control O f Blindness
Blindness is a major public Health problem of our country with an estimated
12.00 million (120.00 lakhs) blind persons. To tackle this problem National
Programme for Control of Blindness was launched with the aim to reduce
prevalence rate of blindness from 1.4 to 0.3% by the turn of 2012. Encouraging
Eye Ball Collection for Keratoplasty among the blind so as to give them vision is
one of the important activities o f National Programme for Control o f Blindness.
Cataract is the dominant cause for Blindness accounting for nearly 2/3rd of
the Blind population. Timely intervention through cataract operations restores
Eye Sight for the cataract affected patients. Through Grant-in-Aid to NGO
Sector they are encouraged to perform free cataract operations for the patients
irrespective of social or economic status. As per the National Health policy
the basic human right is the Right to see we have therefore to ensure that
no citizen goes blind needlessly. Hence cornea collection is given a thrust to
increase Keratoplasty.
The Programme aims at reduction in the incidence of the blindness from
1.78% to 0.3% by 2012 A.D. The main cause of blindness are cataract which
covers 69%, Refractive Errors -1 9 .7 % Corneal Blindness-0.9% Glaucoma-
5.8%, Surgical Complications-1.2%, Posterior Segment Disorders -4.7% and
others-5.0%. The population of Karnataka is 5.20 crores. The incidence rate
in Karnataka is 1.29%. The estimated prevalence is above 4.8 lakhs. To tackle
this aspect following infrastructure was developed. One State Ophthalmic cell
has been created to plan, monitor and to evaluate the programme with the
following staff. Joint Director (Ophthalmology), Assistant Statistical Officer,
Stenographer Grade-1, Second Division Assistant, Driver, Group‘D’
Karnataka State Blindness Control Society: To implement the National
Programme for Control of Blindness effectively, strengthening monitoring of
District Blindness control Societies and release of Grant-in Aid to the Districts.
The Karnataka State Blindness Control Society (KSBCS) was registered
on 08-08-2002. The KSBCS has since been merged with State Health and
Family Welfare Society under NRHM. The Principal Secretary to Government
Health and FW Department is the Chairman of the Society with Joint Director
(Ophthalmology) as the Member Secretary.
District Blindness Control Societies (DBCS): The DBCS functions at
the district level as per the guidance of the KSBCS .The National Blindness
Control Programmes are implemented and coordinated at the district level as
many NGOs are actively involved in implementing various activities. District
Medical And Public Health Services 427

Blindness Control Societies have been established in all the 29 districts. The
DBCS functions with the Deputy Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of
Zilla Parishad as the Chairman and the District Leprosy Officer and in charge
District Programme Manager as the Member Secretary.
Minto Regional Institute o f Ophthalmology: Minto Ophthalmic Hospital,
Bangalore has been upgraded as Regional Institute of Ophthalmology with state
of the art ophthalmic equipments under NPCB to provide Advanced Eye Health
Care and to provide IOL training for Eye Surgeons Reorientation training for
Para medical Ophthalmic Assistants, Staff Nurses under NPCB programme.
Upgradation of Medical Colleges: Five medical colleges have been upgraded
to provide higher clinical ophthalmic services. Qualified Super specialists are
working in these institutions. They are: JJM Medical college, Davanagere,
J.N. Medical college, Belgaum, KMC Hubli, Medical college, Mysore & Medical
college, Bellary.
Upgradation o f District Hospital: All district hospitals of Karnataka have
been developed to provide surgical /clinical ophthalmic services with Ophthalmic
Eye surgeons & Paramedical Ophthalmic Assistants. These District Hospitals
have been provided with a separate Operation Theatre and provided with an
Operating Microscope and other costly equipments. So that, they can do regular
camps and other eye operations can be conducted even daily. Upgradation of
General Hospital: Seven General Hospitals in the State have been upgraded
to provide Clinical and surgical Ophthalmic Services to Rural Communities
by Ophthalmic Surgeon & Paramedical Ophthalmic Assistants. Upgradation
of District Mobile Ophthalmic Units: 31 District Mobile Ophthalmic units are
functioning in the State to provide creative, promotive and surgical facilities
to rural and tribal communities by adopting camp approach. For arranging
rural camps, NGO’s are actively participating in the programme. Upgradation
of Primary Health Centres: 426 Primary Health Centres were developed with
a creation of one ophthalmic assistant post to give primary eye health care
facilities to rural community.
Eye Bank & Eye Donations Centres: Three eye banks are functioning
at Minto Hospital, Bangalore, K.R. Hospital, Mysore and District hospital,
Belgaum to provide grafting services with super specialists. About 3 Eye
Banks are working in Non Government Sector, and 2 Eye Donation Centres are
working. Government of India had also introduced the scheme to encourage
the voluntary organizations for establishing / development of eye banks and
Eye Donation Centres. All voluntary organizations have been informed through
district blindness control societies to utilize the opportunity to serve people.
IOL Training: Under National Programme for Control of Blindness, IOL
insertion training is given in Minto Hospital, Bangalore. Duration of the training
is 2 months. Two Eye surgeons are deputed for each batch. Till date, 105 eye
A Handbook of Karnataka 428

surgeons have been trained for IOL and 22 eye surgeons are trained for Small
Incision Cataract Surgery. NPCB orientation training has been given to 192
Staff nurses and 226 Para Medical Ophthalmic Assistants.
School Eye Screening Programme: Refractive errors is the second
commonest cause of Blindness after Cataract, school going years are the
formative years for determining once Physical, Intellectual and Behavioral
development. Any problem in the vision during the formative years can hamper
intellectual development, maturity and performance of a person in his future life.
Since children do not complain of defective vision so it is necessary to conduct
screening of school children for refractive error. Screening of School children for
refractive error is the important activity of the National Programme for Control
of Blindness. Every year, middle school children are primarily screened by
the trained teachers and then by Para Medical Ophthalmic Assistants, and
poor students who have refractive errors, will be distributed free spectacles by
District blindness Control Society. The targets and achievements under this
programme are given here.
Year Target Achievement Percentage
2005-2006 2,50,000 2,86,427 115%
2006-2007 2,50,000 2,98,555 119.42 %
2007-2008 3,50,000 2,26,568 65.00%
National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme
The malaria control activities in the State are implemented as per the
guidelines of the Directorate of NAMP, Delhi. The Modified Plan of Operations
was started in the year 1977, after the resurgence of Malaria in the country.
The programme was revised as ‘Malaria Action Plan - 95’ from 1996, and
revised drug policy was introduced. The programme was renamed as ‘National
Anti Malaria Programme’ from NMEP, on 1-4-2000. However, from December
2003, the Ministry of Health, Government of India, has merged Malaria, Filaria,
Japanese Encephalitis and Dengue programme and renamed the integrated
programme as “National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme” . The
programme is monitored at State level by the State programme officer viz., Joint
Director (Malaria & Filaria). He is assisted by the Deputy Director, (Malaria &
Filaria), Senior Entomologist and Scientific Officer at the State level, the Zonal
Deputy Directors at the divisional level, the District Malaria Officers at the
District level, and the Medical Officer of Health at the Primary Health Centre
level.
The main components of the programme are: ,Surveillance and Case
detection, Examination and Treatment, Residual Insecticidal spray operations,
Entomological studies on Vector behaviors and resistance status of Vector to
Insecticides, Bio-environmental methods of Vector Control, and Information
Education and Communication activities. The physical progress is as follows:
Medical And Public Health Services 429

Year B/S Collected Malaria Pf Cases Radical Deaths due

& Examined Cases Treatment to Malaria
2005 10080290 83181 21284 82544 26
2006 9924797 62842 16458 62161 32
2007 8830766 48415 11069 46587 18
National Filaria Control Programme
The Filaria control activities are implemented in the districts of Gulbarga,
Bagalkot, Bidar, Raichur, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.
Under the Filaria Control Programme, there are 8 Filaria control Units and 25
Filaria clinics functioning in the above districts, in the endemic towns. A Filaria
survey cell is functioning at Raichur, which is also conducting Filaria survey.
The main activities under the programme are: Anti-larval measures carried
out through Filaria control units while Filaria Clinics undertake parasitological
surveys to detect and treat micro-Filaria and disease manifested cases with
DEC tablets (Diethyl Carbamazine Citrate tablets). The objective of the Survey
Cell is to delimit the problem of Filariasis in Raichur district. The physical
progress is as follows:
Year No. of No. of No. of No. of Micro­
persons persons persons persons Filaria rate
examined tested with treated %
Positive disease
for Micro­ manife­
Filaria stations
2005 188310 885 6240 1725 0.47
2006 175623 653 4470 5123 0.37
2007 170048 623 4121 4744 0.37
Mass Drug Administration for elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in the
State
The mass drug administration programme started in 2004 under 100%
Cash assistance envisages administration of a single dose o f DEC tablets to the
eligible population above 2 years of age on a single day. 5th June 2004, 11th
November 2005, 28th July 2007 and 15th November 2007 were observed as
National Filaria Day and the MDA was conducted. The programme is covered in
8 endemic districts of Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Bidar, Raichur, Dakshina Kannada,
Udupi and Uttara Kannada with as objective of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis
by 2015. The programme will continue for 5 years subject to review of micro
filarial rate prevailing in the community.

Japanese Encephalitis (J.E.) Control Programme: The Japanese

Encephalitis is a State-sector scheme under Plan for the supply of Drugs,
A Handbook of Karnataka 430

Insecticides and Health Education materials. The epidemic season for the virus
disease is normally post-monsoon. It is a mosquito borne viral disease, spread
by Culex vishnui group. Affects mainly children and mortality is found to be
high among the Japanese Encephalitis affected cases. The physical progress is
as follows:
Suspected Confirmed
Year
Attacks Deaths Attacks Deaths
2005 113 10 13 1
2006 80 3 4 0
2007 18 3 3 0
Vaccination programme: JE Vaccination programme has been completed
successfully in Bellary District in the month of JUNE 2006. During 2007 the
Vaccination programme has been completed successfully in Kolar and Raichur
Districts in the month of July. Regular Japanese Encephalitis control activities
are being carried out in the JE prone districts.
District Year Target Achievements Percentage
Bellary June 2006 720517 535613 74.33%
Kolar July 2007 798392 626268 78.44%
Raichur July 2007 595975 493884 82.44%

Dengue Fever
Dengue fever is a mosquito borne viral disease. The epidemic occurs during
the pre and post monsoon periods. The vector mosquito usually breeds in
domestic and peri-domestic water collections such as Cement tanks, drums,
old tyres, tins, coconut-shells, air coolers, and so on. The diagnosis is by
serological methods and the treatment is symptomatic. Source reduction
methods, larvicide’s adulticides and fogging operations are some of the control
activities adopted. The disease which was mainly an Urban problem, has now
percolated into Rural areas due to environmental changes and change in water
storage practices.
The incidence of Dengue fever in Karnataka from 2006 to 2007 is as
follows:

Year Attacks Deaths

2005 587 17
2006 109 7
2007 228 0
Chikungunya:
‘Chikungunya’ - being mosquito borne viral diseases was a major public
health problem in the State during 2006. 7.6 lakh cases of clinically suspected
Chikungunya were reported in all the 27 districts. Chikungunya was first o f its
kind noticed in Karnataka during 2006 which has widely spread both in Urban
Medical And Public Health Services 431

and Rural areas with 15.16 million population exposed to the risk. Though
the disease is not fatal, patients had suffered from fever, severe joint pain with
prolonged arthritic and arthralgic symptoms. This has greatly affected the
lively hood of such patients. The disease has no specific drugs for treatment,
but the treatment is purely symptomatic in uncomplicated cases. The control
activities involve source reduction as well as community awareness for proper
water and solid waste management.
Chikungunya Incidence In Karnataka(2006 & 2007)

Affected Suspec­ No. of No. of

ted cases Blood cases
Year Vill­
Dist. Tq. PHCs Population Samples Confirmed
ages collected
2006 27 158 1167 7942 15.16 762026 5000 305
Million
2007 21 49 96 147 236559 1705 641 144

The State has been able to bring down the incidences of Chikungunya fever
to manageable proportions by providing all necessary inputs.
AIDS : Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a recent nightmare in public
health had its first case found in Saundatti of Belgaum district in 1987. AIDS
Surveillence activities started in 1987 in the state. There are 8 blood testing
centres spread over different parts of Karnataka. The disease spreads mostly
through sexual contacts and blood transfusion. During 1992, as many as
1,02,336 persons were examined 168 (HIV) Human Immune Deficiency Virus
cases were noticed. Since 1987 to December 1999, 4,15,169 blood samples
have been examined out of which 5,820 are found HIV positive, 255 AIDS cases
confirmed and 90 have died.
Mental Health Programme.
The definition of Health Includes Mental Health also. Care of mentally ill &
Epileptics has to be integrated into general Health care system as it is cost-
effective, reduces stigma and disability. Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka in its
suo-moto W.P.No.18741/96 is monitoring the care given by the Government, &
is issuing orders from time to time. Due to shortage of qualified Psychiatrists
at District Hospitals it is planned to train all medical officers in Mental Health
Skills and drugs are to be made available at peripheral institutions. One
Programme Officer for Mental Health is identified at all District Health & FW
Officer Offices by renaming FW Officers as Programme Officer, Mental Health.
They are trained at NIMHANS for 4 months. Psychologists are recruited & are
to be trained. Training of Para Medical Staff, Doctors & Others has to be taken
up. A Deputy Director for Mental Health is posted at Directorate of Health &
Family Welfare Services to monitor the whole programme since 3.11.05.
A Handbook of Karnataka 432

List o f Hospitals in Karnataka

1. A. J. Hospital & Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore, 575004.
2. Aadithya Hospital (Adithya Adhikari Hospital), Gokulam, Mysore
570021.
3. Abhaya Hospital Bangalore 560027.
4. Adarsh Heart Care Centre Pvt Ltd , Bellary 583001.
5. Adarsh Nursing Home, Bellary 583103.
6. Adarsha Nursing Home, Tumkur 572103.
7. Agadi Hospital And Research Centre,Bangalore 560027.
8. Amrik Nethralaya Super Speciality Eye Hospital,Bangalore 560043
9. Annapurna Hospital, Chikmagalur 577101
10. Apollo Hospital-Bangalore, Bangalore 560041.
11. Ashraya Hospital, Chikmaglure 577101.
12. Athena Hospital, Mangalore 575002.
13. Bangalore Baptist Hospital,Bangalore 560024.
14. Bangalore Institute of Oncology, Bangalore 560027.
15. Basappa Memorial Hospital, Mysore 570012.
16. Basaveswara Medical Centre, Bellary 583103.
17. Belle Vues Cambridge Hospital, Bangalore 560008.
18. B G S Apollo Hospital(Mysore), Mysore 570023.
19. Bharath Hospital & Institute Of Oncology, Mysore 570017.
20. Bibi Ayesha Milli Hospital, Mysore 570007.
21. Chandrakala Hospital & Institute O f Medical Research, Mysore
570012.
22. Chinmaya Mission Hospital, Bangalore 560038.
23. Chitra’s Hospital, Mysore 570001.
24. Church Of South India Hospital, Bangalore 560051.
25. City Central Hosptial Pvt.Ltd., Davangere 577002.
26 . City Clinic, Hubli 580020.
27. City Hospital ( Udupi), Udupi 576101.
28. City Hospital Research & Diagnostic Centre, Mangalore 575003.
29. Colaco Hospital Mangalore A Unit O f Icmc Trust,Mangalore 575002.
30. Columbia Asia Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore 560024.
31. D.G.Hospital, Bangalore 560070.
32. Deccan Medical Centre Private Ltd, Belgaum 590001.
33. Devi Eye Hospital, Bangalore.
34. Dr Nukapur Hospital, Kolar 563101.
35. Dr. Agarwal Hospital, Bangalore 560025.
36. Dr. Rao’s Maternity Hospital, Bangalore 560079.
37. Dr. S.R.Ramanagoudar Nursing Home, Dharwad 580008.
38. Garden City Hospital & Medical Centre, Bangalore 560011.
39. Gayathri Hospital, Bangalore 560040.
40. Gopala Gowda Shanthaveri Memorial Hospital, Mysore 570023.
Medical And Public Health Services 433

41. Greenview Healthcare, Bangalore 560034.

42. Guru Nanak Hospital (Bidar), Bidar 585402.
43. Highland Hospital, Mangalore 575002.
44. Hitech Kidney Stone Hospital, Bangalore 560001.
45. Hitech Medicare Hospital& Research Centre, Udupi 576103.
46. Hosmat Hospital, Bangalore 560025.
47. Hosmath Hospital, Gadag 582101.
48. Jedi Speciality Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Madikeri 571201.
49. Jindal Sanjeevani Hospital, Bellary 583278.
50. K. R. Hospital ( Uttarahalli - Bangalore ), Bangalore 560050.
51. K.R.Hospital, Bangalore 560050.
52. Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resort Pvt. Ltd., Karwar 581326.
53. Kamakshi Hospital, Mysore 570009.
54. Kapl Hospital - Ayurvedagram Heirtage Wellness Center Pvt Ltd,
Bangalore 560067.
55. Karnataka Nephrology And Transplant Institute, Bangalore 560042.
56. Karuna Hospital, Mysore 570023.
57. Koshys Hospital ( Bangalore), Bangalore 560016.
58. Lakeside Medical Centre & Hospital, Bangalore 560042.
59. Lokhande’s Health Care Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore 560043.
60. M. S. Ramaiah Medical Teaching Hospital, Bangalore 560054.
61. Maharaja Agrasen Hospital (Bangalore), Bangalore 560070.
62. Mallige Medical Centre, Bangalore 560001.
63. Mallya Hospital, Bangalore 560001.
64. Manasa Hospital, Bangalore 560079.
65. Mangala Hospital, Hassan 573201.
66. Mathru Nursing Home, Bangalore 560060.
67. Mediscope Hospital Pvt.Ltd, Bangalore 560045.
68. Mitra Hospital, Udupi 576101.
69. Namratha Nursing & Maternity Home, Bangalore 560086.
70. Nandini Nursing Home, Mandya 571401.
71. Nanjappa Hospital, Shimoga 577201.
72. Narayana Hrudayalaya ( Bangalore), Bangalore 562158.
73. Narayana Netralaya, Bangalore 560010.
74. New Pragathi Nursing Home, Mandya 571401.
75. Northside Hospital & Diagnostic Centre, Bangalore 560092.
76. P. D. Hinduja Sindhi Hospital, Bangalore 560027.
77. Panacea Hospital Limited (Bangalore), Bangalore 560079.
78. Prashanthi Medical Centre, Bangalore.
79. Prayavi Hospital, Bidar 585401.
80. Pristine Hospital. Bangalore 560086.
81. Rajiv Gandhi Superspeciality Hospital, Raichur 584101.
82. Rajshekar Hospital, Bangalore 560078.
83. Raman Medical Services, Mysore 570004.
A Handbook of Karnataka 434

84. Ramkrishna Hospital Pvt Ltd/Ram Krishna Nursing Home, Bangalore

560011.
85. Ravi Kirloskar Memorial Hospital, Bangalore 560058.
86. Republic Hospital, Bangalore 560042.
87. Sagar Apollo Hospital, Bangalore 560041.
88. Sahana Hospital, Bangalore 560060.
89. Saikrupa Hospital For Women & Surgical Centre, Bangalore 560040.
90. Santosh Hospital, Bangalore 560005.
91. Sarojini Hospital, Bangalore 560057.
92. Sarvodaya Hospital(Bangalore), Bangalore 560079.
93. Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital, Bangalore 560005.
94. Shakuntala Memorial Hospital & Reserach Centre, Hubli 580030.
95. Shanbhag Nursing Home, Bangalore 560079.
96. Shekar Netralaya ( Bangalore), Bangalore 560078.
97. Shekhar Hospital ( Jaya Nagar - Bangalore ), Bangalore 560069.
98. Shekhar Hospital(Bangalore), Bangalore 560040.
99. Shirdi Sai Hospital, Bangalore 560054.
100. Shiva Krupa Hospital & Intensive Care Unit, Dharwad 580020.
101. Shree Sapthagiri Hospital, Kunigal, 572130.
102. Shreeya Hospital (Dharwad), Dharwad 580001.
103. Shreya Hospital, Bangalore 560060.
104. Shridevi Hospital, Tumkur 572101.
105. Sri Basaveswara Hospital, Shimoga 577201.
106. Sri Ram Hospital ( Bangalore), Bangalore 560036.
107. Srinivasa Cardiology Center Pvt.Ltd.(Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Heart
Centre),Bangalore 560052.
108. St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore 560034.
109. St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore 560001.
110. St. Philomena’s Hospital, Bangalore 560047.
111. Suraksha Nursing Home, Mandya 571401.
112. Sushruta Nursing Home, Bidar 585401.
113. The Bangalore Hospital, Bangalore 560004.
114. The Eye Surgical Centre, Bangalore 560010 .
115. Trinity Hospital & Heart Foudation, Bangalore 560004.
116. Unity Health Complex, Mangalore 575002.
117. Varalakshmi Nursing & Maternity Home, Bangalore 560010.
118. Vasan Eye Care Hospital (Hubli), Hubli 580029.
119. Vinayaka Hospital (Bangalore), Bangalore 560050.
120. Wockhardt Hospital Limited(Bangalore), Bangalore 560052.
121. Wockhardt Hospitals (Bannerghatta), Bangalore 560076.
122. Yellamma Dasappa Hospital, Bangalore 560027.
Medical And Public Health Services 435

State Institute O f Health And Family Welfare

The State Institute of Health and Family Welfare is sanctioned in the year
1995 under IPP-IX (K) vide Government Order No. HFW/33/FAP/94 dated 04­
03-1995 and started functioning from 14-10-1996 with posting of full time
Director to this Institute.
This Institute an apex Level Training Institute of Health and Family Welfare
Department established by the Government of Karnataka under World Bank
assisted Project IPP-IX (K) in 1996. This Institute aims at improving/enhancing
the total effectiveness of Health care delivery system through improving
knowledge and skills in Administration Management and Technical skills
at different levels by identifying training needs of the Health Personnel and
Planning, Organizing, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Training Programmes
of the Department in the State.
This Institute also aims to improve the over all Health care delivery system
through Human Resource Development, consultancy and coordinating with
other Health Training Centres in the State with Objective of enhancing the
quality of the Training to the Health Personnel in the State.
Objectives o f the Training Institute:
1. An apex body facilitates the state in planning, budgeting, implementation,
monitoring and evaluations of required trainings under all National
Health Programmes, Human Resource Management and Logistics.
2. Developments of Manuals and updating of existing Curriculum for basic
trainings and in-service training of Health Staff.
3. Training of Trainers for faculty of training Institutions, District Training
Centres and District level Programme officers including Teaching Faculty
o f the Medical Colleges.
4. To develop research activities in the field of Health and Family Welfare.
5. To initiate Post-Graduation Diploma courses in Health Education and
Diploma in Public Health Nurse.
6. Decentralizing the Training Activities at Districts by establishing District
Training Centres.
7. Special Training programmes under 12th Finance Commission.
State Institute of Health And Family Welfare, Bangalore:
Works as the State Level Nodal Agency for the training under department
of the Health and Family Welfare. Works in formulating state training policy,
planning, implementation and monitoring evaluation of the in-service training
to Medical and paramedical personal in the department. In-service trainings
are taken up under NRHM, IDSP, 12th Finance Commission, NLEP, NPCB and
other programmes. 19 District Training Centres, 4 Health & Family Welfare
Training Centres are working under SIHFW, and helps in dissimilating the
trainings to districts and sub district levels. Short term courses in Public
A Handbook of Karnataka 436

Health Nursing and Public Health Education has been proposed to be started
in future course.

Distribution o f Emergency Contraseptive Pills

Distribution o f Baby Care K it

Medical And Public Health Services 437

PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE

The Public Health Institute is the State Health laboratory and one of the
oldest Institutions in the Department. At present the following sections are
functioning in this Institution.
Diagnostic Bacteriology Section, Water Bacteriology Section, Water Chemical
Section, Chemical Examiners Section, Yellow Fever Vaccine Section, Pesticide
Lab Section, Training Section, Media Section, State Food Laboratory Section.
Integrated Disease Surveillance Project
The “Integrated Disease Surveillance Project” , has been launched in the
country during the year 2004. In Karnataka, the Integrated Disease Project
has been launched on 28-5-2005.
The state Head Quarters has been provided with the Control Room, which is
functioning 24x7 hours, required communication net work has been provided
to report any outbreak of epidemic diseases, wherever it occurred in the state.
In all 27 Districts Communication net work equipments like, Computers, Fax
Machines, Broad Band Connections, Video Conferencing equipments, have
been provided to State & District Surveillance Units for transfer of disease
data reports to the State & Central Surveillance Units. Minor Civil Works at 19
District Surveillance Units, Districts Labs. Selected CHCs under the jurisdiction
of 19 Districts have been completed and made them functional effectively. In
4 districts i.e. Bellary, Chamarajanagar, Madikeri, Mysore, assessment of the
work order were issued to Contractors through KHSDP.
Population Centre
The main objective of the Population Centre is to assist the Government of
Karnataka especially the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services in
implementing various Health and Family Welfare Programmes more effectively
and efficiently by undertaking various research and evaluation studies.
Drugs Control Department
Drugs Control Department in Karnataka is functioning as an independent
Department since 1962 under the Health & Family Welfare Department,
Government of Karnataka with the Drugs Controller as the Head of
Department.
There are three wings in the Department:
Administration and Enforcement, Drugs Testing Laboratory and Pharmacy
Education
The main function of the Department is to protect the health of the consumers
by enforcing the provisions of drugs and cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there
under and other allied Acts and exercising strict control and vigilance so that
the drugs which are manufactured and sold in this State are of standard quality,
safe and effective and are available at controller prices.
A Handbook of Karnataka 438

The department enforces the following Central Legislations through its

administrative machinery:-
1. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules there under.
2. Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995.
3. Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable) Advertisements Act, 1954 and
Rules there under.
4. The Pharmacy Act, 1948 and Education Regulations there under.
5. The Poisons Act, 1919 and Karnataka Poisons Rules, 1966.
6. Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 in relation to Drugs
covered by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act & Rules there under.
Presently there are 229 Drug Manufacturing Units comprising of small
scale and large scale manufacturers engaged in the manufacture of bulk
drugs and formulations. 415 Loan Licensees and 89 Cosmetics Manufacturing
Licensees, 19 Cosmetics Loan Licensees and 05 Re-packing Units There are
164 Blood Banks operating in the State and 10 approved Testing Laboratories
are functioning. There are 21438 dealers, namely, Chemists and Druggists,
Wholesale dealers and restricted licensees who sell House hold Remedies.
Drugs Testing Laboratory: The Drugs Testing Laboratory is provided with
Hi-tech equipments and Technical personnel and is equipped to analyze all
types of drugs and cosmetics except Vaccines, Sera, Blood & Blood Products
Directorate O f Medical Education, Bangalore
The Directorate of Medical Education of the Government of Karnataka was
bifurcated from the Department of Health & Family Welfare Services, in the
year 1978 and is functioning independently since then. The main aim of the
Department is to provide a good quality education in medical sciences.
The primary responsibility of the Directorate of Medical Education is to
conduct various medical courses, for providing quality medical education at
graduate, post-graduate, and super-specialty levels, para-medical courses,
nursing, etc. To fit into the above philosophy, the Department is geared up
to bring in a qualitative change, with due emphasis on providing a low-cost &
curative health care services, at tertiary level hospitals.
There are fourteen Teaching Hospitals, four Nursing Colleges and eight
Nursing Schools, under the direct control of the Directorate. Further, two
Government Medical Colleges at Bangalore & Mysore and one Government
Dental College at Bangalore, which were under the direct control of the
Directorate of Medical Education have been given autonomous status; and
six newly started Government Medical Colleges at Hassan, Shimoga, Mandya,
Medical And Public Health Services 439

Bidar, Belgaum and Raichur, which are also autonomous; and one Para -
Medical Board, are functioning independently in the State and are catering to
the academic needs in varied fields of medicine and nursing.
The following are the Medical Institutions and Teaching Hospitals:
1. Bangalore Medical College & Research Centre, Bangalore;
2. Mysore Medical College & Research Centre, Mysore;
3. Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences, Mandya;
4. Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hassan;
5. Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga;
6. Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences, Raichur;
7. Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum;
8. Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bidar;
9. Government Dental College & Research Centre, Bangalore;
10. Government College of Nursing, Bangalore;
11. Government College of Nursing, Hassan;
12. Government College of Nursing, Holenarasipura and
13. Government College of Nursing, Gulbarga, (School upgraded to College).
14. Karnataka Diabetic Centre, Bangalore.
15. Regional Advanced Paediatric Care Centre attached to Wenlock District
Hospital, Mangalore.
Nursing Schools (eight):
1. Nursing School, Victoria Hospital, Bangalore;
2. Nursing School, Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital, Bangalore;
3. Nursing School, District Hospital, Chitradurga;
4. Nursing School, Chigateri General Hospital,Davanagere;
5. Nursing School, District Hospital, Belgaum;
6. Nursing School, District Hospital, Bijapur;
7. Nursing School, K.R. Hospital, Mysore &
Nursing School, District Wenlock Hospital, Mangalore.
The following seven Autonomous Medical Institutions coming under Medical
Education Department are functioning independently, each headed by a
Director, under the direct control of the Government:
A Handbook of Karnataka 440

1. Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli (KIMS);

2. Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary (VIMS);
3. Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore;
4. National Institute of Mental & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore;
5. KIDWAI Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore;
6. Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore &
7. Nephro-Urology Institute, Bangalore.
There is a separate Health University viz., Rajeev Gandhi University of Health
Sciences, which is an apex body in the academic field.
Nursing Activities
During the academic year 2007-08, 295 candidates for admission in 8
Nursing Schools, for Diploma in Nursing Training; 1961 candidates for Diploma
Nursing Course against the Government quota of seats in Private Nursing
Schools in Karnataka to the extent o f 10% of the total seats in the Institutions,
have been made.
46 eligible in-service nursing personnel have been selected for Post-Certificate
B.Sc.(N) at Government Nursing College, Bangalore and 122 in-service nursing
personnel have been selected to undergo post-graduation in Nursing, under
the Government quota in 31 Private Nursing Colleges in the State.
Para-Medical Activities:
Prior to 1997, all the Para-Medical Courses were conducted and monitored
by the Vocational Education Board. Since these courses are of inter-disciplinary
in medical subjects, the Para-Medical Board has been reconstituted by the
Government, vide its Order dated: 02-05-1997 and is functioning under the
control of the Director of Medical Education in the State.
The objects of Para-Medical Courses are to introduce scientific principles
and quality, during the study and training period, so that the trainees acquire
adequate knowledge and skills in their respective fields of specialty. This
inter-disciplinary feature of the Para- Medical Courses, besides having great
employment potentiality, ensures well-trained and qualified Para-Medical
personnel, essentially required for the up-keeping o f a good health care system
in the Country, in times of growing needs for the same.
Karnataka State Chief Minister’s Medical Relief Society:
Karnataka State Chief Minister’s Medical Relief Society has been constituted
as per the Order dated 18.4.1995, with an object of giving free medical treatment to
the financially backward people from the below-poverty line, whose annual family
income is less than Rs.20,000/- , suffering from major potentially fatal illness
Medical And Public Health Services 441

like cardiac illness, neurological sickness, requiring kidney transplantation,

brain tumor, etc. The participating Hospitals under this Scheme for giving free
medical treatment are: 1. Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore, 2.
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, 3.National Institute of Mental Health &
Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, 4. Victoria Hospital, Bangalore, 5. Indira Gandhi
Institute of Child Health, Bangalore, 6. Sanjay Gandhi Accident Relief Hospital
and Research Institute, Bangalore, 7. Rajiv Gandhi S.D.S.T.B. and Chest
Diseases, Hospital, Bangalore, 8. Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, Bangalore, 9.
Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, 10. Vijayanagar Institute of
Medical Sciences, Bellary and all the Government Hospitals including the
teaching hospitals in the State.
The Government of Karnataka have formed this Society with an amount of
Rs.100.00 crores as Corpus Fund for the Karnataka Chief Minister’s Medical
Relief Society. Initially the Government of Karnataka has provided Rs.10.00
crores in the annual budget of 1995-96 which has become the nucleus of this
fund. The remaining amount of Rs.90.00 crores should be collected from the
Philanthropists, Non-Resident Indians and other Charitable Institutions. Total
grants received hitherto for this fund is Rs.45.65 crores, out of which Rs.30.77
crores is from the State Government, Rs.5.00 crores from the Government of
India and an amount of Rs.9.88 crores was collected as donations from the
Charitable Institutions and the Philanthropists, as per the provisions of section
80G of the Income tax Act 1961. The total accrued interest earned on the
investment made hitherto in this regard, is about Rs. 26.90 crores. Only the
interest amount is being utilized for the said purpose. During the year 2007­
08, a provision of Rs. 975.00 lakhs has been made in the State Budget and so
far, 43,677 beneficiaries have been covered.
Karnataka Drug Logistics Warehouse Society
Karnataka Drug Logistics Warehouse Society has been implemented
with the assistance of European Commission through Govt. of India, vide Govt.
Order No. HFW 64 HPC 2003 Dated: 17-5-2003.
The main objective of the Karnataka Drug Logistics Warehouse Society is to
provide good quality Drugs, Chemicals and other essential items at lower prices
(as compared to market prices) to various health institutions in the State under
the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services as well as Directorate of
Medical Education at all times, in accordance with their indents by following
scientific drug management using Information Technology. To identify the
essential drugs and to coordinate with the State Therapeutic Committee in
preparing list essential drugs required by the State to cater to the needs of
different level hospitals in the State.
A Handbook of Karnataka 442

District-wise health institutions and hospital facilities in karnataka

2007-08 (in numbers)
District Other
District Community health centres
Hospitals Hospitals
Taluka
Others Total
Hospitals
Nos. Beds. Nos. Beds. Nos. Beds. Nos. Beds. Nos. Beds.
Bangalore 0 0 12 4327 03 300 03 90 06 390
Bangalore
0 0 0 0 04 400 0 0 04 400
Rural
Ramanagara 01 100 0 0 03 300 04 120 07 420
Chitradurga 01 450 0 0 05 500 10 300 15 800
Davanagere 01 850 02 180 05 500 04 120 09 620
Kolar 01 400 04 538 04 400 02 60 06 460
Chikkaball-
01 100 0 0 05 510 02 60 07 570
pura
Shimoga 01 600 01 25 06 650 05 150 11 800
Tumkur 01 400 0 0 09 900 04 120 13 1020
Chikmagalur 01 300 01 100 06 600 04 120 10 720
Dakshina
01 705 02 360 04 400 06 180 10 580
Kannada
Udupi 01 124 01 76 02 200 08 240 10 440
Hassan 01 850 0 0 07 950 14 420 21 1370
Kodagu 01 200 01 210 02 360 06 180 08 540
Mandya 01 400 01 148 06 600 05 150 11 750
Mysore 0 0 04 1970 06 600 11 330 17 930
Chamaraja­
01 250 0 0 03 350 03 90 06 440
nagar
Belgaum 01 740 0 0 09 900 15 450 24 1350
Bijapur 01 400 01 110 04 400 08 240 12 640
Bagalkot 01 150 0 0 05 500 07 210 12 710
Dharwad 01 250 03 1180 03 300 0 0 03 300
Gadag 01 114 02 112 04 400 02 60 06 460
Haveri 01 100 0 0 06 600 05 150 11 750
Uttara 01 400 01 50 10 1000 03 90 13 1090
Kannada
Bellary 01 512 05 1045 06 600 07 210 13 810
Bidar 01 400 0 0 04 400 06 180 10 580
Gulbarga 01 750 0 0 09 900 21 630 30 1530
Raichur 01 400 0 0 04 400 05 150 09 550
Koppal 01 100 01 30 03 300 08 240 11 540
State 26 10045 42 10461 147 15220 178 5340 325 20560
Source: Karnataka at a glance, 2007-08, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
Bangalore.
Medical And Public Health Services 443

District Primary Health Urban PHCs Sub Total

Centres centres Beds
Nos. Beds Nos. Beds
Bangalore 73 251 0 0 185 4968
Bangalore Rural 46 213 0 0 192 613
Ramanagara 54 279 0 0 240 799
Chitradurga 86 312 0 w0 273 1562
Davanagere 103 446 0 0 291 2096
Kolar 60 308 01 06 201 1712
Chikkaballpura 56 278 0 0 184 948
Shimoga 88 376 01 06 307 1807
Tumkur 134 656 01 06 477 2082
Chikmagalur 88 352 01 06 334 1478
Dakshina 67 364 0 0 431 2009
Kannada
Udupi 72 374 0 0 293 1014
Hassan 124 566 01 06 420 2792
Kodagu 32 257 0 0 188 1207
Mandya 106 620 02 12 375 1930
Mysore 135 641 02 12 432 3553
Chamarajanagar 57 350 0 0 246 1040
Belgaum 146 780 01 06 539 2876
Bijapur 64 324 0 0 285 1474
Bagalkot 47 248 0 0 224 1108
Dharwad 31 166 01 06 179 1902
Gadag 35 172 0 0 174 858
Havery 68 281 0 0 290 1131
Uttara Kannada 78 394 01 06 120 1940
Bellary 70 323 01 06 272 2696
Bidar 50 244 01 06 234 1230
Gulbarga 126 574 01 06 378 2860
Raichur 52 270 01 06 196 1226
Koppal 45 220 01 06 183 896
State 2193 10639 17 102 8143 51807
Source: Karnataka at a glance, 2007-08, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
Bangalore.
A Handbook of Karnataka 444

District Sterilization Immunisation

D.T.P. Polio B.C.G. Measles T.T.
Bangalore 67590 274316 274316 266468 262206 302322
Bangalore Rural 13189 32486 32486 31812 30984 34097
Ramanagara
Chitradurga 8841 31325 31325 31643 31208 34776
Davanagere 13370 37686 37686 37379 35984 41513
Kolar 17471 49577 49577 51380 45681 51671
Chikkaballpura
Shimoga 10639 31961 31961 32196 31076 33221
Tumkur 14787 53521 53521 52845 50534 57783
Chikmagalur 6870 18048 18048 17835 16978 17702
Dakshina 6851 22519 22519 22224 22288 24172
Kannada
Udupi 5222 14423 14423 14352 14195 15421
Hassan 10708 27688 27688 27529 27139 27799
Kodagu 4148 10184 10184 11578 10437 11482
Mandya 10546 26420 26520 26894 25997 28467
Mysore 20766 42877 42877 42833 41984 46650
Chamaraja- 6253 15033 15033 14683 14556 16698
nagar
Belgaum 34906 92261 92450 98239 90761 95000
Bijapur 12997 47796 47758 48942 43298 45567
Bagalkot 14835 41326 41513 42537 39158 43402
Dharwad 16029 36539 36539 38790 34540 40365
Gadag 6114 23430 23430 22754 22769 25157
Havery 11424 29153 29153 28932 28405 31956
Uttara Kannada 5455 19689 19591 19790 19351 21301
Bellary 11478 51176 51176 54333 48768 53942
Bidar 13501 37597 37597 36879 35269 37415
Gulbarga 21068 84793 84793 88964 82226 87572
Raichur 12586 38885 38885 39405 37549 39511
Koppal 7185 29328 28328 29486 28027 30498
State 384829 1220037 1219377 1230702 1171368 1295460
Source: Karnataka at a glance, 2007-08, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
Bangalore.
Medical And Public Health Services 445

Dispensaries
Indian System (Coming
Blood
District of Medicine under Indian Drug Shops
Banks
Hospitals System of
Medicine)
Retail Restricted
Number Beds
Shops Shops
Bangalore 06 396 15 4099 212 60
Bangalore (R) 01 06 08 318 03 02
Ramanagara 03 26 33 185 02 0
Chitradurga 03 22 32 356 01 04
Davanagere 01 06 06 557 03 04
Kolar 02 20 34 340 06 04
Chikkaballpura 03 26 28 258 01 0
Shimoga 03 60 42 507 09 07
Tumkur 05 46 07 621 14 06
Chikmagalur 04 28 14 258 01 03
Dakshina 03 31 58 396 42 13
Kannada
Udupi 0 0 09 261 11 01
Hassan 05 57 23 431 06 02
Kodagu 03 30 31 96 05 01
Mandya 04 43 12 415 08 03
Mysore 09 209 05 776 50 11
Chamarajanagar 02 16 08 114 02 0
Belgaum 05 34 32 1172 22 07
Bijapur 03 70 13 581 03 06
Bagalkot 03 26 16 398 01 04
Dharwad 01 25 13 582 26 08
Gadag 02 16 20 264 02 02
Havery 02 12 14 363 03 01
Uttara Kannada 03 26 12 236 06 02
Bellary 10 169 68 662 04 07
Bidar 03 31 23 499 08 02
Gulbarga 10 81 50 852 19 04
Raichur 03 31 17 501 15 05
Koppal 03 22 16 357 0 0
State 105 1565 659 16455 485 169
Source: Karnataka at a glance, 2007-08, Directorate of Economics and Statistics,
Bangalore.
A Handbook of Karnataka 446
 Chapter XII
SOCIAL WELFARE MEASURES
In addition to education and health care, many welfare activities are undertaken
by the State. Welfare of Labour, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,
Backward Classes, Women and Children, the Disabled and other weaker
sections are the concerns of a Welfare State. Besides the Government, various
voluntary organisations and agencies have also come forward in fulfilling this
task. Some of the major activities and programmes taken up in this direction
are highlighted here.
Labour Welfare
The Labour Department headed by the Labour Commissioner is functioning
with its head office in Bangalore. The Labour Commissioner is assisted at the
Head Quarters by the Additional Labour Commissioner, two Joint Labour
Commissioners and other Officers. There are five Regional officers of whom,
two are in Bangalore and one each at Hassan, Belgaum and Gulbarga. There
are 11 Divisional offices and 39 Sub-divisional offices at the District level,
seven Labour Officers Exclusively for Child Labour, 63 Circle Offices coming
under the Municipal Corporation and 164 Circle offices at taluk level. The
main functions of this department are: 1) Prevention of strikes, lock-outs,
settlement of industrial disputes and maintenance of industrial peace and
harmony in the State. 2) Administration and enforcement of various Central
and State Labour laws and rules framed there under. 3) Fixing minimum wages
at regular intervals for various scheduled employments under the Minimum
Wages Act. 4) Popularisation of Worker’s Education Scheme and enforcement
of recreational activities among workers through welfare centres of the Labour
Welfare Board. 5) Implementation of the recommendations of various Wage
Boards and other Tripartite bodies. 6) Implementation of International Labour
Organisation conventions ratified by the Government of India. 7) Extending the
benefit of welfare provisions of the various Labour Legislations and bringing
about improvement in working conditions. 8) Ensuring minimum wages
to unorganised categories of workers in agricultural and other scheduled
employments as per the minimum wages Act.
During the year 1999-2000, there were twenty three strikes and seven lock­
outs involving 6,721 workers in the State. As per the Industrial dispute Act
1947, 334 cases were settled, 152 were withdrawn and 843 were pending at
the end of December 1999. The number of applications received as per the
Worker’s Compensation Act 1923, were 3,655, the number of claims settled
were 2,580 and as per the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946,
the number of establishments certified were 2,277.
During 2004-05, there were nine strikes involving 3836 workers and the
member of Mandays lost was 5516. In the same year three Lockouts and
A Handbook of Karnataka 448

number workers involved was 857 and man days lost were 22491; Layoffs two,
workers involved - 38, man days lost 3542; refreshments affecting factories - 2
workers of retrenched-72; closures - 7 and workers affected - 253
Employees State Insurance Scheme: It was introduced in the year 1952
in accordance with the E.S.I Act 1948 and rules there under. Initially, this
scheme was covering non-seasonal factories employing 20 or more workers
and those who were drawing wages up to the maximum of Rs. 400 per month.
Since January 1997, the wage limit was raised to Rs. 6,500 per month and the
Act also has been amended to cover factories not using power with 20 or more
persons and shops and business establishments, hotels, cinema homes and
such other establishments employing 20 or more persons. The ESI Scheme
provides mainly six benefits, namely; 1) Medical benefit in kind 2) Sickness
benefit, 3) Maternity benefit 4) Disablement benefits 5) Dependents Benefit and
6) Funeral Benefit, all in cash. The medical benefits are extended to persons
insured as well as to their families. The E.S.I. Scheme in Karnataka was first
implemented in Bangalore on 27-7-1958 with 12 dispensaries and one 100-
bedded hospital for 48,000 in-patients. Since then, the scheme was expanded
rapidly and is now providing full medical care to about 7,73,000 insured
persons. Karnataka is the first State in the country to extend full medical care
to families of insured persons. During 1999-2000, the State has provided full
medical care to about 5 lakh family units covering 40 lakhs beneficiaries in the
state. During 1999-2000 there were 9 E.S.I. Hospitals, 129 full time and seven
part-time Dispensaries, nine Ayurvedic Dispensaries, 12 Employer facility
Dispensaries and one Diagnostic centre.
For the year 2004-05, under the state insurance scheme, a total of 24069
factories were covered. The number of employees who benefited from this
scheme was 3024. The value of benefits under different categories was ;- (1)
Disablement claims - 365 and amount paid Rs. 8,543 (2) Sickness Claims -
3,302 and amount paid 38,988 (3) maternity number of confinements ; 430
and amount Rs. 48,570 (4) Dependent cases - death cases admitted - 11 and
claims - Rs. 15,335.
In order to create awareness in the minds of both management and workers
about safety, health and welfare while working in factories, the Department of
factories and Boilers headed by the Chief Inspector of Factories and Boilers is
functioning in the State. The department is entrusted with the responsibilities
of enforcing the following Acts and rules there under: a) The Indian Boilers
Act, 1923, b) The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, c) the Factories Act, 1948,
d) The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and the Dangerous Machines (Regulation)
Act, 1983. The Department ensures a safe working environment for about
8.98 lakh workers employed in about 5,978 registered factories exposed to
dangerous operations. It conducts inspection of 2,355 registered boilers, as
per specifications prescribed in the Indian Boilers Regulations Act, 1950, and
certifies their safety.
Social Welfare Measures 449

Trade Union Movement: Though Karnataka has a number of modern

industrial units by the close of the First World War, labourers were not organised
in the State till then. The Railway workers had organised themselves at Hubli and
Mysore in 1920s. The Trade Unions Act that was passed in 1926 at the Centre
was not extended to the erstwhile princely Mysore satae till 1941. As a result
Trade Unions in erstwhile Mysore, were registered as charitable institutions.
The first labour union was organised by Congressmen in Bangalore. The early
leaders were A.M.Ramasharma, a Journalist, and K.T.Bhasyam who organised
the Binny Mill workers in the 1920s. The Binny Mill firing of 1926 in which
some persons were killed, resulted in the Congress conducting an enquiry
by appointing a private Commission headed by C.V.Narasimha Murthy. This
incident helped to strengthen the morale of the workers. The Raja and Minerva
Mill workers were also organised by the congress leaders. In 1929, Bangalore
Textile Trade Union was founded and it became powerful. By 1938, it had
acquired strength for compelling the State government to intervene on behalf
of the Management Act similar to the Central Act 1926 which was passed in
1941.

