Belgaum was known in the ancient times as ‘Venugrama’. The district headquarters whose name represents the entire district is situated on the Bangalore-Pune Road about 502 kms from the former. This place is on the Karnataka transition centre into Karnataka and even Goa. Its strategic location on the Deccan plateau did not escape history.

In Belgaum there is a 16th century mosque known as the Saba Mosque and two Jain shrines. It was a much sought after base and has been the regional capital since the 12th century. Some of the dynasties that left their mark include the Chalukyas Rattas Vijayanagara Bahamanis and the Marathas. Most of the monuments date from the early 13th century.

The Belgaum Fort is in the eastern part of the town rebuilt by Yusuf Adil Shah the Sultan of Bijapur in 1481. The cultural confluence is unmistakable. The moated fort at Belgaum arouses the painful memories of the travails of the fight for freedom as the Father of the Nation was goaled here. However the structure has attractive features. The Gokak falls is a frequent haunt of picnic makers from far and near. At the place called Halari there are architectural temples and Jain Bastis built by the kadamba rulers.