Bangalore Rural District came into being on 15th August 1986 with the division of Bangalore District into Bangalore Rural and Bangalore (Urban). The district occupied 16th place in size. Bangalore Rural District is located in the South-Eastern corner of Karnataka State. Spanning a Geographical area of 5,814 sq km, the district lies stretched between the latitudinal parallels of 12 15’ N and 13 35’ N on the one hand and the longitudinal meridians of 77 05’ E and 78 E on the other. Again Bangalore Rural district has been further bifurcated into Bangalore Rural and Ramnagar District in year 2007. The new district district’s geographical area is 2259 sqkms and population of 9,87,257 as per 2011 Census and the headquarters of the District is at Bangalore itself. The district is on the plateau with an average elevation of 600 to 900 metres from mean Sea level has ranges of Hills which are actually spurs of the Eastern Ghats, Stretching northwards with peaks like the Banantimari Betta, Mudawadi Betta, Bilikal Betta, Siddadevara Betta, etc. The Savandurga and Shivaganga peaks are another row of Hill ranges, spreading upto the Nandi Hills running across the Bangalore(Urban) district. Bangalore Rural District had many prehistoric sites at places like Jadigenahalli (Hosakote Taluk), and Bellandur. The District abounds in wonderful Tourist spots. Places of scenic beauty, tall Hills, forts and beautiful monuments beckon the Tourists to visit them. The new district forms a part of Deccan Plateau and the rock formation belong to the category of peninsular Gneiss. The Granite Gneisses that abound in Nelamangala and Devanahalli Taluks have created captivating Landscapes all along.
The Arkavati, the Kanva and the Dakshina Pinakini are the tributary Rivers which flow through the District in the General Direction from North to South.
Are mainly rain-fed and dry farming is a characteristic feature of the district. By and large this rural district is Agricultural and Ragi is the main crop through mulberry is raised over considerable tracts. The climate of the district is salubrious and very agreeable. It is devoid of extremes. But rainfall is meager, and as no major river flows in the district Irrigation facilities are also limited. This district too had often suffered from deficit and capricious rainfall conditions and the resultant phenomenon of crop failure. The contribution of Horticulture to the Economy of the district is quite substantial. The district has considerable tracts under Horticultural crops like Mango and Grapes. Betel vine Gardens are also seen in many places. Animal Husbandry is being practiced since generations as an adjunct to Agriculture. A high degree of Urbanisation of Bangalore city has enhanced the economic importance of dairying, poultry keeping And Horticulture which provide livelihood to a very large section. Considerable numbers are also engaged in raising sheep for wool as well Vijayapura have been the most notable center of Sericulture and Doddaballapura and Devanahalli are remembered for prosperous weaving Industry. Considerable number of people are engaged in rolling beedies and Agarbattis.
Origin of Name
The Bangalore Rural District derives its name from its head quarters town, Bangalore and majority of the district consists of Rural Areas. The earliest reference to the name is seen in a Ninth Century Ganga Inscription from Begur as ‘Benguluru' ‘The present name Bangalore is the Anglicised form of Bengaluru. A popular story tries to suggest the origin of Bengaluru ‘ from ‘ Bendakaluru `, Hoysala Ballala, during his long journey is stated to have been fed by an old women , with Benda kalu (Boiled beans). The prince named the place as ‘Benda kala uru ‘
The District lies in the southern maidan region of the State and is by and large an open country which is lacking in natural barriers. Bangalore Rural District is bounded on the North by Tumkur and Kolar Districts: on the South by Ramnagar, Mandya and Mysore Districts and Tamil Nadu State; on the east by Kolar District and Tamil Nadu State and on the West by Tumkur and Mandya Districts.
Area and Population
Bangalore Rural district has an area of 2259 sq km, and population of 850968. Density of Population is 441/sqkm and sex ratio of 945 (2001).
History of the District as an Administrative Unit
Historically, the earliest dynasty which established its sway over this district is that of the Gangas. In about the fourth century A.D., the Gangas established themselves at Kolar and the territory comprised in Bangalore Rural district formed part of Gangavadi 96,000 and Honganur of Channapatna Taluk was the chief town of a sub-division, called Chikka Gangavadi, which occupied the Shimsha valley. During the Seventh century, Mankund was a place of great importance and was the second royal residence of Ganga Bhuvikrama(654-79) and also of Shivamara(679-726). In the eight century Shri Purusha made Manyapura ( Manne of Nelamangala Taluk) his royal residence and later it was a major center under the Rashtrakutas. Manne or Mannekadakam of Tamil records had been the headquarters of Rashtrakutas Governor Kambarasa. Certain parts of the district, especially in the East, were held by the Nolamb Pallavas.
The major portion of Bangalore rural district lies in the Arkavati valley. The Arkavati, the Kanva and the Dakshina pinakini (southern Pennar) are the rivers which flow through the district in the general direction from north to south.
The mean sea level of the district is at a difference of height between 629 to 950 mtr. Bangalore Rural District consists of 4 taluks namely: