Save Kamal Basti

Chikki Basadi as seen in 1920

2011-03-31T11:06:00.001+05:30

Courtesy : Uday K and eBay

Belgaum Fort Wall as seen in 1920

2011-03-31T11:05:00.000+05:30

Courtesy : Uday K and eBay

Kamal Basti and Belgaum Fort during Vishwa Kannada Sammelana - 2011

2011-03-23T15:43:00.000+05:30

Historic Belgaum Fort soon to get a face-lift....

2010-10-22T08:34:00.000+05:30

Express News Service

BELGAUM: The historic Belgaum Fort is soon going to get a facelift. The 400-year-old fort which is in control of Archeological Department will be renovated by the state government.

The district administration has sought Rs 10 crore from the Tourism Department to repair the boundary walls. The fort is surrounded by a canal which at present is filled with dirty water.

The administration is planning to clean the canal and fill it with fresh water so that it can be used for boating. A plan has been prepared to lay a garden in front of the fort with fountains to attract more tourists.

Deputy Commissioner Ekroop Caur has already spoken to Tourism Minister Janardhan Reddy and convinced him of the plan.

She told Express that the Tourism Department has agreed to the proposal and will soon release the funds.

Though the inner circle of the fort is under the supervision of the Archeological Department, several parts of the fort are occupied by government offices and other agencies.

Recently, the Income Tax Department started constructing quarters for its employees in front of the fort, however, the Archeological Survey of India stopped the construction.

Source : http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/historic-belgaum-fort-soon-to-get-a-facelift/216861.html

Blog crossed over 10000 mark of Visitors . . . .

2010-09-07T09:12:00.001+05:30

The Blog was viewed more then 10000 Times by our readers, since 15th Dec 2007. Your kind co-operation was really necessary for making my blog a big success.

The procedure to Save the Two 11th Century Jain Temple namely, Kamal Basadi and Chikki Basadi or Ratta Basadi of Belgaum is still on and as I get more inputs, I will keep updating you all through this Blog. So keep visiting for more updates and keep writing Comments.

One more great news is Google Maps has updated my comments of changing the icon of the Jain temples from a normal temple icon to a Jain hand symbol as shown below. A heart-full thanks to Google from all Jain community.

Ahimsa Hand:

The religious Ahisma hand symbol with a wheel on the palm symbolizes the Jain Vow of Ahimsa, meaning non-violence. The word in the middle is "Ahimsa." The wheel represents the dharmacakra, to halt the cycle of reincarnation through the pursuit of truth.

Jamia Masjid : Earlier a Jain/Shiva Temple.

2010-07-30T10:04:00.001+05:30

This small Mosque ( Jamia Masjid) which was earlier a Jain or Shiva temple.

Jamia Masjid as seen in 1910

The Jamia Masjid, dated 1585-86, was built by Sher Khan. This mosque is just 50 meters away from the ruined Shiva temple. It has still got many of its inner walls with Jain or Shiva scripts and the king was unable to remove all the art work inside the temple as he did for Safa masjid, which was also earlier a Shiva temple. No one is allowed entry into this as it is under ASI.

Jamia Masjid as seen in 2010

The fort has two mosques or masjids, namely the Safa Masjid and Jamia Masjid; the former mosque is the most frequented by the Muslim population of the city of Belgaum. Safa masjid was completed in 1519 by Asad Khan Lari (testified by the Persian inscription). The Mosque’s pillars have exquisite inscriptions in a fusion of Nagari and Persian styles. It is also said that two of the pillars here are from Hindu temples and have Kannada inscriptions in Nagari scripts; one pillar dated to 1199 AD is credited to Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and the other pillar dated to 1261 AD is credited to Sevuna (Yadava) Krishna.

With so much history near us we are not aware of this. Seeing the current condition of this monument our future generations will have to only see it on AAB.

ABB says : With inputs from Bramhanand Chipre - http://kamalbasti.blogspot.com/

Source : http://allaboutbelgaum.com/

Ruined Shiv Temple in Fort premisis

2010-07-30T09:57:00.000+05:30

Not many know this but there was old Shiv Temple in the Fort near the Military Training area. The same as been taken over by the ASI in 2008-09 and they have upgraded it with new doors.

Ruined Shiva Temple

This Shiva temple was built in 12th century.

There were 108 Jain temples and 101 Shiva temples in the fort and the fort was built after demolishing many of these temples luckily 5 were spared out of which 2 are mosques now and 2 Jain temples and 1 Shiva temple.

Shiva Temple as located on Map

But the present condition of the temple is worse. When AAB tried to access the temple for the photos the gate was locked and with grass up to a feet high it was not advised by passers by to enter the premises as they said it will have snakes.

Entrance to the temple with all grass

So team AAB entered from the rear side and took the pics and the temple from inside looked completely empty.

The ASI board is visible on one side of this temple, but lack of interest will make this ruined temple into ruins again.

ASI should take proper care and not juts put a board at the site.

ABB Says : With inputs from Bramhanand Chipre – http://kamalbasti.blogspot.com/
Source : http://allaboutbelgaum.com/

Uncared and Govt's Blind Eye : The Belgaum Fort.

2010-07-30T09:46:00.001+05:30

The Belgaum fort built in 13 century (Originally built by the Ratta dynasty, later fortified by Yakub Ali Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate) was well known for its unique building structure and its huge moat surrounding the fort, which made it inaccessible to the enemies. The Belgaum fort served as a bulwark against the attacks of invading armies. It steadfastly held fort as Belgaum played host to a multitude of dynasties, from the Rattas, the Vijayanagar emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Marathas and finally the British. During the freedom movement of India, Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned here.

The inside of the fort is stretched about 1000 yards long and 800 yards broad. The fort was well built as a Military store.

This particular photo was taken from a burz (watch tower) on the Right hand side when once enters the fort from Bhartesh College.

Some more images to speak for themselves. We have a treasure with us but we never care for this as we our selves dont know about it.

The Walls most of them have fallen down but a few are still telling history

Another view of the Tower top

View from the tower. In history this vie must have been used to keep a watch on enemies

The floor of rock again,Rock Solid!!

Source : http://allaboutbelgaum.com/

The Belgaum Fort as seen in 1945 . . . .

2010-05-03T14:31:00.000+05:30

The Belgaum Fort in 1945, Belgaum

The Rampart from inside the fort, Belgaum

The Sadar Bazar, Belgaum

2010-05-03T14:28:00.002+05:30

Kamal Basti a Jain Temple as seen in Fort Belgaum in 1860

2010-04-22T14:39:00.000+05:30

Kamal Basti a Jain Temple as seen in Fort Belgaum in 1860

Today'as Missing Temples as seen in the Fort of Belgaum in 1860

2010-04-22T14:36:00.001+05:30

Today's Missing Temples as seen in the Fort of Belgaum in 1860

These are some images of the temples as seen in 1860. No one knows where are these located today and whether they have been demolished because of 21st Century's Cement Buildings Evolution.

If government had really taken necessary action and preserved these temples, may be we could have had chance to see them as an antique and preserved monument under the Act of ASI, Dharwad.

Lets us hope so that the available monuments in Belgaum Fort do not get a bad ending and get listed in Endangered List of human revolution.

Mosque in the Fort of Belgaum in 1860

2010-04-22T14:28:00.000+05:30

Mosque in the Fort of Belgaum in 1860

Temple in the Gokak Falls Belgaum 1860

2010-04-22T14:27:00.000+05:30

Temple in the Gokak Falls Belgaum in 1860

Gokak Falls, Belgaum in 1860

Brigadier General Neyland's Bungalow Belgam in 1860

2010-04-22T14:24:00.000+05:30

Brig Genl. Neyland's bungalow some where in camp Belgam 1860

Northern entrance to the Palace, Fort, Belgaum in 1860

2010-04-22T14:21:00.001+05:30

Northern entrance to the Palace, fort, Belgaum (B.C. 15- Maratha Mandal guest house) 1860

Belgaum Fort Lake in 1940

2010-03-19T16:17:00.000+05:30

Source : All About Belgaum

Fort of Belgaum drawn by Sir Thomas Munro in 1817

2010-02-25T16:23:00.001+05:30

Image shared by Sahir Kittur

The Fort Mosque

2010-02-24T12:14:00.002+05:30

The fort Mosque - S. Mahadevo, Belgaum

Kuras of Belgaum/Kohlapur 30BC - Part 2

2010-02-24T11:01:00.009+05:30

Lead Half Karshapana of Kuras of Belgaum/Kohlapur 30BC - 65AD RARE

Ruler : King Vasithiputra
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Units : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 20mm 3.4gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Siri Vasisthiputrasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on right; Multi arched hill on left

The south west region was ruled by the Kuras during the 1st century AD and they were the major power. Brahmapuri and Madhavapur (Kolhapur and Belgaum) were the two major seats. Some of the military achievements over Chutus show the influence of Chutus in their coinage. They mainly ruled between 30 BC and 65 AD as could be understood by the victory of Nahapana over Kuras. The King Vilivayukura is even quoted in Ptolemy's work and seems to be the last king who was defeated by the Satavahanas giving way for Chutus to circulate their coins in this area. All the coins minted by the Kuras were in lead. The bow and arrow decorated the coin obverse and the reverse of their coinage usually carried Chaitya, railed tree and river symbols along with the Brahmi legend along the periphery.

Lead Half Karshapana of Kuras of Belgaum/Kohlapur 30BC - 65AD, Overstruck, Lion facing right RARE

Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 20mm 5.3gm
Obverse : Overstruck, Lion facing right, legend in Brahmi
Reverse : Tree in railing on right;

Reference: Unpublished

The south west region was ruled by the Kuras during the 1st century AD and they were the major power. Brahmapuri and Madhavapur (Kolhapur and Belgaum) were the two major seats. Some of the military achievements over Chutus shows the influence of Chutus in their coinage. They mainly ruled between 30 BC and 65 AD as could be understood by the victory of Nahapana over Kuras. The King Vilivayukura is even quoted in Ptolemy's work and seems to be the last king who was defeated by the Satavahanas giving way for Chutus to circulate their coins in this area. All the coins minted by the Kuras were in lead. The bow and arrow decorated the coin obverse and the reverse of their coinage usually carried Chaitya, railed tree and river symbols along with the Brahmi legend along the periphery.

