CHAPTER-II

A. HISTORY OF BOMBAY-KARNATAKA

The present Northern part of Karnataka consisting of the undivided

districts of Belgaum, Dharwad, Bijapur and Karwar {North Kanara} was called

as Bombay-Karnataka because this area was part of Bombay Presidency during

the British rule in India. In 1998 Gadag and Haveri Districts were formed in

Dharwar District and Bagalkot was carved out of Bijapur District.

1. Phisical Aspect

The total area of Bombay Karnataka was 210 miles long and 166 miles

wide and situated in between 13° 55’ & 17° 28’ North latitude and between 74°

5’ & 76° 31’ East longitudes. The population of this region was 40,33,600 in

1881. Belgaum lies between 15° 23’ and 16° 58’ North latitude and 74° 5’ and

75° 28’ East longitude had an area of about 4,600 sq. miles a population of about

864,000 or 185.57 to the sq. mile in 1881.1 The District was separated from the

West coast by a belt of land twenty-five to seventy miles broad. It was bounded

on the North by the Miraj and Jath states, on the North by Bijapur, on the East

by the states of Jamkhandi and Mudhol. On the Southeast the state of Ramdurg

and the Navalgund Sub-Division of Dharwar and the Supa Sub-Division of North

Kanara bordered it. On the Southwest it was bounded by Goa, on the West by

Savantwadi and Kolhapur and on the Northwest by Kolhapur and Miraj in 1881-

82.2

Dharwar lies between 14° 48’ and 15° 50’ North latitude and 74° 48’ and

76° East longitude. It was the South most district of Bombay lied on the table

land to the East of the North Kanara. Sahyadris separated from the coast by a

belt about fifty miles broad. It had an area of 4,500 sq. miles with a population
 24

of 8,82,900 or 194.73 to the sq. miles in 1881. The district was bounded on the

North by Belgaum, the Ramdurg state and Badami in South Bijapur. On the East,

Raichur Doab and the Bellary District of Madras bound it. On the South, it was

bounded by Mysore and on the West by North Kanara and the sub-division of

Khanapur in Belgaum. An irregular broken belt of Patvardhan and Savanur

villages with a breadth of ten to twenty miles almost divided the East of the

districts into two parts a North and South. Besides that belt of land some

scattered outlying villages were lying to the West of Savanur. And there was an

isolated patch of estate or Jagir, land at Hubli about five miles North-East of

Dharwar.3

Bijapur is lying between 17° 28’ and 15° 48’ North latitude and 75° 24’ and

1$ 31’ East longitude. It was in 1881 partly in the Bombay Deccan and partly

in the Bombay-Karnataka. It had an area of 5757 sq. miles a population of

638,500 or 110 to the sq. mile in 1881. This district was the most Easterly part

of the Bombay-Presidency, being separated from the West coast by an average

distance of about 130 miles. It formed a belt of land about 110 miles from

North to South and varied in breadth from fifty miles in the South and 75 miles

in the center to about 5 miles in the extreme North. On the North and North-

East Bhima river separated it from Sholapur, the Akalkot state and the Nizam’s

territory. On the East and Southeast it was bounded by the Sagar district of

Sharapur and the Raichur Doab both belonging to His Highness the Nizam. On

the South by the Nizam’s Districts of Kushtagi and Bhindgal and the Ron Sub-

Division of Dharwar, on the South-West the Malaprabha separated it from

Navalgund in Dharwar and the Ramdurg State and on the West, it was bounded

by the states of Torgal, Mudhol and Jamkhandi, the Athni Sub-division of

 25

Belguam, the Jath and Karajgi states and Mangalvedha in Sangli. Some outlying

villages single or in groups, were scattered in the Nizam’s dominions to the East

and in the Jath, Jamkhandi and Ramdurg States to the west.4

North Kanara, the Southern most part of the Bombay-Presidency lies

between 13° 55’ and 15° 31’ North latitude and 74° 9’ and 75° 10’ East longitude.

It had an area of 3910 sq. miles with population in 1881 of 421,840 or 107.85

to the sq. mile. Bombay Kanara was called North-Kanara to distinguish it from

South or Madras Kanara from which because of its close trade connection with

Bombay it was separated in 1862. It was a belt of country about 110 miles from

North to South and from ten to sixty miles from East to West. For about forty

miles in the North, Goa comes between it and the Sea. And for twenty miles in

the South, it stretched between the Sea and Maisur, a belt only about 10 miles

broad. Kanara was bounded on the North by Bidi in Belgaum, on the East by

Dharwar, Kalkhatgi, Bankapur and Hangal Sub-Divisions of Dharwar, and by

Mysore. On the Southeast by Maisur, on the south by Maisur and South Kanara,

on the West by the Arabian sea and Goa and on the Northwest by Goa.5

2. Historical Background

The epics and the puranas refer to this part of the country as farming part

of Kuntala Desha. Lakkundi of Gadag taluk was for instance; identified with the

place described in ancient records as Sri Dasarathi Vinirmita Mahagrama [great

village founded by Shri Ram and was Ramarathi agrahara. Ron was known as

dronapura and was said to have been named after Dronacharya the famous guru

of the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Some peculiar structures found in the forests

of Hirekerur taluk were locally known as Pandava Kattegalu. Hangal was

identified with Viratakote and viratanagari the place where the Pandavas spent a
 26

part of their exile. Puranas indicate that in ancient times theMatayas, the Nagas,

the abhiras, Mahisikas, Ajas and the vanaras for varying periods ruled Karnataka.6

Belgaum district formed part of the ancient Kuntala desha, which was stated to

have covered several regions including Kundi Three Thousand.7

During the early historical period the entire Deccan region formed part of

the Mauryan Empire.8 North Kanara was subjected to the rule of the Satavahanas

from the beginning of the Christian era.9 At the dawn of historical period,

Belgaum District region was under the Satavahanas of Paithan [30 B C to 300

A D]. Part of the District might have come under the Bhojas of Chandor in Goa.

