Ajay Kumar at 05:56, 23 August 2023

2023-08-23T05:56:42Z

New page

{{About|the district|its eponymous headquarters|Bagalakote}}
{{original research|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bagalkot district 
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Karnataka|District]] of [[Karnataka]]
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
|size = 250
|photo1a = Badami.JPG
|photo1b = Kudalasangama p 04.jpg
|photo2a = Pattadakal - Sangameshwara Temple 2.jpg
|photo2b = Durga temple Aihole 2.jpg
|photo3a = Meguti megalith 20210403.jpg
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Clockwise from top-right: [[Kudalasangama]], [[Durga temple, Aihole|Durga temple]] at [[Aihole]], Megaliths on Meguti hill, Sangameshwara Temple at [[Pattadakal]], [[Badami cave temples|Cave temple 1]] at [[Badami]]
| nickname =
| image_map = Karnataka Bagalkot locator map.svg
| image_map1 = {{maplink |frame=yes
|frame-width=225 |frame-height=225 |frame-align=center
|text= '''Bagalkot district'''
|type=shape |id=Q1910231
|stroke-colour=#C60C30
|stroke-width=2
|title= Bagalkot district of Karnataka
|type2=line|id2=Q1185|stroke-width2=1|stroke-colour2=#0000ff|title2=Karnataka
}}
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Karnataka
| coordinates = {{coord|16.12|N|75.45|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1997
| founder = [[Government of Karnataka]]
| named_for =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Bagalakote]]
| parts_type = [[Taluka]]s
| parts = [[Bagalakote]] [[Rabkavi Banhatti]] [[Guledgudda]] [[Badami]] [[Hunagunda]] [[Jamakhandi]] [[Mudhol]] [[Ilkal]] [[Bilagi]] [[Terdal]]
| government_type = Zilla Panchayat
| governing_body =
| leader_title1 = Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate
| leader_name1 = P. Sunil Kumar ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]])
| leader_title2 = [[List of constituencies of the Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name2 = [[Bagalkot Lok Sabha constituency|1]]
| leader_title3 = [[List of constituencies of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly|Vidhan Sabha constituencies]]
| leader_name3 = [[List of constituencies of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly#Bagalkot|7]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 6593
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 524
| population_total = 1889752
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 587101-587325
| area_code = + 91 (0)8354
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = * [[Bagalakote]] KA-29,
* [[Jamakhandi]] KA-48
| website = {{URL|bagalkot.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
}}
'''Bagalkot district''', officially '''Bagalakote'''({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɑː|ɡ|əl|ə|k|oʊ|t|eɪ}}), is an administrative [[district]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Karnataka]]. The district headquarters is located in the town of [[Bagalakote]]. The district is located in northern Karnataka and borders [[Belagavi district|Belgaum]], [[Gadag district|Gadag]], [[Koppal district|Koppal]], [[Raichur district|Raichur]] and [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]]. The new Bagalakote district was carved out of Vijayapura in 1997 via [[Government of Karnataka]] directive ''[[Notification RD 42 LRD 87 Part III]]''.<ref name="HanBokKar">{{cite web|title=A Handwork of Karnataka - Administration |url=http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20IX%20Administration.pdf |publisher=Government of Karnataka |access-date=16 November 2010 |pages=354, 355 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008073453/http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20IX%20Administration.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}</ref> The bifurcated Bagalkot district consists of ten [[taluk]]s — Badami, Bagalakote, Bilagi, Guledgudda, Rabkavi Banhatti, Hunagund, Ilkal, Jamakhandi and Mudhol, Teradal.<ref name="bgkot">{{cite web|title=Bagalakote district statistics- Area and Population |url=http://bagalkot.nic.in/DISTRICT-STATISTICS/sheet5.pdf |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011520/http://bagalkot.nic.in/DISTRICT-STATISTICS/sheet5.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

The [[Ghataprabha River]], [[Malaprabha River]] and [[Krishna River]] flow through the district. [[Kudalasangama]] lies at the point of confluence of the rivers Krishna and Malaprabha and is famous for being the samadhi of [[Basava]]nna.

Like most districts in India, Bagalkot is headed by a [[Deputy Commissioner (India)|Deputy Commissioner]], with various [[Tahalsidar]]s heading individual taluks in the district.