Lead Karshapana of Kuras of Belgaum/Kohlapur 30BC - 65AD RARE
Ruler : King Vasithiputra
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana,30mm 18.4gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi:Siri Vasisthiputrasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on right; Multi arched hill on left
Reference : TA#014, RRR

The south west region was ruled by the Kuras during the 1st century AD and they were the major power. Brahmapuri and Madhavapur (Kolhapur and Belgaum) were the two major seats. Some of the military achievements over Chutus shows the influence of Chutus in their coinage. They mainly ruled between 30 BC and 65 AD as could be understood by the victory of Nahapana over Kuras. The King Vilivayukura is even quoted in Ptolemy's work and seems to be the last king who was defeated by the Satavahanas giving way for Chutus to circulate their coins in this area. All the coins minted by the Kuras were in lead. The bow and arrow decorated the coin obverse and the reverse of their coinage usually carried Chaitya, railed tree and river symbols along with the Brahmi legend along the periphery.

Queens Garden of Belgaum as seen in 1878.

2010-02-11T11:41:00.003+05:30

Queens Garden Belgaum in 1878.

Thanks to Sahir Kittur and Uday K ( All About Belgaum ) for this image.

1878 GOVERNMENT GARDEN and BANDSTAND”. From first glance it looks to be the QUEENS GARDEN in camp where there was a band stand in the center of the park.

One Comment from vismardolkar53rediffmail says :

About 50 yrs back this was a real garden and we used to sit on branches of the trees there and study for the Annual exams .And many of my friends will agree with me when i say that we have carried a part of it in our hearts forever.Especial mention has to be made of the lemon trees and its serpentine branches which were favorites with us and also the snakes! Around 10AM the newspapers arrived from Bombay at the green hotel and we watched its distribution amongst the various vendors. That used to be our break from studies for about 15 minutes.

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in 1925, 1940, 1945, 2009 and near future

2010-02-11T11:29:00.005+05:30

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in 1925.

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in 1940.

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in 1945.

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in 2009.

Belgaum Railway Station as seen in near future.

This is how the Belgaum railway station will look after renovation is complete. The work is in progress and raising the height of the platform has been done. Now the main building work is under progress and multi-level parking building is also under construction. It will take another 12-16 months or even more for the new look.This is how the Belgaum railway station will look after renovation is complete. The work is in progress and raising the height of the platform has been done. Now the main building work is under progress and multi level parking building is also under construction. It will take another 12-16 months or even more for the new look.

Hindalga Ganpati as seen in 1917 and 2009

2010-02-11T11:26:00.001+05:30

Hindalga Ganpati as seen in 1917.

Hindalga Ganpati as seen in 2009

The Hindalga Ganesh Temple is in Belgaum, Karnataka. This is also known as Nagtya Ganpati. Now under the maintenance of the MLIRC.

Laxmi Tek as seen in 1900 and 2009.

2010-02-11T11:12:00.004+05:30

Laxmi Tek in 1900. Earlier it known as Musketry Hill.

Laxmi Tek in 2009.

Photo of Vintage S.Rampart Moat Fort Belgaum, India in per - 1945

2010-02-09T15:19:00.001+05:30

Source : http://cgi.ebay.com/

Photo of Vintage Fort Lake - Belgaum, India in per - 1945

2010-02-09T15:18:00.002+05:30

Source : http://cgi.ebay.com/

Photo of Vintage Dhamani Belgaum, India in per - 1945

2010-02-09T15:16:00.003+05:30

Source : http://cgi.ebay.com/

DHUMNEY 157 - S. MAHADEO & SON BELGAUM

Photo of Vintage Church Street, Camp - Belgaum, India in per - 1945

2010-02-09T15:15:00.002+05:30

Source : http://cgi.ebay.com/

Photo of Vintage High Street, Camp - Belgaum, India in per - 1945

2010-02-09T15:12:00.002+05:30

Source : http://cgi.ebay.com/

The Gun Shop about 100 yrs old pic as seen in Belgaum

Belgaum fort as described by Mrs. GUTHRIE

2010-02-01T10:37:00.004+05:30

Bramhanand Chipre got a hand on this one and it’s worth a read. The history of the Belgaum fort and Belgaum as well linked to it. It’s quite lengthy but all has to read to understand the entire Belgaum fort.

Note : No additions or deletions have been made here.

The Belgaum history as written by: MRS. GUTHRIE

In Mahratta, although there are many forts which play a more important part in history than that of Belgaum, still its crumbling walls, ancient sites, and picturesque ruins tell of an eventful story, which is not without interest.

Placed upon no lofty plateau, and defending no mountain pass, but situated in an obscure part of Western India, it owed its former celebrity to the fact of its being a border fortress, situated amidst territories which were constantly at war with one another, and frequently changing masters. It derived not a little of its strength from the deep jungle by which it was until lately surrounded. The natives still consider Belgaum to be in the jungle, and within twenty years bison have been shot close to the ramparts.

Tradition declares that the fort was founded by a certain Jaina King called Jaza Rajah, who built a large mud fort, surrounded by a ditch, on the site of the existing fortifications, and the existence within the enceinte of three Jaina temples of great beauty and interest tends to favour the idea. There is, however, no positive record as to the foundation of the existing fort, but we learn, from an inscription on copper, the date of which is 1294, in which many names are recorded, and which was found in the fosse, that at one period a certain family, who were Jains, held, for seven generations, the hereditary chieftainship of Belgaum. After this period we have more information regarding the history of this place, for the district is remarkably rich in inscriptions in the Canerese character, beautifully cut in relief, upon large slabs of compact black basalt, which takes a beautiful polish, and resists the influence of the weather. Many petty wars, and events of local interest, are recorded upon these stones, but nothing of general interest until the year 1472, when it is stated that Belgaum fort was besieged by Mohammed Shah, the Mohamedan King of the Deccan. It must at that time have been a place of strength, as it is mentioned in history as being protected by strong towers and lofty walls, guarded by a deep wet ditch, and by a pass near to it, the only approach to which was fortified by re doubts. When Mohammed Shah set himself down to subdue it, he commanded the fire workers, as they valued their own safety, to affect a particular breach in fourteen days, and ordered his soldiers to throw quantities of wood and earth into the ditch. The enemy in the night, however, always removed them, upon which he placed his guns in another position, but only finally succeeded, by mining, in forming three breaches. The troops of Birkana Ray, Rajah of the fortress, advanced gallantly to defend the place, and nearly two thousand of the king’s troops fell in the attempt to storm. The besieged had nearly repaired the works with wood and stones when the Shah, advancing to the assault, drove the enemy before him, and gained the ramparts. When opposition had ceased, the King entered the citadel, and gave thanks to God for the success of his arms. One of his first acts was to expel the image of Dymavavera, the tutelar goddess of the fort, but the sorrowing Hindoos were allowed to place it in a little temple outside the walls, which still exists.

Fort Entrance

The history of Belgaum remained intimately connected with that of Bijapur until the decline of the Mussulman power in Western India, when it relapsed into the hands of the Hindoo princes. The king bestowed Belgaum and its dependencies upon Mahmoud Gavan, a very distinguished general, of royal blood, being connected with the Shah of Persia. His career was one of curious vicissitudes. He first served in the Deccan, to which he came in the year 1461, and where he was successful in many campaigns, rendering his royal master great services, for which he was made Governor of Bijipur, was given a seat in the Council of Regency, and was appointed a guardian of the young prince, Nizam Shah. He also rose to the dignity of Vizier, and distinguished himself at the siege of Goa, but was finally murdered by Mohammed Shah in 1481. He was very famous for his learning, justice, and munificence, and left. Once in every twelve years a great festival is held in honor of Dymavavera, when buffaloes, sheep, and goats are sacrificed to her. The slaughter takes place on a platform outside the little pyramidal building erected to her. The jubilee took place shortly after M.’s arrival in Belgaum.

In the same year the Mussulman king again visited Belgaum, probably for the purpose of resuming his full authority over it. He inspected the city and examined the fortifications. Thirty years of petty warfare ensued, and then the golden age of the old fort commenced.

Ismael Khan Shah began his reign at Bijapur in the year 1511, when he was a minor, and the attempt at usurpation made by his guardian was the means of bringing conspicuously forward Khoossan Toork, a Persian, who, as he took part in the deliverance of the young king, was honoured with the title of Azad Khan, and the Government of Belgaum was conferred upon him. He was far the greatest man who ever reigned over it; and even to this day his name is a household word among the people, who love and revere his memory. It is to his wise measures that the town has ever owed, and still continues to owe, its comparative immunity from cholera. He altered and repaired the walls of the fortress, every inscription on which is in the Persian character. He also erected a grand palace, which, with its offices and stables, covered a large space of ground. There are existing records of the magnificence which he maintained. His household servants — Georgians, Circassians, Abyssinians, and Hindoos amounted to two hundred and fifty. He had sixty large elephants, and one hundred and fifty of a smaller size. In his stables were four hundred and fifty Arabian horses, exclusive of those of mixed breeding foaled in India. Two thousand seven hundred pounds of rice were every day prepared for his household, in addition to fifty sheep, and one hundred fowls. It was he who first introduced the fashion of wearing the waistband of cloth of gold, and the dagger, a custom which has since been adopted by persons of rank in this country. He also attempted to ride elephants with bridles instead of managing them with the goad ; but as these animals are rather unsteady, in consequence of the sudden vicious starts to which they are frequently prone, this mode of guiding them was, according to the old chronicle, not found to answer.

Years flew by, during which Azad Khan was constantly at war, and proved himself a most successful general, acquiring great riches, in the form of gold, jewels, and elephants. On one occasion, it is related that, after a battle, the King of Bijapur presented him with five large and six small elephants ; and at another time, when he had taken a large quantity of baggage and twenty elephants, the king gave him all these animals but one, which he reserved for himself, and called Alia Baksh (the Gift of God). Towards the end of his life, when very ill, he succeeded in frustrating the design of a neighboring chief, Nizam Shah, who had a great wish to possess himself of Belgaum, with which design he entrusted a large sum of money to a Brahman, who was directed to employ it in corrupting the soldiers of the garrison, in the hope that they would deliver the fort into his hands, in case of Azad’s death. The Brahman had nearly succeeded in his commission, when the plot was discovered, and the chief agent in it, in spite of his high caste, was put to death, along with seventy of the soldiers whom he had bribed. Old age having rendered Azad too weak to contend with a deep-seated malady, he prepared to meet death, and in lines (of which the following is a translation), he entreated the King of Bijapur to honor him with a farewell visit. “Come like the morning breeze to the bower of friendship, Come like the graceful cypress to the garden.” Ibraham assented to the request, and on his arrival finding his old friend had breathed his last, he administered consolation to his family by attaching all the late Khan’s estates and treasures. The fine old chief died in the year 1549, having held Belgaum during thirty-three prosperous years. He left a name not only dear to his people, but celebrated in the history of the period; and we have heard that his standard, on which was embroidered an angry lion, was bestowed as a great honour upon Kishwar Khan.

In the year 1557, the treacherous King of Bijapur lay on his death-bed. He had, on religious grounds, quarreled with both of his sons, the eldest of whom, his heir, was under surveillance in Miraj, whilst the youngest was in confinement at Belgaum, under the charge of Kishwar Khan, the governor, where, upon the accession of his brother, he was still kept prisoner. Though treated with kindness and generosity, he determined to rebel, and having persuaded the governor and the garrison to assist him, he took possession of the fort, and raised the standard of rebellion, upon which a renowned general, Elias Khan, was sent with five thousand men to besiege the place. Great confusion followed, and in order completely to quell the insurrection, a further force of twenty thousand horse and thirty thousand foot, was sent against Belgaum, under Ein-ul-Mulk, who, treacherously pretending to be the friend of the young prince, persuaded him to take the field, with those who were willing to espouse his cause, and march upon Bijipur. The unfortunate Ismael fell into the trap laid for him, and was taken prisoner and executed. Nor did it fare better with the double traitor, Ein-al- Mulk, who was also put to death, his head being sent to Bijapur, where, for a certain time, it was exposed upon a pole in front of the palace, and afterwards blown from a great gun.

The next important prisoners confined in the fort were the Portuguese ambassador and his suite. About this time, in consequence of a change of territory, Belgaum ceased to be a frontier fort, and no particular mention of it appears until 1673, when the renowned Sevaji, with his famous light cavalry, swept down and sacked both town and fort. At the fall of Bijapur, in 1688, the fort reverted to the Mahrattas, and was in the possession of Aurangzib, second son of the powerful Prince A’Zam, at which period it acquired the name A’Zamnagar. After the lapse of some years the name was changed to Mustafabad, after a Kiledar who thoroughly repaired and strengthened the ramparts; and this appellation it still retains.

One year after the battle of Kirhee, the English, under General Munro, marched against it. He encamped near Sharpur, on the morning of March 11th, 1818, with a comparatively insignificant force of native soldiers, and three troops of His Majesty’s twenty-second Light Dragoons, a force so weak that it tended to confirm the garrison, and the inhabitants of Belgaum and Shahpur (who had a high opinion of the strength of the fort), in the belief that it could not be taken.

The English were unable to obtain accurate intelligence as to the state of the ditch, which was the great defense of the place; otherwise the attack would not have been made from the points selected. On the fifteenth, the fort was invested, but nothing particular occurred until the twentieth, when the force marched to the north of the fort, and encamped about two miles and a half from it. On the twenty-second, the first battery opened on the defences, and on the following day the pioneers broke ground, and began opening trenches. On the thirty-first, the magazine belonging to one of the batteries, in which there was a considerable amount of ammunition, blew up. The garrison took immediate advantage of this misfortune, and making a sally, succeeded in passing over the battery, but was immediately repulsed. During the following days such steady progress was made by the English that on or about April 9th, the Kiledar (acting governor) sent out a flag of truce to propose terms, but General Munro did not accept them. Next day all the batteries kept up a heavy fire on the fort, and the breach, though not exactly practicable, began to have a more favorable appearance, in consequence of which the Kiledar found himself under the necessity of accepting the condition offered by General Munro, which was that he should give up possession of the gateway, the garrison being allowed to march out with their arms and private property. This they did on the following day, to the number of one thousand six hundred, having lost seventy men. The loss of the besieging army amounted to twenty three killed and wounded. By the capture of the fort, General Munro obtained possession of thirty-six guns of large calibre, sixty smaller guns, and numerous wall pieces, besides stores of every sort.

Walls of the Fort

The two breaches effected by the English were near the main guard, and are plainly visible, “the masonry which fills the gaps being still ungnawed by time. Count is abstracted without mentally fighting the battle of the fort, and wishing for the success of its brave garrison. The fall of Belgaum completed the conquest of the Peishwa’s territory south of the Krishna. The breaking out of the Mutiny found Belgaum garrisoned by two native regiments, a battery of European artillery, and the depot of an English regiment, withdrawn to serve in Persia. The native troops were believed to be ripe for revolt; all the European women and children were brought into the fort, and the small English garrison had good reason to take every measure to provide for their safety. The walls, which had been somewhat neglected, were put in a state of defence, the breaches were repaired, and the artillery were quartered in the fort. It was thought necessary to make an example of certain emissaries of the rebels, who were taken in the act of corrupting the native soldiers, and they were blown from guns. People have told me that they stopped their ears in order to deaden the horrible sound. Fortunately, no actual outbreak took place here.

Moat as seen from the fort

The year of the Mutiny is remembered with horror by the natives in Belgaum, on account of the execution of the Brahman chief of Nargund, who was put to death for the cruel murder of Mr. Manson, the deputy collector. Mr.Manson had been sent to negotiate with him, but having no escort, his palanquin was attacked by order of the chief; his bearers ran away, and the unfortunate young gentleman was cut and hacked to pieces. The chief of Nargund was ignominiously hanged upon an elevated spot, which still bears the name of the Brahman’s Hill. I have met with many people who still cherish the memory of Mr. Manson, who was much beloved.

The fort of Belgaum is situated in the midst of an extensive undulating plain. As it now stands, it forms an irregular oval, enclosed by a deep ditch, still full of water, which is cut out of a softish red stone, which hardens on being exposed to the air. The exterior of the fort is surrounded by a fine broad esplanade; the revetment rises about thirty-two feet above the bottom of the ditch. The interior is level, and extends about a thousand yards in length, by eight hundred in breadth. The original entrance was made between two magnificent battlemented bastions, which still exist, although the gate, which once opened upon a bridge, has been walled up. The present main gate, which is a solid pile of building, is considered to be a fine specimen of Indian architecture. There is an open guard-chamber, with a groined roof, which has once been ornamented by pendants, and the exterior is elaborately decorated with grotesque representations of animals and birds (rather curious ornaments for a Mahomedan building, but a Brahman architect is said to have been employed). The effect has been somewhat destroyed by time, and the frequent application of various coats of colour ; but the ostriches still run races, cats with open mouths still conduct water from the roof, and one elephant has been drinking for centuries out of the same bottle. The little niches scattered about, intended to receive lights, and slippers, and water-bottles, are very graceful. The shrine of the many-armed Durga, the goddess of castles and of war, is an excrescence placed in a corner by the Hindoos when they regained the fortress. “Let not/’ say the most ancient laws of Manu, “foes hurt a king who has taken refuge in his Durgar.” The exterior of this curious shrine is covered with richly-coloured mythological figures. Some of the unpopular gods, like the pictured celebrities of other nations, have had their faces scratched out, and their noses destroyed. Passing under a lofty unguarded archway, we reach the outworks, and then come to a fine gateway, with solid iron-plated doors, which have once been thickly studded with iron spikes, like those at Poonah, and with the same intention. Under the arch is an inscription in relief, sculptured in Persian characters, to the following effect : ” Jakub Ali Khan, who is a joy to the heart, by whose benevolence the world is prosperous, built the wall of the fort from its base as strong as the barrier of Sicardis.” From every point of view these gates and outworks present a most picturesque appearance. The fine red colour of the battlements, the peeps obtained down into the deep ditch, where the still water lies in shade, and, like a black mirror, reflects the walls it protects, and the tall palms which fringe its outer bank, the mysterious light which gleams through the fretwork in the doors enclosing the cruel goddess, all tend to give this spot a romantic charm which I have rarely found equalled. It is most beautiful by moonlight, but when fantastic shadows are thrown around, it looks a weird place, where one almost expects to see the tall forms of long-dead warriors.

On the western side of the fort there is a more modern egress, a substantial archway, which is gained by a descending road, and a sharp turn leads to a narrow causeway which bridges the fosse. It is guarded only by low loops of thick chain, attached to ricketty old cannon, and I confess that in crossing it I have often sat behind the fresh young Arabs with a beating heart and closed eyes, thankful when the sound of their hoofs on the hard road told

me that the dangerous spot was passed. The walls of the fort are crowned by lofty scalloped battlements, standing clear of one another, and pierced with long loop-holes, just so wide as to have admitted the muzzles of the old jangals (literally teazers), which now lie rusting in the arsenal.

The Station library was a charming retreat. The books, which numbered nearly four thousand, were arranged in cases which lined the walls of the long low room, and reached up to a ceiling which was supported by great time honored beams of rough-hewn teak wood. In olden days this house had been the residence of the Kiledar. In its deep, shady verandah, set with plants, it was twilight at noonday, but it was a pleasant place, where one could just see to read. It commanded a charming peep, between the boles of the peepul trees, of the ruined gateway where the Naubat played, and through the deep, dark archway, to an ever blooming garden, where, fanned by the gentle breeze, the rich-hued blossoms, ever combining, looked like the changing colours in a kaleidoscope. Outside the arsenal the great guns and pyramids of ball, as seen from our garden, were picturesque objects. There was little to invite attention in the interior of the building. Some two years ago it contained a curious collection of old native weapons, but they had been carried off to Woolwich, or some other place. Shreds of silk dangling disconsolately from bare poles were all that remained of colours which had fluttered over many a battle-field, and the piles of rusty jangals lay in obscure corners — all else was fresh, trim, and ready. Some of the long corridors were paved with sections of petrified palm work, the rings of which were so perfect that with a little pains one might have deciphered their age, and told which side of the tree had received the warm rays of the rising- sun. Though last, not least, I must make mention of our little snug Gothic church. Its cockney aspect presented a striking contrast to the crumbling antiquities around, but the interior was pretty and airy. There were a few memorial tablets upon the walls, but none of general interest, excepting that which recorded the sad death of Mr. Manson. The edifice stood upon a small maidan, which G hired for the benefit of his cattle, it being very desirable to graze it down; for the long grass served as cover for cobras, which more than once were seen fighting by the assembling congregation.

