Bangalore Rural District came into being on 15th August 1986 with the division of Bangalore District into Bangalore Rural and Bangalore (Urban). The district occupies 16th place in size, Bidar, Mandya, Kodagu, and Bangalore (Urban) Districts occupying Next ranks in succession in the State. 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. The new district physically almost surrounds the Bangalore (Urban) District except having an opening in the South-East, the Anakal Taluk, the connecting area between Kanakapura and Hosakote Taluks, being a part of the Bangalore (urban) district and the headquarters of the new district is at Bangalore itself. The district 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), Bellandur and Savandurga. 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 Kanakapura, Nelamangala, Devanahalli and Ramanagaram Taluks have created captivating Landscapes all along and they have provided jobs to hundreds engaged in quarrying.
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. Cultivable lands
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. Channapatna, Ramanagaram, Vijayapura and Kanakapura have been the most notable centers of Sericulture and Doddaballapura and Devanahalli are remembered for prosperous weaving Industry. The toys of Channapatna, of Lacquer-ware and the pottery objects Of Ramanagaram are the outcome of flourishing crafts. 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 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. The outline map of the district seems to roughly resemble a human ear, the hollow in the center and the portion connecting the ear to the head representing the Bangalore (Urban) district. For a distance of about 16km on the south, the river Cauvery separates the district form Mysore district narrowing at one point called the Mekedatu ‘ Goat’s Leap’ .
AREA AND POPULATION:
Bangalore Rural district has an area of 5,814sq km, and it forms about 3% of the Total area of the State.
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.
Rivers
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.
Unique Cultural system contributed to the wealth of the Indian Cultural Heritage. Bangalore Rural District is located in the south-eastern corner of Karnataka spanning a geographical area of 5,814 sq.km and it forms about 3.02 percent of the total area of the state. The total population of the district is 16,65,468 as per the 1991 census. The district lies between the latitude parallel to 12 15’ North and the longitude and meridians 77 05’ East and 78 West. 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: