North Karnataka

• All the major cities of north Karnataka are connected by rail network.
• Hubli is a main junction and the headquarter of South Western Railway (SWR).

• North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation NWKRTC, serves the north western part of Karnataka, with headquarters at Hubballi
• North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation NEKRTC, serves the north eastern part of Karnataka, with headquarters at Kalburgi
• All the cities of the region are connected to Bengaluru, major cities of Karnataka and other states, by both government and private buses

Airports in the region are

• Belgaum Airport
• Hubli Airport
• Jindal Vijaynagar Airport
• Bidar Airport
• Gulbarga Airport

North Karnataka's history[5][6] and culture date back to prehistoric times. The earliest Stone Age find in India was a hand ax at Lingasugur, in Raichur district. Sangankal Hills in the Bellary district, which is known as the earliest village settlement of South India,[7] dates back to the Neolithic period. Iron weapons from 1200 BC, found at Hallur in Dharwad district, demonstrate that North Karnataka used iron earlier than northern India.[8] Prehistoric sites in North Karnataka include rock shelters in Bellary, Raichur and Koppal districts with red paintings[9] which include figures of wild animals. The paintings are done in such a way that the walls of caves are not facing northwest, so the northwest monsoon does not affect them. These rock shelters are found at Kurgod, Hampi in Bellary district and Hire Benakal, near Gangavati in the Koppal district. Burial chambers using granite slabs (known as dolmens) are also found; the best examples are the dolmens of Hire Benakal and Kumati in Hadagali Taluk.

Vibhuthihalli at Shahapur Taluk in the Yadgir district, an Archaeological Survey of India ancient astronomy site, was created with megalithic stones. The stones, arranged in a square pattern with astronomical significance,[10] cover an area of 12 acres (4.9 ha). Ashoka's stone edicts, found in the state, indicate that major parts of Northern Karnataka were under the Mauryas. Many dynasties left their imprint upon the development of North Karnatakan art, among them the Chalukyas, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Western Chalukyas. The inscriptions related to Chutu dynasty are the oldest documents found in North Karnataka.

• Kishkindha
• Karnata Kingdom
• Mauryas
• Shatavahana dynasty (until early third century CE)
• Chutus of Banavasi (vassal to the Satavahanas)
• Kurus of Belgaum of 30 BC-65/70 AD.[11]

Extent of the Badami Chalukya Empire, 636–740 CE

Chalukya rule is important in the development of architecture known as Karnata Dravida. Hundreds of monuments built by the Chalukyas are found in the Malaprabha river basin (mainly in Aihole, Badami, Pattadakal and Mahakuta, in Karnataka). They ruled an empire extending from the Kaveri in the south to the Narmada in the north. The Badami Chalukya dynasty was established by Pulakeshin I in 543; Vatapi (Badami) was the capital.[12] Pulakeshin II was a popular emperor of the Badami Chalukya dynasty. He defeated Harshavardhana on the banks of the Narmada river, and defeated Vishnukundins in the south. Vikramaditya I, known as Rajamalla and for building temples, engraved a Kannada inscription on the victory pillar at the Kailasanatha Temple. Kirtivarman II was the last Badami Chalukya king, overthrown in 753 by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga.

Extent of the Western Chalukya Empire, 1121 CE

The Western Chalukya dynasty is sometimes called the Kalyani Chalukyas, after its regal capital at Kalyani (today's Basavakalyan in Karnataka) or the Later Chalukya from its theoretical relationship to the sixth-century Badami Chalukyas. The Western Chalukyas (Kannada: ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ) developed an architectural style (also called Gadag style) known today as a transitional style, an architectural link between the early Chalukya Dynasty[13] and the later Hoysala empire. The Chalukyas built some of the earliest Hindu temples in India. The best-known examples are the Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) in the Koppal District; the Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi in the Gadag District and the Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti and the Kallesvara Temple at Bagali, both in the Davangere District. Monuments notable for craftsmanship are the Siddhesvara Temple at Haveri in the Haveri District, the Amrutesvara Temple at Annigeri in the Dharwad District, the Sarasvati Temple in Gadag, and the Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal (both in the Gadag district). Aihole was an experimental base for architectural creation.

Badami Chalukyas and Kalyana chalukyas also known as (Kuntaleshvaras).

