Karnataka Police comes closer to the public through its Karnataka State Police App. This unique initiative will make sure your grievances are heard immediately and resolved.
The new Karnataka State Police app has included this vital feature and a few others to help policemen in the state. This included the ability to download FIRs, enter the details of stolen vehicles, and locate contact details for any police officer in the state.
The SOS panic button when used sends out alerts not only to the control room but also to a set of chosen contacts, with your location. The app uses GPS to show the nearest police station and the jurisdictional police station at any point where you are, to come in handy in emergency situations.
Key features of the app Karnataka State Police (Official)
SOS panic button
Option to report incident with photo and video clip
Section for missing people
Database search for stolen vehicles
In a bid to make themselves more accessible to citizens, the Karnataka State Police has released an official mobile application for Android and iOS.
Users of the app will also be able to locate their nearest police station, report non-emergency incidents directly through the app and also attach images. They can also look at the details of all missing persons in Karnataka.
TechtreeIT Systems Pvt Ltd – esteemed MNC software company headquartered in NCR region, established 12 years ago, with development centers across metros in India and offices globally, and strong Consultants team of 250+, have set their footprint in Belagavi since 2013, and now opened of full-fledged development center at Kamat Towers, 2nd Floor, C.T.S No 928, 929, 930, RPD college Road, Belagavi to cater their Product and Services across Global clients; opening doors to talents in their home city of Belagavi.
Chief guest Hon. Shri. Abhay Patil MLA (Dakshin), Belagavi inaugurated the office and gave motivational and inspiring speech to employees and attendees and explained his roadmap for IT sector in Belagavi. Other dignitaries Shri. Pushpadant Doddannavar, Retd Lt. Col Shri. Sanjay Ahuja – COO TechTreeIT Systems Pvt Ltd, Shri. Jagadish Savadatti – Chairman Peopletree Education Society, Mr. Biplove Belwal – Industry Veteran presided over the occasion with best wishes.
TechtreeIT’s new workplace at Belagavi will host their product team and increase operations to cater to their Global client base. The company has been offering solutions across 4 verticals – Large Scale Enterprise Implementations – catering to 50+ million customers, on their products and services applications, Gaming Studio – branded as Nukebox Studio, Innovation Lab, Security Solutions.
Their Products include Finance which is solution suite of Digital Banking, Corporate Banking, Stock Trading, Private Banking, Insurance; Odeysys which is simplifying tech solutions for Travel, Reciproci – Loyalty Experience Platform with O2O Online-Offline and proximity based marketing, Sociotree – which is 360 degree social CRM platform for social listening and command center. Their Nukebox studio has delivered 250+ games to the gaming world with apps such as Food Truck Chef game hitting 12 million + downloads in just few months of launch.
TechtreeIT Systems, has been housing more than 10% of their consultants hailing from Belagavi and looking forward to set a larger development center with more local talent working from their home city of Belagavi.
Nagraj R Hosmani – Belagavi Operations Head mentioned that the Belagavi development center would be instrumental in product development, Web & Mobile App development, IoT – Internet of Things, AI – Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Cloud, serving clients globally and embarking the vision of ‘Make in India’.
The Saturday weekends for those who love to booze and then drive home is not the same as before, the Police has intensified their drive against Drink and Drive.
On Saturday as many as 50 cases were booked from 8 PM to 11 PM in the city from various areas.
In July this drive was undertaken by the police but due to some reasons it was not implemented effectively in August, but on Saturday again 50 persons were booked for drink and drive in the city.
City traffic cops went on an overdrive to instill traffic rules across city limits. Each day they are undertaking different issues and trying to instill traffic rules in the city may it be pavement clearance, the non-wearing of helmets, fancy number plates etc.
The rising number of cases highlights the need for more aggressive awareness campaigns and stricter action by police.
Today, drinking has become a craze. It is common even at family gatherings. This makes it extremely difficult to curb drinking, which is no longer restricted to special occasions, like New Year’s Eve. Everyone (when drunk) feels that s/he is in full control of their senses. Greater, aggressive awareness is necessary to make citizens realize the inherent risks.
The Belagavi district administration has decided to restrict the manufacturing of plaster of Paris (PoP) and coloured Ganesh idols. It has also decided to initiate steps to prevent bringing in such idols from other districts.
The Press note further mentions that the idol makers have been already informed that PoP idols should not be prepared, and if the same order is violated strict actions under the law would be initiated.
Chairing a special meeting organised to chalk out measures to prevent manufacture and sale of Ganesh idols made of PoP here on Monday, DC Ziaullah instructed officials of the Belagavi City Corporation and Pollution Control Board to inform manufacturers of Ganesh idols of the legal consequences of manufacturing PoP and coloured idols. He told the officials to prevail upon the manufacturers make idols with mud, which is not harmful.
The Police, City Corporation has been asked to visit the idol makers and see if any PoP idols are made, if, found those should be collected and stored in one place. No one will be allowed to use any PoP Ganesh Idols.
All the Police Stations have been informed and if anyone is found to be making idols of PoP the same would be confiscated.
Parking your car on Club road; then be ready to shell out Rs.30 (For THREE Hours) from today as the City Corporation will be implementing the pay parking for cars on Club road.
Cars parked from the gate of civil hospital up to the house of Shankarnand will now have to pay and park.
One ward clerk and one attender will be there to collect the fees and will issue digital receipt immediately.
The corporation had passed a resolution of charging parking fees on specific roads and the drive had begun with Ramling khind Galli, but the same did not succeed as the local residents opposed the same.
After the recent press note from the Deputy Commissioner regarding the ban of PoP (Plaster of Paris) Ganesh idols and all such idols would be seized, the Madhyavarthi Sarvajanik Shri Ganeshotsav Mahamandal (MSSGM), says it is very unfortunate for such an order to be given just 3 weeks before the festival.
The Mandal is of the opinion that, almost all idols are ready and with this decision it would be very difficult for the mandals and also for all the citizens who get such idols and worship.
The mandal now plans to give a memorandum to the DC in this regard.
The Ganesh Festival in Belagavi is one magnanimous affair where people from neighboring states make it a point to visit the city during the festival to see the 400 odd Ganesh Idols in the various public pandals.
The mandal also raised the issue of non-availability of Clay for making the idols.
Bramhanand Chipre got a hand on this one and it’s worth a read. The history of the Belagavi fort and Belagavi as well linked to it. It’s quite lengthy but all has to read to understand the entire Belagavi fort.
The Belgaum history as written by: MRS. GUTHRIE
Although there are many forts which play a more important part in history than that of Belgaum, still its crumbling walls, ancient sites, and picturesque ruins tell of an eventful story, which is not without interest.
Placed upon no lofty plateau, and defending no mountain pass, but situated in an obscure part of Western India, it owed its former celebrity to the fact of its being a border fortress, situated amidst territories which were constantly at war with one another, and frequently changing masters. It derived not a little of its strength from the deep jungle by which it was until lately surrounded. The natives still consider Belgaum to be in the jungle, and within twenty years bison have been shot close to the ramparts.
Jain Temple in the Fort
Tradition declares that the fort was founded by a certain Jaina King called Jaza Rajah, who built a large mud fort, surrounded by a ditch, on the site of the existing fortifications, and the existence within the enceinte of three Jaina temples of great beauty and interest tends to favour the idea. There is, however, no positive record as to the foundation of the existing fort, but we learn, from an inscription on copper, the date of which is 1294, in which many names are recorded, and which was found in the fosse, that at one period a certain family, who were Jains, held, for seven generations, the hereditary chieftainship of Belgaum. After this period we have more information regarding the history of this place, for the district is remarkably rich in inscriptions in the Canerese character, beautifully cut in relief, upon large slabs of compact black basalt, which takes a beautiful polish, and resists the influence of the weather.
Many petty wars, and events of local interest, are recorded upon these stones, but nothing of general interest until the year 1472, when it is stated that Belgaum fort was besieged by Mohammed Shah, the Mohamedan King of the Deccan. It must at that time have been a place of strength, as it is mentioned in history as being protected by strong towers and lofty walls, guarded by a deep wet ditch, and by a pass near to it, the only approach to which was fortified by re doubts. When Mohammed Shah set himself down to subdue it, he commanded the fire workers, as they valued their own safety, to affect a particular breach in fourteen days, and ordered his soldiers to throw quantities of wood and earth into the ditch. The enemy in the night, however, always removed them, upon which he placed his guns in another position, but only finally succeeded, by mining, in forming three breaches. The troops of Birkana Ray, Rajah of the fortress, advanced gallantly to defend the place, and nearly two thousand of the king’s troops fell in the attempt to storm. The besieged had nearly repaired the works with wood and stones when the Shah, advancing to the assault, drove the enemy before him, and gained the ramparts. When opposition had ceased, the King entered the citadel, and gave thanks to God for the success of his arms. One of his first acts was to expel the image of Dymavavera, the tutelar goddess of the fort, but the sorrowing Hindus were allowed to place it in a little temple outside the walls, which still exists.
Fort Entrance
The history of Belgaum remained intimately connected with that of Bijapur until the decline of the Mussulman power in Western India, when it relapsed into the hands of the Hindu princes. The king bestowed Belgaum and its dependencies upon Mahmoud Gavan, a very distinguished general, of royal blood, being connected with the Shah of Persia. His career was one of curious vicissitudes. He first served in the Deccan, to which he came in the year 1461, and where he was successful in many campaigns, rendering his royal master great services, for which he was made Governor of Bijipur, was given a seat in the Council of Regency, and was appointed a guardian of the young prince, Nizam Shah. He also rose to the dignity of Vizier, and distinguished himself at the siege of Goa, but was finally murdered by Mohammed Shah in 1481. He was very famous for his learning, justice, and munificence, and left. Once in every twelve years a great festival is held in honor of Dymavavera, when buffaloes, sheep, and goats are sacrificed to her. The slaughter takes place on a platform outside the little pyramidal building erected to her. The jubilee took place shortly after M.’s arrival in Belgaum.
In the same year the Mussulman king again visited Belgaum, probably for the purpose of resuming his full authority over it. He inspected the city and examined the fortifications. Thirty years of petty warfare ensued, and then the golden age of the old fort commenced.
Photo Vijay Lingayat
Ismael Khan Shah began his reign at Bijapur in the year 1511, when he was a minor, and the attempt at usurpation made by his guardian was the means of bringing conspicuously forward Khoossan Toork, a Persian, who, as he took part in the deliverance of the young king, was honoured with the title of Azad Khan, and the Government of Belgaum was conferred upon him. He was far the greatest man who ever reigned over it; and even to this day his name is a household word among the people, who love and revere his memory. It is to his wise measures that the town has ever owed, and still continues to owe, its comparative immunity from cholera. He altered and repaired the walls of the fortress, every inscription on which is in the Persian character. He also erected a grand palace, which, with its offices and stables, covered a large space of ground.
There are existing records of the magnificence which he maintained. His household servants — Georgians, Circassians, Abyssinians, and Hindoos amounted to two hundred and fifty. He had sixty large elephants, and one hundred and fifty of a smaller size. In his stables were four hundred and fifty Arabian horses, exclusive of those of mixed breeding foaled in India. Two thousand seven hundred pounds of rice were every day prepared for his household, in addition to fifty sheep, and one hundred fowls. It was he who first introduced the fashion of wearing the waistband of cloth of gold, and the dagger, a custom which has since been adopted by persons of rank in this country. He also attempted to ride elephants with bridles instead of managing them with the goad ; but as these animals are rather unsteady, in consequence of the sudden vicious starts to which they are frequently prone, this mode of guiding them was, according to the old chronicle, not found to answer.
West gate of the Fort
Years flew by, during which Azad Khan was constantly at war, and proved himself a most successful general, acquiring great riches, in the form of gold, jewels, and elephants. On one occasion, it is related that, after a battle, the King of Bijapur presented him with five large and six small elephants ; and at another time, when he had taken a large quantity of baggage and twenty elephants, the king gave him all these animals but one, which he reserved for himself, and called Alia Baksh (the Gift of God). Towards the end of his life, when very ill, he succeeded in frustrating the design of a neighboring chief, Nizam Shah, who had a great wish to possess himself of Belgaum, with which design he entrusted a large sum of money to a Brahman, who was directed to employ it in corrupting the soldiers of the garrison, in the hope that they would deliver the fort into his hands, in case of Azad’s death.
The Brahman had nearly succeeded in his commission, when the plot was discovered, and the chief agent in it, in spite of his high caste, was put to death, along with seventy of the soldiers whom he had bribed. Old age having rendered Azad too weak to contend with a deep-seated malady, he prepared to meet death, and in lines (of which the following is a translation), he entreated the King of Bijapur to honor him with a farewell visit. “Come like the morning breeze to the bower of friendship, Come like the graceful cypress to the garden.” Ibraham assented to the request, and on his arrival finding his old friend had breathed his last, he administered consolation to his family by attaching all the late Khan’s estates and treasures. The fine old chief died in the year 1549, having held Belgaum during thirty-three prosperous years. He left a name not only dear to his people, but celebrated in the history of the period; and we have heard that his standard, on which was embroidered an angry lion, was bestowed as a great honour upon Kishwar Khan.
Mosque in the Fort
In the year 1557, the treacherous King of Bijapur lay on his death-bed. He had, on religious grounds, quarreled with both of his sons, the eldest of whom, his heir, was under surveillance in Miraj, whilst the youngest was in confinement at Belgaum, under the charge of Kishwar Khan, the governor, where, upon the accession of his brother, he was still kept prisoner. Though treated with kindness and generosity, he determined to rebel, and having persuaded the governor and the garrison to assist him, he took possession of the fort, and raised the standard of rebellion, upon which a renowned general, Elias Khan, was sent with five thousand men to besiege the place.
Fort Mosque
Great confusion followed, and in order completely to quell the insurrection, a further force of twenty thousand horse and thirty thousand foot, was sent against Belgaum, under Ein-ul-Mulk, who, treacherously pretending to be the friend of the young prince, persuaded him to take the field, with those who were willing to espouse his cause, and march upon Bijipur. The unfortunate Ismael fell into the trap laid for him, and was taken prisoner and executed. Nor did it fare better with the double traitor, Ein-al- Mulk, who was also put to death, his head being sent to Bijapur, where, for a certain time, it was exposed upon a pole in front of the palace, and afterwards blown from a great gun.
The rampart from inside the fort
The next important prisoners confined in the fort were the Portuguese ambassador and his suite. About this time, in consequence of a change of territory, Belgaum ceased to be a frontier fort, and no particular mention of it appears until 1673, when the renowned Sevaji, with his famous light cavalry, swept down and sacked both town and fort. At the fall of Bijapur, in 1688, the fort reverted to the Mahrattas, and was in the possession of Aurangzib, second son of the powerful Prince A’Zam, at which period it acquired the name A’Zamnagar. After the lapse of some years the name was changed to Mustafabad, after a Kiledar who thoroughly repaired and strengthened the ramparts; and this appellation it still retains.
One year after the battle of Kirhee, the English, under General Munro, marched against it. He encamped near Sharpur, on the morning of March 11th, 1818, with a comparatively insignificant force of native soldiers, and three troops of His Majesty’s twenty-second Light Dragoons, a force so weak that it tended to confirm the garrison, and the inhabitants of Belgaum and Shahpur (who had a high opinion of the strength of the fort), in the belief that it could not be taken.
The English were unable to obtain accurate intelligence as to the state of the ditch, which was the great defense of the place; otherwise the attack would not have been made from the points selected. On the fifteenth, the fort was invested, but nothing particular occurred until the twentieth, when the force marched to the north of the fort, and encamped about two miles and a half from it. On the twenty-second, the first battery opened on the defences, and on the following day the pioneers broke ground, and began opening trenches.
Northern entrance to the Palace….., fort, Belgaum (B.C. 15- Maratha Mandal guest house)
On the thirty-first, the magazine belonging to one of the batteries, in which there was a considerable amount of ammunition, blew up. The garrison took immediate advantage of this misfortune, and making a sally, succeeded in passing over the battery, but was immediately repulsed.
During the following days such steady progress was made by the English that on or about April 9th, the Kiledar (acting governor) sent out a flag of truce to propose terms, but General Munro did not accept them. Next day all the batteries kept up a heavy fire on the fort, and the breach, though not exactly practicable, began to have a more favorable appearance, in consequence of which the Kiledar found himself under the necessity of accepting the condition offered by General Munro, which was that he should give up possession of the gateway, the garrison being allowed to march out with their arms and private property. This they did on the following day, to the number of one thousand six hundred, having lost seventy men. The loss of the besieging army amounted to twenty three killed and wounded. By the capture of the fort, General Munro obtained possession of thirty-six guns of large calibre, sixty smaller guns, and numerous wall pieces, besides stores of every sort.