Completely shut out from the exterior world, there could not, to my mind, exist a more delightful and romantic spot than that enclosed by the old red walls. The grassy ramparts, which are banked up until the rounded battlements alone are visible, make a charming walk which commands a panoramic view of the surrounding country, of the undulating plain, with its woods, cultivated fields, green pastures, and little villages, sheltered by lofty mango-trees, the distant mountains, the jungly hills, the rolling downs, ever-changing, peaceful in the sunshine, purple and threatening in the storm. Not even water wanted to enhance the charms of the landscape. The tank, in reality a lake of some extent, lay glittering within a stone’s throw of the main gate. Banked up on one side by a lofty wall with a stone coping, it was otherwise at liberty to lie at rest, calm and blue, or to swell out into a turbid inland sea, specked with unfamiliar islands. At morn and eve the tank was a busy scene. I had favorite nooks from which I often watched the great herds of cattle which were brought up to water. The buffaloes delighted in their early bath, and waded about with just their noses out of the refreshing element. They are docile creatures, obedient to their owner’s call, not half so difficult to manage as the fierce little untamable cows. Serene-looking bullocks drank, and gazed about them, and drank again. Some pet animal was readily distinguished by its brass collar, garland of flowers, or necklace of cowrie shells, put on to ensure good luck. Occasionally a great black elephant came slowly down, and dabbled its “lotus feet ” in the water, whilst it was scrubbed by its driver. One of these sagacious creatures had a curious trick of bending its ears forward with its trunk, in order that the skin behind might come in for its share of the washing. Camels came striding down in long file, they alone looking discontented, for not even the cool morning’s draught could please these peevish creatures.

Another favourite resting-place was the top of the flag-staff, or Chevalier battery, a stronghold built by Azad Khan, within the walls, but towering far above them. From its summit the flag with the angry lion had floated for many a year. It was a delightful spot at the hour of sunset, when the western sky was flooded with amber or rosy red, and the mala was heard from the minaret of the musjid in the Durga camp, in which the old Khan’s bones repose, calling the faithful to prayer. While the cattle slowly crossed the plain to their rest, and the short twilight deepened, ghostly bands of white robed people would glide along, and disappear beneath the deep shade of the mango-trees.

Occasionally a procession might be seen returning from some ceremony, the shrill notes of the musicians toned down by distance, and red robed women, bearing fire in their brass vessels, on their way to sometime-honored temple. How beautiful must this plain have been when covered up to the very foot of the distant hills with a waving sea of green, a jungle of palms, and bananas, and bamboos! Many a time have I lingered, until suddenly it was dark, and I had to descend and cross the pathless grass, in mental fear of the snakes. There is a tradition that three hundred and sixty Jaina temples were pulled down, in order to supply materials for building the present walls of the fort.

This part of the Deccan was once the headquarters of that curious sect whose habit it was to build their temples, which are not very large, near together. There is no doubt that almost all of the immense blocks of stone which have carving upon them, and which are built into the walls irregularly, and without design to adorn, are of Jaina origin. Their style of ornamentation is very peculiar, and cannot, when one once becomes familiar with it, be mistaken. There are long narrow stones, strips of friezes or cornices, with stiff-pointed lotus-flowers cut upon them (the stiff-cut lotus of Indian art does not mean to imitate Nature; it is merely used as a symbol of the power of those kings who ruled over countries where the lotus grew) ; and others upon which musicians, playing upon such instruments as are still in use, pipe to dancing women with distorted bodies and light drapery. They are covered with bracelets and bangles, and long rows of beads hang from their necks; these bands are generally grouped between pillars, such as now serve for gate-posts at almost every bungalow in the fort. Some of the carved divinities are seated in rows, with animals at their feet; some are well-proportioned, and cut in high relief; others are rude, and rendered almost undecipherable by time. Long after I imagined myself to be acquainted with every piece of sculpture around, I came upon bits which were new to me — stones which had been hidden away by tall balsams, or bushes of the many hued lantana (wild sage). One magnificent stream of the black-stemmed giant maidenhair fern died down and disclosed the figure of an elephant, with a chain round the body, which was in the act of treading a man to death, representing, it may be, and some act of vengeance which had taken place near this very spot. From many a corner the hooded head of a cobra, once worshiped, peeped through the long grasses. Another curious study was furnished by the monumental stones, which are supposed to have been erected to the memory of warriors slain in battle. They are divided into three or more compartments. The lowest part of one, which is in the fort, represents a fight, in which a soldier is attacked by armed men and slain. In the next compartment nymphs are bearing him on high, whilst above he is seen worshiping the Linga. Upon a second stone the hero is represented curve-ting along upon his steed, with his sword-bearer in advance. The middle one pictures the deceased man rising with extended arms, whilst the forefinger of a gigantic hand points to the skies. In the third compartment there is a bust of the warrior, by the side of which a kneeling figure worships the Linga. Numbers of these memorials (all relating to war) lie scattered about the whole district, and it is a pity that they are not removed to some place of safety, and that no endeavor is made to collect any legends attached to them. In all probability the stories they picture have been gathered into the chants and songs of the people.

It would be tedious to dwell upon the sculptured objects which ornament the ancient walls rising up in every compound, cropping out of the loose stone walls which surround them, and peeping from the very ditches — gods and pirates, dancing women and shrined ascetics, beautiful tracery and grotesque animals, jostling one another in strange confusion. Doubtless our feet have passed over many a hidden treasure. The fort of Belgaum is indeed a glorious place for those who love old stones.

Brahmanand Chipre's above story collected was added by Uday K in http://allaboutbelgaum.com/lifestyle/history-lifestyle/belgaum-fort-as-described-by-mrs-guthrie/

Thanks Uday for publishing and updating the history to all blogger's and Belgaumites.
Source

Belgaum Fort loosing its grandeur

2010-02-01T10:33:00.000+05:30

Not all cities have the pleasure of having a fort in their city. Belgaumites have been very lucky to be the capital of a kingdom in the past.

The inside of the Fort area now does not much resemble to how it was then but is clean and the MLIRC has taken great care of a major part. Ram Krishna mission Ashrama and the Kamal Basti are places one should visit. There are a few govt. offices as well; the inner parts are avid but who will take care of the outer walls.

See the photos they are self-explanatory, the weeds grown from top to bottom on all sides and the moat filled with mud over the years in some areas never looks like a moat any more.

The archaeological survey of India is looking after the Kamal Basti but no one is caring about the fort walls. If this condition continues in no time, the whole wall will collapse and fort will have no walls to protect itself.

The worst part no one in the city is raising this issue of protection of historic monuments. The city at this moment is only speaking about the Rs.100 crore special grant and its implementation for development works, but we should also learn to preserve our history for our next generation, or a time will come when our children will ask where is the Fort dad,” I saw on Wikipedia or AAB, Belgaum had a fort?” Then we will tell them, once there were huge walls surrounding the fort, there was moat and so on.

We need to preserve history for the next generation.
Source : http://allaboutbelgaum.com/lifestyle/travel/belgaum-fort-loosing-its-grandeur/

Oldest Jain Conis of 1818 during the time of British rule in India

2010-01-29T22:18:00.004+05:30

Thanks to Snehal Shirrati for this ancient coins photos.

Ruined Jain Temple of Belgaum Fort on old days Post Card

2010-01-29T22:06:00.002+05:30

The Post Card reads as :
To, Mip Knight,
153 Schoeman Street,
Iretoia,
South Africa.

Jain Temple build near Supply and Transport Office in Fort is place of public worship for Hindus (but actually Jains) of higher class. There are three of these temples in the fort.

Yours Etc
a. Dholomr

AK Belgaum, The Dhummey Stand, Rindergespanne 1934

2009-12-21T17:12:00.002+05:30

Kamal Basti's beauty in Vijay Karnataka Newpaper

2009-12-21T16:35:00.001+05:30

Church inside the Belgaum fort

2009-12-21T16:31:00.003+05:30

Not many know that there was a church in the fort (including me).

Aziz who has spent many years around the fort area gave some insight on the fort Church. The church was during the British era and there is a reference to this in the gazetteer of Campbell. No ruins remain, but legend has it that it was located after the PWD offices on the left side as one enters from Durga Devi gate, before Deshpande’s bungalow, there is a teak plantation there now.

THE FORT CHURCH - called Christ Church was 112 ft long with a pleasing interior, built in 1833 and contained several monuments and memorial windows.The church front was in black marble. Its apse was designed by General Merriman R.E. to commemorate the services of Mr. Charles James Mason, of the Bombay Civil Service, who when Acting Political Agent, South Maratha Country, was murdered by the chief of Nargund in 1858. The Apse and Memorial window at the east of the church were erected by Mason’s friends in affectionate memory of his public worth. Of the 6 other tablets, 1 is to Lieutenant W.P.Shakespeare, A.P.Campbell & Ensign W.Caldwell who fell in Kolhapur and Savantvadi insurrection in 1844.

Club Road inside Belgaum Fort.

Ramswamy Fort Gate

2009-12-21T16:28:00.002+05:30

2009-08-25T13:18:00.003+05:30

KURAS OF BELGAUM/KOLHAPUR 30BC - 65AD

The south west region was ruled by the Kuras during the 1st century AD and they were the major power. Brahmapuri and Madhavapur (Kolhapur and Belgaum) were the two major seats. Some of the military achievements over Chutus shows the influence of Chutus in their coinage. They mainly ruled between 30 BC and 65 AD as could be understood by the victory of Nahapana over Kuras. The King Vilivayukura is even quoted in Ptolemy's work and seems to be the last king who was defeated by the Satavahanas giving way for Chutus to circulate their coins in this area. All the coins minted by the Kuras were in lead. The bow and arrow decorated the coin obverse and the reverse of their coinage usually carried Chaitya, railed tree and river symbols along with the Brahmi legend along the periphery.

Source : http://prabhu.50g.com/southind/kura/south_kura.

Ruler : King Vasithiputra
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 10.1gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi:Siri Vasisthiputrasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on lt; Multi arched hill on rt
Reference : TA#014, RRR

Ruler : King Vasishtiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Pb (lead) Karshapana, 27 mm, 12.1gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Vasisthiputrasa vilivaykurasa
Reverse : Tree in railing on lt; multi arched hill on rt
Reference : MCSI1, #91, R

Ruler : King Gautamiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Lead (Pb) Karshapana, 30mm, 13.4gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Gotamiputasa vilivaykurasa
Reverse : multi arched hill with tree above, all in a rectanlge containing river symbol
Reference : TA#015, RRR

Ruler : King Gautamiputra Vilivayukura
Year : 30 BC - 65 AD
Unit : Lead (Pb) Karshapana, 30mm, 3.0gm
Obverse : Bow & Arrow, legend in Brahmi: Gotamiputasa vilivaykurasa
Obverse : 10 arched hill with tree above, all in a rectanlge containing river symbol
Reference : MCSI1, #102, R

India Old Postcard WESTERN FORT GATE with Palm Trees - BELGAUM

2009-03-17T15:46:00.001+05:30

Vintage British Indian Postcard. The Western Fort Gate, Palm Tree, Belgaum.

India Old Postcard Dbl Bullock Cart in FORT MUSJID - BELGAUM

2009-03-17T15:36:00.002+05:30

Vintage B/W British Indian Postcard. The Fort Musjid, Belgaum with Double Bullock Cart and Street Scene.