Trade Union Movement was strong in many other districts of the state,
like Gokak Falls, Hubli and Mangalore. In 1929, the Mysore Railway Men’s
Association was established under the Presidentship of M.Venkatakrishnaiah.
During 1930s, V.V.Giri, General Secretary of All-India Railwaymen’s Federation
visited the state to strengthen Trade Union Movement.

In Belgaum district, the Trade Union Movement was militated even before
the passing of the Trade Union Act 1926. Some of the earliest Trade Unions
as per the available sources were Presidency Postmen’s and Lower Grade Staff
Union (1918), the Belgaum Divisional Postal Union (1920), and the Belgaum
District Postmen’s and Lower Grade Staff Union (1925).

In Mangalore, the Tile and Cashewnut workers and Beedi workers had also
organised themselves in 1937, with Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya being one of
the leaders. The Bharat Mills of Hubli and Gokak Mills of Gokak Falls organised
such similar Trade Unions prior to the Second World War.

The textile worker’s long strike in Bangalore during 1940 forced the Mysore
Government to recognise labour unions by an Act of 1941. The Trade Unions all
over, struck work for many days to support the Quit India Movement in 1942.
Up to 1940, labour movement was more or less confined to textile industry.
In the engineering industry which constitutes the second largest sector of the
State, the movement emerged only after the Second World War.
The Hindustan Aircraft Employees Union was founded in 1946. An
employee of HAL who organised labour was dismissed in 1951. The Union
was received by outside leadership in 1954. This pattern was followed in other
A Handbook of Karnataka 450

units and gradually the Trade Unions in the Industries, also admitted outside
leadership.

The Trade Union Movement was gradually becoming stronger in its

membership and also in the number of unions year by year. By the end of 1980,
there were 1,636 trade unions which increased to 3,905 in 1999. By 2004-05,
the number of registered trade unions was 4,012 and the total membership
was 5,41,950. There are 4 Industrial Tribunals functioning in the state, two
at Bangalore, and one each at Hubli and Mysore. There are 12 Labour Courts,
4 at Bangalore, two at Hubli, one each at Mangalore, Mysore, Chikmagalur,
Gulbarga, Bijapur and Madikeri.
Welfare of SCs and STs
The welfare movement of Scheduled Castes and other depressed classes
was initiated in many parts of the State, even earlier to the movement, started
by Mahatma Gandhi. In the year 1889-90, two Government Schools were
opened for the untouchables at Huskur (Bangalore district) and Narasapur
(Kolar Dt). During 1890 a Mission School was started at Mysore for them.
The Theosophical Society took initiative for the welfare movement of the
Untouchables, when it started its activities in Mysore during 1896. Kudmul
Ranga Rao started Depressed Classes League at Mangalore in 1897 and started
schools for the Koragas and other untouchables in Dakshina Kannada. In
1910, M. Venkatakrishnaiah founded “Panchama Education League” and in
1913, Government sanctioned a Central Boarding School for the Panchamas
at Mysore and made Talakadu Rangegowda its manager with provision for
Industrial Training. The Depressed Classes Education Mission was formed in
1913 at Mysore and it took up the work of improving the conditions of the
Depressed classes. During 1915-16, there were 287 schools for the Depressed
Classes, in which, 171 were government, 108 aided and 8 unaided in the
erstwhile Mysore State. In the same year, the Mysore Government passed an
order to admit untouchables in all the public schools in the State with the
principle that none should be denied admission to schools run by the public
funds. Similarly S.V. Hanumantha Raju and his Wife worked for Panchama
School at Chitradurga.
In 1918, a resolution was made to work for the education of Untouchables in
the District Political Conference held at Athani and in the same year, Panchama
Boarding Schools were started at Tumkur and Chikmagalur. Veeranna Gowda
Patil had started a Hostel for untouchable boys in Belgaum in 1920’s before his
joining the Congress. Tagadur Ramachandra Rao had started his movement for
the eradication of untouchability in Mysore District by strongly opposing the
restrictions on the untouchables in utilising public tanks and wells, by taking
out processions in streets, securing the admissions to schools and entry into
temples during 1930’s. He also established Satyagraha Ashrama at Tagadur
during 1931 to bring about social equality. Govindacharya Swamy a retired
Social Welfare Measures 451

engineer was another person who strived for the cause in Mysore. Aryamurthy
of Chanapatna also worked for their welfare.
During the Gandhian era, special efforts were made to work for the upliftment
of the Scheduled Castes called as Harijans by Mahatma Gandhi. He undertook
Harijan tour in various parts of the State in 1934 and 1936. During his tour he
visited many Harijan colonies and appealed to the people to put an end to the
practice of untouchability and to improve the lot of the depressed classes. A
branch of the Harijan Sevak Sangh was started in Karnataka soon after his tour
and Sardar Veerannagowda Patil became the State President. R. Gopalaswamy
Iyer worked tirelessly during the 1930’s and 1940s in the erstwhile Mysore
State for the education of the Untouchables and securing jobs for the newly
educated among them.
In 1935, an advisory committee for the welfare of the depressed classes,
consisting of members of the depressed classes and others was constituted
under the Chairmanship of the Director of Public Instruction in Mysore. In
Gulbarga area, the Government made it a policy to allow the private agencies
to open special primary schools for the children of the depressed classes
with the financial aid from Nizam’s government. Another effort to uplift the
untouchables was the opening of a ‘Sarvajanika’ Hostel at Mysore for all
communities including the untouchables by T.S.Subbanna, who moved from
street to street to collect the resources for its establishment. The scheme for
the award of overseas scholarships to the students of Backward classes was
sanctioned by the Government of erstwhile Bombay Presidency in 1948-49.
In 1949 a separate Harijan Welfare Department was started to look after the
welfare of the Schedules Castes and Scheduled Tribes with the Collector as
District Welfare Officer in Bombay State. One such hostel was also opened at
Khanapur (Belgaum district).
The Arya Samaj which started its activities in Bangalore in 1894, gradually
took the form of a reformist body involving many active workers like M.Arya
Murthy, and his wife H. Saraswathamma. They took up various social reform
activities including the upliftment of untouchables. Brahmachari Ramachandra
carried on ceaseless effort to organise the Harijan Sevak Sangha throughout
the erstwhile Mysore State and the establishment of the Deena Seva Sangha at
Bangalore and the Gurukula Ashram at Kengeri are due to him. A residential
school “Abhayakuteera”, with night classes for the Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe children was started at Channapatna by Arya Murthy. N.
Nanjundaiah of Doddaballapur worked for the cause of the untouchables and
for long duration he was the Taluk President of Harijan Sevak Sangha.
After Independence, and particularly after the reorganisation of state, the
Government has streamlined the welfare programmes in an organised way
for the advancement of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes mainly under
three heads namely, education, economic upliftment and, health and housing
A Handbook of Karnataka 452

schemes. Till 1999, the Department of Social Welfare was functioning in the
State to implement various welfare programmes for both the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes. The Department of Tribal Welfare has been separated
from the department of Social Welfare from January 1999, and is working
for the development of Schedule Tribes. It has schemes similar to that of
the Department of Social Welfare. Among the various programmes of these
departments, the following are some of them.
1) During 1999-2000, 489 Nursery-cum-Women welfare Centres benefiting
25,950 Scheduled Caste children and 70 Schedule Tribe Centres benefiting
3,288 ST children, are functioning in the State to provide pre-primary
education along with mid-day meals and two sets of dresses annually,
and the amount spent on SCs up to December 1999 was Rs. 509.74
lakhs out of 708,15 lakhs provided up to the end of February 2000, Rs.
40.22 lakhs has been spent on STs. For the benefit o f 11,250 SC students
90 residential schools were working in the state by March 2008 ; They
accommodated 7635 students and the amount spent by March 2008 was
Rs. 511.96 lakhs.
2) Eighty-eight residential schools for Scheduled Castes and 94 Ashram
schools for Schedule Tribes benefitting, 8,800 Scheduled Caste students
and 5,725 Scheduled Tribe pupils respectively are functioning during 1999­
2000 to provide education from the first standard to the fourth standard.
3) Pre-metric hostels are maintained by the Departments of Social Welfare and
Tribal Welfare to provide boarding and lodging facilities to the Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe students studying from 5th standard to 10th
standard. During 1999-2000, there were 1044 such hostels run by the
Department of Social Welfare benefitting 62,665 Scheduled Caste students,
1,071 Pre-metric hostels run by the Department ofTribal Welfare benefitting
2,835 Scheduled Tribe students. The amount spent on in 1999-2000 was
Rs. 3,673.92 lakhs and Rs. 151.37 lakhs respectively. Besides, there are
289 and 16 Pre-matric aided hostels benefitting 15.332 SC students and
2835 ST students respectively. During 1999-2000 Rs. 21.74 lakhs and Rs.
18 lakhs has been spent by both the Departments respectively. As on 31­
03-2007 there were 1263 (955 boys and 308 girls) pre-matric hostels with
a sanctioned strength of 87, 370 (65,395 boys and 21675 girls) inmates
at the rate of Rs.450/- per student per month was sanctioned for their
maintenance.
4) In order to provide boarding and lodging facilities for Scheduled Caste post-
matric students, post-matric hostels are maintained by the Department of
Social Welfare. There were 214 such hostels in the State during 1999-2000,
benefiting 16,390 Scheduled Caste students with an outlay of Rs. 460.51
lakhs under certain norms. Apart from this 79 recognised post-matric
grant-in-aid private hostels are run by voluntary organisations benefitting
7,040 post-matric students. By March 2007, there 305 post matric hostels
(boys 223 and girls 82) with a sanctioned strength of 26,748 (21263 boys
Social Welfare Measures 453

and 5485 girls) inmates. For each inmate Rs. 500 p.m. was granted by
the government for their maintenance.
5) Besides matric and post-matric scholarships, merit scholarships and
incentives are provided for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students
by both the Departments. Up to the end of 1999-2000 the number of
beneficiaries under these schemes was, 2,85,866 and 92,403 SC and ST
students respectively for pre-matric scholarship, and the amount spent on
this was Rs. 218.49 and 78.54 lakhs respectively. Under the Post-matric
scholarship scheme, 2,993 students from the Department of Social Welfare
and 4,866 students from the Department of Tribal Welfare are benefited
during 1999-2000.
6) Four Special Employment Exchanges are there for the physically
handicapped and one for SC/STs.
7) There are six University Employment Information and Guidance Bureaus
to give vocational guidance and take up related activities.
8) Besides 47 Morarji Desai Residential schools, the Department of Social
Welfare also maintains four Navodaya pattern residential schools at
Channapatna, Bailahongal, Raichur and Mundaje. Rs. 15.8 lakhs have
been spent on this scheme for the year 2000-2001. By March 2007 there
were 122 Morarji Desai Residential Schools, four Navodaya Schools working
in the state. The Department is also providing funds to impart training to
SC students at Sainik Training School, Belgaum, for getting admission to
Sainik school.
9) Prize money is being awarded to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribe students who secure first class in the first attempt in the Public
Examination and under this scheme, up to the end of December 1999/
January 2000, the amount spent on this was Rs. 26.42 lakhs for SCs,
and Rs. 5.49 lakhs for STs. Besides these, the other facilities like book
banks, study tour and admission to Ramakrishna Ashrama for meritorious
students to provide better education and such other educational facilities
have been provided for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students
by the Departments of both Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare.
10) During 1999-2000, Rs. 20 lakhs have been provided to extend fellowships
to 127 Ph.D. students, at Rs. 10,000/- for Ph.D. and Rs. 8,000/- for
M.Phil. and depute 5 meritorious SC students for higher studies in foreign
universities. During 2007-2008 a sum of Rs. 50 lakhs being earmarked
in the budget and Rs.23.69 lakhs being spent on 283 meritorious SC
students.
In order to create healthy competition among SC and ST students and to
encourage them for continuing education, merit scholarship are being awarded
up to 9th standard. For those who secure more than 60% marks in the annual
A Handbook of Karnataka 454

examination. The rate of scholarship is Rs. 75 per annum for those students
studying in 5th to 7th standard, and Rs. 100, for those who are studying in
8th to 10th standard. During 1999-2000 Rs. 64.16 lakhs have been provided
to the Department of Social Welfare, out of which a sum of Rs. 20.10 lakhs
has been spent up to the end of December 1999, on this, benefitting 22,533
students. The amount provided for this scheme to the Department of Tribal
Welfare during 1999-2000 was Rs. 17.07 lakhs out of which Rs. 7.03 lakhs has
been spent up to the end of January 2000, benefitting 7,015 students. During
2007-08 out of the Rs. 422.62 lakhs earmarked for this purpose, Rs. 233.71
was utilized up to Dec. 2007
Under the Centrally-sponsored scheme, the SC children of those engaged
in unclean occupations like flaying, tanning, scavenging etc., are sanctioned
scholarship and they are also admitted to the Government hostels with a view
to providing education facilities. During 1999-2000 the number of beneficiaries
under this scheme was 23 and the amount spent up to December 1999 on this
was Rs. 0.22 lakhs. During 2007-08, a sum of Rs. 63.50 lakhs was provided to
these schemes covering 7084 SC students.
Five Pre-Examination Training Centres are functioning in the State under
the Centrally-sponsored scheme, two at Bangalore and one each in Gulbarga,
Dharwad and Mysore to train Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes candidates
who intend to appear for various competitive examinations conducted by the
Union Public Service Commission. Karnataka Public Service Commission, Staff
Selection Commission and other recruiting agencies. During the year 1999­
2000, a sum of Rs. 29.31 lakhs was spent up to the end of December 1999.
During 2007-08, an amount of Rs. 11.18 lakhs has been utilized by the centres
to facilitate 70 candidates till December 2007.
The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates undergoing training
in typewriting and stenography are sanctioned stipend ranging from Rs. 50 to
Rs. 200 by the Department of Social Welfare. In addition to this, the fees at the
prescribed rate is payable to the Institution by the Government. During the
year 2007-2008 a sum of Rs.3.11 lakhs has been spent upto December 2007,
benefiting 492 candidates.
Under the self-employment scheme, foremanship is imparted to Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe Diploma Holders in the field of Mechanical, Electrical
and Metallurgical Engineering courses for a period of minimum three months
up to two years for improving the employment opportunities. Each trainee will
be sanctioned Rs. 500/- per month as stipend.
In order to train Scheduled Caste women in various crafts, 61 Tailoring
Training Centres, eight Tailoring Production Units and one Lacquerware Training
Centre at Channapatna have been run by the Social Welfare Department.
Every year 1,395 women are being trained in these centres. The stipend of Rs.
150 p.m. per trainee is being paid by the tepartment. The tepartment is also
supplying sewing machines free of cost to the successful candidates of Tailoring
Training Centres functioning under the Department. During the year 1999-
Social Welfare Measures 455

2000, a sum of Rs. 107.37 lakhs has been spent upto the end of December
1999, benefiting 1,395 candidates. The two tepartments are imparting training
to law graduates belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, of four
years duration to acquire sufficient knowledge about judicial administration
and during the training period a sum of Rs, 1,000 p.m. will be paid as stipend.
Under this scheme, 100 SC and 100 ST candidates are to undergo training
every year. To start their own law practice and also to enrol themselves in
the Bar Council, the Government is assisting the unemployed SC and ST law
graduates in another scheme, by giving them Rs. 5,000 as lump sum aid. An
amount of Rs. 35.10 lakhs to Social Welfare Department and Rs. 15.97 lakhs
to Tribal Welfare Department has been provided for these schemes for the year
1999-2000. In the year 1999-2000 the Tribal Welfare Department has spent
Rs. 4.07 lakhs upto January 2000 benefitting 61 trainees. In 2007-08 a sum of
Rs.59.29 lakhs has been provided for 343 SC law graduate trainees for a period
of four years.
Educated Youths are given occupational training, under Navachetana
Scheme for enabling them to get employment or self employment. In this
regard certain reputed institutions and private organisations have joined their
hands, and are giving training to uneducated youths in different trades and
also in computer field. Various courses in computer training are conducted.
An amount of Rs. 40 lakhs was earmarked to benefit 600 SC students and an
amount of Rs. 10 lakhs to benefit 125 ST students during 1999-2000. During
2007-08, under self employment training scheme, (Navachetana Scheme) a
sum of Rs. 7.99 lakhs has been spent on 574 SC candidates. A sum of Rs.
12.39 lakhs being spent on successful tailoring SC trainees by supplying 315
sewing machines till Dec. 2007.
Under the scheme of self-employment and training, the Scheduled Caste
and Scheduled Tribe unemployed candidates are encouraged to undergo
three-months training in driving autorickshaws and lightmotor vehicles with
a view to make themselves self-employed and the urban area students are
paida monthly stipend of Rs. 150 and rural area trainees are paid Rs. 300 as
stipend during training. Training fees to the driving schools are also paid by the
concerned departments, as prescribed by the R.T.O. In 1999-2000 the number
of ST beneficiaries was 33, by the end of January 2000.
Rs. 171.52 lakhs is being shared equally by the State and Central government
to encourage inter-caste marriages, where if the spouse belongs to SC, a
financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 is sanctioned to the married couples. This
scheme is being implemented with an intention to remove untouchability. To
compensate the victims of atrocities, assistance ranging from Rs. 2,500 to Rs.
2 lakhs is paid to the victims depending upon the nature of the loss sustained.
An amount of Rs. 50 lakhs has been spent up to the end of December 1999
under State Sector through the Department of Social Welfare.
The houses of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes are electrified by
sanctioning financial assistance of Rs. 500 per house. A sum of Rs. 13.00 lakhs
A Handbook of Karnataka 456

to Social Welfare Department and Rs. 4.10 lakhs to Tribal Welfare Department
has been provided for this scheme, during 1999-2000, to electrify 2600 SC
houses and 820 ST houses respectively. The Department of Social Welfare has
taken up a scheme of construction of hostel buildings on a massive scale in a
phased manner. Seventy-three hostel buildings were completed with a cost of
Rs. 14.583 lakhs during 1999-2000. Under Dr. Ambedkar Housing Scheme,
the Department of Tribal Welfare spends Rs. 20,000, per unit for construction
of houses for Scheduled Tribes. In this, the Department of Tribal Welfare grants
Rs. 19,000 and the Rural Development Department shares Rs. 1,000. This
scheme is being implemented from 1997-98. The Department has sanctioned
Rs. 26.60 crores for construction of 4,000 ST houses during the year 1997­
98, and 5,000 houses during the year 1998-99. Including 1,600 houses of
urban area taken up in 1997-98, an amount of Rs.12.70 crores have been
provided during 2000-2001, to construct a total number of 6,600 houses. The
Department o f Social Welfare, during 1999-2000, targeted to construct 15,000
houses under this scheme for SCs. Totally 15,942 Ambedkar houses have been
completed so far, including houses taken up prior to 1999.
Under vocational training programme, the Corporation is imparting training
for TV/ VCR, radio repairs and servicing, computer training, etc. for women.
New programmes like pre-press technology/DTP, Fashion designing have also
been started. During 1999-2000, the number of beneficiaries, assisted under
this was 4,471, with an amount of Rs. 213.44 lakhs as subsidy.
A comprehensive integrated planned development effort, directed towards
eradicating poverty among the Scheduled Castes is made by providing the
much-needed basic infrastructure like water supply, irrigation, electricity,
approach roads, housing sanitations, education etc., 39 development
departments including Boards and Corporations are implementing the Special
Component Plan by earmarking 15% of their annual budget. During 1999­
2000 a sum of Rs. 44,276.79 lakhs has been provided under different heads
of development departments towards this plan to assist 2 lakh SC families.
Under the infrastructure facilities to SC colonies out of the Rs. 1770.28 lakhs
earmarked, Rs. 97.11 lakhs was spent up to Dec. 2007. Under the scheme of
economic development of scheduled caste families, out of Rs. 1119.47 lakhs
earmarked, Rs. 48.83 lakhs has been spent up to December 2007. Under the
special central Assistance to SC by the Central Government an amount of Rs.
2057.94 lakhs was allotted.
Under Integrated Rural Development Programme, at least 50% of the
funds are to be utilised for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Intensive
development work on a phased manner was started during the Second Five
Year Plan to improve the social and economic conditions of the Scheduled
Tribes and also encourage their education under the Integrated Tribal
Development Programme. According to 1991 Census, 55,000 families are in
the opt areas which are in the Districts o f Mysore, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada
Social Welfare Measures 457

and Chikmagalur. There are 21 LAMPS (Large Sized Agricultural Multipurpose

Co-operative Society) functioning in the Tribal areas of the State. During 1999­
2000 there were 62,339 Scheduled Tribe members who have been enrolled
in these LAMP Societies. A Special Programme of Social Security Scheme
(Life Insurance) to the Scheduled Tribes in the Integrated Tribal Development
Programme has been sanctioned by the Government in the year 1992. According
to this scheme, Tribals working as forest labourers between the age group of 18
to 60 years are provided insurance coverage to the extent of Rs. 25,000 to every
member. Under this scheme, 82,589 Tribals are covered and Rs. 9.91 lakhs
has been spent during 1999-2000.
Under the social welfare scheme, the expenditure incurred for the development
of different categories for the year 2004-05 were as follows:
Schedule Caste Schedule Tribe OBC Minorities
Non Non Non
Plan Non plan Plan Plan Plan
plan plan plan
Education 9654.52 11150.93 1728.31 1868.78 2033.47 9532.21 263.43 66.05
Economic
3751.36 638.87 8065.84 - - - - -
upliftment
Health &
3833.70 1556.73 1276.86 - 1644.86 651.12 233.36 -
Housing
Social
26856.59 9342.70 - - - - - -
welfare
Source : Dept. of Social Welfare.

Scheduled Tribes Welfare

The Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department (1999) is empowered to implement
various educational socio-economic development programmes for the welfare
of the scheduled tribes in the state. The Directorate office at the State level
discharges its administrative powers through District Social Welfare Office at
District level and Taluk Social Welfare office at taluk level.
The department runs 129 pre matric hostels (90 boys and 39 girls) with a
sanctioned strength 7295 (5085 boys and 2210 girls); It runs 28 (20 boys 28
girls) post matric hostel, with a sanctioned strength of 1700 (1225 boys and
475 girls) students. Besides it also supervises 30 (28 boys and 2 girls) grant in
Aid prematric hostels, and 05 (boys) post matric private hostels. It also runs
122 ashram schools with a sanctioned strength of 15075 students (both boys
and girls). It has 20 Morarji Desai residential schools for maintaining 4150
students. It has 28 Nursery cum women centres to accommodate 1400 trainees.
It also runs Ekalavya model Residential Schools___numbers, accommodating
1260 student belonging to scheduled tribes. Under coaching and allied
schemes to train eligible scheduled tribes candidates to various competitive
examinations like IAS and IPS. Out of the allotted amount of Rs. 4 lakhs. Rs.
1.68 lakhs was spent on 16 ST candidates up to December 2007. For the
A Handbook of Karnataka 458

upgradation of meritorious scheduled tribe students out of the Rs. 100 lakhs
earmarked for 2007-08, a sum of Rs. 72.21 lakhs being spent on 397 scheduled
tribe students up to December 2007. Under Navachetana Programme out of
the 30.06 lakhs earmarked Rs. 18 lakhs being spent 358 candidates up to
December 2007. Book Banks facilities to medical and engineering students, is
also being provided by the department for the ST student to encourage the pre
metric students. Pre metric scholarship is being given. Out of the amount of
Rs. 425.20 lakhs earmarked for 2007-08, an amount of Rs. 246.97 lakhs was
spent on 2,63,119 students up to December 2007. For post metric students an
amount of Rs. 1791.33 lakhs allotted a sum of Rs. 440.91 lakhs being spend
up to December 2007. Under self employment training scheme, ST students
going for typewriting and shorthand are given stipend. During 2007-08 0.45
lakhs was allotted for this purpose.
Under tribal sub plan, to provide infrastructure facilities, out of the 375.20
lakhs provided for it, an amount of Rs. 144.54 lakhs was spent to benefit to
22 ST colonies up to 2007 December. In order to meet the Income Generating
programmes under various sectors, to enable the ST families to cross the
poverty line. Upto 2007 December a sum o f Rs. 138.11 lakhs spent which has
benefited 1448 ST families in the 28 Nursery cum Women Welfare Centres.
1400 ST children were benefited and a sum of Rs. 18.41 lakhs was spent on
them up to 2007 December.
The Government has also set up Corporations for the upliftment of Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Minorities and for the
Development of Women and Children. The department of Backward Classes
and Minorities was constituted in October, 1977. Since 1998, the Schemes
related to the group of Minorities are separated and implemented through the
Department of Minorities, which has started functioning from May 1999. Four
Morarji Desai Schools have been sanctioned in Shimoga, Bellary, Belgaum and
Hubli to provide better education to minority students studying in between 5th
to 10th standard.
The Department of Backward Classes has many more schemes similar to
that of the Department of Social Welfare. During 1999-2000, this department
is running 187 post-matric hostels with a sanctioned strength of 12,065;
1,129 pre-matric hostels with 58 ,065 sanctioned inmates; 22 Morarji Desai/
Navodaya Residential Schools with 3,900 sanctioned inmates; 45 women welfare
centres with 2,250 sanctioned inmates; 48 Tailoring Training Centre with 960
sanctioned inmates; 84 Ashram Schools with 3525 sanctioned inmates. The
number of private organisations which are getting aid through this Department
are 41 Minority hostels with 2,075 inmates, 201 private aided pre-matric hostels
with 9,826 inmates; 99 orphanages with 11,542 inmates. Besides, sanction
of pre-matric scholarships, post-matric scholarships, sanction of cash awards
and incentives to meritorious students, extra boarding and lodging charges to
those who have not secured the hostel facilities, fee concession, pre-coaching
to IAS students etc., are the other benefits extended through the Department
Social Welfare Measures 459

of Backward Classes, to the students belonging to backward classes and

present for to minority groups also. During 1999-2000, the number of students
benefited under the scheme of pre-matric scholarship is Rs. 2,55,769, post-
matric scholarship is 91,621; under extra boarding and lodging charges Rs
5,902; fee concession is 1,67,340, pre-coaching to IAS is 11. Diploma/Post­
Diploma in foremanship training; driving training; job orientation training
and the Ganga Kalyan irrigation plan are some of the important schemes
implemented through the Department of Backward classes and Minorities and
the two corporations.
Backward Classes Welfare
This department is headed by the Director and is empowered to implement
all programmes aiming at the Welfare of Backward classes through well planned
administrative networks both at district and taluk level. Accordingly it aims
at providing 320 reservations to backward classes (category I, category IIa,
category II B, category III A and category III B) for admission to professional
courses and appointments.
During 2007-08 there were 1,267 (1061 boys and 206 girls) pre metric hostels
with a sanctioned strength of 66,205 (55,400 boys and 10,865 girls) students;
299 (160 boys + 139 girls) post metric hostels with a sanctioned strength of
19,905 (11,710 boys + 8195 girls) students 228 (211 boys + 17 girls) grant
in aid pre matric hostels. With a sanctioned strength of 459 (350 boys + 109
girls) students ; 15 (13 boys and 2 girls) grant in aid post matric hostels, with a
sanctioned strength of 459 (350 boys + 109 girls) students ; 74 Ashram Schools
with a sanctioned strength of 2,990 students; 57 (56 boys and one girls) private
orphanages with a sanctioned strength of 7,920 (7,852 boys and 68 girls); 48
tribal training centres with a sanctioned strength of 960 students which were
given a monthly stipend of Rs. 300/- and a sewing machine to the successful
candidates. The Central Government is providing assistance to the schemes
of awarding pre and post matric scholarships to other backward classes (OBC)
students. Whose annual income is Rs. 44,500/- and below.
Since 2006 June, Air hostess training being given by the department to the
selected candidates. During 2007-08 125 candidates (80 % female and 20%
male) being selected and Rs. 75 lakhs was earmarked for it. The Government is
innovating various new programmes for the upliftment o f SC, ST, BC and OBC
communities regularly.
Koushalya programme is being implemented to assist the unemployed
backward classes women for self employment in various courses, plastic
processing technology and other. An amount of Rs. 250 lakhs was provided for
the during 2007-08 for the benefit of 3068 BCs Women candidates. Overseas
scholarship for backward classes students for pursuing higher studies in
foreign universities students whose annual income is below 1,44,000 and who
have secured first class in degree/master degree and higher studies are eligible
for this benefit. Students thus selected through the selection committee will
be sanctioned interest free loan of Rs. 3.5 lakhs per year subject to a maximum
A Handbook of Karnataka 460

of Rs. 10 lakhs for their entire course. A sum of Rs. 50 lakhs was earmarked
during 2007-08 for the benefit of 13 candidates.

The department provides Nursing Training to eligible candidates by giving a

monthly stipend of Rs. 1000/- and a maintenance allowance of Rs. 5,000/- per
annum to the selected (90% women and 10 % men) candidates admitted under
Government quota, whose family income is within Rs. One lakh per annum.
During 2007-08 Rs. 50 lakhs was provided for the benefit of 200 candidates.

Besides the department is aiding the hostel run by ‘Savitha Samaja

(Barber Community) to train the students in traditional musis like Trumpet,
Nadaswaram, flute etc. It also helps to train them skilfully and for building
community hall. An amount of Rs. 401.50 lakhs has been allocated for their
upliftment during 2007-08. The upper community persons are given training
in skill development, Ganga Kalyana and financial assistance by D. Devaraj
Urs Backward Classes Development Corporation, a sum of Rs. 500 lakhs was
allocated during 2007-08 for the construction of community halls at various
places in the state. Likewise for the Yadava Community also, financial assistance
was sanctioned during 2007-08 to build its community hall in Bangalore.

During 2007-08, a sum of Rs. 10514.02 lakhs was earmarked for the
maintenance of pre matric and post matric hostels for backward classes students
under plan and non plan likewise a sum of Rs. 720.84 lakhs was allocated
to award prematric and post matric scholarship to the backward classes
students. These B.C. Ashram schools are under the control of the executive
officers of Taluk Panchayats and a sum of Rs. 347.12 lakhs was provided for
their maintenance during 2007-08. During 2007-08 a sum of Rs. 209.33 for
private prematric hostels a sanction on grant in aid by the department.

Orphanages: Any orphan, whose parent’s annual income is Rs. 11,000

irrespective of caste and creed can avail the orphanage facility for 57 orphanages,
managed by the voluntary organizations a sum of Rs. 146.51 lakhs was
sanctioned during 2007-08

Since August 2005, called as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Development Corporation,

it was formerly called as Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Development Corporation Ltd. established by the Karnataka Government for
the economic benefit of the SC/ST families in the State is engaged in various
schemes like 1) Self Employment Programme 2) Training programmes 3)
Land Purchase Scheme 4) Ganga Kalyana 5) Safai Karmachari Rehabilitation
Programme 6) Micro Credit Scheme 7) Micro Credit Finance (Small loan)

Accordingly under the schemes a sum of Rs. 6901.72 lakhs was spent
till December 2007 during 2007-08. D.Devaraj Urs Backward Classes
Development Corporation started in 1977 is aimed at promoting economic and
developmental activities and assists the poorer sections of backward classes in
skill development and self employment ventures. The paid up capital (includes
the share advances) as on 31-12-07 was Rs. 90.14 crores.
Social Welfare Measures 461

Accordingly the corporation is implementing the following schemes for the

upliftment of backward classes they are 1) Chaitanya Margin money loan scheme
2) Special Schemes to Landless Agricultural Labourers 3) Special schemes for
Nomadic/Semi Nomadic tribes 4) Ganga Kalyana scheme 5) Shrama Shakthi 6)
Job Oriental Training 7) Micro Credit Scheme, 8) Special Assistance to uppers
9) Special Assistance to Savitha Samaj 10) National Backward Classes Finance
and Developmental Corporation schemes and 11) National Handicapped finance
and development corporation scheme. Accordingly as against to the allotted
grant of Rs. 8470 lakh for various schemes during 2007-08.

The Karnataka Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation is functioning

since February 2007. Its main objective is to bring economic development of
the scheduled tribes by implementing several schemes. It authorised share
capital was Rs. 500 lakhs. It has three schemes viz 1) Self-Employment 2)
Land Purchase Scheme and 3) Ganga Kalyana Scheme for the years 2007-08
to uplift the scheduled tribes.
A sum of Rs. 314.30 lakhs was spent and 3,160 persons have benefited
under scheme one. Rs. 86 lakhs was spend on scheme two and 61 lift
irrigations projects was taken with a cost Rs. 250 lakhs for the project; under
individual irrigation bore well scheme a sum of Rs. 86,000 will be the subsidy
and remaining Rs. 14,000 will be the - to be paid by the beneficiaries. 2,638
bore wells were drilled with a cost of Rs. 1,042.83 lakhs. A sum of Rs. 26.15
crores was released energizing Gangakalyan Bore wells in 114 backward taluks
has enlisted in M. Nanjudappa’s Committee’s report.
The Karnataka Residential Education Institutions Society (KREIS) has started
functioning since February 2000. This society aims at better Management
of residential schools through the concerned departments. Accordingly 343
residential schools 1269 scheduled castes 28 of scheduled tribes four Ekalavya
Model Residential Schools. 5 Educational complexes for ST 101 of backward
classes; 43 of minorities and 36 established by education department) and a
managed by this society.
D.Devaraj Urs Research Institute was established in 1992-93 to commemorate
the services of Sr D.Devaraj Urs former Chief Minster of Karnataka (1972-78).
Its main objective is to bring the Backward Classes into the main stream of the
Society by evaluating the schemes relating to Backward Classes. Conducting
surveys organizing seminars - symposiums trainings, workshops research on
problems relating backward classes and finding remedies to the problems and
such other activities aiming at improving the social status of Backward classes
people. During 2007-08 a sum of Rs. 5,40 lakhs was released to meet the
various programmes of Institute.
Karnataka State Commission for Backward classes constituted on 1997,
is aiming at the upliftment of Backward class people and supervisor the
implementation various welfare scheme for the backward classes. It is vested
with all the powers of a civil court trying a sui—including various other powers.
Accordingly Dr. C.S. Dwarakanath was made its Chairman in July 2007. It has
five members. In the meantime, justice Sadashiva Commission was constituted
A Handbook of Karnataka 462

in the state to examine the request for internal reservation among scheduled
castes.
Women and Child Welfare
The Women and Child Welfare Movement received impetus with the spread
of modern education, liberal thought and the social reform movements in
Karnataka. Christian Missionaries did pioneering work in the field for female
education by starting Mitralaya in 1842 in Bangalore. As early as 1881, the
Maharani’s high caste school was founded at Mysore by the efforts of Ambale
Narasimha lyengar to encourage female education. It became a college in 1901.
During 1892, under the auspicious of the Literary Union, M. Venkatakrishnaiah
of Mysore initiated the discussion on the problem of Nautch girls and havoc
caused by the licenced prostitutes and requested the members of the union to
take a pledge not to encourage tafes (dancing during marriages) and thereby to
put an end to Nautch system which was then in practice.

A Tailoring Unit Maintained by Women

In 1894, the Mysore Infant Marriages Regulation was passed and marriage of
girls below eight years was banned. Shama Rao Vittal Kaikini, the renowned
lawyer of Uttara Kannada district translated a book on widow marriage into
Kannada. Ganapathi Bhat Akkadasa, a veteran fighter and social worker o f the
same district translated a book on widow marriage into Kannada. He strongly
advocated widow marriages and he conducted more than 100 widow marriages
till 1932. He also wrote books and articles on widow marriages. The Civic and
Social Progress Association of Bangalore arranged a lecture tour on widow
marriage in the erstwhile Mysore State by Akkadasa in 1934, preceding the
passage of Widow Marriage Act of the State. During 1906, Rukminiyamma and
Srirangamma had the distinction of becoming the first women graduates of the
Social Welfare Measures 463

Mysore University. During 1907, a widow Home was started in Mysore with the
help of Darbar Bakshi Ambil Narasimha lyengar. The Brahma Samaj through
its comprehensive programmes of social reforms influenced many people in
Bangalore. The members of the Samaj established a Girl’s High School in
1872 in Ulsoor area in Bangalore. Divine Providence Orphanage was started in
Belgaum in 1921 to cater to the needs of orphans and destitute children.
Many attempts were made in the erstwhile State of Mysore to promote the
welfare of women and children through social legislation. Organisations and
such other agencies are functioning in the State for the cause of women and
children welfare. The Vanitha Sadan, the Bhagini Seva Samaj and the Mahila
Sadan of Mysore, Abhaya Ashraya Destitutes Home of Mangalore,Akkana
Balaga’s at Bijapur and Hassan, Mahila Seva Samaj, Malleswaram Ladies
Association, Basavanagudi Ladies Club and Sharada Sthree Samaj of
Bangalore, Vanitha Seva Samaj of Dharwad (1928) and Vanitha Vikasa
Mandali of Gulbarga are some of the examples for this. There are a number
of Orphanages functioning in the State in order to provide food, clothing and
shelter to the orphan children and also to encourage education for them. In
order to implement various welfare programmes for the benefit of women and
children, the women and Child Development Department is functioning in the
State. The Department is also incharge of implementing social legislations like
Child Marriage Act 1929, Prohibition of Offenders Act, 1958, Dowry Prohibition
Act 1961. Devadasi (Prohibition of Dedication) Act 1982, Juvenile Justice 1986,
and Suppression of Immortal Traffic (Amended) Act 1986. In Karnataka, the
process of empowerment of women has been started with the reservations for

A Plate Making Unit ( From Arecanut Leaves)

A Handbook of Karnataka 464

women in Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1983 and 43.6% of Gram Panchayat
seats have been allocated for women. Similar reservations have been made
at Taluk and Zilla Panchayat level. Under the programme of Social Defence
(Under the control of the Women and Child Development Dept.). During 1999­
2000, 20 observation homes, 24 Juvenile homes, 16 Fit Person institutions, 11
Reception Centres, eight State Homes for women, two institutions for Mentally
Retarded Women and nine Juvenile Service Bureaus are functioning in the
State. During 2003-04, 27 Observation Homes, 17 Juvenile for boys, 9 Juvenile
homes for girls, 20 Fit person Institutions, 11 Reception centres, 8 State Homes
for Women, 2 After Care Home for mentally Retarded Women, 5 After Care
Homes for Men and 9 Juvenile Service Bureaus are functioning in the state.
The Women and Child Welfare Department is making an attempt to identify the
sectors where women’s participation is possible with a view to improve their
status. Financial assistance is provided to voluntary organisations, Government
undertakings and Government-sponsored agencies to start training-cum-
production centres in order to assist women to take up income generating
activities. There were fifty training -cum-production centres. The Department
is encouraging women and girls from lower group to take up various Diploma
Courses, Courses in ITI, Library Science, Secretarial Practice, Nursing etc.
by providing financial assistance in the form of fees, scholarship and hostel
facility for the rural girls. During 1999-2000 an amount of Rs. 25 lakhs has
been spent on such assistance. Destitute widows above the age of 18 years and
whose annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1,500 are eligible
for a monthly pension of Rs. 100.
Financial benefit is extended to widows for their re-marriage if they belong to a
family whose family income is below poverty line. This benefit is also extended
for Devadasis for their marriages. A sum of Rs. 5000 is granted to the Devadasi
marriages and Rs. 10,000 for the widow re-marriage. During 2000-2001, Rs.
12.85 lakhs have been provided to 128 beneficiaries (widow re-marriage).
For rehabilitation of Devadasis 0.65 lakhs have been provided to assist 425
Devadasis to take up self-employment activities. Besides, the Department is
rendering financial assistances of creches for children of working mothers, this
assistance is provided through Zilla Panchayat to non-government organisation
and Mahila Mandals. During 1999-2000, financial assistance of Rs. 6.94
lakhs has been granted to 63 creches. Rs. 11.57 lakhs was sanctioned for the
construction of ten working Women Hostels in the State and Rs. 5.86 lakhs
was for 117 Mahila Mandals at the rate of Rs. 5,000 per Mahila Mandal. During
2003-04 100 Mahila Mandals have been assisted and an amount of Rs.5.31
lakhs sanctioned.
The scheme of Children’s Day celebration is modified as the ‘Financial Assistance
for the Education of Bravery Awardees’ since 1995-96, till the completion of
schooling. Financial assistance of Rs. 2,000/- is being given to the children,
who are given bravery awards, During 1999-2000 an amount of Rs. 42,000
Social Welfare Measures 465

has been sanctioned to 21 bravery awardees. The government has instituted

state awards for the best work done for at least three years in the field of child
welfare. During 1999-2000, an amount of Rs. 70,000 has been spent on this,
for three Awardees Institutions. With an objective to promote education of the
girl child from families coming under IRDP norms. Financial assistance is given
since 1996-97, to a child, between the age group of 4 to 6 years. The initial
Contribution is Rs. 2,500 at the age of five and the maturity value would be
around Rs. 4,410 at the age of 18.
In order to promote child welfare the Integrated Child Development Services
Programme (ICDS) is implemented by the Department. ICDS provides a
package of supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral
services, and treatment of minor illness, nutrition and health education, Pre­
school Education to children in the age group of 3 to 16 years. During 1992-93
there were 142 ‘CDS’ Projects in operation and the number o f beneficiaries was
18,74,829. During 1999-2000, 185 projects are fully operationalised covering
175 taluks and 28,85,979 beneficiaries. Amount spent on this is Rs. 5,621.99
lakhs. At present (2003-04) there are 185 projects functioning in the state
covering all 175 taluks and 10 urban areas, extending the benefit to 33.85 lakh
of beneficiaries. Rs.11,605.29 lakhs has been incurred under plan. Apart from
this the State Government had incurred an amount of Rs.2226.21 lakhs for
payment of additional honorarium to Anganawadi Wokers and helpers.
The Department is implementing the Special Nutrition Programmes to children
in the age group of 0-6 years and nursing mothers living in urban slums and
Tribal villages. Under this programme milk and bread or energy food is given
to the beneficiaries, for 310 days in an year. During 1999-2000, a sum of
Rs.5,603.94 lakhs have been spent up to 2,000vunder this scheme covering
28,85,979 beneficiaries.
The financial assistance is given for the education of the children of Ex­
Prostitutes, Ex-Devedasis, Drug addicts, alcoholics and Ex-Prisoners whose
family income does not exceed Rs. 15,000 per annum, as educating incentives
from fifth standard until they attain the age of 20 years in case of girls and 18
years in case of boys. And during 1999-2000, up to the end of February 2000,
there were 1,041 beneficiaries under this scheme for which the amount was
Rs, 13.10 lakhs. During 2003-04, an amount of Rs.9754.95 lakhs has been
incurred to provide supplementary nutrition to 33.85 lakh beneficiaries. 12.32
lakh being children below three years of age.
Attendance scholarship up to 10th standard will be provided for the girls from
the rural areas whose family income is below Rs. 10,000 per annum and the
girl must be a resident of the village having less than 20,000 populations. There
were 55,250 beneficiaries under this scheme during 1999-2000, and a sum of
Rs. 182.55 lakhs was spent on this up to the end of February 2000 and in the
year 2003-04, an amount of Rs.155 lakhs has been sanctioned covering 46,251
A Handbook of Karnataka 466

girls. Under the programme of extending financial assistance to registered

voluntary organisation working in the field of child welfare is given to start
cottages for a unit of 25 children for their care and maintenance. To the 303
destitute cottages which are functioning, was extended aid during 1999-2000.
Up to the end of February 2000, expenditure incurred on this was 54.55 lakhs.
The department is offering training for Anganawadi workers and also providing
financial assistance for the construction of Anganawadi building to uplift ICDS
programmes. During 1999-2000, a sum of Rs. 428.66 lakhs was earmarked,
towards the construction of 857 Anganawadi buildings. During the year 2000­
2001, a sum of Rs. 290.50 lakhs to construct 290 buildings at Rs. 50,000 per
building has been provided.
Welfare o f the Disabled Population
Welfare of the handicapped, both physically and mentally has assumed
greater importance in recent years. The Welfare of the handicapped was not
given much importance by the Government of India before independence.
However the Government of Mysore liberally assisted an educational institution
started by an individual effort at Mysore for the deaf and dumb children in
1901 and the school was taken over by the Government during 1927. In 1936,
a Printing Press was started in the Deaf and Dumb school at Mysore to produce
the necessary brail books for the blind students. Since 1982 it is working
as an independent establishment and it secured sophisticated machines by
the assistance of the UNICEF. After independence, both the Central and the
State Government have taken various measures to promote their welfare.
Besides, many voluntary organisations in the State have started rehabilitation
programme for the handicapped. According to 1981 provisional census, there
were 18,106 totally blind, 19,011 totally crippled and 17,613 totally dumb in
the state.
The Association of the Physically Handicapped was started in Bangalore
in 1959 to provide training for the orthopedically handicapped persons and to
rehabilitate them. The activities of the Association include the maintenance of
an integrated school, an Industrial Training Institute, an advanced training-
cum-production centre, a home-bound programme and a training scheme in
horticulture. The Red Cross Home of the Indian Red Cross Society was started
in Bangalore in 1946 to provide specialised treatment and Vocational Training
to the disabled Ex-servicemen. The Cheshire Homes India has branches in
Mangalore and Bangalore where residential accommodation is provided for the
disabled. The Rohini Physically Handicapped Society, Bangalore was set up in
1979 to rehabilitate the disabled persons, which is an ancillary unit of the New
Government Electric Factory.
The Welfare Programmes for the handicapped was vested with the Department
of Women and Child Development and during 1988, the Department of Welfare
of Disabled was created to implement the various welfare programmes for the
Social Welfare Measures 467

benefit of the handicapped effectively. There are four schools functioning under
the department for the deaf children at Gulbarga, Mysore, Bellary and Belgaum.
There were 338 children studying in these schools during 1999-2000. There are
four schools for the blind under the control of the department functioning at
Gulbarga, Mysore, Davanagere and Hubli, and there were 245 blind children,
studying in these schools during 1999-2000. Besides, about 125 voluntary
organisations were involved during 1999-2000 in the Welfare activities for the
deaf, orthopedically handicapped, mentally retarded and visually handicapped
children in the State. These institutions were given financial assistance by the
department. Some of the major schemes that have been implemented for the
benefit of the handicapped were educational scholarships for the handicapped
children, award prize money for the merited disabled students, self-employment
scheme for disabled entrepreneurs, hostel for disabled employees and trainees,
distribution o f aids and appliances to the disabled persons, scheme for setting
up of telephone booths for disabled under the Centrally-sponsored Rajiv
Poornanga Yojana and monthly financial assistance of Rs. 100 p.m. for disabled
persons. This department is providing financial assistance to the Vocational
Training Centres in various Districts like Kolar, Gulbarga, Chitradurga, Bidar
and Bijapur. The Government of India has instituted seven awards and the
Government of Karnataka have instituted an award for outstanding work for
the cause of disabled institutions and individuals every year.
Other Welfare Schemes
The Karnataka State Government has introduced various schemes like Old
Age Pension Scheme, Pension for Freedom Fighters and Destitute Widow Pension
Scheme. The Old Age Pension Scheme was initiated in the State during 1964­
65. Initially the qualifying conditions for the sanction of the old age pension
required that a person should be aged 70 years and above, not having sons or
grand-sons aged 20 years or more. Subsequently it has been relaxed from time
to time and at present the minimum age limit is 65 years for destitute and no
age restriction for the physically handicapped and mentally retarded persons.
Initially the rate of old age pension was Rs. 15 per month which has been
subsequently raised to Rs. 75. Since 2008 it has been enhanced to Rs. 500
per month. The total number of beneficiaries was 4,86,784 old age pensioners,
5,44,530 widow pensioners and 3,19,491 disabled pensioners during 1999­
2000.
The scheme for the grant of pension to Freedom fighters and the widows
of Freedom fighters was introduced by the Government of Karnataka in 1968,
and initially the monthly pension was Rs. 50 per month. This has been revised
subsequently and the rules for getting the pension have also been revised.
The Government of India has introduced a scheme for grant of pension for
freedom Fighters in 1972. The rate of pension is raised from Rs. 750 to Rs.
1,000 per month from September 2000 under the State Scheme. The number
of beneficiaries up to December 2000 was 19,736 under the State Scheme.
A Handbook of Karnataka 468

Under the Sadhane’ and ‘Prathibhe’, schemes encouragement is given to

the disabled persons to promote sports and cultural activities. During 1999­
2000, the amount spent on this till January 2000, was Rs. 15.00 lakhs.

