Bangalore Tourism

Bangalore derives its name from an ancient legend associated with it. According to the myth, King Veera Ballala, a ruler of the Hoysala dynasty, was separated from his troupe, while hunting in the jungle. The king called this place as 'benda kaalu ooru' or 'village of boiled beans'. This was later converted to 'Bangalore', an anglicized form. Legend has it that the city is named after an old woman, who lived in this area and offered a humble meal of boiled beans to a lost Hoysala ruler. The origin of the present-day city of Bangalore can be traced to the early 16th century, when Kempegowda, a local chief, built a small mud fort here. Bangalore gained prominence in the 18th century, when it became an important fort city, under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore.