Kanakapura

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Kanakapura| type = town| latd = 12.55 | longd = 77.417
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Ramanagara district
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 637
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 47060| population_density = 6536.11
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total = 7.20
area_telephone = 08117
postal_code = 562 117
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Kanakapura is a town and the headquarters of Kanakapura Taluk in the Ramanagara district in the state of Karnataka, India. Situated near the city of Bengaluru, this town is famous for the production of silk and granite.

Etymology

The place was originally under the Gangas and later under the Cholas, who administered it as a part of an area called "Kilalainad". Later, the Hoysalas made it a major headquarters of a province ("sime"). Its name was changed as Kanakapura from its original "Kanakanahalli". But earlier it is mentioned as "Kanikaranahalli" in two Hoysala records dated 1319 and 1317 A.D. from Hachchalu and Nyakanahalli (Kanakapura tq) villages respectively. Even a recent record dated 1662 A.D. by Mysore rulers from Malagala also mention the place as "Kanikaranahalli" being the headquarters of a "sime". The local people universally call it as "Kanikaranahalli", which is otherwise corrupted as "Kankanahalli", says Buchanan. He further says "Kanikaranahalli" has a Kannada origin - "Kani + Karna" or "Kanikara" signifies showing sympathy

Geography

Kanakapura is located at coord|12.55|N|77.42|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Kanakapura.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kanakapura] ] . It has an average elevation of 638 metres (2093 feet).

Kanakapura is situated 55 km south to Bangalore on the banks of the river Arkavathi.

Taluk

There are 43 village panchayats in the taluk. A major industry is mining of granite in quarries. Other activities include silk production, powerlooms, brick production, bamboo production pottery and other rural industries. Agriculture is the main source of income for people . The Bee keeping industry has covered 38 villages and there are 150 bee keepers who maintain 300 bee colonies. The State Government is providing training facilities to rural people to encourage bee keeping in rural area.

The taluk has geographical area of 1,59,426 hectares consisting of 6 hoblis namely:

a) Kasabab) Harohallic) Maralawadid) Kodihallie) Sathanurf) Uyyamballi

History

The fort in Kanakapura is said to have been erected by Jagadeva Raya, the chief of Channapatna. The remains of the fort can be now seen near the Arkavathi bridge. The town was twice burnt or laid waste by Tipu Sultan to prevent its being of use to the British army of their march to Shrirangapattana. The place was consequered by Mysore rulers in 1630 A.D. Tipu Sultan was running a huge workshop at Kanakapura with a steel foundry.

The place has a Government Silk Filature Factory founded in 1943. The Rural College here is a good memorial to noted Gandhian constructive worker S. Kariyappa.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Kanakapura had a population of 47,047. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kanakapura has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 59%. In Kanakapura, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Places to see

The main tourist attraction of Kanakapura Taluk is the confluence of the rivers Arkavathy and Kaveri, (the "sangama").

External links

* [http://bangalorerural.nic.in/ Official website of Bangalore Rural District]

References