Kolar district

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Kolar.
Kolar district
ಕೋಲಾರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ
district

Someshwara temple
Located in the southeast part of the state
Kolar district
Coordinates: 13°08′00″N 78°08′00″E / 13.1333°N 78.1333°E / 13.1333; 78.1333Coordinates: 13°08′00″N 78°08′00″E / 13.1333°N 78.1333°E / 13.1333; 78.1333
Country India
State Karnataka
Division Bangalore
Headquarters Kolar
Area†
 • Total 4,012 km2 (1,549 sq mi)
Population (2011)†
 • Total 1,540,231
 • Density 384/km2 (990/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Kannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
ISO 3166 code IN-KA-KL
Vehicle registration KA-07, KA-08
Sex ratio 0.976 ♂/♀
Literacy 74.33%
Lok Sabha constituency Kolar Lok Sabha constituency
Precipitation 724 millimetres (28.5 in)
Website kolar.nic.in
† Kolar district at a glance

Kolar district (Kannada: ಕೋಲಾರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ  pronunciation ) is a district in Karnataka state of India. The town of Kolar is the district headquarters. Kolar district is located in the southern region of the State and is the easternmost district of the Karnataka State. The district is bounded by the Bangalore Rural district in the west Chikballapur district in the north, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh in the east and on the south by Krishnagiri and Vellore district of Tamil Nadu.

On 10 September 2007, Kolar district was bifurcated to form the new district of Chikballapur.[1] Due to the modern discovery of the Kolar Gold Fields, Kolar has become popularly known as the "Golden Land" of India.

History

Kolarmma Temple, Kolar (file)
Someshvara temple, a frontal profile shows ornate pillared mantapa (Vijayanagara architecture)
Someshvara temple, the maha mantapa (main hall) to sanctum
The Ramalingeshvara group of temples at Avani, a 10th-century Nolamba dynasty construction
Someshvara temple at Kurudumale
Rear view of Someshvara temple at Kurudumale

Formerly, Kolar was known variously as Kolahala, Kuvalala and Kolala. Kolar was called Kolahalapura during the Middle Ages, but later came to be known as Kolar. Kolahahapura in Kannada meant "violent city", as it was the battlefield for the warring kingdoms of Chalukyas in the north and Cholas to the south. It was the capital of the Gangas until the 4th century AD when they shifted the capital to Talakad in Mysore. In 1004 AD, the Cholas annexed Kolar until 1116 AD,. Vishnuvardhana (1108-1142 AD) freed Gangavadi from the Cholas, and in commemoration of his victory, built the celebrated Vijayanarayana Temple (Chennakesava Temple) at Belur.

The major and important temples in the town are Kolaramma Temple and Someshwara Temple. The Kolaramma temple is of Dravida Vimana style built in Ganga tradition in the 2nd century CE and dedicated to goddess Shakti. The temple was later renovated during the period of the teja arun Chola monarch Rajendra Chola I in the 10th century and Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century.[2][3] Someswara Temple is a fine example of 14th century Vijayanagara art.

Early history of Kolar was compiled by Rev. Fred Goodwill, Superintendent of the Wesleyan Tamil Mission, Bangalore and Kolar Gold Fields. His studies and observations have been published in the quarterly journals of the Mythic Society and other academic journals.[4][5][6]

Kolar is much older than Bangalore, its origin going back to the 2nd century AD. Gangas who were kannadigas, made Kolar their capital and ruled over Mysore, Coimbatore, Salem and Travancore. In the 13th Century AD, Sage Bhavanandi composed his treatise on Tamil grammar Nannool at the Ulagamadhi cave at KGF, under the patronage of Seeya Gangan one of the Ganga rulers who was born in Kolar and was a patron of arts and literature. Further Seeya Gangan's inscriptions indicate that Kolar regained control of Kolar for the second time from Chola hands.