The Fort Musjid, known as Safa Masjid which was once a Shiva Temple later was demolished and changed to Safa Masjid by King Adil Shah. Today this is within the premisis of Indian Army/Military Area and is highly secured. Read the blog below for Safa Masjid fof more details.

India Old Postcard Interior of ST. MARY'S CHURCH - BELGAUM

2009-03-17T15:30:00.004+05:30

St. Mary's Church, Camp - Belgaum about 100 years ago.

Vintage B/W British Indian Postcard. Interior of St. Mary's Church, Camp - Belgaum.

Northern Belgaum Fort Gate of Belgaum in 1910

2009-03-17T14:59:00.007+05:30

In my endeavor to get you the past of Belgaum, with some nostalgic old photos, which have never been published in any local new paper until date, here is another one.

This photo is of the Northern gate of the Fort taken in 1910. We can see British Army personals near the gate discussing and one fellow mate is ready to take a photo with a close type camera. Some Indians are watching them sitting below the tree

Many readers will say why is this site becoming historical then latest, Friends history is history and we have to learn from history. Uday K found it on Ebay. I am really thankful for his efforts he has taken to find the old photo.

[ Source : AllAboutBelgaum.com ]

12th century Temple at Kamal Basti in Belgaum

2009-02-05T17:24:00.003+05:30

by ROHIT R PHALGAONKAR
Posted on 2009-02-05

Goa is blessed to have examples of both; the early architectural styled monument of the Kadambs and a monument of the later period. The temple of Shri Mahadev which was shifted from Kurdi to the plateau near the Salauli Dam is an example of early architectural style of this dynasty; whereas the temple of Shri Mahadev at Tambdi Surla is a unique example of the later period. The historic monument of Tambdi Surla can be assigned to the 13th century. It incorporates Chalukyan, Hoysal and Yaadav architecture.Most of the temples built by them appear to have been carved out from schist stone. Same is the case with the temple at Tambdi Surla. Attempts were also made by the Kadambs to use local material for carving. This is evident from the Shri Mahadev temple of Kurdi. This 10th century temple is perhaps the only documented temple in which laterite stone was used for carving. This stone was perhaps avoided later on due its softness, which makes it unsuitable for carving. Moreover laterite is also not very durable as compared to schist stone.

Belgaum is an ideal shopping centre for many Goans. But a very few of us are oblivious of an architectural wonder of the Goa Kadamb Dynasty standing in the Fort of Belgaum. The temple of Jain Mahavir is a monument worth admiring. The area in which the temple stands is called Kamal Basti. There are many reasons given behind this name. Some opine that it was built by the 12th century Kadamb Queen Kamaladevi whereas some opine that it is because of the of the massive lotus ceiling in the temple which gave the area that name, as Kamal means a lotus.

Whatever may be the reason behind the name, the temple was definitely built by the Goa Kadamb dynasty during the 12th century. The temple is divided into four main parts. The Rang Mandap, the Maha Mandap, the Antraalai and the Garbgrih.
Temples normally have a front porch, which enters into the main hall. But in this case the front porch is combined with the Rang Mandap. The Rang Mandap has a star shaped plinth with a huge Rang Shilaa in the centre. The Rang Shilaa is a round stone platform which was used for performances and hence the name Rang Mandap. The pillars in this Mandap are highly polished. One cannot afford to miss massive stone lotus ceiling with stone lotuses hanging in the middle. The lotuses carved out from stone hang below as if they are screwed to the roof. Looking at this ceiling one begins to wonder so as to how these marvels were created in the absence of electricity and modern tools.

The Maha Mandap too is decorated by ornate stone massive pillars. The Maha Mandap enters into the Antraalai which has a lantern shaped ceiling with lotus motifs. A stone Jaali (perforated screen) separates the Maha Mandap from the Antraalai. The lantern shaped ceiling and the stone Jaali are replicas of the ones existing in the Tambdi Surla temple. A similar stone Jaali attached to a doorway is found in Old Goa, which is mistaken to be the Gateway of Adil Shah’s palace. Various Jain deities and their consorts like Padmavati, Parshavnath etc are worshipped in the small niches in the Maha Mandap. The temple has a Shukh Naasi on the top. The Shikhar of the temple does not exist today and is said to have been destroyed during the attacks of invaders like Malik Kafur or the Bahamani Kings.

Near this temple another temple of the same era also exists. A little away from these two temples yet another stone temple is found. It is not known to which deity these two stone temples belonged to, as both their Garbgrihs do not survive today. They were probably destroyed during the Bahamani or Malik Kafur’s invasion.

So next time you go to Belgaum try to visit this ancient wonder at Kamal Basti!

[Source : http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=200902057]

Karnataka Tourism favors Kamal Basti

2008-08-27T13:01:00.006+05:30

Karnataka Tourism comes in favor of Kamal Basti

A new display board/hording has been put up by the Karnataka Tourism at the Gogte Circle (Railway Station Circle) in Belgaum. It is on the Left hand corner of the Congress Road at the Traffic Signal. People coming from Military Mahadev of Congress Road can see it, tough the placement board is not so visible due the electricity/Traffic Signal Pole.

Kudos to the Karnataka Tourism that it has come with a new taught to highlight Kamal Basti as a Tourist Spot along with the Belgaum Fort and Fort Lake. At last the tourism department considers that the Fort, the Lake, and Kamal Basti are of greater importance to the Nation, at least in terms of Tourism which can attract outsiders to have a glance of the beauty of the city.

I request the Karnataka Tourism Department to add few more boards/hoardings along the Highway Roads which connects Belgaum with all major places, so that people traveling via Belgaum can come to know the importance of the Place.

Image Source : http://belgaumblog.com

Blog crosses over 1500 mark of Visitors . . . .

2008-07-28T15:04:00.022+05:30

The Blog was viewed more then 1500 Times by our readers, since 15th Dec 2007 with in a span of 8 months. Your kind co-operation was really necessary for making my Blog a big success.

The procedure to Save the Two 11th Century Jaina Temple namely, Kamal Basti and Chikki Basti or Ratta Basti of Belgaum is still on and as I get more inputs. I will keep updating you all through this Blog. So keep visiting for more updates and keep writing Comments.

Exclusive Research : Belgaum had Different Names in Past.

2008-06-26T15:50:00.009+05:30

No doubt India has different names, which we use them even today. India, Bharat and Hindustan all are the same. Similarly, Belgaum went through different name changes ever since the Ratta Dynasty started ruling this place. Below are the names it achieved in the past history.

Jirnasitapura - Old Belgaum and Shahpur, the then Sapur were together called Jirnasitapura in the 7th Century. [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]

Vamsapura, it got this name when Queen Gunavati got a offspring from King Kuntamaraya. [ Refrence - Pg 140 of The Indian Antiquary ]

Venugrama or Velugrama or Ikshugrama was the name in 805 AD [ Refrence - Pg 862 of Karnataka State Gazetteer]

Venugram in 1199AD [ Refrence - Pg 862 of Karnataka State Gazetteer]

Azamnagar [ According to Mr. Strokes (Belgaum, 45), after the fall of bijapur, the fort of Belgaum remained for several years in possession of Aurangzeb's second son Azam and from him was called Azamnagar. This seems doubtful. According to Orme (Historical Fragments, 286-287) Belgaum was called Azamnagar under the Bijapur Kings. Refrence - Pg 547 Bombay of Gazzattee]

Mustafabad [ In memory of one of its Commandants or Killedars, who thoroughly repaired and strengthened the ramparts of the Belgaum Fort. Refrence - Pg 548 of Bombay Gazetteer ]

Belagugrama to Belugav to Belgavi [ Refrence - Pg 500 of Bombay Gazetteer ]

Belgaum - In 16 or 17th Century when the British East India Company were unable to pronounce the word Belgavi, they changes the name as per their accent and called it as Belgaum.

Till date, this is what we know today but not to worry as the JD(S) and BJP led coalition Govt forwarded a list of District Names of the Karnataka State to get changed and sent it to the Central Congress Govt in 2006 on the eve of 50th Year of Independence of Karnataka State. So belgaum is expecetd to get back its name from Belgaum to Belgavi.

Belgavi expected to get its name soon in near future.

Othere places name changes that were also related to Belgaum were :-

Yalur [ Refrence Book A Legend of Old Belgaum, May 1875 Pg - 139.]

Yellur as we know it today.

Sapur in 11th Century [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]

Chapour in 1680 by the East India Company

Shahpur as we know it today.

Hrasvagiri in 11th Century [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]

Anagola [ Refrence Pg 138 of The Indian Antiquary ]

Angol as we know it today.

Kondanur in 11th Century.

Konnur as we know it today

Unknown Original Story of Belgaum, Belgaum Fort and 108 Jain Basti

2008-06-26T11:47:00.019+05:30

People don't know there is an Original Story behind Old Belgaum. But this story below will clarify your doubts.

How Belgaum was formed?
Why the Jaina temples in Belgaum Fort were built?
Who built the Belgaum Fort? Etc . . . .

It is hard to believe, but the truth was written long back with evidences by a British writer GILMOUR M’CORKELL in his book THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.

He clearly tells that there were 108 Jain Temples in the premises of the present Belgaum Fort, which were demolished and overthrew by the then Musalman kings and ultimately with the same stone and pillars the Belgaum Fort as built.

He also clearly mentions in the Book:

Old Belgaum is said to have been found by a Jaina King

but the earliest notice that we have of it is to be found in the Gulhalli inscription 1150 AD."
[ Reference Book A Legend of Old Belgaum, May 1875 Pg - 139 ].

_______________________________* - * - *_______________________________

A LEGEND OF OLD BELGAUM
By: GILMOUR M’CORKELL, Bo. C. S.

The Legend

There was a poet by name Sarasijabhavanandana, belonging to the ancient Jaina cast, and an inhabitant of Belgaum. He has composed in Old Kanarese language a short history of kings. Having, by means of rhetorical and an ornate Sanskrit expressions, applied such epithets as ripen as if they were plentiful given in the Karnataka Country, he has complied an account of Belgaum. In it we obtain full information of those kings who formerly were, their names, their good qualities, their castes, and the virtuous deeds that they preformed. And memorials of the acts which were done by those same kings are to be met with, even in the present day, in Belgaum, and are as written below :-

Sapur and Belgaum were formerly collectively called Jirnasitapura, and there lived there governor of the city of Samantapattana, whose name was Kuntamaraya, a Jaina by caste, very religious and compassionate. So the people had great joy and happiness. One day (it happened that) one hundred and eight Jaina sages, -- who had come from the South Country into the forest of Anagola, of which the name was formerly Hrasvagiri -- remained there all night, because their rules did not permit them to advance a single footstep during the darkness. When this news reached Kuntamaraya, the King, with the expressed assent of his wife Gunavati, went out to the sages and, having preformed respectful obeisance, besought them as follows :- “ Oh mighty saints, take pity upon me and bestow your favour upon me, so that my region may become famous.” But, as their custom was never to say anything at night, they held no converse with the king. Accordingly the king returned home in great despondency, (and, as he was going) sparks of fire fell from the torches, and the dry forest was set on fire, and all those sages were burnt to ashes.