== Origin ==
[[File:Bagalkot district Map by villages.jpg|thumb|left|Bagalkot district Map by villages]]
[[File:Bagalkot district taluk map.jpg|thumb|left|Bagalkot district taluk map]]
[[File:Bagalkot lok sabha map.jpg|thumb|left|Bagalkot lok sabha map]]
Stone inscriptions identify ''Bagadige'' as the ancient name of Bagalkot. According to legend, the area was gifted by the [[Hindu mythology|mythological]] [[Ravana|Rāvana]], lord of [[Lanka]], to his musicians. Other [[Tehsil|taluks]] in Bagalkot also have mythological origins. Badami, formerly known as [[Vatapi]], was named after an ''[[asura]]'' king who, according to the ''[[Mahabharata|Mahābhārata]]'', ruled the area along with his brother [[Ilvala]]. Legend has it that both ''asuras'' were vanquished by the [[Wise old man|sage]] [[Agasthya]]. The northwestern taluk of Jamkhandi derives its name from the [[Chalukya]] temple dedicated to [[Jambukeshwara]], a form of the Hindu [[deity]] [[Shiva]]. The town of Aihole, formerly the capital of the Chalukyan Empire of Banavasi was previously known as ''Ayyavole'' and ''Aryapura'' meaning ''Noble city''. The western taluk of Mudhol was traditionally known as ''Muduvollal'', literally ''Lovely town''. The ancient town of Pattadakal was previously known as ''Raktapura'', ''red town'', and later as ''Pattadakal Kisuvoval''.

The [[Greek people|Greek]] astronomer [[Ptolemy]] previously identified many towns in the district of Bagalkot. [[Pattadakal]] was referred to as ''Petrigal'', while Badami was known as ''Badiamaioi''.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Heritage Sites - Pattadakal|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_pattadakkal_intro.asp|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=17 November 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101030081355/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_pattadakkal_intro.asp| archive-date= 30 October 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

== Divisions ==
[[File:BagalkotDistrictMap-la.svg|thumb|320px|District map|left]]
Bagalkot district is divided into ten taluks; each taluk is further subdivided into [[hobli]]s and villages and habitations. There are 21 hoblis in the district:{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

* '''Badami taluk''': [[Badami]], [[Kerur]] [[Kulageri]]
* '''Bagalkot taluk''': [[Bagalkot]], [[Kaladgi]], [[Vidyagiri]], [[Sitimani]], [[Navanagar]], [[Neelanagar]]
* '''Bilgi taluk''': Anagwadi, [[Bilgi, Karnataka|Bilgi]]
* '''Hungund taluk''': Amingad, [[Hungund]], Karadi
* '''Jamkhandi taluk''': [[Jamkhandi]], [[Savalagi]]
* '''Terdal taluk''': [[Terdal]]
* '''Rabkavi Banhatti taluk'''
* '''Ilkal taluk''':[[Ilkal]].[[Aminagada]].[[Karadi]]
* '''Mudhol taluk''': [[Lokapur]], [[Mudhol]], [[Mahalingpur]]
* '''Guledgudda taluk'''

== History ==
Over 191 [[Middle Palaeolithic]] localities have been discovered in the [[Kaladgi]] basin of the district. The discovery of settlements in the village of [[Lakhamapura]] near the Malaprabha valley yielded the identification of [[quartzite|quartzitic]] [[Artifact (archaeology)|artefacts]] such as [[handaxe]]s and [[cleaver (knife)|cleavers]].<ref name=paleolithic>Petraglia, Korisettar, et al. [http://antiquity.ac.uk/ProjGall/Petraglia/Petraglia.html "An Extensive Middle Palaeolithic Quarry Landscape in the Kalagdi Basin, Southern India"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722102737/http://antiquity.ac.uk/ProjGall/Petraglia/Petraglia.html |date=22 July 2012 }}. 2006. Antiquity. March 2003</ref> A pre-Chalukyan brick [[Hindu temple|temple]] was discovered at the foothills of [[Bachinagudda]], in Pattadakal, where an idol depicting the bust of [[Chaturmukha]] [[Shiva]] was discovered. Evidence of [[megalithic]] habitation was also discovered at the foothills of Bachinagudda, as were [[Marahathi]] and [[Satavahana]] coins of a later period.<ref name=asi>[http://asi.nic.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/30.htm "Recent Discoveries"]. 2006. Archaeological Survey of India. Government of India.</ref>