Later North Kanara came under the feudatories of the Satavahanas,10 the Chutus

started ruling from Banavasi [Sirsi tq.]. For some time the area appeared to have

been subjected to the Pallavas of Kanchi. By the middle of the 4th C.A.D. the

Kadambas of Banavasi started ruling over the whole North Kanara district and

Belgaum district. Halasi in Khanapur taluk was their Northern part of

Kingdom." The feudatories of the Kadambas the Kekayas administered some

regions in the district from Haigunda [Honavar tq.] Later the Chalukyas of

Badami took both of the districts from sixth century and a branch of the Pallavas

ruled over parts of North Kanara as feudatories of the Chalukyas. Southern

tracts were under the Alupas.12 The antiquity of Dharwad has been traced back

to the 12th C. A. D. The inscription of Vikramaditya VI A. D. 1117, [found near

the Durga temple in the Dharawad fort] states that Dharwada was included in

Kundur 500 division and was administered by Bhaskaradeva. Kundur was the

ancient name of modern Narendra.13

Later North Kanara District and Belgaum district came under the control

of the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed who were successors of Chalukyas of Badami

as the Imperial power of Karnataka and part of the district of North Kanara was
 27

under the province Banavasi-12,000 of Rashtrakutas.14 Traces of Rashtrakuta

power and domination survived in Belgaum region for a long period even after

the Rashtrakutas ceased to be a paramount power in 973 A.D. For about 400

years from 850 A. D., the Ratta Mahamandaleshvaras or Rattas administered

major portions of Belgaum District at first, as the chief feudatories of the

Rashtrakutas then as the subordinates of the Goa Kadambas and finally from

1170 A.D. as independent monarchs.15

In the days of the Chalukyas of Kalyana, parts of North Kanara District

were in the province Banavasi -12,000. In addition, Haive-500, Konkana-700,

Halasi-12,000 and Hangal-500 were some administrative units into which, parts

of the district were included. For a short period there was Hoysala domination

over parts of the district. The district also saw some wars between the Hoysalas

and the Seunas [Yadavas].'6 By the close of the 12th C. Belgaum region was ruled

by the Kadambas of Goa till their overthrow by the Seunas [Yadavas] of Devagiri.

Goa Kadambas did not accept the over lordship of the Kalachuris.17During

Vijayanagara rule, it posted a Governor at Honavar.18 Dharwad fort was built in

1403 and called after its builder Darrav an officer of the Vijayanagara King

Rama Raja.19 Pails of Belgaum district had fallen into the laps of Vijayanagar.

So within the limits of the Vijayanagar Kingdom was included the whole of the

Southern Maratha Country as far as north as Belgaum.20

In A.D. 1347 when the Bahamani dynasty was founded the districts of

Bijapur, Athni and Chikodi formed part of Gulburga Province.21 A new province

called the Bijapur province was created in the Bahmani Kingdom about the years

1478 and it was assigned to Khwaja Mahmud Gawan.22 In 1406 Firoz Shah the

grandson of Alla-ud-din Bahamani besieged and took Bankapur, described by

Ferishta as the most important fortress in the Karnataka and this success placed
 28

at his mercy the southern part of what was then the Dharwar Collectorate. After

fifty years Navalgund was mentioned as the seat of a Sarkar or province.

Mahmud Gawan who held the office of Prime Minister as well as government

of Bijapur captured Goa in A.D. 1470. This led to the siege and capture of

Belgaum. Muhammad Shah moved against Belgaum, and then Belgaum was

captured in 1472. Later Khusrao Turk during Bahamani period was rewarded

with the title of Asad Khan and he received Belgaum as a Jahagir, a town that he

did much to strengthen and beautify.23

When the Bahamani dynasty disintegrated in the last decades of the 15‘C.

the Kingdom was broken up and Yusuf Add Khan of Bijapur, the Provincial

Governor, declared independence. Bijapur thus became a separate kingdom

under the Adil Shahi rulers in 1489. During their reign there were about sixteen

administrative divisions called Sircars under the direct control of Bijapur. The

Metropolitan division, called Aval Sircar, Bijapur consisted of 30 parganas.24

The Adilshahis of Bijapur later inherited Belgaum, when Yusuf Adil Khan

revolted against the Bahamanis in 1489.25 In 1573 the fifth Sultan of Bijapur Ali

Adil Shah [1557-1579] marched on Dharwad one of the strongest forts in the

Karnataka. An officer of the late Ram Raja of Vijayanagara, who had assumed

practical independence, then held it. The fort fell after a siege of six months and

the surrounding country was annexed to Bijapur Kingdom.26

By the middle of sixteenth century Hadu valli [Bhatkal tq.] was occupied

by Keladi rulers who were entrusted with responsibility of administering the

district by the Vijayanagara Empire.27 From the Sixteenth C. onwards some

feudatory Desais like those of Kittur, Belavadi, Sirsangi, Wantmuri, etc., ruled

over certain regions of Belgaum district.28 By the middle of the 17th C. certain

tracts in the district were conquered by the Mughuls and certain others by
 29

Shivaji. With the overthrow of the Bijapur rulers, all regions under Bijapur came

