Bangalore

The capital of Karnataka state is thriving modern business center, dubbed the 'Silicon Valley' of India, whose gracious garrison town features are being remodelled in the image of India's mall-loving middle class. It likes to think it's more in tune with Mumbai and Manhattan rather than the rest of Karnataka, and has been scathingly described as a city ' in search of a soul '. The pace of life, like the intellectual and political climate, is brisk. hardly a day goes by without some new controversy boiling over across the front pages of it's also regarded as one of India's most progressive and liberal cities, as far as social attitudes go. Tourist brochures call Bangalore the 'Garden City', but nothing could be further from the truth. It's attractions are limited, but it does have a congenial climate and good transport connections, and it's a useful place to arrange trips to Karnataka's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. If you need a break from life on the road, it's bars and restaurants can provide some much-needed light relief. While you are sinking a few beers and munching on pizza, you can contemplate the pros and cons of modern India's cionfused but headlong rush into the 21st century.

History

Bangalore, the 'Garden City Of India' and capital of the State (1000 m above level ) was founded in 1537 AD by a Vijaynagar chieftan Kempe Gowda. The legend goes that the King Veera Ballala of Vijaynagar once lost his way while hunting in a forest. Hungry tired, he came upon a lone hut in the thick of forest where he met an old woman. When he asked for food she gave him some baked beans (Benda Kalu in Kannada ). To the King this humble meal tasted better than those served in palace. To commemorate the incident, he called the place 'Benda Kaluooru' (place of baked beans ) and this in time transformed into Bangalore. In the 18th century it was the stronghold of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. Today it is the fifth largest city of India and country's main industrial city which includes industries like aircraft, telephones, electronics etc.

Facts and Figures