Bhatkal

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Bhatkal (Konkani:भटकल) is also known as Batecala in some historical text especially in Portuguese history. Once ruled by Jain King Bhattakalanka and thus the name. Bhatkal is a port city in North Kanara district of Karnataka, India 126 km from Karwar. The city lies on NH 66 running between Mumbai and Mangalore. Bhatkal is one of the major stations along the Konkan Railway line running between Mumbai and Mangalore.The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport.

History

By virtue of its strategic location, Bhatkal has a chequered history. Bhatkal witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties and rulers. A part of Hoysala empire in 1291 to 1343, Bhatkal later fell into the hands of the Vijayanagara empire. After the disintegration of the empire, the Saluva (Jain) rulers of Hadwalli (a city on the State Highway towards Jog Falls) brought this coveted city under their control. Many temples and basadis were constructed during this period. Vestiges of this period can be found in Mudbhatkal, where a few temples of that era still stand.

Chola emperors under Aditya I, his son Parantaka I and successor Sundara Chola also known as Paranta Chola II initially inavaded and conquered territories in the Konkani country between Gangavadi on the Mysore plateau and Bhatkal on the Sahyadri coast 880-975 AD. The Cholas invaded Bhatkal during 10th century. As a sign of their victory in Konkani country, they built Solesvara Temple, believed to be the oldest temple, in commemoration of their conquest. Inscriptions from successive kings from Parantaka Chola I to Kulothunga Chola III mention their generals as 'Lords of the Konkana' which included Bhatkal and of paying obesience to Lord Solesvarar of Konkana(**). The Portuguese also made their presence felt here in the beginning of the 16th century. From the Keladi rulers, Bhatkal was passed on to Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan and later to the British in 1799 after Tipu Sultan died.

Communal Violence

Bhatkal known for its communal tension between Hindu and Muslim community,has on various occasions seen communal riots dating from 1968,1978,1985,1994.The tension has never panned down because of the demographics of the city mainly.

In 1994 communal violence erupted due to killing of Dr. Chittaranjan, Member of State Legislative Assembly.

Geography

Bhatkal is located at 13.97°N 74.57°E / 13.97; 74.57. It has an average elevation of 4 metres (13 ft).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Bhatkal had a population of 31,785. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bhatkal has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 78% and female literacy of 73%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The Muslim [Nawayath] and the Hindus communities are predominant in Bhatkal. The people of Bhatkal are typically called "Bhatkalis" and have since the 1960s spread afar, including UK, America, Australia but more so across the Middle East especially Bahrain,Dubai,Oman,Qatar,Saudi.Konkani is the predominant language of the people of Bhatkal. Nawayathi is the most widely spoken language of the city by Nawayath Muslims.

The Bhatkal Nawayath is known as owned business like Garment showroom, House material, Real Estate , Hotel , Super Market,Construction Business, Other Engineering Industries, Whole Seller of Import item,travel.etc

Languages in Bhatkal City
Languages			Percent
Nawayath			70%
Kannada			25%
others			05%

Tourism and Cuisine

Bhatkal has been quite a hustling tourist spot mainly because of Murdeshwara Temple, World Renowned Shiva Statue and Beaches. The place has been attracting a wide range of tourists to this place. As far as cuisine is concerned its widely large because of amalgamation of different cultures.

Educational institutions

The city is strewn with educational institutions managed by Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, a pioneering education trust founded in 1919. It has played a prominent role in spreading education across all sections of society in Bhatkal. The Bhatkal Education Trust also runs a few institutions. The Jamia Islamia is a centre for Islamic studies.

• Jamia Islamia Bhatkal, Karnataka, India
• The New English Pre-University College, Bhatkal
• Shree Guru Sudhindra College, Bhatkal
• Shree Guru Sudhindra BBA & BCA College, Bhatkal
• Shree Jnaaneshwari College of Education (B.Ed), Bhatkal
• Shree Jnaaneshwari College of Education (M.Ed), Bhatkal
• H.H. Swami Parijnanashram College of Education (D.Ed), Bhatkal
• Vidyanjali Public School (CICSE Syllabus), Bhatkal
• Vidyabharati English Medium School, Bhatkal
• Anand Ashram Convent School, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Institute of Technology and Management, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Arts, Science & Commerce College, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Nursery and Primary School, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Girls High School, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Engineering College, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Pre-University College for Women, Bhatkal
• Anjuman College for Women, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Institute of Management, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Boys High School, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Noor Primary School, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Girls High School, Navayath Colony, Bhatkal
• Anjuman Azad Primary School, Bhatkal
• Zangi Girls High School, Bhatkal
• The New English School, Bhatkal
• Jamiatus Salihat, Bhatkal
• Jamia Maktab, Bhatkal
• Karavali High School, Bhatkal
• Shams English Medium High School, Bhatkal
• Shams Nursery and Primary School, Bhatkal
• Islamia Anglo Urdu High School, Bhatkal
• Naunihaal Central School, Bhatkal
• Navayath Colony School, Bhatkal
• Ali Public School (A. P. S.), Bhatkal
• Kausar College For Women, Bhatkal
• Shri Durgaparameshwari High School Alvekodi, Bhatkal

Transportation

Road

National highway 17 passes through Bhatkal. It connects Bhatkal with Panvel, Edapally, Mumbai, Panjim, Margao, Karwar, Kumta, Mangalore and Ernakulam.

Rail

• Bhatkal [BT] is well connected through Konkan railways which has rails plying from Mumbai, Panjim, Margao towards Mangalore (Mangalore Central [MAQ] and Mangalore Junction [MAJN]), Kumbakonam and also vice versa. The railway station is very near to city situated about a kilometer away from national highway.

Air

• Nearest airports are Mangalore International Airport. Mangalore airport is about 140 km from Bhatkal.

External links

• SahilOnline English Daily Newspaper
• SahilOnline Urdu Daily Newspaper
• Bhatkal Blog
• Nawayaths of Hyderabad, by M.A. Bhatkali
• Bhatkalvoice.com
• Pictures of Nawayaths of Bhatkal
• Islamic Education and Research Center, Gangolli
• Bhatkal Community Portal