under the Mughuls, the Marathas including those of Satara and Kolhapur having

sway over some other parts.29

In 1673 Abdul Karim Khan, the ancestor of Nawabs of Savanur was

appointed Governor of the Bijapura district or Sarkar of Bankapura with sixteen

sub-divisions or Parganas. The Chief of these sub-divisions were Nasratabad

[Dharawad] and Gadaga. In 1674 Sivaji fortified Naragunda, thirty miles North-

East of Dharwad and took Dharwad. In 1685 Sultan Muazzim, Aurangzeb’s son

marched, in the name of the Delhi Emperor, to regain the Southwest parts of the

Bijapur Kingdom, which Shivaji had overrun. He took Hubballi and Dharawad, a

place of respectability and strength and placed garrisons in them. During the

sixty-eight years of Moghal supremacy, from 1685 to 1753, Dharwad was held

by four commandants sent from Delhi, and acting under the orders of the

Mughul Governor at Bajapur.30 In 1686, Bijapur capitulated to Aurangzeb and

was under the Mughals up to 1723 when it became a part of the Nizam’s

Dominions.31

The Mughul rule of this part of the country was of a purely military in

nature and it did not last long. The death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D. led

to the establishment of two Maratha Principalities under two of Shivaji’s

grandsons, Satara under Sahu and Kolhapur under Sambhaji. In 1719, Sahu

received imperial grants from the Emperor, which conferred on him the right to

collect Chauth or one-forth hand Sardeshmukhi or one-tenth of the revenues of

the six Deccan provinces including Belgaum. In 1726 A.D. on the pretext of

collecting those revenues Peshwa Baji Rao marched into Karnataka and

plundered places as far south as Shrirangapattana. In 1730 A. D. under the treaty

between the Chiefs of Satara and Kolhapur, the country between the Krishna and
 30

the Tungabhadra was assigned to Kolhapur.32 In 1760 the Nizam ceded Bijapur

to Balaji Peshwa who placed it under a governor responsible to him.33 When

Haider Ali took over Keladi in 1763, the whole of the territory in the modem

North Kanara district came under Haider in 1764.34 He also marched to Savanur

and reduced the Nawab to submission, while his general Fazl Ullah Khan took

Dharawad and overran the country as far north as the Krishna. In 1778 Haider

took Dharawad after a protracted siege.35 From 1778 to 1789 the Southern

portion of Bijapur also came under the supremacy of Haidar Ali and Tipu.36 In

1784 Tipu then in the height of his glory compelled the Marathas to cede

Dharawad with other forts and district.37 In 1785 A.D. by demanding a higher

tribute Tipu estranged Venkat Rao the Chief of Nargund who had been his

tributary since 1778 A.D. Then Tipu pressed the siege of Nargund with

redoubled vigour and took the fort. Kittur fort was also seized likewise and both

the forts were garrisoned by Mysore troops.38 Fears of an English invasion led

Tipu to leave Kittur in 1787 A.D. even though the balance of advantage was with

him in his wars against the Marathas. As soon as the Marathas had recrossed the

Krishna, in total disregard to all his promises, Tipu retook Kittur. The Marathas

were much annoyed by Tipu’s faithlessness and formed an offensive alliance,

which mounted an attack in 1790 A. D., which remained in their possession till

1818.39

After the fall of Tipu in 1799, the British formed the Canara district with

regions in the former Kasargod taluk [now in Kerala], the present Dakshina

Kannada [except the regions under Kodagu in those days] and the present North

Kanara. This was subjected to a single Collectorate, Sir Thomas Munro being

appointed as the first Collector in 1799. Later in No 1800, the district was
 31

divided into two divisions and there were two separate Collectors for the

northern and southern divisions.40

3. Conditions of Southern Maratha country of Bombay-Karnatak

A. D. 1803.

The following extract from a letter written by General Wellesley in April

1803 gives a succinct but graphic account of the state of the Southern Maratha

Country during the two and a half years that had elapsed since the Battle of

Konagal [In 1800 Dhundia Wagh was defeated and killed by the British under

Major General Wellesley.

“Since the year 1800, when I was in this country before, it has been one

continued contest for power and plunder between the different chiefs who have

armies under their command between the Patwardhans [Parasharam Bhau’s

family] and Gokhale in the countries bordering on the Tungabhadra, Varada, and

Malaprabha between the Patavardhans and the Raja of Kolhapur in those

bordering on the Ghataprabha and Krishna, between Bapuji Sindhia, the Killedar

of Dharwar and the Raja of Kittur, between Gokhale and the Raja of Kittur and

Gokhale and Bapuji Sindhia besides various other of inferior note either

immediately employed under these or for themselves under their protection”.

When Wellesley wrote this letter he was passing through the country on his way

to Poona to aid the Peshwa who had lately concluded the treaty of Bassein.41

In 1817 in the battle of Khirki, Peshwa Baji Rao was defeated. After two

battles Baji Rao ran away and Bijapur, Belgaum and Dharwad came under the

control of British. North Kanara came under their control in 1799, as part of

Tipu’s kingdom in 1799 when Tipu died.42 By the Treaty of Poona made in June

1817 Peshwas was bound to cede to the British Dharwar and Kushgal together
 32

with the districts South of the Varda. Colonel T. Munro was appointed

Commissioner of the ceded districts and made Dharwar his head quarters.