Extent of Kadamba Empire, 500 CE

The Kadambas (Kannada: ಕದಂಬರು) were an ancient dynasty of South India who primarily ruled the region which is the present-day Goa state and the nearby Konkan region (part of modern Maharashtra and Karnataka state). The early rulers of this dynasty established themselves at Vaijayanti (or Banavasi) in 345 AD and ruled for more than two centuries. In 607, the Chalukyas of Vatapi sacked Banavasi, and the Kadamba kingdom was incorporated into the expanding Chalukyan empire. In the eighth century, the Chalukyas were overthrown by the Rashtrakutas, who ruled until the 10th century. In 980, descendants of the Chalukyas and Kadambas revolted against the Rashtrakutas; the Rashtrakuta empire fell, resulting in the establishment of a second Chalukyan dynasty (known as the Western Chalukyas). Chatta Deva, a member of the Kadamba family who helped the Western Chalukyas in this coup, re-established the Kadamba dynasty. He was primarily a vassal of the Western Chalukyas, but his successors enjoyed considerable independence and were well-placed in Goa and Konkan until the 14th century. The successors of Chatta Deva occupied both Banavasi and Hangal, and are known as the Kadambas of Hangal. Later, the Kadambas paid nominal allegiance to the other major powers of the Deccan Plateau (such as the Yadavas and Hoysalas of Dorasamudra) and maintained their independence. Four families of Kadambas ruled in southern India: the Kadamba of Hangal, Goa, Belur and Banvasi.[14]

Rashtrakuta empire of Manyakheta (Malkhed, in Gulbarga district), eighth century

During the rule of Dantidurga, an empire was built with the Gulbarga region in modern Karnataka as its base. This clan came to be known as the Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta (Kannada: ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟ), who rose to power in 753.[15][16] During their rule, Jain mathematicians and scholars contributed important works in Kannada and Sanskrit. Amoghavarsha I was the best-known king of this dynasty and wrote Kavirajamarga, a landmark Kannada work. Architecture reached a high-water mark in the Dravidian style, the best examples of which are seen in the Kailash Temple at Ellora, the sculptures of Elephanta Caves in modern-day Maharashtra and the Kashivishvanatha and the Jain Narayana Temples at Pattadakal in modern North Karnataka (all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Scholars agree that the kings of the imperial dynasty in the eighth to tenth century made the Kannada language as important as Sanskrit. Rashtrakuta inscriptions appear in both Kannada and Sanskrit, and the kings encouraged literature in both languages. The earliest existing Kannada literary writings are credited to their court poets and royalty. Kailash Temple is an example of Dravidian art. This project was started by Krishna I (757–773) of the Rashtrakuta dynasty which ruled from Manyakheta in modern Karnataka. It is located 40 km from the city of Manyakheta (modern Malkhed), on the banks of the Kagini River in Gulbarga district.

Vijayanagara[17][18] (Karnata Empire, or Karnataka Empire) is considered the greatest medieval Hindu empire and one of the greatest in the world at that time. It fostered the development of intellectual pursuits and the fine arts. Abdur Razzaq (the Persian ambassador) said, "The eye of the pupil has never seen a place like it and the ear of intelligence has never been informed that there existed anything to equal it in the world".

The Vijayanagara Empire, with its capital at Hampi, fell victim to the army of the Deccan Sultanates[19] in 1565. As a consequence of this, Bijapur became the most important city of the region. It is a land of monuments; perhaps no other city except Delhi has as many monuments as Bijapur. Bahmani Shahis and Adil Shahis (Bahmani Sultanate) of Bijapur have played an important role in the history of Karnataka with their contributions to art and architecture and their propagation of Islam in the state. The Bidar Sultanate was part of the Deccan sultanates, which were founded by Qasim Barid.