During the reign of the Cholas, King Uththama Chola (970 AD) is said to have built the temple for Goddess Renuka, in the avatar of Kolaahalamma and found the city of Kolaahalapuram. Local tradition indicates that the city was named after this deity of Kolaahalama. The Chola rulers Veera Chola, Vikrama Chola and Raja Nagendra Chola erected stone structures with inscriptions ar Avani, Mulbagal, Sitti Bettta and other places. Chola inscriptions also indicate the rule of Adithya Chola I (871-907 AD), Raja Raja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I over Kolar. These inscriptions refer to Kolar as 'Nikarili Cholamandalam' and also as 'Jayam Konda Chola Manadalam'. Inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I also appear on the Kolaramma Temple. Many Siva temples were built in Kolar during the reign of the Cholas, such as the Someshwarar Temple at Maarikuppam Village, Sri Uddhandeshwari Temple at Maarikuppam Village, the Eswaran Temple at Oorugaumpet, the Sivan Temple at Madivala Village. The reign of the Cholas over Kolar lasted till 1116 AD. Sadly the Chola inscriptions scattered all over Kolar lie neglected, and some subject to wilful cultural vandalism.

In 1117 AD, Kolar came under the reign of the Hoysalas, and in 1254 AD the dominions were portioned among the two sons of King Someshwara, with Kolar included in the Tamil provinces that went to Ramanatha.

The Hoysala were defeated by the Vijaynagar Kingdom, and their rule over Kolar lasted from 1336-1664. During their reign the Sri Someshwara Temple at Kolar was built.

In the 17th Century, Kolar came under Maratha rule as part of the Jahagir of Shahaji for fifty years. Then under Muslim rule for seventy years. In 1720 AD, Kolar came under the Suba of Sira, with Fateh Mohammed, the father of Hyder Ali becoming the Faujdar of the province. After this Kolar passed thorugh different reigns such as Marathas, the Nawab of Cuddapah, Nizam of Hyderabad and finally Hyder Ali. In 1768, Kolar came under British rule briefly till 1770, then passed briefly again to Maratha rule and again Hyder Ali. In 1791 Lord Cornwallis conquered Kolar, before passing it back to Mysore under the peace treaty of 1792. Kolar has been part of the Mysore State since that time.

Around the Kolar region, there are numerous inscriptions which indicate reign of the Mahavalis (Baanaas), Pallavas and Vaidumbaas, at different points of time.[4][5][6][7] Benjamin Lewis Rice recorded 1347 inscriptions in the Kolar District, in the 10th volume of Epigraphia Carnatica. Out of these inscriptions 422 are in Tamil, 211 in Telugu and the rest are in Kannada[8]

Geography

Kolar District is in the state of Karnataka, India and belongs to its semi-arid drought-prone region. It lies between 77° 21' to 78° 35' east longitude and 20° 46' to 130° 58' north latitude, extending over an area of 8,225 km². Kolar District is located in the southern region of the state and happens to be the easternmost district of the Karnataka State. The district is bounded by the Bangalore Rural district in the west Chikballapur district in the north, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh in the east and on the south by Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu.

The district, at its greatest length, reaches about 135 km from north to south with almost the same distance from east to west. It occupies the table land of Mysore, bordering the eastern ghats. The general plateau surface is interrupted by a hills and peaks of varying heights, particularly in the north. The principal chain of mountains is the Nandidurga range which runs north from Nandi towards Penukonda and Dharmavaram of Andhra Pradesh. The rivers of the district are small and seasonal: Palar, Uttara Pinakini and Dakshina Pinakini are the important rivers which originate in the elevated regions.

Taluks

Kolar District Map

Kolar

The Kolar has its own transportation named "Antaragange Kolara Nagara Sarige" which was introduced by the deputy CM and home minister Ashok in July 2012.

The Narasapura Industrial Area is best for its infrastructure for deployment of motor vehicle factories such as Honda, Mahindra Aerospace, Volvo and More. Narasapura Industrial Area is approximately 20 km from Kolar and is connected to Bangalore Road via National Highway 4.

Most of the telecom operators have excellent network coverage in Kolar District. Most of the operators have limited coverage in interior rural and forest areas.

Institutes of Technical education

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Engineering and medical institutions

Horticultural Sciences

Bangarpet

Bangarpet is a taluk of Kolar District that is famous for chat items like pani puri.

Bangarapet has a railway junction which is the second one after Bangalore City Junction.

Earlier the town of Bangarpet was called Bowringpet. It is a business town. Budikote village (Hyder Ali's birthplace) is in this taluk.

Malur

Mulbagal

Mulbagal is one of the backward taluks in Kolar district as the occupation of most of the people is agriculture, no permanent water sources.