On the following day, in the early morning the king again went into the forest and saw all those Jaina sages had been consumed. When they saw this, both husband and wife were much terrified and began to consider. Accordingly there and then, he proposed a plan to Gunavati, where by these Jaina sages might attain the state of final emancipation, -- as follows: - “Let us bring stones and build 108 temples, and, when we have performed worship to them, I shall accomplish the propagation of offspring.” When he has so said, they returned home, and, and in accordance with the above plan, he caused to build 108 Jaina temples at that very place where are even at the present day some Jaina Temples in the Fort of Belgaum. After he had initiated into the mysteries of the Jaina faith and had reigned for some time, Gunavati at length became pregnant. And now, although he had been very anxious that his wife should have children, his dread of not having any offspring vanished. On this account he gave to Belgaum the name of Vamsapura. Now the word in Marathi for Vamsa is Bel. In this manner we arrive at the name Belgaum.

Afterwards they lived in Old Belgaum, Santa the son of Kuntam the king of Savantavadi, famous, deeply learned in the mysterious of the Jaina religion, thoroughly skilled in the worship of the gods of forefather, very brave, and lauded by prince who are born in the races of the Sun and Moon, a supporter of the rules of the faith of the Kshatriyas, a protector of Jaina sages, very skilful in bestowing on the temples of Jinendra that wealth which consists in courtesans, &c. He had fourteen wives. The chief of there wives, by name Padmavati, was very famous. She had a son by Santa named Anantavirya. One day, attended by his retinue of maid-servants, &c. he (Santa) went to the river Sundarsana near Yalur for the purpose of playing in the water, and in the lake of Nagasarovara he met his death by a thunderbolt. Then three ministers of state came from Savantavadi and crowned Anantavirya King. He also reigned according to the customs of his fathers. One day, many sages, along whom Sudarsana was the chief, arrived. When he has made respectful obeisance to them, Anantavirya inquired concerning his ancestors, and those sages recounted from their Puranas the above story in which has been related to fate of King Santa.

Afterwards there was a king of his race and lineage by name Mallikarjuna. During his reign a famous Musalman by name Asta Khan (Asad Khan) came from Bengal, and, Asta Khan acquired the kingdom of treachery, he deposed him (Mallikarjuna), overthrew those one hundred and eight Jaina temples, and built a fort. Even at the present time we find stones (belonging to those in the fort).

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Exclusice Report : A Book called Koohoondi Nadu

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Koohoondi Nadu

ಕೂಹೂಂಡಿ ನಾಡು - Dr. ಎಸ್. ಬಿ. ಪಾಟೀಲ್

This is a exclusive report on Kamal Basadi and Raata Dynasty. A book that completely covers all the details of the Ratta Dynasty and Jain's during that era. About the Belgaum fort who built it and also about Kamal Basti and Chikka Basti.

Its about a book written by Dr. Shivangowda. B. Patil, M.A., Ph D. of Sankeshwar who is a State and National Award winner for his contribution to Research and Literature. In every step of life, he was supported by his wife Smt. Shantadevi. S. Patil.

Considering his service towards Education and Literature, the Govt of India honored him with a National Award in the year 1988, in Delhi. Also Mr. Shivangowda. Patil was awarded a honorary Doctorate by the Karnataka University in Bangalore for his outstanding work and contribution towards research on Savadatti's Ratta Dynasty.

The Koohoondi Nadu book was published by Kamal Basti Pooja Committee, Belgaum on 10-10-1989 on the eve of Vijayadashami.

Architectural Plans of Two Jaina Bastis - 1175 CE and 1204 CE

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Exclusive photo of Kamal Basti Architecture Plan dated 1204 CE by AIIS [American Institute of Indian Studies], Varanasi

Exclusive photo of Chikki Basti Architecture Plan dated 1175 CE by AIIS, Varanasi

The Jaina Temple Architectural Plans as drawn and described by J. Burgess was in the Belagavi Fort premises which had two temples and each of them are facing South. The architecture of both the temples vary a lot as in the Kamal Basti we could clearly find that more care was given to the carvings, the roof and the pillars while in the Chikki Basti more care was taken to construct the hall and the Mantapa.

Exclusive details found on Ruined Jaina Basti.

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Source : http://gazetteer.kar.nic.in/ Historical Kamal Basti and Ruined Chikki Basti - 1987

On the opposite side, to the right of the Kamala Basti is anther ruined Jaina temple without garbhagriha and ardhamantapa. It has a navaranga and an open mukhamantapa. The navaranga pillars are massive and have circular as well as square cross sections with fine finishing. The mukhyamantapa and the navaranga are constructedon an elevated jagati which surrounds even the pradakshina patha. the doorway [Chalukyan] of the navaranga has intricate carvings of fine floral and geometrical designs. The parapet of the kakshasana in the mukhamantapa has rows of dancing figures, fine geometrical motifs in a row and other figures of animals like elephants.

Complete History of Belgaum as with Karnataka Government Records.

Instruction : Click on images below to read full text.

Man behind Kamal Basadi Pooja and Maintenance

He is Mahaveer Upadhye who is the main person who takes care of the Maintenance and daily pooja and rituals Kamal Basadi. His father Late. Shrikant Upadhye was also a dedicated poojari of this temple in his time. People respect and take suggestion from him and his family even today and he is a well known, honored and a respected person in the Digambar Jain Samaj.

He can be reached at :
Shri Mahaveer Sharikant Upadhye,
H.NO. 43/9, Tanaji Galli, Belgaum - 590 004
Phone : 0831 2487887

Can't we Re-Create History ? Together we can . . . .

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! EXCLUSIVELY Unseen Photos !

[ Kamal Basti and Chikki Basti ]

Here is treat for your eyes. These pictures, I doubt no body has seen till date. All these pictures are from the Kamal Basti and Chikki Basti, Fort Belgaum.

All pictures taken by me based on Inputs from Past & Years of Hard Work .

Click here to go to next page and read the full story

Can u make the difference ?

In 1855 the Image below shows that it was unused and unpreserved and so no one bothered to make a change. But in the second photo of 2007 below u can imagine the changes taken with Garden around, Rebuilt and Preserved Basti.

Kamal Basti - British Library, 1855 AD.

Kamal Basdi, 2007 AD

But we forgot to make a difference for the other Ruined Chikki Basti. So cant we make a difference now for this Chikki Basti, so that it can be rebuilt and preserved, and Re-Create History ?

Chikki Basadi [Jain Temple] near Kamal Basdi, 1733 AD

Ruined, Unpreserved and Unused Chikki Basti [Jain Temple], 2007 AD

Note : The color image looks beautiful from outside, but what lies inside can be seen in the Slideshow above.

Act now or never !

Days are not far when we will explain our childern and/or grand children with photo slides describing the past history of Belgaum which unfortunatly we could not Save and Preseve it. ! Think over again ! Yes, we can make a difference and we need to act now or never. Together we can save our Culture, Heritage and Beauty of Belgaum. Come join hands together.

Since Belgaum is famous for many other reasons Kamal Basadi is part of it and today is the day when we all will have to stand forward to re-construct the Ruined Chikki Basadi which is under the protection of Archeological Department. We can see that the Ramakrishna Mission is developed and brought in Belgaum and is well maintained. So why not we make Kamal Basadi too a place of tourist spot and help our Belgaum be famous for its Rich Heritage.

! Donations are Welcome !

To save and rebuild the Old 10th Century AD temple we need about 8-10 Lakh Rupees and so we all need to come together and Save our Belgaum for its beauty.

Note : Mr.Brahmanand Chipre can be contacted directly on his email bchipre@gmail.com or else you can drop in your comments here. If anyone is interested in making Monetary donations you can contact Mr. Brahmanand Chipre.

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GoogleMap Arieal view of Kamal Basti in Belgaum Fort Premises :

Click here for the Map or see below

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Other Exclusive sites about Kamal Basti :

1. Belgaum Blog [ Latest News about Belgaum City ]

2. Mahiuk

Save Kamal Basti and Chikki Basti

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Master Piece Jain Navagraha Idol :

This is the only Jain Navagraha Idol in the whole world, which clearly points out that during the 10th century Jains believed in the Navagraha puja. This idol was found in the premises of the temple with 9 Tirthankars inscribed on it.

Now the recent 2006 Jain Navagraha Temple has been newly built in Varur near Hubli which is just opposite to VRL [Vijayanand Road Lines] on Pune - Bangalore NH4 Highway. The Nine Tirthankars are standing on nine Planets with Bhagwan Parswanath being in the Centre.

This photo describes the state of the Kamal Basadi during 10Th A.D.

This photo describes the state of another Ruined Jain Temple / Basadi called Chikki Basadi during 10Th A.D.

Click here to know more about History of Kamal Basadi and Chikki Basadi

History of Kamal Basadi and Chikki Basadi

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Kamal Basadi [ The Lotus Jain Temple ]

Kamal Basti is one of the two bastis situated within the walls of Belgaum Fort which is encircled by a Moat. There are two Jinalayas in later Chalukya style. One of them is Kamal Basti. This Jain Temple was built in 1204 AD by Bichirja, a minister of Kartavirya IV of the Ralta Dynasty. Two of its pillars have Kannada inscriptions in Nagari scripts, one of 1199 of Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and another of 1261 of Sevuna (Yadava) Krishna. The temple has Kadamba Nagara Shikara. The other Jinalaya is almost a ruined one. This 10th Century AD Basti is under the protection of Archeological Dept. This temple is nearby to Belgaum Main Bus Stand. The two temples in the fort are known as Kamal Basadi (Mandir) and Chikki Basadi.

Kamal Basadi is so called because of the Gumbaj of the temple as the masterpiece here is the "Mukhamantapa" with a well-executed in the form of the Lotus of 72 Petals on the ceiling. Outside the Kamala Basti is another ruined Jain temple called the Chikki Basti. The Belgaum Fort is the ancient architectural pre-Muslim monument is one of the best and shining examples of communal harmony with both mosques and temples co-exist in perfect harmony, though not much of the original structure remains.