• Rattas of Saundatti (of Belgaum)
• Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region)
• Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province)
• Sindas of Yalaburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga)
• Kadamba of Hangal
• Naiks of Kanakagiri
• Shilahara

• Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, 9th–14th century
• Ratta dynasty
• Kalachuris of Kalyani, 12th century
• Kampili, 13th century
• Sangama Dynasty
• Saluva Dynasty

Seventh-century Kannada inscription at Mahakuta (Mahakutesvara temple)

• Mahakuta Inscriptions, Mahakuta Mahakutesvara temple Pillar inscription
• Aihole inscription
• Badami inscriptions
• Kappe Arabhatta inscription
• Itagi Mahadeva Temple Inscription
• Lakkundi inscriptions
• Gadag inscription
• Halasi inscriptions

The following are the princely states of British India:

• Mudhol State
• Sandur State
• Savanur State
• Ramdurg State
• Jamkhandi State
• Kittur
• Shorapur
• Gurgunta
• Gajendragad shivaji fort
• Kannada-speaking Hyderabad State
• South Kannada-speaking Bombay state

• Chalukya Pallava Wars
• Battle of Talikota
• Battle of Gajendragad
• Battle of Raichur
• Chola-Chalukya wars

• Palashika (Halasi, or Halsi, or Halshi in Belgaum district) - Kadamba of Halasi
• Hanungal, or Panungal (Hangal in Haveri district) - Kadambas of Hangal
• Aihole in Bagalkot district - First capital of Badami Chalukyas
• Vatapi (Badami in Bagalkot district) - Badami Chalukyas
• Pattadakal in Bagalkot district - Briefly third capital of Badami Chalukyas
• Mayurkhandi in Bidar district - First capital of Rashtrakuta dynasty
• Manyakheta (Malkhed in Gulbarga district) - Rashtrakuta dynasty
• Kalyani (Basava Kalyana in Bidar district) - Western Chalukyas
• Kundal (Kundal village near sangli in Sangli district) - Western Chalukyas
• Annigeri in Dharwad district - Western Chalukyas (last capital of the Chalukyas)
• Sudi in Gadag district - Coin mint and capital of Western Chalukyas
• Lakkundi in Gadag district - Coin mint of Western Chalukyas
• Vijayanagara (Hampi in Bellary district) - Vijayanagara Empire
• Gulbarga - Bahamani Sultanate
• Bidar - Bahamani Sultanate
• Bijapur - Adil Shahi dynasty (Bijapur Sultanate)

Trikuteshwara temple complex at Gadag-Betageri, North Karnataka

North Karnataka has contributed to various styles of Indian Architecture during the rule of the Kadamba, Badami Chalukyas, Western Chalukya, Rashtrakuta and Vijayanagara empires:

• Vesara style
• Badami Chalukya architecture
• Gadag style of architecture
• Rashtrakutas style of architecture
• Vijayanagara Architecture
• Kadamba architecture
• Bijapur style
• Keladi Nayaka style

Kannada is one of the oldest Dravidian languages, with an age of at least 2,000 years. The spoken language is said to have separated from its proto-Dravidian source later than Tamil, and at about the same time as Tulu. However, the archaeological evidence indicates a written tradition for this language of around 1,500–1,600 years. The initial development of Kannada is similar to that of other Dravidian languages and independent of Sanskrit. In later centuries, Kannada has been greatly influenced by Sanskrit in vocabulary, grammar and literary style.

As for the Dravidian race, the Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary lists for the Sanskrit word draviḍa a meaning of a "collective name for Karnatakas, Gurjaras, Kannadigas and Mahārāstras".[20] North Karnataka has its own dialect of Kannada.

• Old Kannada literature
• Kadamba script, Halegannada
• Chalukya Literature
• Kannada literature in the Western Chalukya Empire
• Rashtrakuta literature, Asaga, Amoghavarsha I, Kavirajamarga
• Extinct Kannada literature
• Kappe Arabhatta inscription at Badami
• Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna, Ranna
• Medieval Kannada literature
• Kannada literature in Vijayanagara empire
• Vachana sahitya, Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi
• Kumaravyasa, Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari (Mahabharata in Kannada)

• The role of North Karnataka in Unification of Karnataka
• Unification of Karnataka and Vidyavardhaka Sangha
• Unification of Karnataka and Aluru Venkata Rao
• The Belgaum Conference of 1924
• Liberation of Kalyana Karnataka (Hyderabad-Karnataka)

