WATER TIMELINE OF BENGALURU (1537-1678)

1537 Modern Bengaluru was founded by the Vijayanagara chieftain (also called Palegar) named Kempe Gowda of Nadu

Prabhu 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

1537-70 The period when Kempe Gowda was the chieftain of Bengaluru. A mud fort was built during this period surrounded by moat 1, 6

and bordered by thorny soapnut 6. Moat is the trench dug around the fort and filled with water for the protection of the fort from

the attacks of the enemies. There were about 8 main gates to the fort each opened by drawbridges over the moat 6.

Bengaluru mud fort built by Kempe Gowda with moat around it 1

To expand his territory and introduce cultivation on a land where the water always flows, Kempe Gowda built many tanks, wells

and temples. The famous tank built by him is Kempambudhi tank, by constructing an embankment across the Vrishabhavati

river, which still exists. He also strengthened the embankments of Dharmambudhi tank and made it even bigger than before1, 6, 8

The temples include Basavanna temple or Bull temple which is believed to be the source of Vrishabhavati river. It is believed

that the river originates at the bull’s feet, flows underground for a while and then appears as a proper rivulet 7. The Karanji

Anjaneya temple was also built by Kempe Gowda. The Karanji tank built by him extended till the temple and hence the name 6.

Kempe Gowda is also renowned for building kalyanis (square ponds) both inside and outside the fort. From the old maps of the

fort it can be observed that the location of these ponds were right next to the gates of the fort 6. The remains of Siddikatte,

constructed near Anekal gate, can even be seen today behind Pallavi theatre 6. According to my interpretation, this was done to

quench the thirst of travellers and traders who came to the fort after a long journey.

1570-85 Gidde Gowda, the eldest son of Kempe Gowda was his immediate follower. But there have been no inscriptions found with his

name on it 3, 6.

1585 to

1633 Kempe Gowda II became the chieftain after Gidde Gowda in 1585. Due to the slow decline of the Vijayanagara kingdom, many

chieftains decided to run an independent rule. Thus, Bengaluru fort and its environs came under attack. But Kempe Gowda II

with the help of Venkata, the then Vijayanagara emperor after Ramaraya, restored peace among the chieftains 6. The Karanji

tank was constructed during his period 1, 3, 6, 8 but this part of history is contrasting to what was mentioned earlier. Kempe

Gowda II founded Kempapura agrahara with a tank next to it. Another tank called Sampangi tank was built by him. Both are

currently non-existent 1, 3, 6.

The idol of Basaveshvara at Basavanna Temple

1633-78 Kempe Gowda III took over the rule after his father’s death in 1633 A.D. But Bengaluru fort came under attack from the

Bijapur Sultan with external help from Palegar of Bagur, Palegar of Nagamangala, and of the kingdom. The

army launched by this party, led by Ranadullah Khan was too strong for Kempe Gowda III. He had to surrender the fort and

its environs to the Bijapur sultan. Kempe Gowda III then moved to Magadi and made Savanadurga fort as his capital 1, 3, 6.

After shifting his capital to Magadi, Kempe Gowda III built a tank named Kempasagara. The records of Halashettihalli also

depict that he granted land to keep increasing the command area. A bovi (mason) was given buffalos which were harnessed to

carts for desilting the tank. An agrahara was also founded next to the tank which was granted to 12 scholars 3.

1 Hasan, F. M., 1970. Through the Centuries. 1st ed. Bangalore: Historical Publications. (Available at ICHR and Mythic Society)

2 Sudhira, H. S., Ramachandra, T. V. & Bala Subrahmanya, M. H., 2007. City Profile Bangalore. Elsevier, 24(5), pp. 379-390. (Available at http://www.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/pubs/ces_pubs/pubs_2007/theme4_42.pdf)

3 Kamath, S. U. ed., 1990. State Gazetteer- Bangalore District. Bangalore: Lotus Printers. (Available at ICHR)

4 Nair, J., 2005. The Promise of the Metropolis- Bangalore's Twentieth Century. 1st ed. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. (Available at ICHR)

5 Anon., 1875. Gazetteer of Bangalore. (Available at Facebook group, ‘Bangalore- Photos from a Bygone Age’)

6 Annaswamy, T. V., 2003. Bengaluru to Banngalore- Urban History of Bangalore from Pre-historic Period to the End of the 18th Century. Bangalore: Vengadam Publications. (Available at ICHR and Mythic Society)

7 Saldanha, L. F. & Rao, B. S., 2012. Living Waters: Cauvery, Stuffed Rivers: Vrishabhavathi-Arkavathi. (Available at http://www.slideshare.net/BhargaviRao/living-rivers-dying-rivers)

8 Roa, S. L. S., 2005. Bangalore Darshana. 1st ed. Bangalore: Udayabhanu Kalasangha. (Available at ICHR and Central Library, )