Introduction
Fast Facts
The Vidhana Soudha was constructed in 1956 in the Neo-Dravidian style, with influences of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian architecture, and houses the state legislature.
Location Located in the southern region of India, Karnataka has an area of 1,91,791 sq km, covering 5.8 percent of the country’s total land area. Divided into 30 districts, the state has a population of 61.13 million (Census 2011) and is the ninth populous state of the country. Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, is situated in the south-east of the state. A landlocked city, it is located almost at the centre of the South Indian peninsula, at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. Geographic coordinates Latitudinal Parallels: 12 degree 8’ N Longitudinal Meridians: 77 degree 37’ E Population The 2011 census of Karnataka pegged the population of Bangalore at approximately 8.5 million. The population density is estimated at 4381 people per sq km. Linguistic groups Kannadigas form 42 percent of Bangalore’s population, Tamilians
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20 percent, Telugu 13 percent, Malayalees 10 percent, people of European origin eight percent, and people from other parts of India seven percent. Religions Hindu 80 percent, Muslim 15 percent, Christian five percent (approximate figures) Languages The regional language is Kannada; English, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil are also widely spoken. History Stone Age weapons found in Jalahalli, Siddapura and Jadigenahalli (all in the purview of present-day Bangalore), date back possibly to the period between 2000 and 1000 BC. Inscriptions from the centuries that followed serve as proof of the dynasties that came to power. The credit of laying the foundation of the city in 1537 goes to Kempe Gowda I, a local chieftain. The Mysore royal family and the British are among the key rulers of the region who left an indelible impact on the city.