| Dharwad | |
| Native Name Lang: | kannada |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Nicknames: | Pedha Nagari, Hubli-Dharwad City, Dharanagari, Vidya Kashi, Sanskratika nagari, Education Hub of Karnataka, Oxford of Karnataka.[1] |
| Pushpin Map: | India Karnataka#India#Asia |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Karnataka |
| Coordinates: | 15.4583°N 75.0083°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Karnataka |
| Subdivision Name2: | Dharwad |
| Subdivision Name3: | Bayaluseeme |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Founder: | Chalukya dynasty |
| Government Type: | Municipal Corporation |
| Governing Body: |
|
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 750.0 |
| Population Density Km2: | 434 |
| Population Metro: | 1,137,000 |
| Population Rank: | India : 49Karnataka : 2 |
| Population Demonym: | Dharwadians, Dharawadadavra. |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Postal Code Type: | Pincode(s) |
| Postal Code: | 580 xxx |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone code 0836 |
| Registration Plate: | KA-25, KA-63 |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Veena Baradwad [2] |
| Leader Title1: | MP |
| Leader Name1: | Pralhad Joshi |
| Leader Title2: | MLA (Hubli Dharwad West) |
| Leader Name2: | Arvind Bellad |
| Leader Title3: | MLA (Dharwad) |
| Leader Name3: | Vinay Kulkarni |
| Leader Title4: | MLA (Hubli Dharwad East) |
| Leader Name4: | Abbayya Prasad |
| Leader Title5: | MLA (Hubli-Dharwad Central) |
| Leader Name5: | Mahesh Tenginakai |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Kannada |
| Blank Emblem Type: | Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation |
| Area Total Km2: | 462 |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Airport |
| Blank Info Sec2: | Hubli Airport(HBX) |
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Rapid Transit |
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System |
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Planning agency |
| Blank2 Info Sec1: | Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority |
Dharwad (Kannada pronunciation: pronounced as /ðärwäɖ/), also known as Dharwar, is a city located in the northwestern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Dharwad district of Karnataka and forms a contiguous urban area with the city of Hubballi. It was merged with Hubballi in 1962 to form the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad. It covers an area of and is located northwest of Bangalore, on NH-48, between Bangalore and Pune.
In 2016, Hubli-Dharwad was selected for solar city / green city master plans.[3] In 2017, government of India included Hubli-Dharwad city for a smart city project, a flagship scheme for overall development of infrastructure in the twin-cities.[4]
The word "Dharwad" is derived from the Sanskrit word 'dwarawata', 'dwara' meaning "door" and 'wata' or 'wada' meaning "town". It means a place of rest in a long travel or a small habitation. For centuries, Dharwad acted as a resting place for travellers and a gateway between the Malenadu (western mountains) and the Bayalu Seeme (plains).[5]
The Chalukyas ruled Dharwad during the 12th century. A stone inscription indicates that there was a ruler by the name of BhaskaraDeva in 1117. In the 14th century, the district was first overrun by the Bahmani Sultanate, after which it was annexed to the newly established Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar, an official of which named "Dharav", according to local tradition, built the fort at Dharwad town in 1403. After the defeat of the king of Vijayanagar in the Battle of Talikota (1565), Dharwad was for a few years practically independent under its Hindu governor; but in 1573 the fort was captured by the sultan of Bijapur, Adil Shah, and Dharwad was annexed to his dominions. Adil Shah built a fort in an area later called Manna Killa, and later Nazratabad. With this fort, the strategic importance of Dharwad increased and it attracted the attention of subsequent conquerors, including Aurangzeb, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Aurangzeb's son Bahadur Shah I, Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao, Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan and finally the British colonizers.[6]
In 1685, the fort was taken by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and Dharwad, on the break-up of the Mughal empire, fell under the sway of the Maratha Peshwa of Pune. In 1764, the province was overrun by Hyder Ali of the Mysore, who in 1778 captured the fort of Dharwad.[7] The fort was retaken in 1791 by the Marathas. After the final defeat of the Peshwa by the British in 1818, Dharwar was incorporated into the territory of the British East India Company's Bombay Presidency. During the early 19th century, when the British were expanding their domains, they faced a lot of opposition from local rulers, including Baba Saheb of Nargund and Kittur Chennamma.[6]
Hubli-Dharwad has a tropical wet and dry climate. Summers are relatively mild and dry, lasting from late February to early June. They are followed by the monsoon season, with moderate temperatures and a large amount of precipitation. Temperatures are fairly moderate from late October to early February, with virtually no rainfall. Dharwad is 750 meters above sea level. The average yearly rainfall is .[8]
The population of the twin cities as per provisional figures of Census 2011 is 943,857 and is urban.[9] Hubli-Dharwad's population increased 22.99% between 1981 and 1991, from 527,108 to 648,298, and by 21.2% between 1991 and 2001. The Hubli-Dharwad municipality covers .
Dharwad has earned the reputation of being called as 'Cultural Capital of Karnataka'. Dharwad Region's Cultural Life blossomed with some of the finest Poets, Writers, and Thinkers at the beginning 20th century. Hindustani Classical Music is a genre that inspires a possessive devotion among people from the region.[10] Dharwad city is known for karnatic music, art, culture, musicians, poets, writers and cuisine.[11]
Dharwad has nurtured some of the best writers in Kannada, and has many iconic places that bear an association with the Language and State’s Culture. Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha also played a crucial role in bringing literary enthusiasts together.
Places such as Sadhankeri in front of Varakavi D R Bendre’s house is that serene location from which the poet drew inspiration to write his poems.
Dharwad has the reputation of earning 3 (out of 8) Jnanpith Awardees in Karnataka. Da Ra Bendre, V.K. Gokak, Girish Karnad.