Obtaining 'Pahani ’ through computerised system

Social Welfare Measures 469

The number of beneficiaries under various schemes and the amount spent
on that during 1999-2000 are as follows: Scholarships for the physically
handicapped students studying from first standard to university is extended to
21,000 persons, and out of Rs. 115.02 lakhs provided, the amount spent up to
January 2000 was Rs. 42.46 lakhs. The supply of aids and allowances for the
disabled persons under rehabilitation programme was providing 612 tricycles
and 3,500 other appliances which included wheel chairs, callipers and Braille
watches. The Insurance scheme for the mentally retarded was extended to 795
persons, the amount provided being Rs. 2 lakhs.
There are many voluntary organisations in the State, working for the
cause of various sections of the people of the Society like Scheduled castes,
Scheduled Tribes, Women and Children, Aged Persons and the Disabled. Many
of the institutions are also getting financial assistance from the Government
Organisations like Rotary, Lions, Innerwheel, Jaycees and YMCA are actively
functioning in the State involving themselves in various social welfare
activities.
Women and Child Welfare
To improve the socio-economic status of the disadvantaged groups among
women, children, senior citizens and disabled persons the government has
taken several steps. Women and Child Development Department has been
allotted a sum of Rs. 77,652.16 lakhs. The Disabled and senior citizens
development department was allotted a sum of Rs. 21,618.46 lakhs for the
year 2007-08 under both plan and non plan heads. Moreover, Karnataka state
women development corporation was allotted a sum of Rs. 1,505 lakhs; to
Karnataka State Women Commission a sum of Rs. 200 lakhs was sanctioned ; to
Karnataka State Social Welfare Board was provided a sum of Rs. 129.98 lakhs;
to commissionerate, Disabled Act, a sum of Rs. 29.14 lakhs was accorded; and
for Bal Bhavan a sum of Rs. 102 lakh was sanctioned for the year 2007-08
As per 2001 census there were 2,58,77,615 females in the state, with a
sex ration of 964. There were 33,24,669 female childs below 0-6 years age
with a female child sex ratio of 949 and a female literacy of 57.45%. Women
members elected to various self governing bodies in the state as on March
2008 was as follows; Grampanchayath 39,318 (43%), Taluk Panchayat 1519
(41%), Zilla Panchayath 373 (37%), Assembly 3 (1.43%) Council 4 (5.55%)
Loksabha 1 (3.5%), Rajya Sabha 1 (8.33%) Under various child development
programmes, there were 54,260 Anganavadi centres and 405 mini centres,
benefiting 33.21 lakh child and 7.81 lakh women in the state during 2007-08.
Under Bhagyalakshmi, 1,29,430 girls were benefited during 2007-08. There
were 380 creches and 327 destitute cottages in the state.
Under Women Development Programmes during 2007-08 there were 64
working women hostels, 29 short stay homes 77 Santhwana centres, 29 De
addiction Centres, 42 Girls Hostels, 29 Swa-adhar Centres and 68 Service
provide centres were working in the state. Under the Women empowerment
programmes viz Sthree shakti there were 1.40 lakh self help group having 20
A Handbook of Karnataka 470

lakh women members. They had savings worth Rs. 553.81 crores and 99628
SHGs have availed loan worth Rs. 617.50 crores during 2007-08.
The Karnataka State Women Development Corporation has so far identified
22,873 members of 10 districts. Among them 12,960 members were rehabilitated
and 16,471 members were getting monthly pension; 13,154 were actively
involved during the last 10 years. 8,406 were given training during last six
years.
The Disabled Welfare and Senior Citizens Department so far identified 9.40
lakh disabled persons in the state (5.38 lakhs males and 4.02 lakh females)
There were 1.83 lakh disabled boys and 1.45 lakh disabled girls of 0-19 years
age and there were 163 special school for them in the state. More details can
be had from the respective departments.
Different types o f Pensioners benefitted in the State District wise during
2007-2008 (in numbers)
Sl. District old Age Disabled Widow Government
No. Pensioners Pensioners Pensioners Pensioners
1. Bangalore 42,173 15,384 27,692 75,431
2. Bangalore Rural 50,944 21,492 40,424 11,028
3. Ramanagara
4. Chitradurga 10,642 16,896 18,817 12,343
5. Davanagere 11,523 15,971 22,565 15,409
6. Kolar 45,614 21,923 44,912 17,339
7. Chikkaballapur
8. Shimoga 8,829 13,729 19,151 13,758
9. Tumkur 23,807 22,894 33,033 24,402
10. Chikmagalur 7,065 8,112 12,847 6,211
11. Dakshina Kannada 7,220 10,769 21,256 14,917
12. Udupi 2,631 7,567 16,398 9,513
13. Hassan 58,691 19,959 44,387 14,724
14. Kodagu 2,985 3,315 7,807 6,971
15. Mandya 47,385 25,864 59,783 12,390
16. Mysore 37,489 23,195 42,913 30,086
17. Chamarajanagar 43,034 11,781 26,953 5,563
18. Belgaum 43,051 39,249 46,321 31,185
19. Bijapur 33,395 25,523 32,650 15,623
20. Bagalkot 12,374 18,192 25,260 14,507
21. Dharwad 10,915 15,035 20,944 18,313
22. Gadag 11,246 13,057 16,122 8,528
23. Haveri 12,520 19,411 33,490 9,862
24. Uttara Kannada 4,769 10,912 16,456 14,324
25. Bellary 30,268 19,024 35,313 13,609
26. Bidar 31,239 15,317 15,244 9,394
27. Gulbarga 55,045 26,503 40,973 22,078
28. Raichur 27,820 11,888 33,483 9,226
29. Koppal 13,992 11,769 15,971 4,802
State 6,86,666 4,64,731 7,71,165 4,41,536

Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P 94.

Social Welfare Measures 471

Scheduled Caste Students Government Hostels working in the State

2007-2008
Government
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore 37 2,165 15 1,440
2. Bangalore Rural 23 1,470 4 200
3. Ramanagara 37 2,445 6 365
4. Chitradurga 49 3,630 19 2,770
5. Davanagere 45 3,008 12 1,175
6. Kolar 53 4,236 21 1,976
7. Chikkaballapur 49 3,875 15 1,400
8. Shimoga 47 3,154 12 1,170
9. Tumkur 70 4,723 24 2,490
10. Chikmagalur 37 2,725 12 770
11. Dakshina 19 1,285 3 255
Kannada
12. Udupi 17 868 1 50
13. Hassan 61 4,173 17 1,095
14. Kodagu 18 895 1 50
15. Mandya 49 3,677 14 1,105
16. Mysore 50 3,500 17 1,330
17. Chamarajanagar 40 2,932 12 1,312
18. Belgaum 68 4,651 15 1,065
19. Bijapur 57 3,125 5 350
20. Bagalkot 40 2,645 2 100
21. Dharwad 16 985 4 420
22. Gadag 26 1,840 8 495
23. Haveri 39 2,680 7 405
24. Uttara Kannada 29 1,588 - -
25. Bellary 54 5,035 10 690
26. Bidar 44 3,275 12 825
27. Gulbarga 110 7,205 22 2,283
28. Raichur 46 3,055 10 742
29. Koppal 33 2,525 5 320
State 1,263 87,370 305 26,648

Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P 95.

Scheduled Caste Students Aided Hostels 2007-08

Aided Hostels
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore 11 825 5 265
2. Bangalore Rural 2 137 1 35
3. Ramanagara 8 568 1 52
4. Chitradurga 23 1,266 14 1,810
A Handbook of Karnataka 472

5. Davanagere 27 1,407 16 1,850

6. Kolar 3 300 0 0
7. Chikkaballapur 3 200 0 0
8. Shimoga 19 895 1 50
9. Tumkur 17 847 0 0
10. Chikmagalur 0 0 0 0
11. Dakshina Kannada 0 0 0 0
12. Udupi 0 0 0 0
13. Hassan 2 75 0 0
14. Kodagu 0 0 0 0
15. Mandya 7 508 3 175
16. Mysore 6 340 1 50
17. Chamarajanagar 6 462 3 650
18. Belgaum 9 560 1 50
19. Bijapur 22 859 14 493
20. Bagalkot 6 215 2 75
21. Dharwad 6 375 3 250
22. Gadag 9 489 7 430
23. Haveri 10 474 5 325
24. Uttara Kannada 0 0 0 0
25. Bellary 4 170 1 100
26. Bidar 8 347 0 0
27. Gulbarga 40 3060 11 775
28. Raichur 1 50 1 25
29. Koppal 0 0 0 0

Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P 96.

Scheduled Tribe Students Governments Hostels in the State 2007-08

Government Hostels
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore - - 4 200
2. Bangalore Rural 1 50 - -
3. Ramanagara 3 175 - -
4. Chitradurga 4 250 1 75
5. Davanagere 7 450 - -
6. Kolar 4 200 - -
7. Chikkaballapur 1 50 - -
8. Shimoga 2 110 - -
9. Tumkur 5 300 3 150
10. Chikmagalur 6 375 - -
11. Dakshina 9 392 2 150
Kannada
12. Udupi 3 150 - -
13. Hassan 3 150 - -
Social Welfare Measures 473

14. Kodagu 10 491 - -

15. Mandya 1 50 - -
16. Mysore 11 592 1 75
17. Chamarajanagar 6 300 1 50
18. Belgaum 7 425 2 150
19. Bijapur 1 75 - -
20. Bagalkot 1 50 - -
21. Dharwad 1 75 3 150
22. Gadag 2 125 1 50
23. Haveri 4 200 1 75
24. Uttara Kannada 1 50 - -
25. Bellary 11 675 5 325
26. Bidar 4 250 - -
27. Gulbarga 6 300 1 50
28. Raichur 8 535 3 200
29. Koppal 7 450 - -
State 129 7295

Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P 97.

Scheduled Tribe Students Aided Hostels 2007-2008

Aided
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore - - - -
2. Bangalore Rural - - - -
3. Ramanagara - - - -
4. Chitradurga 17 923 - -
5. Davanagere 3 115 - -
6. Kolar - - - -
7. Chikkaballapur - - - -
8. Shimoga - - - -
9. Tumkur 1 48 - -
10. Chikmagalur - - - -
11. Dakshina Kannada - - - -
12. Udupi 2 80 - -
13. Hassan - - - -
14. Kodagu - - - -
15. Mandya - - - -
16. Mysore - - -
17. Chamarajanagar 1 50 1 50
18. Belgaum 2 130 - -
19. Bijapur - - - -
20. Bagalkot - - - -
21. Dharwad 1 50 - -
A Handbook of Karnataka 474

22. Gadag - - - -
23. Haveri - - 1 50
24. Uttara Kannada 1 25 - -
25. Bellary - - 1 50
26. Bidar 1 25 - -
27. Gulbarga 1 50 1 50
28. Raichur - - 1 50
29. Koppal - - - -
State 30 1496 5 250
Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P 98.

Backward Class Students Hostels 2007-08

Government
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore 11 591 14 1,020
2. Bangalore Rural 19 1,040 1 75
3. Ramanagara 29 1,720 8 615
4. Chitradurga 48 2,520 6 670
5. Davanagere 41 2,170 7 605
6. Kolar 31 1,983 7 850
7. Chikkaballapur 31 1,670 3 255
8. Shimoga 60 3,405 26 2,480
9. Tumkur 54 2,720 9 955
10. Chikmagalur 55 3,285 11 1,040
11. Dakshina Kannada 30 1,600 19 1,375
12. Udupi 20 1,030 10 720
13. Hassan 70 3,725 17 1,185
14. Kodagu 22 1,155 5 310
15. Mandya 61 3,345 18 1,525
16. Mysore 48 2,522 16 1,440
17. Chamarajanagar 13 760 5 340
18. Belgaum 96 5,265 17 1,160
19. Bijapur 59 3,302 6 555
20. Bagalkot 36 2,225 7 560
21. Dharwad 26 1,230 9 615
22. Gadag 34 2,028 5 330
23. Haveri 42 2,335 6 435
24. Uttara Kannada 59 3,195 10 650
25. Bellary 43 3,220 10 850
26. Bidar 46 2,662 10 720
27. Gulbarga 112 5,940 21 1,260
28. Raichur 34 1,940 10 650
29. Koppal 36 2,065 7 440
State 1,266 70,648 300 23,685
Social Welfare Measures 475

Aided
Sl. District Pre-Matric Post-Matric
No. Number Students Number Students
(No.) (No.)
1. Bangalore 0 0 1 50
2. Bangalore Rural 0 0 0 0
3. Ramanagara 3 150 0 0
4. Chitradurga 7 350 1 25
5. Davanagere 9 515 0 0
6. Kolar 2 175 0 0
7. Chikkaballapur 1 25 0 0
8. Shimoga 7 345 0 0
9. Tumkur 6 282 3 125
10. Chikmagalur 11 698 1 40
11. Dakshina Kannada 0 0 0 0
12. Udupi 2 92 0 0
13. Hassan 5 160 0 0
14. Kodagu 0 0 0 0
15. Mandya 10 800 3 100
16. Mysore 5 485 0 0
17. Chamarajanagar 5 250 0 0
18. Belgaum 7 260 0 0
19. Bijapur 28 1,353 1 25
20. Bagalkot 24 987 0 0
21. Dharwad 7 890 0 0
22. Gadag 22 884 3 105
23. Haveri 14 545 0 0
24. Uttara Kannada 1 30 0 0
25. Bellary 7 190 2 84
26. Bidar 6 455 0 0
27. Gulbarga 26 1,540 1 25
28. Raichur 5 325 0 0
29. Koppal 11 497 0 0

Source: Karnataka At A Glance 2007-2008 P. 99-100.

 KILOMETRES
20 0 20 40 60 80 100
KARNATAKA I I I I I I I
 >
X
PS

KARNATAKA
I
o
o
Scheduled Caste Population 2001 (%) X
o
!-+>
B id a r
19.9

G u lb a rg a
23.0

B ija p u r
18.5

B a g a lko t
R a ic h u r
: 15.2
B e lg a u m 19.3
11.0

K oppal
D h a rw a d
15.5
UOA 8.2
B e llary

K an n ad a
7.5
Javangt
ARABI AN 18.6
SEA

S h im o g a
16.4

K o lar
C h ik m a g lu r
26.6
20.5

Hassan
D a k s h in a K a n n a d a

M an d y a lore R u ral
- 1 4 .0

M ys o re
17.8 C h a m a ra jn a g a r
24.6

-P*
ON
 C hapter XIII
CULTURE
Karnataka’s cultural heritage is rich and variegated. Kannada literature saw
its first work during 9th Century and in modern times it has created seven
winners of Jnanapeetha Award for their literary talents. Literary activity in other
languages of neighbouring areas in this state and purely local languages like
Tulu and Kodava is also considerable. Journalism in Kannada has its history
dating back to 1843 and has many achievements to its credit. Karnataka has
thrown up outstanding personalities of historical significance. In the musical
map of India, the State has bright spots, whether it is Hindustani or Karnatak,
the latter having originated in this land. In the field of dance and art too
Karnataka has creditable achievements. Yakshagana is both a folk and elite
art is flourishing here. The State’s tradition in folk arts is also colourful.When
one thinks of the cultural scene, Shivaram Karanth, Kuvempu, Dr. Rajkumar,
Maya Rao, Mallikarjuna Mansur, T. Chaudiah, K.K.Hebbar, Panith Bheemasen
Joshi, Gangubai Hangal, B.V. Karanth U.R. Anantha Murthy, Girish Karnad,
Chandrashekar Kambar are a few bright faces that shine forth. An attempt is
made to survey the cultural pageant of Karnataka in this chapter.

LITERATURE
Kannada Literature: Kannada literature has a history dating back to at least
1500 years. This apart, the folk literature which began earlier, still runs parallel
to the written form Ganga king. Saigotta Sivarama’s ‘Gajashtaka’ is cited as an
example of early folk literature. The oldest available work in Kannada is however,
a book on poetics, called ‘Kavirajamarga’. Some controversy surrounds this
work regarding the authorship, but the consensus is that it was written more
likely by the court poet Srivijaya than the Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha
Nripathunga. The work not only discusses figures of speech like ‘rasa’ and
‘dhwani’, but also gives descriptions about the geographical boundaries of
Karnataka, as well as its life and culture.
Thumbalacharya is credited with having written ‘Chudamani’, a philosophical
work, much earlier. But the earliest Kannada prose work is Sivakotiacharya’s
‘Vaddaradhane’ which even to this day is considered a masterpiece. It is a
collection of 16 Jaina stories, seem to have been based on an earlier Prakrit
commentary called ‘Bhagavathi Aradhana’.
Pampa’s ‘Vikramarjuna Vijaya’ based on ‘Mahabharatha’ and written in
Champu style, which is a mixture of prose and poetry, unique to Kannada, is
the earliest epic work in Kannada. Pampa’s influence on Kannada literature is
so deep that T.N.Srikantaiah speaks of him as the Kalidasa of Kannada. Being
a Jaina poet, he also wrote ‘Adipurana’ based on Jinasena’s ‘Mahapurana’.
Ponna’s ‘Shanthipurana’, and Ranna’s ‘Gadayuddha’ have earned them
immortality as poets. They were Jainas and lived in the 10th Century.
Nagavarma II who belongs to the next century was also a Jaina poet and
A Handbook of Karnataka 478

wrote ‘Kavyavalokana’, a book on poetics, and ‘Karnataka Bhashabhushana’ a

Kannada grammar in Sanskrit. His ‘Vardhamanapurana’ was discovered only
recently. Janna, a Jain poet again, wrote ‘Yashodhara Charithe’, a romantic
story. Durgasimha, in llth century, wrote ‘Panchatantra’ based on Vasubhaga’s
Sanskrit work, and it is a classic example of the ancient art of story telling.
Rudrabhatta wrote ‘Jagannatha Vijaya’ based on ‘Vishnu Purana’, The last two
were Brahmin poets.
The 12th century saw a sea of change in Kannada literature both in content
and style. What caused this is the growth of Veerashaivism which was essentially
revolutionary in approach. It derecognised untouchability and saw women as
equals. It liberated Kannada from the clutches of Sanskrit. The moving spirit
behind this movement was Basaveshwara, who was a minister in the court
of Prince Bijjala. His Vachanas which can be called prose-poems, have their
origin in folk-literature and folk-culture, and yearn to liberate man from the
bondage of untruth and ignorance. They seek to provide happiness here and
elsewhere. Allamaprabhu, Akkamahadevi, Channabasavanna, Siddarama,
Madivala Machayya, Dohara Kakkayya, etc., were other Vachanakaras of the
period.
After Basavanna, the greatest influence on Kannada literature was
Harihara, who used an innovative form called ‘Ragale’. His ‘Basavarajadevara
Ragale’ and ‘Nambiyannana Ragale’ are the examples of this genre. His nephew
Raghavanka introduced yet another form of poetry called ‘Shatpadi’ and apart
from ‘Somanatha Charithe’ and ‘Siddarama Charithe’ his ‘Harischandra Kavya’
is considered to be a masterpiece.
The Sixteenth Century saw Veerashaiva poets of extraordinary merit.
Sarvajna who was real Vairagi in that he had no settled home, and no religion,
wrote “Sarvajna Padagalu’ in Tripadi style. This work is really a compendium
of wit and wisdom. Nijaguna Sivayogi who was a ruler, saint and scholar wrote
‘Viveka Chintamani’ an encyclopedia in Kannada.
Dasakoota or the Vaishnava movement was led by Purandara Dasa, who
is also considered the father of Karnatic music. Through his Keerthanas, he
propounded the Dwaitha Philosophy and gave an impetus to Bhakthi movement.
Kanaka Dasa, though hailing from the Kuruba community, followed in the
footsteps of Purandara Dasa. He is credited with several Keertanas, being the
author of Mohanatarangini, Ramadhanya charite.
Karnataka culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara empire.
Naranappa’s (Kumaravyasa) ‘Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari’ or ‘Gadugina
Bharatha’ as it is popularly known is the finest example o f the literature of this
period. This was followed by Lakshmisha’s ‘Jaimini Bharatha’ which is also
an immensely popular work. Chamarasa’s ‘Prabhulingalile’ is another notable
work of this period.
Post-renaissance movement saw a four-lined folk-metre called ‘Sangatya’
which was particularly suitable for singing. Nanjundakavi who wrote
Culture 479

‘Kumararamana Kathe’ proved its multi-dimensional application. But it was

Rathnakaravarni who, in his ‘Bharathesha Vaibhava’, has explored its full
potential.
The Wodeyars of Mysore gave a boost to Kannada literature. Particularly
noteworthy is Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar’s period from 1672 to 1704. He himself
wrote ‘Chikkadevaraja Binnapa’. Tirumalaraya’s ‘Chikkadevaraja Vijaya’ has
Mysore history as its theme and is in Champu style. Singararya’s ‘Mitra vinda
Govinda’, translated from Harsha’s ‘Rathnavali’ is considered to be the earliest
Kannada play. Another noteworthy poetess of this period is Sanchi Honnamma
who wrote “Hadibadeya Dharma’ in Sangatya metre.
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar continued the tradition of his predecessor.
Kempunarayana’s ‘Mudramanjusha’ deserves a special mention. Wodeyar’s also
started the Raja’s English School (1833) and this along with the expansion of
Missionary activities, increased the Western influence on Kannada literature.
Chamaraja Wodeyar’s period saw a new era in Kannada literature.
M.S.Puttanna’s ‘Madiddunno Maharaya’, D.Venkatachalayya and
Dr.B.V.Venkateshaiyya’s detective stories like ‘Parimala’ and ‘Arindamana
Sahasagalu’, Galaganatha’s social and historical novels, Kittel’s dictionary,
Cha.Vasudevaraya’s ‘Bala Bodhe’ belong to this period. Muddanna’s
‘Ramashvamedha’ is an epic episode in prose. This has a tinge of modem writing.
Translated Novels by B.Venkatacharya and Galaganatha, mostly historical
made a deep impact on readers.
In 1921, B.M.Srikantayya heralded the ‘Navodaya’ movement. His ‘English
Geethagalu’ was a free rendering of some great English poems. Around this
period, and unknown to him, K.V.Puttappa (Kuvempu) had switched over
from English writing to Kannada and the culmination o f his work was ‘Sri
Ramayana Darshana’ written in blank verse. Puttappa’s social novels such as
‘Kanurusubbamma Heggadati’ and ‘Malegalalli Madumagalu’ are equally well

K V Puttappa’s House (in his younger Days) at Kuppalli near Thirthahalli

A Handbook of Karnataka 480

acclaimed. Among the works of the thirties, D.V.Gundappa’s ‘Manku Thimmana

Kagga’ stands out as a jewel. It is considered to be unique in the sense that it
contains ethical principles, philosophic truths and experiences of life. Samsa
wrote many plays in Halegannada, of which ‘Vigada Vikramaraya’ is the best
example.
It is interesting to note that except U.R.Ananthamurthy
and Girish Karnad, all the five of the seven Jnanapeetah
awardees in Kannada, Kuvempu, Da.Ra Bendre, Shivarama
Karantha, Masthi Venkatesha lyengar and V.K.Gokak have
been writing since the Navodaya period. Da.Ra. Bendre won
the award primarily for ‘Naku Thanti’ a metaphysical poetic
work but his popularity is based more on his writings drawn
from folk culture. Shivarama Karantha’s writings range
from encyclopedea to novels, essays, drama and poetry.
‘Marali Mannige’ is his oft-mentioned novel, but ‘Bettada
Jeeva’ ‘Chomana Dudi’ and ‘Mookajjiya Kanasugalu’ are
also noteworthy. His works mirror the cultural ethos of
Dakshina Kannada. Masthi Venkatesha lyengar is primarily
noted as short story writer, his ‘Chennabasava Nayaka’
and ‘Chikaveerarajendra’ are historical novels dealing with
degeneration of monarchy, and ‘Subbanna’ is a long story
which reaches metaphysical heights. V.K. Gokak began as
a Navodaya poet but his magnum opus is ‘Bharatha Sindhu
Rashmi’ which seeks to find answers for the modern man’s
dilemas in ancient epics. Significantly, Ananthamurthy’s
‘Samskara’ ‘Bhava’ also seeks inspiration from traditional
wisdom. Girish Karnad, Gesicaly pleys writer which are
staged many times and translated to vanions Indian fourion
langaugs.
K.S. Narasimha Swamy’s ‘Mysoora Mallige’, a collection
of poems with love and separation as the theme is a
landmark of the Navodaya period. G.P. Rajarathnam’s
‘Rathnana Padagalu’ perhaps stands unique in world
literature in seeing truth a beauty in drunken man’s gay
gibberish. Pu.Thi. Narasimhachar’s ‘Gokula Nirgamana’
has Krishna’s separation from Radha as its theme.and this
again reaches spiritual heights. Gorur Ramaswamy lyengar
chose the easy form to portray the life of rural Karnataka his
‘HalliyaChitragalu’ is considered the supreme example of his Jnanapeetah
, , , Awardees
, ,
writings. His tradition was continued by A.N.Murthy Rao in ‘Hagaluganasugalu’
and M.R.Srinivasa Murthy in ‘Rangannana Kanasina Dinagalu’.
The period also saw a spurt of literary critisism. Of these T.N. Srikantaiya’s
‘Bharathiya Kavya Meemamse’ is considered to be a classic. A.R. Krishna
Shastry nurtured a whole generation of writers through ‘Prabuddha Karnataka’,
Culture 481

a periodical brought out by the Kannada Sangha of the Central College and
later shifted the publication to Mysore University. S.V.Ranganna, an English
Professor, who had by this time established himself as a Kannada writer
through ‘Ranga Binnappa’, wrote on literary criticism in ‘Shaili’ and ‘Ruchi’.
V.Sitaramayya’s output varied from ‘Hana Prapancha’, an economic treatise, to
‘Pampa Yathre’ a travelogue, to host of writings, from poetry to literary criticism.
R.S. Mugali wrote ‘Kannada Sahitya Charithre’ a succinct and balanced history
of Kannada Literature.
In the mid-forties the Navodaya movement gave way to Pragathisheela
Chalavali. A.N. Krishna Rao was the torch bearer for this. The movement
brought writers from their ivory tower to the common man. Though A. Na.
Kru’s short stories are better examples from this genre of writing, than his
novels, he is mainly noted for his novels such as ‘Sandhya Raaga’, Udaya
Raaga’, ‘Nata Sarvabhouma’, ‘Grihini’ and ‘Kanneeru’. Basavaraja Kattimani,
hailing from North Karnataka, wrote ‘Nee Nanna Muttabeda’, ‘Shivadara
Janivara’ and ‘Nanoo Polisanagidde’ portraying the netherworld behind the
facade of Kaavi and Khaki. Ta.Ra.Su started as a progressive writer with
novels like ‘Hamsageethe’, ‘Masanada Hoovu’ and ‘Munjavinda Munjavu’ found
his forte in historical novels woven around his birth place Chitradurga, and
‘Durgasthamana’ is the finest example of his writing. Niranjana who was an
active communist during freedom struggle wrote such down-to-earth novels as
‘Doorada Betta’ and ‘Rangammana Vathara’ as well as ‘Chirasmarane’ based
on agrarian movement, but his magnum opus is considered to be ‘Mrityunjaya’,
dealing with Egyptian history.
Chaduranga who inspite of his close relationship with the Mysore Royal
family was a rebel and wrote ‘Sarvamangala’ and ‘Uyyale’ both dealing with
extra-marital love. Interestingly, his ‘Vaishaka’ writen many decades later also
deals with extra-marital relationship in a rural setting.
Among the women writers Triveni, whose novels like ‘Bekkina Kannau’,
‘Sharapanjara’ and ‘Mucchida Bagilu’ were essentially psycho-analytical.
Anupama, who drew themes from her rich experience as a medical practitioner
in stories like ‘Aranyadallondu Aragini’, and M.K.Indira whose forte was the
protrayal of Malnad life in novels such as ‘Phaniyamma’ were all offshoots of
the progressive movement.
Next to the progressive movement was the Navya movement. This was
influenced mostly by the post-war writers like T.S.Eliot, Auden, Ezra Pound,
D.H.Lawrence, Sartre and Camus. Gopalakrishna Adiga was the foremost
exponent of the Navya movement and his ‘Bhoomi Geetha’ is said to have been
influenced by T.S.Eliot’s Waste Land’. P. Lankesh’s collection of stories ‘Kurudu
Kanchana’ and his absurd play Teregalu’, Srikrishna Alanahalli’s long story
‘Kadu’, Shanthinatha Desai’s “Vikshepa’, Poornachandra Tejaswi’s ‘Nigoodha
Manushyaru’, Nisar Ahmed’s poems like ‘Masthi’ and ‘Ramanu Sattha dina’,
U.R. Ananthamurthy’s stories like ‘Prashne’ and ‘Clip Joint’, Yeshwanth
Chittala’s ‘Shikari’, Vyasaraya Ballala’s ‘Bandaya’ are some examples of the new
writing in Kannada. Chandrashekara Kambara and A. K. Ramanujam widened
A Handbook of Karnataka 482

the frontiers of Navya poetry. Kambara has a good command on the diction and
tunes of the folk poetry, like Bendre, but who used them to embody the tensions
of life caught between tradition and a new culture. He has made a mark as a
poet, a novelist and a dramatist. His ‘Jokumara Swamy’ besides other awards,
has won the prestigeous Kamaladevei Chattopadyaaya Award. It is a hit play,
with liveliness, good song and gaiety. A.K. Ramanujam, a remarkable poet,
presented clear, vivid pictures with an apparent casualness. S.L.Byrappa who
shot into fame with his ‘Vamshavriksha’ is one writer who has scrupulously
avoided confining himself into any frame. Some of his celebrated works are
‘Anveshane’, ‘Grihabhanga’, ‘Thabbaliyu Neenade Magane’, ‘Daatu’, ‘Sartha’,
‘Mandra’ ‘Thanthu’ and ‘Aavarana’.
Post-Navya writing is sometimes called as Navyotthara Sahitya or Bandaya
Sahitya, or even Dalita Sahitya. The writers belonging to this movement are of
the firm view that only Daliths can authentically write about their trials and
tribulations, and anything written by others, however, impressive it might be,
will still remain second-hand experience. Still, it is interesting to note that
Devanuru Mahadeva who does not like to classify himself into this or that
group or ‘ism’ has given some of the finest Dalit literature. His ‘Odalala’ and
‘Kusuma Bale’ have won many laurels. Chennanna Valikar and Siddalingaiah
are other notable Dalith writers. B.T. Lalitha Nayak, Aravinda Malagatti and
Geetha Nagabhushana are other important writers who are identified with their
notable Dalith works. G.Venkataiah of Maddur Taluk had written some books
in 1940 itself highlighting the pains and pleasures of Dalith people even before
there was any such movement.
The Feminist movement began after the Dalit movement. Women writers
started writing independently about their own experiences that had quite a
different dimension. They not only questioned the male supremacy in society
but also tried to bring about equality with men. The works of R. Kalyanamma,
who published ‘Saraswathi’ a montly for 42 years, Nanjanagudu Tirumalamba
who published ‘Sathi Hithaishini’ and then ‘Karnataka Nandini’. Sarawathi Bai
Rajawade (Giri Bale) who had new attitude and a vision of modern education
for women, Kodagina Gouramma, Belagere Janakamma, Shyamala Devi
Belagaumkar and the like, gained prominence in 80’s and after, through the
feminist writers of this movement. ‘Phaniyamma’ by M.K. Indira, ‘Itigeetike’ by
Vijaya Dabbe, ‘Gandasuru’ by Veena Shanteshwar, ‘Sahana’ by Sara Abubakar,
‘Seetha Rama Ravana’ by H.V. Savitramma are some such quotable writings.
The ‘Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha’ a feminist writers organisation founded
in 1978, played an important role in giving a feminist touch to social values
and also in mirroring them in the writings of women. ‘Streevani Praveshike’
edited by B.N. Sumitra Bai and N. Gayathri is noteworthy. Many women writers
wrote books on different fields from a womens’ points of view. Among them
mention may be made for their writings and related activities of Hemalatha
Mahishi (Law), H. Girijamma and Leelavathi Devadas (Health), Vijaya and S.
Malathi (Theatre), Namichandra (Science and Fiction) and Vaidehi (Fiction).
B.N. Sumithra Bai, Vijaya Dabbe and many others are good feminist critics.
(The list is not exhaustive.) Feminist poets are large in number. Following this
Culture 483

movement, discussions, seminars, workshops and conferences were held on

the questions of women and feminism at all levels in the State. ‘Women Studies’
was introduced as a subject for students of degree level, first in NMKRV College,
Bangalore and then in almost all Universities of the State.
Any survey of Kannada literature would be incomplete without the
mention of some writers, who while not specifically representing this or that
school were still successful in drawing enormous number of readers towards
them. Krishnamurthy Puranika is one such. At one time, his novels like
‘Dharmadevathe’ which faithfully depicted the middleclass life of old Mysore
or Hyderabad Karnataka or Mumbai Karnataka were a rage among women
readers. Likewise, N.Narasimhayya who wrote detective stories under the series
‘Patthedara Purushotthamana Sahasagalu’ was so successful that the series
exceeded one hundred. He was never seen in any literary meet, it is doubtful
if he ever got invited, nevertheless his books did inculcate the reading habit
in school boys. Ma.Ramamurthy of Mandya District continued such type of
writing detective novels.
At the other end of the spectrum, we find the B.G.L.Swamy who blended
humour and science writing so effectively that his ‘Hasiru Honnu’ about
the botanical wealth around us, remains a classic many decades after its
publication. His ‘Kaleju Ranga’ and ‘Kaleju Tharanga’ are master peices of
humour, dealing with his experiences as college teacher. In the sphere of drama,
Girish Karnad’s plays and performances are worth encore. His ‘Tugalaq’ and
‘Nagamandala’ with all its dramatic elements and high thoughts, made a big
impact. ‘Hayavadana’ and ‘Agni mattu male’ Tippu Kanda Kanasugalu, odakalu
Bimba are also notable plays. Karnad has given many plays drawing profusely
from history, folk lore and epics. Along with the above plays, Yayati’ also may
be cited as an example for this. Similarly there are writers like C.K.Nagaraja
Rao, Ma.Na.Murthy, Devudu Narashimha Shastry and K.V. Iyer who have
scholarly novels like ‘Pattamahishi Shanthala’, ‘Shanthala’, ‘Mahabrahmana’
and ‘Mahakshatriya’, and ‘Rupadarshi’. A wizard of crosswords in kannada
Aa. Na. Prahlada Rao’s name has found an entery in the ‘ world Wikipedia
Encyclopaedia.’ He has also authored several books, popular among them is
in ‘ Bangarada Manushya’ (Biography on Dr. Raj Kumar published both in
Kannada and English)
Travelogues are far too many even to make a brief mention. However
Shivaram Karanth’s ‘Apoorva Paschima’, A.N. Murthy Rao’s ‘Apara Vayaskana
America Yathre’, Goruru’s ‘Americadalli Gorur’, popular detective story writer
T.K.Rama Rao’s ‘Golada Melondu Suttu’, N. Lakshminarayan’s ‘Nirdeshakana
Videsha Yathre’, D. Javere Gowda’s ‘Videshadalli Nalku Vara’, Krishnananda
Kamat’s ‘Naanoo Americakke Hogidde’, Navarathna Ram’s ‘Pyarissininda
Preyasige’, K. Anantharamu’s ‘Udaya Raviya Nadinalli’, Susheela Koppar’s
‘Paduvanada Pathramale’ may be cited as examples.
Historicaly engaged research studies are also contributing in other literary
fields. Among them M. Govinda Pai, Panje Mangesharao, R.S. Panchamukhi,
S.C. Nandimath, K.G. Kundangara, F.G. Halaktti, S.S. Basavanal, R.C. Raja
Purohit, Kapataral Krishnarao, R.V. Dharawadkar of the century may be cited
A Handbook of Karnataka 484

as example. Among the recent scholars Suryanatha Kamath, Chidananda

Murthy, M.M. Kalburgi, J.V. Venkatachala Shastry, Hampa Nagarajaiah,
K.K.Kurlkarni, Srinivasa Havanur, Lakshmana Telagavi and others may be
cited as examples.
The cursory glance or bird’s-eye view of Kannada literature through many
centuries. Nevertheless, what has been given encompasses some of the best
Kannada works.*
Gnanapitha Award Winners
1. K.V. Puttappa (1967), 2. D.R.Bendre (1973), K. Shivaram Karanth (1977),
4. Masti Venkatesh lyengar (1983). 5. V.K.Gokak (1990), 6. U.R. Ananthamurthy
(1994). 7. Girish Karnad (1998)
Karnataka Ratna Award Winners
K.V. Puttappa and Dr. Rajkumar (1992); S. NIjalingappa (1999), C.N.R. Rao
(2000). Pandith Bheemsen Joshi (2004), Sri Shivakumara Swamy (2006).
Basava Puraskara: This was initiated in 2000, as a national award. Its
recipients were Sarasawath Gora (2000) H. Nasasimhaiah (2001), Puttaraja
Gawai (2002), S.G. Susheelamma (2004), L. Basavaraju (2005), Abdul Kalam
(2006), and Shiva Kumara Swamy (2007).
Central Sahitya Academy Award Winners
1. K.V. Puttappa (1955), 2. R.S. Mugali (1958), 3. D.R.Bendre (1958),
4. K. Shivarama Karanth (1959), 5. V.K.Gokak (1960), 6. A.R. Krishna Shastri
(1961), 7. Devudu Narasimhashastri (1962), 8. B. Puttaswamaiah(1964), 9.
5.V. Ranganna (1956), 10. P.T. Narasimhachar (1966), 11. D.V. Gundappa
(1967), 12. Masti Venkatesh lyengar (1968), 13. H. Thipperudraswamy (1969),
14. Sham.Ba.Joshi (1970), 15. Shriranga (1971), 16. S.S. Bhoosanuru Matha
(1972), 17. V. Seetharamaiah (1973), 18. M. Gopalakrishna Adiga (1974), 19. S.L.
Bhyrappa (1975), 20. M. Shivaram (1976), 21. K.S. Narasimhaswamy (1977),
22. B.G.L.Swamy (1978), 23. A.N. Murthi Rao (1979), 24. Goruru Ramaswamy
lyengar (1980), 25. Channaveera Kanavi (1981), 26. Chaduranga (1982), 27.
Yashavantha Chittala (1983), 28. G.S. Shivarudrappa (1984), 29. Ta.Ra.Su
(Subbarao) (1985), 30. Vyasaraya Ballala (1986), 31. K.P.Purnachandra Tejasvi
(1987), 32. Shankara Mokashi Punekar (1988), 33. Devanuru Mahadeva
(1989), 34. S.V. Parmeshwara Bhatta (1990), 35. Ha.Ma.Nayak (1990), 36.
Chandrashekara Kambara{1991), 37. H.S.Venkatesha Murthi (1991), 38.
Su.Ram.Yakkundi (1992), 39. Saraswathi Gajanana Risbud (1992), 40.
P.Lankesh (1993), 41. Kirthinatha Kurthakoti (1993), 42. Girish Kamad (1994),
43. Pradhan Gurudatta (1994), 44. Thippeswamy (1995), 45. G.S.Amura (1996),
46. M.Chidananda Murthy (1997), 47. B.C.Ramachandra Sharma (1998), 48.
D.R. Nagaraj (posthumous 1999) Shantinatha Desai (posthumous 2000),
L.S.Sheshagiri Rao (2001); Sujana (2002); K.V.Subbanna (2003), Geetha
Nagabhushana (2004), Raghavendra Patil (2005), Kum. Veerabhadrappa
(2006), Srinivasa Vaidaya (2007).
* Contributed by C. Sitaram
Culture 485

Pampa Award Winners

1. K.V. Puttappa (1987), 2. T.N. Shreekanthaiya (1988), 3. K. Shivaram
Karanth(1989), 4. S.S. Bhoosanurumath (1990), 5. P.T. Narasimhachar (1991),
6.A.N. Murthi Rao (1992), 7. M. Gopalakrishna Adiga (1993), 8. Sediyapu Krishna
Bhatta (1994), 9. K.S. Narasimhaswamy (1995), 10. M.M. Kalburgi (1996), 11.
G.S. Shivarudrappa (1997), 12. D. Javare Gowda (1998), 13. Chennaveera
Kanavi (1999), 14. L. Basavaraju (2000), 15. K.P.Purnachandra Tegasvi (2001),
16. M.Chidananda Murthy (2002) 17. Chandrashekara Kambara (2003), 18. H.L.
Nagegowda (2004), 19. S.L. Bhirappa (2005), G.S. Amoor (2006), Yashawanta
Chittala (2007), T.V.Venkatachala Shastri (2008).
Rajyothsava Award Winners
To bring progress in different aspects of culture of the State, the Government
is recognising the good work done by the Scholars Artistes, Social workers,
Lawyers, Doctors and Institutions etc., and is encouraging them with
Rajyothsava Awards, on the Rajyothsava Day, every year. Upto 2008 a total
number of 1743 have been honoured with this Rajyothsava Awards.
Dana Chintamani Atthimabbe Award Winners
l.T. Sunandamma (1995), 2. Shantadevi Malavada (1996), 3. Vaidehi (1997),
4. Kamala Hampana (1998), 5. Mallika (1999) 6. Jayalakshmi Srinivasan
(2000), 7. Sara Abubakar (2001), 8. Geetha Nagabhushana (2002) 9. Shylaja
Uduchana (2003), 10. M. Sunetha Sheety (2004), 11. Veenashantheswara
(2005), B.T. Lalita Naik (2006), Shashikala Veerayyaswamy (2007).
Jaanapada Shree Award Winners
1. S.K. Karim Khan (1994), 2. Kamsale Mahadevaiah (1995), 3.
Yedramanahalli Doddabharamappa (1996), 4. Phakirawa Gudisagara (1997),
5. Hiriyadka Gopala Rao (1998), 6. Sukri Bomma Gowda (1999), 7. Takkalike
Vitthala Rao (2000), 8. Hamgi Mudimallappa (2001), 9. M.R.Basappa (2002),
10. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde (2003), Cahnnappa Veerabhadrappa Karadi
(2004), 12. Nadaga Siriyyajji (2005), 13. Eswarappa Gurappa Angadi (2006),
Belagallu Veeranna (2007).
National Poet Award:
The then Tamilnadu Government has awarded this to M. Govendapai in 1949,
later in 1969, Kuvempu was the recipient from Karnataka Government. Recently
in 2006, it was awarded to G.S. Shirudrappa, the Kannada poet.
Karnataka Sahitya Academy Awards
Karnataka Sahitya Academy is sanctioning Annual Awards to those
renowned litterateurs and other personalities in recognistion of their services
towards promotion of literature and culture. Since its inception, Academy has
honoured 251 persons from 1965 to 2008.
Anuvada Academy
Anuvada Academy started is 2005 for translating classics from other
languages to Kannada and vice - versa. It has honered twenty eveinant
A Handbook of Karnataka 486

translators upto 2008. In 2009 the Academy merged with Kuvempu Bhasa
Bharati of Mysore, with an office at Bangalore.

