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Kalaburagi

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Kalaburagi is a major city located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It serves as the headquarters for both the Kalaburagi district and the Kalaburagi division. The city is managed by a Municipal Corporation and covers a geographical area of 64 square kilometres. Formerly known as Gulbarga, the name is derived from Persian words meaning "City of Flower Gardens." In 2014, the name was changed to Kalaburagi, which means "Rocky Land" in the Kannada language. The city is a significant urban center with a population of 533,587 people as of the 2011 census.

The city sits upon the Deccan Plateau, a large highland region in India. The elevation in the district ranges from 300 to 750 metres above mean sea level. The landscape is characterized by black soil and is shaped by two main rivers, the Krishna and the Bhima. To support farming, the district utilizes many tanks and the Upper Krishna Project for irrigation. These water sources help farmers grow essential crops like rice, groundnuts, and pulses. Notably, Kalaburagi is the largest producer of toor dal, or pigeon peas, in the state of Karnataka.

Kalaburagi experiences a hot semi-arid climate that borders on a tropical wet and dry climate. This means the weather is generally dry throughout much of the year. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly, ranging from 8 °C in the cooler periods to 45 °C in the heat. The year is divided into three distinct seasons. Summer lasts from late February to May. This is followed by the southwest monsoon from late June to late October. Finally, a dry winter season occurs from late November until February. The city also maintains high environmental standards, ranking among the top 10 Indian cities for the best air quality in 2024.

The history of the region is very long, dating back to the sixth century. Various groups held power over time, including the Rashtrakutas and the Chalukyas. The Chalukyas reigned supreme for over 200 years before being succeeded by the Kalyani Kalachuris in the 12th century. Later, the Kakatiya kings of Warangal controlled the area until 1308. In 1347, the Bahmani Sultanate was founded by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah. He chose the city, then called Hasanabad, to be his capital.

Asuf Gunj, Gulbarga.
Asuf Gunj, Gulbarga.

This period left a lasting mark on the city's architecture and culture.

After the Bahmani Sultanate ended in 1527, the kingdom split into five independent Deccan sultanates. These included Bijapur, Bidar, Berar, Ahmednagar, and Golconda. The Kalaburagi district was divided between the sultanates of Bidar and Bijapur. By the 17th century, the Mughal Empire took control of the region under Aurangzeb. Later, the kingdom of Hyderabad was formed by Nizam-ul-Mulk, a general of Aurangzeb. Following the independence of India, the district became part of the new Mysore State in 1956 through the States Reorganisation Act.

The city is famous for its incredible Islamic art and historical monuments.

Haft Gumbad
Haft Gumbad

The Haft Gumbaz features seven domes built together.

Another notable site is the Shor Gumbad, which features delicate designs on its ceiling. Inside the 14th-century tomb of Syed Shah Qhabulullah Husayni, artists used natural colours to create intricate geometric and floral patterns. Because of religious restrictions, these artists avoided depicting living beings. Instead, they focused on complex calligraphy and plant designs. The Jama Masjid, located within the Kalaburagi Fort, was built in 1367 by a Persian architect named Rafi. The city even houses the world's largest cannon.

Kalaburagi is well-connected to other parts of India through several transport systems.

Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Junction railway station under Solapur Railway Division 06
Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Junction railway station under Solapur Railway Division 06

The Kalaburagi Junction railway station links the city to major hubs like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai. For air travel, the Kalaburagi airport offers a runway that is the second longest in Karnataka. Local travel is supported by the NEKRTC bus service and the Nrupatunga city bus service. The city is also a center for higher education. It hosts the Central University of Karnataka in Kadaganchi, alongside several other universities and medical colleges.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Asuf Gunj, Gulbarga..jpg
Asuf Gunj, Gulbarga..jpg
File:Haft_Gumbad.jpg
Haft_Gumbad.jpg
File:Massive_Chor_Gumbaz.jpg
Massive_Chor_Gumbaz.jpg
File:Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Junction railway station under Solapur Railway Division 06.jpg
Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) Junction railway...
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