Belgaum is a town located in the northwest region of the state of Karnataka in India. It is the headquarters of Belgaum district. It derives its name from Sanskrit 'Venugram' (village of bamboos). The town is situated nearly 2,500 ft (762 m) above sea-level. INDAL (Indian Aluminium Company) is located at Belgaum. St Mary's, St Xavier and St.Paul's are premier English medium schools of Belgaum.

History

Till 1961, Belgaum was a part of the Bombay state. With creation of states based

The city served as a major military installation for the British Raj, primarily due to its proximity to Goa, which was then an occupied Portuguese territory. Once British left India, the India Government continued and still continues to have an Armed forces installations in Belgaum. In 1961, the Indian government, under the Prime Ministership of Nehru used Belgaum to launch a crusade to liberate Goa from Portuguese occupation.

Belgaum has a scenic fortress believed to date from 1519 covering about 100 acres and surrounded by a ditch. Within it are two interesting Jain temples.

Language

Kannada, Marathi and Urdu are some of the widely spoken langauges in the city.

Politics of Language

The influence and use of Marathi - another regional langauge is contentious and emotional issue in this part of Karnataka. The Marathi speaking population in Belgaum has been insisting on inclusion of Belagum into the state of Maharashtra in democratic manner. Things have changed drastically, though. Due to Government's policies and due to

Belgaum houses the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre (MLIRC).

Belgaum also houses the Commando Training Center which is a part of the Infantry center, Mhow -The_Indian_Army_and_Mhow; where the country's valiant commandos are trained to hone their skills in the thick jungles.

Attractions

• Gokak Falls - waterfall of the Ghataprabha river
• Hanging bridge at Gokak Falls
• Rakaskop Dam - Dam across the river Markandeyi (20 km north of Belgaum)
• Hidkal Dam - One hour's drive from the city
• Shirur Dam - 3/4 hour from Hidkal Dam
• Godchinamalaki Falls - One hour's drive from the city, 1/2 hour from Hidkal Dam
• Navil Thertha Dam - Dam across the river Malaphrabha (1.5 hours from Belgaum)
• Belgaum Fort, built in 1519.
• Parasgad Fort at Saundatti built in 1674.
• Yellammangudda famous Yellammadevi or Renukadevi Temple .
• Old Jain Temple in Belgaum Fort.
• Sogal Falls and famous Someshwara Temple at Sogal.
• Safi Masjid: Built in 13th century.
• Kamala Basti:
• Halasi: capital of the Kadambas. Dotted with temples.
• Military Mahadev Temple.
• Nandagad: Shoor Sangolli Rayanna Smarak.
• Munavalli Panchalingeshwara Temple.
• Hooli Panchalingeshwar Temple.
• Godachi Veerbhadhreshwar Temple.
• Sirsangi Kalika Temple.
• Dhupadal Dam: 70 km from Belgaum.
• Vajrapoha Falls: 26 km from Belgaum.
• Queen's Garden/Rani Bagicha, Camp.
• Kittur Fort.
• Rani Chennamma Statue.
• Kapileshvara temple.
• Children's traffic park at Shivaji Garden.
• Jamia Mosque.
• Famous Adavisiddeshwara Math at Ankalagi, 45 minutes from the city.
• Shanti Giri, a Jain temple at Kothali near Chikkodi.

Professional Educational Institutions