In this temple, the past present and future Tirthankars 24 for each period are shown on the 72 petals of the lotus flower. The Sanctum Hill has the stone carved Sinhasan with seated Idol of Bhagwan Neminath and is very artistic. The pillars of the temple are decorated with carvings and brightly polished. The Idol of Bhagwan Neminath was found in the Jungle about 200 years ago. The Idol and other statues are of 11CAD.

There are Idols of Bhagwan Sumatinath in standing posture, Idol of Bhagwan Adinath in Padamasan, Idol of Bhagwan Parsvanath under the shade of 7 hooded Nagraj.

Also the only single Masterpiece in the world is the Idol of Navgraha which is also worth seeing. This temple is under active puja.

Click here to know more about what Britishers told about Kamal Basti.

Click here to know more about Belagum City and Belgaum District.

Belgaum : Porch of a Jain temple in 1855

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[ General view of Jain temple in front of the fort, Belgaum. ]

Photograph of the second Jaina temple in front of the fort at Belgaum in Karnataka, taken by Thomas Biggs in 1855, from 'Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore'. In northern Karnataka: now the districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bidar, Raichur, Dharwar and Gulbarga, temple construction proliferated during the period of the Chalukyas of Kalyana who were the chief power in the Deccan from the 10th to the 12th century. Innovative builders, their influence continued to inspire dynasties such the Hoysalas who took over their territory and were also avid builders. Jainism always remained a significant force in this region and the various dynasties of the Deccan such as the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Gangas, Kadambas and Rattas also patronised the Jaina religion. With the result that there are many Jaina temples at numerous medieval sites of Karnataka. In the Bombay List of 1874, Henry Cousens wrote, 'Within the fort of Belgaum there are three old Jaina temples, built, as indicated by the style, about the year 1200 A.D.' The temple in this view consists of a shrine, a closed hall and an open hall. The shrine of the temple has walls with plain, horizontal mouldings and a stepped, pyramidal roof. The open hall or mandapa has a low parapet-wall and a pyramidal roof supported by lathe-turned pillars.

Courtesy : British Library [ http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/ ]

About Belgaum

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BELGAUM

[ Also known as "Venugrama" / "Bamboo Village" / "Sugar Bowl of South" / "Malenadu" ]

Location : 15°50'39"N 74°30'28"E [Coordinates]

Altitude : 400 - 900 above sea level

Area : 1346382 hectors

Population : 5.42 million people

Rainfall : 80 - 100 cm Average

Temperature : Min 12 °C in Winter and Max 38 °C in Summer

Belgaum is one of the oldest, strong, prominent and well cultured historical place nestling high in the Western Ghats. The old town area with cotton and silk weavers stands gloriously besides the modern, bustling, tree-lined British Cantonment. Step out of the forts and you have a wide choice of temples and churches to visit. Belgaum has an enviable heritage and offers much to be discovered. It lies in the zone of cultural transition between Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a known antiquity clearly traceable upto 2nd Century A.D. Due to its proximity with the states of Maharashtra and Goa, Belgaum has acquired the cultural flavour of these states and blended it with the local Kannada culture to create a rich heritage, which is unique in its manifestation. It is also known as Malenadu or Rain Country and the vegetation here is verdant green throughout the year. Well, centuries have passed and today it is an entirely different story. Belgaum has now become one of the important and considered district in the state of Karnataka. Belgaum is now marching with a tag of fast growing, redeveloping district with a population of approximately over 42,07,264. The nearest well-developed cities to Belgaum are Hubli and Dharwad from Karnataka, Panaji from Goa and Kolhapur and Sangli from Maharashtra.

Belgaum city has been the divisional as well as district headquarters since long the city is located at a distance of 502 kms. from Bangalore. The place is almost equidistance from Mumbai and Bangalore. The city is on National Highway No. 4 and directly approachable from Bangalore by Rails it is important station between Bangalore and Miraj. There is also an Airport at Sambra about 12 kms. east of Belgaum.

The name Belgaum is originated from "Velugrama" or "Ikhsugrama". The earliest mention of this is made in the Nesari Plates of 805 AD. The archaeological inscriptions under A Sunder in the Vadgaon - Madhavapura area reveal a properous town of the Satavanhana times. Chalukyas and Rastrakutas administrated the territory. Later on Kadambas of Goa and Rattas ruled Belgaum. It was made the capital city under the Rattas. Afterwards Yadavas of Devagiri and Vijayanagar rulers governed the city.

In 1472 AD Bahamani's conquered Belgaum. The Adilshahis of Bijapur captured it in 1489. Asad khan a noble of Bijapur, who ruled Belgaum from 1511 to 1540. His tomb is in the city area. In about 1550, Sherkhan a Bijapur coommander built the present town Shahapur, originally called shahpet. Shivaji, the Maratha ruler in 1673 invaded Belgaum.

When the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb defeated the kingdom of Bijapur. He transferred Belgaum to the Nawab of Savanur. In 1756, Belgaum was conquered by the Marathas. It was under the Maratha until it was occupied by the British in March-April 1818. The British made it the headquarters of a Sarkar (District) with 15 paraganas (Talukas) in 1838. The British experienced the heat and chill of the 1875 Revolt in Belgaum also. A leaders of the Revolt was sentenced to death at the Military Dairy. He was Nargund Baskar Rao alias Babasaheb. His ' Samadhi' is located at the Military Dairy. Foreigners have left behind their indelible impressions of Belgaum. Ralf Fitch(1583) calls the place " The first town between Bijapur and Goa ". Geographer Ogliby (1680) remarks as one of the four eminent castles in Konkan. Italian traveller (1695) calls it a populous city and a place of much trade with a large market.

Belgaum was one of the five military stations that were established in the Old Bombay Presidency. In 1878, it was made the headquarters of the Southern Division under the Bombay Presidency.

During the national movement Belgaum hosted the 1924 annual Congress section. Presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. It assumes greater importance. It was the one and only congress session held in Karnataka as well as presided by Mahatma Gandhi.

Interesting Monuments and Places :
From the Attraction point of view Belgaum is an attractive destination with proximity to the Picnic spots, the historic attractions such as the Belgaum Fort and the natural beauty of Jamboti Falls & Gokak Falls.

Places in Belgaum City :

Belgaum Fort :

The Belgaum Fort is located near NWKRTC Bus stand. AT the entrance, there are two shrines, Ganapati and Durga. The fort is encircled by a moat. There are two Jinalayas in later Chalukya style.One of them is Kamal Basti. This Jain Temple was built in 1204 AD by Bichirja, a minister of Kartavirya IV of the Ralta Dynasty. The Sanctum Hill has the seated idol of Neminath. The temple has Kadamba Nagara Shikara. The other Jinalaya is almost a ruined one.

Kamal Basti (Belgaum) :

It is one of the two Bastis within the walls of the fort, built in the late Chalukyan style in 1204 with the Neminatha idol in bkack stone. The master piece here is the "Mukhamantapa" with a well-executed lotus on the ceiling. Outside the Kamala Basti is another ruined Jain temple.

Kapileshwar Temple :

The temple appears to be the oldest as the 1204 AD Kamal basti inscription makes amention of this and is renovated now. This being a shiva Temple has flat peetha with Shivalinga. The annual jatra is held during Shivaratri . It is called as the South Kashi of India.

Safa Masjid :

The Moqsue is located inside the Fort. It is built in typical Mughal and Deccani styles with minars, domes and arches. Outside the mosque, to the right is an underground passage believed to lead to Yellurgad. This mosque in all has three entrances to the Jamia Hall with arches having floral and calligraphic designs.

St. Mary's Church :

The church in the camp was built in 1869. Reverend Francis Gell designed the building. This imposing stone church of the Anglicans has fine pillars in the prayer hall and gorgeous stained glasses at its doors and windows. The paintings on the inner walls have pleasant colour combinations and reflect biblical episodes. In front of the West Porch almost at the meeting of the four chief cantonment roads, stands a lofty memorial cross raised in memory of the 64th Regiment coldies who fell in the 1857 Revolt.

Sri Naganuru Math :

The math was setup in 17th century AD The Belgaum math is a branch of it. It is located at Nehru nagar. The Veerasaiva Lingayat Library founded by Sri Siddharam Swamiji has very rare collections of manuscrpts. The Library is indespinsible for Research Scholars in Veerashiva Studies.

KLES Hospital [ now Prabhakar Kore Hospital ]:

Karnataka Lingayat Education Society has setup a full-fledged Hospital. The hospital is a 1000 bedded multi-speciality teaching hospital with high-tech facilities. The hospital also has Mobile ICU. The excellent maternity services with a dedicated Child Development Unit is another feature.
Education Centres : The city has many reputed educational institutions. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Gogte Insitute of Technology, KLE's College of Engineering and Technology, Raja Lakhamgouda College of Law, Lingaraj College for Arts and Commerce are major centres of Higher Education. Belgaum school for the Blind and KLE's School of Agriculture are very special institutes with a rare noble cause. the city has a large well built stadium.

Kittur Rani Channamma and Sangoli Rayanna The attractive Icons of freedom fighters Kittur Channamma who was the first women of India to fight against British Govt. and her listinent Sagoli Rayanna are located at the Prime places of cities.

Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre :

Belgaum also has a number of training centers of the Indian Armed Forces, and an air base of the Indian Air Force. The British ad a sizable Infantry post here, having realized the military importance of its geographical location. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for Belgaum's sobriquet. The Cradle of Infantry. Belgaum houses the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre(MLIRC). Belgaum also houses the Commando Training Wing which is a part of the Infantry School, MHOW, where the country's valiant infantry commandos are trained in endurance, escape and evasion, guerilla and commando war fare techniques.

Belgaum's Watchtower and sunset point should not be missed if one wants to savor the scenic beauty surrounding this town.

