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Chitradurga district
District of Karnataka
Clockwise from top-left: Chitradurga Fort, Nayakanahatti temple, Teru Malleshwara Temple at Hiriyur, Vani Vilasa Sagara, in Hosadurga.
Interactive map of Chitradurga district
Coordinates: 14°00′N 76°30′E / 14.00°N 76.50°E / 14.00; 76.50
Country	India
State	Karnataka
Division	Bangalore Division
Headquarters	Chitradurga
Talukas	Challakere Chitradurga Hiriyur Holalkere Hosdurga Molakalmuru
Government
• Deputy Commissioner	Shri. Venkatesh T. (IAS)
• Member of Parliament	Govind Karjol
• Superintendent of Police	Ranjith Kumar Bandaru, I.P.S.
Area [1]
• Total	8,440 km2 (3,260 sq mi)
Elevation (Highest)	1,094 m (3,589 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	1,659,456
• Density	197/km2 (509/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	577 501, 502, 577524
Telephone code	+ 91 (8194)
ISO 3166 code	IN-KA-CT
Vehicle registration	Chitradurga KA-16
Sex ratio	1.047 ♂/♀
Literacy	73.82%
Lok Sabha constituency	Chitradurga Lok Sabha constituency
Precipitation	522 millimetres (20.6 in)
Website	chitradurga.nic.in

Chitradurga district is an administrative district of Karnataka state in south-western India.^[2] The city of Chitradurga is the district headquarters. Chitradurga city gets its name from 'Chitrakaldurga', meaning 'picturesque castle' in Kannada.

History

Chitradurga district has been inhabited since at least neolithic period as per archeologists.^[3] A rock carving of Emperor Ashoka near Bharamagiri provides evidence that the district was part of the Mauryan Empire.

Subsequently, the region was under the rule of the Shathavahanas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Hoysalas. A boulder engraving near village Chandravalli mentions Kadamba King Mayurasaram.^[3][4]

The Nayakas, also known as Palegars, are most well associated with the district due to their significant historical presence. The Nayaka period began around the late 16th century. There were local chiefs, who were governed under the Vijayanagara Empire, became independent after the fall of the empire and established a stronghold in Chitradurga. A notable Nayaka was Bharamappa Nayaka (1689–1721), considered "the greatest of the Nayaka rulers" for his military victories and resistance to Mughal incursions. The final ruler, Madakari Nayaka V (1758–1779), was known for his leadership and diplomacy between the Maratha Empire and Hyder Ali of Mysore. Later, he also resisted multiple sieges by Hyder Ali, but the fort ultimately fell in 1779. During the last siege, Onake Obavva, the wife of a fort guard, single-handedly defended a secret passage against enemy entry. She became known for her heroic act and is regarded as a symbol of Chitradurga.

The fort was subsequently expanded by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan before coming under the control of the Royal Mysore family after Tipu Sultan's defeat by the British.

Mythology

It is believed that the few natural formation are attributed to link to Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Tradition dates Chitradurga District to the period of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The whole district lies in the valley of the Vedavati River, with the Tungabhadra River flowing in the northwest. During the British times it was named Chitaldroog. The district was practically ruled by all the well known dynasties that ruled Karnataka. A historical places like Jain basadi of Heggere, a pilgrimage centre for Jain's in district.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Chitradurga district has a population of 1,659,456,^[6] roughly equal to the nation of Guinea-Bissau^[7] or the US state of Idaho.^[8] This gives it a ranking of 297th in India (out of a total of 640).^[6] The district has a population density of 197 inhabitants per square kilometre (510/sq mi).^[6] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 9.39%.^[6] Chitradurga has a sex ratio of 969 females for every 1000 males,^[6] and a literacy rate of 73.82%. 19.86% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 23.45% and 18.23% of the population respectively.^[6]

At the time of the 2011 census, 83.33% of the population spoke Kannada, 7.33% Urdu, 5.39% Telugu and 2.29% Lambadi as their first language.^[11]

Economy

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Chitradurga one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).^[12] It is one of the five districts in Karnataka currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).^[12]

Education

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (April 2023)

• Sri Shivakumara Rangaprayoga Shale

People

• Madakari Nayaka – King of Chitradurga
• Onake Obavva – Legendary woman who fought Hyder Ali's army.
• Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra Swamiji (Tiruka) – yogi and Ayurvedic guru
• S. Nijalingappa (vinayak) – politician, ex-CM, ex-MP and ex All India Congress lead
• T.R. Subba Rao (TaRaSu) – a novelist, 1985 winner of Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Durgasthamana
• Tirumalai Krishnamacharya – yogi and Ayurvedic guru. One of the most influential yoga teachers of the 20th century and is credited with the revival of hatha yoga. Also called father of Modern Yoga.
• P. R. Thippeswamy (PRT) – Artist, Writer & Folklorist – K. Venkatappa Awardee 1999, ex-Chairman Karnataka Lalithakala Academy

See also

• Districts of Karnataka

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chitradurga district.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chitradurga (district).

• Chitradurga district website
• Chitradurga City Municipal Council
• all about Chitradurga in kannada