Sira, India

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Sira| type = town| latd = 13.745 | longd = 76.909
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Tumkur district
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 661
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 50088| population_density = 2867.09
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total = 17.47
area_telephone = 08135
postal_code = 572 137
vehicle_code_range = KA-06
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Sira (Kannada: ಶಿರಾ) is a town and taluk headquarters of Sira Taluk of Tumkur district in the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the National Highway NH-4 (Mumbai - Chennai).

Sira Town was a strategically important place prior to the British Raj. It still has many historic structures. Among them are the Eidgah, Juma Masjid and the dargah or tomb over Mallik Rehan's grave. Mallik Rehan was the Governor of the dying Mughal Empire's south Indian domain under Emperor Aurangazeb. In the late 1600s Sira became a major province or 'Suba' of the Mughals.

Geography

Sira is located at coord|13.75|N|76.91|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Sira.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Sira] ] . It has an average elevation of 662 metres (2171 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Sira had a population of 50,056. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sira has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 62%. In Sira, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Historical places in Sira Town

Like most other places of historical importance in India, Sira also has religious structures built by its erstwhile rulers. Among them are:
* Kasturi Rangappa Nayaka Fort: This beautiful fort is named after the 'Nayaka' ruler. It is symbolic of the hold the Nayaka community rulers once had on Sira.
* Mallik Rehan 'dargah' : This is mausoleum over the erstwhile Sira province's governor Mallik Rehan's grave. Mallik Rehan overlooked the dying Mughal Empire's south Indian domain under Emperor Aurangazeb. Some locals revere Mallik Rehan as a pious man and call him "Hazrath Mallik Rehan Rahmatullah Alai"
* Juma or Jamia Masjid: This was constructed during the period of Mallik Rehan. This monument is protected by Archeological Society of India (ASI)
* Bada (the big) Eidgah

References

* [http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_karnataka_bangalore.asp] Archeological Survey of India, Bangalore circle, List showing protected monuments (For Sira, see Sl. No: 198 & 199)

* [http://www.deccanherald.com/CONTENT/May192008/district2008051868733.asp] "Plea to protect fort in Sira" (Story in Deccan Herald, Bangalore, May 19, 2008)