Munro settled the Maratha Country in A.D. 1817. He began by raising the Siege

of Navalgund near Dharwar. After taking Badami and Bagalkot he advanced to

Gokak. Then he marched South to Belgaum on 14th of March 1818 and it was

occupied. Then he advanced towards Bijapur, stormed fortified places and took

possession in the name of “Thomas Munro Bahadur” [according to historians of

the Marathas].43

The Peshwa’s troops in the vicinity retreated as Munro advanced and

finally took refuge in the fort of Sholapur. The capture of the fortress formed

a fitting close to Munro’s campaign and completed the conquest of the southern

Maratha Country. Thus Southern Maratha Country was annexed in A.D. 1818.44

By the proclamation issued at Satara on the 10th of Feb 1818 annexing to

the British dominions the territories of the Peshwa with certain specified

exceptions the tract of country in question had become British territory. As

soon as military operations ceased it was placed in charge of Mr. Chaplin, a

Madras Civil Servant who was appointed under Mr. Mountstuart Elphinstone,

Principal Collector of the Maratha Country south of the Krishna and Political

Agent with the Raja of Kolhapur and the Southern Jaghirdars. The intention of

Government at the time was that the Southern Maratha Country should

eventually form part of the Madras Presidency. But it was finally decided by the

Court of Directors that it should continue to form part of the territory subject

to the Government of Bombay.45 In 1823 Mr. Stevenson was appointed as First

Assistant at Dharwar on 16th Jan 1823.46 In 1824 Kittur was taken over by the

British.47
 33

4. Territorial Changes.

On the 17th March 1830 Regulation VII was passed by the Government of

Bombay bringing the territories of the Southern Maratha Country acquired by

conquest from the Peshwa or by treaty and agreement from other states under

the operation of the Regulations. The Administration had hitherto been

conducted under the orders of the Honorable the Governor-in-Council. The

territories were formed into a Zilla, denominated the Zilla of Dharwar,48

Bijapur taluk was made over to the Raja of Satara. Indi and Muddebihal

taluks, which together contained 345 villages, were placed under the Sub-

Collector of Bagalkot who was subordinate to the Collector of Dharwar. The

Sub-Collectorate was abolished in 1820 and the two taluks formed part of the

Dharwar Collectorate till 1825 when they were transferred to Poona. They were

again transferred to Dharwar in 1830 and when the Sholapur Collectorate was

formed in 1838 they were made over to Sholapur.49 Bijapur up to 1847-48 was

in the hands of Raja of Satara. On whose death, in April 1848, it came into the

hands of British Government.50

In 1836 the Government of Bombay determined to separate the principal

Collectorate of Dharwar into two Collectorates a northern and Southern. Mr.

Dunlop was then acting Principal Collector of Dharwar; on his recommendation

the Belgaum Collectorate was made to consist of ten talukas, Parasgad,

Sampgaon, Padshapur, Chikkodi, Bagalkota, Indi, Muddibihal, Hungund, Badami

and Bidi. The order of Government directing the separation is dated 28th A^ril

1836. Mr. A. Ravenscroff 1st Assistant Collector took charge over by the

Belgaum Collectorate on The 3rd May 1836.51 By the order dt.9th March 1838

Belgaum was fixed as the Civil Head quarters. The Collector was also Political
 34

Agent. A first Assistant, with enlarged powers was stationed permanently at

Kaladgi.52

When the Raja of Satara died without heirs, Bijapur was taken over by the

British and incorporated with Satara Collectorate in 1848 and later in 1862 it

was transferred to Sholapur.53 On 1st May 1864 the three talukas of Bagalkot,

Hungund and Badami were transferred to the newly formed Collectorate of

Kaladgi.54 Thus a new Collectorate comprising the eight talukas of Indi,

Hippargi, [Sindgi] Bijapur, Mangoli [Bagewadi], Muddebihal, Bagalkot and

Kaladgi was formed.55 The Belgaum District then consisted seven talukas,

Belgaum [lately Padshapur], Bidi, Sampgaon, Parasgad, Gokak, Chikkodi, and

Athni-Saundatti on 13th Dec 1869.56 The head quarters of the Southern Maratha

Agency was removed from Belgaum to Kolhapur on 1st Sept 1863, in

accordance with the arrangements vesting in Political agent at Kolhapur with

control of affairs in the Southern Maratha Countiy.57

On the 16th of April 1862 the districts of North Kanara with the exception

of the Kundapur sub-division for administrative and legislative purposes, was

transferred to the Bombay presidency by an order of the Secretary of State

issued under 16lh and 17th Victoria Cap. 95, Sec. 18. By Bombay Act III of 1863

from the date of transfer, the territory was declared subject to the Acts &

Regulations of the Bombay Presidency.58 In 1862 North Kanara was transferred

to Bombay Presidency. There were five taluks, namely Supa, Sirsi, Yellapur,

Honavar, Ankola and Sadashivgad [later Karwar taluk].59 In 1880 there were

eight taluks namely Honavar, Ankola, Supa [Haliyal] Yellapur, Sirsi, Siddapur,

Kumta and Karwar and three Pethas, Viz. Supa, Mundgod and Bhatkal.60 On 1st
 35

April 1885 the headquarters were shifted from Kaladgi to Bijapur, which was

known as Bijapur District.61

In 1879 Government of Bombay directed that each of the Districts should

consist of following taluks with number of villages. [Terrotorial changes in the

Bombay-stale-List of vil lagcs, etc., Bombay 1 955, pp. 1-368.].