  1. There are huge rocks available and suitable for the granite industry.
  2. Famous for vegetables market like tomatoes trading market at Vaddahalli, Mulbagal Taluk.
  3. Major activities are dairy farming, silk production, sericulture, horticulture and mangos, tamarind growing.
  4. Sand mining in Nangali.
  5. There is a four lane national highway, NH 4 connects Bangalore to Mulbagal.
  6. Famous temples are in mulbagal taluk like Kurdumale, Mulbagal Anjaneya, Avani, Padaraja mutt, Durga, Someshwara temple, Lepakshi temple,Byrakur someshwara swamy temple, etc.
  7. It is good for trekking in the Avani and Byrakur (chikur hills)

Disadvantages

  1. uneven and scanty rainfall
  2. There is no natural as well as artificial river flowing.
  3. Manson rainfall doesn't connect properly for the geographical region of Kolar district.
  4. No soil fertility.
  5. Lack of skilled labour.

Srinivaspura

Srinivaspura is one of the taluks in Kolar district. Most of the population practice agriculture. The taluk doesnot have permanent water sources.

  1. Famous for world's best mango fruits and mango is generally called as King of fruits.
  2. Major activities are dairy farming, silk production, sericulture, horticulture and mangos, tamarind growing
  3. Government Boys P.U college in Srinivaspur is one of the best P.U colleges
  4. Ashraya Neelbagh School is one of the best schools in Srinivaspur.The school got best Eco-school award in 2013.

District administration

Kolar District contains one revenue sub-divisions: Kolar

Economy

The major sources of employment are agriculture, dairy and sericulture, floriculture hence it is popularly known as the land of "Silk, Milk and Gold". Farmers in Kolar are totally dependent upon borewell water for irrigation and drinking.

The gold mines in Kolar Gold Fields were closed in the 2003 due to reducing gold deposits and increasing costs of production.

Industrial areas

Kolar District Has Been subdued into 2 major, 1 medium and 1 minor Industrial Areas:

2. Vemagal Industrial Area - Lies in Chikkaballapura Road, Vemagal also Comprises Hero Motocorp and Railway Wagon Factory, Which is 17 km From Kolar

3. Tamaka Industrial Area - Lies in Chennai Road (NH4) Comprises Small Scale Industries, Lies 5 Kilometers From Kolar

4. Malur Industrial Area - Lies in Hosur Road, Lies 35 Kilometers Away From Kolar, and Has Medium Scale Industries

5. Major Residential layout developers such as Paratus BuildCon Pvt ltd and RJK Developer have already started to develop residential units in the surrounding localities-source www.paratusbuildcon.com|www.rjkdeveloper.com

Major industries in Kolar District's industrial areas

Famous trading markets

Transport

Road

National Highway NH-4pass through via Narasapura, Kolar, Mulbagal in Kolar district, State Highway connects other taluks. Small Village and others roads are also present connects District headquarters and taluks. National Highway NH-4 starts from Bangalore East, Narasapura, Kolar, Mulbagal, Chittor from here one way goes to Thirupathi(this way is not NH-4) and another to Chennai

Kolar District Road Summary table from PWD department Govt of Karnataka as on March 2010 [12]

Sl No Kolar district National Highway State highway Major Dist Road Total length
01 Kolar dist 137 NH-4 308 1083 1528
02 Mulbagal 68 0 354 422
03 Malur 8 68 94 170
04 Bangarpet 0 77 201 278
05 Srinivaspura 30 72 217 319

Bangalore to Mulbagal having four-lane Road (NH-4) travel time is around 90 minutes. motorists can look forward to a six-lane highway from K R Puram to Hoskote and from there onwards a four-lane one up to Mulbagal. An additional benefit is that Bangalore east residents can use it as an alternative route to reach the airport by taking the left at Boodigere Cross that leads to Devanahalli.[13]

