Bankapura
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bankapura
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = town
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|14.9167|N|75.2667|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Karnataka
| subdivision_type2 = District
| subdivision_name2 = Haveri
| established_title =
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 8
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 578
| population_total = 20264
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 2533
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = Kannada
| timezone1 = ISTBankapura
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = PIN
| postal_code = 581 202
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08378
| registration_plate =
| website = {{URL|bankapurtown.mrc.gov.in}}
| iso_code = IN-KA
| footnotes =
}}
Bankapura is a panchayat town in Haveri district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is in Shiggaon taluk, is just 2.5 km from the Pune-Bangalore national highway NH-4, 22 km from Haveri town. Bankapura is about 45 km from Hubli-Dharwad. An historical site, Bankapura is famous for the Nagareshwara temple, Bankapura fort, The Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary. Baada, the birthplace of Kanakadasa is near to Bankapura.
History
File:Nagaresvara Temple oldKannada inscription.JPG inscription (late 11th - early 12th century) at Nagaresvara Temple in Bankapura, Karnataka]]
Under the Chalukyas, many temples were built here, but during an invasion by Ali Adil Shah I, the Turko-Persian Sultan of Bijapur in about 1565 most of the temples were destroyed. A fort, now in ruins, at Bankapura houses the Ranganatha Nagareshwara temple, which has 66 pillars carved out of grey stone. There is also a mosque in the fort. The place is of historical significance to Jains. Adipuran, a Jain religious text was composed here.
Bankapura fort (454 CE), was ruled by Kadamba of Banavasi, Gangas, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Chalukyas, Emperors of Vijayanagara, Turko-Persian Adilshahis of Bijapur, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
During the 9th century, Bankapura was in the honour of Bankeyarasa (in 898 CE) who was a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta Emperor Amoghavarsha I.
In the 11th century the Kadambas took over, followed by the Hoysalas ruler Vishnuvardhana.
;Invasion by the Bahamnis
In the 16th century, the Turko-Persian Bahmanis invaded Bankapura and Mustapha Khan of Bijapur annexed the fortress after a pitched battle for more than a year. The Nawabs of Savanur and the Marathas ruled for a short duration before Hyder Ali and Tipu took possession. Later, Bankapura was ceded to the British.{{cite web
|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/21250/F
|title=Many pillared wonder - Nagareshwara temple at Bankapura
|publisher=B V Prakash - Deccanherald
|access-date=2013-06-03
}}
;Inscriptions
In the Nagareshwara temple, at the entrance to the mukhamantapa, there are large clear inscriptions written in old Kannada.
{{See also|Mahapurana (Jainism)|Kadamba of Hangal#Coinage of Hangal Kadambas}}
It is known from history that the great poet of Kannada literature, Ranna, visited Bankapura to meet Ajithsenacharya, who became his teacher.
Bankapura Fort
Inside the ruined Bankapura fort, conquered by the Turko-PersianBahamanis, there is a temple built by the Chalukyas known as Aravattaru Kambada Gudi. Bankapura is an important historical place where many battles were fought by a succession of rulers. In spite of the vandalism the Nagareshwara temple remains ornate.{{fact|date=August 2020}}
Nagareshwar temple
{{main|Nagareshvara Temple, Bankapur}}
File:Ornate porch entrance in Nagaresvara Temple at Bankapura.jpg
File:Bankapura Nagareswara temple 2.JPG
File:Bankapura Nagareswara temple 1.JPG
The impressive Bankapur fort area has the eye catching 66 pillared Nagareshwar temple (locals call it as Aravattu Kambada Gudi - means 60 pillars temple in Kannada) was built (in a depression to conceal it from invaders) in the 11th century in Chalukya style (in a depression). There are many well carved pillars. The fort area comprises {{convert|139.10|acre|km2}} of land of, which {{convert|52.10|acre|m2|sing=on}} is reserved for the popularly known Mayura Vana, the abode of the peacocks for three decades. As per the 16 inscriptions, has references to the history of this place, it was dedicated to Shiva. The temple also once it was a centre for study and research on Jainism. During rule of Mustafa Khan the temple, the back corners of the temple hall completely damaged including number of carvings in the exterior wall panels
but the pillars, the artistic carvings and the ceiling designs are intact.
The peacock sanctuary
{{Main|Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary}}
Bankapura is a conservation reserve for peacocks by the Government of India.
Demographics
{{As of|2001}} India census,{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}} Bankapura had a population of 20,264. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bankapur has an average literacy rate of 59%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 58% of the males and 42% of females literate. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
External links
{{Commons category|Bankapura}}
- [http://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bankapura&aq=&sll=15.423793,75.431421&sspn=0.00726,0.012467&ie=UTF8&hq=bankapura&hnear=&ll=14.923243,75.252292&spn=0.009413,0.013754&t=h&z=16 Bankapura Fort on Google Maps]