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OurKarnataka.Com (OKC) would like to thank Vani Srikanta for translating
some of the Pages of History of Karnataka.
Karnataka with a history of
over 2000 years, has always maintained political harmony. The Chalukyas, the
Rashtrakutas, the Vijayanagar kings, Bijapur’s Adil Shahis and the Mysore
Wodeyars have all contributed to this unity. When the Vijayanagar kingdom lost
in the battle of Talikot, Karnataka was divided into several districts headed
by Palegars. But after the Mysore Wodeyars and Hyder Ali came in to power, the
state was unified once again. The credit for handling the British
diplomatically and retaining the empire goes to Queen Lakshamma.
Karnataka has several
firsts to its credit in the history of India. The bravery, patriotism shown by
Kittor Rani Chennamma against the British is legendary. In fact almost 22
years before Jhansi Rani Lashmibai, it was Kittor Rani Chenamma who was the
first Indian Queen to fight the British. It was in Karnataka that for the
first time in the country’s history that a “People’s Representative
Council”(1881) was held. The people responsible for this were Sri
Rangacharyalu and King Chamaraja Wodeyar-X. Thus the people of the kingdom
were actively involved in it’s administration. There is no record of
people’s involvement in governance till then. In fact, it was the first
record of any kind of a state convention. The first time that women ever voted
in India was in Karnataka in 1932 in a state conference. The only time that a
Congress Summit was held when Gandhiji was the President of the Congress was
in Belgaum in 1924.
The
concept of Panchayat Raj was first implemented in Karnataka. One of the first
production units in India producing iron, steel and soaps were set up in
Karnataka. In 1902,
India’s first electricity station was established.
Sir M Vishweshwariah is credited with creating dams with automatic
gates for higher water storage. In 1924, Nalmadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was the
first King to give more rights to the backward classes in order to establish a
more equal society.
Karnataka has always
remained a peace loving state. It has maintained religious and sectarian
harmony. Because of the efforts of great philosophers like Shankaracharya,
Ramanujacharya, Basaveshwara, Madhwacharya, Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, people
of Karnataka have developed a sense of devotion, self betterment &
patriotism. The most secure place in India is Karnataka. One does not see any
extremists’ activity nor Naxalite terrorism nor any natural disasters in the
region. It has a rich culture, with some of the best literary works known in
India. There have been seven Gnanapeeth award winners from Karnataka . In
sculpture, a new form of “Nagara” style and “Dravida style called
“Vesara” style ,which is a unique sculptural style has evolved.
The monolithic carving of Bahubli is one of a kind. The uniqueness of
Gol Gumbaz is something Kannadigas are proud of.
Karnataka is rich in folk
lore and handicrafts. In order to keep the folk culture alive, a “Janapada
Loka” center was established on the Mysore - Bangalore Highway, near
Channapatna. Karnataka has some great researchers in the fields of Science,
Technology and Astronomy. The discoverer of “Raman Effect “, Sir C V Raman
was a Kannadiga. Raja Ramanna, C.N.R. Rao and Prof. Rodham Narasimha have been
great contributors. The world famous eye surgeon Dr. M.C. Modi is also from
Karnataka. The first ever “International Technology Park “ in India was
established in Whitefield in Bangalore. Similarly, there have been many
contributions in many fields, which have shaped the history of our country.
English Translation: Vani Srikanta
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