Walls of the Fort
The two breaches effected by the English were near the main guard, and are plainly visible, “the masonry which fills the gaps being still un-gnawed by time. Count is abstracted without mentally fighting the battle of the fort, and wishing for the success of its brave garrison. The fall of Belgaum completed the conquest of the Peshwa’s territory south of the Krishna. The breaking out of the Mutiny found Belgaum garrisoned by two native regiments, a battery of European artillery, and the depot of an English regiment, withdrawn to serve in Persia. The native troops were believed to be ripe for revolt; all the European women and children were brought into the fort, and the small English garrison had good reason to take every measure to provide for their safety. The walls, which had been somewhat neglected, were put in a state of defence, the breaches were repaired, and the artillery were quartered in the fort. It was thought necessary to make an example of certain emissaries of the rebels, who were taken in the act of corrupting the native soldiers, and they were blown from guns. People have told me that they stopped their ears in order to deaden the horrible sound. Fortunately, no actual outbreak took place here.
Moat as seen from the fort
The year of the Mutiny is remembered with horror by the natives in Belgaum, on account of the execution of the Brahman chief of Nargund, who was put to death for the cruel murder of Mr. Manson, the deputy collector. Mr.Manson had been sent to negotiate with him, but having no escort, his palanquin was attacked by order of the chief; his bearers ran away, and the unfortunate young gentleman was cut and hacked to pieces. The chief of Nargund was ignominiously hanged upon an elevated spot, which still bears the name of the Brahman’s Hill. I have met with many people who still cherish the memory of Mr. Manson, who was much beloved.
Fort and the Moat
The fort of Belgaum is situated in the midst of an extensive undulating plain. As it now stands, it forms an irregular oval, enclosed by a deep ditch, still full of water, which is cut out of a softish red stone, which hardens on being exposed to the air. The exterior of the fort is surrounded by a fine broad esplanade; the revetment rises about thirty-two feet above the bottom of the ditch. The interior is level, and extends about a thousand yards in length, by eight hundred in breadth. The original entrance was made between two magnificent battlemented bastions, which still exist, although the gate, which once opened upon a bridge, has been walled up. The present main gate, which is a solid pile of building, is considered to be a fine specimen of Indian architecture. There is an open guard-chamber, with a groined roof, which has once been ornamented by pendants, and the exterior is elaborately decorated with grotesque representations of animals and birds (rather curious ornaments for a Mahomedan building, but a Brahman architect is said to have been employed).
Fort Moat
The effect has been somewhat destroyed by time, and the frequent application of various coats of colour ; but the ostriches still run races, cats with open mouths still conduct water from the roof, and one elephant has been drinking for centuries out of the same bottle. The little niches scattered about, intended to receive lights, and slippers, and water-bottles, are very graceful. The shrine of the many-armed Durga, the goddess of castles and of war, is an excrescence placed in a corner by the Hindoos when they regained the fortress. “Let not/’ say the most ancient laws of Manu, “foes hurt a king who has taken refuge in his Durgar.” The exterior of this curious shrine is covered with richly-coloured mythological figures.
Belgaum Fort Ramaswamy gate
Some of the unpopular gods, like the pictured celebrities of other nations, have had their faces scratched out, and their noses destroyed. Passing under a lofty unguarded archway, we reach the outworks, and then come to a fine gateway, with solid iron-plated doors, which have once been thickly studded with iron spikes, like those at Poonah, and with the same intention. Under the arch is an inscription in relief, sculptured in Persian characters, to the following effect : ” Jakub Ali Khan, who is a joy to the heart, by whose benevolence the world is prosperous, built the wall of the fort from its base as strong as the barrier of Sicardis.” From every point of view these gates and outworks present a most picturesque appearance. The fine red colour of the battlements, the peeps obtained down into the deep ditch, where the still water lies in shade, and, like a black mirror, reflects the walls it protects, and the tall palms which fringe its outer bank, the mysterious light which gleams through the fretwork in the doors enclosing the cruel goddess, all tend to give this spot a romantic charm which I have rarely found equalled. It is most beautiful by moonlight, but when fantastic shadows are thrown around, it looks a weird place, where one almost expects to see the tall forms of long-dead warriors.
Club road in the Fort
On the western side of the fort there is a more modern egress, a substantial archway, which is gained by a descending road, and a sharp turn leads to a narrow causeway which bridges the fosse. It is guarded only by low loops of thick chain, attached to ricketty old cannon, and I confess that in crossing it I have often sat behind the fresh young Arabs with a beating heart and closed eyes, thankful when the sound of their hoofs on the hard road told me that the dangerous spot was passed. The walls of the fort are crowned by lofty scalloped battlements, standing clear of one another, and pierced with long loop-holes, just so wide as to have admitted the muzzles of the old jangals (literally teazers), which now lie rusting in the arsenal.
Fort Barracks
The Station library was a charming retreat. The books, which numbered nearly four thousand, were arranged in cases which lined the walls of the long low room, and reached up to a ceiling which was supported by great time honored beams of rough-hewn teak wood. In olden days this house had been the residence of the Kiledar. In its deep, shady verandah, set with plants, it was twilight at noonday, but it was a pleasant place, where one could just see to read. It commanded a charming peep, between the boles of the peepul trees, of the ruined gateway where the Naubat played, and through the deep, dark archway, to an ever blooming garden, where, fanned by the gentle breeze, the rich-hued blossoms, ever combining, looked like the changing colours in a kaleidoscope. Outside the arsenal the great guns and pyramids of ball, as seen from our garden, were picturesque objects. There was little to invite attention in the interior of the building. Some two years ago it contained a curious collection of old native weapons, but they had been carried off to Woolwich, or some other place.
