• Overview : Bagalkot district, officially Bagalakote, is an administrative district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The district headquarters is located in the town of Bagalakote. The district is located in northern Karnataka and borders Belgaum, Gadag, Koppal, Raichur, and Bijapur. The new Bagalakote district was carved out of Vijayapura in 1997.
• Geography: The district is situated on the North Karnataka Plateau, part of the larger Deccan Plateau, and covers an area of 6,593 km². It has a temperate climate with an average elevation of 610 m and an annual rainfall of approximately 662 mm.
• Rivers and Agriculture: The Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Krishna rivers flow through the district. Black soil in the region is conducive to cotton cultivation. Major crops include rabi, jowar, groundnut, cotton, maize, bajra, wheat, sugarcane, and tobacco.
• History: Stone inscriptions identify Bagadige as the ancient name of Bagalkot. The area has historical significance dating back to the 2nd century CE. The Chalukyan rulers established Bagalkot as their administrative headquarters in the 6th century CE.
• Population: According to the 2011 census, Bagalkot district has a population of 1,889,752, with a population density of 288 inhabitants per square kilometer. The district has a sex ratio of 984 females for every 1000 males and a literacy rate of 69.39%.
• Economy: Agriculture is the largest employer in Bagalkot, with over 65% of the working population engaged in it. The economy is valued at US$5.6 billion, with a per capita income of US$360.
• Culture and Heritage: Kudalasangama, the confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha rivers, is famous for being the samadhi of Basavanna. The district has several historical sites from the Chalukyan era, including Aihole and Pattadakal.