Hubli-Dharwad history

Foundation and Early Mentions

The history of Hubli-Dharwad is unique in that it tells the tale of two ancient settlements that developed in parallel for centuries before merging into a single metropolis. Their origins date back to the era of the Chalukya dynasty in the 11th and 12th centuries.

• Dharwad: According to one theory, the city's name is derived from the words "dwara" (door) and "wada" (settlement), symbolising its role as a gateway between regions. The first mentions of it are found in stone inscriptions from the 12th century, describing it as an important administrative point.
• Hubli (Hubballi): Originally known as "Hubballi" (which translates from Kannada as "flowering creeper"), the old city began to form around the ancient Bhavanishankara Temple in the 11th century.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of these settlements into major regional centres was driven by a fortunate combination of geography and economy:

• Strategic Location: The cities are situated at the junction of two geographical zones—the hilly, forested Malnad region and the vast plains of the Deccan Plateau. This made them a natural transport hub for the exchange of goods between the Arabian Sea coast and the Indian hinterland.
• Cotton and Spice Trade: Hubli historically developed as a commercial hub. Its proximity to cotton-growing areas turned it into the largest market for cotton and textiles in the region.
• Political Significance: Being under the patronage of the powerful Vijayanagara Empire, and later the Adil Shah rulers, the cities received resources for the construction of fortifications and infrastructure development.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Even in the early periods of history, a clear division of roles emerged between the twin cities, which is still felt today:

• Dharwad — "Vidya Kashi": The city developed as a centre of education and culture. It became a sanctuary for literati, musicians, and scholars, laying the foundation for its future reputation as the educational capital of the region.
• Hubli — "The Golden Vein": Unlike its neighbour, Hubli focused on crafts and trade. By the Middle Ages, trade in iron, saltpetre, and fabrics flourished here, attracting merchants from all over South India.

Key Historical Milestones

The history of the twin cities represents the intertwining paths of two settlements that moved towards unification over centuries.

• 1117 — The first documented mention of Dharwad in a stone inscription from the reign of the Western Chalukya dynasty.
• 1403 — Construction of the fortified Dharwad Fort, which became a strategic point for controlling the region's trade routes.
• 1547 — Hubli is mentioned in trade agreements with the Portuguese as an important centre for the production and sale of saltpetre and iron.
• 1673 — The cities come under the influence of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, significantly changing the political landscape of the region.
• 1727 — The family of Majid Khan establishes the area known as New Hubli (Majidpura), facilitating further trade development.
• 1818 — Following the fall of the Maratha Empire, the administration of the region passes to the British East India Company.
• 1880s — Construction of major railway workshops in Hubli, turning the city into a key industrial hub of South India.
• 1917 — The first conference is held in Dharwad, marking the beginning of the movement for the unification of all Kannada-speaking lands.
• 1949 — Foundation of Karnatak University in Dharwad, definitively cementing the city's status as "Vidya Kashi" (Abode of Knowledge).
• 1962 — Official administrative merger of the two cities and the formation of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation.
• 2014 — The Government of India officially approves the change of Anglicised names to their historical ones: Hubballi and Dharwad.

Stages of Transformation and Development

Hubli-Dharwad's journey from scattered settlements to the second-largest metropolis in the state of Karnataka is marked by several key transformations. These events shaped the unique dual character of the city.

• Railway Industrialisation (1880s)
  Establishment of the headquarters and workshops of the Southern Mahratta Railway in Hubli.
  Significance: This event became a catalyst for an economic explosion, transforming the trading town into a powerful industrial hub and attracting a massive influx of workforce, which forever changed the region's demographics.
• Rise of "Vidya Kashi" (Mid-20th Century)
  Foundation of Karnatak University and the development of a network of colleges in Dharwad.
  Significance: The concentration of educational institutions created an intellectual ecosystem that balanced the industrial character of Hubli and made the agglomeration a centre for literature and Hindustani classical music.
• Administrative Merger (1962)
  Formation of the unified Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation.
  Significance: Pooling the resources of two cities located 20 km apart allowed for coordinated urban planning policies and enabled them to claim the status of a key centre in North Karnataka.
• Economic Diversification (1990s — 2000s)
  Opening of the Aryabhata Tech Park and industrial zones on Gokul Road.
  Significance: Transitioning from dependence on textiles and agriculture to the development of engineering, valve manufacturing, and the IT sector, ensuring the city's economic resilience in the modern era.
• Transport Integration (HDBRTS)
  Implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit System ("Chigiri" project).
  Significance: The launch of dedicated lanes effectively erased the temporal and logistical boundary between the twin cities, turning them into a unified space for living and working, and stimulated commercial development along the transport corridor.
• Inclusion in the Smart Cities Programme
  Implementation of large-scale projects for urban environment renewal and digitalisation.
  Significance: Modernisation of public spaces, such as Unkal Lake and the Tolanakere area, has improved the quality of life and the city's appeal to tourists.