Places within Belgaum District :

Kasamalgi (Khanapur) :

Kasamalgi is a remote village which is about 14 Km away from the Kittur with very thin population and maximum of the people as farmers who depend their daily life on agriculture. Hardly 2 families of Jains stay here. On 25 April 2005 an Idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath dating 11th Century AD was recovered while digging in a Govt Kannada School premises. People were shocked to find a idol dating 11th century in their village which created a great news in and around Belgaum. The idol is so beautifuly carved that our nacked eyes are not enough to have a glimpse of the three time color changing idol of Bhagwan Parshwanath with seven serpents protecting the head of parshwanath. Iit is fully black in the early morning, gray colour in the evening and green in color in the night. Beneath the idol is an inscription in ancient Kannada [ Halegannada ], that reads "This Statue has been carved by Hamashetty, discpline of Chandrabhatta of Tribhuvan Basadi ( Jain temple ), in Kesharmenage ( now Kasamalgi )".
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Gokak Falls (Gokak) :

Gokak Falls is a waterfall known for its beauty. It is at a distance of 60 Kms from Belgaum and 10kms from Gokak town. Located right on the main road is a celebrated tourist centre in the district. This falls has a height of about 170 feet. The River Ghataprapha after winding a course of a long route takes a leap of 52 meters, over a rocky bed 170 feet down. The falls is famous for its spread and shape. The rugged valley and the picturesque is what inspires poetry. The dull roar of the falls can be heard much before you reach it. "Except in width and colour of the water, the general features of the fall, its height, shape and rapidity above are much like those of Niagara". The falls are horse-shoe shaped at the crest, with a flood breadth of 177 metres. June to September is the best season to visit Gokak as it bees in full bloom. Electricity was generated here for the first time in the Indian History in 1887. This generating station can be reached on the rope way.

Yellamma Temple (Saundatti) :

Saundatti reminds us of the beautiful and ancient temple of Goddesss Renuka (also known as the Yellamma Temple). It is at a distance of 70 Kms from Belgaum and the place can be reached from all the other places by road. At a distance of 5 Kms from the city, there is a big Mountain on which the temple is situated. The mounatain was earlier known as Siddhachal Parvat. The temple is built in the Chalukyan and Rashtrakuta Style and the Carvings reflect the Jain architecture. The temple was constructed by Bomappa Naik of Raybag in the year 1514. There are temples of Lord Ganesh, Mallikarjun, Parshuram, Eknath, Siddeshwar etc in the temple premises. Devotees from Maharastra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh also come here especially during the time of Jatras which are held twice in a year. The management of the temple has been handed over to the Government in 1975 and the government has made provisions such as Dharmashalas, Health Centres and other facilities to make the devotees feel at home.

Rakaskop (Belgaum) :

16 Kms from Belgaum, literally means a Hamlet of a Rakkasa (Giant), who is stated to have lived on a hillrock near the village. A cavern in laterite on the hillrock resembling a huge seated human figure is shown by the people to remind his past existance. Here is a Dam across the River Markandeya, supplying drinking water to Belgaum.

Naviltirtha (Saundatti) :

10 Kms from Saundatti, a low valley situated in between the 2 hills, in an enchanting place is Naviltirtha. Formerly, it was full of Peacocks, frequently flocking round the pond, and thus the place was named Naviltirtha. The Malaprabha Dam near Renukasagar is situated here. It is also a good picnic spot.

Godachinmalki Falls (Gokak) :

16 Kms from Gokak, it is at a fine spot located to the west of the Gokak-Konnur road in a deep green valley. Markandeya River takes the first jump from a height of about 25 Metres and flows into a rocky valley and after a short distance from here it takes a second jump at a height of about 18 Metres.

Old History about Belgaum :

General view of the gateway of the fort, Belgaum

Photograph of the gateway of the fort of Belgaum, taken by James Burgess around 1874. Belgaum is a large city in northern Karnataka. Inside its fort there are three Jain temples built in a Nagara or northern style of architecture. This view shows the arched entrance gateway.

General view of Belgaum High School building [ Belgaum ]

Photograph of the High School building at Belgaum in Karnataka from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections: India Office Series (Volume 46), taken by an unknown photographer in c. 1870. The Imperial Gazetteer of India states, "There are three classes of secondary schools - the vernacular and English middle schools, and the high schools...The English secondary school stage is divided into middle and high school sections, which really form portions of the same course...the English school education should ordinarily be completed by the time the pupil attained the age of sixteen...In English secondary schools the main course has hitherto led up to the matriculation or entrance examination of one or other of the Universities. There are other courses of a more practical character leading up to different examinations...A purely literary education has been more popular among both parents and students, as being in itself more attractive to them and as affording a better opening for remunerative employment. The matriculation has generally been accepted as a qualifying test by Government and private employers as well as by the Universities, and has been regarded as the common goal of the school career."

Group of pupils of the Belgaum Girls' School, with master and assistants.

Photograph of the Girls' School at Belgaum in Karnataka from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections: India Office Series (Volume 46), taken by an unknown photographer in c. 1870. Female education in India grew dramatically in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The Imperial Gazetteer of India states regarding female education, "The Government did not take up the subject until 1849, when Lord Dalhousie informed the Bengal Council of Education that henceforth its functions were to embrace female education, and the first girls' school recognized by Government was founded shortly afterwards by a committee of native gentlemen. The despatch of of 1854 directed that female education should receive the frank and cordial support of Government...The Education Commission of 1882 advised that female education should receive special encouragement and special liberality...The adoption of this attitude has resulted in a considerable development of the public instruction of girls, although it still lags far behind that of their brothers. In 1871 there were 134 secondary and 1,760 primary girls' schools; in 1901-2 the numbers were 461 and 5,628 respectively."

Group portrait of pupils of Belgaum High School, gathered in front of the school buildings

Photograph of pupils in front of the High School building at Belgaum in Karnataka from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections: India Office Series (Volume 46), taken by an unknown photographer in c. 1870. The Imperial Gazetteer of India states, "There are three classes of secondary schools - the vernacular and English middle schools, and the high schools...The English secondary school stage is divided into middle and high school sections, which really form portions of the same course...the English school education should ordinarily be completed by the time the pupil attained the age of sixteen...In English secondary schools the main course has hitherto led up to the matriculation or entrance examination of one or other of the Universities. There are other courses of a more practical character leading up to different examinations...A purely literary education has been more popular among both parents and students, as being in itself more attractive to them and as affording a better opening for remunerative employment. The matriculation has generally been accepted as a qualifying test by Government and private employers as well as by the Universities, and has been regarded as the common goal of the school career."

Tateshwara Temple near the Gokak Falls [ Gokak ]

Photograph of the Tateshwara Temple near the Gokak Falls in Karnataka, taken by Thomas Biggs around 1855, from 'Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore'. The Gokak Falls, near Belgaum, are created by the Ghataprabha river which takes a 170-ft leap over a sandstone cliff in a picturesque gorge with a horse-shoe shape. On the sides of the river are several temples dating from the period of the Later Chalukyas of Kalyana who ruled portions of the Deccan from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Tateshwara temple is a Shiva temple on the south side of the falls. It faces north, an unusual orientation for Shiva temples. It has a sanctuary with a mandapa or hall. The outside walls of the closed hall are from recent times.

Sonduttee - Jain Stone with inscription [ Saundatti ]

Photograph of an Jain inscribed stone slab from Saundatti in Karnataka, taken by William Henry Pigou in 1856, from Taylor and Fergusson's 'Architecture in Dharwar and Mysore'. Saundatti, near Belgaum in Karnataka, was once The capital of the Rattas, before they shifted to Belgaum in the 12th century. The town is one of Karnataka's most famous pilgrimage sites because of its temple to the powerful goddess Yellamma. A form of Devi, the mother goddess, Yellamma is particularly known for the cult of the devadasi associated with her temples. Devadasis, 'female servants of the god', were young girls dedicated to temples in India, the custom being particularly prevalent in the south. The custom led to many practices which devalued the girls until they were reduced to the role of prostitute to the devotees, and efforts are being made in modern India to eradicate it. The image is described as 'the Sanskrit and Kanarese inscription slab of Krishna Rastrakuta, Shaka 797(c. 875), and Vikramaditya, Shaka 1017 (c. 1095 A.D).'

Industries :
The city has a multinational Jindal Aluminum Factory. The factory has recently been taken over by the Aditya Birla Group of Industries. Gogte Textile is another major Industry. Few minor industries like knitting, forging are functioning.

Local System of Governance :
The city has been administered by an elected corporation. Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, Congress, Janata Dal, B.J.P. and Shivsena are the major political parties. The election for the corporation is held after every five years.

Literature :
Famous research scholar Dr. Shamba Joshi was from Belgaum district. His works Karnataka Veera Shatrij Karnataka Nudiya Halter. Won him Kendra Sahitya Academy Award. Dr. Bitagiri Krishna Sharma, Dr. Basvaraj Katimani, Dr.D.S. Karke, Dr. S.D. Inchal, Dr. A.N.Upadhya, Dr. C. Nadimatt, Dr. Mirgi Annary where few among the very famous laureates.

The District Headquarters, Belgaum is picture of contrasts. One side is the old town area where the cotton and silk weavers still create magic with their fingers. And on the other - the modern, bustling, tree-lined Cantonment built by the British.

In the heart of Belgaum, near the bus terminus is the Belgaum Fort. At the entrance are two shrines. One devoted to Ganapathi and another to Durga. Inside the Fort are two basts in the Late Chalukyan styles. Of these, the more famous us the Kamala Basti, built in 1204. Come out of the Kamala basti and you will find another ruined Jain Temple to its right. Co-existing harmoniously with these temples are two ancient mosques the Safa Masjid and the Jamia Masjid.

Near the 16th century Jamia Masjid is a dargah of Khanjar wali. Step out of the Fort and you have a wide choice of temples and churches to visit. The Kapileshwar Temple - said to be the oldest, the Anathashayana Temple, the Maruti Temple and the temples of Shiva, Vithoba, Dyamavva aand Military Mahadeva. Belgaum also has some very impressive churches. St. Mary's Church, St. Xavier's Church (the oldest), St. Anthony's Church, the Cathedral of Our lady and the Methodist church.

No story of Belgaum is complete without a mention of Kittur Rani Chennamma. One of India's first freedom fighters, the queen's heroic resistance is still commemorated locally in song and story. Her statue stands sentinel over Belgaum at prominent square. Another historical site is the Pampa Sarovara. Built specially for the 1924 All India Congres Session which was presided by Mahatma Gandhi.

Belgaum also has some well laid-out parks. The Sambhaji Udyan, The Nath Pai Park and The Shivaji Udyan. Perfect places to relax. Put your feet up. And let your imagination soar free.

Languages Spoken : Kannada, Hindi, English, Marathi.

Local Food Speciality : "Kunda" a delicious sweet.

When To go there : Belgaum enjoys a pleasant and agreeable climate almost all through the year. If you're visiting Belgaum between November and February, carry some light woolens.

How to go there :
By Air : Belgaum has an airport at Sambra.
By Rail : Belgaum is connected by rail to Bangalore (via Londa), Bombay (via Miraj), Vasco da Gama.
By Road : Belgaum is connected by road to most places in south and west.