Pre-20th-Century History
Bangalore (Bendakaluru) allegedly got its name after an old woman living nearby, who served a humble dish of boiled beans (bendakalu) to a lost Hoysala king. A local ruler, Kempegowda, founded the 'town of boiled beans' in the early 16th century. He built a mud fort and mapped out the extent of the city he envisioned with four watchtowers (now engulfed by urban sprawl).
Two centuries later, Bangalore became an important fortress city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, although little remains from this period except the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens and a small palace. The British moved their regional administrative base from Srirangapatnam to Bangalore in 1831, and the town began to take on the ordered look of a British cantonment.
Modern History
Bangalore's economic vitality picked up in the 1960s when the government located key defence and telecommunications establishments here. It became the science and technology centre of India, and home to many multinational companies. Known as India's Silicon Valley, it's been a software centre for decades. Over half of India's software exports come from Bangalore, and technology parks are spread around the city.
 Bangalore Habba
Habba' in Kannada means 'Festival'. The fourth edition of annual cultural event, Bangalore Habba, will be celebrated from December 4 to 15. Artistes from Karnataka and across India will participate in Bangalore Habba. Habba will spread the festival across towns in Karnataka to create awareness about different performing arts and share euphoric experience of the Habba.
Several programmes will be held at Ravindra Kalakshetra, Nayana and Samsa open air theatres. Various cultural programmes will be held at four playgrounds, 20 BBMP parks and Cubbon Park. Habba would be a platform to highlight all forms of art from Hindustani to Jazz.
The programmes will be conducted at public places like parks, temples, malls, Cubbon Park and Art Espresso to facilitate more people to witness them.
Heritage walks
Modeled on the famous London Walks, a Bangalorean takes you through what he calls Bangalore Walks. Arun Pai, an ex-IITian MBA lived and worked outside India for a number of years, before he came back, to start Bangalorewalks.com. Realizing the city lacked a good guide to its history, he came up with an idea already well in use in other capitals of the world (London, Singapore, New York)...a walking tour by an informed insider. He’s a charming and well-rehearsed guide, with a knack of bringing history to life; of filling your imagination with long-ago events, and showing you the unexpected
These come at a price of approximately Rs. 495 per adult. The walks start early in the morning (around 6.55 AM or 7 AM) and continue for about two hours, ending with a sumptuous breakfast at a good restaurant. Pai suggests you check the schedule of the walks on the website and give them a call to book what you want. He also leads a Sunday "Victorian Bangalore Walk," which highlights landmarks of the Raj, a "Green Heritage Walk" through the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, a "Beer Walk" through the city's many pubs, and a "Coffee Walk" to taste regional varieties. Beer History Walk traces Bangalore's rise as the pub capital of India. Here you will start at Koshy's and then learn more about the city's beer history as you pub-hop. The walk includes four beers and dinner and lasts from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The price is Rs. 1,250 for first-timers. The End of the Empire walk. will take one through Bangalore from the late 1800s to 1947.
For more details on these walks you can log on to www.bangalorewalks.com or call Arun on 98455 23660
Bangalore weather
Located in the middle of the South of India, at an elevation of 3000ft, Bangalore has a very moderate climate. The early mornings and nights, in November, could be slightly chill (12-14 C). The days are pleasant to warm with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees.
Clothing for Bangalore
You should be comfortable for the most part of the day in light clothing. Light woolens- a jacket, shawl or sweater- maybe appropriate in the nights, if you are likely to be out doors.
Dress Code: Smart Casuals & Formals.
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