[[File:Badami-shiva.JPG|thumb|250px|Chalukyan sculpture of Shiva in cave temple no. 1|left]]

The first documented evidence of the existence of Bagalkot district dates back to the 2nd century [[Common Era|CE]], when the taluks of Badami, Indi and Kalkeri were mentioned in the works of the [[Greek people|Greek]] [[astronomer]] [[Ptolemy]]. In the 6th century CE, the [[Hindu]] [[Chalukya]] rulers ruled over much of present [[South India]]. The Chalukyan king [[Pulakeshin I]] established Bagalkot as his administrative headquarters; the district retained its prominent status until the Chalukyan empire was sacked by the [[Rashtrakuta]]s in 753 CE. The [[China|Chinese]] explorer [[Xuanzang|Hieun-Tsang]] visited Badami and described the people as "tall, proud,...brave and exceedingly chivalrous".<ref name=indiagazetteer>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V08_184.gif "Bijapur District"]</ref> He estimated the kingdom to be approximately 1,200 mi in circumference.

The period of rule of the Chalukyas of Badami, whose kingdom stretched from modern Karnataka to [[Maharashtra]] and [[Gujarat]], was a highlight of Bagalkot's history. Chalukya king [[Pulakeshin II]] further consolidated the empire by battling with the [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadambas]], [[Western Ganga Dynasty|Gangas]], [[Mauryan Empire|Mauryas]] of the [[Konkan]], [[Gurjara]]s and Emperor [[Harshavardhana]], whom he vanquished on the banks of the [[Narmada River|Narmada river]]<ref name=ourkarnataka>Arthikaje. [http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/history/historyofkarnataka15.htm "The Chalukyas of Badami"]. 2006. Ourkarnataka.com. Mangalore</ref> Accounts of war were inscribed on stone structures in the town of [[Aihole]], now located in the taluk of Hungund. The [[Western Chalukyas|Kalyani Chalukyas]], descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, conquered the area before the dawn of the 10th century CE. Their rule was interspersed with wars against the [[Chola]]s and [[Hoysala]]s. The Kalyani Chalukyas moved their capital from Badami to Kalyani, in the present day district of [[Bidar]]. [[Akkadevi]], sister of the Kalyani Chalukya [[Jayasimha II (Western Chalukya dynasty)|Jayasimha II]] ruled in the area for more than 40 years from 1024 CE. During the course of her rule of the area, then known as [[Kisukadu]], seventy villages from Bagalkot district were added to her administration. The Chola king [[Virarajendra Chola|Vīrarajendra]] seized the area by defeating [[Someshvara I]] at Koodalasangama. By the 11th century CE, all of Karnataka including Bagalkot fell into the dominion of the Hoysala Empire, first consolidated by [[Veera Ballala I|Veera Ballala]] and later subordinated to the Sinda kings.

The [[Yadava Dynasty|Yadavas]] of [[Daulatabad, Maharashtra|Deogiri]] annexed Bagalkot in 1190 CE and ruled until approximately the thirteenth century. The [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] invasion by the [[Muslim]] [[Khalji dynasty]], led by [[Ala ud din Khalji]] in 1294 brought an end to the rule of the Yadavas. In the 14th century, much of this territory was overrun by [[Muhammad Taghlaq]]. That the Taghlaqs were undisputed overlords of this territory cannot be established since [[Harihara]], first king of the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], is supposed to have possessed territories as far north as Kaladgi in 1340 and because a fort was built under permission from Harihara in Badami during that period.<ref name=hakka>Sewell, Robert. [http://www.blackmask.com/books23c/fevch.htm "A Forgotten Empire: Vijayanagar; A Contribution to the History of India"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202085859/http://www.blackmask.com/books23c/fevch.htm |date=2 December 2005 }}. 2006. Blackmask.com. 2001</ref> In the late 15th century, the [[Adil Shahi]] dynasty founded by [[Yusuf Adil Shah]] established an independent state with [[Bijapur, Karnataka|Bijapur]] as its capital. It is from this time that Bagalkot's history is homogeneous to that of Bijapur's. In 1818, after having lost their kingdom to the [[British people|British]], the [[Maratha]] [[Peshwa]]s of [[Satara district|Satara]] were crowned underlords of the kingdom. With the failing of their brief reign which ended in 1948, the district passed into the hands of the [[British Raj]] and was incorporated into the dominion of the [[Bombay Presidency]].

