History Facts About Namma Bengaluru We Bet You Didn't Know

The diverse country that India is, it is obvious that is has cities with different cultures and colors. Each one with a different past and a different present, moving towards the same future, that is of advancement. One of such cities is Bangalore. Now without getting into the debate of which city is the best let's appreciate the beauty of each city and find what is so special about Bangalore.

The best thing about Bangalore is that while it has been rapidly growing and treading the path of modernity, it has not cut its roots. It still holds onto its past that is glorious. The deeper you dive in the vast ocean of its past the more pearls of secrets you find. This magnificent city’s rich history is worth experiencing since words are just not enough to describe it. But still, let us give it a try. So here are some things about the history of Bangalore that you did not know.

Bangalore is related to one of the greatest war epics in the world, Mahabharata. A certain community of Bangalore, the Thigalas, is believed to be the descendants of, Veerakumaras, the army men of Draupadi when she fights the last Asura, Tripurasura, in the final chapter of the Mahabharata. In fact, because of this, a festival is celebrated in Bangalore every year by the Thigala community. It is called Karaga. It is led by the males of this community.

Now, Bangalore is surely an unusual name. But have you ever wondered where this name came from? Well, in the year 1120 AD the Hoysala king, Veera Ballala II went on a hunting expedition. When he could not find his way back home, he asked for help from a poor, old woman who served boiled beans to the famished king. Pleased with her services, he decided to name the place “Benda Kaal Ooru” which means “town of boiled beans.

The history of Bangalore is incomplete without the mention of the bravest and most dynamic rulers that the city had, Tipu Sultan. His reign began in the year 1782 after the demise of his father, Haider Ali. Not only did Bangalore flourish as an important trade center under his rule, but he also successfully defeated the British army in the first, second and the third Anglo-Mysore Wars and prevented the city from falling into the hands of the European rulers.

The establishment of the city of Bangalore is credited to Kempe Gowda I who was one of the most successful rulers of his time. The construction of the spectacular city of Bangalore started with the construction of the Bangalore Fort. He contributed to the infrastructure of the city as well by getting temples and water reservoirs constructed.

It is not surprising that a city as spectacular as Bangalore has such a vibrant history. It can be said that the bravest kings have been the lords of this city.

To appreciate the presence of any city you need to understand its history and that is why we agree with the words of Lord Acton, “ History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.”