Bellary, Historical fort city in eastern Karnataka, India
Bellary is a city in the Ballari district of eastern Karnataka, set on a flat expanse of dark cotton soil. Granite outcrops rise around it, including the roughly 450-foot Bellary Hill that stands clearly visible across the area.
The fort was built in the 16th century and later strengthened under Hyder Ali in the 18th century with help from a French military engineer. These expansions helped turn the city into an important stronghold in the region.
The name comes from the Kannada word Vallūru, referring to the circular rocks that sit on the surrounding hills. Traders speak Kannada or Telugu depending on the neighborhood, while Urdu is commonly heard in daily exchanges.
Bellary Junction railway station and National Highway 67 provide connections to larger cities in southern India. Travelers find lodging and restaurants in the center within walking distance of the main sites.
The region holds India's largest iron ore deposits and supplies several steel plants, including the JSW Vijayanagar complex. Open-pit mines shape the landscape outside town and are visible from some of the hills.
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