Tulu Language and Literature

Tulu is one of the rich and ancient languages of the Dravidian family.
Tulu speaking people are called Tulavas mostly found in Dakshina Kannada
and Kasargodu district of Kerala. Tulunadu is bounded by the Kalyanapura
river in the North, Arabian sea in the west, Western ghats in the east and the
Payaswini/Chandragiri river in the south.
Tulu has its own linguistic pecularities and shares a number of common
features with Kannada and other Dravidian languages. Tulu has a very vast
folk tradition which has its own pecularities. Folklore in Tulu is mainly found
in the form of Paddanas, Sandi, Kabita, Uralu, Padipu, Nritya-padya, Gadi,
Ogatu, Jogula, Ajjikathe etc.,
Tulu Brahmins are generally educated people in the Vedas and Shastras.
Their folk songs are based on the episodes from the epics ‘Ramayana’ and
‘Mahabharatha’. Among the lower castes and untouchables, the Bhuta worship
tradition is prevalent.
When compared with other Dravidian languages, Tulu has a very little
classical literature. During the past 150 years, Tulu has adopted the Kannada
script for its literary works. Even though the works of Tulu literature initiated
by the Basel Mission Christians were only translations of the teachings of
Christianity in the beginning, a few important works like the Tulu English
Dictionary etc., were published. Later collections of their folksongs etc., and
histories of Dakshina Kannada and Tulava Culture were also published. Works
on Tulu Grammar, dialect and a doctoral theses on the structure of Tulu verb
transformational analysis were published in the latter half of the Twentieth
Century. The Kerala and Karnataka governments have helped in developing
lexicons and text books of Tulu. Many Kannada plays of Yakshagana and many
religious works also have been translated into Tulu. Notable early writers of
Tulu literature are Sankayya Bhagawat, Sheenappa Hegade, K.B. Narayana
Shetty and M.V.Hegde. S.U.Phaniyadi established the Tulu Mahasabha in
Udupi in 1928. This gave great boost to Tulu literature and culture. It led to a
linguistic-cum-cultural movement in Tulu.
The Tulu theatre and dramas developed during this period. K.Doddanna
Shetty, K.N.Tailor, Rama Kirodiyan, U.R. Chandar, K.B. Bhandari,
Machendranath, Ramananda Charya, Sitaram Kulal, P.S.Rao, Vishu Kumar
etc. were the pioneers of the Tulu Theatre. The beauty of Tulu idioms, proverbs
and expressions is very well represented in the social activities of this period.
Yakshaganas, the spectacular folk dances of Karnataka are becoming popular
even in Tulu now-a-days. In recent years, Tulu poets like Amrita Someswara,
Anatharam Bangady, Purushottama Punja, Nityananda Karanth, Ashok A.
Shetty, K.Shekar.V.Shetty, G.Bayaru, Madhukumar and A.N.Shetty have
composed Tulu Yakshagana epics. There are some organisation which are
working for the propagation of Tulu language and culture. Tulu Koota of
Culture 487

Mangalore is one such organisation. A few Tulu journals are also being brought
out.
Many other poets have made a name in Tulu literature. The notable among
them are Mandara Keshava Bhat (his ‘Mandara Ramayana’ is a wonderful
epic), Venkataraju Puninchittaya, P.V.Acharya, Ramakrishna Achar, Dumappa
Master, Vamana Nandavar, K.V.Ravi, Tilakanath Manjeshwar, Ratna Kumar,
Yeshwantha Bolur, Bhaskar Rao, Sitaram Kulal, Sitaram Alwa and Bannanje.
Three Tulu classics in Grantha script, each of them more than 200 years old
have been found in palm manuscripts. They are ‘Tulu Bhagavato’ (by Vishnu
Tunga) ‘Kaveri’ and a prose work ‘Devi Mahatme’.
Many scholars are engaged in research on Tulu
language, culture and folklore of the Tuluvas. They are
D.N.S.Bhat, S.N.Bhat, M.Rama, S. Mallikadevi, U.P.
Upadhyaya, William Madta, T. Gopalakrishna Bhatta,
Sediyapu Krishna Bhatta, A. Acharya, Venkataraju
Puninchattaya, Vivek Rai, Amrita Someshwar, Sushila
Upadhyaaya, Chinnappa Gowda, K. Padmanabha
Kekhunaya and other young scholars. Some of the
works on Tulu linguistics and folklore brought out are:
‘A comparitive study of Tulu Dialects’, Tulava Darshana’,
‘Folk epics of Tulunadu’, ‘Tulu Janapada Sahitya’,
‘Bhutaaraadhane’, Tulu Baduku’, ‘Paaddanagalu’,
‘Janapada Aaradhane Mattu Rangakale’, ‘Karaavali Bhuta Worship
Jaanapada’, etc. Tulu Academy was founded by the
State govt. in 1994.
Research on Tulu language, folklore and history is
carried on in the Kannada department of the Mangalore
University and the Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research
Centre at M.G.M.College, Udupi. Scholars in Pune,
Annamalai and Trivandrum Universities are engaged
in research in Tulu language. The Govinda Pai Centre
at Udupi has compiled a multi-volume on modern Tulu
Lexicon. Tulu Academy founded in 1995, 42 lumanaries
of tulu literature honoured by tulu sahitya academy
upto 2006. It includes the Tulu associations also. Its
office is at Mangalore.
Nagamandala
Kodava Language and Literature
Historically speaking, it has been proved that till the 17th century Kodava
language was spoken as the principal language in Kodagu, which was then a
separate state. Kodagu had considerable Malayalam influence as its principal
trade connection was with Malabar. The Haleri dynasty which took over the
reins of administration of Kodagu adopted Kannada as the court language. The
Kannada influence of about 230 years changed many shades of the original
language of which adoption of Kannada script for writing is the most important.
A Handbook of Karnataka 488

Appaneranda Appachcha who wrote

many Kodava plays and Nadikeriyanda
Chinnappa compiled ‘Pattole Palame’
and translated ‘Bhagavad Gita’ were
pioneering writers in Kodava language.
After the merger of Kodagu with
Karnataka, there is a great literary
awakening. Dr. I.M.Muthanna who is
the author of ‘A Tiny Model State of
South India’ and many other books
has published a collection of poems in
Kodava language. B.D. Ganapathy has F o lk Dance in Kodavas
written two books in Kodava Language called ‘Nanga Kodava’ and ‘Kuttambolicha’.
His Kannada book on Kodava culture ‘Kodagu mattu Kodavaru’ has won him
the State Academy Award. Recently, efforts are being made to foster Kodava
literature and the Kodava Thak Parishat was established in 1978. It is working
to bring out a Kodava lexicon. The first conference was presided over by the
noted writer B.D.Ganapathi. It is holding conferences every year.
Kodava has a very rich folk tradition. Kodava folk songs depict the facets
of their colourful life and the poems are both robust and humorous. In these
songs, we can see the Kodava language with its pecularities. These songs seem
to be very old, being of a bygone age and their authors are unknown. The
difference between the language used in these songs and the present spoken
language is striking. The Kodavas, above all, loved their land and we find their
songs begin with patriotic praise of their land. Thus, Kodavas have a unique
language, culture and tradition.
I.M.Muthanna, noted writer from Kodagu has completed a ‘Kodava-Kannada
Nighantu’ in Kannada. Starting of ‘Brahmagiri’ weekly in Kodava language
(1980) from Virajpet and ‘Jamma Nangada’ (1983) from Gonikoppal, he gave
a great fillip to writing in the Kodava language apart from the publication of
books, but all these publications are in Kannada script. A feature film titled
‘Nada Mann Nada Kool’ made in Kodava language and directed by S.R.Rajan
was released in 1972. In 1994 Kodava Akademy was founded by the State
Government. The Academy has honoured 75 persons with Annual Awards upto
2006 and functioning from Madekere.
Konkani in Karnataka
Konkani which is an independent language is spoken by more than 15
lakh people mostly spread all over the Western coast of India, of which more
than six lakhs are in Karnataka. The Konkani-speaking people were mostly
living in Goa but after the annexation o f Goa by the Portuguese, many of them
fled to Dakshina and Uttara Kannada fearing conversation to Christianity. At
present, there is a large concentration of Konkani speaking people in South
and North Kanara districts including Udupi district of Karnataka. Even though
the Konkani language and culture were supressed by the Portuguese, the
people who migrated from Goa managed to help their culture to flourish. In the
Culture 489

Konkani literature produced in Karnataka, there are two distinct groups, one
produced by the Konkani Hindus and other by their Christian counterparts.
The Hindus Konkani works date back to the famous Bhakti poets and
poetesses like Santappayya, Raghavadas, Jogawa and Avadi Bai who composed
devotional songs in Konkani. Later the Bhagavad Gita was rendered into Konkani
by Bangle Narayana Kamath (1872-1918). Mangesh Ramakrishna Telang,
Bolantur Krishna Prabhu, Upendra Pai, Swamy Prabhavananda, N.V.Prabhu
and B.V.Baliga wrote excellent poems and plays in Konkani. Scholars like
Udyavar Narayanachar, Hattangadi Narayana Rao and M.M.Shanbhag
published Konkani grammars. Other notable writers are Sheshagiri Keshava
Prabhu, Mundas Devadas Pai, Kodbet Ramaraya Kamati, Bantwal Pundalika
Baliga, V.R.Prabhu, S.V.Kamat, M.G.Pai etc.,
Konkani language had also its newspapers and as early as in 1929 a
fortnightly periodical by name ‘Saraswat’ was published from Mangalore. Other
journals like ‘Navyug’, ‘Uzvadh’, ‘Konkana Kinara’ and ‘Sarvodaya’ followed
subseqeuently. Organisation like the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Konkani Bhasha
Parishad, Institute of Konkani, Konkani Bhashabhimani Samiti, work for the
promotion of Konkani. Konkani feature films have also been made.
Konkani language flourished among the Christians of Dakshina Kannada.
Konkani tracts and commentaries were prepared on the New Testament, Rev.
Rafaelle Pascetti and Rev. Fransesco Saverio da Santa Anna were pioneers
who studied Konkani. The Jesuits who arrived and set up institutions like St.
Joseph Seminary, St. Aloysius College, Fr. Muhller’s Hospital and Codailbail
press gave a fillip to the development of Konkani culture and literature. Many
other writers and poets wrote verses and commentaries on the Christian religion
and culture.
As far back as 1912, two Mangalorean youngsters, Louis Mascarenhas and
Louis Kannappa published the first Konkani journal in Kannada script, the
‘Konkani Dirvem’. This was followed by other journals like ‘Rakno’ ‘Toinari’,
‘Mitr’, ‘Sukh-DukhYSevak’, ‘Zag-mag’ “Vishal Konkan’, ‘Kanik’ and ‘Udev’.
Many Konkani playwrights like G.M.B.Rodrigues, A.T. Lobo, V.J.P Saldanha,
M.P.D’esa, Henry D’Silva, Eddie D’Souza and C.F.D, Coasta have written many
plays in Konkani and earned fame. Novels and stories in Konkani are also written.
Many scholars are involved in research on Konkani language, literature and
culture. Notable among them are Dr. William Madta and Dr. Rockey Miranda.
Dharwad also is a centre for research and literary activity in Konkani language.
Konkani stage is playing an important part in Karnataka. The pioneers in this
field are Bolanthoor Krishna Prabhu, Kumble Narasimha Nayak, Benedict
Rasario, Srinivasa Nayak, N.R. Kamath, Sridhara Bhat, Kamalaksha Nayak,
Babuti Nayak and M.Venkatesh Prabhu. Two feature films titled ‘Tapasvini’
and ‘Janamaria’ were made by the Saraswats and the Catholics made ‘Jeevit
Amchem Ashem’ and one or two other films. B.V.Baliga had been editing a
Konkani monthly ‘Panchkaday’.
Konkani has been recognised as the State language in Goa and is also
included in the Eight Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The State Government
A Handbook of Karnataka 490

founded the Konkani Academy in 1994. From 1995-96 to 2004-05, 59 eminent

writers were awarded from Konkani Academy including Konkani news papers
and associations. Its office is at Mangalore.
Urdu in Karnataka
Urdu is being spoken by nine percent of the people in Karnataka and their
number is next only to that of the Kannada speakers. It is the mother tongue of
a majority of Muslims in the State. The Urdu Academy is established in 1976,
by the Karnataka Government to foster Urdu language and literature.
The growth of Muslim power in the Deccan gave rise to a dire necessity for a
new dialect which would help the ruling class to converse with various sections
of the local population. The new dialect, the Deccani that emerged was symbol
of co-ordination, integration and understanding between the Hindus and the
Muslims. The Bahamani Sultans patronised this language. There were great
literary works by celebrated writers and poets like Nijama {‘Kadam Rao Padam’),
Wajhi (‘Qutab Mushtari and Sub-Rus’), Gawasi (‘Saiful Mullock-O-Badie-Ul-
Kamat), Aajiz(‘Laila Majnu’), Balaqi (‘Meraj Nama’), Ibn-Nishati (Phool Ban),
Tabie (‘Khaisa-L-Behram-O-Gul Andam’) and Sewak (‘Jung Nama’). Hazrath
Bande Nawaz and his descendants wrote copiously in Urdu.
The advent o f Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan in Mysore gave a fresh impetus to
Urdu. They patronized some eminent writers like Mohammed Sayeed Mekhri
aasi, Shah Mohammed Sadruddin, Mohammed Ishaq Bijapuri, Ziaul Abeddin
Shustri, Hassan All Izzat, Ahmed Khan Sherwani, Syed Shah Aarif Khadri, Qazi
Ghulam Ahmed, Lala Badha Singh, Lala Mehtab Rai Sabqat and Mir Hassan
Kirmani.
The benevolent Maharajas of Mysore also extended patronage to this
language. The golden period was the 19th Century. The outstanding men who
strived for the development of Urdu literature in this period were Shah Abu
Haiwaiz, Hazrat Mohammed Khasim Khan, Sufi, Kaleem Athar, Dil, Sabir,
Nawab Sultan Naseem, Jadoo, Ameer, Shoukat Nasir, Barq, Tahqiq, Amir,
Tahiti and Aaram.
The development of Deccani as Urdu in North India led to Urdu becoming
a written language and Deccani, the spoken language in Karnataka. The
outstanding litteratreus of the first half of the twentieth Century were Khaji
Abdulla Hussain Khaleeli, Shah Abdul Hussain Abib, Syed Ghouse Mohlddeen,
Hajrat Faiq, Hazrat Alta, Hajrat Zaiq, Hazart Showq and Mohamood Khan
Mohmood. The literary personalities of the present generation who have followed
in the footsteps of their predecessors are Sulaiman Khateeb, Imami, Tadbish,
Khaleel Semabi, Mahmood lyaz, Hameed Almas, Rahi Quereshi, Dr. Muddanna
Manzar, Fiyaz Belgodi, Shula Mailli, Mohammed Hanif, Kaleem Mohammed
Khan and Mabarijuddin Rafat. Spread of education among the ladies has
brought many female writers to the fore. They are Sayeeda Akhtar, Murntaz
Shireen, Begum Rahmatunnisa, Maimon Tasneem, Husna Sarur, Zubaida
Nusreen, Dr. Habibunnisa Begum, Dr. Amina Khatoon, Dr. Waheedunnisa,
Dr. Fahmida Begum and Basheerunnisa Begum.
Culture 491

Many Urdu journals have started publication in the Twentieth Century. The
First Urdu newspaper was brought out by Mohammed Khasim Gham under
the name ‘Khasim-Ul-Akhbar’ in 1860. In 1848 the first Urdu lithographic
press called Mutha-E-Firdose was established at Bangalore. Today there are
nearly 200 lithographic and 25 to 30 power printing presses all over the state
busy engaged in Urdu printing and publishing. The Marshum-E-Mohammedi’
‘Mysore Akbar’, ‘Sultan Akbhar’. ‘The Bangalore Guardian’, the ‘Bangalore
Akhbar’ and ‘Nyer-E-Ajam’ are the notable journals that can be mentioned.
Some other journals include ‘Targheeb’, ‘Taleem’, ‘Mussale’ and ‘Sham-E-
Saqur’. Many other journals have been started in different cities of the state.
‘Salar’ (1964), ‘Karnataka Leader’ (1972), ‘Sultan’ (1990) and ‘Khubsurat’ (1994)
are some journals from Bangalore. The impact of Urdu on Kannada language
is also notable. There are about 438 Arabic and 614 Persian words which have
entered into Kannada through Urdu. These are mostly seen in Revenue records.
Some of them are Zamindari, Muzrai, Masidi, Gumasta, Kacheri, Kharchu,
Diwan, Karkhana, etc.
Urdu Academy Award Winners
From 1988 to 2008, 70 eminent persons are awarded besides 10 awards for
books is also given by the academy to eminent Urdu writers.
Sanskrit in Karnataka
It is difficult to trace the advent of Sanskrit into Karnataka because the
earliest available inscriptions are in Prakrit, and only from fourth century we
have Sanskrit records. The early Jaina poets who first wrote in Prakrit, later
switched over to Sanskrit and only in the 9th Century A.D. they started writing
in Kannada. Kannada is a language of the Dravidian group while Prakrit and
Sanskrit belong to the Indo-Aryan group. The early books on Kannada grammar
were modelled on the lines of Sanskrit grammar and some were also written
in Sanskrit. Kannada script has originated from the Brahmi script which
also fathered the Devenagari script used for Sanskrit. In the field of poetics
and prosody. Kannada has derived much from Sanksrit. ‘Kavirajamarga’,
‘Udayadityalankara’, ‘Kavyalankara’, ‘Madhavalankara’, ‘Rasaviveka’,
‘Shringararatankara’, ‘Aprathima Veera Charita’, ‘Navarasalankara’,
’Rasaratnakara’, ‘Narapativijaya’, and many other works on ‘alankara’ written
in Kannada closely follow Sanskrit ‘alankara’ works. Gradually many Sanskrit
words entered Kannada and they were accepted into its fold. Literary works in
Kannada mostly draw their themes from the original Sanskrit works like the
‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharatha’, ‘Brihatkatha’, Jain Agamas, the Saiva Aagamas
and the Puranas. There were many poets and scholars in Karnataka who wrote
in Sanksrit. ‘Chudamani’ (Vardhamandeva). ‘Kathasarith-sagara’ (Somadeva)
and many other Jain works are in Sanskrit. Some of the notable early works
in Sanskrit that were produced by Sanskrit scholars of Karnataka are
‘Parswanathacharita’, ‘Chandraprabha-charita’, ‘Varangacharita’, ‘Yashodhara-
charita’, ‘Harivamsha Purana’, ‘Gadyachinthamani’, ‘Jinadhattacharita’,
‘Uttarapurana’, ‘Yashastilaka-champu’, ‘Kavirahasya’, ‘Mritasanjeevini’,
‘Vikramankadeva Charita’, ‘Gadyakarnamrita’, ‘Rukminikalyana’,
‘Ushaharana’, ‘Madhawavijaya’, ‘Jayateerthavijaya’, ‘Vadirajacharitamrita’.
A Handbook of Karnataka 492

‘Vidyahadhishavijaya’, ‘Satyanathabhyudaya’, ‘Raghavendra Vijaya,’

‘Satyabohavijaya,’ ‘Guruvamshakathakalpataru,’ ‘Udaharanamala’, ‘Ramollasa’,
‘Tripuravijaya’, ‘Veerakampanaraya charita’ or ‘Madhuravijaya’, ‘Alankara
Sudhanidhi’, ‘Subhashitasudhanidhi’, ‘Ramabhyudaya’, ‘Narakasuravijaya
‘, ‘Jambavathikalyana’, ‘Kavikarnarasayana’, ‘Veerabhadravijaya’,
‘Subhadrahananjaya’, ‘Nanjarajayashobhushana’, ‘Konkanabhyudaya’,
‘Hamsasandesha’, ‘Subhadra Parinaya’ etc. are in Sanskrit.
In recent times writers like Jaggu Alwar Iyengar. Galagali Ramacharya,
K.S. Nagarajan, K. T. Panduranagi, Raghavan, C. G. Purushottama etc. are
working in the field of Sanskrit literature. Pandarinathacharya Galagli and
Jaggu Vakulabhushanam have received Central Sahitya Akademy awards for
their works.
In the field of Kavya, Nataka and general literature the above mentioned
wroks can be included. But Karnataka’s contribution in the field of literature
on Shastras and religion in Sanskrit is very rich. Sureshwara-Vishwarupa.
Anandagiri, Prakashatma, Anadabodha, Vidyaranaya, Sayanacharya.
Nrisimhashramamuni. Bharatiteertha, Vadindra and Nrisimhasharama have
written treatises on Advaita doctrines. Ramamishradeshika. Vatsyavarada.
Parakalayati, Srinivasacharya and Anantacharya have written works on
Vishitadvaita.
Karnataka has exclusive claim over the contribution made by the founder of
Dwaita school of Philosophy. Madhwacharya wrote Bhashyas on many subjects.
Writers like Anandateertha , Jayateertha, Vijayendra. Vadiraja, Vidyadhisha,
Satyanatha, Raghavendra, Yadavarya, Srinivasabhatta, Anandabhatta,
Keshavabhatta and Srinivasateertha are scholars who enriched Sanskrit
literature by their writings on the Dwaita philosophy.
Many Jain works, some about the Shivasharana, besides interesting works in
polity, grammar, etymology etc., are also found, Sanskrit enjoyed royal patronage
also in Karnataka. ‘Manasollasa’ and ‘Shivatattava Ratnakara’ are two Sanskrit
encyclopaedias compiled by royal authors, viz., Chalukya Someshwara III and
Keladi Basavaraja respectively. The recent poets and writters of Sanskrit are
Jaggu Vakulabhushana, R. Ganesh, K. Nanjunda, Ghanapathi, M. Manjunatha
Bhatta, Pandarinathacharya Galagali, R. S. Panchamukhi and others. Many
great works of Kannada and other languages are also translated to Sanskrit.
Gokarna, Sringeri, Udupi. Melkote and Shivayoga Mandira are centres where
Sanskrit scholars are engaged in research and teaching of Sanskrit language
and literature.
Ubhaya Vedantha Sabha at Bangalore, Madhwa Siddhantha Sabha at
Udupi, Abhivriddhikarini Sabha, Samirasamayasabha and other organisations
conduct Vidvat Sabhas annually. Thus, Sanskrit is very much present in the
intellectual life of Karnataka. An Academy of Sanskrit Research was set up at
Malkote in 1978.
Telugu in Karnataka
The cultural, religious and literary affinities between the States of
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are intimate and significant. Many Telugu
Culture 493

kings ruled over large parts of the present day Karnataka and many Kannada
rulers ruled over large areas of Telugu speaking country. Numerous Telugu
inscriptions found in Karnataka and numerous Kannada inscriptions found
in Andhra Pradesh reflect this fact. Before the advent of the Vijaynagar rulers
both Telugu and Kannada had a common script. Now even though they have
different scripts they are very close to each other. Palkurike Somanatha who
is famous in Telugu literarture as the author of’ ‘Basava Puranamu’ is said
to have written in Kannada, some of Ragales and Vachanas and works like
‘Sheela Sampadane’ and ‘Sahasra gananama’. There are also works in Telugu
like ‘Simhagiri Vachanas’ and ‘Venkateshwara Vachanas’ modelled on the
Vachanas of Basaveshwara. The Vijayanagara period was the golden age for
both Kannada and Telugu. The Vijayanagara court was the meeting place for
both these languages and cultures. It provided oppurtunity for large scale
exchange of ideas between the two people.
In the 19th and the 20th Centuries works like ‘Chawdeshwari
Puranam’ (Gummarajura Mahakavi), ‘Sukarmaneeti Chintamani’ (Komarla
Ramachandraiah), ‘Padmavathi Srinivasa’ (Kahula Bhairava Kavi), etc., were
written. What Sarvajna is to Kannada, Vemana is to Telugu. Bhimaraju, a
Telugu poet of Karnataka translated Sarvajna’s Vachanas to Telugu and
Vemana’s poems into Kannada.
In recent times considerable literary activity is seen in the realm of
translations. Award winning works of literature of the two languages are
translated to either language. In the field of translation T.V.Subba Rao, Badala
Ramaiah, K.S. Janakiramaiah, R.V.S. Sundaram, Nirupama and Hariharapriya
are worthy of mention and they have done commendable work.
The universities of Bangalore and Mysore which have well established
Telugu departments and they have helped the development of this language in
Karnataka. Many research thesies on Telugu literature and culture have been
submit in these two Universities. Another notable trend is the translation into
Kannada of political and social satires and novels from Telugu. Telugu cinema
and Kannada cinema have a very close relationship. Telugu Samiti and Andhra
Vijnana Sangham in Bangalore are trying to provide a common platform for
literary and cultural activities. A common script for both Telugu and Kannada
languages is often advocated.
Tamil in Karnataka
Kannada and Tamil originated from the same proto-Dravidian language
and Kannada is as old as Tamil in antiquity. Both Kannada and Tamil have
influenced each other immensely. The Pallava and Chola dynasties ruled over
large parts of the present Karnataka. The Gangas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and
the Vijayanagara emperors ruled over large parts of Tamilnadu. The word
Karnataka itself appears to have been a contribution of the Tamils as it is used
as ‘Karunat’ in Tamil works like ‘Shilappadikaram’. The two languages are so
close to each other that some of the expressions of early Kannada are also
found in Tamil.
A Handbook of Karnataka 494

Numerous Tamil inscriptions are found in present day Karnataka and

numerous Kannada inscriptions are found in present-day Tamilnadu. Many
Tamil words are found in Kannada with slight variations.
It is presumed that the earliest Kannada poet Pampa must have known
Tamil also. Karna defeating Duryodhana’s wife in a game of dice and snatching
her necklace as stake which is narrated by Pampa in Vikramarjuna Vijaya, has
a Tamil source. Harihara’s Ragales with their Ragale metre might have been an
adaptation of ‘avagal’ of Tamil metre. In the days of Ramanuja who took shelter
in Kannada speaking regions, the Srivaishnava religion he propagated had its
impact on Kamataka. Many Tamil Brahmanas settled in the ‘Agraharas’ in
places like Tondnur and Melkote. This religion and its literature in Tamil made
an impact on Kannada literature. Sripadaraya who initiated Haridasa Sahitya
was influenced by Tamil devotional songs. The love of the Tamil poets for their
language, their enthusiasm for pure Tamil expression and their deliberate
attempt not to borrow from Sanskrit and to retain a good number of Tamil
idioms influenced Kannada poets and writers. This attitude is reflected in the
writings of Srivaishnava Kannada poets, like Chikkupadhyaya, Singararya,
Tirumalarya and Sanchiya Honnamma. They have made use of chaste Kannada
even though they were well versed in Sanskrit.
This attitude is also clearly reflected in the writings of B.M.Srikantaiah. His
slogans like ‘Sirigannadam Gelge’ ‘Sirigannadam Balge’ ‘El Kannada Tay etc.,
clearly indicate his enthusiasm for chaste Kannada and in this respect he was
influenced by Tamil literature.
Impact of Kannada on Tamil also is not small. Many religious movement
in Karnataka like Jainism and the Ganapathi cult probably of Buddhist origin
appear to have moved from Karnataka to Tamilnadu. Tamil inscriptions speak
of Jain ascetics from Shravanabelagola having been active in Tamilnadu.
Vatapi Ganapathi, whose praise is sung by Muttuswami Deekshitar, indicates
the advent of Ganapathi cult into Tamilnadu via Karnataka. Chamarasa’s
‘Prabhulingaleele’, Sarvajna’s Vachanas, Vachanas of Basaveshwara and
Akkamahadevl have been translated into Tamil. Tamil classics like ‘Tirukkural’,
and ‘Perriyapuranam’ have been rendered into Kannada.
Malayalam in Karnataka
Evidence of cultural unity between Kerala and Karnataka emanate from the
legends like those of Parashurama creating the coastal belt. Though the two
cultures could be sprouts from a common Dravidian source, both perhaps had
exposure to more or less identical foreigh influences also, because the entire
strip of the West Coast constituted the core of trade and commercial activities
in early times.
Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya cannot probably be considered as an
exclusive representative of Kerala culture, since what he embodied was the
general Hindu revival. He established one of his Peethams Sringeri at in
Karnataka. He is said to have consecrated the present idol in the famous
Mookambika temple at Kollur near Kundapur. Many Tulu Brahmins have
migrated to Kerala. The latest link in this trail is perhaps the influence of Lord
Culture 495

Ayyappa, the deity whose main shrine is in Kerala, over the Kannadigas.
In the realm of linguistic feature, Kannada and Malayalam have originated
from a common source, viz., the Dravidian. Halegannada was often surprisingly
close to Malayalam. Alphabets, basic vocabulary, underlying structures are
all identical to great extent in these languages. Sanskrit influenced both the
languages profusedly. The amount of influence of the great Sanskrit works of
poets like Kalidasa, Bhasa etc., over Kannada and Malayalam is identical.
The age old contact between Karnataka and Kerala entered into a new
era during the missionary activities on the West Coast. Due to the patronage
extended by the Sahitya Academy ‘Chemmin’, ‘Yakshi’ etc., of Malayali origin
have been translated into Kannada.
There are instances, though rare, of Kannada writers drawing inspiration
from certain setting and features of Kerala life and vice versa. The well known
progressive novel in Kannada, ‘Chirasmarane’ by Niranjana revolves around an
incident that occured in Kerala village Kayyar, and its Malayalam rendering won
overwhelming appreciation. One of the latest poems by Dr. Ayyappa Panieker,
the outstanding modern poet of Malayalam, is titled ‘Chamundimaleyile
Thiruvilayattam’. Mention may also be made of the Trivandrum Karnataka
Association which brought out a volume viz., ‘Mandara Mallige’, a collection
of representative pieces of Malayalam literature, translated into Kannada.
In the recent period a band of new writers have come up whose translation
of short stories, novels, monographs etc., are bringing the two languages
and culture into closer contact. K.T.Sridhar (‘Manju’), P.V.Puninchattaya
(‘Nannajjanigondaneyittu’), Srikrishna Bhat Arthikaje (‘Ayyappan’), K.K.Nair,
C.Raghavar, M.S.Lakshmanachar, N.S.Sharada Prasad, P.G.Kamat, Sarah
Abubakar and Venugopala Kasaragod are prominent among them. The
Karnataka Sangha of Thiruvanantapuram has brought out a publication called
‘Purandaradasara Keerthanavali’ with Malayalam translations with details of
musical notes and explanations.
The universities in Karnataka offer Malayalam as one of the languages
to be studied at the degree level. There is a department of Malayalam in the
Mangalore government college. The M.A. course in South India studies is being
run by the Mysore University has also given Malayalam its due recognition.
Marathi in Karnataka
Marathi and Kannada are very close to each other for centuries. Geographical,
cultural, social, anthropological and religious bonds were responsible for
thier affinity. Mutual influences and exchanges are seen in the usage of these
languages when Kannada had rich literature, Marathi was being evolved
through Maharastri Prakrit, popularly known as Jain Maharashtri. Linguistic
pecularities of the Marathi spoken in Karnataka are worth noting. Use of
Kannada words and idiom form the major pecularities. Some pecularities like
the dento-palatal pronunciation in the original Marathi are observed in the
Marathi spoken in Karnataka. The influence of Kannada word ‘avaru’ used as
a suffix after any proper name in Marathi is very significant.
The Muslim rulers of Bijapur, Mysore and many small jahgirs in Karnataka
like Jamkhandi etc., gave a significant place to the Marathi language and the
A Handbook of Karnataka 496

Modi script. Till the end of the 19th century, the Modi script was in use especially
in North Karnataka. Under the Maratha rule, Kannada and Marathi came in
close contact and influenced each other to a considerable extent. Important
literature in Marathi produced in Karnataka dates back to the 17th Century.
Mudalagi, a place near Gokak has a tradition of Swamis belonging to the school
of Mukundaraja, the first Marathi poet. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III patronised
Marathi, He also wrote a book entitled ‘Sankhya Ratnakosha’ on the game
of chess in Marathi. After the advent of British rule, because of the contacts
of Karnataka with Maharashtra in several spheres like politics, education,
literature and other fine arts, Marathi played a significant role in Karnataka.
Political leaders like Gokhale and Tilak were respected and loved as their own
people, by the people of Karnataka. Marathi theatre was very popular and
stage actors like Balagandharva were very much liked in Karnataka. Histotical
novels of Hari Narayan Apte were translated into Kannada by Galaganath.
Works of Sane Guruji, Phadke, Khandekar, Savarkar and Ranjit Desai have
been translated to Kannada. Many modern Marathi plays have been translated
to Kannada and vice versa. Tendulkar’s plays are familiar in Karnataka and
Girish Karnad’s Kannada plays have gained appreciation and acceptance in
Maharashtra. Bendre’s ‘Nakutanti.’, Vachana Basaveshwara,’ ‘Vachanodaya’
Kailasam’s Tollugatti’, S.L.Bhyappa’s several novels, Karnad’s ‘Hayavadana’
and Tughlaq’ etc., have been translated to Marathi and have been immensely
popular. Many able Marathi writers of Karnataka have a name for themselves.
Notable among them are Govind Kelkar, Narayan Atiwadkar, Manohar Banne,
G.G.Rajadhyaksh, N.R.Killedar, G.A. Kulkarni etc.
Novelists Prof.Nikhumba, Indira Sant and Ranjit Desai, Prof Aravinda Yalgi,
Madhavi Desai, Priya Prabhu are among the noted writers from Belgaum district.
G.D.Khare of Gadag has won award for his work ‘Gita Manna Darshan’. Prof
G.A. Kulkarni from Dharwad was a noted short story writer. Dr. A.R.Toro from
Ainapur has translated many Marathi works to Kannada and vice versa. He
received the Jnanapith award for his Marathi works. R.G.Kalangade of Hubli
has written many religious works including one on Sayanacharya. Of writers
from Dharwad Prof. B.R. Modak, Vidya Sapre (novelist), and Baburao Gaekwad
can be mentioned. S.S. Gokhale’s unique work ‘Akashasi Jadavu Nate’ is on
astronomy. Devalgaonkar and G.P.Joshi from Gulbarga also write in Marathi
and the latter’s work on ‘Krishna-Godavari Parisar’ being a notable work on
cultural history.
Marathi Journalism also flourised in Karnataka. Tarun Bharat, Ranqjwyar,
Varta, Veeravani, Lokmat, Rashtraveer and Belgaum Samachar are some of the
journals that are mention worthy.
j o u r n a l is m IN KARNATAKA
The history of Kannada newspaper is just more than one and half a century
old. The first Kannada newspaper appeared in Mangalore in July 1843 called
‘Mangaloora Samachara’ with Rev. Herman Moegling, a Basel Mission priest
as its editor. Although the prime idea behind this lithographic venture was
propagation of Christianity, it contained news also. Soon, others followed
Moegling and many more newspapers came into being..
Culture 497

The city of Mysore was the centre o f all literary and political activities in the
erstwhile Mysore State and naturally, newspapers and periodicals were born
there. ‘Mysore Vruttanta Bodhini’, and ‘Karnataka Prakashika’ were among
them. Newspapers and periodicals were published from Belgaum, Bijapur,
Dharwad, Mysore, Shimoga, Karwar and Bangalore also during the same
period.
M.Venkatakrishnaiah, the grand old man of Mysore, excelled in journalism.
He ventured into journalism through the ‘Hita Bodhini’, a journal of high
esteem in 1883. It was edited by M.B. Srinivasa lyengar and M.S. Puttanna.
Venkatakrishnaiah started his own weekly, the ‘Vruttanta Chintamani’ in
1885. Readers were thrilled to read his sharp editorial comments. He started
many journals both in Kannada and English in Mysore. ‘Mysore Herald’ (1886,
English), ‘Wealth of Mysore’ (1912, English Monthly), the ‘Sampadabhyudaya’
(Kannada daily, 1912) the ‘Nature Cure’ (English), and the ‘Sadhvi (1912).
The ‘Sadhut, which started as a Kannada weekly was being run as a daily
till recently. As a man with reformist ideas, Venkatakrishnaiah has left his
incredible marking on Kannada journalism.
In the beginning of the Twentieth Century political movements changed the
surface of Kannada journalism. The Indian National Congress and the entry of
Mahatma Gandhi on the political scene of India did have their impact on this
field. For many young enthusiasts, newspapers became the potent medium
to preach, the idea of national freedom. The ‘Kannada Kesari’ (Hubli), the
‘Chandrodaya’(1913), Dharwad, Kerur Vasudevacharya’s ‘Shubhodaya’ (1917)
Dharwad and the ‘Sachitra Bharata’ (1913), the ‘Karmaveera’ (1921, Dharwad),
the ‘Kannadiga’ (1925, Bagalkot) and the ‘Vijaya’ (1921, Dharwad) extended
their maximum support to the nationalist movement. D.V. Gundappa, a
noted Kannada author, was also a journalist par excellence. His journalistic
ventures include the ‘Bharati’ (1907, Bangalore) a Kannada Daily, a bi-weekly
the ‘Mysore Times’ (1909, Bangalore), the ‘Artha Sadhaka Patrika’ (1915) a
Kannada monthly, and the ‘Karnataka’ (1912, Bangalore) a bi-weekly in
English. ‘Vibhakara’ (1917-18, Belgaum) a Kannada-English weekly started
by Panditappa Chikkodi who spearheaded the movement for the backward
classes. ‘Mysore Star’ from Mysore started by the close of the 19th century did
similar work.
P.R. Ramaiah’s ‘Tayi Nadu’ (1926, Mysore) was a staunch nationalist
newspaper. In the beginning, it was a weekly originating from Mysore, but later
was transferred to Bangalore and converted into a daily (1928). N.S.Seetharama
Sastry worked in both the weekly and daily ‘Desha Bandhu’ (1931, Bangalore)
edited by C.Hayavadana Rao. He was succeeded by N.S. Venkoba Rao. The
‘Veera Kesari’ (1928, Bangalore) of M. Seetharama Sastry made its presence
felt, by his sharp editorials. T.T.Sharman who had a penchant for the hecking
of authorities, endeared himself to the freedom lovers. The writings in his
‘Vishwa Karnataka’ (1925) always troubled the authorities. Siddavanahalli
Krishna Sharma ran the paper when T.T. Sharma was unable to attend to
his work for some time. B.N. Gupta’s ‘Prajamata’ (1931, Madras) was an
eye-sore to the authorities constantly. When it was shifted to Bangalore it
A Handbook of Karnataka 498

experienced difficulties and to avoid the proscribing of its copies. B.N. Gupta
started publishing it under the title ‘Prajamitra’ from Hubli. Gupta also
founded the ‘Janavani an evening Kannada daily (1934). Other journals such
as the ‘Swadeshabhimani (Mangalore, 1907), the ‘Nadegannadi’ and the ‘Vikata
Vinodini’ (monthly) the last being a monthly dedicated to humour, ‘Koravanji’
being another such venture.
When the nationalist movement was at its peak, several literary journals
managed to increase their leadership. Prominent among them are the ‘Jaya
Karnataka’ (1922, Dharwad) of Alur Venkata Rao, Galaganatha’s ‘Sadbodha
Chandrike’(1907, Agadi) the ‘Jayanthi (1938, Dharwad), the ‘Prabhuddha
Karnataka’ (1932, Bangalore) and the ‘Kannada Sahitya Parishatpatrike’ (1916,
Bangalore). ‘Jeevana’ (1940, Dharwad) was later brought to Bangalore where
the noted literary figure Masti Venkatesh lyengar edited it.
In North Karnataka, the freedom movement was led by ‘Samyuktha
Karnataka’. In 1929, it was started as a weekly in Belgaum by a group of
energetic men. Kabbur Madhava Rao, Rama Rao Hukkerikar and Ranganatha
Ramachandra Diwakar ran it for sometime. In 1933, the Lokashikshana Trust
of Diwakar took and started publishing it as a daily from Hubli. Its Bangalore
edition was launched in 1959. Hanumantha Rao Moharey played a very
important role in the development of Samyuktha Karnataka. R.R. Diwakar’s
‘Nava Shakti’ (English 1923, Dharwad) was a weekly. Patil Puttappa has been
editing the ‘Prapancha’ a weekly (1954, Hubli) and the ‘Vishwa Vani’ (1959,
daily). The ‘Kasturi (1956, Hubli) and the ‘Tushara’ (1973, Manipal) are the
popular monthly Kannada magazines of Karnataka.
The Printers (Private) Limited, Bangalore, a joint stock company created
history with its newspapers, the Prajavani (a Kannada daily) and the ‘Deccan
Herald’ (an English daily) which were started in 1948. Now it is a large institution
in the state by virtue of its largest circulation. Its other publications are ‘Sudha’
a Kannada weekly and ‘Mayura’ a Kannada monthly. Another Kannada daily
the ‘Kannada Prabha’ belongs to the Express group of newspapers. Its inagural
issue came out on November 4, 1967, with N.S.Seetharam Shastry as its
editor.
The Mysore city has a very large number of evening dailies, besides
other periodicals and journals. They include, ‘Mysore Patrike’ (1941),
Varthamana’(1947), ‘Vishwadoota’ (1962), ‘Asoka’ (1964), ‘Rajya Dharma’
(1967), ‘Sudharma’ (1970)-a Sanksrit daily, the ‘Aruna’ (1947), ‘Vijaya’ (1947),
‘Independent’ (1967) and ‘Sankranthi’. ‘Sadhvi’ (1936) was run by Agaram
Rangaiah who had his training in Journalism under Dr. Annie Besant.
The beginning of the eighties was the period of censorship. The National
Emergency days of 1975 caused a suffocating atmosphere for Journalism.
Journalism in particular had to live down its ignominy of buckling under pressure
during the Emergency. Another important circumstance that determined the
role of the press was the need for effective opposition due to the one-party rule
for a long time in the country. Perhaps one of the most important magazines
that caught the spirit of this prevailing mood and was successful in expressing
Culture 499

it sharply without any adornment was ‘Lankesh Patrike’ (1978). Not that there
were no such attempts before. Sheshappa’s ‘Kidi’ was heralded the trend by
exposing the establishment. ‘Kidi’ was Sheshappa’s one-man paper. Though
Lankesh followed his example he did it in a different and organised manner. Of
late ‘Hai Bangalore’ is doing a similar job, led by Ravi Belagere.
The Proprietors Manipal Printers and Publishers Ltd., Manipal started its
service, in Journalism by bringing out ‘Udayavani’, a Kannada daily in 1970.
It is being published simultaneously from Bangalore, Manipal and Mumbai.
‘Tushara’ a monthly is being published since 25 years. T. Satish U. Pai is the
Managing Editor for this. R. Poornima is an active journalist o f Udayavani. The
Taranga weekly published by the Pais of Manipal, was edited by experienced
journalist Santosh Kumar Gulvadi (upto 1996). Sandhya S. Pai has taken charge
after him. Vykuntharaju’s ‘Vara Patrike’ became moderately successful with its
simple straight and sober handling of public issues. He also edits a popular
monthly ‘Rajupatrike’. Of the other commendable journalistic attempts were
‘Suddi Sangati’ of Indudhara Honnapura and ‘Sanketha’ (a fortnightly) of I.K.
Jagirdar and M.B.Singh, ‘Manvantara’ of Ashok Babu, ‘Mardani’ of Janagere
Venkataramaiah, ‘Abhimani’ of T. Venkatesh, Agni by Shreedhar ‘Vijaya
Karnataka’ daily, ‘Nutana’, weekly and ‘Bhavana’ monthly, under the group
of Company of Vijaya Ananda Printers and Publishers etc. The daily ‘Vijaya
Karnataka’ (2000) is being published from Hubli, Bangalore and Gulbarga.
‘Hosa Diganta’, a daily from Bangalore is also being published from Bangalore
and Shimoga.
Newspapers have played their own role in the political, social and literary
life of Karnataka. Their part in the freedom movement is notable. Newspapers
supported the Unification movement of Karnataka whole-heartedly and
also fostered emotional integration. The encouragement they gave to the
cultural activities like drama, music, cinema, art, literarture and sports are
commendable. They have played a very prominent part in the propagation of
new and progressive thoughts and popularising the spirit of democracy.
English Dalies like ‘Deccan Herald’ (1948), ‘The Indian Express’ (1965), The
Hindu’, The Times of India’ ‘Bangalore Mirror’ and the ‘Asian Age’ All from
Bangalore, have a wide circulation.
According to the Media List of the Department of Information and Publicity,
the total number of daily news papers published as on January 2005, in the
State, is 266 and that of periodicals is 150. Approximately 1455 magazines
and news papers are published in the State, (296 Dailies, 6 Tri-Weeklies or Bi­
Weeklies, 337 Weeklies, 217 Fortnightlies, 542 Monthlies, 17 Half Yearly and
3 Annuals.). Besides ther are other popular Malayalam, Tamil and Urdu news
papers in the State. The Karnataka Patrika Academy was founded in 1982.
Karnataka Madhyama Academy Award Winners
The Parrika Academy started in 1987, later became Media Academy in
2003, is honouring the journalists along with various institutions eversince its
inception. Famous and elderly journalists are duly rewarded annually by the
academy some Newspapers and institutions are also giving awards regularly to
A Handbook of Karnataka 500

journalists. This academy since 2005 started 9 news awards for the journalists
of and those media. It include investigation reports, crime/ report and others.
Since 1993, in the name of T.S. Ramachandra Rao of Prajavani, a separate
award being given to the journalists. Besides this details about the special
awards given to excellent designing, reports best News readers of Doordarshan,
News Documentaries etc. During 2007-08 totally 12 such out standing Persons
have received these awards for different dimensions achievements in the field
of Journalism.
Patrika academy till 2008, 254 noted journalists were awarded including
Special Award to H.S Krishnaswamy Iyengar (1996), Venkatesh Kulkarni
(1997), B.Chandregowda (1998), M.Mallikarjunaiah (1999), G.Venkatasubbiah
(2000), H.Y.Sharadaprasad (2001), R.K.Laxman (2002), M.V.Kamat (2003) and
U.R. Rao (2004), K.S. Sachhidananda Murthy (2005), Raj Changappa (2006),
Girish Nikkana (2007).
Andolana Award to Kolara Patrike (1997), Janatavani (1998),
Kannadamma(1999), Janamitra (2000), Kranti (2001), Hosadiganta (2002)
Kranti Deepa (2003), Prajapragati (2004), Karavali Munjava (2005), Suddi Mula
(2006), Kannada Janantranga (2007).
Abhimani Award to Rajesh Shibaje (2000), Abburu Rajashekar (2001),
D.N.Shripadu (2002), S.Chandrashekar (2003) Omkara Kakade (2004), Shesha
murthy Avadhani (2005), Shivananda Tagaduru (2006), Y.Ga. Jagadesh
(2007).
Mysore Diganta Patrike Award to M.Jayaram (2002), Harshavardhana V
Sheelavanta (2003) Muniyala Ganesha Shenoy (2004), Basavaraj Hongal (2005),
B.N. Shreedhar (2006), Mallikarjuna Siddannavara (2007).
In 1989-90 four Institutions viz Lokashikshana Trust, Hubli; The Printers
(Mysore) Ltd., Bangalore; Manipal Printers and Publishers Ltd., Manipal and
‘Nadiga’ Belgaum, were honoured.
T.S.R. Award Winners
T.S. Ramachandra Rao the highest honour in Journalism award is given by
the Department of Information and Publicity to eminent journalists in the state.
The Award has been instituted in the year 1993, which includes a certificate
of honour and Rupee one Lakh. So far the following have received the T.S.R.
Award : Patil Puttappa (1993), N.S. Seetharama Shastry (1994), K. Shamarao
(1995), P.L. Bankapura (1996), M.B. Singh (1997), S.V. Jayasheela Rao (1998),
Waddarase Raghurama Shetty (1999) S.G. Mysore Math (2000), E.R.Sethuram
(2001), K. Satyanarayana (2002), Shadaksharappa (2003), Nagamani S. Rao
(2004), Surendra Dhani (2005), Raja Shailesha Chandra Gupta (2006).
f o l k l it e r a t u r e *
Who among us has not heard the story of a rich boy or girl falling in
love with a poor girl or boy and marrying her or him eventually after many
hardships including fierce opposition from would-be parents-in-law? Our folk
lieterature abounds in such stories such as our films do. Or, consider the story
*contributes b y C. Sitaram
Culture 501

of a vagrant husband whose exploits are finally discovered by the wife but
paradoned immediately, true to spirit of ideal house wife. This as you may have
thought is not a film story either. This is the story of our Lord Srikanteswara,
of Nanjangud, who inspite of being wedded to the beautiful Deveri, had an
affair going, with Chamundi, of the Chamundi hills. Or, take the story of Lord
Ranganatha, of the Biligiri hills, who fell in love with a poor Soliga tribal girl -
and married her. So much credence is given to this story by the local people,
the Soligas, that they even to this day address Lord Ranganatha as ‘Bhava’, that
is brother-in-law. These are stories which could make woderful film material,
and it is no exaggeration if we say that the genesis of majority of film stories is
the folk literature.
When we say folk literature we do not always mean written literature only.
Folk tradition in Karnataka, as elsewhere, began orally. The systematic study
of folk literature was initiated by European scholars. Anyone who glances at the
Kittel dictionary is sure to be amazed by the abundant collection of proverbs,
most of which are of folk orgin. Kittel was helped in this by his immediate
superior at the Basel Mission Church, Mangalore, Rev, Moegling. Abbe Dubois’
work ‘Hindu Customs, Manners and Ceremonies’ contain a number of folk tales.
May Frere’s ‘Old Deccan Day’ is an independent collection of folk tale. Among
Kannadigas, Nadakeriyanda Chinnappa, a scholar from Kodagu, published in
1924, a book in Kodava language called ‘Pattole Palame’, which was a collection
of regional folklore with Kannada commentary. This was followed by Halasangi
brothers of North Karnataka who published three volumes of folksongs and
Ballads, titled ‘Garathiya Haadu,’ ‘Mallige Dande’ and ‘Jeevana Sangeetha’.
Archaka B. Rangaswamy Bhatta of Mandya District brought out a book
‘Huttida Halli Halliya Haadu’ which depicts the rural traditions of an entire
village. During pre-independence period B.S. Gaddagimath was perhaps the
first scholar in Kannada to secure a doctorate for his thesis on folklore. This
was followed by Jee. Sham. Paramashivayya’s series of articles in Kannada
Journals on folklore. Haa. Maa. Naik, a scholar in linguistics, published many
papers on the study of folk culture. D. Javaregowda, as Vice-Chancellor of
Mysore University, established a Folklore Research Centre at Mysore. The
Universities of Bangalore; Dharwad and Gulbarga, also offer Doctoral Degrees
in the study of folk culture. Of late Hampi Kannada University and Shimoga
University have also been in the forefront.

