Belgaum, Regional capital in Karnataka, India
Belgaum is a city in Karnataka state, India, near the borders with Maharashtra and Goa states. The city spreads across gentle hills and flat land, with residential neighborhoods, market streets, and wide industrial areas that give a busy impression.
The settlement began in the 12th century when Ratta rulers moved here and controlled trade routes to the coast. In the 16th century a fortified compound was added, which later fell under different kingdoms including British administration until Indian independence.
The city name comes from the word for bamboo forest, as dense bamboo groves once covered this area. Today you see people of different faiths side by side in the streets, with Hindus visiting their temples and Muslims their mosques.
The city sits about 500 km south of Mumbai and works as a stopover for travelers between coastal areas and the interior. Rickshaws and taxis run through most neighborhoods, streets are often crowded, and several bus stations serve long-distance routes.
Since 2012 there is a second parliament building for Karnataka here, which hosts government sessions from the capital Bangalore during some weeks each year. This split of government functions is a special feature in the Indian state system, found in only a few other regions.
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