Karnataka  *

 

 

    Situated on the western edge of the Deccan plateau, it is the eighth largest state in India, both in population and area. It is bounded by Goa and Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh on the east and Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the south. To its west lies the expanse of the Arabian Sea. The two important river systems in Karnataka are Krishna and Kaveri.

 

    The name derives from Karunadu- lofty land which is an apt description of the terrain. Present day Karnataka was a part othe Mauryan empire in 4^th Century B.C. In the 1^st Century B.C. the Satvahana dynasty established itself firmly in control and ruled for three hundred years. They were succeeded by Kadambas and Gangas all of whom were ambitious builders and have left behind majestic monuments.

 

    In 1399, A.D. the Wodeyar dynasty was founded by the scion of a small principality called Mysore. Soon the boundaries of the new kingdom were extended and Srirangapatanam became the capital. In the 17^th Century the Wodeyar ruler was overthrown by his ambitious general Hyder Ali. Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan had to contend with the British. The Wodeyars were restored to power by the British after they defeated Tipu. The state of Mysore pioneered industrialization during the colonial period and patronized scientists and scholars.

 

    The state is predominantly rural and agricultural. 76 per cent of the population dwells in villages and 71 per cent of the work force is engaged in farming. The state depends for almost half of its revenue on agriculture. Karnataka accounts for 59 per cent of the coffee produced by India and 47 per cent of Ragi. It ranks fifth in oilseeds.

 

    There are many big industries located in the state – machine tools, aircrafts, telecommunications are concentrated in and around Bangalore. The Viswesvarya Iron and steel Ltd. at Bhadravati, produces steel, and Kudremukh Iron Ore Company is the core of another major steel project. It achieved a record production of 800,000 tonnes by 1996. Sandalwood soaps, oil and silk too are prominent produces. Karnataka produces 85 per cent of the country’s raw silk.

 

    Shravan Belgola is a famous Jain pilgrimage where the 18 meter tall statue of Bahubali dominates the landscape.

    Bandipur and Nagarhole are wild life reserves where the tiger, the elephant and the gaur may be sighted easily.

 

    In recent years Karnataka’s capital city Bangalore has emerged as the Silicon Valley of India. At Karwar the third largest naval base in the country is being built with an outlay of Rs. 200 million.