Dollu Kunita
A Handbook of Karnataka 502

Two other main centres for the study of folk literature are the Karnataka
Janapada Trust and the Karnataka Janapada and Yakshagana Academy. The
former has a collection of more than 1,000 folk songs recorded from all over the
state. The latter brings out an annual collection of folklore of about 100 pages
at a low cost.
Mathigghatta Krishnamurthy has brought out a series of voluminous books
like ‘Grihini Geethegalu’, a collection of folk songs. S.K. Karim Khan has travelled
the length and breadth of Karnataka giving lectures on folk literature. Popular
playwright - novelist Chandrasekhara Kambara has to his credit many popular
adaptations of folk stories like Siri Sampige, Singaravva Matthu Aramane,
Kadu-Kudure and Sangya-Balya. Girish Karnad won international acclaim for
his play ‘Nagamandala’ based on folk story. And so did A.K. Ramanujan for his
collection of folk stories. B.V. Karanth and C. Aswath are pioneers in scoring
folk music to films. They made their debut as music directors in ‘Vamsha
Vriksha’ and ‘Kakana Kote respectively. H.L. Nagegowda, B.B. Handi and H.K.
Rajegowda have done remarkable work in this field. ‘Janapada Loka’ of Janapada
Parishat, at Ramanagar which has taken a good shape by H.L. Nagegowda, has
a rare collection of folk materials. ‘Arambhadettu Inooru’, ‘Aane Banthondane’,
‘Nannuru’, ‘Veriyar Elvinnana Girijana Prapancha’, are some of his important
collections. H.K. Rajegowda’s ‘Kempanna Gowdana Yakshagana Kavyagalu’,
‘Vokkaliga Janangada Sampradaya’, ‘Itihasa Janapada’ are notable works.
K.R. Krishnaswamy (Karakru) Hi.Chi. Boralingaiah and Mudenur Sanganna’s
works are also noteworthy.
Certain folk tales are common to all regions. One such is about a Harijan
youth masquarding as Brahmin and marrying a girl from that community.
The girl when discovers the deceit, throws herself into pyre and becomes a
goddess. Another narrative - ‘Kerege Hara’ is woven round a chaste woman who
sacrifices herself for the successful completion
of village tank. And then we have many number
of animal tales in which the fox is the trickster.
When we come to the realm of songs we find
songs for every rural activity, be it grinding,
pounding, christening the baby, lullaby,
marriage, nuptials, or even tattooing. The last
named is the forte of a distinct community
called the ‘Koravanjis’. Kolata or stick dance is
perhaps unique to Karnataka.
Ballad or narrative folk song is another
distinct form. ‘Jeeshampa’ has classified
them to twelve groups or traditions
as 1. Devara Guddas, 2. Neelagaras,
3. Ganeplayers, 4. Gorvas, 5. Choudikeyavaru,
6. Aradigalu 7. Karapaladavaru,
8. Tamburiyavaru, 9. Kinnara Jogigalu, 10.
Dombidasaru, 11. Helavaru and 12. Telugu
Jangamaru. String dolls show
Culture 503

Some of the popular ballads are Gunasagari, Sarjappa Nayakana Kathe,

Madakari Nayaka, Kitthuru Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna, Balanagamma,
Malaya Madeswara Kavya, Manteswami Kavya, Yallammana Kavya and
Mailaralingana Kavya.
Folk theatre too has a rich tradition in Karnataka. Who, for instance, has
not heard of ‘Yakshagana’ of Coastal Karnataka, also in vogue in different parts
of Karnataka, as Doddata, Bayalata etc., Puppet theatre is another folk form,
classified into two categories as Thogalugombe and Keelugombe. The former
is shadow play with the help of leather cut into human or animal or super­
human forms and the latter are performed with the help of dolls with movable
limbs controlled by strings by the operaters. What Interests as literature is the
narrative technique which would be quite engrossing.
And then there are a host of books on folk medicine such as ‘Padartha
Sara’, ‘Vaidyaratnakara’ etc. Many of these were brought out by, or with the
help of the royal family of Mysore.
Closely connected with folk literature are folk arts Kamsaalay, Chaudike,
Ekatari etc., and dances like Lambani dance, Patada Kunita, Nandikolu
Kunita, Veeragase, Dollu Kunita, Gorawara Kunita, Gondala, etc. These are all
connected with religious rituals, tagged with some deity, and Yakshagana and
puppet show are also of similar origin.
Govinda Pai Research Centre. Udupi (M.G.M. College) has been doing
unique documentation work, and has collaborated with a Spannish University.
In order to promote folk literature and folk arts, the Karnataka Jaanapada
and Yakshagana Academy honours the outstanding folklore scholars and the
artists every year by granting Jaanapada Tagna Award and Annual Awards.
Jaanapada Tagna Award Winners
1986 : Simpi Linganna; 1988 : Mathighatta Krishnamurthy and D.
Javeregowda; 1989: H.L. Nagegowda; 1990 : H.M. Nayak and B.B. Hendi; 1991
: Ku.Shi. Haridasa Bhat and K.R. Lingappa; 1992 : Chandrashekhara Kambara
and Mudenuru Sanganna; 1993: M. Chidananda Murthy, P.R. Thippeswamy
and N.R. Nayak; 1994 : G. Narayana, Goru Channabasappa, Devendra Kumar
Hakari, M.G. Biradara, Amrita Someshwara and C.P. Krishnakumar; 1995:
Ham.Pa Nagarajaiah, Ramegowda (Ragau), Somashekhara Imrapura and R.C.
Hirematha; 1996 : B.A. Vivek Rai, Basavaraja Malashetty and P.K. Rajashekhar;
1997 : M.M. Kalburgi, M.B. Neginahala, T.N. Shankaranarayana, O.K.
Rajendra and P.K. Khandoba; 1998: Kyatanahally Ramanna, Shanthi Nayak
and A.V. Naavada; 1999 : Nam Tapasvikumar, M.N. Vali and H.J. Lakkappa
Gowda; 2000 : Taltaje Keshava Bhatta, C.H. Mahadeva Nayak, M.T. Dhoopada,
T.S. Rajappa and M.A. Jayachandra, 2001: Siddalingaiah, William Madtha,
Shrirama Ittannavar, 2002: Channanna Valikara, B.S.Swamy, Nallur Prasad,
2003: M.G.Eswarappa, Shreekanta Kodige, Prabhakara Joshi, Since 2004, the
Jaanapada Tagna Award being stopped and awards established in the name of
B.S. Gaddagi Math and Jishampa are given to folklore scholars. Gaddagi math
A Handbook of Karnataka 504

award: Keremane Mahabala Hegade (2004), Veeranna Dande (2005), Ha.Ka.

Rajegowda (2006), D.B. Naik (2007), C.K. Navalagi (2008) Jishampa award: He.
She. Ramachandra gowda (2004), M.K. Raghava Nambiyar (2005), Basavaraja
Nellisara (2006), G.S. Bhat (2007), Y.C. Bhanumathi (2008).
Jaanapada and Yakshagana Acadamy Award Winners
The Academy honors the folklore scholars, artists, authors, collectors/
editors/critics/ publishers, institutions, groups, art promoters etc., every
year by granting annual awards. So far (2008) 703 eminent persons have won
Annual Awards. For Yakshagana separate accadamy is founded in 2008-09.
Under the chairmanship of Kumble Sundararao
THEATRE IN KARNATAKA
The first written play in Kannada belongs to the 17th century A.D. It was
titled ‘Mitravinda Govinda’ and was written by a Mysore Court poet called
Singararya. It was an adaptation of Sri Harsha’s Sanskrit Play ‘Ratnavali’. As
the literary scene in Karnataka was dominated over-whelmingly by Sanskrit
almost everyone could understand Sanskrit plays and as all the Kannada poets
modelled their poems on great Sanskrit poems, they took pride in composing
poetry than in writing plays. Thus Sanskrit plays were the only ones available
until the 17th Century. Gradually the writing of plays in Kannada by eminent
Kannada writers picked up. Looking at the situtation in a historical perspective,
we see that writing of plays was at a time considered vulgar and of cheap
taste.
A revolutionary change came over the Kannada people’s theatre when the
stories of the two Sanskrit epics- the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha- were
made available to them through in oral tradition. The hold of these epics on the
psyche of illiterate common people can be gauged from the fact that to this day
the majority of the themes of their plays come from the stories of these epics.
Dance and music predominated such plays. Gradually plays were written to

To'wn Hall, Bangalore

Culture 505

placate gods to bestow goodwill on the subjects. This gave rise to Yakshagana,
Bayalata, Krishna Parijata and many other forms of folk theatre. The British
colonialists also contributed in a great way for the development of the theatres.
They brought with them theatre troupes, which performed plays of Shakespeare
and other popular plays in English. Encouraged by this, translations of these
English plays appeared and they were staged successfully.
Gradually, to cater to the people’s tastes, plays with a lot of dance and
music in them were written. In the early days, people of low castes, who worked
as labourers in the day time were illiterates, used to perform on the stages.
Gradually it changed and all sorts of people started acting in plays. Many
literates started performing and another fact was that earlier, only men used
to appear on the stage. Later changes in society encouraged women also to
appear on the stage. Professional drama troupes started touring the state and
performing at different centres. Some very old troupes like the Gubbi Company
toured the state successfully. They made a name even in the neighbouring
states and flourished. In North Karnataka, the companies like the Konnur
Company, the Shirahatti Company, the Vishwa Gunadarsha Company, etc,, who
had talented actors and singers like Yallamma, Gurusiddappa, Venkoba Rao,
Garooda Sadashiva Rao, Master Waman Rao and others, gained prominence.
In Southern Karnataka, there were eminent people like Varadachar, Gubbi
Veeranna, Mohammed Peer, Malavalli Sundaramma, Subbayya Naidu, R.
Nagendra Rao, Hirannayya and others. Thin stories, uninspiring dialogues
and melodrama notwithstanding, these artistes held the audience spell bound
by their melodious voices and irrelevent comedy. Inspite of all this, failing to
respond to growing social consciousness and unable to compete successfully
with cinema as a source of entertainment, commercial theatres slowly
disintegrated. The latter part of the 19th Century and the early 20th Century
were the best times for the commercial theatre.

Shivaramakaranta Rangamandira, Heggodu, Shivamogga District

A Handbook of Karnataka 506

Amateur theatre was the theatre of the educated people. It catered people
of refined tastes and it has variety in subjects. Kalidasa’s Shakuntala was
translated into Kannada by Basavappa Shastri in the Mysore court. These plays
required educated artistes. This movement helped in bringing to light more and
more educated Amateurs. In 1909, Amateur Dramatic Association (A.D.A.) was
started in Bangalore, Bharata Kalottejaka Sangha (1904) in Dharwad, Young
Men’s Football Association of Gadag etc.,
The movementgotafillipinthe seconddecadeofthe20th Centurywhen Kailasam
(Bangalore) and Narayanrao Huilgol (Gadag) Samsa (Venkatadri Iyer) wrote their
first original plays. To begin with, they were a protest against the melodramatic
commercial theatre. Secondly, they touched current social problems; and thirdly,
they did away with music, dance and irrelevent comedy. Kailasam was a genius
with his ready wit. Vasudeva Vinodini Sabha, Kannada Amateurs etc., were
the new groups. There were playwrights like Ksheerasagar, A.N. Krishna Rao,
Parvatavani, Kaiwar Raja Rao, Sri Ranga and others. In the earlier years, the
amateur theatre was mostly a theatre to be heard. The amateur theatre was
a protest against the artificiality of professional theatre. The language of the
dialogues was as near the colloquial style as the pompous, artificial dramatic
rhetoric of the commercial theatre was farther from it. It was this which brought
about an intimacy between an audience and the play. After Independence,
amateur theatre saw a spurt o f activity. Academies were established, subsidies
were granted, drama festivals were conducted and compititions were arranged.
National school of Drama established in Delhi trained some aspirants from
Karnataka along with others. Sri Ranga introduced them to the Kannada
amateur theatre. In the commercial theatre the audience used to watch a great
actor or listen to a great singer in that particular troupe but in the case of
amateur theatre they went to watch the play itself. Thus, the need for a capable
director was felt. Talented directors like B.V. Karanth, came into the limelight.
The latter part of the twentieth century was a period of assimilation of
various Western ideas on theatre and following some of their practices regarding
theoritical activity. Due to these inputs, contemporary theatre movement gained
momentum. In 1945, Parvathavani’s ‘Bahaddur Ganda’ (a transcreation) was
staged 150 times continuously in which child prodigy Yamuna Murthy, the first
lady artiste to appear on the Amateur Stage, played the lead role. Among the
playwrights of the romantic period, Sriranga and G.B.Joshi could understand
the new wave of theatres and wrote plays accordingly, and this happened after
1955, the reason being a change of outlook with the advent of freedom to the
country.
Among the playwrights Girish Karnad, Lankesh, Chandrashekara Patil,
Chandrashekara Kambara, B.C. Ramachandra Sharma, A.K. Ramanujan,
Keertinatha Kurthakoti, N.Ratna and Puchante are the important people
who contributed to the movement. New directors like B.Chandrashekar,
B.V.Karanth, M.S.Nagaraj, K.V. Subbanna and N.Ratna rose to the occasion,
plays like ‘Yayati’, Tughlaq’, ‘Kelu Janamejaya’, Teregalu’, ‘Jokumaraswamy’,
‘Appa’, ‘Kunta Kunta Kutuvatti’, ‘Neelikagada’, ‘Neralu’ ‘Brahmarakshasa’,
‘Ellige’, “Yamala Prashne’ etc., are important and popular even to this day.
Culture 507

Sriranga has been a pioneer in this field. He has about 45 plays to his
credit and all his plays reflect social situations in the state. ‘Harijanavara’,
‘Prapancha Panipattu’, ‘Sandhyakala’, ‘Shoka Chakra’, ‘Kelu Janamejaya’, ‘Nee
Kode Naa Bide’, ‘Swargakke Mure Bagilu’, and ‘Agnisakshi’ are some notable
plays of Sriranga. The contributions of others are equally significant. Among
them G.B.Joshi, Girish Karnad, P.Lankesh, Chandrashekara Kambara are very
important. Some plays worthy of mention of these writers are Sattavara neralu,
‘Ma Nishada’, ‘Hayavadana’, ‘Anju Mallige’, ‘Hittina Hunja’, ‘Kranthi Bantu
Kranthi’, ‘Sangya Balya’, ‘Baka’, ‘Neralu.’, ‘Neeli Kagada’, ‘Jokumaraswamy’
etc.
Recent theatre enthusiasts like B.S.Venkataram, Prasanna, H.K.
Ramachandra Murthy, G.Shivanand, C,R. Simha and Ka.Vem. Rajagopal
adopted or translated many English plays of Brecht and staged them. In the
1980’s theatre enthusiasts like B.V.V. Raju, Srinivasa Raju, T.N. Seetharam,
Vishnu Kumar, ‘Shudra’ Sreenivasa and D.R. Nagaraj have been successful
in carrying the theatre tradition forward. B.V.V.Raju’s ‘Sandarbha’ and
‘Sannivesha’, T.N. Seetharam’s ‘Asphota’, Sreenivasa Raju’s ‘NaleYaarigu Illa’,
‘Yarillige Bandavaru’ and Vishnu Kumar’s ‘Donkubalada Nayakaru’ have made
them famous. The theatre movement has reached all districts centres while it
was restricted to Mysore, Dharwad and Bangalore initially. Young directors like
M.S.Prabhu, R. Nagesh,T.N.Narasimhan, C.G. Krishnaswamy and veterans
like Prasanna and Jayashree are in great demand. K.V. Subbanna of Heggodu
near Sagar has won the prestigious international Ramon Magsaysay award
for fostering the development of culture. This is a feather in Karnataka’s cap.
In the past decade, the theatre movement has undergone a sea-change. It
failed to sustain the interest of the audience and the plays folded up with
a whimper. Several important theatre personalities migrated to cinema and
many others went out of Kamataka in search of greener pastures. To over­
come this gloom, several trends came to the fore in this decade. Stage versions
of popular Kannada novels, short stories and even poems, appeared on the
scene, ‘Chomana Dudi,’ ‘Karimayi’, ‘Tabarana Kathe’, ‘Odalala’, ‘Samskara’,
‘Chidambara Rahasya’, ‘Chikaveera Rajendra’, ‘Kakana Kote’ ‘Kalki’, ‘Helathena
Kela’, ‘Saviraru Nadigalu’, ‘Vaishaka’, ‘Kusuma Bale’, ‘Bhoomigeetha’, ‘Kindari
Jogi’, ‘Mookajjiya Kanasugalu’ etc., were staged.
Another trend was the one-man-show by C.R. Simha in 1983, titled ‘Typical,
T.P.Kailasam’. Its success encouraged several similar attempts like ‘Neegikonda
Samsa’, ‘Shakespiyarana Swapna Nowke’, ‘Rasa Rushi-Kuvempu Darshana’
etc., came to light.
During this period several plays reached their hundred show-mark and
notched up a rare feat in Kannada amateur theatre. Benaka’s ‘Sattavara Neralu’,
Kalagangothri’s ‘Mukhya Manthri’, Ranga Sampada’s ‘Sangya Balya’, Yashaswi
Kalavidaru’s ‘Samsaradalli Sarigama’, Sanketh’s ‘Nodi Swamy Naavirode Heege’,
and ‘Nagamandala’, ‘Nataranga’s ‘Tughlaq’, Vedike’s ‘Typical T.P.Kailasam’.
Several other institutions and dedicated theatre people at different centres
of Karnataka are doing very useful service to the theatre movement. Ranga
Shankara Amara Kala Sangha, Samudaya, Samathentho (Mysore), Bhoomika,
A Handbook of Karnataka 508

Abhivyakthi, Yavanika, Abhinaya, Ranga Bhoomi, Kalamandira, Nataranga,

Prayogaranga, Ratha Beedi Geleyaru (Udupi), Ranga Nirantara among the
groups, Dr. Damodara Shetty, Ananda Ganiga, Devi Prasad, I.K. Boluvaru (of
Dakshina Kannada), Gopala Vajapeyi (Dharwad), Abhinaya Ranga, Garood (of
Gadag), Srinivasa Thavarageri, Ashok Badardinni, Dhruvaraj Deshpande (of
Bijapur), Sripathi Manjanabailu (of Belgaum), M.B. Patil and Girish Hiremath
(of Raichur), Mudenura Sanganna (of Chigateri), Dr. Basavaraja Malsetty
(Hospet), Vishwanatha Vamshakrithamatha (Ilkal), Cariappa (Kodagu), Suresh
Anagalli, R. Nagesh, Prasanna, Basavalingaiah and many others are actively
associated with several activities of the theatre. Outside the state also several
persons and assiciations are striving to spread the essence of Kannada drama.
Venugopala (Kasargod), Ballals, Manjunath, Karnataka Sangha and Mysore
Association (all of Bombay) and Karnataka Sangha, Kannada Bharathi Narayan
Rao, Prabhakar Rao and Nagaraj (Old Delhi) can be mentioned.
In the second half of the decade, significant plays emerged. H.S.Shivaprakash
wrote ‘Manteswamy Katha Prasanga’ and ‘Madari Madayya’. T.N.Seetharam’s
‘Nammolagobba Najukaiah’, Gopala Vajapeyi’s ‘Doddappa’, C.R.Simha’s
‘Bhairavi’, Chandra Shekara Kambara’s ‘Siri Sampige’ and Girish Karnad’s
‘Thale Danda’ and ‘Nagamandala’. ‘Suthradhara Vartha Patrike’, now changed
its name as ‘E Masa Nataka’ and ‘Ranga Tharanga’ are the two news letters
documenting theatre activities. Hubli has ‘Ranga Thorana’.
A tragical loss to the amateur theatre was the accidental death of young
talened actor-director Shankar Nag in 1990 and B.V. Karanth in 2002. Ashok
Badardinni and Druvaraj Deshpande are also no more. Kannada amateur theatre
also went abroad in this decade. C.R. Simha’s ‘Typical T.P. Kailasam’ created
a record by being the first play to travel outside India by presenting sixteen
shows in America and Canada in 1986. B. Jayashri took her ‘Lakshapathi
Rajana Kathe’ to Egypt and Bulgaria. Prabhath Kalavidaru went out to the Far
East and the U.S. Mysore’s Rangayana presented its ‘Hippolytus’ in New York.
K.V. Subbanna’s ‘Nee Naa Sam’ and ‘Thirugata’ and the State Government’s
‘Rangayana’ at Mysore are active. With talented directors like Chidambara
Rao Jambe, K.V. Akshara, K.G. Krishnamurthy and guest director Prasanna.
‘Thirugata’ has been coming out with three or four productions every year.
Rangayana, a State run Theatre Repertary was headed by B.V. Karanth. With
trained and talented people like Jayatirtha Joshi, Basalingaiah, Raghunandan
and Gangadharaswamy. Rangayana has come out with significant productions
like ‘Kindari Jogi,’ ‘Shakeshpeyarige Narnaskara’, ‘Kusuma Bale,’ ‘Bhoomi-
geeta’ and ‘Hippolytus’. Basavalingaiah has taken over the Directorship
of Rangayana after B.V. Karanth headed by C.R.Jambe) and at present by
Jayashree Prayogaranga and Yuvaranga apart from their own productions,
organise drama competitions regularly in Bangalore to encourage college and
industrial drama groups, C.G.K’s Ranga Niranthara organises play writing by
a group of young writers.
Karnataka Nataka Academy, in the last ten years has provided a lot of
impetus throughout the state, by organising workshops, festivals and by
providing financial grants to deserving professional companies. To help the
Culture 509

theatre people monthly pensions are being sanctioned. Dr. Rajkumar, Famous
Cine Artist is conferred with title “Kala Kousthubha” by the Karnataka Nataka
Academy and “Karnataka Ratna” by the Department of Kannada And Culture.
Dr. Gubbi Veeranna Award which is considered as the highest Theatre Award,
established In the year 1994 is being given by Department of Kannada and
Culture, to the best Theatre personalities. The following are the persons who
have bagged this award upto 2000 : Enagi Balappa (1994), B.V. Karanth (1995),
Girish Karnad (1996), Master Hirannayya (1997), H.K. Yoga Narasimha (1998),
P.B. Duttaragi (1999) and H.N. Hoogara (2000), R.Nagarathnamma (2001),
Chindodi Leela (2002), B.R.Arishanagodi (2003), Basavaraja Gudigere (2004),
Renukamma Murugodu (2005), G.V. Malatamma (2006), Subhadramma
Mansur (2007)
Karnataka Nataka Academy Award Winners
The Drama Academy started giving this award from 1959 Dr. Rajkumar
was honoured by giving the Kalakaustubha title. Sofar, the academy has given
various awards like fellowship, annual awards. Yearly honours Peddanna Award,
Drama Company Awards, Nepathya Award, K. Hirannaiah award, C.G.K.Youth
award, Ranga Sahitya, Ranga Dhrushyagalu, Rangageethe awards, Lifetime
achivement etc., the artists and organisations. Although some of the award
are stopped few continued will changed nomenclature. upto, 773 artists are
being honoured.
Yakshagana
Yakshagana, one among the several of folk theatrical forms of Karnataka is
known by that name in recent times. In addition, earlier forms like ‘Bayalaata’,
‘Bhagavatharaata’ or ‘Dashavatara ata’ also existed . It acquired its present
name because these plays were written in the form of musical dramas and that
particular style of music was called Yakshagana. This term now has become a
synonym for the theatrical form too.
We get rich harvest of Yakshagana plays during 16th - 18th Century in
Karnataka. In between the 16th and 17th Century Siddendra Yogi, the founder
of the Kuchipudi School of dance wrote his plays in the Yakshagana style.
Thirthanarayana Yati, the disciple of Siddendra Yogi took these plays to Tanjore.
Later, most of the 300 and odd playwrights came from the coastal regions of
Karnataka, mainly undivided Dakshina Kannada. Old playwrights had exploited
the Yakshagana style of music for every type of emotions and situations in their
songs and dramas. Over 160 ‘ragas’ were used in their compositions, though
today Bhagavatas are rarely conversant with 30 ragas or so. There are few
ragas that are not found even in classical music. Nepali, Gujarati, Madhavi,
Panchagati, Gopanite, Huvu, Divali, Charite, Haradi, Mechale etc. are some of
them. The themes for the play are selected from the Ramayana, Mahabharata,
Bhagavata and other Puranas. Barring a few narrative lines, all the rest was set
to raga and tala. One essential element of depiction consisted o f music and the
other, dance. Both had simple literary material as their basic text. The dance
elements had good support from percussion instruments like Chande, Maddale
and cymbals. The characters of the play wore ankle bells (gejje) too. The essence
A Handbook of Karnataka 510

of the drama was conveyed to the audience in prose which is dependent on the
textual content of the songs.
To an audience not conversant with the Kannada language, the range of
costumes and make-up seemed to capture the grandeur of a wonderland, which
was ably supported by a rich musical background. In totality, Yakshagana
theatre is one of the few rich theatre forms that has persisted even today.
The ethical and religious background provided by temples have yielded to
commercialism, bringing with it all the evils of popular entertainment.
Towards the beginning of this century, there were a number o f Yakshagana
troupes, sponsored by prominent temples in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Saukur, Marnakatte, Mandarthi in the north, Mulki, Dharamasthala and
Koodlu in the south are prominent among them. The temples concerned used
to maintain them from their funds and some devotee of the temple used to
pay for each performance which was free to the audience. There were quite a
number of local patrons in the villages too. The plays were staged each night
on special request. The actors and dancers who were orginally agriculurists,
served in the plays more as service to the deity than as a profession.
From 1940’s things began to change very much in the institutional set up of
the troupes. Temples began to auction the rights of conducting the shows. By
then, the influence of the commercial drama troupes had attracted people very
much and Yakshagana artistes began to copy the stage costumes and slowly
discard traditional dance. Another feature, namely, the running of the troupes
on a commercial basis with tents and allowing spectators entry into the tent by
selling tickets, began to gain ground; with this the total attitude of Yakshagana
theatre changed.

A Yakshagana Performance
Culture 511

Now, there are a dozen commercial troupes and very few temple troups
maintained by devotees that offer free performance. Yakshagana has become a
fiancial success by catering to mass appeal. Many traditional elements of the
Yakshagana theatre have been left in the cold. Prose has eclipsed dance. Like the
cinema’s craze for novelty, new themes are gradually replacing all old popular
themes based on puranic and epic ones. Vulgarity in dialogue has become the
chief element in creating mass appeal. A few prominent Yakshagana troupes
are from Ira, Surathkal, Saligrama, Amrutheshwara, Perdoor and Idugunji.
Among old temple troupes those belonging to Mandarti, Dharmsthala, Katil
and Maranakatte still thrive, but there too the trend of giving up old plays seem
to gain ground. The M.G.M. College of Udupi has a Yakshagana Kendra where
about a dozen students are taught traditional dance and Yakshagana methods.
Two more training centres have been started at Kota and Dharmasthala in
1972. The creative art form of Yakshagana with its rich costumes, dance and
music has great potential but the people have yet to realise its greatness. All
efforts of bringing out Yakshagana as a sophisticated art form have received
scant respect and encouragement.
Several artistes of Yakshagana have enriched the art by their efforts.
Veerabhadra Nayak, Uppuru Narayana Bhagavata, Irodi Sadananda
Hebbar, Polali Shastri, Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga, Mowaru Kittanna
Bhagavatha, Alike Ramayya Rai, Haaradi Krishna Ganiga, Haaradi Narayana
Ganiga, Haaradi Rama Ganiga, Damodara Mandecha, Basava Naik, Bailpa
Subbaraya, Hiriyadka Gopala Rao, Agari Srinivasa Bhagvata, Kuriya Vithala
Shastri, Udyavara Madhava Acharya etc., are among the noted exponents of
Yakshagana from Dakshina Kannada. Keremane Shivarama Heggade (Kendra
Sangeetha Nataka Academy awardee in 1971), K. Sadananda Heggade,
Ganapathi Bhatta, Mudkani Narayana Heggade (Kendra Sangeetha Nataka
Akademy awardee), Babu Bhatta, etc., are among the noted artistes of north
Kanara District.
Yakshagana is very popular even in other parts of Karnataka and it is
identified as ‘Mudalapaya’. Aparala Tammanna the author of ‘Sri Krishna
Parijata’, Kulagoda Tammana of Kulagodu in Belgaum district and Aliya Lingaraja
of Mysore are famous Yakshagana poets. In the coastal region, Nanjaiah,
Parthi Subba, Halemakki Rama, Hattiangadi Ramabhatta. Venkata Ajapura,
Nityananda Avadhuta, Pandeshwara Venkata, Gerasoppe Shanthappaiah,
Nagire Subrahamanya, Dhwajapurada Nagappaiah, noted Kannada poet
Muddanna and Halasinahalli Narasimha Shastry are among the noted
writers. There are two school of Yakshagana, called Tenkutittu (Southern) and
Badagutittu (Northern). They vary in costumes, dance and other aspects from
each other. Many Telugu Yakshaganas also came to be written in Karnataka
and among these Kempe Gowda, the feudatory of Bangalore composed ‘Ganga
Gowri Vilasam’, Many more such works were composed in the Mysore Court. In
Puppet Theatre too, the text and theme is of Yakshagana itself. Uppinakuduru
Kogga Kamath from Dakshina Kannada is an outstanding master of this art.
Mudala Paya is the variety of Yakshagana seen on the plateau, as mentioned
above. An institute to foster it is functioning at Konchalli in Tiptur tq, by the
A Handbook of Karnataka 512

efforts of Prof. J.S. Paramashivaiah, noted folklorist. The Mysore University Folk
Arts Department also promotes this school. In Gulbarga and Dharwad areas
it is called Doddatta. Karibhantana Kalaga, Sarangadhara, Kumara Ramana
Kathe are popular themes. Basavaraja Malasetty of Hospet and Basavalingaiah
Hirematha of Kittur are noted directors in the field. Narasappa Bhagavata of
Konchalli, Puttashamachar of Bellur (Mandya dt.) Yatirajayya, (Gondetahalli)
are some of the artistes from Southern Karnataka. Monappa Sutar from
Afzalpur, Budeppa from Byahatti, Najundayya Hiremath from Talur (Sandur
tq), Ganachari from Gogi and Chandanna Gogi from Hugar (Shahpur tq) are
among the artistes of this school.

PAINTING IN KARNATAKA
The earliest paintings of Karnataka are of the pre-historic period around
2000-1000 B.C. The representations of animals, human figures etc., are
painted beneath the projected rocks which formed the dwelling place of the
prehistoric people. Such relics of the art of prehistoric man could be seen in
the districts of Bellary, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Koppal, Raichur and Chitradurga.
The Prehistoric sites like Hirebenakal, Piklihal etc., contain figures of hunters
with weapons, horse-riders, bulls, etc. on rocks Many coloured figures on mud
pots are plentifully found in Brahmagiri, Chandravalli, Hemmige, Herekal,
Maski and Bangalore. The art of painting and its existence in the historical
period have been referred to in the contemporary literature and inscriptions.
Roots of painting clearly encouraged in Karnataka may be traced to the days
of the Chalukyan ruler Mangalesha and only traces of the paintings of his
time are survive in Cave III of Badami. Due to historical factors, there are
gaps in the continuity of this tradition of painting in Karanataka. We come
across illustrated manuscripts ‘Dhavala’ at Moodubidare belonging to the
Hoysala period. The figures, settings and the postures are different from the
Kalpasutra paintings of Gujarat, illustrating the same themes. The style is
distinctly indigenous and leave an impression of the ornamentations in
Hoysala sculptures. Many references to portraits and pictures are made by
Kannada poets like Rudrabhatta. “Manasollasa’ by Emperor Someshwara III
has a section on this art.
A study of the paintings of the Vijayanagara
period reveals that mural painting was practised on
a large scale. The earliest such specimens are found
on the ceilings of the Virupaksha temple at Hampi.
A close study of the paintings in Karnataka indicates
that instead of reflecting life as it was during those
periods, the painters had adopted conventionalised
settings, highly stylised postures, all bound strictly
by the dictates of the Aagamas. The paintings seem
to be pictorial versions of sculptures which are
seen in abudance even today. Even secular themes
followed these stylised postures. It is possible most
of the major temples in Karnataka were decorated
with such murals. The Mysore Gazetteer edited by AMysore Tm^tima1Pamting
Culture 513

C. Hayavadana Rao mentions many such temples where mural paintings are
or were found in old Mysore prevence. The Terumalleshwara temple at Hiriyur,
Narasimha temple at Sibi, the Jaina Matha at Shravanabelagola, Mallikarjuna
temple at Mudukutore, Virupaksha temple at Hampi, Prasannakrishnaswamy
temple, Krishna and Varaha temples at Mysore and the Divyalingeshwara temple
at Haradnahalli, Jaina Temple at Saligrama are among them. The Daria Daulat
at Srirangapattana, Jaganmohan Palace at Mysore, the mansions at Nargund,
Kamatagi near Bijapur and Nippani, Amminabhavi near Dharwad, Rama
temple at B.K. Halli near Haliyal, private houses at Raichur and Guledagud too
have paintings.
From the later Vijayanagar period, the art of painting seems to have split
into two branches. The Vijayanagar rulers and their feudatories followed the
ancient tradition bound by the Aagamas, while the rulers o f Bijapur, Gulbarga
and Bidar were resposible for the development of a distinct style known as the
Deaccani style. The finest specimens of this school were produced at Bijapur.
Though this school was heavily influenced by the Mughal style, it had strong
indigenous strain.
The southern parts of Karnataka continued the ancient style which was
developed at Vijayanagar. After the fall of Vijayanagar, the court migrated to
different places in the South. The rulers of Mysore extended patronage to art. A
considerable section of artists settled in Srirangapattana under the partonage
of Raja Wodeyar. The colourful paintings on the pillars, walls, roofs, etc., of the
Dariya Daulat at Srirangapattana are of varied themes and subjects. Similarly
traces of paintings are available in the palace of Tipu at Bangalore. In addition
to murals, the painters were also commissioned to illustrate manuscripts.
Such illustrated manuscripts with attractive and colourful drawings were in
the possession of many old families. The most famous of such manuscripts

Chitra Santhe, Bangalore

A Handbook of Karnataka 514

is the ‘Sritatvanidhi,’ a voluminous work prepared under the patronage of

Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. This manuscript has nine parts, dealing with
different topics, such as Shaktinidhi, Vishnunidhi, Brahmanidhi, Shivanidhi
etc. The paintings illustrate ancient knowledge in the branches of the Aagama,
Shilpas, Jyothisha, Tantra, etc. The Jaganmohana palace has portrait pictures
of kings and other nobility and pictures relating to puranic themes either in
water colour or oil colours on clothes, glasses, etc. Sundaraiah, Kondappa,
Yellappa, Durgada Venkatappa, Narasimaiah, Thippajjappa and others adopted
and developed this style. In those days, the painter prepared his own materials.
The colours were from natural sources and were of vegetable, mineral or even
of organic origin. Gold leaf was applied on the gesso works, the hallmark of
all traditional paintings of Karnataka. Besides paper, the painters painted on
glass too.
Raja Ravi Verma in the early decades of the twentieth century influenced
many painters of the day in Mysore. Introduction of the European style of
painting as a course of study at the Sri Chamarajendra Technical Institute,
Mysore, relegated the older traditional painting style to the background and
produced a new generations of painters trained in the Western mode and styles
of painting.
Many painters were trained in different centres in India and even abroad,
People like K. Venkatappa, Pavanje, K.K. Hebbar, K.S. Kulkarni, Almelkar, S.G.
Vasudev, N.S.Subbukrishna, K. Keshavaiya, S.Narasimhaswamy, S. Nanjunda
swamy, Y. Subramanyaraju, Dandavathimath and N. Hanumaiah are artists
of outstanding merit and reputation.
Among other artists of the state, S. Nanjundaswamy of Mysore has made an
impression by his renderings on all aspects of the art of painting. M. Veerappa,
S.R. Swamy and H.S. Inamati are noted for their composition drawings and
paintings, mainly of the Indian tradition. Shankar Rao Alandkar of Gulbarga
is famous for his paintings which are intense with emotions. V.R. Rao, S.S.
Kukke and R. Sitaram are adept at portrait painting. The composition paintings
of Janab Sufi and the exquisite incorporation of the art of painting in inlay
works by Mir Shoukat Ali of Mysore are memorable. Paintings of the historical
episodes by Y. Subramanya Raju show an ideal admixture of Indian and
Western systems of art. Ragamala Paintings of M.V. Minajigi and the technique
of mixing of water colours by M.A. Chetti in his paintings are superb. M.T.V.
Acharya was noted for his paintings based on puranic themes. The portrait
paintings of S.N. Swamy in oil colours and his pencil sketches, landscape
paintings of Tanksale, N. Hanumaiah and F.G. Yelavatti in water colours
delight even a novice in art. Y. Nagaraju, B.H. Ramachadra, S.R. lyenger, D.V.
Halbhavi, S.M. Pandit, S.N. Subbukrishna and M.H. Ramu were experts in
portrait painting. Rumale Channabasavaiah, Shuddodhana, Subbukrishna,
M.S. Chandrashekhar and P.R. Thippeswamy have a typical style of exposing
the rural life in varied colours. P.R. Thippeswamy was also an expert painter of
scenes of temples and shrines.
Effective line drawings and caricatures are also another aspect of the art
of Technical Education. Many private institutions have been established in
Culture 515

various centres of Karnataka. The government conducts examinations on

modelling. The Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy assumed its present format
in the year 1977. This Academy arranges annual exhibitions and art shows.
It has also instituted awards that are given annually to outstanding works
of art. The Academy encourages holding of art exhibitions and purchase of
useful books by making liberal grants. The Academy has built up its own
collection of works of art. Art camps are organised by the Academy in different
centres of the state. Central Lalith Kala Academy is located at Delhi with its
South Zone Cultural Centre in Chennai and South Central Cultural Zone in
Nagpur. National gallery of modern art (NGMA)’s south zone centre is started at
Bangalore in 2008 Bangalore city had the privilege of hosting many prestigeous
art exhibitions. Several camps have been organised by the Zonal Centres in
which artists selected from the state participated. The academies also conduct
periodic seminars on art and bring out systematic publications on the subject.
‘Kalavarth’ is the magazine brought out by the Lalitha Kala Academy. Karnataka
State Government presented a bus to the Academy which has enabled it to
organise mobile art exhibitions. The vehicle moves in different places and
works of art are exhibited in it. The exhibition is arranged at venues where the
academy conducts its programmes like art exhibitions, art camps, seminars,
symposia and during the Dasara and Sahitya Sammelanas.
Kondachari of Bellary, Purushottam, Agaram Krishnamurthy, Sherigar,
Bayiri, T.K. Rama Rao and K.B. Kulakarni of Hubli and others are famous
for their line drawings. R.K. Lakshman, R.S. Naldu, R. Murthy, Ramesh,
Gopal, G.Y.Hublikar, Ranganath, N.C. Raghu, Gujjar, Pa. Sa. Kumar, S.K.
Nadig and others are famous for their caricature drawings. P. Subba Rao,
R.M. Hadpad, G.S. Shenoy, S.G. Vasudev, Dandavatimath, Halabavi, M.C.
Chetti, Vijayasindur, U. Bhaskar Rao, M.B.Patil, V.M.Sholapurkar, V.T.Kale,
M.S.Chandrashekar, M.C.Chetty, Ravi Kumar Kashi, C.Chandrashekara,
Babu Eswara Prasad, V.G.Anadani, Peter Lewis, V.B.Hiregowder, Usuf Arakal,
M.S.Murthy, P.S.Kademani, Madhu Desai, Ramdas Adyanthaya, M.C.Chetty,
John Devaraj, Shankar Patil, Chandranatha Acharya, J.M.S. Mani, E.G.
Badigera, T.P. Akki, S.M. Pandit, Ramananarasaiah, Raghottama Putti,
Goolannanavar, M.E. Guru, S. Kalappa, M.S. Nanjunda Rao, M.B. Basavaraj,
Vishnudas Ramadas, Sunkad, Manoli and others have enlivened the art
scene in the state. P.R. Kamalamma, Subhashinidevi, S. Dhanalakshmi, M.J.
Kamalakshi, Sheela Gowda, Pushpa Dravid, Pushpamala, Shanthamani,
Surekha, Renuka Markhande, Gayathri Desai etc., are among the noted lady
artists. Siddalingaswamy, Nagendrasthapathi and Mahadevaswamy are noted
artists in classical paintings and drawing of traditional themes.
There are many constructive art critics of whom G. Venkatachalam of
Pandavapura, Shivarama Karanth, A.N. Krishna Rao, S.K. Ramachandra
Rao, B.V.K. Shastry P.R Thippeswamy, C.S.Krishnasetty, K.V.Subramanyam,
A.L.Narasimhan, Anil Kumar are note-wrothy. Art schools started by A.N.
Subbarao, R.M. Hadapad, M.S. Nanjunda Rao in Bangalore. Halbhavi at
Dharwad, Minajigi at Hubli, Akki at Gadag and Andani at Gulbarga Babu Rao
at Tumkur, Mysore and Mangalore have become famous. The Government
A Handbook of Karnataka 516

has established institutes to impart training in this field. The Chamarajendra

Technical Institute at Mysore was started in 1913 and the School of Arts and
Crafts, (now University Lalitha Kala College), Davanagere was established
in 1964. The state government honours outstanding artists with awards
instituted by the Lalithakala Academy and during the Rajyothsava. In recent
years several private arts colleges established at difference places in the state,
duly recognized by the respective universities are working. Chamarajendra
Academy of Visual art is started at Mysore in 1982. The Kannada University at
Hampi is also conducting art exams and issuing certificates.
The Chitrakala Parishat formed by Late M.S.Nanjunda Rao, later headed by
Kamalakshi Gowda (General Secretary) at present is running art colleges,
conducting workshop, art exhibition etc. ‘Chitra Sante’ is a unique idea of it for
promoting art works.
The K. Venkatappa award with a cash prize of Rs. One lakh been
instituted and K.K. Hebbar is its first receipient (1994). and D.V. Halabhavi
(1995), M.C. Chetty (1996), P.R. Thippeswamy (1997), R.M. Hadapad (1998),
M.J. Shuddhodhana (1999), M.S. Chandrashekhar (2000) S.S.Manoli
(2001), J.S.Khande Rao (2002) and S.G.Vasudev (2003) Usuf Arakal (2004),
Vijaya Sindhoor (2005), B.K. Hubli (2006) Shanakaragowda Bettadur (2007)
subsequently.
The following artists from the state have won the Central Lalithakala
Academy Awards 1958-2000:
1. K.K. Hebbar, 2. S.G. Vasudev, 3. Balan Nambiar, 4. Yousuf Arakkal, 5.
Vijaya Sindhoor, 6. L.P. Anchan, 7. K.R. Subbanna, 8. N. Pushpamala, 9. K.S.
Rao, 10. R. Umesh, 11, V.G. Andani, 12. M.B. Lohar, 13. Shesha Rao Biradar,
14. G.R. Eranna, 15. Veerandra Sha, 16. Ranganath 17. Ravi kumar Kashi, 18.
Ramdas Adyantaya, 19. Sunil Mamddapur, 20. Rajesh Achar, 21.Gurusiddappa.
K.K.Hebbar and S.Rorich were honoured as fellow of Academy.
Karnataka Lalitha Kala Academy Award was founded in 1965. Upto 2008
(with a gap between 1973-80) 163 artists are honoured by the Academy. From
2001 Lalitkala Academy interduce special honour for the render service in the
field and D.K.Chowta (2001), C.Revanasiddaya (2002) and K.R.Krishnaswamy
(2003) Sharanabasappa Appa (2006), Veerendra Hegde (2007) were honoured
so far.
Karnataka Shilpakala Academy Award Winners
Karnataka Shilpkala Academy has started functioning since 1996. Apart
from honoring artist academy is conducting sculpture workshop and exhibitions,
books on traditional as well as modern sculpture are publishing. Upto 2007 a
total number of 63 Sculpturists are felicitated. Central Textail Commission for
Handicrafts is honoured a cash award of 7.5 lakhs to Parmeshwarachar (2003),
Neelakantachar (2004) with ‘Shilpaguru’ title.
Jakanachari Award was introduced by the Department of Kannada and
Culture in 1995 for outstanding sculptors C. Parameshwarachar (1995), N.G,
Neelakanthachar (1996), G.D. Mayachar (1997), V. Ramachandra Shetty
Culture 517