• Dollu Kunitha is a drum dance. The large drums are decorated with coloured cloth, and slung around the necks of men. The dances are accompanied by songs of religious praise or war.
• Veeragase is a folk dance, a symbolic presentation of the heroism and valour of the god Veerabahadhra. Its exponents are called Lingadevaru; they perform the dance with religious fervour at festival time, especially during the months of Shravana and Kartika.
• Nandikolu kunitha is an art form of male devotees of Lord Siva. The Nandi pole is about 18 cubits long, each cubit representing a dharma. The length of the pole is fitted with brass pots and plates, and an ornate silver or brass umbrella at the top with a silk tassel (which is the flag). The performer (on a sling) balances the pole; this requires skill and strength. The sight of the devotee's inspired dance, to the background beat and the resulting symphony of sounds from the pots and plates on the pole, is impressive.
• Jodu halige are percussion instruments used by two artists to produce rhythmic notes of energy and power. Their movements along the stage (expressive of their physical energy) harmonise with the notes produced by the instrument. The Haligi (wood), circular in shape, is made of buffalo hide, and a short stick is used on it. The notes, combined with the bodily movement, are pleasing to an audience.
• Lambani nruthya Lambani women, dressed colourfully, move in a circle with clapping and singing. This dance is uncommon, and performed primarily for important festivals.
• Veerabhadra kunitha depicts the story of Veerabhadra, the legendary minor god created by Lord Shiva to teach a lesson to his father-in-law Daksha. Veerabhadra goes to the place of the yajna and disrupts the ceremony.

Garag, a small town located 15 km north of Dharwad, was the sole producer of the national flag and the hand-woven khadi for its manufacture. Hubballi Siree produces both silk and cotton sarees, worn by most villagers in North Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra. The fabric is primarily woven in Gadag-Betigeri. Bellary has approximately 4,800 families employed in the textile industry.Belagavi Saree also known as "Shahpur Saree" is also famous in North Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra. Rabakavi-Banahatti, the twin cities which is also one of the taluqs of Bagalkot district, is most famous in cotton sarees especially Jakhads and Combed sarees. Ilkal sarees is most famous and Traditional sarees. These sarees are famous in Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where they are worn in most of the ethnic occasions and also they may be seen in most of the Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi serials. The famous textiles in Rabakavi-Banahatti are Padmavati Sarees, Sinchana Sarees, Bharati Sarees and Vijayalakshmi Sarees.

• Sankranti (January – harvest festival): Madeli, holige of gingelly seeds, Bengal gram dal and ground nut; jawar roti, bajra roti, bharta, chutney powders of Niger, linseed and ground nut
• Shivarathri (February/March - eaten after a day's fast): Godhi huggi, allittu, Bengal gram usali, moth bean usali and holige
• Holi (March - destruction of evil): holige, jowar wade, pumpkin gargi (some groups prepare a nonvegetarian curry)
• Ugadi (April/May - Kannadiga new year): holige, karigadabu, vermicelli payasam, bevu bella and godhi huggi
• Basava Jayanthi (May - birthday of Basava): holige, karigadabu and mango shikarane
• Karahunnive (June - bullock-worship): holige, karigadabu, jawar wade, pumpkin gargi, kodabale and mango shikarane.
• Mannettina Amavasye (June - clay-bullock worship): karigadabu, holige, jawar wade, sajjaka, pumpkin gargi and vermicelli payasam
• Naga Panchami (July - cobra-worship): laddu of semolina, bunde, besan, sev, groundnuts, gingelly seeds, gulladki, puffed jowar, kuchagadabu, allittu, Bengal gram usali, moth bean usali, bajra and jowar rotis
• Ganesh Chaturthi (August - Ganesha-worship): godhi huggi, holige, modaka, vermicelli payasam, sajjaka, jawar roti, mesta bhaji, rice curds, panchakajjaya, karigadabu and gudagana huggi
• Dasara/Mahanavami (September - Durgaunnive (October - farmers' festival, worship of standing crop): foxtail millet holige, chakli, akki huggi, kodabale, holige, karigadabu, undigadabu, kuchchida khara, bhaji of capsicum, cluster beans, pumpkin; chutney powders of Niger, linseed and ground nut (some communities prepare a nonvegetarian curry)
• Deepavali (October - Lakshmi puja): holige, karigadabu, karachikayi, laddu of semolina, besan and sajjakada holige[26]

The followers of Basavanna and Panchacharyas who worship god through "istalinga". Lingayats constitute the majority population of this portion of the state.

Varna (class) in Hinduism specialising as priests, teachers (Acharyaru) and protectors of sacred learning across generations are known as Brahmanaru.

Buddhism in North Karnataka dates from the third to the first centuries BC. Sannati and Kanaganahalli are two important excavation sites, and there is a Tibetan Buddhist colony at Mundgod.

Banjara's are the followers of Banjara.