Gyani24 at 15:13, 4 May 2026

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{{short description|District of Karnataka State, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{update|date=December 2020}}
{{Copy edit|date=November 2025}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ballari district
| official_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = [[District]]
| image_skyline = {{Multiple image
| perrow = 1/2/2
| border = infobox
| total_width = 250
| image1 = BELLARY FORT 2.jpg
| caption1 = View of the city from [[Bellary Fort]]
| image2 = Ballari railway station front.jpg
| caption2 = Ballari railway station
| image3 = Dam on river in Hosapete, Bellary District.jpg
| caption3 = [[Tungabhadra Dam]]
| image4 = Sloth Bear-3302.jpg
| caption4 = [[Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary]]
|image5 = Kumarswamy temple3.jpg
| caption5 = [[Krauncha Giri#Kumaraswami Temple|Kumaraswami Temple]]
}}
| image_caption =
| mapframe = yes
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location in Karnataka
| coordinates = {{coord|15.1500|N|76.9333|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kalyana-Karnataka]]
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Ballari]]
| government_type = [[District administration in India|District administration]]
| governing_body = Zilla Panchayat
| leader_title = District Commissioner & District Magistrate
| leader_name = Nagendra Prasad K. ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]])
| leader_title2 = CEO
| leader_name2 = MD Haris Sumair, IAS
| leader_title3 = District in-charge minister
| leader_name3 = [[B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan]]
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 8,461
| elevation_m = 449
| population_total = 24,52,595<ref>{{cite web |title=DISTRICT CENSUS HANDBOOK BELLARY |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s37c590f01490190db0ed02a5070e20f01/uploads/2019/01/2019010876.pdf |website=ballari.nic.in/ |publisher=DIRECTORATE OF CENSUS OPERATIONS KARNATAKA |access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 290
| population_demonym = Ballarian
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite news |title=Cabinet approves boundaries of Vijayanagara district |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/cabinet-approves-boundaries-of-vijayanagara-district/article33197346.ece |access-date=1 December 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=28 November 2020}}</ref>
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
| demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 583101
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = Bellary:08392
| registration_plate = KA 34
| website = {{URL|https://ballari.nic.in/en/}}
| footnotes =
| parts_type = [[Taluka]]s
| parts = [[Ballari]], [[Kampli]], [[Sanduru]], [[Siruguppa]], [[Kurugodu]]
}}

'''Ballari district''', formerly '''Bellary district''' (pronounced {{IPA|kn|ˈbəɭɭari|}}), is a major district in [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangalore, 11 other cities will get new names |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Bangalore-11-other-cities-will-get-new-names/articleshow/44862699.cms |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |date=18 October 2014 |access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref> It is located in the northeastern part of Karnataka. This district belongs to [[Kalyana-Karnataka]]. This district was one of the biggest districts in Karnataka until the [[Vijayanagara district]] was carved out of Ballari district in 2021 officially.

This district has the highest deposits of iron ore in [[India]].

Historical sites, farm land, and rich minerals characterise Ballari district. Recently making headlines within the mining industry, Ballari, the district's capital, is known as Steel City and Gani Nadu (City of Mining).

==History==
{{Main|History of Bellary}}
Earlier, Ballari district was part of the [[Madras Presidency]]. The area was severely affected by the [[Great Famine of 1876–78]]. After [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]], when the Indian states were [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|reorganised]] along linguistic lines, Ballari became part of the [[Hyderabad-Karnataka]] region of the state of [[Karnataka]], now renamed as Kalyana-Karnataka. In 1882, Anantapur District was formed by carving out from Ballari district, and in 2021, [[Vijayanagara district]] was separated from Ballari officially.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Umamaheswara |date=30 March 2022 |title=AP new districts: First formed under the empire, Andhra Pradesh’s map shaped and reshaped over two centuries |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/first-formed-under-the-empire-aps-map-shaped-and-reshaped-over-two-centuries/articleshow/90528597.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Vijayanagar to be Karnataka’s 31st district, BSY Cabinet gives in-principle nod |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2020/Nov/19/vijayanagar-to-be-karnatakas-31st-district-bsy-cabinet-gives-in-principle-nod-2225175.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=19 November 2020 |access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref>

==Geography==
Ballari district is spread from southwest to northeast and is situated on the eastern side of [[Karnataka]] state. The district is 15° 30' and 15°50' north latitude and 75° 40' and 77° 11' east longitude. The geographical area is 8447 km<sup>2</sup>.