Architectural Mosaic of the Twin Cities

The architectural appearance of Hubli-Dharwad is a visual chronicle of the merging of two different worlds. Dharwad has retained the atmosphere of a quiet colonial town with shady avenues and majestic educational institutions, while Hubli demonstrates the dynamism of a commercial centre with ancient temples hidden amidst dense urban fabric and modern industrial zones.

Historical Eras and Styles

Several key architectural layers can be identified within the urban fabric, each corresponding to a specific period of the region's development:

• Western Chalukya Era (11th–12th Centuries)
  Style: Chalukya Architecture (Vesara) — a synthesis of North and South Indian styles.
  Characteristic Features: Use of soapstone, intricate carving, lathe-turned pillars, and stellate (star-shaped) sanctuary plans.
  Landmarks:
  • Chandramouleshwara Temple (Unkal, Hubli): A 900-year-old masterpiece dedicated to Shiva. Known for its carved doorways and sculptural walls.
  • Banashankari Temple (Amargol): Located between the two cities, it is a fine example of transitional style and the craftsmanship of ancient architects.
• Colonial Period (19th – Mid-20th Century)
  Style: Indo-Saracenic style and utilitarian British architecture.
  Characteristic Features: Red brick, arched galleries, high ceilings, spacious verandas, and tiled roofs. This style is particularly pronounced in Dharwad's "educational district".
  Landmarks:
  • Karnatak College (Dharwad): A monumental red-brick building, originally built to house the railway administration, has become a symbol of the city's academic heritage.
  • Railway Workshop Buildings: Examples of late 19th-century industrial architecture that defined the industrial look of old Hubli.
• Post-Independence and Modernism (Second half of the 20th Century)
  Style: International Style, Functionalism.
  Characteristic Features: Use of concrete, geometric forms, emphasis on the functionality of administrative and educational campuses.
  Landmarks:
  • Karnatak University Campus: A complex of buildings harmoniously integrated into the hilly landscape of Dharwad.
  • Vidhana Soudha (Mini-Secretariat): Administrative buildings reflecting a striving for orderliness and monumentality.

Modern Urban Planning

In the 21st century, the development of the agglomeration is defined by the "Smart City" concept. The main vector of urban planning is directed towards creating a unified urban space along the corridor connecting Hubli and Dharwad.

• High Court Bench Building: A modern architectural structure in Dharwad combining elements of traditional palace style with modern materials, emphasising the city's status.
• Glass House (Indira Gandhi Glass House): Located in a garden in Hubli, this glass and steel pavilion has become a symbol of the city's modern recreational architecture.
• Transit-Oriented Development: Development along the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) line is forming a new linear centre for the agglomeration, where modern shopping complexes and office centres are emerging.

Legends of Classical Music

The Hubli-Dharwad region is often called the cradle of Indian Hindustani classical music. Some of the country's greatest vocalists lived and created here, their names forever inscribed in the history of art.

• Gangubai Hangal (1913–2009)
  Role: A distinguished singer of the Khayal classical style (Kirana gharana).
  Significance: A native of Dharwad who lived most of her life in Hubli. She became a symbol of female emancipation in music and dedicated her life to preserving the purity of traditions. Her home, "Ganga Lahari" in Hubli, has now been converted into a museum.
• Bhimsen Joshi (1922–2011)
  Role: A legendary vocalist and recipient of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
  Significance: His musical formation is inextricably linked to the traditions of the region. Joshi brought Hindustani music to the global stage, and his connection with Dharwad strengthened the city's status as a musical capital.
• Mallikarjun Mansur (1910–1992)
  Role: A master vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana.
  Significance: Known for his unique mastery in performing complex and rare ragas. He lived and worked in Dharwad, where his legacy is honoured in a specially created memorial centre.

Literary Giants

Dharwad played a key role in the "Kannada Renaissance", giving India several laureates of the prestigious Jnanpith Award (the Indian equivalent of the Nobel Prize in Literature).

• Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre (1896–1981)
  Role: Poet and lyricist, known by the pen name Ambikatanayadatta.
  Significance: One of the greatest Kannada poets of the 20th century. His work, combining folk rhythms with deep philosophy, shaped the modern literary face of the region.
• Girish Karnad (1938–2019)
  Role: Playwright, actor, film director, and public figure.
  Significance: An alumnus of Karnatak College in Dharwad. It was here that he began writing his first plays, which subsequently revolutionised modern Indian theatre.
• Vinayak Krishna Gokak (1909–1992)
  Role: Writer, poet, and scholar.
  Significance: He led the movement for the recognition of the Kannada language and played an important role in the region's educational sector, serving as the principal of Karnatak College.

Modern Figures and Pioneers

• Sudha Murty (born 1950)
  Role: Author, philanthropist, and the first female engineer at TELCO (Tata Motors).
  Significance: She received her engineering education at BVB College in Hubli, becoming a role model for thousands of women. She is known for her extensive charitable activities through the Infosys Foundation and her books, which have been translated into many languages worldwide.