India gained [[Partition of India|independence]] from the British in 1947; thereafter, the ''[[States Reorganisation Act]]'' of 1956 allowed for the creation of a Mysore State, renamed Karnataka in 1971, and for Bijapur (and therefore Bagalkot) to be included in its dominion.<ref name=sra>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/~andrew/CommonLII/IN-num_act/sra1956250/ "States Reorganisation Act, 1956. Part II, Article 306 7(b)"]{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. 2006. Indian Legislation. Government of India. 2005</ref> A separate district of Bagalkot was carved out from the existing Bijapur district in 1997.

== Geography ==
[[File:Bagalkot district ZP Constituency Map.jpg|thumb|left|Bagalkot district ZP Constituency Map]]
The district of Bagalkot is situated entirely on the [[North Karnataka]] Plateau, which is part of the larger [[Deccan Plateau]]. Located in north-central Karnataka, Bagalkot is surrounded by [[Belgaum District]] to the west, [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur District]] and [[Kalaburagi district]] to the north and north-east, [[Raichur District]] to the east and [[Koppal District]], [[Gadag District]] and [[Dharwad District]] to the south-east, south and south-west respectively. It is positioned at {{Coord|16|12|N|75|45|E}} and covers an area of 6593 km2. Bagalkot district has ten taluks — [[Bagalkot]], [[Ilkal]], [[Badami]], [[Hunagunda]], [[Mudhol]], [[Jamkhandi]], [[Bilgi, Karnataka|Bilgi]], [[Rabkavi Banhatti]], [[Terdal]], [[Guledgudda]].<ref name="bgkot"/> The average elevation in this area reaches approximately 610 m. Owing to its elevated geographical location, the district undergoes a temperate climate in accordance with established Indian meteorological norms. The region maintains a warm and dry climate year-round, with precipitation being moderate yet relatively sparse, particularly in the eastern expanse of the district. The average rainfall in Bagalkot district is approximately 662 mm annually.<ref name=worldbank>[http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2001/08/29/000094946_01080904110949/Rendered/INDEX/multi0page.txt "Environmental Analysis Study"]. 2006. Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. Government of Karnataka. July 2001</ref> The months of September and December account for about 52% of the total annual rainfall.

The total extent of forest area of Bagalkot division is 83,893 hectares which constitute about 12.76 of its geographical area of 6,575 Km². The division is spread over six taluks, viz., Bagalkot, Badami, Hungund, Bilagi, Mudhol and Jamkhandi. Bagalkot town is the divisional headquarters. The division has two sub-divisions, namely, Bagalkot and Jamkhandi, and comprises six ranges, namely, Badami, Bagalkot, Hungund, Bilagi, Jamkhandi and Mudhol. The division has in all 32 sections and 57 beats. Bagalkot division has one Wildlife Sanctuary, namely, Yadahalli Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated in the forests of Bilagi and Mudhol taluks to protect the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle). The Sanctuary covers an area of 9,636 hectares.<ref name=forest>{{cite journal |title=Notified Forest Area Statement of Bagalkot Range (Bagalkot Division) |journal=Government of Karnataka |url=https://aranya.gov.in/aranyacms/(S(twtidfga4fdifuhewi3kbilu))/downloads/Notifications/Bagalkot_22-07-2019_05.13.46.pdf}}</ref> The [[Krishna River]], [[Ghataprabha River]] and [[Malaprabha River]] flow through the region but are non [[Perennial stream|perennial]]. Soil in the area can be categorised as either the majority [[Vertisol|black]] or minority [[red soil|red]].<ref name=indiagazetteer /> Black soil retains moisture and is often used for the cultivation of [[cotton]]. [[Rabi crop|Rabi]] and [[jowar]] are primarily cultivated in Bagalkot, as are [[peanut|groundnut]], cotton, [[maize]], [[Pearl millet|bajra]], [[wheat]], [[sugarcane]] and [[tobacco]].<ref name=agriculture>[http://www.panchayats.org/downloads/Karnataka%20SALR%20Report.pdf "Karnataka: Situation Analysis and Literature Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216015315/http://www.panchayats.org/downloads/Karnataka%20SALR%20Report.pdf |date=16 December 2004 }}. 2006. Ford Foundation. October 2002</ref> The district is also rich in mineral wealth. The village of Kaladgi, located 24 km from the town of Bagalkot, harbours [[copper]]. [[Iron ore]] also exists in the southern part of the district. Like much of Karnataka, the [[gneiss]] is the most common rock family. Common rock types in the region include [[greenstone belt|greenstone]], [[quartzite]], [[sandstone]] and [[limestone]]. The management of the water supply to agricultural areas within the district is overseen by the [[Upper Krishna Project]]. Bagalkot has not been affected by major [[seismic]] activity due to it being located in the stable Zone II.

