Kampli
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Kampli
Town in the Hospet taluk of Bellary District, Madras, situated in 15 degree 25' N. and 76 degree 36' E., on the bank of the Tungabhadra. Population (1901), 9,803. Until 1851 it was the head-quarters of the Hospet (then called the Kampli) taluk, but it is now declining in importance. The town has an ancient history, having been a Chalukyan capital in the eleventh century ; and its fort, which stands on the river bank at the end of a most picturesque reach, must have been of some strength. It is now being deserted in favour of the more healthy suburb known as the petta, which is farther from the river and raised above the irrigated land, and consequently less malarious. The only industry is the weaving of silk fabrics. It is doubtful whether even this is what it was a dozen years ago. The weavers are unprogressive, and most of them have fallen into the hands of the local capitalists, who advance materials and take the stuffs they weave, paying them only for their labour. The town is surrounded by irrigated land watered from channels from the Tungabhadra, and a good deal of coarse sugar is still made; but this does not command its former price, having been largely ousted by the superior article refined by European processes.