Church in the Fort
Shreds of silk dangling disconsolately from bare poles were all that remained of colours which had fluttered over many a battle-field, and the piles of rusty jangals lay in obscure corners — all else was fresh, trim, and ready. Some of the long corridors were paved with sections of petrified palm work, the rings of which were so perfect that with a little pains one might have deciphered their age, and told which side of the tree had received the warm rays of the rising- sun. Though last, not least, I must make mention of our little snug Gothic church. Its cockney aspect presented a striking contrast to the crumbling antiquities around, but the interior was pretty and airy. There were a few memorial tablets upon the walls, but none of general interest, excepting that which recorded the sad death of Mr. Manson. The edifice stood upon a small maidan, which G hired for the benefit of his cattle, it being very desirable to graze it down; for the long grass served as cover for cobras, which more than once were seen fighting by the assembling congregation.
Belgaum Fort Gate in 1910
Completely shut out from the exterior world, there could not, to my mind, exist a more delightful and romantic spot than that enclosed by the old red walls. The grassy ramparts, which are banked up until the rounded battlements alone are visible, make a charming walk which commands a panoramic view of the surrounding country, of the undulating plain, with its woods, cultivated fields, green pastures, and little villages, sheltered by lofty mango-trees, the distant mountains, the jungly hills, the rolling downs, ever-changing, peaceful in the sunshine, purple and threatening in the storm. Not even water wanted to enhance the charms of the landscape. The tank, in reality a lake of some extent, lay glittering within a stone’s throw of the main gate. Banked up on one side by a lofty wall with a stone coping, it was otherwise at liberty to lie at rest, calm and blue, or to swell out into a turbid inland sea, specked with unfamiliar islands. At morn and eve the tank was a busy scene. I had favorite nooks from which I often watched the great herds of cattle which were brought up to water. The buffaloes delighted in their early bath, and waded about with just their noses out of the refreshing element.
Fort Western gate
They are docile creatures, obedient to their owner’s call, not half so difficult to manage as the fierce little untamable cows. Serene-looking bullocks drank, and gazed about them, and drank again. Some pet animal was readily distinguished by its brass collar, garland of flowers, or necklace of cowrie shells, put on to ensure good luck. Occasionally a great black elephant came slowly down, and dabbled its “lotus feet ” in the water, whilst it was scrubbed by its driver. One of these sagacious creatures had a curious trick of bending its ears forward with its trunk, in order that the skin behind might come in for its share of the washing. Camels came striding down in long file, they alone looking discontented, for not even the cool morning’s draught could please these peevish creatures.
Fort Masjid Belgaum
Another favourite resting-place was the top of the flag-staff, or Chevalier battery, a stronghold built by Azad Khan, within the walls, but towering far above them. From its summit the flag with the angry lion had floated for many a year. It was a delightful spot at the hour of sunset, when the western sky was flooded with amber or rosy red, and the mala was heard from the minaret of the musjid in the Durga camp, in which the old Khan’s bones repose, calling the faithful to prayer. While the cattle slowly crossed the plain to their rest, and the short twilight deepened, ghostly bands of white robed people would glide along, and disappear beneath the deep shade of the mango-trees.
Occasionally a procession might be seen returning from some ceremony, the shrill notes of the musicians toned down by distance, and red robed women, bearing fire in their brass vessels, on their way to sometime-honored temple. How beautiful must this plain have been when covered up to the very foot of the distant hills with a waving sea of green, a jungle of palms, and bananas, and bamboos! Many a time have I lingered, until suddenly it was dark, and I had to descend and cross the pathless grass, in mental fear of the snakes. There is a tradition that three hundred and sixty Jaina temples were pulled down, in order to supply materials for building the present walls of the fort.
This part of the Deccan was once the headquarters of that curious sect whose habit it was to build their temples, which are not very large, near together. There is no doubt that almost all of the immense blocks of stone which have carving upon them, and which are built into the walls irregularly, and without design to adorn, are of Jaina origin. Their style of ornamentation is very peculiar, and cannot, when one once becomes familiar with it, be mistaken. There are long narrow stones, strips of friezes or cornices, with stiff-pointed lotus-flowers cut upon them (the stiff-cut lotus of Indian art does not mean to imitate Nature; it is merely used as a symbol of the power of those kings who ruled over countries where the lotus grew) ; and others upon which musicians, playing upon such instruments as are still in use, pipe to dancing women with distorted bodies and light drapery. They are covered with bracelets and bangles, and long rows of beads hang from their necks; these bands are generally grouped between pillars, such as now serve for gate-posts at almost every bungalow in the fort. Some of the carved divinities are seated in rows, with animals at their feet; some are well-proportioned, and cut in high relief; others are rude, and rendered almost undecipherable by time. Long after I imagined myself to be acquainted with every piece of sculpture around, I came upon bits which were new to me — stones which had been hidden away by tall balsams, or bushes of the many hued lantana (wild sage). One magnificent stream of the black-stemmed giant maidenhair fern died down and disclosed the figure of an elephant, with a chain round the body, which was in the act of treading a man to death, representing, it may be, and some act of vengeance which had taken place near this very spot. From many a corner the hooded head of a cobra, once worshipped, peeped through the long grasses. Another curious study was furnished by the monumental stones, which are supposed to have been erected to the memory of warriors slain in battle. They are divided into three or more compartments. The lowest part of one, which is in the fort, represents a fight, in which a soldier is attacked by armed men and slain. In the next compartment nymphs are bearing him on high, whilst above he is seen worshipping the Linga. Upon a second stone the hero is represented curveting along upon his steed, with his sword-bearer in advance. The middle one pictures the deceased man rising with extended arms, whilst the forefinger of a gigantic hand points to the skies. In the third compartment there is a bust of the warrior, by the side of which a kneeling figure worships the Linga. Numbers of these memorials (all relating to war) lie scattered about the whole district, and it is a pity that they are not removed to some place of safety, and that no endeavour is made to collect any legends attached to them. In all probability the stories they picture have been gathered into the chants and songs of the people.
