Karnataka

Karnataka is a major state located in the southwestern region of India.

It is the sixth-largest state in the country by total area. This area covers 5.83 percent of India's entire landmass. Karnataka is unique because it is the only southern state that shares land borders with all four of its southern sister states. These neighbors include Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The state also meets the Lakshadweep Sea to the west. The name Karnataka likely comes from the Kannada words *karu* and *nādu*. This translates to "elevated land." Another theory suggests it refers to the black cotton soil in the Bayalu Seeme region.

The geography of the state is divided into three distinct zones. The first is the coastal region known as Karavali and Tulu Nadu. The second is the hilly Malenadu region, which contains the Western Ghats.

The third and largest zone is the Bayaluseeme region. This area consists of the plains of the Deccan Plateau. The northern part of these plains is the second-largest arid region in India. The highest point in the state is found in the Mullayanagiri hills. These hills reach an altitude of 1,930 meters.

Water systems play a vital role in the landscape of Karnataka. The state features two main river systems that shape the land. In North Karnataka, the Krishna River flows alongside tributaries like the Bhima and the Tungabhadra. In South Karnataka, the Kaveri River flows with tributaries such as the Hemavati and the Kabini. Most of these rivers flow eastward toward the Bay of Bengal. However, some rivers like the Sharavati and Netravati flow westward. The Sharavati River creates the famous Jog Falls.

These rivers provide essential water for the various regions.

The history of Karnataka is incredibly deep and ancient. Evidence of Paleolithic culture exists through the discovery of stone hand-axes and cleavers. Scholars believe ancient Karnataka may have had contact with the Indus Valley Civilisation. This is because gold found in Harappa was likely imported from mines in this region. Over time, many powerful empires rose and fell. The Kadambas and Western Gangas were the first native kingdoms to use Kannada in administration.

Later, the Badami Chalukyas and the Rashtrakuta Empire ruled large parts of the Deccan. These empires were great patrons of art and literature.

Medieval history saw the rise of even more significant powers. The Hoysala Empire emerged at the turn of the first millennium. They built beautiful temples using the Vesara style of architecture. Following them, the Vijayanagara Empire was established in the early 14th century. They built their capital, Hosapattana, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Under leaders like Krishnadevaraya, a unique form of literature and architecture evolved. The empire acted as a bulwark in South India for over two centuries. Later, the region saw the influence of the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mysore Kingdom.

In the modern era, Karnataka has transformed into a center of technology. The capital city, Bengaluru, is famous as the "Silicon Valley of India." This nickname comes from its massive contribution to the information technology sector. As of 2007, there were 1,973 companies involved in the IT sector within the state.

This industry drives a very productive economy. For the 2023–24 financial year, the state saw a GSDP growth of 10.2 percent. Bengaluru is the largest city, with 15,257,000 residents. Other districts like Dakshina Kannada and Belagavi also contribute high revenue.

Today, Karnataka is a diverse place of many languages and traditions. Kannada is the official and most widely spoken language.

However, many other languages are spoken, such as Urdu, Konkani, Tulu, and Tamil. Some villages even primarily speak Sanskrit. The state is also a home for important musical traditions. It has contributed significantly to both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music. With 61,130,704 inhabitants as of the 2011 census, it is India's eighth-largest state by population. This mix of ancient heritage and modern industry defines the state.