Karnataka came under the British rule in 1799, after the fall of Tippu Sultan. The Kingdom of Mysore was restored to the Wodeyars maharajas and Mysore remained a princely state under the British Raj. After Independence in 1947, Mysore state was created in 1956 and was renamed as Karnataka in 1973. The pleasant hill resorts, sandy beaches, forts, handicrafts made of sandalwood, ancient temples, gardens and the piquant Udupi cuisine together with the refreshing climate make Karnataka a tourist’s delight.

   The Kannada language serves as the official language of the state of Karnataka, as the native language of approximately 65% of its population and as one of the classical languages of India. Kannada played a crucial role in the creation of Karnataka: linguistic demographics played a major role in defining the new state in 1956. Tulu, Konkani and Kodava are other minor native languages that share a long history in the state. Urdu is spoken widely by the Muslim population.

   Bangalore, the capital of state, has many names — Silicon Valley of India, the garden city, and little England (on account of its weather). Its legislature — Vidhana Soudha, its gardens — Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh, Tipu’s Fort, Wodeyar’s Palace, the monolithic Bull in Basavanagudi are worth a visit. Boating on Ulsoor Lake or picnic at the Lion Safari in Bannerghatta are typical pleasures.

   Karnataka has numerous forts, palaces, temples, monuments. The more spectacular sites are Brahmagiri and Maski with Ashokan edicts; Aivalli, Patadkal, and Badami of ‘Chalukya’ Kings; Bidar, capital of ‘Baridi’ Kings; Bijapur, capital of ‘Adilshahi’ dynasty; Chitradurga, a formidable fort; Gulbarga, capital of ‘Bahmanis’; Halebidu, the ‘Hoysala’ capital, and Belur with their extremely ornate monuments of star shaped temple complex; Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar Empire; Madikeri, seat of the ‘Kodavas’; Raichur, Srirangapatna, island town on River Kaveri and Mysore, capital of the ‘Wadiyar’ kingdom with beautiful royal palace Amba Vilas.

   Hindu sites include Gokarna’s Mahakaleswara temple; Dharmastala’s Manjunatha temple; Kollur’s Mookambika temple; Nanjangud’s Nanjundeshwara temple; Somnathpur temple of grey-green schist; Udupi — Krishna temple. Sringeri’s Sankara Matha established by Adi Sankara; Melkote, the temple and seat of Sanskrit Studies established by the Ramanuja; and Talakaveri, source of River Kaveri. Jain sites are Shravanabelagola — with the tallest monolithic statue of Thirthankara Bahubali, where ‘Mahamastakabhisheka’ is held once in 12 years, Mudabidri, and Karkala. Mangalore has many churches, Jami Mosque of Jihad Baksh, and Manjunatha Temple housing a Linga and as well as Buddhist deities (Shiva linga and Bodhisattva were worshiped together for centuries at this place until it was converted completely to a Saivite temple). Famous 1000 year old Mekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple, also known as wooden temple, is supposedly the only temple in South India, consisting mainly of big wooden statues with no regular prayer (pooja) protocol dedicated to the army of Lord Shiva.

   Nature of Karnataka is really beautiful. Waterfalls of Jog, Sivasamudram, and Gokak; the beaches of Gokarna, Karwar, Surathkal, Ullal, Parambula, Malpe and Maravanthe on the Arabian Sea with facilities for boating, surfing etc.; hill stations of Nandi hills and Madikeri; and dam-sites of Tungabhadra and Ghataprabha, Brindavan Gardens at Krishna Raja Sagara are the best sights.

   Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are Bandipur, Nagarahole, Bannerghatta, Dandeli. The bird reserves of Ranganathittu and Kokrebellur Pelicanry are the other sanctuaries.