It would be tedious to dwell upon the sculptured objects which ornament the ancient walls rising up in every compound, cropping out of the loose stone walls which surround them, and peeping from the very ditches — gods and pirates, dancing women and shrined ascetics, beautiful tracery and grotesque animals, jostling one another in strange confusion. Doubtless our feet have passed over many a hidden treasure.
The fort of Belgaum is indeed a glorious place for those who love old stones.
Images Courtesy: Ebay as they were on sale as postcards
Bittoo: The government has facilitated online services to ensure efficient and faster delivery of various services and also enable transparency in administration Bapu.
Bapu: Yes Bittoo. That’s a very significant development towards making government services citizen-friendly by using modern technology. Now people have access to a host of government services at their fingertips and just a click away, and one need not run from pillar to post to get your works done and complaints redressed as in the past.
Bittoo: That appears good. But what should we do if our applications/complaints/grievances, etc. filed online are not attended to for months together Bapu? Do the officials remain offline Bapu?
Bapu: I don’t know Bittoo.
Bittoo: Don’t you think Bapu that though there are good technological changes in administrative matters much needs to be done to change the attitude of government employees to render services at same pace Bapu?
Bapu: Hummmmm!
Bittoo: Is there any technology which change the attitude of government officials and other employees in a way that they respond to common man’s grievances with ‘digital’ speed Bapu?
Bapu: I don’t know Bittoo.
This is a citizen-centric new column, wherein the author(Bitto) is an ordinary, politically unaffiliated common man of the city who in his/her inimitable approach takes up various issues with the Bapu’s soul! Apparently, the interaction between them portrays ironies of sorts encountered by the common man and others in the city in a lighter vein. The author’s name will not be disclosed to the readers as he/she represents the common man of the society. This column aims at creating awareness and sensitising cross sections of our city on various issues of public concern only but in a lighter vein without holding any contempt against any institution or individual.
Mt Kun standing at an arduous altitude of 7077 meters (21231 ft) has been summited successfully by our Regiments brave hearts. Mt Kun of Nun Kun massif near Kargil is one of the toughest peaks of 7000 meters plus category and considered a benchmark to be achieved before attempting Everest summit. With its steep gradient, glaciated approach and unreliable weather it presented a daunting challenge to our expedition team led by Lt Col Yogesh Dhumal.
The expedition has been undertaken to commemorate Maratha Regiments 250 years of Valour and Victory. It was flagged off from Pune by Gen D R Soni, Southern Army Commander on 17 Jul 2018.
The expedition team reached its road head camp at Kumbathang ahead of Kargil on 10 August 2018 after undertaking a final phase acclimatization training at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering in Sonamarg.
The daunting challenge to scale Mt Kun began in earnest and the expedition team began its climb progressing steadily to establish three staging camps along the treacherous slopes of Mt Kun.
The requirement of climbing in stages was due to the need to ferry loads and acclimatize at various altitudes and finally in spite of blizzard-like conditions and fighting off the fresh snowfall on 20 Aug 2018 at 1045 hours the MARATHA Regimental flag found its rightful place atop Mt Kun. The will to succeed and grit demonstrated by the expedition team epitomizes the true ethos of MARATHA Regiment in its 250th year of raising following the traditions of Valour and Victory in all battlefields.
All the roads in Belagavi, main roads and by lanes all have gone horribly bad and if the state govt does not allocate 200 crore immediately for the repairs then we will be forced to call a Belagavi bandh, said MLA Abhay Patil in a joint press conference called by MP Suresh Angadi.
If the roads are not repaired it will be very difficult for the govt to run the winter session, Patil added.
I have been following the matter with the govt and have written 4 times but there has been no reply from the govt on this.
Suresh Angadi said, all the roads are in a bad state and the govt does not look concerned about the citizens and their plight.
Disclaimer: Though every effort is made to ensure the appropriateness of the movies information, we suggest that you check with the theatre for the exact timings. As the screening of movies and their timings are subject to change.
The long-awaited widening of the Belagavi to Goa via Khanapur has commenced near Desur Cross, currently, the only land where there are no crops is been flattened and work will pick up pace after the rains the contractor said.
NHAI has awarded the tenders to two firms for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Both will have one toll plaza.
Belagavi-Khanapur Section
4 Laning of Belagavi-Khanapur Section (Km 0.000-Km 30.800) (Design Chainage Km 0.000 to Km 30.000) of NH-4A in the State of Karnataka on Hybrid Annuity Mode(Package I) has been awarded to M/s Ashoka Concessions Ltd.
Length: 30 Km
Cost: 856.20 Crores
Toll Plaza: Km 19+200
Khanapur – Anmod Section
2 Laning with paved shoulder from 30+800 to 70+800 km and 2 laning without paved shoulder from 70+800 to Karnataka/Goa border 84+120 Km has been awarded to M/s Dilip Buildcon Ltd.