This district is bounded by [[Raichur District]] to the north, [[Koppal District]], [[Vijayanagara district]] to the west, [[Chitradurga District]] and [[Davanagere District]] to the south, and [[Anantapur District]] and [[Kurnool District]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]] to the east.

The normal rainfall is 639 mm.

==Assembly and Parliament constituencies==
The district consists of one [[Lok Sabha]] constituency ([[Ballari (Lok Sabha constituency)|Ballari]], reserved for STs) and five [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly]] constituencies. These are

91. [[Kampli (Karnataka Assembly constituency)|Kampli]] (ST)

92. [[Siruguppa (Karnataka Assembly constituency)|Siruguppa]] (ST)

93. [[Ballari (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Ballari]] (ST)

94. [[Ballari City (Vidhana Sabha constituency)|Ballari City]]

95. [[Sandur (Karnataka Assembly constituency)|Sandur]] (ST)

The Assembly constituency of [[Siruguppa (Karnataka Assembly constituency)|Siruguppa]] is part of the parliamentary constituency of [[Koppal (Lok Sabha constituency)|Koppal]].

==Economy==
The major occupation of this district is agriculture, and 75% of its total labour force is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. The important crops grown are [[cotton]], [[jowar]], [[peanut|groundnuts]], [[rice]], [[sunflowers]], and [[cereals]]. The net irrigated area is 37% of the net area sown.

As of 1998, the main source of irrigation is [[Tungabhadra Dam]] (presently in [[Vijayanagara district]]). The canal network accounts for 64% of the district's irrigated area. Important rivers are Tungabhadra, [[Vedavathi River|Hagari]], and Chikkahagari. The western taluks of the district have been plagued by low rainfall for successive years. However, during the current and preceding years, heavy rains have created havoc in the district, leaving many in the lurch.

==Industries==
Ballari district is rich in natural resources that need to be tapped to a great extent for the overall development of the district. This district is endowed with rich mineral resources. It has both metallic and non-metallic minerals. The metallic minerals include [[iron]] ore, [[manganese]] ore, [[gold]], [[copper]], and [[lead]]. The non-metallic minerals include [[andalusite]], [[asbestos]], [[corundum]], [[clay]], [[Dolomite (mineral)|dolomite]], [[limestone]], limekankan, [[Molding sand|moulding sand]], [[quartz]], [[soap stone]], [[granite]], and [[red ochre]]. The metallic minerals are abundant in only two talukas, [[Sanduru]] and [[Bellary|Ballari]], in the order of mining activity intensity. The annual production of iron ore is anywhere between 2.75 and 4.5 million tonnes, and manganese ore between 0.13 million tonnes to 0.30 million tonnes (1991).The real estate prices have already started to shoot as more and more industries are finding their way into this city. Ballari, to its credit, has the second largest single rock mountain in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bellary Karnataka state report_2012.pdf|url=http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/lld_data_13jan12/Bellary_Karnataka_state_report_2012.pdf|website=mospi.nic.in|date=2012|access-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075233/http://mospi.nic.in/Mospi_New/upload/lld_data_13jan12/Bellary_Karnataka_state_report_2012.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Mining===
Ballari district has 25% of India's iron ore reserves. Until 1994, a handful of mining companies operated here, including state-owned NMDC.
Later, the government issued mining licences to many private operators. The mining industry boomed with a surge in iron ore prices, due to demand from emerging China. Mining licence allocation policy from the central government was based on political [[Nepotism in Indian politics|nepotism]] rather than merit.
Flawed mining policy leads to widespread [[illegal mining in India|illegal mining]]. Since the year 2000, money from illegal mining flowed into the electoral politics of Karnataka State. This led to the emergence of the powerful Reddy Brothers to state politics. The Reddy brothers funnelled money from illegal mining into politics, thereby King Makers of Karnataka State politics. Ombudsman's report on mining in [[Karnataka state]] found that the promoters of privately owned mining companies in the Ballari region paid off politicians and then joined politics themselves, rising to positions in the Karnataka state government. These mining businessmen-turned-politicians exerted so much influence over the local officials that the Indian media began describing Ballari as a "new republic".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14783930 India mining scandal: G Janardhana Reddy remanded]</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14486290 Why mining in India is a source of corruption?]</ref>

