Harihar
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Harihar
Head-quarters of a sub taluk in the Davangere taluk of Chitaldroog District, Mysore, situated in 14° 31' N. and 75° 48' E., on the Tungabhadra river and the Southern Mahratta Railway. Population (1901), 5,783. According to tradition, it was the stronghold of a giant named Guha or Guhasura, who by his austerities had won from Brahma the boon of immunity from death at the hands of either Harl (Vishnu) or Hara (Siva). To relieve gods and men from his torment and break the spell, the two gods united into the one form Harihara and destroyed him. It was at an eaily period an agraliara for Brahmans, favoured by the Chalukyas and other royal lines. In the twelfth century it was included in Nonambavadi, governed by the Pandyas of Uchchangi. The fine temple of Hariharesvara was built in 1223 under the Hoysalas, by their general Polalva.
The Seunas afterwards held it, and their general Saluva Tikkama added some buildings in 1277. Many bene- factions were bestowed down to the sixteenth century by the Vijayanagar kings, one of the founders of which line assumed the name of Harihara- Raya. After the fall of Vijayanagar the place was seized by the Tarikere chiefs, who erected the fort. From them it was taken by the Nawab of Savanur, who granted it \x\jagir\.o Sher Khan. While in possession of the Muhammadans the temple was left intact, but the roof was used for a mosque, a small Saracenic doorway being made in the tower for the pulpit. Harihar was afterwards sold to Bednur, and later held by the Marathas till taken by Haidar All in 1763, since which time it has been thrice captured by the Marathas. Until 1865 a Native regiment was stationed in the cantonment 2 miles north-west of Harihar. In 1868 was completed the fine bridge across the Tungabhadra for the trunk road towards Bombay. There is now also a separate bridge for the railway. The municipality dates from 187 1. The receipts and expen- diture during the ten years ending 1901 averaged Rs. 5,700 and Rs. 5,600. In 1903-4 they were Rs. 4,000.