Gudigar (1998), K. Shamacharya (1999) and M. Parameshwaracharya (2000),

Dhananjaya Shilpi (2001), N.K.Mruthuanjayachar (2002), R.Kalachar (2003),
K. Kashinath (2004), C. Siddalingaiah (2005), B.N. Channappacharya (2006)
Malloja Bheemarao (2007) are awarded.
MUSIC IN KARNATAKA
Indian classical music consists of two systems called Hindustani and
Karnatak. Interestingly both these systems are prevalent in Karnataka. The
Tungabhadra river more or less divides the domaine of these two in this
state. The word ‘Karnatak’ in the context of music denotes a system of music
prevailing in all the four states of the South India, i.e. Karnataka. Andhra
Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Kerala, in the evolution of music, the role of Karnataka
has been very significant.
Music, like literature and other creative arts, has been cultivated in
Karnataka from ancient times. It was an indispensable part of the social
and religious life of the people. Texts on music generally mention ancient
theoriticians but not the performers who gave shape to these musical ideas.
Bharata’s ‘Natya Shastra,’ perhaps the oldest treatise on the subject seems
to have been known in Karnataka from early times. The most notable work is
Matanga’s ‘Brihaddeshi. This work deals elaborately with the science of music
of the folk songs of his time. Matanga was the first to use the word ‘raga’ for the
melodies that were current in his time and this probably laid the foundation
for the raga system of the present day music. Sharngadeva who was patronised
by the Yadava (Sevuna) king of Devagiri, has given a total number of 26 ‘ragas’
in his work, ‘Sangeetharatnakara’. Between the 11th and 17th Centuries
only 32 ragas were in use and this is evident from a Vachana of Basavanna.
Venkatamakhi (1660 A.D.) formulated his scheme of 72 melakartas and the
classification of ragas was completed by him.
A large number of theoritical works on music
and dance were written by authors of Karnataka
origin. The prominent were ‘Abhilashitartha
Chintanmani’ also called the ‘Rajamanasollasa’,
‘Bharata Bhashya’, ‘Sangita Sudhakara’ written
by Haripala, ‘Sangita Chudamani,’ Vidyaranya’s
‘Sangita Sara’, ‘Bharatasara Sangraha’, ‘Viveka
Chudamani’, ‘Sangita Suryodaya’, ‘Tala Deepika’,
‘Sangita Sudha,’ ‘Chatrudandi Prakashika,’
‘Sadraga Chandrodaya.’ ‘Ragamanjari,’ and
‘Nartana Nirnaya,’ (these three by Pundalika
Vithala), ‘Shivatatva Ratnakara,’ ‘Geetagopala,’
‘Sritattvanidhi.’ ‘Shruti Siddanta,’ etc.
An abundant variety of instruments were
in use in Karnataka. The Kannada poets were
well aware of the classical four fold divisions of
musical instruments into string, wind, percussion A bracketfigure at Belur
A Handbook of Karnataka 518

and solid. They also reveal familiarity with an astonishing number of these
instruments which were in vogue. Among the stringed instruments kinnari,
vellaki, vipanchi, ravanahasta, dandika, trisari, jantra, swaramandala and
parivadini find a mention. Shankha, shringa, tittira, kahale, vamsa, bambuli
are the wind instruments mentioned. Among the large number of percussion
instruments ottu, karadi, mridanga, dhakka, patha, dundubhi, panava, bheri,
dindima, traivali, nissala, dhamaru, chambaka, dande, dollu and ranja are
prominently mentioned. Some solid instruments used were ghanta, jayaghanta,
kinkini, jhallari, tala and kamsala. Palkuriki Somanatha mentions about 32
types of veenas and 18 types of flutes.
Khanda, Shukasarika, Tripadi, Chatushpadi, Shatpadi, Varna, Dhavala,
Suladi, Pada, Vachana, Kirtana, Tattva, Ugabhoga were the different types
of composition. Karnataka had a great number of reputed composers
whose compositions are popular and relevant even today. There were many
composers of the Veerasaiva faith like Sakalesha Madarasa, Basavanna,
Nijaguna Shivayogi, Muppina Shadakshari, Bala Leela Mahanta Shivayogi,
Nagabhushana Ghanamatarya, Madivalappa Kadakola, Nanjunda Shivayogi,
Karibasavaswamy and Sarpabhusana Shivayogi. The Haridasa Kuta is said
to have been founded by Narahari Teertha, the disciple of Madwacharya.
Sripadaraya was called Haridasa Pitamaha. The Haridasas composed songs
in Kannada in praise of Lord Vishnu. Vyasaraya, Vadiraja, Purandaradasa,
Kanakadasa and others composed Kirtanas. Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar
was also an able composer.
Purandaradasa strode like a colossus in the musical history of Karnataka.
‘Pillari geetas’ composed by Purandarasa form the foundation for learning
Karnataka music even today. Purandaradasa is revered as the ‘Karnataka
Sangita Pitamaha’ and is credited to have given a new direction to Karnatak
music.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a marked separation of the popular
and classical compositions. Mysore Sadashiva Rao adorned the royal court of
Mysore and was the guru of celebrities like Veena Subbanna, Sheshanna and
others. Mysore Sadashiva Rao, Subbanna, Sheshanna. Sambaiah, Muthaih
Bahgvathar, Mysore K. Vasudevacharya (composed in Kannada, Sanskrit
and Telugu), Devottama Jois, Karigiri Rao, Bidaram Krishnappa, Mysore T.
Chowdaiah, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, Aliya Lingaraja, Veena Krishnacharya,
Rudrapattnam Venkataramanayya, Tiruppanandal Pattabhiramaiah, Kolar
Chandrashekara Sastry, Bellary Raja Rao and others have left behind a rich
tradition of their compositons. Among the lady musicians mention may be
made o f Bangalore Nagarathamma who renovated the samadhi of Sri Tyagaraja
at Thiruvaiyar.
The reign of the Wodeyar of Mysore may be considered the golden age of music
in Karnataka. They extended patronage to local musicians and also musicians
of other regions. Veena Bhakshi Venkatasubbayya, Shivaramaiah, Pallavi
Ramalingaiah and Lakshminarayana were prominent among the musicians
of the state who received royal patronage. Other eminent vocalists who lived
elsewhere or graced the Mysore durbar were Sadashiva Rao, Lalgudi Ramayyar,
Culture 519

Mugur Subbanna, Krishnayya, Karigiri Rao, Bhairavi Kempe Gowda, Rudrappa,

Janjhamarutam Subbayya, Lalgudi Guruswamy Iyer, Bidaram Krishnappa,
K. Vasudevacharya, Tiruvaiyaru Subramanya Iyer, Kolar Nagarathanamma,
Shatkala Narasayya, Chikka Rama Rao, Belakavady Srinivasa lyengar,
Chintalpalli Venkata Rao, B.Devendrappa and T. Chowdaiah.
Hindustani Music: As mentioned earlier, Pundarika Vitthala (1562­
1599), a native of Satanur near Magadi was proficient in both Karnatak and
Hindustani music. Though the Mysore rulers mainly patronised Karnatak
music, they also encouraged Hindustani music. In the northern part of
Karnataka, petty principalities of Ramadurga and Jamakhandi patronised
Hindustani music. Eminent Hindustani musicians were employed in their
durbars. Giants of Hindustani music like Balakrishna Raste, Ganapath Rao
Raste, Nandopant Joglekar, Balanwantrao Vaidya, Dada Khare, Antubuva Apte,
Balawantrao Katkar, Alladiya Khan, Khan Abdul Karim Khan, Rahmat Khan,
Ramakrishnabuva Vaze, Shivarambuva, Munji Khan, Vishnupant Chatre,
Nilkanthbuva, Shankaradikshit Janthali, Siddarama Jambaldinni, Dattopanth
Pathak, Panchakshari Gavai, Hanumantharao Valvekar, Vithalrao Koregaonkar
and Ramabhau Kundgolkar (Savai Gandharava) were some artistes who resided
permanently in these regions or graced these places with their music.
Some stalwarts in the Hindustani arena from Karnataka are Mallikarjuna
Mansoor, Gangubai Hanagal, Basavaraja Rajaguru, Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar
Gandharva, Devendra Murdeshwar, Vishudas Shirali, Puttaraja Gavai,
Basavaraja Mansoor, Krishnabai Ramdurg, Phakeerappa Gavai, Gurubasavaiah
Hiremath, V.V. Uttarkar, D. Garuda, N.G. Majumdar, R.S. Desai, Arjunasa
Nakod, Sheshagiri Hanagal, Lakshmi G. Bhave, Manik Rao Raichurkar,
Sangameshwar Gurav and Shyamala G. Bhave.
Many vocalists and instrumentalists have attained distinction and enriched
the tradition of Karnataka by their original contribution. Among the vocalists,
Chintalapalli Ramachadra Rao, Channakeshavaiah, Padmanabha Rao,
T.N. Puttaswamaiah, R.S. Narayana Swamy, R.K. Ramanathan and
R.K. Sreekantan, Kurudi Venkannacharya, Thitte Krishna Iyengar,
L.S. Narayanaswamy Bhagavathar, B.S.R. Iyengar, A. Subba Rao,
R. Chandrashekharaiah, Pallavi Chandrappa, M.A. Narasimachar, Rallapalli
Ananthakrishna Sharma, Sandyavandanam Srinivasa Rao, Srinivasa lyengar,
Vasadam Iyengar, Chokkamma, Neelamma Kadambi, Channamma, Papa
Chudamani, etc. are prominent.
Among the instrumentalists, Veena players like Srikanta Iyer, V. Doreswamy
Iyengar, Balakrishna, R.N. Doreswamy, M.J. Srinivasa Iyengar, R.K. Srinivasa
murthy, R.K. Suryanarayana, R. Visweshvara, Chokkamma, R. Alamelu,
Suma Sudhindra and Rajalakshmi Tirunarayana are notable. The flutists
include M.R. Doreswamy, B. Shankar Rao, V. Deshikachar, M.P. Upadhyaya,
Rajanarayana, Shashidhar and Shashank (child prodigy). The notable
violinists are R.R. Keshavamurthy, Anoor Ramakrishna, H.V. Krishnamurthy,
A. Veerabbadraiah, Mahadevappa. M. Nagaraj and M. Manjunath, Sheshagiri
Rao, A.V. Krishnamachar, H.K. Venkataram, Tatachar, Kanchana Subbaratnam,
M.S. Subramanyam, M.S. Govindaswamy, H.K. Narasimhamurthy,
T.G. Tyagarajan and A.V. Venkatarammaiah, B. Viswanath. Players of
A Handbook of Karnataka 520

percussion instruments include M.S. Ramaiah, V.V. Ranganathan, Ramachar,

M.S. Seshappa Bangalore. K. Venkataram, A.V. Anand, T.A.S. Mani, K.N.
Krishnamurthy, V.S. Rajagopal, Rajachar, Rajakesari, Chandramouli,
Bhadrachar, Praveen, Sonala Sheshagiridas, B.G. Lakshminarayana, Sukanya
Ramagopal, Dattareya Sharma, Ananthakrishna Sharma and K. Muniratnam
Naranappa (mukhaveena), Ramadasappa, Ravikiran (gotuvadya) and Kadri
Gopalanath (saxophone), Narasimhalu Vadavatie, Bindu Madhava Pathak
(Rudra Veena) and Rajiv Taranath (Sarodist) are other instrumentalists who
are popular.
Gamaka art is an ancient one. The practitioners of this art in recent times
include Joladarasi Doddanna Gowda, S. Nagesha Rao, B.S.S. Kaushik, H.K.
Ramaswamy, Gunduramaiah, S. Vasudeva Rao. R. Shankarnarayana, Hosabele
Seetharama Rao, G.B. Gopinatha Rao, Talakadu Mayigauda, M. Raghavendra
Rao etc. There is a Gamaka Kala Parishat at Bangalore.
The romantic poetry of modern period derived a new style, melody and new
musical form, called ‘Sugama Sangitha’. This form of music was influenced both
by classical Kamataka and Hindustani music and also western music. P. Kalinga
Rao was a pioneer in this field. He was followed by Mysore Ananthaswamy
who made this form of music extermely popular. C. Aswath. H.R. Leelavathi,
Jayavanthi Devi Hirebet, Anuradha Dhareshwar, Shimoga Subbanna,
Ratnamala Prakash, Malathi Sharma, Kasturi Shankar, Shyamala G. Bhave,
B.R. Chaya, B.K. Sumitra, Shymala Jahagirdar, Yeshwant Halibandi, Usha
Ganesh, Narisimha Nayak, Indu Vishwanath, H.K. Narayana, E.G. Ramanath
and Y.K. Muddukrishna and others have made light music popular.
The Government of Kamataka has a separate section devoted to the
advancement of music in Karanataka. The Secondary Education Board
conducts examinations in music and awards certificates to the participating

Gelaxi o f Musican, Painting by Raja Ravivarma

Culture 521

candidates. Many universities in the state offer courses at the graduation and
post-graduation levels in music. The government also awards scholarships
to talented and deserving candidates who are interested in learning music.
The casette revolution has made an immense contribution in popularising
light music and also classical music by taking it into every household in the
state. The role of the Kannada stage in popularising music is in no way small.
Varadachar, Malavalli Sundramma, Aswathamma, Nagesh Rao, Subbayya
Naidu, Gangubai Guledgud, Sonubai, Subhadramma Mansoor, Vajrappa, B.N.
Chinnappa, Sarojamma Dhuttaragi, H.K. Yoga Narasimha are a few artistes
who made a name in this field.
In addition, the annual music festivals like the Ramanavami and Ganesh
Chaturthi, music festivals in Bangalore and Mysore, art festival in Hubli, Savai
Gandharva Festival at Kundagol and a host of other music festivals conducted
annually by different organisations and association are providing stimulus for
the popularisation of music in the state.Several institutions run by organisations
are training students and aspiring youngsters in music. Sri Ayyanar College
of Music, Vijaya College of Music, Ganakala Mandira, Vijayakalamandira, Sri
Venkateshwara Gananilaya, Sri Vijaya Sangeetha Vidyalaya, Adarsha Film
Institute, Vijaya Film Institute, (all founded in Bangalore), Sri Panchankshari
Krupa Poshita Sangita Shala (Gudur, Bijapur), Sri Raghavendra Sangita
Vidyalaya (Raichur), Tyagaraja Sangeeta Vidyalaya (Ramanagar), Sri Vanividya
Society (Shimoga), Sri Panchakshari Lalitha Kala and Sangitha Kala Sangha
(Bijapur), Suptha Mahilamandir, Tumkur, Lalitha Kala Vrinda, Karkala,
Ekanatheshwari Sangita Kala Mandira (Chitradurga), etc. are some of the
institutions affilieated to Kamataka Sangita Nritya Academy, Bangalore.
In addition to this a large number of private institutions are running music
calssess in many urban centres of the state.
In the field of Music there are four different awards. The State Sangeetha
Nrutya Academy from 1959 to 2008 honoured. 549 eminent artists in various
disciplines of music.
Kanaka Purandara Award Winners
Thitte Krishna Iyengar (1991), Gangubai Hanagal (1992), R.R. Keshava
Murthi (1993), Bindumadhava Pathak (1994), Raghavendra Rao (1995), R.K.
Srikantan (1996), Puttaraja Gavai (1997), M.S. Ramaiah (1998), Sheshagiri
Hanagal (1999), Bhadragiri Achutadas (2000), A.Subbarao (2001), Pandit
Panchakshariswamy Mattighatti (2002), M.J.Srinivasa Iyengar (2003) Pandit
Vasantha Kanaka (2004), B.S.S. Kowshik (2005), V. Ramaratham (2006),
Chandra Shekara Puranik Matt (2007).
State Sangeetha Vidwan Award Winners
Puttaraja Gavai (1993), R.K. Srikantan (1994), Rama Rao V. Naik (1995),
A Subba Rao (1996), Sangameswara Gurav (1997), N. Chokkamma (1998),
M.A. Narasimhachar (1999), T.S. Tatachar (2000), R.K.Bijapure (2001),
R.Vishweshvaran (2002), R.R.Keshavamurthy (2003), Chandrashekara
Puranik Matha (2004), S. Mahadevappa (2005), Manik Rao Raichurar (2006),
K. Siddarama Swamy (2007), M.R. Gowtam (2008).
A Handbook of Karnataka 522

T. Chowdaiah Award Winners

Ustad Bismilla Khan (1995), Veena Doreswamy lyenger (1966), Rajeeva
Taranath (1997), Kunnaikudi R. Vaidyanathan (1998), Pandit Ustad Allarakha
(1999), T.K. Murthy (2000), R.K.Bijapure (2001), Lalgudi Jayaraman (2002),
Pandit G.R. Nimbargi (2003), S. Ramani (2004), Dattatreya Sadashiva Garud
(2005), Vellur G. Ramabhadran (2006), Puttaraja Gavai (2007).
Santa Shishunala Shareef Award Winners
Jayavanthi Devi Hirebet (1995), C. Ashwath (1996), H.R. Leelavathi (1997),
Anuradha Dhareswar (1998), Shimoga Subbanna (1999), H.K. Narayana (2000),
M.Prabhakar (2001), Ganthikere Raghanna (2002), Shayamala Jagerdar (2003),
Murugodu Krishnadasa (2004), Eswarappa G. Minaji (2005), C.K. Tara (2006),
Keshava Guram (2007).
The Central Sangeetha and Natak academy is honouring artists
selecting from all over the country, thus the following artists were honoured.
K.Vasudevacharya (1954), T.Chowdaiah (1957), B.Devendrappa (1963),
V.Doriswamy Iyengar (1970), Shantarao (1970), N.Channakeshavaiah (1971),
T.Chandrakantamma (1971), Mallikarjuna Mansoor (1971), Gangubai Hangal
(1973), Bheemasen Joshi (1975), R.K.Shree Kantan (1979), Basavaraja
Rajaguru (1981), Devendra Murudeshwara (1986), U.S.Krishna Rao and
Chandrabhagadevi (1987), Thitte Krishna Iyengar (1989), Mayarao (1989),
Honnappa Bhagavatar (1990), B.V.K.Shastri (1999), R.R.Keshavamurthy (1999),
H.R.Keshavamurthy (1999), Prathibha Prahalad (2001), Sangameshwara Guruv
(2001), R.N.Doreswamy (2001), M.A.Narasimhachar (2002), Kadri Gopalanatha
(2002).
DANCE IN KARNATAKA
As dance is a visual art, the visual impression o f this dynamic art is lost on
the sands of time. The tradition of dances currently at vague in Karnataka can
be broadly divided as Janapada and Shista, the former being localised in certain
areas only, whereas the latter has spread to other parts outside the state. Very
few art lovers of yore have left any written literature on the then existing dances.
The Tamil text ‘Silapadhikaram’ refers to a dance of the Kannadigas witnessed
by the Chera king Sengoottavan. An
inscription in Pattadakal reveals that
Devadasis were engaged in ‘Nritya seva’
in temples. Ganga rulers like Durvineeta
and Narasimhadeva Satyavakya are
described as well versed in dancing
and singing. During the Rashtrakuta
and the later Chalukya periods, the
courtesans had duties assigned to them
in temples and they were accomplished
dancers.Many inscriptions have praised
Shantaladevi, the queen of Hoysala
Vishnuvardhana as being an expert in Nataraja, Aihole
Culture 523

dance. Bhandaru Lakshminarayana the Natyacharya in Krishnadevaraya’s

court was called Abhinava Bharata. Dancers and artistes were encouraged
to perform during the annual Dasara celebrations by the Vijayanagar rulers.
The Mysore court also encouraged traditional dance, following the footsteps of
the Vijayanagar rulers. ‘Manasollasa’ of Someshwara III, Pundarika Vitthala’s
‘Narthana Niranay’, ‘Lasya Ranjana’ of Simha Bhupala, ‘Rasikajana Manollasini’
‘Sara Sangraha’ and ‘Bharata Shastra’ written by Venkatamudarsani, are works
devoted to the arts of music and dancing.
Perhaps, the greatest phenomenon that contributed to the preservation and
flourishing of dance in the state was the practice of Devadasis offering service in
temples. By the end of the 19th century, in Mulbagal, Mugur, T. Narsipur and
Poovalavadi near Chintamani, there were as many as 200 professional dancing
women living with a number of Nattuvaras (or dance masters). There were many
Brahmin scholars well versed in Sanskrit, Baratanatya and Abhinaya who
taught the Devadasis the intricate art of Abhinaya. In the erstwhile Mysore state,
it is heartening to note that Bharatanatya developed its own style, due to their
efforts. There developed a repertory of Bharatanatya in which Mangalam, Stuti,
Alaripu, Jatiswara, Vemam, Pada and Tillana came in a sequence. During that
period Kavisvar Giriyappa, Kashi Guru, Amritappa, Appaya, Dasappa, Kittappa
and Jetti Tayamma are some reputed teachers, while, Venkatalakshamma,
Puttadevamma, Ramamani and Mugur Tripurasundaramma were dancers of
repute.
Bangalore came to be recognised as a very important centre for the teaching
of Bharatanatya. Between 1910-1930, the art and the artistes had a decline
due to breakdown of social values and also due to the influence of Western
eudcation which eclipsed the traditional and indigeneous art. After 1930,
people like E. Krishna Iyer, Rukmini Arundale, Ramagopal, U.S. Krishna Rao
and his wife Chandrabhaga Devi popularised this art in the 1940s.
During the wake of this renaissance in the 40s, many dance teachers
gained ground in Karnataka. In the 50s the state of affairs changed with the
foundation of the Central and State Academies of Dance, Drama and Music.
These academies extended grants and aid to good
teachers and institutions. Gradually, in the erstwhile
Mysore state and later in Karnataka, the dissemination
of the knowledge of dance art improved. Later, the
then government of Mysore started the government
examination in Junior, Senior and Proficiency
grades in Baharatanatyam. The whole horizon of
Bharatanatyam also changed after the reorganisation
of the State. As the 1970s dawned, Karnataka,
especially Bangalore and Mysore could boast of many
dance teachers and institutions capable of producing
proficient dancers. The Bangalore University started
the department of dance, drama and music. The
future of Bharatanatya therefore promises to be very
encouraging in Kamataka.
Dancer, Kuruvatti
A Handbook of Karnataka 524

Many Institutions run by veterans of the art, are imparting training in

Bharatanatya and other styles. In Bangalore city, apart from the Mahamaya
Nritya Peetha of Dr. U.S. Krishna Rao, others like the Keshava Nritya Shala
of H.R. Keshavamurthy, Menaka Nritya Shala of T.S. Bhat, Bharatanatya
Kalashale of Manikyam, Bharateeya Vidya Bhavana Nritya Kendra, Ganesha
Nritya Shale of Lalitha Dorai, Saraswati Nritya Shale of Shekhar, Venkateshwara
Natya Mandira of Radha Sridhar, Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai School of Leela
Ramanathan, Chittaranjan Kalakshetra of C. Radhakrishna, M.V. School of
Bharatnatyam’, Sri Venkateshwara Natya Mandira and Gana Nritya Kalashale
of V.S. Lokaiah and the dance schools run by Maya Rao, Narmada, Prathiba
Prahalad and Vani Ganpathy are among the noted ones. Many other schools in
all different centres of the state have gained reputation.
A dance village named Nrityagram a was established in Hesaraghatta
on the outskirts of Bangalore city by the famous Odissi exponent, the late
Protima Gauri. She had arranged for the training of students in all disciplines
of traditional Indian dance under one roof in her Nrityagrama. The Institute
continues to promote dance even after the death of the founder.
Even though Bharatanatyam scene is overwhelmingly dominated by female
artistes, some men have stormed into this female bastion and have gained
great reputation as worthy challengers. Some of them are, K.R.S. Prasanna,
A.R. Sridhar, Ramu, Arun, B.K. Shyamprakash and Rajendra.
Many artistes of great renown have been striving for popularising the art of
whom, N. Gundappa and K. Venkatalakshamma, S. Sundramma, M. Jejamma,
Subbamma, Chandrakantamma, Maya Rao, Shanta Rao, Chinnamma, U.S.
Krishna Rao, H.R. Keshavamurthy and V.S. Koushik are noteworthy. Besides,
Leela Ramanathan, B.K. Vasanthalakshmi, C. Radhakrishna, Radha Sreedhar,
Lalitha Srinivasa, Padmini Ramachandran, Padmini Ravi, Usha Datar, etc.
have become famous and have also gained international recognition and
reputation.
Natyarani Shantala Award Winners
This Award is instituted by the Department of Kannada and Culture. The
Awardees are: K. Venkatalakshamma (1995), Dr. U.S. Krishna Rao (1996),
U.S. Krishna Rao (Mangalore) (1997), H.R. Keshava Murthy (1998), Maya Rao
(1999), K. Muralidhara Rao (2000), Narmada (2001), Padmashree Shanta Rao
(2002) C.Radhakrishna (2003), Jayalaskhmi Alwa (2004), Leela Ramanathan
(2005), K.B. Madhava Rao (2006), T.S.Bhat (2007).
CINEMA IN KARNATAKA*
The Film industry in Karnataka has a history of over six decades. In their
early phase, films produced in Karnataka were only based on themes from the
Kannada Theatre. The first ‘Mooki’ (silent) film Mrichchakatika’was produced
and directed by Mohan Bhavanani with Yenakshi Rama Rao, Kamaladevi
Chattopadhyaya, T.P. Kailasam, O.K. Nanda and others were its actors.
During the 1930s two Bombay Industralists, Haribhai R. Desai and Bhogial
Dave established the first studio of Southern Indian in Bangalore named Surya

‘ Contributed by : T.G. Ashwathanarayana

Culture 525

Film Company and made about 40 silent films in about four years. During
1929, with the co-operation of Devudu Narasimha Sastri, Gubbi Veeranna and
Algod of Belgium, an organisation named ‘Karnataka Pictures Corporation’
was established through which silent movies ‘Harimaya’, ‘Song of Life’ and
‘His Love Affair’ were produced. ‘Sadarame’, (1935), ‘Hemareddy Mallamma’
(1945), ‘Gunasagari’, ‘Bedara Kannappa’ (1954), ‘Bhutarajya’ and ‘Domingo’
were the prominent movies of that age with the last two being produced by
Dr. Shivaram Karanth. Other notable films were ‘Sati Sulocaha’ ‘Samsara
Naukey’, ‘Vasanthsena,’ ‘Purandaradasa,’ ‘Bhakta Kumbara,’ ‘Mahatma Kabir,’
‘Krishnaleela,’ ‘Chandrahasa,’ ‘Bharathi,’ ‘Nagakannika’ and ‘Jaganmohini.’
The notable personalities who made an impact on the silver screen in the
early times were T.P. Kailasam, M.G. Mari Rao, Gubbi Veeranna, R. Nagendra
Rao, M.V. Subbiah Naidu, Tripuramba, C.T. Sheshachalam, M.V. Rajamma,
B.R. Pantulu, Kemparaj Urs, Shankar Singh, B.V. Vithalacharya, H.L.N. Simha
and B.S. Ranga, the last two of whom were instrumental in bringing the Kannada
Film field from Madras to Bangalore. ‘Bedara Kannappa’ (1954) launched
Rajkumar who later grew into a legend in the Kannada film industry and also
won the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 1997. In the 1950’s the trend of social
films began and the notable films of that decade were ‘Premadaputri,’ ‘Modala
Thedhi,’ ‘School Master,’ ‘Kanyadana.’ ‘Adarshasati,’ ‘Bhakta Markandeya,’
‘Ratnagiri Rahasya,’ ‘Nala Damayanti,’ ‘Bhookailasa,’ ‘Jagajyothi Basaveshwara.’
‘Dashavatara,’ ‘Ranadheera Kantheerava’ and ‘Bhakta Kanakadasa.’
The year 1964 was significant in the history of Kannada films for the
production of the first entirely colour movie ‘Amarashilpi Jakanachari’. The
same year witnessed the release of ‘Naandi,’ a new wave film made by N.
Lakshminarayan. In the 1960’s the man acknowledge by one and all as the
greatest director in Kannada film history, Puttanna Kanagal, made memorable
films like ‘Bellimoda’ (1967), ‘Gejje Pooje’ (1968), ‘Sharapanjara’ and in the 70s
movies like ‘Sakshatkara,’ ‘Nagara Havu’ etc. The first film based on Children’s
subject ‘Makkala Rajya’ was also released during this period.
In the 1970’s film makers started adopting Kannada novels famous authors
to the screen and this phenomenon became immensely popular. The novels of
eminent novelists like Aa Na Kru, Ta Raa Su, Krishnamurthy Puranik, Triveni,
M.K. Indira, Poornachandra Tejasvi, S.L. Byrappa, Sai Sute and T.K. Rama
Rao were made into movies. Poems of great poet like Bendre, Kuvempu, K.S.
Narasimhaswamy, Gopalakrishna Adiga etc., were converted into film lyrics
and they gained acclaim.
The decades of the 1970’s is considered the age of the new-wave or
experimental films through movies like ‘Samskara’ (1970), ‘Vamsa Vriksha’
(1972), ‘Abachurina Post Office’ (1973), ‘Kadu’ (1974), ‘Hamsageethe’ (1975),
‘Chomana Dudi’ (1975), ‘Pallavi’ (1976), ‘Karavall’ (1977), ‘KanneshwaraRama’
(1977), ‘Ghatashraddha’ (1977), ‘Chitegu Chinte’ (1978), ‘Ondu Orina Kathe,’
‘Ondaanondu Kaaladalli’ ‘Maleyamakklu,’ ‘Spandana’ (all in 1978), ‘Kadu
Kudure’ and ‘Arivu* (1979), ‘Yellindalo Bandavaru’ (1980), ‘Grahana’ and
‘Moorudarigalu’ (1981), ‘Bara’ (1982), and in recent years Avasthe, Pushpaka
Vimana , Surya, Tabarana Kathe, Kaadina Benki, Tarka, Idhu Sadhya, Santha
A Handbook of Karnataka 526

Shishunala Sharif, Bannada Gejje, Hagalu Vesha, Nagamandala, Deveeri

etc. The commercially successful films of that period were ‘Nagar Havu’ and
‘Bangarada Manushya’ (1972), ‘Yedakallu Goodada Mele’ and ‘Professor
Huchchuraya’ (1973), ‘Upasane’ and ‘Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu,’ (1974),
‘Aparichita’ and ‘Parasangada Gendethimma’ (1978), ‘Mother,’ ‘Mithuna’
(1980), ‘Gaali Maatu’ (1981), Manasa Sarovara (1982), Phaniyamma (1983),
Anubhava (1984), Bettada Hoovu, Masanada Hoovu (1985), Malaya Maruta
(1986), Ondu Muttina Kathe (1987), Suprabhata (1988), Sankranti (1989),
Udbhava, Shabarimale Swamy Ayyappa (1990), Ramachari (1991), Kraurya,
Pallavi, Anuroopa, Khandavldeko Mamsavideko, Sankalpa, Bankar Margaiah,
Geejagana Goodu, Savithri, Giddah, Ghata Shradda (President’s Gold Medal),
Akramana, Mane, Tayi Saheba (President’s Gold Medal) (1997), Aparichita
and Beladingala Bale. Chaytrada chigaru, Hoomale, Donisagali (1998). Deveri,
Kanuru Thegaadati, Chandramukhi Prahasakhi (1999). Mussanje, shapa,
kurigalu sar kurigalu (2000). Dveepa, Eakangi, Neela (2001). Artha, kshama,
lali Hadu (2002). Chigaridakanasu (2003). Monalisa, Beeru, gowdru, Haseena,
(National award Tara best actress), Mithaye mane (2004). Tutturi (2005).
Nayineralu, Nayineralu, Nenapirali Amrutashere (2006). Kallarali Hoovagi
Kadaveladingalu Footpath (2007). Gulabi Talkes, Mooggina Jade, Matad Matad
Mallige, Banada Neralu (2008)
In the 1980s the Government of Katnataka granted 50% tax exemption
to Kannada films completely made in Kamataka and it increased the subsidy
amount to films. At present all Kannada Films produced and processed
entirely in the State is eligible for Rs. 2.50 lakhs (black & white) and Rs. 3.50
lakhs (colour). L.V. Prasad established a Colour Processing Laboratory in
Bangalore, Besides, Sanketh, a recording studio of the Nag Brothers and the
Chamundeshwari studio were started. The availability of good infrastructure
and encouragement received from the Government and the viewership had
a cascading effect and there was a jump in the number of films made each
year, in this decade.Films based on political and social themes, like ‘Accident,’
‘Antha,’ ‘Bara,’ ‘Chakravyuha,’ ‘Aasphota,’ etc., were made in this decade. Films
that were commercially successful in this decade were ‘Ahtha,”Chakravyooha,’
‘Hosabelaku,’ ‘Haalu Jenu,’ ‘Mududida Taavare Aralithu,’ ‘Bandhana,’
‘Benkiya Bale,’ ‘Anubhava,’ ‘Anand,’ ‘Rathasaptami,’ ‘Neebareda Kaadambari,’
‘Premaloka,’ ‘Pushpaka Vimana,’ ‘Ranadheera,’ ‘Suprabhata,’ ‘Sangliyana,’
‘Nanjundi Kalyana,’ ‘Avale Nanna Hendathi,’ ‘Hendthige Helabedi,’ ‘Indrajit’
‘Dada,’ ‘Deva,’ ‘Anjadagandu,’ ‘Hridaya Haadithu,’ ‘Gagana,’ ‘CBI Shankar’,
‘Gajapathi Garvabhanga,’ ‘Ramachari,’ ‘Chaitrada Premanjali,’ ‘Bhanda Nanna
Ganda,’ ‘Jeevan Chaitra’ and ‘Aakasmika’.
Even though the background instrumental music was in vogue in silent
films, songs were sung in the first talkie film in 1934. It is said that the advent
of modern orchestra in films was due to the efforts of P. Kalinga Rao in 1941.
Playback Singing became popular later. Music directors like P. Shamanna, R.
Sudarshan, G.K. Venkatesh, T.G. Lingappa, Vijaya Bhaskar, Rajan Nagendra
and Hamasalekha have become popular. B.V. Karnath, Prema Karanth,
Culture 527

A Scene_from School Master

Girish Kasaravalli, M.S. Satyu, Siddalingaiah, Girish Karnad, Suvarna,

G.V. Iyer, Nagabharana and Baraguru Ramachandrappa are film directors who
have won national awards. A promising young women film maker is Kavitha
Lankesh (Deveeri Film).
Many Kannada films have won a large number of State and National awards
over this period of time. Kamataka Film Chamber of Commerce was started in
Bangalore in 1944. Some amateur film societies are producing film in 17 mm or
8 mm cameras. They are ‘Assema,’ ‘Srishtri,’ ‘Swajan’ and ‘Suchitra’ Societies.
The first regional office of the National film Archives of India, Pune, was
started in Bangalore in 1982 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall. It is engaged in
collecting and preserving old and memorable films made in all the regional
languages of South India. The popular film studios of Karnataka are Premier
Studio at Mysore and Chamundeshwari, Sree Kantheerava and Abhimaan at
Bangalore. Many colour laboratories, processing and recording units are also
functioning in Bangalore, Which is the film city of Karnataka.
Apart from veteran “Karnataka Ratna” Dr. Rajkumar who has won prestigious
Dada Phalke Award, the Kannada screen has produced a host of talented artistes
like Ashwath, Balakrishna, Narasimha Raju, Kalyan Kumar, Udaya Kumar,
Gangadhar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Prabhakar, Sridhar, Ravichandran,
Kashinath, Shankar Nag, Ananth Nag, Lokesh, Rajesh, Sudharshan, Srinath,
A Handbook of Karnataka 528

C.R. Simha, Dwarkish, Vajramuni, Ramesh Arvind, Ramgopal etc., and

actresses like M.V. Rajamma, Leelavathi, B,V, Radha, Jayamma, Pandari Bai,
B. Saroja Devi, Jayanthi, Kalpana, Aarti, Bharati, Manjula, Harini, Jayamala,
Jayalakshmi, Malashri, Sudha Rani, Vaishali Kasaravalli, Tara etc.
G.V. Iyer is the first to make the Film in Sanskrit “Adi Shankaracharya”
in 1984, which won for him the nations highest award. He further made
“Madhwacharya” in Kannada in 1986 and “Ramanujacharya” in 1988 in Tamil
trying to bring out the teachings of those saint philosophers, through the medium
of Cinema. Iyer again won the national award for his film “Bhagavadgeetha” in
1993.
Both Central and State Government have established various awards
separately and honouring film actors and actressers producers, directors,
technicians and other related to film land annually Dr. Rajakumar was given
the nations prestitious. Dada Palke
Award by the central government in
1997. Likewise, the Svarna Kamala
award for best kannada films, best actors
awards to Kannada artists are given by
the central government regularly sofar,
many Kannada movies and actors were
received these awards. Besides receiving
awards for best kannada films for
achievements in different fields receiving
Best motion picture awards initiated by
the Government of India. It’s a pride that
kannada films have also received many
Dr. Raj Kumar with a baby admirer
such awards at All India level.
Annexures I
A Handbook of Karnataka II
Annexures III
A Handbook of Karnataka IV
Annexures 617

Annexure -ITalukwise Monthly Normal Rainfall In Karnataka

District Taluks Premons Swmons Nemons Annual

Bangalore-Urban Anekal 171.7 434.3 243.1 849.1
Bangalore North 171.9 526.3 245.4 943.6
Bangalore South 163.2 439.7 234.4 837.3
Bangalore East 163.2 439.7 234.4 837.3
Bangalore-Rural Devanahalli 127.0 414.2 202.6 743.8
Doddaballapura 134.9 414.0 209.1 758.0
Hosakote 133.8 411.7 230.5 776.0
Nelamangala 171.6 463.1 247.0 881.7
Ramanagaram Channapatna 194.7 414.0 228.2 836.9
Kanakapura 196.5 345.5 214.1 756.1
Magadi 184.8 483.0 259.1 926.9
Ramanagara 189.6 457.9 244.6 892.1
Kolar Bangarapet 144.5 344.2 213.1 701.8
Kolar 133.4 374.1 226.9 734.4
Malur 142.1 334.9 215.3 692.3
Mulabagilu 126.0 365.2 249.7 740.9
Srinivasapura 119.7 391.6 233.9 745.2
Chikkaballapur Bagepalli 108.7 397.7 210.1 716.5
Chikkaballapura 116.6 479.8 236.3 832.7
Chintamani 121.5 364.5 239.1 725.1
Gauribidanur 105.6 378.0 177.1 660.7
Gudibanda 102.6 452.5 192.6 747.7
Sidlaghatta 128.8 400.0 249.8 778.6
Tumkur Chikkanay- 153.9 353.7 227.2 734.8
akanahalli
Gubbi 156.4 403.2 216.5 776.1
Koratagere 125.9 359.5 197.4 682.8
Kunigal 193.2 414.5 226.7 834.4
Madhugiri 124.1 365.0 213.2 702.3
Pavagada 100.9 299.2 175.1 575.2
Sira 109.0 300.2 162.2 571.4
Tiptur 154.3 290.7 229.1 674.1
Tumkur 158.0 492.1 239.1 889.2
Turuvekere 173.0 340.4 239.5 752.9
Chitradurga Challakere 93.8 206.1 142.3 442.2
Chitradurga 132.2 303.1 173.3 608.6
Hiriyur 119.5 256.2 160.8 536.5
Holalkere 147.2 373.4 194.7 715.3
Hosadurga 124.0 281.6 186.6 592.2
Molakalmuru 93.5 274.8 158.2 526.5
Davanagere Channagiri 129.3 460.3 177.4 767.0
Davanagere 134.4 359.5 164.2 658.1
Harapanahalli 150.7 422.6 178.8 752.1
A Handbook of Karnataka 618

Harihara 129.8 318.0 184.3 632.1

Honnali 134.9 323.8 166.8 625.5
Jagalur 101.2 275.5 129.3 506.0
Chamarajanagara Chamarajanagara 224.8 263.4 250.8 739.0
Gundlupet 246.7 244.4 256.7 747.8
Kollegal 236.5 365.9 279.7 882.1
Yelandur 250.0 386.8 258.7 895.5
Mysore Heggadadevana- 237.5 401.3 192.2 831.0
kote
Hunsur 206.6 327.5 204.7 738.8
Krishnarajanagar 238.1 311.5 249.6 799.2
Mysore 226.3 328.7 228.8 783.8
Nanjanagud 208.3 270.5 190.7 669.5
Periyapatna 222.9 409.6 195.8 828.3
T.Narasipura 201.5 293.7 216.7 711.9
Mandya Krishnarajapet 205.4 297.2 224.9 727.5
Maddur 169.2 343.4 221.9 734.5
Malavalli 200.2 305.4 242.0 747.6
Mandya 209.6 326.1 269.9 805.6
Nagamangala 189.5 289.4 255.2 734.1
Pandavapura 185.0 251.1 231.1 667.2
Srirangapatna 182.2 252.5 203.8 638.5
Bellary Bellary 89.4 288.0 140.3 517.7
HAdagali 124.1 355.0 153.2 632.3
Hospet 90.1 431.3 155.5 676.9
Hagaribommana- 110.2 295.2 110.5 515.9
halli
Kudligi 103.2 373.9 133.1 610.2
Sandur 127.9 519.7 174.6 822.2
Siruguppa 80.1 443.8 151.1 675.0
Koppala Gangavathi 65.2 381.2 139.4 585.8
Koppala 78.4 391.5 119.0 588.9
Kushtagi 75.6 364.1 120.4 560.1
Yelburga 80.7 395.3 121.2 597.2
Raichur Deodurga 60.6 530.3 145.3 736.2
Lingsugur 71.3 398.3 128.8 598.4
Manvi 57.9 469.8 122.7 650.4
Raichur 66.6 540.7 122.5 729.8
Sindhanur 71.7 455.2 161.6 688.5
Gulbarga Afzalpur 61.1 496.2 109.9 667.2
Aland 64.0 623.2 125.7 812.9
Chincholi 62.4 803.9 136.6 1002.9
Chittapur 79.1 652.0 108.1 839.2
Gulbarga 80.8 631.4 109.9 822.1
Jevargi 76.9 632.0 144.9 853.8
Annexures 619

Sedam 73.7 704.7 118.9 897.3

Shahapur 79.2 644.5 149.6 873.3
Shorapur 59.6 551.5 156.4 767.5
Yadgir 65.4 662.9 126.0 854.3
Bidar Aurad 57.4 725.7 103.7 886.8
Bidar 83.4 795.0 118.8 997.2
Bhalki 82.3 704.2 107.0 893.5
Basavakalyan 72.0 652.9 95.4 820.3
Humnabad 73.5 649.2 103.9 826.6
Belgaum Athani 83.4 337.1 137.7 558.2
Bailhongal 128.6 421.1 161.8 711.5
Belgaum 164.5 1081.6 170.8 1416.9
Chikkodi 101.3 393.4 141.5 636.2
Gokak 111.2 288.4 138.3 537.9
Hukkeri 146.8 464.1 167.7 778.6
Khanapur 113.3 1670.6 164.8 1948.7
Ramadurga 97.2 311.1 129.3 537.6
Raibagh 81.2 313.2 124.6 519.0
Soundatti 119.1 324.9 143.6 587.6
Bagalkote Badami 89.3 359.4 141.0 589.7
Bagalkote 85.9 374.1 144.8 604.8
Bilgi 90.8 356.5 134.5 581.8
Hungund 94.6 407.2 135.1 636.9
JamkHandi 72.2 338.3 132.1 542.6
Mudhol 97.6 328.4 132.6 558.6
Bijapur Bagevadi 78.8 424.1 152.0 654.9
Bijapur 82.5 423.8 140.2 646.5
Indi 60.6 448.3 109.2 618.1
Muddebihal 79.8 395.0 133.6 608.4
Sindgi 59.8 447.7 120.9 628.4
Gadag Gadag 128.8 368.6 158.1 655.5
Mundargi 106.3 293.1 141.9 541.3
Naragund 104.7 331.9 132.4 569.0
Ron 98.9 424.2 144.0 667.1
Shirahatti 138.4 408.1 172.1 718.6
Haveri Byadgi 114.3 409.6 139.7 663.6
Hanagal 128.8 737.9 167.0 1033.7
Haveri 141.9 459.2 164.4 765.5
Hirekerur 128.5 555.3 166.2 850.0
Ranebennur 135.6 314.6 160.9 611.1
Savanur 147.3 401.3 154.6 703.2
Shiggaon 134.4 511.5 167.2 813.1
Dharwad Dharwad 148.5 541.4 173.6 863.5
Hubli 141.5 424.0 163.5 729.0
A Handbook of Karnataka 620

Kalghatgi 146.7 666.5 165.0 978.2

Kundgol 146.5 412.5 155.5 714.5
Navalgund 156.2 347.6 139.0 642.8
Shimoga Bhadravathi 142.7 568.6 177.1 888.4
Hosanagara 165.3 2691.4 199.7 3056.4
Sagara 146.6 1835.2 180.8 2162.6
Shikaripura 167.3 734.0 198.3 1099.6
Shimoga 151.5 598.6 191.1 941.2
SOraba 122.3 1348.8 174.0 1645.1
Tirthahalli 143.9 2604.7 188.5 2937.1
Hassan Alur 178.8 547.4 208.1 934.3
Arkalgud 168.0 483.3 193.7 845.0
Arasikere 152.6 297.0 213.1 662.7
Belur 215.7 570.1 234.9 1020.7
Channarayapatna 167.9 288.5 226.3 682.7
Hassan 185.2 439.5 229.4 854.1
Holenarasipura 191.6 313.9 233.5 739.0
Sakaleshpura 194.5 1722.3 241.0 2157.8
Chikkamagalur Chikkamagalur 204.6 455.1 212.3 872.0
Kadur 130.3 265.7 194.3 590.3
Koppa 193.1 2652.1 217.4 3062.6
Mudigere 221.7 1840.4 255.5 2317.6
Narasimhara- 159.3 1351.8 187.3 1698.4
japura
Sringeri 206.6 3394.6 260.3 3861.5
Tarikere 138.3 582.3 202.7 923.3
Kodagu Madikeri 256.9 2704.8 255.1 3216.8
Somwarpet 207.5 1668.4 255.4 2131.3
Virajpet 276.9 2013.5 286.6 2577.0
Dakshina Kan- Beltangadi 230.4 3908.4 369.2 4508.0
nada
Bantwal 227.7 3301.5 303.0 3832.2
Mangalore 266.2 3064.2 277.5 3607.9
Puttur 232.4 3410.2 373.5 4016.1
Sulya 211.3 3007.2 372.9 3591.4
Udupi Karkala 250.5 4126.6 449.4 4826.5
Kundapur 143.3 3441.6 204.6 3789.5
Udupi 225.9 3441.7 262.1 3929.7
Uttara Kannada Ankola 158.4 3177.6 205.6 3541.6
Bhatkal 181.4 3726.2 264.5 4172.1
Haliyal 167.5 989.3 185.5 1342.3
Honnavar 166.6 3278.8 231.6 3677.0
Karwar 161.5 2862.8 202.8 3227.1
Kumta 160.5 3229.2 211.7 3601.4
Mundgod 170.6 1026.3 203.2 1400.1
Annexures 621

Siddapur 115.3 2807.7 187.9 3110.9

Sirsi 112.8 2206.9 178.5 2498.2
Supa 118.6 2108.6 170.9 2398.1
Yellapur 111.5 2495.5 164.6 2771.6
Sik 160.8 359.8 215.1 735.7
Nik 97.2 493.9 139.6 730.8
Malnad 179.6 1278.9 216.7 1675.1
Coastal 179.6 2926.9 253.6 3360.1
State 140.6 820.0 189.9 1150.5

Annexure -2 Districtwise Monthly Normal Rainfall In Karnataka

District Premons Swmons Nemons Annual

Bangalore-Urban 168.9 466.8 241.0 876.7
Bangalore-Rural 166.6 425.4 229.4 821.4
Ramanagaram 191.4 425.1 236.5 853.0
Kolar 122.7 389.3 222.2 734.2
Chikkaballapur 114.0 412.1 217.5 743.6
Tumkur 144.9 361.9 212.6 719.3
Chitradurga 118.4 282.5 169.3 570.2
Davanagere 130.1 360.0 166.8 656.8
Chamarajanagara 239.5 315.1 261.5 816.1
Mysore 220.2 334.7 211.2 766.1
Mandya 191.6 295.0 235.5 722.1
Bellary 103.6 386.7 145.5 635.7
Koppala 75.0 383.0 125.0 583.0
Raichur 65.6 478.9 136.2 680.7
Gulbarga 70.2 640.2 128.6 839.1
Bidar 73.7 705.4 105.8 884.9
Belgaum 114.7 560.6 148.0 823.2
Bagalkote 88.4 360.7 136.7 585.7
Bijapur 72.3 427.8 131.2 631.3
Gadag 115.4 365.2 149.7 630.3
Haveri 133.0 484.2 160.0 777.2
Dharwad 147.9 478.4 159.3 785.6
Shimoga 148.5 1483.0 187.1 1818.6
Hassan 181.8 582.8 222.5 987.0
Chikkamagalur 179.1 1506.0 218.5 1903.7
Kodagu 247.1 2128.9 265.7 2641.7
A Handbook of Karnataka 622

