"Bangalore-Silicon Valley of India ??" Bangalore by mallyak

Bangalore Travel Guide: 609 reviews and 953 photos

The Majestic Chinaswamy Stadium - Bangalore
The Majestic Chinaswamy Stadium
My home city

Bangalore, officially known as Bengaluru, is one of the most hip and happening cities in India and also a major center of the I.T. industry.


Vidhana Soudha
Bangalore Urban and Bangalore Rural districts together form the entire Bangalore.

History
The earliest records of a place named 'Bengaluru' were found in a 9th century temple in an area that is now known as 'Old Bangalore'. Once the feudal lord Kempe Gowda was hunting in this area, a rabbit turned and attacked his dog. This made a great impression on the lord and he gave the place a title of gandu bhoomi (the place of heroes) and in 1537, with the assistance of the local king, he constructed three districts protected by a walled fort on the site.

During the next three centuries, Bangalore existed very much in the shadow of its neighboring city Mysore, and control of the town changed hands many times. The year 1831 marked a major turning point for the city. Claiming misrule by the king Krishna Raja Wodeyar III, the British took control of the Mysore Kingdom and, possibly influenced by the city's mild climate, moved the administrative capital to Bangalore. New telecommunication systems were laid, rail connections built, fine government buildings constructed and the city's famous parks and gardens established. After independence, Bangalore maintained its position as the Karnataka state capital, and continues to flourish.

For many years, Bangalore was known throughout India as the most green, liberal and forward-thinking city. In recent years, these attributes have propelled Bangalore to the forefront of the high-tech industry boom in India, and it currently ranks as India's most developed city and one of the world's fastest growing urban areas.

The name Bangalore appears to come from an Anglicization of the native name "Bengaluru" - an adaptation of the earlier name in Kannada: Benda Kaale Uru (The Town of Boiled Beans). Apparently this rather humble name was bequeathed to the city by king Vira Ballala. Once while lost in the area, he was offered boiled beans by an old woman, and it was out of gratitude that he named the area after this simple offering.

Nicknames
Pensioners' Paradise: Pensioners' Paradise reminds Bangaloreans of the time when it was a sleepy old city with very little to zero pollution, no competition for its resources, low crime rate, wide roads lined with shady trees and pleasant weather all ideal for a quiet retirement.Now a lot changed though
Pub City: With its many pubs and bars, and also with the city being the headquarters of United Breweries, makers of the popular Kingfisher Beer, Bangalore is a drinker's dream.
Garden City: Garden City was once the nickname Bangalore proudly claimed before rising population and pollution reduced the amount of green space.
Silicon Valley of India: Bangalore is often said to be the center of the Indian I.T. outsourcing movement, and has offices of many foreign tech companies as well as a number of native Indian tech startups. The neighboring cities of Chennai and Hyderabad also vie for this title.

Bangalore High Courts
Bangalore High Courts - Bangalore

An evening of Classical dance
An evening of Classical dance - Bangalore

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Fine weather-Great food
  • Cons:Pollution and Noise!
  • Last visit to Bangalore: Oct 2007
  • Intro Updated May 6, 2008
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Reviews (8)

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Lal Bagh - Bangalore Lal Bagh Things to Do (7)

Lal Bagh Botanical Garden is a well known botanical garden in Bangalore, India The garden was commissioned by the ruler... more travel advice

DARSHINIS - Bangalore DARSHINIS Restaurants (1)

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Brigade Road - Bangalore Brigade Road Things to Do (7)

Brigade Road is one of the biggest commercial centers and busiest shopping areas of Bangalore [1], the state capital of... more travel advice

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