Length: 52.3 Km
Cost: 486.78 Crores
The upgradation of the existing road to entirely 4 lane is affected by the restriction of available land due to both protected and non-protected forest patches along the project corridor. The available RoW (Right of Way) and the proposed sectional width have been proposed as follows:
From 0 to 15.4 KM Proposed width 60 M – Private Land
From 15.4 to 22 KM proposed width 45 M – Non-Protected forest with intermittent private land
From 22 to 27.9 KM proposed width 60 M – Private Land
From 27.9 to 30 KM proposed width 45 M – Non-Protected forest land
Green Saviours is an association of environmentalists from Belagavi who have been planting trees in and around Belagavi since April 2016. The objective is to restore the greenery in the region and consequently compensate for the effects of developmental activities and climate change.
The team of over 50 individuals from various walks of lives undertakes plantation and maintenance activities every Sunday. To date, the team has planted 13871 trees including 5 Mini Forests across 56 different sites in the region. The maintenance activities have ensured the survival of 75% of the saplings. They have also distributed over 1200 saplings. The team has also developed a nursery which comprises saplings of the local species.
The Green Saviours team is commemorating its 125th consecutive Sunday on 26th August 2018 by planting 125 trees at the Nature Care Camp of the Department of Forestry at Halabhavi.
The team wishes to thank the residents of Belagavi, local industry representatives, educational institutions and social organizations for their support. A special thanks to the Department of Forestry for their support in form of saplings for plantation.
Green Saviours also wish to extend an invitation to people in the region to join their cause of Environmental Conservation. Local residents are requested to support the cause by providing land for plantation.
The fees collected by the corporation for the pick up of garbage, solid waste have been revised and the fine amount has also been increased.
Fines
Throwing garbage on road: Rs. 1500
Dry and wet waste non segregation – Rs. 5000
Hotels and big institutions who store garbage – 15000
Construction material kept on the road – Rs. 25000
The per month fees for garbage collection which is collected along with the Property tax has also been hiked.
Upto 50 Sq Mtrs building – Rs 40 per month
Upto 300 Sq Mtrs building – Rs 160 per month
Upto 200 Sq Mtrs Commercial building – Rs 400 per month
Upto 300 Sq Mtrs Hotel – Rs 3000 per month
Hostel – Rs. 1500 per month
Hotel upto 50 seating capacity – 1500 per month
The urban development department recently notified the draft Karnataka Municipal Corporation Model Solid Waste Management Byelaws-2018 for all ULBs – including BBMP – a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework encompassing all aspects of the waste management right from its inception to final disposal.
As per the statute, a person organising an event or gathering of more than 100 people will have to intimate the jurisdictional ULB through a plain paper application at least three working days in advance. The person will have to ensure disposal of the solid waste generated within 24 hours after the completion of the event.
Akshay Algudikar, a 20-year-old resident of Mahveer Nagar, Udyambag who is the admin of Whatsapp group named Star was arrested by the Belagavi police for spreading communally provocative messages.
Akshay has been charged under sections 292 (circulation of unlawful or obscene material), 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and 34 (illegal act done by many with common intention) of IPC and section 67 (circulation of unlawful or obscene material) of Information Technology Act.
Akshay added two people to the said group who belonged to a neighboring country and they posted anti-national messages in the group. Which went viral and the two left the group. But the Admin of the group again added them to the group. Police also say he might have created fake profiles and posted messages.
Currently he has been arrested and produced in the court.
There’s something that the world can never match up with India, and that is its penchant to celebrate and cherish all relationships, including the siblings. A quick stroll around Maruti Galli and you’ll see stalls after gilded stalls decked up with Rakhis. A bond so sweet and strong, nothing comes close. Real brother(s), cousin brother, Rakhi brother, muh-bola brother, Guru-bandhu, they come in all shades, theses brothers, but the relation doesn’t discriminate ever. In fact, the relation between a sister and her brother is a mix of contradictions.
We love to hit them, we love to hate them, but we love them too much to do anything about this. Researchers say that siblings learn social behavior and to cope with complex people in the outside world through their interactions with the siblings. And like me, if you have grown up in a joint family full of cousins, the more the merrier. Our parents grew up amidst a bunch of siblings of their own, and shared the friends among them. So much so, that you really don’t know who is whose friend. You barely need any friends to spend afternoons with such siblings. Playing, eating, competing, hitting and then missing and caring for each other is just part of normal life.
Sharing comes as a package deal with siblings, but trust me, it’s worth the deal, I’ve been a lone child for 11 years before I got my own brother. It’s a beautiful fabric, this relationship, with patterns as diverse as keeping the last bite of your favourite mithai for him, getting mad to see all your dolls’ eyes gouged out, dropping him to school on your Luna, attending his PTA meetings, feeding him, teaching him, and then the very essential maara-maari, without which a day is never complete. It is then that you realize that a tiny elf of a chap, barely 7 years old, can hit you so hard, you almost roll in pain. Have you ever been reminded of your flabbergasted parents, seeing you both in fights that never ended? They prayed that you grew up quickly and now miss all that stuff, once you’ve really grown up.
You learn to whistle from him, he painstakingly explains what laps mean in motor racing and to maneuver your own mobile phone. While you join a driving school, he learns it before you could even wink. You get angry and he knows exactly what would make you melt, but he gets angry and you struggle with yourself. Roles quickly get reversed as you get married. The same brother who rejoiced to claim your big room that had the TV, is now all worried if you don’t call him on long travels. He who fought for small things like TV remote, now buys you the latest model of gadgets. You tend to fall back on him more often, mostly for emotional support. As parents age and leave a void, siblings tend to fill those to some extent. The same baby brother whom you adored and cradled in your arms, now stands tall and fills in for dad.
Why, sometimes, you see traces of your father in him as he cares for you. Brothers are the best gift you could ever ask for, who needs gifts from them? Indians are notorious for never saying to their loved ones how much they love them. This Raksha Bandhan, tell your brother / sister that you do. Life is too short and too valuable to be miserly about love.