District Taluka/Mahal No.of Villages

[1] [2] [3]

Belgaum Belgaum 152

Khanapur 256

Chandagad 131

Sampagaon 145

Parasgad 128

Gokak 111

Ramdurg 111

Chikodi 111

Hukkeri 121

Athni 89

Raibag 54

Bijapur Indi 124

Sindgi 151

B agewadi 121

Bijapur 111

Muddebihal 156

Badami 159
 36

[1] [2] [3]

Bagalkot 93

Hungund 170

Mudhol 81

Bilgi (Mahal) 66

Jamkhandi 70

Dharwar Dharwar 163

Kalghatagi 127

Hubli 84

Navalgund 59

Ranebennur 112

Haveri 125

Hirekerur 144

Byadagi (Mahal) 68

Gadag 61

Ron 94

Mundargi (Mahal) 53

Nargund (Mahal) 39

Shiggaon 162

Hanagal 173

Shirahatti 92

Kundgoal (Mahal) 59

North Kanara Karwar 61

 37
[2] [3]

Ankola 88

Yellapur 133

Haliyal 133

Supa (Mahal) 140

Mundgod 94

Sirsi 227

Sirsi 227

Kumta 226

Honavar 94

Siddapur 202

Bhatakal (Mahal) 63

; Following Table shows the number of Taluka or Mahals, Area, No of Towns

& Villages and Population ini901, 1911, & 1921 of the four districts.

Dharwar District for the year 1901 [Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency,

Vol.-XXII-B, Dharwar, Bombay 1905, p. 4.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in acres No. of towns No. of villages Population

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Bankapur 220,270 1 144 90,361

Dharwar 275,235 2 129 126,797

Gadag... 2 56 104,244

Gadag -

Mundargi Petha 447,214 -

42 33,329
 38

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Hangal 191,589 1 156 77,784

Hubli 198,712 1 74 124,258

Kalghatagi 176,191 - 99 53,657

Karajagi 282,520 1 127 104,342

Kod 256,139 - 176 96,245

Navalgund 2 54 66,085

Navalgund -

Nargund Petha 361,548 1 29 28,624

Ranebennur 259,340 3 116 104,274

Ron 276,640 2 84 103,298

Dharwar District for the year 1911 , 1921 [ Gazetteer of Bombay

Presidency, Vol. XXII - B, Dharwar District, op. cit., p. 5.].

Taluka/Mahal Area In sq. miles No. of towns No. of villages Population

[1] [2] [3] [3] [4]

Bankapur 344 1 140 77,111

344 2 136 75,497

Dharwar 432 2 125 106,456

432 2 118 108,305

Gadag... 2 68 96,356

2 58 108,427

Gadag-

Mundargi- 699 - 41 35,384

Petha
 39

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

699 - 43 30,917

Hangal 299 1 154 70,882

299 1 152 62,477

Hubli 311 1 76 122,795

311 1 68 129,001

Kalghatagi 275 - 97 46,454

275 - 93 39,575

Karajagi 412 1 126 95,898

442 1 125 95,230

Kod 400 - 173 96,345

400 - 173 83,191

Navalgund 2 56 62,821

Navalgund

Nargund Petha 565 1 29 25,995

567 1 30 28,991

Ranebennur 405 3 118 96,441

405 3 119 97,648

Ron 432 2 83 93,067

432 2 89 103,046
 40

Belgaum District for the year 1901 [Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency,

Belgaum , Vol. XXI-B, Bombay-1905, p. 5.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in acres No. of towns No. of villages Population

Athni 522,118 1 82 113,077

Belgaum 1 112 105,528

Belgaum-

Chandgad Petha 411,990 - 89 320.034

Chikodi 1 96 186,400

Chikodi-

Hukeri Petha 535,174 1 114 118,149

Gokak 429,804 1 113 116,127

Khanapur 405,070 - 217 810,902

Parasgad 1 73 670,696

Parasgad-

Murgod Petha 409,537 - 51 400,615

Sampgaon 261,784 - 123 132,418

Belgaum District for the year 1911 [ Ibid, p. 6.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in sq. miles No. of towns No. of villages Population

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Athni 779 1 81 123,337

Belgaum 1 109 105,515

Belgaum-

Chandgad Petha 644 *

89 310,362
 41

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Chikodi 494 1 97 157,853

Hukeri 343 1 112 110,061

Gokak 671 1 113 123,225

Khanapur 633 - 219 72,304

Parasgad 1 71 57,398

Parasgad-

Murgod Petha 640 - 49 44,799

Sampgaon 409 - 124 117,966

Bijapur District for the year 1901 [Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency,

Bijapur, Vol. XXIII-B, Bombay 1913, p. 5.j.

Taluka/Mahal Area in acres No. of towns No. of villages Population

Badami 393,585 1 167 110,287

Bagalkot 1 102 78,769

Bagalkot-

Bilgi Petha 437,477 - 58 44,687

Bagevadi 488,921 - 117 83,620

Bijapur 536,567 1 94 102,416

Hungund 333,274 1 160 83,615

Indi 536,291 - 121 75,961

Muddebihal 364,393 1 150 69,842

Sindgi 518,219 - 144 86,238

 42

Bijapur District for the year 1911 & 1921 [Gazetteer of Bombay-

Presidency, Vol. XXIII-B, Bijapur, Bombay 1926, p. 1.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in sq. miles No. of towns No. of villages Population

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Badami 615 2 168 108,202

615 2 167 99,167

Bagalkot 1 102 82,419

Bagalkot- 1 104 82,126

Bilgi Petha 683 - 57 45,015

683 1 57 40,697

Bagevadi 764 - 119 109,726

764 - 121 94,411

Bijapur 907 1 95 122,630

907 1 98 119,120

Hungund 521 2 157 110,581

521 2 159 102,514

Indi 838 - 122 98,829

838 - 122 90,267

Muddebihal 569 1 150 89,487

569 1 148 80,758

Sindgi 810 - 145 96,084

810 _ 144 87,920

 43

Kanara District for the year 1901 [Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency, N.