Despite the availability of minerals in large quantities, this district is considered to be an industrially backward district. There are 23 units of large and medium scale industries in this district, with an investment of Rs.447.76 crores employing around 9,222 persons. At present, it occupies ninth place in the state. Sathavahana Ispat Ltd. is the first [[Pig Iron]] plant set up in the region to utilise the abundant iron ore reserves available; Kirloskar was the next to follow with their Pig Iron plant. However, with the commissioning of Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Limited at Tornagallu, the industry scenario of this district underwent sea changes. It is understood that Mukand Steels and Kalyani Steels have started industries in this area. The inflow of investment into these industries would be around Rs.30,000 Crores. The district will, therefore, come under heavy pressure on basic infrastructure such as power, communication, health, education, and police stations, which again invite heavy investment to create the needed infrastructure. Urgent action is needed to pool the resources under various sectors, such as District Sector, State sector, Border Area Development, HKDB etc., and prepare a perspective plan to the emerging challenges. However, the mining industry in Ballari has caused devastating environmental damage and subsequent socioeconomic crises. Therefore, courts in Karnataka have ordered the reclamation of the region.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 November 2020|title=A ravaged earth and the long wait for relief|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/insight/a-ravaged-earth-and-the-long-wait-for-relief-912805.html|access-date=8 November 2020|website=Deccan Herald|language=en}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=5,12,624|13=1911|14=5,07,800|15=1921|16=4,40,660|17=1931|18=4,93,701|19=1941|20=5,44,113|21=1951|22=6,56,079|23=1961|24=7,86,556|25=1971|26=9,76,972|27=1981|28=13,05,624|29=1991|30=16,56,000|31=2001|32=20,27,140|33=2011|34=24,52,595|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=left}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Ballari district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 2,452,595,<ref name=districtcensus>{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Bellary |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/590/download/2008/DH_2011_2911_PART_A_DCHB_BELLARY.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> roughly equal to the nation of [[Kuwait]]<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 = 1 October 2011 | quote =Kuwait 2,595,62}}</ref> or the US state of [[Nevada]].<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=30 September 2011 |quote=Nevada 2,700,551 |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 }}</ref> This gives it a ranking of 168th in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert|300|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi|abbr=}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was 24.92%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Ballari has a sex ratio of 978 females for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 67.85%.<ref name=districtcensus/>

The divided district has a population of 1,400,970, of which 607,584 (43.37%) live in urban areas. The divided district has a sex ratio of 984 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 269,096 (19.21%) and 265,990 (18.99%) of the population respectively.<ref name=districtcensus/>

Hindus are 1,174,010, Muslims are 208,014, Christians are 10,293.<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>

{{bar box
|title = Religion in residual Bellary district (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Karnataka|Hinduism]]|darkorange|83.80}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|14.85}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Karnataka|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|0.73}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.62}}
}}

