History of Bangalore is very fascinating and long one. It traces its roots back into 11th century AD. During that period, Deccan Plateau, as the South India was referred, was ruled by the Chola King, Veera Ballalla. While on a hunting trip, he lost his way in the jungles. He took shelter in the cottage of a poor and old lady as he was very tired and hungry. That lady served him dinner prepared from boiled beans. King was impressed by the hospitality of the lady and to show his gratitude towards her, he ordered for the construction of a town and it was christened as the “Benda Kalooru”. It means the “city of Boiled Beans”. According to other beliefs, name Bengalooru came much before the King Ballalla. In the village of Begur, there are some inscriptions in the temple which indicate this fact.

Bangalore history is about the various rulers who ruled it at various different times. Until the foundation of Vijayanagar Empire in 1336, the city was ruled by the Hoysalas. Modren shape and contemporary look of the town was first given by the local chieftain, Kempe Gowda in 1537. Bangalore was ruled by various kings after the fall of Vijaynagar kingdom. In 1638, Bangalore was captured by Shahji Bhosle, a Maratha chief. Father of great Maratha warrior Shivaji, Shahji Bhosle was in the court of Adil Shahi Sultans of Bijapur at that time. Shahji Bhosle lost his elder son, Shambaji, during the siege of Bangalore.

History of Bangalore in India is very intriguing and colorful with many various warriors flaunting their strength to capture Bangalore, at different times. In 1759, Bangalore was handed over to Hyder Ali by the Krishna raja Wodeyar II. Hyder Ali made Bangalore his Army town with construction of the southern fort. After the death of Tipu Sultan, Bangalore was returned back to Krishna raja Wodeyar III by British in 1799. Later, British took over Mysore Kingdom on the grounds that Krishna Raja Wodeyar III is not able to rule it properly.

It is during British era that Bangalore started blooming as a modern city with all kinds of modern facilities like railways, roads, postal, telegraph, police departments established there. In 1881, Bangalore again came under the rule of Wodeyars. After independence, Bangalore was chosen as the state capital of Karnataka. It was natural choice as it was the State Administrative Headquarters for the British commissioners. There are many historic sites in Bangalore worth watching. These sites include Bangalore Palace, Vidhan Soudha, Palace of Tipu Sultan and colonial bungalows reminiscent of a rich lineage of the city of Bangalore.