Kempe Gowda I, revered as Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda I, was the founder of Bangalore. He was a chieftain of the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire. As the scion of the Morasu Gowda lineage, he was an able and just ruler.
History of Kempe Gowda I
As per history, Kempe Gowda I belonged to the Morasu Vokkaliga community. His father, Kempananje Gowda, ruled over Yelahanka for over 70 years. As he was named Hiriya Kempe Gowda, Kempegowda I revealed leadership qualities early in his childhood and underwent education for nine years at a Gurukula in Aivarukandapura (or Aigondapura). He succeeded as the chieftain of the Yelahanka Nadu after his father in 1513. Needless to say, he was an accomplished ruler who ruled for 46 years.
During his later life, Kempegowda I underwent imprisonment under the rule of the Vijayanagara emperor for five years owing to the complaint lodged by an envious neighbouring emperor for minting coins. Not only did the chieftain have to undergo imprisonment, but his territories were also confiscated. However, on his release, the emperor handed over his territories and subsequently bestowed on him the neighbouring regions of Ulsoor, Varthur, Jigani, Begur, Thalagattapura, Kengeri, Kumbalgodu, and Banavara. After his release from prison, Kempegowda built the steps leading to the Shivasamudra temple to express his gratitude. The chieftain breathed his last in 1569 after having reigned for 46 years.
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Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bangalore
Kempe Gowda I was instrumental in the origin of Bangalore under his able governance. He envisioned a well-planned city after an idea that sprouted within him during a hunting expedition with his eldest son, Gidde Gowda, and courtier Veeranna. According to the plan, the city would consist of a fort, temples, tanks, cantonments, etc. The town was to have eight access gates and wide roads, and the settlement spread across present-day Avenue Road, Ulsoor, Yelahanka, K R Market and Malleswaram. Kempegowda I further annexed the Sivaganga principality, about 48 KM from Bangalore on the Bangalore – Pune highway. Kempegowda I thus took the consent of the Vijayanagar emperor Achyutharaya and constructed the Bangalore Fort and the city in 1537 AD. Subsequently, he moved his base and capital from Yelahanka to his newly founded city, Bengaluru Pete.
An able ruler and a humane social reformer
Kempe Gowda, I exercised his capability to rule efficiently and showed great humaneness towards people. Apart from building water reservoirs and temples in Bangalore, his contribution also lies in social reformation. A noteworthy social reform was that he contributed to abolishing the practice of cutting the last two fingers of unmarried women as per a custom, Bandi Devaru, in the Morasu Vokkaliga community. The ruler also ensured the just and equitable collection of revenue and taxes. Agriculturists and traders could operate without fear under Kempegowda I’s reign. Needless to say, people admired and adored their ruler.
Kempegowda promoted the arts and learning. A polyglot, he wrote the Gangagaurivilasa, a Yakshagana play in Telugu.
The statue of Kempegowda I – The Statue of Prosperity
The statue of Kempegowda, also acclaimed as the Statue of Prosperity, made by Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar, stands tall at the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli, Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 11 November 2022. However, a metal statue has been in the Gangadeshwara temple, Shivaganga, since 1609.
Memorials of Kempegowda
As a mark of respect to Kempe Gowda, the Government has named one of the main roads in Bangalore Kempe Gowda Road. Bangalore also has the Kempegowda Circle at the junction of Suranjan Das Road and New Thippasandra/GM Palya Main Road. The Kempegowda bus stand and the Kempegowda International Airport also bear the name of the illustrious chieftain.
Thus, Kempe Gowda’s life is undoubtedly power-packed yet with an undertone of kindness and gentleness