===Languages===
{{Pie chart
|caption = Languages of residual Bellary district (2011)<ref name="languages"/>
|label1 = [[Kannada]] |value1 = 68.09 |color1 = darkslateblue
|label2 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]] |value2 = 13.47 |color2 = steelblue
|label3 = [[Urdu]] |value3 = 12.68 |color3 = green
|label4 = [[Hindi]] |value4 = 1.86 |color4 = orange
|label5 = [[Lambadi]] |value5 = 1.29 |color5 = khaki
|label6 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]] |value6 = 0.92 |color6 = red
|label7 = Others |value7 = 1.69 |color7 = grey
|thumb=center
}}

At the time of the 2011 census, 68.09% of the population spoke [[Kannada]], 13.47% [[Telugu language|Telugu]], 12.68% [[Urdu]], 1.86% [[Hindi]], 1.29% [[Lambadi]], and 0.92% [[Marathi language|Marathi]] as their first language.<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>

==Tourism==
*[[Bellary Fort|Ballari Fort]], a historic fort.
*[[Bommghatta]], known for its temple which hosts the deity [[Hanuman]] as ''Hulikunteraya''.
*Timmalapura, known for its temple to [[Sri Krishna]].
*[[Sanduru]], known for its historic temple to Kumaraswamy.

[[File:View of Gopura from inside the Gopala Krishnaswamy temple in Timmalapura.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Gopala Krishnaswamy temple]]

==Transport==
[[File:Ballari railway station.jpg|thumb|Ballari railway station]]

The nearest airport is [[Vidyanagar Airport]]. The airport is connected with [[Bangalore]] and Hyderabad daily.
A new airport is under construction in the outskirts of [[Bellary]].

The district has main junction at [[Bellary Junction railway station|Ballari station]], which falls under Hubli division.

The district has main National Highway 67 and NH 150A. The district is connected with Jewargi-Chamrajanagar Highway. KKRTC run buses in Ballari District.

==Politics==
* [[E. Tukaram]]: MP Ballari
* [[Devendrappa|Y. Devendrappa]]: Former MP
* [[K. C. Kondaiah]]: Former MP and MLC
* [[B. Nagendra|B Nagendra]]: Ballari Rural MLA
* [[G. Janardhana Reddy]]: mining baron and BJP member. A former minister in the BS Yeddyurappa government, he was sentenced to 3 years in jail for [[Mining scams in India#Illegal iron ore mining in Karnataka|Illegal iron ore mining]]
* [[G. Karunakara Reddy]]: Former Minister and MLA [[Harpanahalli]]
* [[G. Somashekara Reddy]]: MLA, Ballari City
* [[B. Sriramulu]]: BJP vice-president of Karnataka and current Health minister
* [[Allum Veerabhadrappa]]: MLC and Former [[Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee|KPCC]] President

==Demand for a separate district==
Forest Minister and Ballari in-charge MLA Anand Singh demanded the bifurcation of Ballari district into Vijayanagar and Ballari districts. In November 2020, the cabinet approved the division of the district into Ballari and Vijayanagara district. Officially, the district Vijayanagara announced on 2 October 2021 Ballari district consists of Ballari, Kampli, Sandur, Siruguppa and Kurugodu taluks, while Vijayanagara district consists of Hospet, Harappanahalli, Huvina Hadagali, Kottur, Hagaribommanahalli, and Kudligi. The new district Vijayanagara has 6 taluks, but Bellary District has only 5 taluks. This is questioned by all people of erstwhile Bellary District <ref>{{cite news |title=Cabinet approves boundaries of Vijayanagara district |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/cabinet-approves-boundaries-of-vijayanagara-district/article33197346.ece |access-date=30 November 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=28 November 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Chilagodu]]
*[[Narsapur, Karnataka]]
*[[Vijayanagara district]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Bellary district}}
* [https://ballari.nic.in/ Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101111012319/http://www.explorehampiwithme.in/ Incredible India Hampi Guide]
*[http://www.hampi.in Info on Hampi ].

{{Karnataka topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bellary District}}
[[Category:Districts of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Ballari district| ]]

[[kn:ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ]]

Ballari district - Revision history

Gyani24 at 15:13, 4 May 2026