People of Karnataka

Karnataka > People of Karnataka

Geographically Karnataka occupies the centre tableland of the Deccan Plateau. At times, it has been termed as an anthropological museum, where the people of different racial traits are seen. Apart from the so-called Dravidians and Indo-Aryan races, the land has notable strains of people of other categories. The Muslim dynasties that ruled over the region attracted considerable number of Turks, Afghans and other people from the Middle-East. Proximity to Goa made many run-away Negro slaves from that region to come and settle down on the territory bordering Goa, especially in Uttara Kannada and these people are called Siddhis. Of late, certain settlements of the Tibetans have also come into existence. Some places on the coast like Bhatkal has people of Arabic origin, having settled down there for centuries.

The Christian population here has a considerable strain of European element in it, as the Portugese in Goa had married local women and considerable sections of Goan Christians have migrated to Karnataka. The contact the coastal people had with the Arab traders helped their mingling with the local population. The various racial elements including the indigenous, the various religious movements and regional customs have helped in evolving the Karnataka culture which has shaped the life of the people.

Demography of Karnataka

According to 1991 census, Karnataka with an area of 1,91,791 sq. km. has a population of 44,977,201 with 22,951,917 males and 22,025,284 females. Karnataka State ranks 9th among the 28 States and 7 Union Territories in the Indian Union both in respect of area and population as per 2001 census. Karnataka's population constitute 5.1% of India's population.

As can be seen from the trends in growth of population, there was a fall in growth and a decrease during 1911-21 due to epidemics, plague and influenza. In 30 years between 1901 and 1931 the population increased only about a million and a half. The rate of growth of population has accelerated from 1951 onwards. The percentage growth rate of population during 1981-91 was 21.12 (Rural 17.65 and Urban 29.62) as against 26.76 during 1971-81 (Rural 19.07 and Urban 50.65). Among the districts, during 1981-91, Bangalore District has recorded the highest growth rate of 38.44 per cent and Kodagu has registered the lowest growth rate of 5.57 percent.

The district-wise population of the State in 1991 and the percentage of decennial increase between 1981 and 1991 are as follows: Bangalore 48,39,16238.44%; Bangalore Rural 16,73,194-15.23%; Belgaum 35,83,606-20.24%; Bellary 18,90,092-26.92%; Bidar 12,55,799-26.12%; Bijapur 29,27,900-21.91%, Chikmagalur 10,17,283-10.37%; Chitradurga 21,80,443-22.67%; Dakshina Kannada 26,94,264-13.31%; Dharwad 35,03,150-18.93%; Gulbarga 25,82,16924.12%; Hassan 15,69,684-15.57%; Kodagu 4,88,455-5.75%; Kolar 22,16,88916.34%; Mandya 16,44,374-15.96%; Mysore 31,65,018-21.92%; Raichur 23,09,887-29.49%; Shimoga 19,09,663-15.27%; Tumkur 23,05,819-16.58% and Uttara Kannada 12,20,260-13.83%.

Sex Ratio in Karnataka

The sex ratio is defined as the number of females for every 1000 males in a given area. The sex ratio of population in 2001 was 965. The rural sex ratio was 977 and that of the urban ratio was 942, as compared to the figures to that of 1991 (Rural 975, Urban 930; Total 961). The sex ratio has almost remained the same for the total population of the state with a slight decrease in the number of females whereas in the rural areas the ratio was higher and in the urban areas it was a little less during 2001. During 2001, the district-wise sex ratio was as follows: Bagalkot 980; Bangalore 908; Bangalore Rural 955; Belgaum 960; Bellary 969; Bidar 949; Bijapur 950; Chamarajanagar 971; Chikmagalur 984; Chitradurga 955; Dakshina Kannada 1022; Davanagere 952; Dharwad 949; Gadag 969; Gulbarga 966; Hassan 1004; Haveri 944; Kodagu 996; Kolar 972; Koppal 983; Mandya 986; Mysore 964; Raichur 983; Shimoga 978; Tumkur 967; Udupi 1130, and Uttara Kannada 971. These figures indicate that the sex ratio in the districts of Bangalore, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Dharwad, Haveri and Mysore was less than the State's average and Udupi has a higher sex ratio than other areas.

Density of Population

The number of persons for every square kilometre area is called the density of population. The density of population in the state was 235 in 1991 as against 194 in 1981 which is less than that of the country (267 in 1991 as against 230 in 1981). Among 35 states and union territories in the country Karnataka occupies the 20th position in density of population in 1991 and 2001.

According to 2001 census Bangalore District has registered the highest density of 2,985 persons per sq. km and the lowest of 132 persons per sq.km. in Kodagu and Uttara Kannada district. The density of population in the urban areas of Bangalore district in 2001 was 10,375 per sq km and next comes Mysore district which has a density of 5,508 per sq. km. in the urban areas. Apart from Bangalore, Dakshina Kannada, Mysore, Mandya, Dharwad, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum, Kolar and Davangere districts have a density of more than 300 persons per sq. km. Those with a density between 250 and 300 were Haveri, Udupi, Bidar, Hassan and Bagalkot districts; with a density between 200 and 250 were Bidar, Chitradurga, Hassan and Tumkur. Raichur, Tumkur, Bellary, Gadag, Mysore and Mandya districts have an urban density of more than 5,000.

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