== Demographics ==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=4,66,200|13=1911|14=4,90,668|15=1921|16=4,67,062|17=1931|18=5,02,540|19=1941|20=5,70,522|21=1951|22=6,61,645|23=1961|24=7,71,602|25=1971|26=9,31,651|27=1981|28=11,51,005|29=1991|30=13,90,259|31=2001|32=16,51,892|33=2011|34=18,89,752|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=center}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Bagalkot district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 1,889,752,<ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Bagalkot |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/582/download/1976/DH_2011_2902_PART_A_DCHB_BAGALKOT.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Lesotho]]<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | access-date = 2011-10-01 | quote = Lesotho 1,924,886}}</ref> or the US state of [[West Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php
|title=2010 Resident Population Data
|publisher=U. S. Census Bureau
|access-date=2011-09-30
|quote=West Virginia 1,852,994
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php
|archive-date=19 October 2013
|df=dmy
}}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 249th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert|288|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001–2011 was 14.46%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Bagalkot has a [[sex ratio]] of 984 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 69.39%. 31.64% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 16.89% and 5.14% of the population respectively.<ref name=districtcensus/>

Bagalkot is the second largest district in the [[Belgaum Division]] and the 15th most populous district in Karnataka. With over 1,651,892 inhabitants<ref name="bgkot"/> (of which 28.97% were urban),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm |title=Census GIS India |access-date=2008-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111052456/http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm |archive-date=11 January 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> Bagalkot accounts for over 18% of the total population of the Belgaum Division. Bagalkot has 6 taluks, comprising a total of 18 hoblis and 627 villages. Of the 6 taluks, two are categorised as "More Backward Taluk" and one as "Most Backward Taluk". The district has 163 [[Gram Panchayat]]s and 12 [[urban agglomeration]]s. Bagalkot, with a decadal growth rate of about 19% is one of the ten fastest growing districts in Karnataka.

{{bar box
|title = Religion in Bagalkot district (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Karnataka|Hinduism]]|darkorange|86.48}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|11.64}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism in Karnataka|Jainism]]|brown|1.33}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.55}}
}}

Over 86% of the population in the district is Hindu, while 11% of the population is Muslim. [[Jain]]s account for a little over 1% of the population, while [[Christians]] account for 0.17%.<ref name="religion">{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=Table C-01 Population by Religion: Karnataka |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11378/download/14491/DDW29C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> Communal tensions are fairly uncommon in Bagalkot.

