Hosdurga

Hosadurga is a town and a taluk in Chitradurga district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Hosadurga is known as land of Coconuts (ಕಲ್ಪವೃಕ್ಷದ ನಾಡು) and recently promoted as land of millets (ಸಿರಿಧಾನ್ಯದ ನಾಡು).

History

Not much about Hosadurga is documented in the history. The name 'Hosadurga' should not be confused with similar named places such as important fort city of Kampili kingdom
, 'Hosamale-durga' or 'Hosa-vidu' which as later named as Anegundi.

Hosadurga, as part of Chitradurga was ruled under Vijayanagara Empire and subsequently ruled by the Nayakas of Chitradurga in the late medieval period. The hill fort of Hosadurga on the surrounding hill (ಭೈರಪ್ಪನ ಬೆಟ್ಟ) was built by Chikkanna Nayaka in 1676. According to B.N. Sri Sathyan, a ''Jangama'' priest took refuge under the chitradurga Palegars and was commissioned to build a ''pete'' below the hill. Eventually this settlement, Hosadurga was taken over by Hyder Ali. During the British rule, the Chitradurga province was included in the Kingdom of Mysore.

In the year 1882, Hosadurga sub-taluk was created, comprising Hosadurga and Bagur hoblis. In July 1902, it was upgraded to a ''pucca'' (proper) taluk.

Geography

Hosadurga taluk is traversed a hill range that is part of a geological structure known as the Chitradurga Supracrustal Belt. This belt is a section of the Dharwar Supergroup, which formed between 2,600 and 2,300 million years ago due to the deposition of sedimentary rocks, volcanic activities, and erosion. A gap in this hill range forms a valley where the Vani Vilasa Sagara Dam is constructed across. A part of the hill range forms town hill (ಭೈರಪ್ಪನ ಬೆಟ್ಟ).

Hosadurga is located in south-western part of Chitradurga district, at an average elevation of above the mean sea level. The highest point of the taluk is near Halurameshwara village .

Hosadurga lies in the Subtropical steppe climate with Köppen climate classification type BSh. The mean high temperatures reaches up to 37 °C in April and the mean minimum temperatures goes up to 14 °C in January. Most of the rainfall occurs during the Monsoon season with highest rainfall in the month of July of 152 mm.

Vedavathi River flows 7 km south of the town and is the only major river of in the taluk. The Tumkur and Chitraduraga branches of Upper Badra project traverse the taluk.

Demographics

As of the 2011 census of India, Hosadurga has a population of 28,370. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Hosadurga has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with a male literacy rate of 76% and a female literacy rate of 70%. In Hosadurga, 12% of the population is under seven years of age.

Economy

Industries

Hosadurga had a strong cement industry in the 1990s, but many factories have closed over time due to shortages of limestone. Currently only one remains, the Ramco Cement Factory in Mathodu Village.

Transportation

Major highways passing through Hosadurga are; National Highway 173 (India), State Highway 24 (Karnataka) and State Highway 47 (Karnataka).

Hosadurga is connected by Road and Rail network. Public transport is maintained by both private players and KSRTC, who has a Bus Stand and a bus depot here, under Chitradurga division.
''Hosadurga Road'' railway station (Station Code:HSD) is the nearest railway station, which is 20 km away. It lies on Bangalore-Arsikere-Hubli line.
The nearest airport is Shivamogga Airport, which is 97 km away.

See also

*Huliyar
*Hagalavadi
*Bukkapatna
*Gubbi
*Birur

References

{{commons category, Hosadurga

Cities and towns in Chitradurga district