Bengaluru, which is hailed as ‘Silicon City’, ‘IT capital of India’, ‘Green City, etc, is a city founded by a visionary ruler Kempe Gowda I in 1537. Kempe Gowda was a vassal of Vijayanagara Empire and established Bengaluru as a trade city by building a mud fort. Initially, the town had two main streets, chikpete street and dodpete street cutting across each other. Along with other small streets, the area was the centre for trade activities. Based on the commodity sold, the smaller divisions within the fort were named as akkipete (akki means rice and pete means division), ragipete (finger millet), balepete (bangles), etc.
Kempe Gowda II, successor of Kempe Gowda I, expanded the town by building four towers to mark the boundary of Bangalore. Both of them ensured availability of water by constructing tanks and the supply system was best at that time. Only because of the efforts back then, we are still able to sustain in this fast growing city accommodating the needs of everyone.
City situated at an elevation of 900 from the sea level, is the only major city in the country at such an elevation. The foresight of Kempe Gowda helped city get its water facilities despite geographical limitations and enabled the city to develop capabilities to meet its own demands for water. These foundations helped later rulers create more gardens to make the city aesthetically pleasant and livable which is why we have transformed our city into IT, BT and science hub of the country.
Modern day problems such as unplanned urbanization and pollution are causing a dent to the image of Bengaluru. Though it is late, government has stepped up its effort to recreate the paradise of Bengaluru and we as citizens should help to regain the lost glory. At this hour, there is need to remember, appreciate and inculcate the efforts of the founding father of Bengaluru and spread the awareness.
Namma Karnataka 
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