D V Halbhavi established Halbhavi School of Art, Dharwad which has the distinction of being Karnataka’s first school of Arts in the year 1935. The school, which was founded under the aegis of the Dharwad Fine Art Society, has provided Art education to thousands of students during the last 76 years. The school also introduces students to complementary fields such as theatre, literature, and music. Kumareshwara Fine Arts College (1991) was founded by K.N. Neglurumatha at Haveri. V.R. Sutar started Gangambika Memorial Art School (1993) at Dharwad. Apart from this in 1966, Dandavathi Math in Dharwad opened an Arts School for mentally challenged children.
Recognizing the immense contribution of Dharwad towards the Music, Literature, and Arts field, Central Government has decided to set up Lalitha Kala Akademy Regional Centre in Dharwad. The Lalitha Kala Akademy will act as a catalyst for artists to get equal exposure as some of the bigger cities artists get and will make Art Field more vibrant in North Karnataka region.[13]
Jolada rotti is a very popular and very common diet in Dharwad city it is part of the staple diet of most of the districts of North Karnataka, where it is eaten with pulse curries such as jhunka, yengai, shenga chutney or other assorted chutnies. Jowar rotti is also called as jawarichi bhakri in neighbouring Maharastra.
Dharwad peda is a sweet delicacy prepared of milk and sugar which has been accorded Geographical Indication.[14]
See main article: Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation. Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) was constituted in 1962 by combining the two cities separated by a distance of 20 kilometres. The area covered by the corporation is spread over 45 revenue villages and is the second-largest city corporation in Karnataka state. The population of the city as per the 1991 census was 700,000. The population of Hubli-Dharwad is 1,158,000 (2020).[15] Hubli Municipal Council was established under the Government of India Act 1850, and the Dharwad Municipal Council first came into existence on 1 January 1856. Both were merged later forming Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC)[16] The headquarters of HDMC is situated in Hubballi, comprising 82 members covering four Vidhan Sabha Constituencies of Hubli-Dharwad. There has been a huge demand by the people of Dharwad to create a separate civic body and get itself detached by HDMC. Claims are that most of the funds are allocated to Hubli solely.[17]
See main article: Hubli-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System. Hubballi-Dharwad BRTS (also known as HDBRTS) is a bus rapid transit system built to serve the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad, located in the North-Western part of Karnataka state in India. Hubli-Dharwad BRTS (HDBRTS) project is a Government of Karnataka initiative to foster long-term economic growth in the region. The project promotes fast, safe, comfortable, convenient and affordable public transportation between the twin cities and aims to reduce congestion and air pollution in the region. But it has severely affected the private traffic, by restricting the lanes. Many don't approve the project, as BRTS system has failed in many cities across India, for example both in Pune and Delhi.
The length of the Hubli-Dharwad BRTS corridor is from CBT Hubli to CBT–Dharwad with the width of the cross-sections ranging from . The BRTS corridor includes segregated bus lanes, access-controlled bus stations, physical and fare integration with BRT feeder services, off-board ticketing through smart cards and bar-coded paper tickets, an intelligent transport system and high-quality buses (Standard AC buses). The corridor is designed for operating regular and express services. It consists of two lanes for BRTS buses on either side of the median bus station facilitating overtaking lanes for express services. Foot overbridges at six locations, PELICAN signals, and synchronised signal management are proposed to facilitate the easy approach of passengers to bus stations.[18]
Hubli Airport is the nearest airport that serves the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad and North Karnataka in the state of Karnataka, India. It is situated on Gokul Road, 8 kilometres from the city centre and from Dharwad. It is the third busiest airport in Karnataka and the 45th busiest airport in India. In March 2020, Hubli Airport received the best airport award under the government of India's Regional connectivity scheme.[19] Hubli airport connects to 10 destinations throughout the country. Efforts are being made to make Hubli Airport as international Airport.[20] [21]
Mangaluru Samachar was the first ever Kannada language newspaper distributed in Dharwad, along with region of North Canara.[22]
In current times the newspapers include Vijaya Karnataka, Vijayavani, Kannada Prabha, Prajavani and Samyukta Karnataka, in Kannada; The Hindu, Times of India, Deccan Herald and The Indian Express in English.
Cricket and football are the most popular sports in Dharwad and are often played on grounds and streets of the city.
Karnataka State Cricket Association (ASCA) has organised a few professional district-level and state-level cricket matches in Kittur Rani Chennamma cricket stadium, KCD and SDM cricket ground, Sattur.[23] [24]
RN Shetty Stadium stadium has hosted a Ranji Trophy match in 1990 when Karnataka cricket team played against Hyderabad cricket team.[25]
Major kabaddi matches are usually held at the Karnatak college ground.[26]
Tennis has been a popular choice among millennials in the city. In 2003 and 2006 Dharwad hosted the International men's tennis tournament ATP Challenger Series.[27] [28]
Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) was constituted in 1962 by combining two cities separated by a distance of 20 kilometers.[29] [30] The area covered by the corporation is, spread over 45 revenue villages. The population of the city as per the 1991 census was 7 lakhs. The population of Hubli-Dharwad is 943,857 according to 2011 Census. There has been a huge demand by people of Dharwad to create a separate civic body and get itself detached by HDMC. Claims are that most of the funds are allocated to Hubli solely.[31]
Hubli is well known as a commercial as well as an industrial centre, whereas Dharwad is the seat of learning.[32] Popularly believed that, it is this diversity and geographical positions that the state government amalgamated the two cities.[33] The twin-city corporation occupies unique place in Karnataka State. After the capital city of Bangalore, this is the largest city Corporation in the State.
See main article: List of educational institutions in Dharwad. Dharwad hosts many Universities, Colleges and Autonomous Institutions, some are listed below.[34]
