Karnataka is a state in the south-western region of India. Formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, it was originally known as the State of Mysore and was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973. The state capital is Bengaluru, which is also the largest city and a major information technology hub. Karnataka is the sixth-largest Indian state by area and among the most populous, with Kannada as its official language.
Key facts
| Common name | Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Former name | State of Mysore (1956–1973) |
| Formation | 1 November 1956 |
| Renaming | 1 November 1973 |
| Capital | Bengaluru |
| Largest city | Bengaluru |
| Official language | Kannada |
| Region | South India |
| Legislature | Bicameral (Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council) |
| High Court | Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru |
| State festival | Karnataka Rajyotsava (1 November) |
Geography
Karnataka is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the north-west, Maharashtra to the north, Telangana to the north-east, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the south-east, and Kerala to the south-west. The state has three principal physiographic zones: the coastal Karavali along the Arabian Sea, the hilly Malenadu comprising the Western Ghats, and the inland Bayaluseeme on the Deccan Plateau. Major rivers include the Krishna, Kaveri, Tungabhadra, Sharavathi, and Kabini. Notable peaks include Mullayanagiri, the highest point in the state.
History
The region that comprises modern Karnataka has been ruled by several major dynasties, including the Kadambas, the Western Gangas, the Chalukyas of Badami, the Rashtrakutas, the Western Chalukyas, the Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Empire with its capital at Hampi, the Bahmani Sultanate, the Bijapur Sultanate, and the Wadiyars of Mysore. In the late 18th century, parts of the region were ruled by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, who fought a series of wars against the British East India Company. After the fall of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatna in 1799, the Wadiyars were restored to the Mysore throne under British paramountcy.
Following Indian independence in 1947, princely Mysore acceded to the Indian Union. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 unified Kannada-speaking areas from the Bombay, Madras, and Hyderabad states with the existing Mysore State to form a linguistically organised state. It was renamed Karnataka in 1973 during the chief ministership of Devaraj Urs.
Administration
Karnataka is divided into administrative divisions, which are further subdivided into districts and taluks. The state has a Governor as constitutional head and a Chief Minister who heads the elected government. The Karnataka Legislative Assembly (Vidhana Sabha) meets at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, an architectural landmark completed in 1956 under Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah.
Economy
Karnataka has one of the largest state economies in India. Bengaluru is widely regarded as the country's leading centre for information technology, biotechnology, and aerospace research, hosting institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Bharat Electronics Limited. The state is also a significant producer of coffee, silk, sandalwood, and floriculture, with major industrial centres at Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi. Mangaluru and Karwar serve as principal ports.
Culture
Karnataka has a rich cultural tradition that includes Kannada literature, which has produced eight Jnanpith awardees, the highest for any Indian language. Classical music traditions include both Carnatic and Hindustani schools, with Dharwad in northern Karnataka being a noted centre of Hindustani music. Folk forms such as Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, and Veeragase are widely practised. The state's heritage architecture is exemplified at Hampi, Pattadakal, and the Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapura, which feature on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Major festivals include Mysuru Dasara, Ugadi, and Karnataka Rajyotsava.
Education and sports
Karnataka hosts a number of premier educational and research institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science, the National Law School of India University, and the Indian Institutes of Management and Technology in Bengaluru and Dharwad. Cricket, kabaddi, hockey, and athletics are popular sports, and the state has produced internationally recognised players across disciplines.
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