Bhatkal
Bhatkal
Bhatkal | |
|---|---|
town | |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 31,774 |
Bhatkal(Kannada:ಭಟ್ಕಳ, Urdu:بھٹکل) is also known as Batecala in some historical text especially in Portuguese hisotry. Bhatkal is a port town in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India. The town lies on NH-17 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 town on the State Highway towards Jog Falls) brought this coveted town 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.
Cholas under Raja Raja I and his able son Rajendra Chola I waged wars against the Chalukyas of Manyakheta and after defeating Kings like Satyashraya, Jayasimha-II and their feudatories like the Kadambas and Banas of Konkana country extracted tribute. The Cholas invaded Bhatkal during 10th century. As a sign of their victory in Kannada country, they built Solesvara Temple, believed to be the oldest temple, in commemoration of their conquest. Inscriptions from successive kings from Raja Raja I to Kulothunga-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 died.
Geography
Bhatkal is located at 13°58′N 74°34′E / 13.97°N 74.57°E[1]. It has an average elevation of 4 metres (13 ft).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census[2], 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 Hindu Namadhari 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 Dubai.
Educational institutions
The town 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 religious studies.
Anjuman college
- Anjuman Institute of Technology and Management
- Anjuman Arts, Science & Commerce College
- Anjuman Nursery and Primary School
- Anjuman Girls High School
- Anjuman Engineering College
- Zangi Girls High School
- Anjuman Pre-University College for Women
- Anjuman College for Women
- Anjuman Institute of Management
- Anjuman Boys High School
- Anjuman Noor Primary School
- Anjuman Girls High School, Navayath Colony
- Anjuman Azad Primary School
- The New English School
- The New English Pre-University college
- Shree Guru Sudhindra College
- Shree Guru Sudhindra BBA & BCA College
- Shree Jnaaneshwari College of Education (B.Ed)
- Shree Jnaaneshwari College of Education (M.Ed)
- H.H. Swami Parijnanashram College of Education (D.Ed)
- Vidyanjali Public School (CICSE Syllabus) Bhatkal
- Vidyabharati English Medium School Bhatkal
- Anand Ashram Convent School
- Jamia Islamia
- Jamia Saliha
- Jamia Maktab
- Karavali High School
- Shams English Medium High School
- Shams Nursery and Primary School
- Islamia Anglo Urdu High School
- Naunihaal Central School
- Navayath Colony School
- Shams English Medium High School
- Shams Nursery and Primary School