Dakshina Kannada 233.6 3338.3 339.2 3911.1

Udupi 206.6 3670.0 305.4 4181.9
Uttara Kannada 147.7 2537.2 200.6 2885.5

Annexure -3 Karnataka At A Glance 2007-08

Sl.No’s Particulars Unit State Statistics

1.1 GENERAL
a Taluks as on31-03-2008 No’s 176
b Hoblies as on31-03-2008 No’s 747
c Villages :
1. Inhabited villages No’s 27,481
2. Uninhabited villages No’s 1,925
d Total villages No’s 29,406
e Grama Panchayaths No’s 5,628
f Towns/Urban Agglomerations No’s 270
g City Corporations No’s 8
h City Municipal Corporation No’s 44
i Town Municipal Corporation No’s 94
j Town Panchayaths No’s 68
k Notified Area Committees No’s 5
1.2 No’sof Taluks categorised under
backwardness by the HPCRRI
a Most Backward taluks No’s 39
b More Backward Taluks No’s 43
c Backward taluks No’s 35
d Total No’s 114
1.3 Sector wise Consumption of
Electricity 2007-08
a Domestic No’s 1,12,75,666
Lakh Units 61,681.80
b Industrial consumption No’s 2,75,252
Lakh Units 67,072.85
c Commercial Consumption No’s 12,37,756
Lakh Units 37,473.74
d Irrigation Pumpsets No’s 17,14,061
Lakh Units 94,372.3
e Street Lights (Installations) No’s 86,666
Lakh Units 6,045.34
f Street Lights Electrified No’s 561
Lakh Units 17,999
1.4 Net District Income and Percapita
Income
a Net District Income
1. At current prices (2005-2006) Rs. In Lakhs 1,45,66,476
2. At Constant Prices (1999-2000) Rs. In Lakhs 1,16,83,422
Annexures 623

b Percapita Income
1. At current prices (2005-2006) Rs. 26,015
2. At Constant Prices (1999-2000) Rs. 20,866
1.5 Applicants registered in Employment
Exchanges as on 31-03-2008
a Employment Exchanges No’s 32
b Below Matriculation No’s 1,23,378
c SSLC Passed No’s 3,21,511
d PUC Passed No’s 1,17,285
e B.A. Graduates No’s 24,973
f B.Sc. Graduates No’s 9,903
g B.Com. Graduates No’s 13,532
h Stenographers No’s 2,537
i ITI Certificate Holders No’s 57,514
j Drivers No’s 21,742
k B.Ed., B.P.Ed. Degree Holders No’s 19,640
l Others No’s 13,262
m Diploma Holders No’s 22,846
n C.P.Ed, TCH & Nursery Trained No’s 21,780
o Typists No’s 15,705
p Total No’s 7,85,608
1.6 Fair Price Shops as on 31-03-2008
a Rural No’s 14,869
b Urban No’s 5,467
c Total No’s 20,336
1.7 Ration Card Holders as on 31-03­
2008
a BPL (Below Poverty Line) No’s 59,99,145
b Anthyodaya No’s 11,99,527
c APL (Above Poverty Line) No’s 52,28,572
d Annaporna No’s 13,409
e Total No’s 1,24,40,653
1.8 Police Stations No’s 896
a Prisons No’s 100
b Prisoners
1. Male No’s 12,372
2. Female No’s 588
c Fire Stations No’s 136
d Cinema Theatre
1. Permanent No’s 819
2. Temporary No’s 160
2.1 Area and Population (Census 2001)
a Area (2001 Census) Sq.Km 1,91,791
b Population (Census 2001)
1. Male No’s 2,68,98,918
2. Female No’s 2,59,51,644
3. Total No’s 5,28,50,562
A Handbook of Karnataka 624

c Decennial Growth rate 2001 Percentage 17

2.2 Urban Population No’s 1,79,61,529
1. Male No’s 92,49,960
2. Female No’s 87,11,569
2.3 Rural Population No’s 3,48,89,033
1. Male No’s 1,76,48,958
2. Female No’s 1,72,40,075
2.4 Scheduled Castes Population (Census No’s 85,63,930
2001)
1.Male No’s 43,39,745
2. Female No’s 42,24,185
3. Percentage of SC population to percentage 16.20
total
2.5 Scheduled Tribes Population (Census No’s 34,63,986
2001)
1. Male No’s 17,56,238
2. Female No’s 17,07,748
3. Percentage of SC population to percentage 6.55
total
2.6 Density and Sex Ratio (2001 census)
a Density 276
b Sex Ratio 965
c Sex Ratio 0-6 age group 946
2.7 Literacy Rate (%) 2001 Census
1.Male Percentage 76.10
2. Female Percentage 56.90
3. Total Percentage 66.60
2.8 Religion wise Population 2001 census
a Hindu No’s 4,43,21,279
Percentage 83.86
b Muslim No’s 64,63,127
Percentage 12.23
c Christian No’s 10,09,164
Percentage 1.91
d Jain No’s 4,12,659
Percentage 0.78
e Others No’s 6,44,333
Percentage 1.22
2.9 Religion wise Literacy rate 2001
a Hindu - Total Literacy Percentage 50.31
Female Literacy Percentage 34.91
b Muslim - Total Literacy Percentage 50.88
Female Literacy Percentage 36.84
c Christian - Total Literacy Percentage 74.89
Female Literacy Percentage 64.24
d Jain - Total Literacy Percentage 70.74
Female Literacy Percentage 56.41
Annexures 625

e Buddhist - Total Literacy Percentage 36.69

Female Literacy Percentage 19.63
f Sikh - Total Literacy Percentage 70.22
Female Literacy Percentage 54.09
g Others - Total Literacy Percentage 52.19
Female Literacy Percentage 35.77
h Religion Not Stated Percentage 41.56
Female Literacy Rate Percentage 30.43
2.10 Classification of Workers 2001
census
a Main workers No’s 1,93,64,759
b Marginal No’s 41,70,032
c Non Workers No’s 2,93,15,771
d Cultivators No’s 68,83,856
e Agricultural Labourers No’s 62,26,942
f Workers in Household Industry No’s 9,59,665
g Other Workers No’s 94,64,328
h Total Workers No’s 2,35,34,791
2.11 Projected Population
2001 No’s 5,28,50,562
2002 No’s 5,37,33,102
2003 No’s 5,46,34,733
2004 No’s 5,55,55,946
2005 No’s 5,64,97,243
2006 No’s 5,74,59,138
2007 No’s 5,84,42,164
2008 No’s 5,94,46,867
2009 No’s 6,04,73,810
2010 No’s 6,15,23,567
3.1 Annual Rainfall and Rainydays for
2006-2007
a Normal
1. Rainfall mm. 1,177
2. Rainydays No’s 57
b Actual 2006
1. Rainfall mm. 1,403
2. Rainydays No’s 57
c Actual 2007
1. Rainfall mm. 1,578
2. Rainydays No’s 61
d Variation with reference to Normal Percentage 19
Rainfall for the year 2006
e Variation with reference to Normal Percentage 34
Rainfall for the year 2007
4.1 Land Utilisation 2006-07
a Geographical Area Hectares 1,90,49,836
b Forest Hectares 30,71,833
A Handbook of Karnataka 626

c Land not available for cultivation

1. Non Agricultural Hectares 13,63,115
2. Barren Hectares 7,87,779
3. Total Hectares 21,50,894
d Other uncultivated land
1. Cultivable Waste Hectares 4,16,493
2. Permanent Pasture Hectares 9,33,656
3. Trees and Groves Hectares 2,92,460
4. Total Hectares 16,42,609
e Fallow Land
1. Current Hectares 15,65,419
2. Others Hectares 5,14,619
3. Total Hectares 20,80,038
f Area Sown
1. Net Hectares 1,01,04,963
2. More than once Hectares 23,33,346
3. Total Hectares 1,24,38,309
4.2 Agricultural Land Holdings and Area
2005-2006
a Marginal (Below 1 Ha)
1. No’s’s 36,55,882
2. Area Hectares 16,51,491
b Small (1-2 Ha)
1. No’s’s 20,13,198
2. Area Hectares 28,75,807
c Semi Medium (2-4 Ha)
1. No’s’s 12,78,210
2. Area Hectares 34,68,133
d Medium (4-10 Ha)
1. No’s’s 5,54,128
2. Area Hectares 32,06,228
e Large (More than 10 Ha)
1. No’s’s 79,455
2. Area Hectares 11,83,062
f Total
1. No’s’s 75,80,873
2. Area Hectares 1,23,84,721
4.3 Net Area Irrigated 2006-07
a Canals Hectares 10,30,438
b Tanks Hectares 1,91,691
c Wells Hectares 3,72,236
d Borewells Hectares 9,55,216
e Lift Irrigation Hectares 1,18,698
f Other Sources Hectares 2,78,031
g Total Hectares 29,46,310
4.4 Area Under Important Crops 2006-07
a Paddy Hectares 13,95,676
Annexures 627

b Ragi Hectares 6,05,771

c Jowar Hectares 14,19,311
d Bajra Hectares 3,87,736
e Maize Hectares 9,60,532
f Wheat Hectares 2,69,494
g Minor Millets Hectares 39,586
h Total Cereals and Minor Millets Hectares 50,78,106
i Gram Hectares 6,50,809
j Tur Hectares 5,95,697
k Other Pulses Hectares 17,186
l Total Pulses Hectares 23,15,690
m Groudnut Hectares 7,63,524
n Sugarcane (Harvest) Hectares 2,69,440
o Cotton Hectares 3,75,982
4.5 Production of Important Crops 2006­
07
a Rice Metric Tonnes 36,45,526
b Ragi Metric Tonnes 6,64,985
c Jowar Metric Tonnes 11,29,547
d Bajra Metric Tonnes 1,63,361
e Maize Metric Tonnes 26,41,529
f Wheat Metric Tonnes 2,23,806
g Minor Millets Metric Tonnes 21,403
h Total Cereals & Minor Millets Metric Tonnes 84,90,157
i Gram Metric Tonnes 2,98,461
j Tur Metric Tonnes 2,62,673
k Other Pulses Metric Tonnes 5,079
l Total Pulses Metric Tonnes 8,38,855
m Groundnut Metric Tonnes 3,27,160
n Sugarcane (Harvest) Metric Tonnes 2,36,41,948
o Cotton Lint in bales 5,36,329
4.6 Sericulture 2007-08
a Area under Mulberry Hectares 91,434
b Cocoon Production tonnes 60,795.50
4.7 Distribution of Fertilizers 2007-08
a Nitrogen tonnes 7,90,402
b Phosphorus tonnes 3,86,789
c Potash tonnes 3,30,203
5.1 Livestock census 2003
a Cattle
1 Indigenous No’s 79,83,360
2. Exotic No’s 2,120
3. Cross Breed No’s 16,10,450
4. Total No’s 95,95,930
b Buffaloes No’s 40,23,832
c Sheep
A Handbook of Karnataka 628

1 Indigenous No’s 72,59,673

2. Exotic No’s 1,519
3. Cross Breed No’s 11,049
4. Total No’s 72,72,241
d Goats No’s 44,91,473
e Pigs
1 Indigenous No’s 2,97,609
2. Exotic No’s 3,136
3. Cross Breed No’s 19,688
4. Total No’s 3,20,433
f Rabbits No’s 6,402
g Dogs No’s 26,09,185
h Others No’s 39,038
i Total Livestock No’s 2,83,58,534
j Poultry No’s 2,44,50,809
5.2 Veterinary Institutions as on 31-03­
2008
a Hospitals No’s 347
b Dispensaries No’s 1,914
c Primary Veterinary Centres No’s 1,209
d Mobile Dispensaries No’s 174
e Artificial Insemination centres No’s 401
f Total No’s 4,045
5.3 Fisheries 2007-08
a Fish Catch (M.Tonnes) 2,97,689.26
b Ice Plants
1. No’s 203
2. Capacity (M.Tonnes) 2,726.45
c Cold Storage
1. No’s 42
2. Capacity (M.Tonnes) 3,315.00
6.1 No’s’s of Factories as on31-03-2008
a Textiles (Excluding Garments) No’s 342
b Chemical No’s 660
c Engineering No’s 1,413
d Others No’s 8,946
e No’s’s of Factories
1. Total No’s 11,361
2. Employees No’s 11,91,181
f Industrial
1. Estates No’s 159
2. Sheds No’s 5,756
6.2 Small Scale Industrial Units Setup
2007-08
a During the year
1. Units No’s 14,984
2. Employment No’s 1,23,399
Annexures 629

b Cumulative
1. Units No’s 3,62,020
2. Employment No’s 20,68,027
6.3 Sugar Factories (01-10-2007 to 30­
09-2008)
a Working No’s 47
b Cane Crushed Metric tonnes 2,65,67,267
c Sugar Produced Metric tonnes 29,30,534
7.1 Banks (March 2008)
a Regional Rural Banks No’s 1,151
b All Scheduled Commercial Banks No’s 5,390
c Total Deposits Rs. in crores 2,10,350
d Total Credit Rs. In Crores 1,64,112
e Credit Deposit Ratio 78.02
8.1 Co-operation and Agricultural
Marketing as on 31-03-2007 Urban
Co-op Banks.
a Main Offices No’s’s 289
b Branches No’s’s 573
c Deposits Rs. In Lakhs 8,69,442.39
d Loan Advanced Rs. In Lakhs 5,10,783.70
e Other Co-operative Banks No’s’ss 4,738
f PLD Banks
1. No’s’ss 177
2. Total Loans Rs. In Lakhs 1,04,309.17
8.2 Credit Co-operative Societies as on
31-03-2007
a Agricultural No’s 4,959
b Non-Agricultural No’s 3,958
c Total No’s 8,917
8.3 Non-Credit Co-operative Societies as
on 31-03-2007
a Marketing No’s 329
b Housing No’s 1,457
c Milk No’s 10,667
d Others No’s 11,592
e Total No’s 24,045
8.4 Liquidated Co-operative Societies as
on 31-03-2007
a Credit No’s 342
b Non Credit No’s 2,175
c Total No’s 2,517
8.5 Loans Given by Agricultural Credit
Co-operative Societies as on 31-03­
2007
a Short Term Rs. In Crores 2,133.03
b Medium Term Rs. In Crores 137.80
c Total Rs.in Crores 2,270.83
A Handbook of Karnataka 630

8.6 Agricultural Regulated Markets 2006­

07
a Main Markets No’s 146
b Sub Markets No’s 352
c Total Markets No’s 498
d Turnover Rs.in lakhs 1,108,809.25
9.1 Transport and Communication as on
31-03-2008
a Motor Cycles No’s 52,73,962
b Cars No’s 7,98,447
c Cabs No’s 55,876
d Auto Rikshaws No’s 2,49,520
e Omni Buses No’s 70,840
f Goods Vehicles No’s 2,56,938
g Others No’s 8,13,815
h Total No’s 75,19,098
9.2 Railway Route Length as on 31-03­
2005
a Broad Gauge Km 2,761.11
b Meter Gauge Km 410.65
c Total Km 3,171.76
d Railway Stations No’s’s 354
9.3 Road Length
a National Highway Km 3973
b State Highway Km 20,738
c Major District Roads Km 37,943
d Total Km 62,654
e Surfaced Roads Km 62,654
f Major Bridges Km 508
9.4 Rural Roads Length as on 31-03­
2008
a B.T. (Black Tap Asphalted) Km 43,119.18
b W.B.M. (Water Bound Macadam) Km 21,767.38
c Unsurfaced Roads Km 79,838.78
d Total Km 1,44,725.34
9.5 Post Offices, Telephone Exchanges,
Telephones
a Post Offices No’s 9,826
b Telephone Exchanges No’s 2,727
c Telephones No’s 26,10,353
10.1 Education As on 30-09-2007
a Primary Schools No’s 56,441
1. Students No’s 76,66,769
b High Schools No’s 11,835
1. Students No’s 24,78,625
c Pre-University Colleges No’s 3,458
1. Students 1st Year No’s 5,29,230
Annexures 631

2. Students 2nd year No’s 4,33,203

d Polytechinc Colleges No’s 199
1. Students No’s 38,069
e Engineering Colleges No’s 139
1. Students No’s 48,098
f Medical (Allopathy) Colleges No’s 39
1. Students (intake) No’s 4,655
g Indian System of Medicine Colleges No’s 77
1. Students No’s 13,668
h Dental Medical Colleges No’s 43
1. Students No’s 2,900
i Universities No’s 18
10.2 Student Strength in Government &
Private Aided Degree Colleges 2007­
08
a. Government
1. Male No’s 64,005
2. Female No’s 55,291
3. Total No’s 1,18,977
b Private Aided
1. Male No’s 1,04,724
2. Female No’s 96,283
3. Total No’s 2,01,007
c Grand Total No’s 3,19,984
10.3 Libraries 2007-08
a District Libraries No’s 5,642
b Urban Libraries No’s 334
c Total Libraries No’s 5,976
11.1 Health 2007-08
a 1. District Hospitals No’ 26
2. Beds No’s 10,045
b 1. Other Hospitals No’s 42
2. Beds No’s 10,461
c Community Health Centres
I 1. Taluk Hq. Hospitals No’s 147
2. Beds No’s 15,220
II 1. Others Hospitals No’s 178
2. Beds No’s 5,340
III. 1. Total Hospitals No’s 325
2. Beds No’s 20,560
d 1. Primary Health Centres No’s 2,193
2. Beds No’s 10,639
e 1. Urban PHCs No’s 17
2. Beds No’s 102
f Sub centres No’s 8,143
g Total Beds No’s 51,807
A Handbook of Karnataka 632

h Sterilisation No’s 3,84,829

i Immunisation
1. DPT No’s 12,20,037
2. Polio No’s 12,19,377
3. B.C.G. No’s 12,30,702
4. Measles No’s 11,71,368
5. T.T. No’s 12,95,460
j 1. Indian System of Medicine No’s 105
Hospitals
2. Beds No’s 1,565
k Dispensaries (Coming under Indian No’s 659
System of Medicine)
l Drug Shops
1. Retail Shops No’s 16,455
2. Restricted Shops No’s 485
m Blood Banks No’s 169
12.1 Miscellaneous 2007-08
a No’s’s of Beneficiaries under SGSY No’s 7,226
(Groups)
b SGRY/NREGS Man days Generated lakhs 216.75
c Ashraya (Rural and Urban)-Houses No’s 2,29,310
constructed
d Dr. Ambedkar (Rural) Houses No’s 11,628
Constructed
e Houses constructed under Indira No’s 39,656
Avas Yojana
f Slum Development Programme
1. Population covered No’s 2,50,137
2. Houses Constructed No’s 2,027
g Saplings Planted In lakhs 646.483
h Bio gas plants set up No’s 3,573
i Anganwadi Centres No’s 54,260
j Yuvathi Mandals No’s 4,443
k Yuvak Mandals No’s 23,987
l Old Age Pensioners No’s 6,86,666
m Disabled Pensioners No’s 4,64,731
n Widow Pensioners No’s 7,71,165
o Government Pensioners No’s 4,41,536
12.2 Scheduled Caste Students Hostels
2007-08
a Government
1. a. Pre Matric No’s 1,263
b. Students No’s 87,370
2. a. Post Matric No’s 305
b. Students No’s 26,648
b Aided
1. a. Pre Matric No’s 249
Annexures 633

b. Students No’s 14,429

2. a. Post Matric No’s 90
b. Students No’s 7,460
12.3 Scheduled Tribe Student Hostels
2007-08
a Government
a. Pre Matric No’s 129
b. Students No’s 7,295
a. Post Matric No’s 28
b. Students No’s 1,700
b Aided
a. Pre Matric No’s 30
b. Students No’s 1,496
a. Post Matric No’s 5
b. Students No’s 250
12.4 Backward Class Student Hostels
2007-08
a Government
1. a. Pre Matric No’s 1,266
b. Students No’s 70,648
2. a. Post Matric No’s 300
b. Students No’s 23,685
b Aided
1. a. Pre matric No’s 231
b. Students No’s 12,283
2. a. Post Matric No’s 16
b. Students No’s 579
12.5 Excise
a Arrack Shops No’s 15,248
b Retail Shops No’s 3,698
c Clubs No’s 183
d Hotels and Boarding Houses No’s 370
e Bars No’s 3,378
f Defence Canteen No’s 62
g Others No’s 121
Consumption
a Arrack 000’ BL litres 43,959
b Liquor 000’ BL litres 2,80,387
c Beer 000’ BL litres 1,11,443
d Income from Excise Rs. Crores 4,811.93

Source : Karnataka At a Glance 2007-2008 D ES No’s:10/2008 Directorate of Economics

and Statistics, Bangalore. Web.:h ttp ://d es.kar.n ic.in
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Annexure -4 Seventeenth Quinquennial Livestock Census - 2003, Districtwise Livestock Population
(In No. s'
Sl.No. District Cattle Buffaloes Sheep
Cross Exotic Indigenous Total Cross Exotic Indigenous Total
Breed Breed
1 Bangalore -U 114195 1328 43685 159208 15246 4445 242 68203 72890
2 Bangalore - R 157233 59 259579 416871 75899 3931 186 269156 273273
3 Belgaum 65633 31 452615 518279 714791 0 910636 910636
4 Bellary 9326 9 359649 368984 188033 356 0 395029 395385
5 Bidar 13186 0 247994 261180 170052 0 66094 66094
6 Bijapur 2103 1 235881 237985 148193 0 275466 275466
7 Chickmagalur 32203 0 334360 366563 106870 21 18 62952 62991
8 Chitradurga 15941 52 298285 314278 183016 520 713581 714101
9 Dakshina 110387 159 233448 343994 26715 3 0 411 414
Kannada
10 Dharwad 27538 97 167297 194932 90028 229 0 33676 33905
11 Gulbarga 13464 3 804122 817589 224824 757 0 458194 458951
12 Hassan 90792 56 454583 545431 190631 7 4 154960 154971
13 Kodagu 22432 25 94058 116515 31616 3 0 413 416
14 Kolar 240566 4 230424 470994 120297 774 482 611669 612925
15 Mandya 104610 1 209805 314416 169658 38 0 350740 350778
16 Mysore 96130 107 428439 524676 70219 207 16 200232 200455
17 Raichur 12735 2 349977 362714 176940 0 381438 381438
18 Shimoga 60267 7 482673 542947 200133 31 0 14082 14113
19 Tumkur 62906 5 440888 503799 217528 9 29 884643 884681
20 Uttara Kannada 27044 0 312032 339076 110869 14 4 17478 17496
21 Bagalkote 18597 65 217047 235709 201081 0 408984 408984

634
22 Chamaraj anagar 84516 0 184771 269287 37752 0 117495 117495
 Annexures
23 Davanagere 74099 0 277221 351320 220470 105 15 205228 205348
24 Gadag 13533 0 131209 144742 61726 0 209556 209556
25 Haveri 37135 61 268794 305990 123400 99 3 198771 198873
26 Koppala 13067 48 216302 229417 97847 20 0 250581 250601
27 Udupi 90812 0 248222 339034 49998 0 5 5
State Total 1610450 2120 7983360 9595930 4023832 11049 1519 7259673 7272241

635
 A Handbook of Karnataka
SI. District Goats Pigs Dogs Rabbit Others Total Total
No. Cross Exotic Indegin- Total Livestock Poultry
Breed ious
1 Bangalore -U 31449 3231 1821 2424 7476 225620 2137 147 514173 640835
2 Bangalore - R 169712 2036 150 2411 4597 106521 142 893 1047908 3051953
3 Belgaum 518913 180 0 28049 28229 152872 396 9712 2853828 852456
4 Bellary 221827 145 0 15254 15399 69906 11 1052 1260597 2079119
5 Bidar 131248 54 0 21404 21458 47324 61 3118 700535 590104
6 Bijapur 322791 0 0 28095 28095 83463 26 1206 1097225 362535
7 Chickmagalur 47953 254 63 4887 5204 95745 186 279 685791 440853
8 Chitradurga 221354 1380 0 5951 7331 77146 41 6678 1523945 900413
9 Dakshina Kannada 17161 1603 231 6408 8242 207731 542 2 604801 891214
10 Dharwad 60528 80 0 6515 6595 44729 43 202 460962 309688
11 Gulbarga 563038 0 0 39995 39995 110182 86 2788 2217453 735736
12 Hassan 100325 158 30 3393 3581 95608 263 1005 1091815 766935
13 Kodagu 4472 7408 216 17124 24748 63634 181 50 241632 269826
14 Kolar 183888 806 87 14541 15434 190659 140 350 1594687 1592572
15 Mandya 209875 742 102 8724 9568 68601 329 201 1123426 735678
16 Mysore 160742 111 6 3067 3184 98602 159 201 1058235 1790677
17 Raichur 276093 87 0 11139 11226 68345 3 259 1277018 534610
18 Shimoga 60004 133 42 1076 1251 118977 233 144 937802 575696
19 Tumkur 322302 628 274 12411 13313 126414 465 7419 2075921 642382
20 Uttara Kannada 13579 78 14 1150 1242 118370 85 328 601045 574937
21 Bagalkote 267022 140 17 35598 35755 55141 28 1131 1204851 840646
22 Chamaraj anagar 106342 17 14 989 1020 40063 237 312 572508 228193
23 Davanagere 113389 10 16 3074 3100 76958 106 119 970810 1527541
24 Gadag 101197 20 0 11557 11577 35567 36 389 564790 140355
25 Haveri 128841 0 0 4965 4965 62861 98 720 825748 515769
26 Koppala 135421 73 26 6632 6731 48809 182 333 769341 2098271
27 Udupi 2007 314 27 776 1117 119337 186 0 511684 761815
State Total 4491473 19688 3136 297609 320433 2609185 6402 39038 28358534 24450809

636
I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 vO 00 SI Ol CO to I—1

Sl.No.
00 SI o\ Ol CO to I—1 o

Annexure -5
Bijapur
Bidar
Bellary
Belgaum
Bangalore - R
Bangalore -U
Shimoga
Raichur
Mysore
Mandya
Kolar
Kodagu
Hassan
Gulbarga
Dharwad
Kannada
D a k s h i n a
Chitradurga
Chickmagalur

District

Districtwise Number of Veterinary Institutions in Karnataka During the Year 2006-07

Veterinary Hospital
I—1 I—1 to to I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 to
o\ 00 00 CO I—1 si -p> Ol 00 CO SI & vO SI o o\ vO to
Regional Laboratories

o o o o I—1 o o o o o o o O o o o to o
Key Village Scheme

o o o o o to o o o I—1 o o i— 1 I—1 o o o o
Veterinary Dispensary
128

135

o\ Ol c* vO VO to SI ■£> CO ■£> o\ Ol SI SI SI Ol
o\ CO o\ CO 00 si CO Ol 00 CO to o -p> CO Ol
Primary Veterinary
117

o\ to SI o\ ■£> to SI I—1 ■£> o\ ■£> Ol I—1 I—1 Ol Ol to Centre

CO o 01 01 o 00 01 Ol to CO to 01 o o vO to
Artificial Intimation
I—1 I—1 I—1 I—1 CO I—1 I—1 CO to Centre
o ■£> o 00 to o o & si o I—1 to o I—1 o I—1 00 Ol
Intensive Cattle
Development Scheme
o o o o ■£> o o o o o o o o o o o\ o o
Key Village Scheme
I—1 I—1 I—1 sub centre
o SI vO o CO 00 o o o ■£> Ol Ol Ol SI o o
Sheep & Wool
Development Scheme
o o o o o o o o o o I—1 o I—1 o I—1 o o o Extension Centre
Sheep & Wool
I—1 Extension Centre
o o o o\ o o vO SI o o SI o SI o o\ o o o
Go Sadana

o o o o o I—1 o o o o o o o o o o o o
Sheep Breeders
Association
o o o o I—1 o o o o o o o o o o o o o
Mobile Veterinary
I—1 I—1 I—1 Centre
SI Ol SI SI I—1 CO 00 o Ol o\ SI Ol Ol SI o 00 CO

Total
215
201

204
293

245
162

172

107

105
142
135
132
104
113

199
127

vO SI
SI 01

samxauuy
 A Handbook of Karnataka
19 Tumkur 17 0 0 96 85 8 0 9 0 0 0 1 10 226
20 Uttara Kannada 13 0 1 77 20 0 9 7 0 0 0 0 11 138
21 Bagalkote 11 0 0 62 38 4 0 6 0 0 0 0 6 127
22 Chamaraj anagar 8 0 0 28 25 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 4 77
23 Davanagere 10 0 0 60 69 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 169
24 Gadag 8 0 0 49 11 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 82
25 Haveri 12 0 0 59 40 7 0 13 0 0 0 0 7 138
26 Koppala 9 0 0 45 14 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 77
27 Udupi 8 00 0 33 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 85
State Total 345 3 3 1762 1198 241 19 140 3 53 1 2 174 3947

638
Annexures 639

ANNEXURE-6 Karnataka India Basic Statistics 2007

Sl
Item Unit Year Karnataka India
No.
1 ADMINISTRATIVE
SETUP
1.1 Districts Nos 2001 593

1
2
9
1.2 Taluks Nos 2001 176 5470
1.3 Area in Sq.Km 2001 192 3287
1.4 No. of villages
(a) Inhabited Nos 2001 27481 593732
(b) Uninhabited Nos 2001 1925 44856
1.5 No. of towns Nos 2001 270 5161
2 Population Lakhs 2001 528 10287
a) Male population Lakhs 2001 269 5322
b) Female Population Lakhs 2001 259 4965
2.1 Rural Population Lakhs 2001 348 7426
Percentage of rural Percent 2001 66.01 72.19
population to total
population
2.2 Urban Population Lakhs 2001 180 2861
Percentage of urban percent 2001 33.99 27.81
population to total
population
2.3 Population per sq.km. Percent 2001 325

2
73
6 4
2.4 Urbanisation Percent 2001 28
2.5 Scheduled Castes Lakhs 2001 86 1666
2.6 Scheduled Tribes Lakhs 2001 35 843
2.7 Density (persons per No. 2001 276 325
sq.km)
2.8 Sex Ratio (Females per No. 2001 965 933
000 males)
2.9 Growth rate of % 1991­ 18 22
Population 2001
2.10 Estimated number of 000’Nos. 1991 1169 14218
child workers
2.11 Number and Percentage
of Population below
poverty line (Based on
URP - Consumption)#
RURAL
No of persons Lakhs 2004-05 75.05 2209.24
% of persons % 2004-05 20.8 28.3
Urban
No of persons Lakhs 2004-05 63.83 807.96
% of persons % 2004-05 32.6 25.7
Combined
No of persons Lakhs 2004.05 138.89 3017.2
% of persons % 2004-05 25.0 27.5
A Handbook of Karnataka 640

2.12 Number and Percentage

of Population below
poverty line (Based on
MRP - Consumption)#
RURAL
No of persons Lakhs 2004-05 43.33 1702.29
% of persons % 2004-05 12 21.8
Urban
No of persons Lakhs 2004-05 53.28 682
% of persons % 2004-05 27.2 21.7
Combined
No of persons Lakhs 2004-05 96.6 2384.99
% of persons % 2004-05 17.4 21.8
2.13 Literacy Rate Rural
Male In Percentage 70 71
Female In Percentage 48 46
Urban 2001
Census
Male In Percentage 86 86
Female In Percentage 74 73
Total
Male In Percentage 76 75
Female In Percentage 57 53
2.15 Birth rate (per 1000
Population)
a) Rural No. 2006 21.5 25.2
b) Urban No. 2006 17.7 18.8
c) Combined No. 2006 20.1 23.5
2.16 Death rate (Per 1000
Population)
a) Rural No. 2006 8 8.1
b) Urban No. 2006 5.5 6
c) Combined No. 2006 7.1 7.5
2.17 Infant mortality rate
(per 1000 live birth)
a) Rural No. 2006 53 62
b) Urban No. 2006 36 39
c) Combined No. 2006 48 57
2.18 Natural growth rate
a) Rural No. 2006 13.4 17.2
b) Urban No. 2006 12.2 12.8
c) Combined No. 2006 13 16
2.19 Under-5 mortality rate No. 2004 87 85
(per 1000 Live Birth)
2.2 Maternal mortality rate No. 2004 195 407
2.21 Total Fertility rate No. 2005 3.9 4.3
2.22 Expectation of life at
birth
Annexures 641

a) Male Years 2000-04 63.1 62.1

b) Female Years 2000-04 66.7 63.7
2.23 Economic classification
of the population:
(a) Main Workers In Numbers 2001 19364759 313004983
Census
(b) Marginal Workers In Numbers 2001 4170032 89229741
Census
(c) Non Workers In Numbers 29315771 626502712
(d) Cultivators In Numbers 2001 6883856 103626068
Census
(e) Agricultural Labourers In Numbers 2001 6226942 63497114
Census
(f) Household industry In Numbers 2001 959665 12206084
Workers Census
(g) Other Workers In Numbers 2001 9464328 133675717
Census
2.24 Population by religion
(a) Hindu 000 ‘s 2001 44321 827579
census
(b) Muslims 000 ‘s 2001 6463 138188
census
(c) Christians 000 ‘s 2001 1010 24080
census
(d) Sikhs 000 ‘s 2001 15 19216
census
(e) Buddhists 000 ‘s 2001 393 7955
census
(f) Jains 000 ‘s 2001 413 4225
census
(g) Others 000 ‘s 2001 236 7494
census
3 NATIONAL AND STATE 2005-06 2006-07
INCOME
3.1 Gross State Domestic Rs. in crores 30494 3790063
Product at current
prices
3.2 Gross State Domestic Rs. in crores 24211 2864309
Product at constant
prices
3.3 Net State Domestic Rs. in crores 14566 3355595
Product at current
prices
3.4 Net State Domestic Rs. in crores 11683 2549648
Product at constant
prices
3.5 Per Capita Net State Rs. 26015 29642
Domestic Product at
current prices
A Handbook of Karnataka 642

4 Gross Fiscal Deficit/

Surplus (R.E)##
Receipts Rs. in crores 2006-07 37996 534483
Expenditure Rs. in crores 2006-07 43368 648396
Surplus(+)/Deficit(-) Rs. in crores 2006-07 5372 -113913
4.1 Revenue Deficit/
Surplus (R.E)##
Revenue Receipts Rs. in crores 2006-07 37996 531429
Revenue Expenditure Rs. in crores 2006-07 35164 536995
Surplus(+)/Deficit(-) Rs. in crores 2006-07 2832 -5566
5 AGRICULTURE
5.1 PATTERN OF LAND
UTILISATION
(i) Reporting area for land 000’Hectares 2005-06 19050 305269
utilisation
(ii) Forests 000’Hectares 2005-06 3072 69785
(iii) Not available for 000’Hectares 2005-06 2137 42503
cultivation
(iv) Permanent pastures & 000’Hectares 2005-06 936 10415
other grazing lands
(v) Land under misc.tree 000’Hectares 2005-06 292 3376
crops & groves
(vi) Culturable wasteland 000’Hectares 2005-06 419 13123
(vii) Fallow lands other than 000’Hectares 2005-06 452 10504
current fallows
(viii) Current fallows 000’Hectares 2005-06 1233 13672
(ix) Net area sown 000’Hectares 2005-06 10509 141891
(x) Area sown more than 000’Hectares 2005-06 2517 50904
once
(xi) Total cropped area 000’Hectares 2005-06 13027 192796
5.2 Area,Production and
yield of important
Crops
I. CEREALS:
a) Rice:
i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 1395 43768
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 5744 91793
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 38.7 21.3
b) Jowar:
i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 1419 8473
ii) Production 00’0 tonne 2006-07 1665 7630
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 9.3 8.4
d) Maize:
i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 961 7894
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 2728 14710
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 28.3 19.1
e) Ragi
Annexures 643

i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 606 1177

ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 1724 2354
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 18.4 12.3
Total Cereals
i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 5077 100470
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 12525 195217
iii) Yield Qunitals/Ha 2006-07 17.2 19.7
(c) Other Pulses
i) Area 000’ Ha 2006-07 1122 12136
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 298 5046
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 8 11.7
e) Total Pulses
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 2369 23192
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 964 13384
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 3.8 6.1
e) Total foodgrains
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 7446 123662
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 13489 208602
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 13 17.6
(iii) Oil seeds
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 2354 26513
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 1715 27978
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 4.8 9.2
a) Groundnut
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 763 5615
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 671 7993
iii) Yield nuts in shells 2006-07 5 8.7
(iv) Cotton
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 376 9145
ii) Production 000’ Bales 2006-07 554 18499
iii) Yield Kgs/Ha 2006-07 2.8 4.2
(v) Sugarcane
i) Area 000’ ha 2006-07 326 5151
ii) Production 000’ tonne 2006-07 28670 355520
iii) Yield Quintals/Ha 2006-07 879.4 690.2
5.3 Agricultural implements 000’s 2003 31049 587255
and Machinery
(a) Ploughs (Wooden & 000’s 2003 14531 299530
Iron)
(b) Diesel engine pumpset 000’s 2003 1108 72374
(c) Electric pump used for 000’s 2003 6961 84483
irrigation
(d) Tractor used for 000’s 2003 612 23612
Agriculture
(e) Sugarcane crushers 000’s 2003 229 6243
(f) Animal carts 000’s 2003 7608 101013
6 LIVESTOCK
A Handbook of Karnataka 644

6.1 Live Stock Population Lakh Nos. 2003 28 485

6.2 Production of milk 000’ tonnes 2005-06 4002 97066
6.3 Veterinary Institutions
(a) Veterinaty Hospitals/ Nos 2007 295 8720
polyclinics
(b) Veterinary Dispensaries Nos 2007 1588 17820
Veterinary Aid Centre/
Stockmen
(c) Centre/Mobile Nos 2007 3774 25433
Dispensaries
7 Fisheris
7.1 Fish Catch 000’ tonnes 2004 292 6607
7.2 Fish Production 000’ tonnes 2006-07 310 6399
8 FORESTS
(a) Geographical Area Sq.Kms 2003 191791 3287263
(b) Total forest area Sq.Kms 2003 43084 774740
(c) Dense forest Sq.Kms 2003 22461 390564
(d) Open Forest Sq.Kms 2003 13988 287769
(e) Scrub Sq.Kms 2003 807 40269
(f) Non-forest Sq.Kms 2003 145566 2472254
(g) Reserved Forest Sq.Kms 2003 29550 399919
(h) Protected Forest Sq.Kms 2003 3585 238434
(i) Unclassified Forest Sq.Kms 2003 9949 136387
8.1 PRODUCTION OF
FOREST PRODUCE:
(a) Timber Cu.Metre 2001-02 54056 1753295
(b) Fuel wood Cu.Metre 2001-02 343153 2093869
NATIONAL PARK AND
WILD LIFE
8.2 SANCTUARIES
(a) National Park Nos 2001-02 5 90
(b) Wild life sanctuaries Nos 2001-02 21 502
9 SERICULTURE
9.1 Production of raw silk & 000’Kgs 2006-07
silk yarn
(a) Mulberry silk 000’Kgs 2006-07 7883 16525
(b) Non Mulberyy silk 000’Kgs 2006-07 0 18475
6.2 Silk Yarn 000’Kgs 2006-07
(a) Spun Silk Yarn 000’Kgs 2006-07 280 400
(b) Noll Yarn 000’Kgs 2006-07 56 200
10 Irrigation
10.1 Net area under
Irrigation by sources
CANALS
(i) Government 000’ Hectares 2005-06 1055 15268
(ii) Private 000’ Hectares 2005-06 - 207
(iii) Tanks 000’ Hectares 2005-06 190 2034
Annexures 645

(iv) Tube wells and other 000’ Hectares 2005-06 1351 35372
wells
(v) Other sources 000’ Hectares 2005-06 374 7314
TOTAL 2970 60195
10.2 Gross Area under
Irrigation by Crops
Rice 000’ Hectares 2005-06 1120 24516
Jowar 000’ Hectares 2005-06 132 782
Bajra 000’ Hectares 2005-06 39 862
Maize 000’ Hectares 2005-06 379 1623
Ragi 000’ Hectares 2005-06 44 97
Wheat 000’ Hectares 2005-06 130 23794
Total food grains 000’ Hectares 2005-06 1951 55478
Sugarcane 000’ Hectares 2005-06 416 4302
Oil seeds 000’ Hectares 2005-06 683 8664
Cotton 000’ Hectares 2005-06 60 3105
11 MININIG
No. of Reporting Mines
All Minerals Nos 2005-06 230 2970
Metallic Minerals Nos 2005-06 94 589
Non-Metallic Minerals Nos 2005-06 136 1809
12 INDUSTRIES
a)No. of factories Nos 2004-05 7596 136353
b) Fixed Capital Rs.crore 2004-05 38362 512346
c) Working Capital Rs.crore 2004-05 8482 160054
d) Productive Capital Rs.crore 2004-05 46844 672399
e) Invested Capital Rs.crore 2004-05 53757 758694
f) No. of workers Nos 2004-05 431196 6599298
g) Total Persons Nos 2004-05 553457 8453624
engaged
h) Net value Added Rs.crore 2004-05 20532 259907
13 POWER
13.1 Towns and Villages % 2001 27241 444961
Electrified Census
13.2 Installed Generation 000 KW 2004-05 5778 117594
13.3 Per capita consumption
(a) Utilities KWH 2004-05 448.9 354.3
(b) Non-Utilities KWH 2004-05 55.8 56.8
13.4 Electricity sold to Gwh 2004-05 24781.59 386133.66
ultimate consumers
(Utilities only)
14 BANKS
14.1 No. of offices Nos 2007 5176 70776
14.2 Deposits Rs.Crores 2007 133376 2091174
14.3 Credits Rs.Crores 2007 101258 1513842
14.4 Credit deposit ratio % 2007 76 72
15 CO-OPERATIVE
SOCIETIES
A Handbook of Karnataka 646

15.1 Credit Societies Nos. 2001-02 8124 146206

15.2 Non-credit Societies Nos. 2001-02 18175 243874
15.3 Membership
(a) Credit Societies 000’ no. 2001-02 9669 158488
(b) Non-credit Societies 000’ no. 2001-02 5917 50834
16 MOTOR VEHICLES 2003-04 3976584 72717785
(a) Two wheelers IN NOS 2003-04 2732674 51921973
(b) Autorickshaws IN NOS 2003-04 190362 2167262
(c) Jeeps IN NOS 2003-04 41024 1282113
(d) Cars IN NOS 418181 7257624
(e) Taxis IN NOS 2003-04 40839 911289
(f) Buses IN NOS 2003-04 66223 767593
(g) Goods vehicles IN NOS 2003-04 192351 3748546
(h) Miscellaneous IN NOS 2003-04 294930 4661385
(B) Working of State
Transport Undertakings
(i) Fleet Strength Nos 2004-05 9379 102526
(ii) Vehicles in bus Nos 2004-05 9054 95111
scheduled service
(iii) Kilometres performed Lakh Km 2004-05 39889 425490
(iv) Gross revenue receipts Rs.Lakhs 2004-05 1498 14346
(v) Current expenditure Rs.Crores 2004-05 957 12078
(vi) Net Revenue Rs.Crores 2004-05 541 2268
17 ROADS
(A) TOTAL AND SURFACED
ROAD LENGTH
Gross Total
(i) Total KMS 2002(P) 152599 2483344
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 104241 1420489
(ii) Highways
Total KMS 2002(P) 126609 1981409
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 86722 1175353
(iii) Urban Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 9066 250122
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 7315 190102
(iv) Project Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 16924 225116
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 10154 55034
(B) LENGTH OF HIGHWAYS
BY AUTHORITIES
(i) National Highways
Total KMS 2002(P) 3570 58112
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 3570 58006
(ii) State Highways
Total KMS 2002(P) 9829 137711
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 9823 135546
(iii) Other PWD Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 28286 725425
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 28181 603358
(iv) Zilla Parishad Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 80259 499462
Annexures 647

Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 44670 283382

(v) Village Panchayat KMS 2002(P) 4665 412595
Roads Total
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 528 57338
(C) LENGTH OF
URBAN ROADS BY
AUTHORITIES
(i) Muncipal Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 8366 226706
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 6687 168719
(ii) Railways Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 194 10325
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 170 8510
(iii) Ports Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 199 1173
Surfaced 2002(P) 154 1090
(iv) Military Engineering
Service Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 307 11918
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 304 11783
Total Urban Roads
Total KMS 2002(P) 9066 250122
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 7315 190102
(D) Length of project roads KMS
by authorities
Total Project Road
Total KMS 2002(P) 16924 225116
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 10154 55034
1 Forest Department
Total KMS 2002(P) 2582 130346
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 505 13916
2 Irrigation Department
Total KMS 2002(P) 9731 61627
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 6250 19496
3 Electricity Department
Total KMS 2002(P) 241 4369
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 160 3984
4 Steel Authority
Total KMS 2002(P) 121 2470
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 118 2249
5 Sugar Cane
Development Authority
Total KMS 2002(P) 4249 23319
Surfaced KMS 2002(P) 3121 12570
(E) Surfaced length of KMS 2002(P) 3570 58006
National Highways
A Handbook of Karnataka 648

(F) Surfaced Length of KM 2002(P) 9823 135546

State Highways
(G) Length of National 2002-03 3570 58112
highways
18 EDUCATION
18.1 Board of Education Nos 2004-05 2 41
18.2 Schools for general
education
(a) Primary/Jr.Basic Nos 2004-05 26645 767520
(b) Middle/Sr.basic Nos 2004-05 26816 274731
(c) High/Higher Secondary Nos 2004-05 11818 152049
School
(d) Schools for Vocational Nos 2004-05 741 5114
Professional
(e) Schools for special Nos 2004-05 179 1171
Education
(f) Arts Nos 2004-05 240055 4729048
(g) Science Nos 2004-05 87532 2142325
(h) Commerce Nos 2004-05 128099 1885539
18.3 No. of Scholars by
courses
(i) Primary (I to V) Nos 2004-05 5883907 130763067
(ii) Middle(VI to VIII) Nos 2004-05 2946302 51245426
(iii) High/Higher Secondary Nos 2004-05 2139240 37075386
School (IX-XII)
(iv) Schools for Vocational Nos 2004-05 132949 1123011
Professional
(v) Schools for other Nos 2004-05 290736 3095099
Education
19 HEALTH
(a) Hospitals No. 2007 868 7663
(b) Dispensaries No. 2006 638 22291
(c) Beds 000’ Nos. 2007 43 493
(d) No. of Doctors Nos 2005 68987 660856
possessisng Recognised
Medical qualification
(Under IMC Act) and
Registered with State
Medical Councils **
(e) General Nursing Nos 2005 77596 908962
Midwives
(f) Auxilary Nursing Nos 2005 27712 521593
Midwives
(g) Health visitors and No. 2005 7797 50715
Health Supervisors
19.1 ACHIEVEMENTS OF
FAMILY WELFARE
PROGRAMME
(a) No.of sterilisation Nos 2006-07 375303 4514092
Annexures 649

