Vijayanagara district explained

Vijayanagara district
Native Name Lang:Kannada
Named For:erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire
Settlement Type:District of Karnataka
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1: Karnataka
Subdivision Type2:Division
Subdivision Name2:Kalaburagi
Established Title:Formation
Parts Type:Taluks
Seat Type:Headquarters
Seat:Hospet
Leader Title1:Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate
Leader Name1:M S Diwakara, IAS
Leader Title2:Superintendent of Police
Leader Name2:Shrihari Babu B L, IPS
Leader Title3:Chief Executive Officer
Leader Name3:Sadashiva Prabhu B
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:4,252
Area Total Sq Mi:642
Elevation M:449
Population Total:1,353,628
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Language
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Kannada
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Area Code Type:Telephone code
Area Code:Hospet 08394
Registration Plate:KA-35
Governing Body:Vijayanagara Zilla Panchayat

Vijayanagara district is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, located in the Kalyana-Karnataka region.[1] [2]

Vijayanagara was officially carved out of Ballari on 2 October 2021 to become the 31st district of the state with Hospet as the district headquarters.[3] [4] It is home to Hampi, the former capital of the famous Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and several historical places are located in the district.[5]

History

During late-mediaeval India, the region comprising present-day Vijayanagara district was the seat of the Vijayanagara Empire. During British Rule, it was part of Madras presidency. After India's independence, during the organisation of Indian states in the Republic of India, with the formation Andhra Pradesh in 1953, the Vijayanagara region was part of Bellary district of the newly formed Mysore state. In 2020, six divisions were planned to be split up from Bellary and form out of them a new district. During the 2020 premiership of B. S. Yediyurappa, the government of Karnataka approved the plan and notified the formation of Vijayanagara district on 18 November 2020, thus making it the 31st district of Karnataka in 2021.

At present, Vijayanagara district is part of the Kalyana Karnataka region.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, the area that is now Vijayangara district has a population of 1,353,628, of which 359,694 (26.57%) live in urban areas. Vijayanagara district has a sex ratio of 976 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 322,603 (23.83%) and 235,724 (17.41%) of the population respectively.[6] [7]

At the time of the 2011 census, 78.09% of the population spoke Kannada, 9.37% Urdu, 5.82% Lambadi, 3.97% Telugu and 1.07% Tamil as their first language.[8]

Government and politics

Administration

Vijayanagara district comprises six divisions, two subdivisions, and 18 village clusters. Hospet is the administrative headquarters of the district.

Anand Singh, MLA from Vijayanagara, was appointed as the district's minister in charge for the state government.[9] He is the MLA from Hospet. Krishna Nayaka is the current MLA of Hoovina Hadagali; P. T. Parameshwar Naik, a former minister and MLA from Hoovina Hadagali and M. P. Prakash, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Parliament and assembly seats

In the national legislature's lower house, Vijayanagara district is part of Bellary Constituency (reserved for scheduled tribes), except for Harapanahalli, which is part of Davanagere Constituency.

In state legislature's lower house, Vijayanagara district has five assembly seats: Harapanahalli; Hagaribommanahalli (scheduled castes); Vijayanagara; Kudligi (scheduled tribes); and Hoovina Hadagali (scheduled castes).

Tourism

known for the ruins of Vijayanagara. A world heritage site, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across the world every year, is situated in this district. It is home to several ruined structures.

Mylara Lingeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Mylara, who is believed to be a form of Lord Krishna. Located at the center of Karnataka, it is in the extreme south-western corner of Hoovina Hadagali, of Vijayanagara District.

Education

Kannada University, a research-oriented public university, is situated in Hampi. The university was founded by the government of Karnataka during the premiership of S. Bangarappa with the aim to develop the Kannada language and to promote its literature and traditions.

Notes and References

  1. News: Vijayanagar to be Karnataka's 31st district, BSY Cabinet gives in-principle nod . 24 January 2021 . The New Indian Express . 19 November 2020.
  2. News: Cabinet approves boundaries of Vijayanagara district . 24 January 2021 . The Hindu . 28 November 2020 . en-IN.
  3. News: Bommai to declare Vijayanagara as 31st district in Karnataka on Saturday . 1 April 2022 . The New Indian Express . 2 October 2021.
  4. News: Karnataka formalises creation of new Vijayanagara district . 24 January 2021 . The Economic Times . 27 November 2020.
  5. News: Buradikatti . Kumar . Ballari set to lose Hampi and more . 24 January 2021 . The Hindu . 19 November 2020 . en-IN.
  6. Web site: 2011 . District Census Handbook: Bellary . censusindia.gov.in . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  7. Web site: 2011 . District Census Handbook: Davanagere . censusindia.gov.in . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  8. Web site: Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Karnataka . www.censusindia.gov.in . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  9. News: Karnataka cabinet approves borders for new Vijayanagara district . 24 January 2021 . The News Minute . 27 November 2020 . en.