An Advisory Committee Meeting of the Smart city project was held under the chairmanship of DC S Ziaullah at the DC office today where MP, MLAs participated.
Rs 396 crore have been released for the smart city project and the entire proposal approved is to the tune of Rs.3781 crores.
Abhay Patil said that there was no coordination int he area-based development proposal in the Smart city. Most of the works under ABD are in North Belagavi and south has totally been neglected. About 80% is allocated for north while only 20% is allocated for South which is dis heartening.
The consultancy firm has not worked in a proper manner and most of the plans are unscientific.
Replying to this, MD of smart city project Kurer said that the proposal has been approved in 2016 and making major changes again to the plan is not feasible as the same has been approved by the ministry of urban development.
DC Ziaullah asked the MD to make a note of all the suggestions and asked the same to be submitted to the state level co-ordination committee.
Satish Jarkhiholi said that suggestions of the elected representatives must be heard and acted upon. Laxmi Hebbalkar demanded that the areas coming under the Corporation limits of Rural constituency must also be included in the Smart city project.
Speaking on the occasion Suresh Angadi expressed grief over the slow pace of work and also works that need immediate attention should be incorporated in the revised or additional plan to be prepared.
‘Bindaas Googly’ is a Dance based Kannada movie produced by Vijaykumar star productions slated for release on September 7, which stars Akash Anvekar from Belagavi.
Most of the shooting of the movie has also been done in Belagavi like Angadi College and other places.
The movie produced by Vijay Anvekar has put his son Akash into the lead role for the movie. It has said by the team that most of the actors in the movie are from Northern Karnataka. It is to be noted that Akash is making an entry into cine field after learning from Anupam Kher’s Acting School Mumbai.
Santosh Kumar has penned story which stars Akash Vijay Anvekar, Mamata Ravuth, Shilpa Laddimath, Dharma Keerthiraj, Nimika Rathnakar, Ravi Shet, Ashok, Karthik, Shruthi, Ramakrishna, Vanishri, Muthuraj, Jennifer, Vijayakumar Anvekar. Mathew Rajan cinematography, Music has been scored by Vinu Manasu, Venkatesh is the editor.
Akash Anvekar who is currently studying his BA in Lingraj college has completed his acting course from. He is a good Dancer & also a University Badminton Champion.
Shilpa Laddimath, Ashok, and Shruthi, well-Known Dancers from Belagavi, while Abhilash plays the negative role who also is from Belagavi, are also seen in the movie.
Bindaas Googly is a Dance based Kannada Movie with action, comedy, and entertainment which you can enjoy along with your friends & family members which has ‘U’ certification. The Story revolves around 6 friends who have a common interest that is Dance.
The film also has Member of Parliament Suresh Angadi in a brief appearance.
MLA Abhay Patil inspected the check weirs (Small Dams) in heritage park at Vaccine Depot under the Smart City project. MLA Patil said all substandard work has been done and the quality of sand used is very bad and it may be needed to reconstruct the same once again from scratch seeing the current condition of the work.
The Belagavi smart city limited had began Construction of two check weirs (Small Dams) in heritage park worth Rs. 3,80,35,711.50 last year.
Check-Weir Project
There is a natural storm water stream or nallah in Heritage Park which is crossing through the park almost dividing the park into two halves. This is a seasonal nallah. Heavy rains causes flow in this nallah in monsoon period and afterwards the nallah again goes dry and the storm water drains of unutilised. The idea is to create a water body by collecting and storing the monsoon rain water by creating an obstruction or check Weir to store water, so that water can be used for different recreational and landscape purpose through the year in this park. This also enhances a rich biodiversity in the park. The presence of a water body will improve the bird population and also enhance the numbers of the visiting migratory birds. For this purpose, it is proposed to build two check Weirs in the most suitable spots on the nallah route.
The Police, City Corporation has been asked to visit the idol makers and see if any PoP idols are made, if, found those should be collected and stored in one place. No one will be allowed to use any PoP Ganesh Idols. 
In the same year the Mussulman king again visited Belgaum, probably for the purpose of resuming his full authority over it. He inspected the city and examined the fortifications. Thirty years of petty warfare ensued, and then the golden age of the old fort commenced.
One year after the battle of Kirhee, the English, under General Munro, marched against it. He encamped near Sharpur, on the morning of March 11th, 1818, with a comparatively insignificant force of native soldiers, and three troops of His Majesty’s twenty-second Light Dragoons, a force so weak that it tended to confirm the garrison, and the inhabitants of Belgaum and Shahpur (who had a high opinion of the strength of the fort), in the belief that it could not be taken.
During the following days such steady progress was made by the English that on or about April 9th, the Kiledar (acting governor) sent out a flag of truce to propose terms, but General Munro did not accept them. Next day all the batteries kept up a heavy fire on the fort, and the breach, though not exactly practicable, began to have a more favorable appearance, in consequence of which the Kiledar found himself under the necessity of accepting the condition offered by General Munro, which was that he should give up possession of the gateway, the garrison being allowed to march out with their arms and private property. This they did on the following day, to the number of one thousand six hundred, having lost seventy men. The loss of the besieging army amounted to twenty three killed and wounded. By the capture of the fort, General Munro obtained possession of thirty-six guns of large calibre, sixty smaller guns, and numerous wall pieces, besides stores of every sort.
The expedition team reached its road head camp at Kumbathang ahead of Kargil on 10 August 2018 after undertaking a final phase acclimatization training at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering in Sonamarg. 
The consultancy firm has not worked in a proper manner and most of the plans are unscientific.
