Which is the oldest known Kannada inscription?

Halmidi inscription. The Halmidi inscription from Hassan district, from about 450 CE, is the oldest known Kannada inscription.

What was the capital of the Kadambas?

Banavasi. Banavasi was the capital of the Kadamba kingdom founded by Mayurasharma.

From which city did Pulakeshin II rule?

Badami. The Chalukyas ruled from Badami, then called Vatapi.

What is the oldest available literary work in Kannada?

Kavirajamarga. Kavirajamarga, from the time of Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha I (c. 850 CE), is the oldest available Kannada literary work.

Which dynasty built the Chennakeshava temple at Belur?

The Hoysalas. Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana commissioned it in 1117.

Hampi's Stone Chariot is pictured on which banknote?

₹50. The new ₹50 note shows Hampi's Stone Chariot on the back.

In which year did Kittur Rani Chennamma fight the British?

1824. In October 1824, Kittur's army won the first battle against the British.

When did the Kannada-speaking regions unite into one state?

1 November 1956. The state was united on 1 November 1956. It was renamed 'Karnataka' in 1973.

National Science Day on 28 February celebrates whose discovery?

Sir C.V. Raman. Sir C.V. Raman discovered the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928.

Who wrote the state anthem 'Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate'?

Kuvempu. Rashtrakavi Kuvempu wrote the state anthem.

How many Jnanpith Awards has Kannada literature won?

8. From Kuvempu (1967) to Chandrashekhara Kambara (2010), Kannada has won 8 Jnanpith Awards.

Which Kannadiga scientist led the effort behind Aryabhata, India's first satellite?

Prof. U.R. Rao. Aryabhata was launched on 19 April 1975. Prof. U.R. Rao is called India's 'Satellite Man'.

ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ 2026 · ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡು, ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಕಥೆ

ಮೊದಲ ಕನ್ನಡ ಶಾಸನದಿಂದ ಇಂದಿನ ಬಾಹ್ಯಾಕಾಶ ಯುಗದವರೆಗೆ — ನಮ್ಮ ನಾಡಿನ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಪಯಣ.

01ಇತಿಹಾಸ
02ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ
03ಇಂದಿನ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ
04ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ರುಚಿ
05ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿಯೋಣ
06ರಸಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ

ಕಾಲದ ಪಯಣ

1,500ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ ಶುರುವಾದ ಕಥೆ. ಕೆಳಗೆ ಸ್ಕ್ರಾಲ್ ಮಾಡಿ, ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಿ.

ನಮ್ಮ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆಯ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು

ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಹೋರಾಡಿದವರು, ವಿಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಸ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿದವರು, ಕಲೆ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ರೀಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿಂಚಿದವರು. ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ಒತ್ತಿ, ಅವರ ಕಥೆ ಓದಿ.

ಇಂದಿನ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ

ಭಾರತದ ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞಾನ, ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಬಾಹ್ಯಾಕಾಶದ ಹೃದಯ — ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಕಾಫಿ, ರೇಷ್ಮೆ ಮತ್ತು ಗಂಧದ ನಾಡು.

ನಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಚಿಹ್ನೆಗಳು

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಸಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ

ಈಗ ಓದಿದ್ದು ಎಷ್ಟು ನೆನಪಿದೆ? ನೋಡೋಣ!

ಹೃದಯದಿಂದ

ಕರ್ನಾಟಕಕ್ಕೆ ಒಂದು ಧನ್ಯವಾದ

ಸಿರಿಗನ್ನಡಂ ಗೆಲ್ಗೆ

ಈ ಕಥೆಯ ಮುಂದಿನ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ ನಾವೇ. ನವೆಂಬರ್ 1ರಂದು ಜೊತೆಯಾಗಿ ಸಂಭ್ರಮಿಸೋಣ.

ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ 2026ಕ್ಕೆ ಬನ್ನಿ

ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಮೂಲಗಳು

A journey through Karnataka's history

c. 345 CE — The Kadambas and Mayurasharma (ಕದಂಬರು ಮತ್ತು ಮಯೂರಶರ್ಮ): Around 345 CE, Mayurasharma founded the Kadamba kingdom. Its capital was Banavasi. The Kadambas were the first rulers from this land to use Kannada in running their kingdom.
c. 450 CE — The Halmidi Inscription (ಹಲ್ಮಿಡಿ ಶಾಸನ): The Halmidi inscription, found in Halmidi village of Hassan district, is the oldest known inscription in Kannada. It was carved in the time of the Kadamba kings. It was discovered in 1936.
6th–8th century CE — The Chalukyas of Badami (ಬಾದಾಮಿ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು): The Chalukyas ruled from Badami (then called Vatapi). Their great king Pulakeshin II stopped the mighty northern emperor Harshavardhana near the Narmada river. The cave temples of Badami and the temples of Aihole and Pattadakal are their gifts to us.
c. 850 CE — The Rashtrakutas and Kavirajamarga (ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಕೂಟರು ಮತ್ತು ಕವಿರಾಜಮಾರ್ಗ): Kavirajamarga was written in the time of Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha I. It is the oldest available literary work in Kannada. It says the Kannada land stretched from the Kaveri river to the Godavari river.
From 1117 CE — Hoysala Belur and Halebidu (ಹೊಯ್ಸಳರ ಬೇಲೂರು ಮತ್ತು ಹಳೇಬೀಡು): Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana commissioned the Chennakeshava temple at Belur in 1117. The nearby Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu is covered with fine carvings in soapstone. In 2023, these Hoysala temples became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12th century CE — Basavanna and the Vachanas (ಬಸವಣ್ಣ ಮತ್ತು ವಚನಗಳು): Basavanna wrote vachanas — short sayings in simple Kannada that everyone could understand. He started the 'Anubhava Mantapa', a hall where men and women from all walks of life met to share ideas. He taught 'Kayakave Kailasa' — honest work is worship.
1336 CE — The Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi (ವಿಜಯನಗರ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಹಂಪಿ): The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336. Its capital, Hampi, stands on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Its most famous king, Krishnadevaraya (ruled 1509–1529), supported poets writing in Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit and Tamil.
c. 1470–1564 — Purandara Dasa — Grandfather of Carnatic Music (ಪುರಂದರದಾಸರು — ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಗೀತ ಪಿತಾಮಹ): Purandara Dasa is called the 'Pitamaha' (grandfather) of Carnatic music. He wrote devotional songs in simple Kannada. He created step-by-step lessons like svaravalis and alankaras in the raga Mayamalavagowla.
1610 — The Wodeyars of Mysore and Dasara (ಮೈಸೂರು ಒಡೆಯರು ಮತ್ತು ದಸರಾ): In 1610, Raja Wodeyar I began celebrating Dasara at Srirangapatna, continuing the 'Mahanavami' tradition of the Vijayanagara kings. Today Mysuru Dasara is Karnataka's state festival (Nada Habba). In the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami, an elephant carries the golden howdah with goddess Chamundeshwari.
1824 — Kittur Rani Chennamma's Stand (ಕಿತ್ತೂರು ರಾಣಿ ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮನ ಹೋರಾಟ): The British East India Company refused to accept Rani Chennamma's adopted son as the heir of Kittur. So in October 1824, she fought against them. In the first battle, Kittur's army won.
1890–1956 — The Karnataka Unification Movement (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಏಕೀಕರಣ ಚಳವಳಿ): Before 1956, Kannada-speaking people were split across about 20 different administrative regions. The Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha (Dharwad, 1890) and the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (Bengaluru, 1915) worked to bring them together. Aluru Venkata Rao inspired people with his book 'Karnataka Gatha Vaibhava' about Karnataka's glorious past.
1909 — The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) (ಭಾರತೀಯ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ (ಐಐಎಸ್‌ಸಿ)): The Indian Institute of Science was founded in Bengaluru in 1909. It was Jamsetji Tata's dream. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV of Mysore gave about 371 acres of land for it.
1 November 1956 — The Kannada Land Comes Together (ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡು ಒಂದಾಯಿತು): On 1 November 1956, under the reorganisation of states, the Kannada-speaking areas of Bombay, Madras and Hyderabad states, along with Coorg (Kodagu), were joined with Mysore State. That is why we celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava every 1 November! S. Nijalingappa became the first Chief Minister of the united state.
1 November 1973 — Mysore State Becomes 'Karnataka' (ಮೈಸೂರು ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ 'ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ' ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರು): On 1 November 1973, Mysore State was renamed Karnataka. D. Devaraj Urs was the Chief Minister at that time.
2008 — Kannada Becomes a Classical Language (ಕನ್ನಡಕ್ಕೆ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನ): In 2008, the Government of India declared Kannada a 'Classical Language', honouring its long history and rich literature. After Tamil (2004) and Sanskrit (2005), Kannada received this honour together with Telugu.

Kannadigas we are proud of

Kittur Rani Chennamma (ಕಿತ್ತೂರು ರಾಣಿ ಚೆನ್ನಮ್ಮ, 1778–1829): The brave queen who challenged the British. The British refused to accept her adopted son as the heir of Kittur. But Rani Chennamma would not give up her kingdom. In the first battle of 1824, her army defeated the British. Her courage inspires us even today.
Sangolli Rayanna (ಸಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿ ರಾಯಣ್ಣ, 1798–1831): Kittur's fearless army commander. Sangolli Rayanna was a commander in Rani Chennamma's army. Even after Kittur fell to the British, he gathered village people and kept fighting. He gave his life in 1831, but lives on as a folk hero.
Onake Obavva (ಒನಕೆ ಓಬವ್ವ, 1700s): The heroine who guarded a fort with a pestle. In the 18th century, during the rule of Madakari Nayaka, enemy soldiers tried to sneak into Chitradurga fort through a small gap in the rocks. Obavva, who had gone to fetch water, saw them. With her onake (a wooden pestle for pounding grain), she stopped them one by one and saved the fort.
Umabai Kundapur (ಉಮಾಬಾಯಿ ಕುಂದಾಪುರ, 1892–1992): Led women into the freedom struggle. Umabai Kundapur led the women's wing of the Hindustani Seva Dal. In 1932, she spent four months in jail. During the Quit India Movement of 1942, she gave food and shelter to freedom fighters.
Mylara Mahadevappa (ಮೈಲಾರ ಮಹಾದೇವಪ್ಪ, 1911–1943): The Kannadiga who marched to Dandi with Gandhiji. At just 18, Mylara Mahadevappa walked with Gandhiji on the famous Dandi March — the only marcher from Karnataka. He worked for farmers during the freedom struggle. He gave his life for India's freedom in 1943, at only 31.
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (ಕಮಲಾದೇವಿ ಚಟ್ಟೋಪಾಧ್ಯಾಯ, 1903–1988): Freedom fighter and saviour of Indian crafts. Kamaladevi from Mangaluru took part in the freedom struggle. In 1926, she became the first woman in India to contest an election to a legislature. After independence, she worked to save India's handlooms and handicrafts.
Karnad Sadashiva Rao (ಕಾರ್ನಾಡ್ ಸದಾಶಿವ ರಾವ್, 1881–1937): He gave away all his wealth for the nation. Sadashiva Rao was a rich lawyer from Mangaluru and one of the first in Karnataka to join Gandhiji's non-violent movement. He started the Mahila Sabha to help poor women. He spent all his wealth on the freedom struggle and on helping the needy.
Aluru Venkata Rao (ಆಲೂರು ವೆಂಕಟರಾಯರು, 1880–1964): The man who dreamed of a united Karnataka. Aluru Venkata Rao was a writer and journalist. He dreamed that all Kannada-speaking people should live in one state. His book 'Karnataka Gatha Vaibhava' told Karnataka's proud history and inspired many. His dream came true in 1956.
S. Nijalingappa (ಎಸ್. ನಿಜಲಿಂಗಪ್ಪ, 1902–2000): First Chief Minister of the united state. S. Nijalingappa was a lawyer and freedom fighter who worked for the unification of Karnataka. When the new state was formed on 1 November 1956, he became its first Chief Minister.
Sir M. Visvesvaraya (ಸರ್ ಎಂ. ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ, 1861–1962): The great engineer who built modern Mysore. Sir M. Visvesvaraya designed the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) dam on the Kaveri river. As Diwan of Mysore (1912–1918), he helped set up the Bhadravati steel works, the Mysore Soap Factory and more. He received the Bharat Ratna in 1955.
Sir C.V. Raman (ಸರ್ ಸಿ.ವಿ. ರಾಮನ್, 1888–1970): Nobel scientist who unlocked a secret of light. C.V. Raman was born in Tamil Nadu. He discovered the 'Raman Effect' about how light scatters, and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He then made Bengaluru his home — he became the first Indian director of IISc in 1933 and founded the Raman Research Institute in 1948.
Prof. C.N.R. Rao (ಪ್ರೊ. ಸಿ.ಎನ್.ಆರ್. ರಾವ್, b. 1934): A giant of chemistry and a Bharat Ratna. Born in Bengaluru, Prof. C.N.R. Rao is world-famous for solid-state and materials chemistry. He has written more than a thousand research papers and many books. He received the Bharat Ratna in 2014.
Prof. U.R. Rao (ಪ್ರೊ. ಯು.ಆರ್. ರಾವ್, 1932–2017): India's 'Satellite Man'. Aryabhata, India's first satellite, was launched on 19 April 1975, and Prof. U.R. Rao led the effort behind it. He was Chairman of ISRO from 1984 to 1994 and helped India build its own rockets and communication satellites.
Shakuntala Devi (ಶಕುಂತಲಾ ದೇವಿ, 1929–2013): The 'Human Computer' of maths. Shakuntala Devi could solve huge sums in her head. In 1980, at Imperial College London, she multiplied two 13-digit numbers in just 28 seconds! She also wrote many books to make maths fun.
