Hubli-Dharwad

Hubli, officially known as Hubballi is the second largest city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It forms continuous urban area with the city of Dharwad.Hubli-Dharwad is the largest conurbation in the state after capital Bangalore.The name Hubballi literally means "Flowering creeper" in Kannada. While Dharwad is the administrative headquarters, the city of Hubballi, situated about 20 km south-east of Dharwad, is the commercial centre and business hub of North Karnataka region. Crops including cotton, chili pepper and peanuts are grown aplenty in the surrounding rural agricultural areas, and Hubli is a major trading centre for these commodities. It is also an important city for the Indian Railways, as it is the headquarters for South Western Railway zone and the Hubli Railway Division. Hubli is a major railway junction in North Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.Hubli also houses the largest number of government offices outside Bangalore. In 2016, Hubli-Dharwad was selected for Solar City / Green City Master Plans. Recently, Hubli was selected for a Smart city project. Hubli ring road is also in construction of 40 km which connects NH4, Gadag road and Bijapur road.History"Hoovina Balli" became Hubballi Rayara Hubli, also called 'Eleya Purvada Halli' or 'Purballi' was the old Hubli, where there is a Bhavani Shankara temple and Jaina basti. Under Vijayanagara Rayas, Rayara Hubli grew as a commercial centre, famous for trade in cotton, saltpetre and iron. Under the rule of the Adilshahis, the British opened a factory here. The factory was looted by Shivaji in 1673. The Mughals conquered Rayara Hubli and it was then placed under the governance of the Nawab of Savanur, who built a new extension named Majidpura. Later, trader Basappa Shettar built new Hubli around the Durgadabail (fort maidan) part of Rayara Hubli.