Chikkaballapur

Chikkaballapur
City
Interactive map of Chikkaballapur
Coordinates: 13°26′N 77°43′E / 13.43°N 77.72°E / 13.43; 77.72
Country	India
State	Karnataka
Government
• Body	City Municipal Council
Area
• City	18.25 km2 (7.05 sq mi)
• Rural	635 km2 (245 sq mi)
Elevation	915 m (3,002 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• City	63,652
• Density	3,488/km2 (9,033/sq mi)
• Rural	148,884
Languages
• Official	Kannada
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	562101[2]
Vehicle registration	KA-40
Lok Sabha constituency	Chikballapur Lok Sabha constituency
Website	www.chikkaballapurcity.mrc.gov.in

Chikkaballapur or Chikkaballāpura is the district headquarters of the newly created Chikkaballapur district in the state of Karnataka, India, which was carved out from Kolar district. It is located within 3 km of Muddenahalli (the birthplace of eminent engineer and statesman Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya). A $400 million Pharmaceutical SEZ is being constructed in Chikkaballapur[when?] on 325 acres (1.32 km2), the first of its kind in India.[3] Furthermore, the noted Traveler Bunglow is being converted into a state-of-the-art bus terminus[when?]. A new district government headquarters and police headquarters[4] is being constructed at a cost of $5 million[when?]. In addition, the state government is releasing over $10 million to develop the city and expand underground sanitary systems. It is a regional transport and educational hub, and is a major site for grape, grain, and silk cultivation.[citation needed]

In the regional language, Kannada, the city is pronounced Chikkaballapura. "Chikka" in Kannada means "small", while "balla" means the measure to quantify food grains, and "pura" means "town". Thus, it is a place where people used to use small measures to quantify the food grains in ancient times. The place has always been known as an agricultural center for the region.[citation needed]

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The ruler of Avathi Mallabiregowda's son Marigowda was hunting one day in Kodimanchanahalli forest. A rabbit stood in front of the fierce hunting dogs without fear. Seeing this, ruler was elated and told his son that the strength of the rabbit is due to the valour of the region's citizenry. As such the ruler took permission from King of Vijaynagar and built an elaborate fort and formed a city which is now known as Chickballapur. Baichegowda, the king of Mysore, later attacked the fort but had to withdraw due to the valiant efforts of the Chikkaballapur citizens and aid from the Marathas. Sri Dodda Byregowda who came to power after Baichegowda acquired the land, which was taken by Mysore king. In 1762, during the ruling of Chikkappanayaka, Hyder Ali captured the town for a period of 3 months. Then Chikkappanayaka agreed to pay 5-lakhs pagodas, and the army was taken back.

After this, Chikkappa Nayaka with the help of Murariraya of Guthy tried to restore his powers. He was hiding at Nandi Hills along with Chikkappa Nayaka. Immediately, Hyder Ali acquired Chikkaballapur and other places and arrested Chikkappa Nayaka. Then with the interference of Lord Cornwallis, Chikkaballapur was handed over to Narayanagowda. After knowing this, Tippu Sultan again acquired Chikkaballapur. In 1791, the British occupied Nandi & left Narayanagowda to rule the town. Due to this treachery, a fight broke out between the British and Tippu Sultan. Narayanagowda lost his administration. Later, the British defeated Tippu in a battle which led to tremendous loss of life on both sides. The citizens of Chikkaballapur, however, refused to be subjugated and maintained their warrior pride. Chikkaballapur later came under the administration of Wodeyars of Mysore, who later merged with the present state of Karnataka.

As of 2011[update] India census,[5] Chikkaballapur had a population of 191,122. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Chikkaballapur has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.[6] 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Chikkaballapur has a high elevation located in the center of the Nandi Hills region. "Panchagiri" is a common descriptor of Chikkaballapur as it is surrounded by 5 hills, among which Nandi Hill is the most famous. (the five hills are Nandi Giri, Chandra Giri, Skandagiri, Brahma Giri, and Hema Giri).

The city of Chikkaballapur is well connected to prominent highways. NH-44, NH-69 and State Highway 74 (Karnataka) all pass through the city. It is 65 km from both Bengaluru and Kolar.

The city's public transport is mostly handled by KSRTC. KSRTC also has a bus depot in Chikkaballapur under the same division.

Chikballapur railway station (station code: CBP) belongs to Bengaluru division of South Western railway zone. It lies on Yelahanka-Bangarpet line. This line also connects the city to Kempegowda International Airport halt railway station.

The Kempegowda International Airport is the nearest international airport at 38 km.

The Chikkaballapur District includes the taluks (townships) of: Chikkaballapur, Gauribidanur, Bagepalli, Manchenahalli, Sidlaghatta, Chelur, Gudibande, and Chintamani.

• Addagal (Chik Ballapur)
• Adegarahalli
• Ajjavara, Chik Ballapur
• Harobande, Chik Ballapura

• official Website by District Administration
• Chikkaballapur Official Municipal Website
• local.currentsamachar.com/bangalore Archived 3 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Chikballapur.