Dharwad, Educational district capital in Karnataka, India
Dharwad is a district capital in Karnataka state, located on a plateau in the Western Ghats. The municipality forms a larger urban entity with the neighboring town of Hubli, extending across multiple neighborhoods.
A fort was built here in 1403 when the region between mountains and plains held strategic value. Over time, control changed hands several times until the town became part of Karnataka in the 19th century.
The city takes its name from the local word *dharā*, meaning "gateway," because it connects two different geographic zones. Today students from across Karnataka attend the universities here, and their presence shapes the rhythm of the streets and cafes.
The town sits on National Highway 48, roughly seven hours by road from Bangalore. Buses and trains connect the two places daily, with travelers often arriving in the early morning or late evening.
A university here develops special cotton varieties adapted to the regional climate. Nearby, a factory produces commercial trucks commonly seen on Indian highways.
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