WHY WAS BANGLORE RENAMED BENGALURU?

The name 'Bengaluru' was first mentioned in the ninth century. According to an inscription from 890AD, the city has a history of more than 1000 years. Exploring the pages of history, we learn that at Parvathi Nageshwar temple (Begur), there is an epitaph inscribed in old Kannada relating to a 'Bengaluru battle' that occurred in 890AD. So, until 1024 C.E., the area was a part of the Ganga Kingdom, and it was known as 'Bengaval-Ooru,' which means 'city of guards' in old Kannada.

According to legend, during a hunting journey in the jungle, 12th century Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala II lost his way. The fatigued king was served boiling beans by a destitute old woman, who named the place "benda-kaalu-ooru" out of gratitude.

Kempegowda, a feudatory ruler of the old Vijayanagara Empire, is often regarded as Bangalore's founder. In the early 16th century, he picked Bendakaluru as his capital after which it was governed by Adil Shahi, the Marathas, and the Wodeyars of Mysore.

According to legend, the city was later given to Hyder Ali, a Mysore province Jagirdar (commander in chief). Tippu Sultan inherited the empire from his father, Hyder Ali. Tippu ruled Bengaluru for a brief period before succumbing to the British in the 'Third Anglo Mysore War.' The city that was once known as 'Bengaluru' was renamed 'Bangalore' by the British, and this was reflected in all official records.

The reason is straightforward. The name 'Bengaluru' was difficult for British colonials to pronounce; therefore, it was anglicised to 'Bangalore.'

After its past iterations as a Pensioner's Paradise and Garden City, the city has recently metamorphosed into the country's IT capital, giving it the moniker Silicon Valley of India, as well as Biotech capital.

With its rapid growth and deteriorating infrastructure, the city has acquired the moniker "Garbage City." Bengaluru is likewise transforming into a "StartUp City," nurturing new businesses.

Bangalore has now joined a group of other cities that have been renamed, including Bombay, which became Mumbai in 1995, Madras, which became Chennai in 1996, Calcutta, which became Kolkata in 2001, and Trivandrum, which became Thiruvananthapuram in 1991.