Hoskote

Hoskote is a taluk in Bangalore Rural District. Headquartered at the Hoskote town, it consists of five hoblis - Anugondanahalli, Jadigenahalli, Kasaba, Nandagudi and Sulibele. Agriculture, apiculture and horticulture are primary occupations of people here, although the industrialization in the recent times in Hoskote and places around has thrown up new opportunities for the people. Hoskote is the largest taluk in Karnataka having 333 villages.Hoskote town is the headquarters of the Hoskote Taluk, and lies at the intersection of NH-4 and NH-207 and as such is a busy town with both resident and floating population. Hoskote has a medical college and research institute known as MVJ Medical College & Research Centre.Hoskote is known for its moderate climate throughout the year. The town is around 900 m above sea level making its climate usually 1 or 2 degrees cooler than Bangalore.HistoryHoskote, 25 km from Bangalore was a pre-historic centre. According to a copper plate grant dated 1494, given to a Veerashiva Matha the place was founded by Thamme Gowda, the chief of Sugatur. The place is also noted for a large tank with an embankment which is two miles long, and when full, forms a sheet of water not less than 12 km in circumference. Thammegowda is said to have constructed this tank and by raising an armed force, he annexed places like Anekal, Mulbagal and Punganur (A.P.). His successors ruled till 1638.. Shortly after, the territory was conquered by the Bijapur army and subsequently conferred as a Jahgir on Shahaji, who resided at Bangalore. He had an officer called Yeshwantrao posted here. On the capture of these districts by the Mughal army under Khasim Khan in 1687, they became part of the Sira Province. In 1756, Hoskote was taken by the Mysore army, but was subdued by the Marathas (Peshwa). It changed hands several times until it was finally annexed by Haider Ali in 1761.