Discover Kolar Gold Fields

 

Gangas Era (4th - 10th Century)

• The history of mining in the Kolar region dates back to ancient times, with evidence suggesting gold extraction during the rule of the Western Ganga Dynasty.

• The Gangas, known for their patronage of Hindu temples and culture, likely exploited the area's resources, including gold, to finance temple construction and other cultural projects.

 

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Cholas Era (10th - 13th Century)

• Under the Chola Dynasty, Kolar remained an important center. While the Cholas focused mainly on temple-building and administrative reforms, there is evidence to suggest that mining activities continued.

• The Cholas' expansionist policies may have led to increased extraction and utilization of gold for religious and state purposes.

 

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​Vijayanagara Era (14th - 16th Century)

• The Vijayanagara Empire, known for its wealth and cultural achievements, heavily exploited gold mining to support its extensive temple building and military expenditures.

• KGF likely saw systematic mining operations during this time, as the rulers sought to strengthen the empire’s economy through mineral wealth.

 

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Tipu Sultan's Era (Late 18th Century)

• Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, recognized the economic potential of KGF's gold and likely conducted some mining operations.

• However, his focus on military campaigns against the British limited the extent of mining during his rule.

 

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Wadiyar Dynasty Era (Late 18th - Early 19th Century)

• Following Tipu Sultan’s death, the Wadiyar kings regained control of the Mysore kingdom and encouraged mining as a source of revenue.

• The local administration took an interest in the mining operations, but large-scale mechanized mining was yet to commence.

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British Era (Late 19th Century - 1947)

• The modern history of KGF began in 1880 when British geologist Michael Lavelle obtained mining rights from the Wadiyars and established systematic mining.

• The British introduced deep-shaft mining and modern techniques, transforming KGF into one of the world's deepest and most productive gold mining operations.

• By the early 20th century, KGF was a bustling town with a colonial charm, often referred to as "Little England" due to its British architecture and lifestyle.

 

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​​Independent India (1947 - 2001)

• After independence, the government of India nationalized the mines in 1956 and managed them through Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML).

• Despite efforts to modernize operations, the mines faced challenges due to declining gold reserves, rising production costs, and outdated technology.

• Attempts to revive mining in the 1980s and 1990s did not succeed, leading to financial losses.

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Closure (2001)

• The KGF mines officially shut down in 2001 after over a century of commercial mining, marking the end of an era. The closure was driven by unprofitability and environmental concerns.

• The town experienced economic decline following the shutdown, with many families dependent on mining for their livelihood facing hardship.