Belgaum is a fairly large town sited on the northwestern flange of
Karnataka. The town has become infamous for its pathetic infrastructure,
frequent disturbances rather than for its several historical and natural
attractions. This border town, endowed with several interesting haunts
and historical monuments can – with a little governmental will and
effort – be transformed into a high-potential tourist destination.
Though Belgaum is one of the oldest towns in the state it remains largely
underdeveloped, primarily because though the region is under Karnataka,
Maharashtra has staked its claim and has moved Supreme Court in this
regard. These claims and counter claims have led to a lot of disturbance
in the region. Frequent protests, bundhs and dharna’s have hampered
development and led to neglect of the region. Since the lingua franca
here is Marathi, even the Kannada spoken here is laced with a generous
dose of the former language.
On a recent visit to Belgaum this writer discovered several elegant
buildings of architectural splendour and steeped in history. Here is a
low down on the history of Belgaum and some of its most charming important
monuments.
History
Recorded history, available in the form of Nesri Plates which date back to 805 AD, when Belgaum was the capital city of the Ratta kings and was known as Velugrama or Ikshugrama. The present name is also derived from Velugrama or Venugrama (village of bamboos), which later became Belagugrama, Belugav and ultimately Belagavi or Belgaum (Bel – bamboo and gaon – village). For brief periods during the Muslim rule, there was a futile attempt to rename the town Azam Nagar and Mustafabad respectively.
But according to a Karnataka government publication Belgaum District Gazetteer the original mud fort was built in about 225 BC by a local chieftain Jakkadeva, the remains of this are seen even today in the Vadgaon-Madhavapur area. Later the region came under the rule of Shatavahanas, the Chalukyas followed by the Rashtrakutas. But Belgaum attained its best eminence under the Goa Kadambas and the Rattas in 12th Century. After which the region came under the administration of the Devagiri Yadavas and the Vijayanagara rulers till about 1472, when the Bahmanis conquered it before ceding it to the Bijapur Sultans in 1489.
Asad Khan, a noble of Bjjapur who ruled from Belgaum for about 38 years (from 1511 to 1549) has left indelible impression of his reign in the region. Several ancient monuments in the town including the Safa Masjid, Fort and others are ascribed to him. He died at Belgaum and his tomb in the city area still attracts history and archaeology students among others.
The Mughuls took over Belgaum after the fall of Bijapur handed over the region to Savanur Nawab. Belgaum continued under Ilachi Beg, a Savanur commander and was acquired by the Marathas between 1754-1756 under whom it continued till the British occupied it in March-April 1818. Under the colonial rulers Belgaum was the headquarters of a sarkar (district) and was divided into 15 paraganas (taluks).
Military Headquarters
Belgaum was one of the five military stations that were established under the old Bombay Presidency and continues to be a major military station in south India. As one alights at the Belgaum Railway Station the military linkage of the town becomes obvious. Numerous signboards proclaim the city as ‘the cradle of infantry’ and also as the headquarters of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. The globally renowned Commando Training School of the Indian Army is also located here.
Belgaum’s links with India’s Freedom Movement
Belgaum was a major centre of the freedom movement. Several notable events have taken place here during the era of freedom struggle, notable among them are the launch of Home Rule League in 1916 by Tilak, hosting of an all India Congress Session in 1924, the only session which was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi and the only session held in Karnataka.