(b) No. of IUD Insertions Nos 2006-07 291134 5945859

(c ) No. of conventional Nos 2006-07 475895 35725995
contraceptive users
20 POST AND
TELECOMMUNICATION
20.1 Post Offices No. 2005-06 9864 155333
20.2 Distance over which Km 2005-06 1279516 27770350
mails carried
20.3 Telephones installed 000’ Nos. 2005-06 2534 76540
20.4 Telephone Exchanges No. 2005-06 2710 24869
20.5 Letter boxes No 2005-06 32684 601319
20.6 Indian Money Orders 000’s 2005-06 16236 95790
issued
21 LABOUR AND
EMPLOYMENT
21.1 Estimated employment 000’s 2004-05 1862.1 26458.4
in Public Sector
Central Government 000’s 2004-05 98.5 2938.5
State Government 000’s 2004-05 570.9 7201.9
21.2 QUASI GOVERNMENT
Central 000’s 2004-05 167.9 3284.7
State 000’s 2004-05 156.8 2463.6
21.3 LOCAL BODIES 000’s 2004-05 65.2 2117.9
21.4 PVT SECTOR
Larger Estts 000’s 2004-05 727.4 7489.1
Smaller Estts 000’s 2004-05 75.4 962.7
21.5 EMPLOYMENT
IN SHOPS AND
COMMERCIAL
ESTABLISHMENTS
SHOPS
Number 000’s 2004-05 168 3697
Worker 000’s 2004-05 197 2867
21.6 COMMERCIAL
ESTABLISHMENTS
Number 000’s 2004-05 69 662
Worker 000’s 2004-05 327 2338
21.7 RESTAURANTS AND
THEATRES
Number 000’s 2004-05 16 201
Worker 000’s 2004-05 81 689
21.8 ALL ESTABLISHMENTS
Number 000’s 2004-05 253 4560
Worker 000’s 2004-05 605 5894
21.9 PERFORMANCE
OF EMPLOYMENT
EXCHANGES
(a) Employment exchanges 000’s 2006 40 947
A Handbook of Karnataka 650

(b) Registrations 000’s 2006 105 7290

(c) Vacancies notified 000’s 2006 4 358
(d) Submissions 000’s 2006 32 3030
(e) Placements 000’s 2006 2 177
(f) Live Registrations 000’s 2006 1489 41466
21.10 Industrial Disputes
No of disputes Nos 2005 17 456
No of workers involved Nos 2005 563324 2913601
No of Mandays lost Nos 2005 3619378 29664999
TOTAL PLAN OUTLAY
22 Tenth Plan 43560 561573
1. Agriculture and Allied Rs.Crs. 2002-07 2347 37514
activities
2. Rural Development Rs.Crs. 2002-07 2228 50262
3. Special area Rs.Crs. 2002-07 641 6265
Programme
4. Irrigation and Flood Rs.Crs. 2002-07 14177 91850
Control
5. Energy Rs.Crs. 2002-07 2267 90738
6. Industry and Rs.Crs. 2002-07 1453 14866
Minerals
7. Transport Rs.Crs. 2002-07 4854 56878
8. Science & Rs.Crs 2002-07 26 3953
Environment
9.General Economic Rs.Crs 2002-07 896 18356
Services
10.Social Services Rs.Crs 2002-07 14183 174094
11. General Services Rs.Crs 2002-07 488 16797
22.1 ACTUAL EXPENDITURE 8619.15 89090.15
1. Agriculture and allied Rs.Crs. 2003-04 375 5040.79
activities
2. Rural Development Rs.Crs. 2003-04 314 8206.33
3. Special Area Rs.Crs. 2003-04 37 1733.12
Programme
4. Irrigation and Flood Rs.Crs. 2003-04 2413.31 14173.57
control
5. Energy Rs.Crs. 2003-04 1275.8 16120.37
6. Industry and Rs.Crs. 2003-04 143.1 1943.05
Minerals
7. Transport Rs.Crs. 2003-04 972.83 9354.79
8. Science and Rs.Crs. 2003-04 6.72 184.29
Technology
9. General Economic Rs.Crs. 2003-04 343.65 2424.38
Services
10. Social services Rs.Crs. 2003-04 2652.09 27234.06
11. General Services Rs. Crs 2003-04 83.55 2675.39
22.2 Revised Approved 11741.15 112520.59
Outlay 2004-05
Annexures 651

1. Agriculture and allied Rs.Crs. 801.01 5944.55

activities
2. Rural Development Rs.Crs. 571.18 11195.58
3. Special Area Rs.Crs. 60 4176.23
Programme
4. Irrigation and Flood Rs.Crs. 3282.46 20074.39
control
5. Energy Rs.Crs. 1629.4 15849.95
6. Industry and Rs.Crs. 142.26 2270.18
Minerals
7. Transport Rs.Crs. 1664.05 11302.95
8. Science and Rs.Crs. 11.29 320.47
Technology
9. General Economic Rs.Crs. 238.51 3051.64
Services
10. Social services Rs.Crs. 3221.71 36686.2
11. General Services Rs. Crs 119.28 1648.45
22.3 Approved Outlay 12322.92 117726.27
1. Agriculture and allied Rs.Crs. 2005-06 857.52 7248.06
activities
2. Rural Development Rs.Crs. 2005-06 683.64 12249.34
3. Special Area Rs.Crs. 2005-06 94 4546.52
Programme
4. Irrigation and Flood Rs.Crs. 2005-06 3942.41 26356.97
control
5. Energy Rs.Crs. 2005-06 1853.92 18548.3
6. Industry and Rs.Crs. 2005-06 143.18 3209.02
Minerals
7. Transport Rs.Crs. 2005-06 1629.94 15892.87
8. Science and Rs.Crs. 2005-06 23.61 436.33
Technology
9. General Economic Rs.Crs. 2005-06 376.51 5459.88
Services
10. Social services Rs.Crs. 2005-06 3766.59 46867.66
11. General Services Rs. Crs 2005-06 183.69 2190.96
23 CRIMES
(A) INCIDENCE OF 2006 117710 1878293
COGNIZABLE CRIME
under IPC
(i) Murder Nos 2006 1627 32481
(ii) Dacoity Nos 2006 202 4747
(iii) Robbery Nos 2006 1349 18456
(iv) Burglary Nos 2006 5967 91666
(v) Theft Nos 2006 14901 274354
(vi) Riots Nos 2006 6183 56641
(vii) Other Crimes Nos 2006 87481 1399948
JUVENILE’S
DELINQUENCY IPC
A Handbook of Karnataka 652

(B) CASES Nos 2006 77 4257

(i) Murder Nos 2006 9 605
(iii) Rape Nos 2006 12 656
(vi) Robbery Nos 2006 11 321
(vii) Burglary Nos 2006 45 2675
(C) STRENGTH OF POLICE 2006 52052 1406021
FORCE
(a) Civil Nos 2006 48011 1091899
(b) Armed Nos 2006 4041 314122
24 ACCIDENTS 2006 11228 314704
24.1 Natrual causes Nos 2006 2305 21502
24.2 Unnatural causes 2006 8923 293202
25 HOUSING
25.1 No. of Occupied Total 2001 9551113 179275605
Residential Houses Census
25.2 No. of Households Total 2001 10401918 193579954
Census
25.3 No.of Households per Total 2001 109 108
100 occupied residential Census
houses
25.4 No of persons per % 2001 508 531
household Census
26 ELECTION TO VIDHAN 2008 2006**
SABHA
(a) No.of constituenices Nos 224 824
(b) No. of electors Nos 40327007 134345929
(c) No.of votes polled Nos 26111926 101812719
(d) Percentage of votes Nos 64.75 75.78
polled
Composition/Allocation
of seats in the
(B) RajyaSabha$
(a) No. of Members Nos 2006 12 245
(b) No. of women members Nos 2006 1 25
27 Newspapers and 3231 62483
periodicals
(a) Dailies Nos 2005-06 583 6800
(b) Tri/biweeklies Nos 2005-06 12 368
(c) Weeklies Nos 2005-06 691 21451
(d) Fortnightlies Nos 2005-06 483 8224
(e) Monthlies Nos 2005-06 1210 18499
(f) Quarterlies Nos 2005-06 155 4336
(g) Annual Nos 2005-06 8 579
(h) Other Periodicals Nos 2005-06 89 2226

** data relates to Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Pondichery legislative
Assembly constituencies Source: $ Rajya Sabha Secretariat and Chief Electrol Officer,
Karnataka
Statistical Abstract of India 2007, 43rd edition, Ministry of Statistics, Government of
India
 Annexures
ANNEXURE-7 Taluk wise Particulars o f Karnatka state (2001 census)

Sex Ratio
Density
Area in sq No of No of No of
Taluks Total Male Female population
km females per Villages Towns
per sq km
1000 males
Pattanagere 96,385 51,307 45,078 33.48 2,879 879 - 1
Bangalore (City
43,01,326 22,42,835 20,58,491 221.32 19,435 918 - 1
Corporation)
Bangalore North 8,30,061 4,40,822 3,89,239 563.48 1,473 883 225 6
Bangalore South 10,09,924 5,32,611 4,77,313 796.22 1,268 896 241 8
Anekal 2,99,428 1,59,024 1,40,404 530.93 564 883 233 3
Bangalore Urban
65,37,124 34,26,599 31,10,525 2,190.00 2,985 908 699 19
District
Nelamangala 1,74,880 89,473 85,407 509.93 343 955 243 1
Doddaballapur 2,68,332 1,37,541 1,30,791 779.87 344 951 297 2
Devanahalli 1,85,326 95,288 90,038 448.12 414 945 214 2
Hoskote 2,22,430 1,15,187 1,07,243 546.95 407 931 296 1
Bangalore Rural
District
Mahalingapura 30,858 15,603 15,255 9.8 3,149 978 0 1
Jamakhnadi 4,08,441 2,07,904 2,00,537 1,168.08 350 965 71 3
Bilgi 1,41,996 71,271 70,725 776.38 183 992 71 1
Mudhol 2,44,316 1,23,461 1,20,855 975.72 250 979 78 1
Badami 2,91,824 1,46,424 1,45,500 1,374.71 212 994 149 3
Bagalkot 2,47,271 1,25,122 1,22,149 937.91 264 976 96 1
Hungund 2,87,086 1,44,462 1,42,624 1,359.04 211 987 162 2
Bagalkot District 16,51,892 8,34,247 8,17,645 6,575.00 251 980 627 12
Belgaum 8,15,581 4,18,609 3,96,972 1,036.86 787 948 120 5

653
Khanapur 2,43,185 1,22,111 1,21,074 1,732.17 140 992 219 2
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Sampagaon 3,56,286 1,80,807 1,75,479 1,122.44 317 971 132 1
Parasgad 3,11,693 1,58,422 1,53,271 1,578.54 197 967 132 1
Ramadurg 2,27,412 1,15,286 1,12,126 1,206.03 189 973 115 1
Chikodi 5,67,601 2,90,943 2,76,658 1,271.70 446 951 131 3
Athani 4,61,862 2,36,878 2,24,984 1,994.96 232 950 108 1
Raybagh 3,47,600 1,78,825 1,68,775 957.95 363 944 59 2
Gokak 5,26,092 2,66,630 2,59,462 1,543.27 341 973 131 4
Hukkeri 3,57,193 1,81,579 1,75,614 991.49 360 967 123 2
Belgaum District 42,14,505 21,50,090 20,64,415 13,415.00 314 960 1,270 22
Hadagali 1,68,118 85,051 83,067 947.82 177 977 57 1
Hagari 1,59,886 80,770 79,116 973.95 164 980 56 -
Bommanahalli
Hospet 3,74,949 1,89,674 1,85,275 904.17 415 977 74 3
Shiraguppa 2,35,344 1,17,731 1,17,613 1,036.17 227 999 84 2
Bellary 6,25,494 3,19,008 3,06,486 1,688.59 370 961 103 1
Sandur 1,91,166 98,278 92,888 1,152.42 166 945 89 2
Kudligi 2,72,183 1,39,202 1,32,981 1,618.87 168 955 91 2
Bellary District 20,27,140 10,29,714 9,97,426 8,450.00 240 969 554 11
Basavakalyan 2,99,910 1,52,998 1,46,912 1,202.97 249 960 115 1
Bhalki 2,57,042 1,32,016 1,25,026 1,117.20 230 947 133 1
Aurad 2,45,294 1,25,739 1,19,555 1,227.20 200 951 152 1
Bidar 4,05,540 2,09,230 1,96,310 925.19 438 938 134 1
Humnabad 2,94,587 1,51,039 1,43,548 987.56 298 950 87 2
Bidar District 15,02,373 7,71,022 7,31,351 5,448.00 276 949 621 6
Gundlupet 2,13,082 1,07,395 1,05,687 1,392.88 153 984 158 1
Chamaraj anagar 3,37,571 1,70,225 1,67,346 1,226.67 275 983 184 1
Yelandur 77,971 39,663 38,308 266.34 293 966 28 1

654
 Annexures
Kollegal 3,36,838 1,72,657 1,64,181 2,785.82 121 951 139 1
Chamar aj anagar 9,65,462 4,89,940 4,75,522 5,101.00 189 971 509 4
District
Bijapur 5,69,348 2,92,687 2,76,661 2,634.32 216 945 118 1
Indi 3,53,987 1,83,615 1,70,372 2,221.40 159 928 133 1
Sindhagi 3,26,655 1,67,295 1,59,360 2,176.72 150 953 148 1
Basavana Bagevadi 3,03,290 1,54,766 1,48,524 1,944.61 156 960 125 1
Muddebihal 2,53,638 1,28,061 1,25,577 1,501.41 169 981 153 2
Bijapur District 18,06,918 9,26,424 8,80,494 10,494.00 172 950 677 6
Gauribidanur 2,71,119 1,38,328 1,32,791 889.51 305 960 239 1
Chikkaballapur 1,91,122 97,239 93,883 601.81 318 965 251 1
Gudibande 51,828 26,159 25,669 225.43 230 981 105 1
Bagepalli 1,69,689 86,426 83,636 927.83 183 972 229 1
Shidlaghatta 1,93,965 98,426 95,539 662.9 293 971 290 1
Chintamani 2,71,284 1,38,311 1,32,973 902.72 301 961 400 1
Chikkaballapur
District
Sringeri 36,930 18,538 18,392 442.83 83 992 49 1
Koppa 87,780 44,015 43,765 572.21 153 994 80 1
Nar as imharaj apu r 65,639 32,559 33,080 744.14 88 1,016 58 1
T arikere 2,24,170 1,13,537 1,10,633 1,216.18 184 974 249 1
Kadur 2,89,406 1,46,266 1,43,140 1,414.27 205 979 312 2
Chikkamagalur 2,95,565 1,49,158 1,46,407 1,613.29 183 982 229 1
Mudigere 1,14,415 70,838 70,577 1,162.43 122 996 140 2
Chikkamagalur 11,40,905 5,74,911 5,65,994 7,201.00 158 984 1,117 9
District
Molakalmuru 1,26,742 65,187 61,555 738.45 172 944 89 1

655
Challakere 3,32,718 1,70,337 1,62,381 2,016.89 165 953 195 1
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Chitradurga 3,76,506 1,93,371 1,83,135 1,359.87 277 947 190 1
Holalkere 1,97,766 1,00,809 96,957 1,088.48 182 962 202 1
Hosadurga 2,19,445 1,11,339 1,08,106 1,324.13 166 971 225 1
Hiriyur 2,64,719 1,35,178 1,29,541 1,692.08 156 958 158 1
Chitradurga District 15,17,896 7,76,221 7,41,675 8,440.00 180 955 1,059 6
Mangalore 8,82,856 4,34,702 4,48,154 842.72 1,048 1,031 88 14
Bantwal 3,61,554 1,78,664 1,82,890 735.6 492 1,024 79 3
Belthangady 2,46,494 1,21,288 1,25,206 1,375.52 179 1,032 80 1
Puttur 2,66,072 1,32,786 1,33,286 995.19 267 1,004 67 1
Sullya 1,40,754 70,994 69,760 827.74 170 983 40 1
Dakshina Kannada
18,97,730 9,38,434 9,59,296 4,560.00 416 1,022 354 20
District
Harihar 2,45,654 1,26,128 1,19,526 484.62 507 948 84 1
Harapanahalli 2,68,793 1,37,608 1,31,185 1,436.72 187 953 80 1
Jagalur 1,58,883 80,954 77,929 963.35 165 963 171 1
Davanagere 6,02,523 3,09,642 2,92,881 956.58 630 946 166 1
Honnali 2,22,592 1,13,577 1,09,015 884.74 252 960 173 1
Channagiri 2,92,507 1,49,796 1,42,711 1,170.86 250 953 249 1
Davanagere District 17,90,952 9,17,705 8,73,247 5,924.00 302 952 923 6
Hubli-Dharwad 3,36,838 1,72,657 1,64,181 213.42 1,578 951 - 1
Dharwad 2,18,961 1,12,239 1,06,722 999 219 951 118 1
Navalgund 1,76,648 90,360 86,288 1080.78 163 955 58 2
Hubli 1,28,380 66,000 62,380 620.74 207 945 58 -

Kalghatgi 1,37,016 70,780 66,236 682.44 201 936 87 1

Kundgol 1,57,053 80,740 76,313 648.5 242 945 58 1
Dharwad District 16,04,253 8,23,204 7,81,049 4,260.00 377 949 379 6
Nargund 92,679 47,286 45,393 435.67 231 960 35 1

656
 Annexures
Ron 2,47,645 1,24,658 1,22,987 1,295.09 191 987 93 3
gadag 3,32,011 1,68,887 1,63,124 1,097.53 303 966 64 2
Shirhatti 1,83,191 93,284 89,907 949.34 193 964 87 2
Mundargi 1,16,309 59,418 56,891 885.5 131 957 1
Gadag District 9,71,835 4,93,533 4,78,302 4,656.00 209 969 337 9
Aland 2,97,136 1,52,233 1,44,903 1,734.07 171 952 136 1
Afzalpur 1,80,071 92,538 87,533 1,304.74 138 946 93 1
Gulbarga 6,75,679 3,48,665 3,27,014 1,734.53 390 938 140 1
Chincholi 2,23,646 1,13,309 1,10,337 1,552.20 144 974 148 1
Sedam 1,96,154 97,709 98,445 1,036.17 189 1,008 117 2
Chittapur 3,66,802 1,86,390 1,80,412 1,767.55 208 968 125 5
Jewargi 2,35,254 1,19,598 1,15,656 1,825.71 129 967 159 1
Surapur 3,36,755 1,70,092 1,66,663 1,838.18 183 980 201 1
Shahapur 2,93,518 1,48,319 1,45,199 1,687.07 174 979 154 2
Yadgiri 3,25,907 1,63,936 1,61,971 1,709.16 191 988 164 2
Gulbarga District 31,30,922 15,92,789 15,38,133 16,224.00 193 966 1,437 17
Sakleshpur 1,34,345 66,380 67,965 1,028.42 131 1,024 227 1
Belur 1,83,755 91,744 92,011 783.13 235 1,003 383 1
Arsikere 3,03,044 1,52,106 1,50,938 1,257.39 241 992 369 1
Hassan 3,61,147 1,18,057 1,80,090 940.81 384 995 391 2
Alur 86,071 42,887 43,184 434.35 198 1,007 259 1
Arkalgud 1,99,958 99,764 1,00,194 674.74 296 1,004 296 1
Holenarasipur 1,75,244 87,575 87,669 602.31 291 1,001 249 1
Channarayapatna 2,78,105 1,37,573 1,40,532 1,044.18 266 1,022 385 1
Hassan District 17,21,669 8,59,086 8,62,583 6,814.00 253 1,004 2,559 9
Shiggaon 1,66,742 86,112 80,630 589.23 283 936 92 2

657
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Hanagal 2,30,750 1,18,161 1,12,589 767.78 301 953 151 1
Haveri 2,52,347 1,30,230 1,22,117 799.54 316 938 89 1
Byadgi 1,27,944 65,765 62,179 436.57 293 945 66 1
Hirekerur 2,12,458 1,08,829 1,03,629 806.92 263 952 128 1
Ranibennur 3,04,990 1,57,019 1,47,971 904.56 337 942 107 2
Haveri District 14,39,116 7,40,469 6,98,647 4,823.00 298 944 698 9
Madikeri 1,42,012 70,987 71,025 1,492.32 95 1,001 67 1
Somvarpet 2,05,921 1,02,739 1,03,182 989.67 208 1,004 135 2
Virajpet 2,00,628 1,01,105 99,523 1,619.84 124 984 94 2
Kodagu District 5,48,561 2,74,831 2,73,730 4,102.00 134 996 296 5
Srinivaspur 1,84,721 93,631 91,090 865.94 213 973 347 1
Kolar 3,42,593 1,73,913 1,68,680 792.95 432 970 361 1
Malur 2,07,009 1,05,047 1,01,962 644.33 321 971 363 1
Bangarpet 4,21,437 2,12,592 2,08,845 860.5 490 982 383 2
Mulbagil 2,31,302 1,16,494 1,14,808 820.24 282 986 343 1
Kolar District
Yelburga 2,36,373 1,19,264 1,17,109 1,489.66 159 982 144 1
Kushtagi 2,39,331 1,20,621 1,18,710 1,370.38 175 984 177 1
Gangavathi 4,06,334 2,04,356 2,01,978 1,311.21 310 988 157 1
Koppal 3,14,051 1,59,071 1,54,980 1,364.25 230 974 151 2
Koppal District 11,96,089 6,03,312 5,92,777 7,189.00 166 983 629 5
Shrirangapattana 1,62,984 82,625 80,359 352.43 462 973 96 1
Mandya 4,05,612 2,05,798 1,99,814 719.1 564 971 183 1
Maddur 2,90,783 1,46,707 1,44,076 617.24 471 982 160 1
Malavalli 2,81,809 1,43,422 1,38,387 812.14 347 965 186 1
Krishnaraj asagar 8,493 4,307 4,186 3.47 2,448 972 - 1

658
Krishnarajpet 2,48,245 1,23,531 1,24,714 886.04 280 1,010 316 1
 Annexures
Nagamangala 1,90,770 94,186 96,584 1,031.14 185 1,025 367 1
Pandavapura 1,75,009 87,458 87,551 542.7 322 1,001 171 1
Mandya District 17,63,705 8,88,034 8,75,671 4,961.00 356 986 1,479 8
Lingasugur 3,21,042 1,62,628 1,58,414 1,948.05 165 974 191 4
Devadurga 2,22,457 1,12,245 1,10,212 1,507.95 148 982 188 1
Raichur 4,35,380 2,20,675 2,14,705 1,534.69 284 973 160 2
Manvi 3,30,719 1,66,063 1,64,656 1,792.91 184 992 171 1
Sindhanur 3,60,164 1,80,229 1,79,935 1,598.74 225 998 176 1
Raichur District 16,69,762 8,41,840 8,27,922 6,827.00 245 983 886 9
Piriyapatna 2,24,254 1,15,849 1,08,405 785.5 285 936 1 6
Hunsur 2,53,926 1,29,409 1,24,517 900.08 282 962 1 21
Krishnaraj anagar 2,39,199 1,20,481 1,18,718 596.76 401 985 1 22
Mysore 10,38,490 5,29,531 5,08,959 828.31 1,254 961 4 12
Heggadevanakote 2,45,930 1,24,705 1,21,225 1,622.40 152 972 1 38
Nanjangud 3,60,223 1,82,528 1,77,695 991.08 363 974 1 14
Tirumakudal
2,79,005 1,42,167 1,36,838 598.21 466 963 2 9
Narasipur
Mysore District 26,41,027 13,44,670 12,96,357 6,854.00 385 964 11 122
Magadi 2,02,417 1,01,820 1,00,597 809.03 250 988 286 1
Ramanagara 2,38,347 1,22,083 1,16,264 632.68 377 952 133 1
Channapattana 2,52,574 1,27,071 1,25,503 542.87 465 988 145 1
Kanakapura 3,37,208 1,73,720 1,63,488 1,591.00 212 941 259 1
Ramanagara
District
Sagar 2,00,995 1,00,977 1,00,018 1,926.76 104 991 238 2
Sorab 1,85,572 94,267 91,305 1,146.67 162 969 306 1
Shikaripur 2,13,590 1,08,344 1,05,246 908.11 235 971 176 2

659
 A Handbook of Karnataka
Hosnagar 1,15,000 57,392 57,608 1,417.91 81 1,004 204 1
Thirthahalli 1,43,207 70,734 72,473 1,188.95 120 1,025 247 1
Shimoga 4,45,192 2,26,928 2,18,264 1,141.70 390 962 214 1
Bhadravathi 3,38,989 1,71,917 1,67,072 673.79 503 972 145 1
Shimoga District 16,42,545 8,30,559 8,11,986 8,477.00 194 978 1,530
Tumkur 5,16,661 2,68,341 2,48,320 1,013.64 510 925 373 1
Gubbi 2,56,413 1,29,982 1,26,731 1,220.99 210 977 346 1
Tiptur 2,17,124 1,09,799 1,07,325 804.49 270 977 231 1
Turuvekere 1,74,297 87,091 87,206 767.82 227 1,001 243
Kunigal 2,36,030 1,16,616 1,19,414 985.26 240 1,024 314 1
Chikkanayakanahalli 2,09,622 1,05,559 1,04,063 1,115.23 188 986 234 1
Sira 3,01,473 1,53,733 1,47,740 1,558.93 193 961 249 1
Pavagada 2,46,255 1,25,798 1,20,457 1,357.91 181 958 147 1
Madhugiri 2,65,884 1,35,320 1,30,564 1,128.70 236 965 320 1
Koratagere 1,60,952 81,862 79,090 643.35 250 966 251 1
Tumkur District 25,84,711 13,13,801 12,70,910 10,597.00 244 967 2,708 11
Kundapur 3,77,420 1,74,455 2,02,965 1,559.72 242 1,163 99 1
Udupi 5,29,225 2,51,021 2,78,204 929.24 570 1,108 99
Karkala 2,05,598 96,755 1,08,843 1,072.37 192 1,125 50 1
Udupi District 11,12,243 5,22,231 5,90,012 3,880.00 287 1,130 248
Sirsi 1,75,550 89,286 86,264 1,322.32 133 966 222 1
Ankola 1,01,549 51,398 50,151 904.79 112 976 81 1
Kumta 1,45,826 73,834 71,992 590.45 247 975 118 1
Siddapur 1,00,870 51,107 49,763 947.27 119 974 196 1
Honnavar 1,60,331 80,018 80,313 756.15 212 1,004 93 1
Bhatkal 1,49,338 73,740 75,598 355.5 420 1,025 60 2

660
 Annexures
Dandeli 53,290 27,249 26,041 8.52 6,255 956 - 1
Karwar 1,47,890 75,160 72,730 724.12 204 968 52 1
Supa 48,914 24,590 24,324 1,910.44 26 989 120 -
Haliyal 1,05,851 53,895 51,956 839.1 126 964 129 2
Yellapur 73,497 37,626 35,871 1,298.75 57 953 127 1
Mundgol 90,738 48,973 41,765 667.44 136 853 91 1
Uttara Kannada
13,53,644 6,86,876 6,66,768 10,291.00 132 971 1,289 13
District

661
A Handbook of Karnataka 662

Appendix - 8 Election To Zilla Parishads

(Numbers)
Year/District Total Seats Seats Seat Total votes No. of Valid
seats reserved reserved reserved polled votes polled
for SCs for women for SC/
& STs ST
women
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1999-2000 890 212 339 94 1,57,44,960 1,49,75,729
1. Bagalkote 26 5 10 3 4,96,051 4,76,354
2. Bangalore 17 5 7 3 3,88,553 3,77,459
3. Bangalore (R) 38 9 15 4 7,84,207 7,63,923
4.Belgaum 76 11 27 4 13,38,371 12,81,824
5.Bellary 32 10 12 4 8,03,686 7,76,626
6. Bidar 26 9 9 3 4,61,639 4,42,857
7.Bijapur 32 7 12 3 5,80,680 5,58,877
8.Chamaraj- 21 6 9 3 4,01,794 3,80,509
nagar
9. Chikmagalur 30 7 12 3 3,65,585 3,47,879
10. Chitradurga 31 13 12 5 6,02,545 5,77,761
11. Dakshina 31 4 12 2 5,02,502 4,87,130
Kannada
12.Davanagere 31 11 13 5 5,97,858 5,71,670
13.Dharwad 18 2 8 2 3,06,609 2,90,687
14. Gadag 17 4 7 2 2,80,859 2,70,194
15. Gulbarga 55 17 19 6 4,70,942 4,21,801
16. Hassan 37 8 14 4 6,87,517 6,59,176
17.Haveri 29 6 12 3 5,17,511 4,98,625
18. Kodagu 26 5 9 2 1,85,830 1,79,777
19. Kolar 47 17 18 7 10,49,392 10,16,057
20.Koppal 23 6 9 3 3,97,612 3,80,343
21.Mandya 39 6 15 3 8,00,721 7,71,507
22.Mysore 41 9 15 4 7,64,382 7,11,852
23.Raichur 29 9 11 3 6,45,559 5,08,153
24.Shimoga 27 6 10 3 4,80,119 4,61,376
25. Tumkur 52 14 19 6 10,03,192 9,57,434
26. Udupi 24 2 10 2 3,38,697 3,27,960
27. Uttara 35 4 13 2 4,92,547 4,77,918
Kananda
Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, Bangalore
 Annexures
A L L INDIA
Area and population by States, 2001 Census

SL. State/Union Territory Area Population (000’s) Density Sex ratio % age of
NO. (‘00km.) Total Rural % of rural per sq.km. to total workers
population population to total
population
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 Andhrapradesh 2,750 76,210 55,401 73 275 978 45.8
2 Arundachal Pradesh 837 1,098 870 79 13 893 44.0
3 Assam 784 26,655 23,216 87 340 935 35.8
4 Bihar 942 82,999 74,317 90 880 919 33.7
5 Chattisgarh 1,352 20,833 16,648 80 154 989 46.5
6 Goa 37 1,347 677 50 363 961 38.8
7 Gujarat 1,960 50,671 31,741 63 258 920 41.9
8 Haryana 442 21,144 15,029 71 477 861 39.6
9 Himachal Pradesh 557 6078 5482 90 109 968 49.2
10 Jammu & Kashmir 1,014 10,144 7,627 75 99 892 37.0
11 Jharkhand 797 26,946 20,952 78 338 941 37.5
12 Karnataka 1,918 52,851 34,889 66 175 965 44.5
13 Kerala 389 31,841 23,574 74 819 1058 32.3
14 M adhyapradesh 383 60,348 44,381 74 196 919 42.7
15 Maharashtra 3,076 96,879 55,778 58 314 922 42.5
16 Manipur 223 2,294 1,818 79 107 978 43.6
17 Meghalaya 224 2,319 1,865 80 103 972 41.8
18 Mizoram 211 889 448 50 42 935 52.6
19 Nagaland 166 1,989 1,636 82 120 900 42.6
20 Orissa 1,557 36,805 31,287 85 236 972 38.8
21 Punjab 504 24359 16096 66 482 876 37.5

663
22 Rajasthan 3,422 56,507 43,293 77 165 921 42.1
 A Handbook of Karnataka
23 Sikkim 71 541 481 89 76 875 48.6
24 Tamil Nadu 131 62,406 34,922 56 478 987 44.7
25 T ripura 105 3,199 2,653 83 304 948 36.2
26 Uttar Pradesh 2,409 1,66,198 1,31,658 79 689 898 32.5
27 Uttaranchal 535 8,489 6310 74 159 962 36.9
28 West Bengal 888 80,176 57,749 72 904 934 36.8
Union Territory
1 Andaman & Nicobar 82 356 240 67 43 846 38.3
Islands
2 Chandigarh 1 901 92 10 7,903 777 37.8
3 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 5 221 170 77 449 812 51.8
4 Daman & Diu 1 158 101 64 1,411 710 46.0
5 Delhi 15 13,851 945 7 9,294 821 32.8
6 Lakshadweep N 61 34 56 1,894 948 25.3
7 Pondicherry 5 974 326 33 2,029 1,001 35.2
INDIA 32,873 10,12,215 7,40,798 73 324 933 39.1

664
Annexures 665

PRESIDENTS OF INDIA
Smt/Sriyuths From To
Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) 26-01-1950 13-05-1962
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) 13-05-1962 13-05-1967
Dr. Zakir Hussain (1897-1969) 13-05-1967 03-05-1969
Varahagiri Venkatagiri (Acting) (1884-1980) 03-05-1969 20-07-1969
Justice Mohammad Hidayuthulla (Acting) (1905-1992) 20-07-1969 24-08-1969
Varahagiri Venkatagiri (1884-1980) 24-08-1969 24-08-1974
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1905-1977) 24-08-1974 11-02-1977
Basappa Danappa Jatti (Acting) (1913-2002) 11-02-1977 25-07-1977
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy (1913-2002) 25-07-1977 25-07-1982
Giani Zail Singh (1916-1994) 25-07-1982 25-07-1987
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1910-2009) 25-07-1987 25-07-1992
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma(1918-1999) 25-07-1992 25-07-1997
Kocheril Ramari Narayanan (1926-2005) 25-07-1997 25-07-2002
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (b 1931) 25-07-2002 25-07-2007
Pratibha Devisingh Patil (b 1934) 25-07-2007 till date
VICE-PRESIDENTS OF INDIA
Sriyuths From To
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) 1952 1962
Dr. Zakir Hussain (1897-1969) 1962 1967
Varahagiri Venkatagiri (1884-1980) 1967 1969
Gopal Swarup Pathak (1896-1982) 1969 1974
Basappa Danappa Jatti (1913-2002) 1974 1979
Mohammed Hidayuthulla (1905-1992) 1979 1984
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1910-2009) 1984 1987
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918-1999) 1987 1992
Kocheril Ramari Narayanan (1921-2005) 1992 1997
Krishan kanth (1927-2002) 1997 2002
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (b 1923) 2002 2007
Mohammad Hamid Ansari (b 1937) 2007 till date
PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA
Smt/Sriyuths From To
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) 15-08-1947 27-05-1964
Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) (1898-1997) 27-05-1964 09-06-1964
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904-1966) 09-06-1964 11-01-1966
Gulzarilal Nanda (Acting) (1898-1997) 11-01-1966 24-01-1966
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) 24-01-1966 24-03-1977
Morarji Desai (1896-1995) 24-03-1977 28-03-1979
Choudhary Charan Singh 28-03-1979 14-01-1980
(1902-1987)
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) 14-01-1980 31-10-1984
Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991) 31-10-1984 01-12-1989
Vishwanath Pratap Singh (1931-2008) 02-12-1989 10-11-1990
Chandrashekar (1927-2007) 10-11-1990 21-06-1991
A Handbook of Karnataka 666

Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao (1921-2004) 21-06-1991 16-05-1996

Atal Bihari Vajpayee (b 1926) 16-05-1996 01-06-1996
Haradanahalli Doddegowda Devegowda (b 1923) 01-06-1996 21-04-1997
Inder Kumar Gujral (b 1933) 21-04-1997 18-03-1998
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (b 1926) 19-03-1998 12-10-1999
Atal Bihari Vajpaee (b 1926) 13-10-1999 21-05-2004
Dr. Manmohan Singh (b 1932) 22-05-2004 21-05-2009
Dr. Manmohan Singh (b 1932) 22-05-2009 Till date
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTERS OF INDIA
Smt/Sriyuths From To
Sardar Vallabhai patel 15-08-1947 15-12-1950
Morarji Desai (1896-1995) 13-03-1967 19-07-1969
Choudhary Charan Singh (1902-1987) 24-01-1979 19-07-1979
Jagjeevan Ram 24-01-1979 28-07-1979
Yashwantrao Balavantrao Chavan 28-07-1979 14-01-1980
Devilal 02-12-1989 21-06-1991
Lal Krishna Advani 29-06-2002 21-05-2004
CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Sriyuths From To
Harilal J.Kania 26-01-1950 06-11-1951
M.Pathanjali Shastri 07-11-1951 03-01-1954
Mehar Chand Mahajan 04-01-1954 22-12-1954
B.K.Mukherjiya 23-12-1954 31-01-1956
S.R.Das 01-02-1956 30-09-1959
Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha 01-10-1959 31-01-1964
P.B.Gajendra Ghadakar 01-02-1964 15-03-1966
A.K.Sarkar 16-03-1966 29-06-1966
K.Subbarao 30-06-1966 11-04-1967
K.N.Vanchoo 12-04-1967 24-02-1968
M.Hidayathulla 25-02-1968 16-12-1970
J.C.Shah 17-12-1970 21-01-1971
S.M.Sikhri 22-01-1971 25-04-1973
A.N.Ray 26-04-1973 27-01-1977
M.H.Baig 28-01-1977 21-02-1978
Y.V.Chandrachood 22-02-1978 11-07-1985
P.N.Bhagawathi 12-07-1985 20-12-1986
R.S.Pathak 21-12-1986 18-06-1989
E.S.Venkataramaiah 19-06-1989 17-12-1989
Sabyasachi Mukherjee 18-12-1989 25-09-1990
Ranganath Mishra 26-09-1990 24-11-1991
K.N.Singh 25-11-1991 12-12-1991
M.H.Kania 13-12-1991 17-11-1992
Lalith Mohan Sharma 18-11-1992 11-02-1993
Manepalli Narayan Rao Venkatachalaiah 12-02-1993 24-10-1994
Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi 25-10-1994 24-03-1997
Jagadish Sharan Varma 25-03-1997 17-01-1998
Annexures 667

M.M.Punchi 18-01-1998 09-10-1998

Adarsh Sein Anand 10-10-1998 31-10-2001
S.P.Bharucha 01-11-2001 05-05-2002
Bhupendranath Kirpal 06-05-2002 07-11-2002
Gopal Ballav Pattanaik 08-11-2002 18-12-2002
V.N.Khare 18-12-2002 01-05-2004
S.Rajendra Babu 02-05-2004 31-05-2004
Ramesh Chandra Lahoti 01-06-2004 31-10-2005
Y.K.Sabharwal 01-11-2005 13-01-2007
K.G.Balakrishnan Jan 14th 2007 Till date
CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS OF INDIA
Smt/Sriyuths From To
Sukumar Sen 21-03-1950 19-12-1958
V.K.Sundaram 20-12-1958 30-09-1967
S.P.Sen Verma 01-10-1967 30-09-1972
Dr.Nagendra Singh 01-10-1972 06-02-1973
T.Swaminathan 07-02-1973 17-06-1977
S.L.Shakdar 18-06-1977 17-06-1982
R.K.Trivedi 18-06-1982 31-12-1985
R.V.S.Perishastri 01-01-1986 25-11-1990
V.S.Ramadevi 25-11-1990 11-12-1990
T.N.Seshan 12-12-1990 11-12-1996
M.S.Gill 12-12-1996 13-06-2001
J.M.Lyngdoh 14-06-2001 07-02-2004
T.S.Krishnamurthy 08-02-2004 15-05-2005
B.B.Tandon 16-05-2005 29-06-2006
N.Gopalaswami 30-06-2006 19-04-2009
Navin Chawla 20-04-2009 Till date
TERM OF LOKSABHA
Lok Sabha From To
First 17-04-1952 04-04-1957
Second 05-04-1957 31-03-1962
Third 02-04-1962 03-03-1967
Fourth 04-03-1967 27-12-1970
Fifth 05-03-1971 18-01-1977
Sixth 23-03-1977 22-08-1979
Seventh 10-01-1980 31-12-1984
Eighth 31-12-1984 27-11-1989
Ninth 02-12-1989 13-03-1991
Tenth 20-06-1991 10-05-1996
Eleventh 15-05-1996 04-12-1997
Twelfth 10-03-1998 26-04-1999
Thirteenth 10-10-1999 06-02-2004
Fourteenth 17-05-2004 26-02-2009
Fifteenth 30-05-2009 Till date
A Handbook of Karnataka 668

TERM OF KARNATAKA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Vidhana Sabha From To
First 18-06-1952 31-03-1957
Second 10-06-1957 01-03-1962
Third 15-03-1962 28-02-1967
Fourth 15-03-1967 14-04-1971
Fifth 24-03-1972 31-12-1977
Sixth 17-03-1978 18-01-1983
Seventh 24-01-1983 02-01-1985
Eighth 18-03-1985 21-04-1989
Ninth 18-12-1989 20-09-1994
Tenth 26-12-1994 22-07-1999
Eleventh 11-10-1999 23-02-2004
Twelfth 13-05-2004 28-11-2007
Thirteenth 04-06-2008 Till date
SPEAKERS OF KARNATAKA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Smt/Sriyuths From To
V.Venkatappa (Acting) 14-05-1952 18-06-1952
H.Siddaiah 18-06-1952 14-05-1954
H.S.Rudrappa 13-10-1954 01-11-1956
S.R.Kanti 19-12-1956 09-03-1962
B.Vaikunta Baliga 15-03-1962 15-03-1967
B.Vaikunta Baliga 15-03-1967 06-06-1968
S.D.Kotavale 05-09-1968 24-03-1972
K.S.Nagaratnamma 24-03-1972 17-03-1978
P.Venkataramana 17-03-1978 03-10-1980
K.H.Ranganath 30-01-1981 24-01-1983
D.B.Chandregowda 24-01-1983 17-03-1985
B.G.Banakar 18-03-1985 17-12-1989
S.M.Krishna 18-12-1989 20-01-1993
V.S.Koujalagi 15-02-1993 26-12-1994
Ramesh Kumar 27-12-1994 24-10-1999
M.V.Venkatappa 26-10-1999 06-06-2004
Krishna 10-06-2004 03-06-2008
Jagadeesh Shettar 05-06-2008 16-11-2009
K.G.Bopaiah (Protem) 16-11-2009 30-12-2009
K.G.Bopaiah 30-12-2009 Till date

SPEAKERS OF LOKSABHA
Sriyuths From To
Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar 15-05-1952 27-02-1956 (1st Loksabha)
M.Ananthashayanam Iyengar (Acting) 27-02-1956 07-03-1956 (1st Loksabha)
M.Ananthashayanam Iyengar 08-03-1956 10-05-1957 (1st Loksabha)
M.Ananthashayanam Iyengar 11-05-1957 16-04-1962 (2nd Loksabha)
Sardar Hukam Singh 17-04-1962 16-03-1967 (3rd Loksabha)
Neelam Sanjeev Reddy 17-03-1967 19-07-1969 (4th Loksabha)
Annexures 669

R.K.Khadilkar (Acting) 19-07-1969 08-08-1969 (4th Loksabha)

Dr. Gurudayal Singh Dhillon 08-08-1969 07-03-1971 (4th Loksabha)
Seth Govinda Das (Protem) 19-03-1971 22-03-1971 (5th Loksabha)
Dr. Gurudayal Singh Dhillon 22-03-1971 01-12-1975 (5th Loksabha)
G.G.Swell (Acting) 01-12-1975 05-01-1976 (5th Loksabha)
Bali Ram Bhagath 15-01-1976 25-03-1977 (5th Loksabha)
Neelam Sanjeev Reddy 26-03-1977 13-07-1977 (6th Loksabha)
Gode Murahari (Acting) 13-07-1977 21-07-1977 (6th Loksabha)
Kawdoor Sadananda Hegde 21-07-1977 21-01-1980 (6th Loksabha)
Dr.Balram Jakhar 22-01-1980 15-01-1985 (7th Loksabha)
Dr. Balram Jakhar 16-01-1985 18-12-1989 (8th Loksabha)
Rabi Ray 19-12-1989 09-07-1991 (9th Loksabha)
Shivraj V Patil 10-07-1991 22-05-1996 (10th Loksabha)
P.A.Sangma 23-05-1996 23-03-1998 (11th Loksabha)
G.M.C. Balayogi 24-03-1998 19-10-1999 (12th Loksabha)
G.M.C.Balayogi 22-10-1999 03-03-2002 (13th Loksabha)
P.M.Sayeed (Acting) 03-03-2002 10-05-2002 (13th Lokabha)
Manohar Gajanana Joshi 10-05-2002 02-06-2004 (13th Loksabha)
Somanath Chatterjee 04-06-2004 26-02-2009 (14th Loksabha)
Meira Kumar 31-05-2009 Till date (15th Loksabha)
EMINENT PERSONALITIES FROM KARNATAKA
SL.
Name Term of Office
No.
SRIYUTHS
1. B.D. Jatti President (Acting)
11-02-1977 to 25-07-1977
2. B.D.Jatti Vice President
1974 to 1979
3. E.S.Venkataramaiah Chief Justice of Supreme Court
19-06-1989 to 17-12-1989
4. M.N.Venkatachalaiah Chief Justice of Supreme Court
12-02-1993 to 24-10-1994 also Chairman
NHRC
5. H.D.Devegowda Prime Minister
01-06-1996 to 21-04-1997
6. Ramakrishna Hegde Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission
05-12-1989 to 04-07-1990
7. Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Governor (Tamil Nadu)
1956-1964
8. K.C.Reddy Governor (Madhya Pradesh)
1965-71
9. R.R.Divakar Governor (Bihar)
15-06-1952 to 05-07-1957
10. B.Rachaiah Governor (Kerala, Himachal Pradesh)
1990-1995
11. D.C.Pavate Governor (Punjab)
16-10-1967 to 20-05-1973
A Handbook of Karnataka 670

12. K.S.Hegde Lok Sabha Speaker

21-07-1977 to 21-01-1980
13. S.Mallikarjunaiah Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker
1991-1996
14. S.V.Krishnamurthy Rao Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman 1952-1962
15. M.S.Gurupadaswamy Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker
1962-1967
Leader of the Opposition Rajya Sabha
28-06-1991 to 21-07-1991 "
16. M.N.Venkatachalaiah Chairman, Constitutional Review Committee
(13-02-2000 to )
17. S.M.Krishna Governor, Maharastra
(06-12-2004 to 06-03-2008)
18. M.Rama Jois Governor, Bihar
(12-06-2003 to 31-10-2004)
19. Margaret Alva Governor (Uttarkhand)
July 2009 to till date)
20. S.Rajendra babu Chairman, National Human Rights Commission
21. V.S.Malimath Chief Justice of Kerala
(24-10-1985 to 11-06-1991)

Source: Terms of office of Eminent Personalities who occupied High Posts in the country
and in the state, March 2008, published by the Research and Reference section,
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore.
 . This Hand Book was written and edited wiln^qe
objective of giviite a picture of Karnataka in all -its'
hues - its Natural W ealth, Hi story ^ Peoplg,
H E :u lt u r e , Industries, Art, Literature and (jultiurflkjgE
also contains an attractive chapter V )n places of
interest titled 'K^Vnataka|th£|Tourist Paradise'. This is
an attempt to showcase l$fhm aka and its fascinating
varieties of cultural dimdQpfcn|^md documenting
other achievements duVing the lastoi) years.