{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of Bagalkot district (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Kannada]] |value1 = 86.07 |color1 = darkslateblue
|label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 9.30 |color2 = green
|label3 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]] |value3 = 1.48 |color3 = red
|label4 = [[Lambadi]] |value4 = 1.47 |color4 = khaki
|label5 = Others |value5 = 1.68 |color5 = grey
}}

[[Kannada]], the state language of Karnataka, is the most widely spoken language in the district by 86.07% of the population. [[Urdu]] is the second largest language, spoken by 9.30% of the population. [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Lambadi]] are spoken by 1.48% and 1.47% of the population respectively.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Karnataka |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10208/download/13320/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2900.XLSX |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

The [[literacy rate]] of the district is 57.3%, higher than national levels (52%) but lower than the mean literacy rate of the state (66.6%). Bagalkot ranks 22nd out of the 27 districts in Karnataka for adult literacy. The [[population density]] of Bagalkot is approximately 251 persons per square kilometer. Housing conditions in the district were identified as above average, per India's 2001 national census. About 96% of the houses surveyed were recorded as either "Good" or "Livable". [[Mass media]] ([[radio]], [[transistor]], [[television]]) penetration was about 67%.

Primary workers constitute about 43% of the district's population. Of these, 65% work in [[agriculture]] related activities. The [[sex ratio]] of the district is 980 per 1000 males, considerably higher than the national average — 927. The district's [[Net Income|Net Domestic Income]] is [[United States Dollar|US$]] 5.8 billion. The [[per capita income]] of the district is about US$350 annually.

==Education==
Bagalkot has a number of educational institutions, including Basaveshwara Vidya Vardhaka Sangha and Sakri Sangha. A number of colleges are affiliated with [[Rani Channamma University, Belgaum]], [[Visvesvaraya Technological University]], [[Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences]], [[Ramanagara]]. [[Basaveshvara Engineering College]] (BEC) was established in 1963. S Nijalingappa Medical College, HSK (Hanagal Shree Kumareshwar) Hospital and Research Centre, Bagalkot is affiliated with [[Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences]].

[[The University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS)]] is headquartered in Navanagar, Bagalkot with its constituent colleges spread across the state.

Bagalkot houses the Krishi Vignan Kendra<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.kvkbagalkot.com/ | title=Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bagalkot}}</ref>

== Economy ==
Agriculture is the largest employer in Bagalkot, with over 65% of the working population engaged in it; approximately 80% of female workers in Bagalkot are engaged in agriculture. Like most of north Karnataka, Bagalkot is very rich in black soil which is conducive to the cultivation of cotton. Bagalkot's [[Net income|economy]] was valued at US$5.6 billion, making it the 12th largest economy in Karnataka. The approximate per capital income is US$360. The chief crops cultivated are rabi and jowar, as well as groundnut, cotton, maize, bajra, wheat, sugarcane and tobacco. Jowar is largely cultivated because it can be grown during [[monsoon|rainy seasons]] as well as during the winters. The crop also is the chief supply of food for the people. Pulses are also grown in the region, primarily ''[[pigeon pea|tuvar daal]]'', [[chickpeas|gram]], [[kulthi]], and ''[[mung bean|mūng daal]]''. [[Castor oil]], [[linseed]] and [[sesamum]] are also grown in Bagalkot. Water supply for irrigation includes reservoirs such as the Kendur reservoir, which is six miles from Badami and the Muchkundi reservoir, which is 4 miles from Bagalkot. Famine due to lack of adequate rains is quite common in Bagalkot. A famine that struck the region in 1901 inflicted considerable financial loss to the agricultural industry in Bagalkot. The district has the fifth highest farmer suicide rate in Karnataka.<ref name=suicide>{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20080519005943/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/09/14/stories/2003091400041600.htm "Burdened by debt"]}}. 2006. The Hindu. The Hindu Group. 14 Sep. 2003</ref> Efficient water management techniques and government sops have only marginally mitigated the repercussions of the [[drought]] stricken district.

==See also==
* [[List of villages in Bagalkot district]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bagalkot district}}
{{Wikivoyage|Bagalkot (district)}}
*[http://bagalkot.nic.in/ Official website of Bagalkot]
*[http://kannadasiri.kar.nic.in/archaeology/eng/E08_Bagalkote.htm ASI Protected monuments of Bagalkot]
*[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/6951/F Bagalkot: Home to Chalukyan culture]
*[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/475473/village-bagalkot-district-may-declared.html Bagalkot in the news]

{{Navboxes
|title=Bagalkot district related articles
|list1={{Bagalkot district}}
{{Karnataka topics}}

}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bagalkot District}}
[[Category:Bagalkot district| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Tourism in Karnataka]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Belgaum division]]

Bagalkot district - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 05:56, 23 August 2023