Railways

Kolar belongs to "South Western Railways" of "Indian Railways". Kolar has many railway stations which are listed below:
Kolar Railway Station is Located in Karnataka, Kolar and one more big railway junction is at Bangarapet. It belongs to South Western Railway, Bangalore Cy Jn. All these stations are on the Chennai-Bangalore main line or its branch line. Neighbourhood Stations are Takal,Bangarapet, Near By major Railway Station is Bangalore Cy Jn and Airport is Bengaluru International Airport.
Kolar and Bangarpet junction railway stations [14]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Kolar district has a population of 1,540,231,[15] roughly equal to the nation of Gabon[16] or the US state of Hawaii.[17] This gives it a ranking of 324th in India (out of a total of 640).[15] The district has a population density of 384 inhabitants per square kilometre (990/sq mi) .[15] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 11.04%.[15] Kolar has a sex ratio of 976 females for every 1000 males,[15] and a literacy rate of 74.33%.[15]

Population Growth 
CensusPop. %±
1901392,651
—
1911429,1939.3%
1921436,0661.6%
1931469,8117.7%
1941555,54518.2%
1951650,80717.1%
1961721,82210.9%
1971826,56314.5%
19811,044,39426.4%
19911,211,85816.0%
20011,387,06214.5%
Est. 20101,571,70013.3%
Source: Official Website of Kolar District[18]

The district comprises five talukas: Kolar, Bangarpet, Malur, Mulbagal, Srinivaspur.

It has 15 towns and 3,321 villages (2889 inhabited villages and 432 uninhabited villages). Total population of the district according to 2001 census was 2,536,069 of which 24.67% were urban.[19]

Culture

As a district on the cross-roads of the three states, Kolar is home to many communities and represents a mini-India. The primary language spoken here is Kannada. Other widely spoken language is Urdu. There are also good number of Tamil and Telugu speakers.

Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) is a town in Kolar district which was once the primary gold mines in the country. Set up by the British, this town which is close to the border of Andhra Pradesh and has Tamil,Telugu and Anglo-Indian Population.

Festivals

Malur Karaga

The crowning glory is the Karaga festival, which is celebrated in the town of Malur, about 30 miles away on the Bengaluru-Chennai highway. It throws a flood of light on the Thigala clan's Draupadi worship ritual called the Karaga festival.

The Malur-based Karaga festival is celebrated over 13 days in the summer months, usually starting on the first Friday after the Ugadi New Year day.

Visitor attractions in and around Kolar district

There are many visitor attractions in Kolar district has its very nearer and convenient to travel just 68 km from Bangalore. See separate topic which talks about Kolar visitor attraction.

Kolar Taluk

Bangarapet

Malur

Mulbagal

Chintamani (Chikballapur Dist)

Madanapalli (Andhra Pradhesh - Chittoor Dist)

Notable people

Member of Legislative Assembly

Education

Media

Upcoming institutions

References

  1. ↑ "A Handbook of Karnataka - Administration" (pdf). Government of Karnataka. pp. 354, 355. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  2. ↑ "A green view". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 11 March 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  3. ↑ "Temples of Karnataka - Kolar". templenet.com. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 Mythic Society (Bangalore, India) (1918). The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society 9–10: iv, 5, 8, 300. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. 1 2 Goodwill, Fred (1918). "Nandidroog". The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society 9–10: 300. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 Goodwill, Fred (1921). "The Religious and Military Story of Nudydurga". KGF Mining and Metallurgical Society (5).
  7. ↑ Srikumar, S (2014). Kolar Gold Field: (Unfolding the Untold) (International ed.). Partridge India. pp. 40–46. ISBN 9781482815078. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Rice, Benjamin Lewis (1994). Epigraphia Carnatica: Volume X: Inscriptions in the Kolar Disctrict. Mangalore, British India: Department of Archeology, Mysore State. p. i. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Honda Unit at Narasapura, Kolar
  10. ↑ "Karnataka showers Honda with concessions - The Times of India". The Times Of India.
  11. ↑ Power Grid , Kolar
  12. ↑ Kolar Roads
  13. ↑ Bangalore-Mulbagal Road (NH-4)Mulbagal
  14. ↑
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  16. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01. Gabon 1,576,665 line feed character in |quote= at position 6 (help)
  17. ↑ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-30. Hawaii 1,360,301 line feed character in |quote= at position 7 (help)
  18. ↑ "Kolar district at a glance" (pdf). Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  19. ↑ Kolar Total population
  20. ↑ , Kolaravani
  21. ↑ Kannada Thilaka

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kolar district.
 Chikballapur district
Bangalore Rural district Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh
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Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu
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