Bantwal

Bantwal
Town
Bantwal

Location in Karnataka, India

Coordinates: 12°53′37″N 74°59′41″E / 12.8936°N 74.9947°E / 12.8936; 74.9947Coordinates: 12°53′37″N 74°59′41″E / 12.8936°N 74.9947°E / 12.8936; 74.9947
Country  India
State Karnataka
District Dakshina Kannada
Area
 • Total 25 km2 (10 sq mi)
Elevation 36 m (118 ft)
Population (2011[1])
 • Total 40,155
 • Density 1,473.2/km2 (3,816/sq mi)
Languages
 • Official Tulu, Kannada
 • Regional Tulu, Konkani, Beary
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 574 211
Telephone code 08255
Vehicle registration KA-19
Website www.bantwaltown.gov.in

Bantwal is a taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. It is located 25 km (16 mi) East of Mangalore city.

History

Bantwal town is often called Vatapura Kshetra by some communities. Bantwal actual meaning is Banta Wala. Banta (Bunts) is a community. It is situated on the banks of River Nethravati on the National Highway - 73. The adjacent town of B.C. Road (Bantwal Cross Road) serves as the commercial center.

Previously, the town of Bantwal was known for trade with the Persian Gulf states, being so close to Mangalore. However, flooding caused by the river Netravathi during the monsoons compelled traders and newer settlements to move to the adjacent city of B.C. Road due to its higher altitude. Gradually, most Government offices shifted to B.C. Road.

Prior to 1852, Bantwal Taluk was the largest taluk in the entire of Canara Province (then comprising North Canara, Udupi, Mangalore and Kasaragod Districts) with 411 villages and a total population of 1,69,416. In 1852, a portion of it was formed into the Taluk of Puttur.[2] Bantwal was an enterpot for the produce of the province on its way to the Mysore Country and had derived a great benefit of late years from the extension of the coffee trade. It contained about thousand scattered houses inhabited by Billava, Bunts Bhandary, Ganigas, Kulals, Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Konkani Catholics and a few Jains.[2]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[3] Bantwal had a population of 36,829. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bantwal has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 76% of the males and 72% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Tulu is the main language spoken here.In addition to tulu the town also has Konkani and Beary speaking population.

According to the 2011 India census, Hindus make up 61.27% of total population, Muslims 32.47% and Christians 5.95%.[4]

Economy

The town is still considered an important trade center for groceries, tobacco, hardware and gold.

Geography

The taluk is flanked by the state of Kerala in the south, and the towns of Belthangady and Puttur in the east, the city of Mangalore in the west and Karkala in the north. It covers an area of about 720 km square. National Highway 73 cuts through B. C. Road. The highway serves as the conduit for several arterial routes leading to neighboring towns with Mangalore. Mangalore is connected with other cities in Karnataka such as Mysore and Bangalore via NH-73. It is well connected to Uppala through Uppala-Mudipu-Bantwal Highway.

The Grama Panchayats in Bantwal taluk are Golthamajalu, Kolnadu, Sajipa Muda, Kurnadu, Maani, Navooru, Pudu, Sangabettu, Maavinakatte, Sarapady, Thumbe, Veerakumba and Vittla (Vittal).

Nethravathi River flowing near Sri Thirumala Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Bantwal

The Netravati River passes through the taluka. Water supply to Mangalore city is provided by a vented dam at Thumbe to Netravathi. There is a bridge over the Netravati river at Panemangalore.

Some other places in Bantwal taluk of interest are Kadeshivalaya, Ajilamogaru, Alike, Karanje, Naraharibetta, Nandavara and Modankap.

Transport

Many buses ply to nearby places such as Mudipu, Moodabidri, Surathkal, Mulki, Kinnigoli, Vitla operate from the B. C Road bus stand. The railway station at B. C Road is maintained by south western railways. The Mangalore port is about 30 kilometres from here. Mangalore International Airport is about 45 minutes from B.C Road

Education

List of schools

List of colleges

Places to visit

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Nearby places

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  2. 1 2 "A Gazetteer of Southern India" published in 1855
  3. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  4. ↑ "Muslim population goes up in DK too: Census report".
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