Throughout its long and chequered history, Belgaum has been the epicenter of many a kingdoms and dynasties. Originally known as Venugrama meaning Bamboo Village, Belgaum played host to Chalukyan, Ratta, Vijayanagara, Bahmani and Maratha empires. In 1686, Belgaum was annexed to the Mughal Empire when Aurangzeb overthrew the Adil Shahi rulers of Bijapur. Later on Hyder Ali of Mysore ruled Belgaum for a brief period, but it was eventually taken over by the Peshwa with British assistance.
Belgaum occupies the pride of place in the Indian Freedom Movement to throw out the British yoke. The brave lady warrior Rani Chennamma of Kittur (1778-1829) along with Sangolli Rayanna and Babasaheb was the torchbearer of this resistance movement. Belgaum was also chosen as the venue of the 39th session of Indian National Congress in December 1924 under the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi.
Due to its strategic location, the Belgaum city was a major hub for infantry troops under the British. Even today, the bustling Cantonment, built by the British with its bungalows and barracks, boasts of an overwhelming military presence. Belgaon is also known for the Airmen Training School, an Indian Air Force training centre located at Sambra and the Commando School and School of Jungle Warfare of the Indian Army. Belgaum is also an important tourism centre.
Places to See:
Belgaum Fort
Located in the heart of the city, the Belgaum Fort towers over the Belgaum landscape with its elliptical layout. One of the oldest forts of Karnataka, the Belgaum Fort is unique for a myriad of religious shrines within its ramparts. At the entrance, two shrines devoted to Ganapathi and Durga exist in harmony with the two ancient mosques, the Safa Masjid and the Jamia Masjid.
Kamal Basti
Located inside the Belgaum Fort are two Jain bastis built in the Late Chalukyan style. Of these, the more famous is the Kamal basti, built in 1204. The Kamal Basti has a huge protruding lotus (Kamala) in its ceiling and houses the idol of the twenty-second Jain Teerthankara Neminatha.
St. Mary's Church
A tour of Belgaum should feature the city's majestic churches. The St. Mary's church in Belgaum boasts of an awe-inspiring architecture. Built in 1869, the gothic stone structure of the church features imposing stained glass windows. Biblical drawings adorn the walls of the church. Other prominent churches are: St. Xavier's church, St. Anthony's church, the Cathedral of Our Lady and Methodist church.
No comments:
Post a Comment