Kanara, XV-B, Bombay-1913, p. 1.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in sq.miles No. of towns No. of village Population

Ankola 104 - - 39,665

Honavar 62,402

Honavar-

Bhatakal Petha 236 - - 37,666

Karwar 212 - - 58,460

Kumta 283 - - 66,040

Siddapur 113 - - 41,342

Sirsi 97 - - 53,232

Haliyal - - 35,122

Haliyal-

Supa Petha 44 - 21,008

Yellapur - - 22,814

Yellapur-

Mundgod Petha 46 - - 16,739

Kanara District for the year 1911 & 1921 [Ibid. 1926, p. 1.].

Taluka/Mahal Area in sq. miles No. of Towns No. of Villages Population

[1] [2] [3] H] [5]

Ankola 354 - 90 39,000

354 1 88 36,913

Honavar 1 92 61,962
 44

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Honavar- 1 94 59,934

Bhatakal Petha 425 1 58 38,458

425 1 65 38,047

Karwar 281 1 53 59,663

281 1 61 59,281

Kumta 225 2 108 64,476

225 2 126 64,203

Siddapur 331 - 195 37,479

331 1 202 33,935

Sirsi 511 1 244 47,833

511 1 265 41,377

Haliyal 1 100 28,356

Haliyal 1 154 25,385

Haliyal-

Supa Petha 1056 1 129 18,611

1056 1 120 15,185

Yellapur - 117 20,314

Yellapur 1 133 17,404

Yellapur-

Mundgod Petha 758 - 71 14,396

758 1 111 10,063

 45

4. Administrative Divisions

In 1884 for administrative purposes the area included in Belgaum was

divided into seven sub-divisions, Athni in the north, Gakak in the east and the

center, Parasgad, sampgaon and Khanapur in the south and Belgaum and Chikodi

in the west. These sub-divisions had an average area of 6654 sq. miles, 162

villages and about 1,23,400 people.62 Likewise the 4500 sq. miles of Dharwar

District was divided into 11 sub-divisions. Dharwar, Kalghatgi in the west,

Navalgund and Hubli in the center, Ron and Gadag in the East lie to the north

of Savanur-Patvardhan villages. The seventh Sub-division, Bankapur was mixed

with and was lying to the west of the Savanur villages. Of the four remaining

sub-divisions, Hangal was in the West, Kod in South-West, Ranebennur in the

South-West and Karajgi was in East of the Southern half of the District.63

Bijapur District was divided into eight Sub-divisions of which five, Indi, Bijapur,

Sindgi, Bagewadi and Muddebihal were to the North and three, Bagalkot,

Hungund and Badami to the South of the Krishna.64 North - Kanara was divided

over eight Sub-Divisions with an average of 488 sq. miles, 157 villages and

52,730 people. The Sub-Divisions were Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honavar, Supa

[Haliyal], Yellpur, Sirsi and Siddapur.65

B. HISTORY OF MUNICIPALITIES

In the history of evolution of Municipal administration from the pre­

historic times to present day Karnataka has a fascinating history. Literary and

Archaeological evidence of ancient period reveals the existence of Local Self-

governing institutions in those days. The organized urban life of Indus Valley
 46

Civilization, the wide streets, drainage system, street lights, sewage system, and

market places speaks of highly developed Urban Civilization in the past.

Sanskrit literature uses a large number of terms with reference to

indigenous local bodies possessing various characters and functions for Ex:

kula, gam, jati, Puga, Vrata, Sreni, Sangha, naigama samuha, etc.,66 -

Megesthenes has given a detailed picture of the city administration of the third

century before Christ. In the words of Havell in Ancient India, “The

administrative Council of the city was modelled upon that of village

communities and it be assumed that like the latter it was a elected body though

certain matters were reserved for the control of imperial officials”67 Karnataka

was ruled by several dynasties at different times and there was continuous

functioning of local governing institutions in the form of ‘nadu mahanadus

‘mahajanas’, Parishad’, the village assemblies, city corporations etc.,

During the Mauryan period, Kautilya’s Arthashastra envisaged a regular

plan of administration, wherein ‘Nagaraka’ was the chief executive officer in the

city administration. This system of administration also continued in Post-

Mauryan times also. One of the important duties of civic administration seems

to have been a prompt arrangement of the city’s sanitation, which included

maintenance of the drainage system and cleanliness of the roads.68

In ancient South India during the rule of Sathavahanas, ‘Sangamas and

Cholas, municipal institutions were popular. The towns were not only cities but

also ports and trading centers. The streets were cleaned every morning, and

towns were guarded during nights by specially appointed guards known as ur

Kavalar. In cities there were different blocks for different communities. Tanks

were constructed for providing drinking water. Taxes were imposed on imported
 47
and exported articles. Internal transit duties on merchandise moving from one

place to another also formed the major source of income.69

The period from 3rd Century A. D. to 16th Century A. D. saw the

establishment of municipalities at urban centers, nomination or appointment of

Mayors or Members, forming of Committees, collection of taxes and

undertaking of social welfare and civic amenities by those bodies. As the

kingdoms grew in extent, it paved the way for increased urbanization. Trade and

commerce flourished. The consequence was the growth of urban

administration.70 This shows that the idea of democratic set up was not a new

phenomenon to the region of Bombay-Karnataka. Tradition of urban

administration was as old as the history of Karnataka.

In Northwestern part of Karnataka, they ruled from 350 A. D. to 540 A. D.

