Hum Bhatkally
History of Bhatkal
Come Walk Down the Lanes of History!
The ancient town of Bhatkal has valuable archives of more than 1000 years. According to an inscription of 1545AD, this place was earlier called 'Vrittapura'. The term 'Bhatta' also means 'Circle', and the term 'Kala' also means 'Region'. Earliar, bhatkal town had a circular region surrounded by sea and mountains. So the name 'Bhatkala' which also means 'Vrittapura' or 'Circular Region'. it is believed that the town is named after the Jain seer, Bhattakalanka, of the 9th century. Even Vasco-Da-Gama and the Dutch had called the place 'Bhatikula'.
Including Bhatkal taluk, North Canara district was ruled by Shatavahanas and Pallavas. Before the rise of Saluvas of Gerusoppa, it was in the administrative fist of the Kadambas and the Alupas of South Canara. During the time Ballala III, this taluk was under the rule of Hoysalas for more than 50 years (1291-1343).
In 1408 AD, its rule was taken over by the Saluvas. By gaining the confidence of the rulers of the Vijayanagar Empire, the Saluvas established their own regions at Karkala, Keladi, Swadi, Gerusoppa and several other places and ruled them. Haduvalli is one of such regions formed by them. Bhatkal and Kaikini were the important places of Haduvalli state. These Saluvas were the followers of Jainism. Many Temples and Basdis were constructed during their period. Haduvalli was also called ‘Sangeethapura’. Saluvendra was the first among the Saluva rulers of Sangeethapura. One of his sons, Sangiraya was also called ‘Haduvalli Puravaradheeshwara’ for his dedication to the state. He was also well known for his love to his elder brother ‘Malliraya’. The rulers of Sangeethapura had overseas trade through Bhatkal. In 1498, the Portuguese voyager, Vasco-Da-Gama came to Bhatkal also and named the island where he had halted as ‘Padradi Sarikwa Maria’. The records of the Portuguese say that there was a peace treaty signed by the Portuguese and the ruler of Haduvalli when it was attacked by them in 1503 AD.
In 1527 AD, Gururaya Odeya became the ruler of Haduvalli. After him Chenna Devi Amma climbed the throne of Haduvalli for the first time. She ruled from Sangeethapura till Bhatkal. As she stopped paying indemnities to the Portuguese, Alfonso D’ Souza attacked on the town. But Chenna Devi fought valiantly and defeated the Portuguese. But the Portuguese once again attacked on the town and won the battle. It is said that at that time, Bhatkal was set on fire. After Chenna Devi Amma, Haduvalli was ruled by Chenna Bhaira Devi. She was an able administrator. She rebuilt the town of Bhatkal, which was devastated by the Portuguese. She started the administration from 1550. it was during her tenure that the neighbouring region of Gerusoppa fell under her control. As she traded in pepper grown in the region with the Portuguese, she was called ‘the Princess of Pepper’. During this time the power of the Vijayanagara Empire started declining. By the support of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Keladi rulers started expanding their Empire in Malnad. They got a chance to acquire the states of Haduvalli and Gerusoppa. Venkatappanayaka of Keladi dynasty was an eminent ruler. He sent a large troop of army with his Commamder, Linganna to Haduvalli and Gerusoppa. Chenna Bhaira Devi sought the help of the Portuguese. But since she did not receive timely help from them, Haduvalli went into the clenches of Venkatappa Nayaka. Later Bhatkal was ruled by the Keladi rulers.
After Venkatappa Nayaka, Somashekhara Nayaka, the son of the fifth wife of Shivappa Nayaka ruled Bhatkal from 1664 to 1672 AD. He was succeeded by his wife Chennemeji. She was called Veere Mahasati by her subjects, as she was gallant and clever. Even after her death her statue was worshipped by the people as a token of respect to her.
From 1698 to 1715, the power was in the hands of Basappa Nayaka, the adopted son of Chennemeji. He was succeeded by his son Somashekhara Nayaka till 1740. But his succeeders were weak and thus in 1762, Bhatkal went under the rule of Hyder Ali. By then the Arabs from the Middle East had established trade relations with the places along the coast. Some of them settled in this region who were called ‘Nawayaths’. They were absolutely good looking. Hyder Ali, being captivated by their beauty and charm, married a woman, Fatima Begum, one of the Nawayaths, and gave birth to Tippu.
After the death of Hyder Ali, his son Tippu Sultan took over the administration of Bhatkal. He established a Naval Training Center in 1793 to train his naval army. He ruled till 1799 after which the British came to the power.
During the rule of the British, the port of Bhatkal was a gateway to export pepper, spices, coconut, sugar and precious stones. The lighthouse built by them to guide their ships is yet running. They had divided the coastal line into northern and southern regions and had included Bhatkal in the northern part.
Late Jeevottam Bhat, Shri Narayan Manjunath Bhat, Late Shamshuddin and many others involved themselves in the freedom struggle. Some of them were taken into custody for cooperating in the Salt Satyagraha and Forest Satyagraha. When Mahatma Gandhi was travelling from Kundapur to Karwar for the upliftment of the Harijans, funds collected for the same in this taluk were given over to Gandhiji after meeting him on the boat.
After India attained independence, Bhatkal was included in the Bombay Province. At that time, it was called ‘Peta’. When Karnataka was unified, there became two taluks called ‘Bhatkal’ and ‘Soopa’ in North Canara district.