Sudha Murty (ಸುಧಾ ಮೂರ್ತಿ, b. 1950): Engineer, author and social worker. When a job advert said women need not apply, Sudha Murty wrote a postcard to the company's chairman to protest. She then became the first woman engineer hired by TELCO. In 1996 she started the Infosys Foundation, which helps schools, hospitals and people in need.
Kuvempu (ಕುವೆಂಪು, 1904–1994): The National Poet who wrote our state anthem. Kuvempu wrote Karnataka's state anthem, 'Jaya Bharatha Jananiya Tanujate'. For his epic 'Sri Ramayana Darshanam', he became the first Kannada writer to win the Jnanpith Award (1967). He spread the message of 'Vishwa Manava' — the Universal Human, above all differences.
Da. Ra. Bendre (ದ.ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ, 1896–1981): Kannada's gifted poet, the 'Varakavi'. Da. Ra. Bendre wrote beautiful, song-like poems in the Kannada of Dharwad. People lovingly call him 'Varakavi' — a poet with a God-given gift. He won the Jnanpith Award in 1973 for his poetry collection 'Naaku Tanti' (Four Strings).
Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth (ಡಾ. ಕೆ. ಶಿವರಾಮ ಕಾರಂತ, 1902–1997): Novelist, Yakshagana lover and nature protector. Shivarama Karanth wrote novels and plays, and even 'Balaprapancha', an encyclopedia for children. He loved and studied Yakshagana, the colourful dance-drama of coastal Karnataka. He won the Jnanpith Award in 1977 for his novel 'Mookajjiya Kanasugalu'.
Dr. Rajkumar (ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್‌ಕುಮಾರ್, 1929–2006): Kannada cinema's legendary actor and singer. Dr. Rajkumar acted in more than 200 Kannada films over five decades. He was also a wonderful singer and won a National Award for playback singing. In 1995 he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema's highest honour.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (ಪಂಡಿತ್ ಭೀಮಸೇನ ಜೋಶಿ, 1922–2011): The Bharat Ratna of Hindustani music. At just 11, Bhimsen Joshi left home to search for a music teacher. He finally learnt from Sawai Gandharva of the Kirana gharana and became one of India's greatest singers. He received the Bharat Ratna in 2008.
Dr. Gangubai Hangal (ಡಾ. ಗಂಗೂಬಾಯಿ ಹಾನಗಲ್, 1913–2009): The powerful voice of the Kirana gharana. Gangubai Hangal was a great Hindustani classical singer, famous for her deep, powerful voice. She learnt from Sawai Gandharva and sang all over India for decades. She received the Padma Vibhushan in 2002.
Prakash Padukone (ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಪಡುಕೋಣೆ, b. 1955): First Indian to win the All England title. In 1980, Prakash Padukone became the first Indian to win the All England Badminton Championship. The same year, he became the world's number one player. Later, he coached India's team and helped new players grow.
Rahul Dravid (ರಾಹುಲ್ ದ್ರಾವಿಡ್, b. 1973): 'The Wall' of Indian cricket. Rahul Dravid scored 13,288 runs in Test cricket. He was so hard to get out that fans called him 'The Wall'. As head coach, he guided India to win the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Anil Kumble (ಅನಿಲ್ ಕುಂಬ್ಳೆ, b. 1970): The spinner who took all 10 wickets in an innings. In February 1999 in Delhi, Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan. He was only the second bowler ever to do this, after Jim Laker in 1956. He took 619 Test wickets and also captained India.

Karnataka today

191791 km² — Area: Karnataka is India's sixth-largest state by area.
6.1 — crore people (2011 Census): The 2011 Census counted about 6.1 crore (61 million) people in Karnataka.
31 — Districts: Karnataka has 31 districts. Bengaluru is the capital.
~70% — of India's coffee: About 70% of India's coffee is grown in Karnataka — mainly in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan.
#1 — in silk production: Karnataka is India's largest silk-producing state. In 2023–24, about 32% of the country's raw silk came from here. Mysore silk sarees are famous!
8 — Jnanpith Awards: Kannada writers have won 8 Jnanpith Awards — Kuvempu, Bendre, Karanth, Masti, Gokak, Ananthamurthy, Karnad and Kambar.
1909 — IISc founded: Bengaluru has been home to the Indian Institute of Science since 1909, and ISRO's headquarters are here too. With so many IT companies, Bengaluru is called the 'Silicon Valley of India'.
400+ — years of Mysuru Dasara: The Dasara celebration begun by the Wodeyars in 1610 has continued for more than 400 years.