The capital of the Kadambas was Banavasi or Vaijayanti in Sirsi taluk of North

Kanara. Besides this, the Satavahanas and Mauryas were succeeded by the

Kadambas in Bankapur. Uchchangi and Halsi were other capital cities. The

various copper plates and lithic records gives an excellent glimpses of different

aspects of administration under the Kadambas.71 For the purpose of effective

administration the Kingdom was divided into various administrative units. Taxes

like Octroi, professional taxes and customs duties were collected. Taxes were

collected from goldsmiths, Oil mills, Barbers, blacksmiths and potters.72

The Chalukyas of Badami, who succeeded the Kadmbas, ruled Karnataka

region as a supreme power for two centuries from A. D. 540 to 757. They united

the entire Karnataka for the first time under a single rule. Their capital was

Badami or Vatapi in Bagalkot district. The Chalukyan epigraphs furnish many

interesting details regarding the administration of the city. This suggests that the

Chalukyas had not only promoted and patronized this ancient institution but also
 48

liberalized their administrative set up to a considerable extent.73 The

Lakshmeswar inscription of Prince Vikramaditya-II refers to Mahajanas,

nagara and eighteen Prakrits of the town of Puligere. Several guilds were also

referred to in the Chalukya records. This inscription refers to Acharya

Vyavasthe [Charter of rights and duties] sanctioned by the heir-apparent

representing the Crown, to the Mahajanas, nagara and eighteen Prakrits of

puligere.1*

The Rashtrakutas ended the Chalukya rule in the middle of the 8th century

and began to rule as a supreme power for more than two centuries from A. D.

753 to A. D. 973. The Rashtrakuta Empire extended to the whole of Karnataka.

Malkhed was their capital. They continued the tradition of town administration

systematically. In the Rashtrakuta period the cities and towns were in charge of

prefects who were designated as Purapatis or nagarapatis. Military captains

were often appointed to the posts.75 The city affairs were managed by the

prefects with the help of non-official committees. Such committees were fairly

common during the period of Ancient Indian History. The cities were divided

into several wards for the purpose of representation on the City Council. There

must obviously have been some kind of election or selection for constituting

the town committees. Those members were non-officials and were usually not

more than half a dozen or so.76

Chalukyas of Kalyan overthrew the Rashtrakutas in A. D. 973 and ruled up

to A. D. 1198. During this period a large number of towns were the headquarters

of the feudatory chiefs. Towns were given special charters by princes and high

government officials. Extension of the towns was taken up only after the

approval of the king. The representatives of a town inhabited by merchants and

businessmen were called Nakaras, and their assembly was known as Nakara
 49

Samuha. The chief executive of town Assembly was Pattanaswami or mayor.

The number of Pattanaswamis in a place depended upon the extent of the

town.77 Building of temples, tanks and such other works of public utility were

their main duties. Senabhova and Talavar assisted him in his work. Land tax,

house tax, tolls and fines constituted the main financial resources of the town

assembly. The Mathas or monasteries were also represented probably by their

Stanapatis in the town assembly.78

With the decline of the Chalukyas, Hoysalas became independent. They

ruled over Karnataka from A. D. 940 to A. D. 1336. During this period

Dorasamudra, Kannanur, Lakkundi, Bankapura were some of the main cities.

Dorasamudra was the main capital city. Others were secondary capital cities.

Those towns were the market places also and resort of Nanadesis and other

merchant guilds. Pattanaswami acted as Mayor of those towns. They collected

house tax and valuable revenue from sales within the town limits. Those towns

were the assets to the kingdom. Loom tax, oil press tax, sugarcane-press tax, and

plough-tax, export tax on articles and professional taxes were the major source

of income to the municipal bodies.79 Thus by about 10thC. Guild assemblies

contributed much towards the enrichment of civic amenities of the region in

addition to their main activities of trading. They had attained a prominent place

among the then institutions of self-government comprised of not only

representatives of villages but also of the towns in their jurisdiction.

The founding of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 was a significant event

in the history of India. This empire flourished till A. D. 1565. Town

administration flourished very well in this empire. The city of Vijayanagara,

Achutarayapuram, Nagalapura, Tirumaldeviyarapattana, Kamalapuram, Kampli,

Srigirisamudra, Bommanahalli, Tirumalapuri, Ankola, Honnavar, Bhatkal,

 50

Baindur, Gerusoppa, Uddhare and Bednur were some of the main urban centers

of the Vijayanagara Empire.80 As in other dynasties of the state even during the

period of Vijayanagara Empire merchant guilds played an important role in the

administration of towns. Those guilds were the assemblies of the towns. The

heads of those towns were known by various names like Ubhayananadesi,

Pattanaswami Mahavaddavyahari, Vaddabyavahari, Setti, Swami, etc. There

were town-assemblies to look after the administration of those towns. The

Mayors administered the towns that were known by various names such as

Nakara and Nagarasamuha. An assembly, whose members were known as

Nagarasvamulu, administered the city. Leading merchants made liberal grants to

those assemblies. Various taxes were levied such as one Varaha upon oil-mill,

three panas on a weaving machine, and three panas for a stall were collected.81

During the Mughul period the administration of city or village came under

the sole charge of the Kotwal who was previously known as Nagara Rakshaka.

Between the breakdown of Mughul rule and the extension of control by the

British East India Company in the seventeenth century, the country passed

through a period of anarchy or military despotism resulting in the breakdown of

the social framework and local institutions. Frank Moraes, a Biographer of

Jawaharlal Nehru writes, “Democracy was no exotic growth in India and

centuries before the advent of British or Mughul rule, the stress was self-

governing institutions and a corporate life”.82

Thus town administration was on a firm footing and India had rich

traditions of local government in the ancient past, which aimed to work for the

welfare of the people. The present form of Local Self-Government has evolved

from various dynasties of kings those ruled over Karnataka in different periods.
 51

REFERENCES

1 Venkatrangokatti. [Ed.] : Gazetteer of Bombay-Karnataka, Asian Educational

Services, New Delhi, 1984, p. 1.

2 Campbell James M.[Ed.]: Gazetteer ofBombay-Presidency, Belgaum, Vol. 22,

Bombay 1884, p.l.

3 Ibid. Dharwar, Vol. 22, Bombay 1884, p. 1.

4 Campbell James M. [Ed.] : Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency, Dharwar, Vol.

XXIII, Bombay 1884, p. 1.

5 Campbell James M.[Ed.]: Gazetteer ofBombay-Presidency, North Kanara, Vol.

15, Part-I, Cha-I, Bombay 1883, p. 1.

6 Bhat S. I. [Ed.]: The Encyclopaedic District Gazetteer of India, Vol. I, New

Delhi 1977, p. 529.

7 Ibid. p. 429.

8 The Encyclopaedic District Gazetteer of India, op. cit., p. 529.

9 Kamat S. U.[Ed.]: Uttara Kannada District Gazetteer, Government of

Karnataka, Bangalore 1985, p. 3.

10 Belgaum District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

11 Uttara Kannada District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

12 Ibid.

13 Dharwar District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 781.

14 Uttara Kannada District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

15 The Encyclopaedic District Gazetteer of India, op. cit., p. 429.

16 Uttara kannada District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

17 Belgaum District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

18 Uttara Kannada District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

19 Dharwad District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 781.

20 The Encyclpaedic District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 429.

21 Campbell James M. [Ed.]: Gazetteer ofBombay-Presidency, Vol-I, Part II,

Bombay 1896, p. 637. [History of Konkan Dekhan & Southern Maratha Country,
 52
Bombay 1896]. Volume contains the Article, “ History of the Bombay-Kamataka,
Musalman & Maratha, A. D., 1300-1818, By Col. E. W. West, I.S.C.

22 Satyan B. N.[Ed.]: Bijapur District Gazetteer, Government of Mysore,

Bangalore 1966, p. 3.

23 Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency Vol. I, Part-II, op. cit., p. 637-641.

24 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

25 Belgaum District Gazetteer, op. cit., pp. 3-4.

26 Dharwad District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 781.

27 North Kanara District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

28 Belgaum District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 5.

29 Ibid.

30 Dharwad District Gazetteer, op. cit., pp. 781-782.

31 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p.3.

32 The Encyclopedic District Gazetteer of India, op. cit., p. 3.

33 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

34 North Kanara District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 5.

35 Dharwad District Gazetteer, op. cit., p.782.

36 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

37 Dharwad District Gazetteer, op. cit., 782.

38 The Encyclopaedic District Gazetteer of India, op. cit., p. 430.

39 Ibid.

40 North Kanara District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 5.

41 Gazetteer of the Bombay-Presidency, Vol. I, Part-II, op. cit., p. 663.

42 Gazetteer of Bombay-Kamataka, op. cit., pp. 361-363.

43 Gazetteer of Bombay-Kamataka, op. cit., p. 665.

44 Ibid.

45 Ibid p. 665.

46 Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency, op. cit., p. 665.

 53

47 Belgaum District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 5.

48 Stokes H. I.: An Historical Account of the Belgaum District in the Bombay-

Presidency [Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government, No. CXV-New
Series], Bombay 1870, p. 85.

49 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 3.

50 Annual Administration Report of Bombay-Presidency, 1871-72, p. 26.

51 A Historical Account of the Belgaum District, op. cit., p. 85.

52 Ibid.

53 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., pp. 3-4.

54 A Historical Account of Belgaum District, op. cit., p. 94.

55 Bijapur District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 4.

56 A Historical Account of the Belgaum District, op. cit., p. 94.

57 General Report of the Administration of Bombay-Presidency, 1864-65, p.

74.

58 North Kanara District Gazetteer, op. cit., p. 153.

59 Government Report on Administration of Bombay-Presidency, 1871-72, p.

15.

60 Ibid.

61 Ibid. 1892-93, p. 28.

62 Gazetteer of Bombay-Presidency, Belgaum, op. cit., p. 1.

63 Ibid. Dharwar, op. cit., p. 1.

64 Ibid. Bijapur, op. cit., p. 1.

65 Ibid. North Kanara, op. cit., p. 1.

66 Mukerji Radhakumud.: Local Government in Ancient India, L. R

Publications, Delhi 1989, pp. 28-29.

67 Havell E. B.: The History of Aryan Rule in India, London 1918, p. 89.

68 Sachadeva Pardeep.: Evolution of Urban Local Government in India,

Allahabad 1993, p. 61.
 54

69 Subrahmanian N.: Sangam Polity; the administration of social life of the

Sangam Tamils, Bombay APH 1966, p. 61.

70 Akki N. Basavaraj.: Municipal Administration in Princely State of Mysore,

1862-1956, Someshwara Publications, Dharwad 2001, p. 15.

71 Moraes George M.: The Kadamba Kula, New Delhi, A. E. S., 1990, p. 48.

72 Ibid. p. 49.

73 Dixit D. P. : Chalukyas ofBadami, Abhinava Publication, 1980, p. 34.

74 Ibid.

75 Altekar A. S.: Rashtrakutas and their times, Poona Oriental Books Agency,
1967, p. 181.

76 Rashtrakutas and their times, op. cit., pp. 181-182.

77 Ibid.

78 Ibid.

79 Derret, J.D.M.: Hoysalas; A Medieval Indian Royal Family, Oxford University

Press, Oxford 1957, p. 67.

80 Venkatraman, A. V.: Local Government in the Vijayanagara Empire, Mysore

1972, p. 54.

81 Local Government in the Vijayanagara Empire, op. cit., p. 54.

82 Moraes Frank.: Jawaharlal Nehru, A Biography, New York 1956, p. 487.