{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Kundapra | official_name = Kundapura | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = Town | image_skyline = Coondapur.JPG | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 6 | map_alt = | map_caption = Kundapura in Karnataka | image_alt = | image_caption = Clockwise from top: Kundapur [[River]], Main Road, Shastri Circle, [[Coconut]] tree, [[Anegudde]] Sri Vinayaka temple, [[Kollur, Udupi district|Kollur]] Mookambika temple | nickname = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|13|37|42|N|74|41|20|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[Country]] | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]] | subdivision_type3 = [[List of regions of India|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Udupi district|Udupi]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Tulunadu]] | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1912 | founder = | named_for = Kundeshwara | government_type = [[Municipality]] | governing_body = Kundapura Town Municipal Council | leader_title1 = Councillor | leader_name1 = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 23.06 | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 80 | population_total = 30,444 | population_as_of = 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Villages & Towns in Kundapura Taluka of Udupi, Karnataka|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/subdistrict/5522-kundapura-udupi-karnataka.html|website=www.census2011.co.in|access-date=12 November 2016}}</ref> | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_rank = | population_demonym = Kundapurian | timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]] | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] | postal_code = 576 201 | area_code = 91-(0)8254 | area_code_type = Telephone code | iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-KA]] | registration_plate = [[List of RTO districts in India#KA.E2.80.94Karnataka|KA]]-20 | blank1_name_sec1 = | blank1_info_sec1 = [[Udupi]], [[Byndoor]], [[Mangalore]] | website = {{URL|www.kundapurtown.mrc.gov.in}} | footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada language| Kannada]] | demographics1_title2 = Regional | demographics1_info2 = [[Kundagannada]], [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Malayalam language |Malayalam]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |title=50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2012 to June 2013) |access-date=14 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708012438/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM50thReport.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2016}}</ref> | leader_title2 = Deputy Councillor | leader_name2 = | blank2_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]] | blank2_info_sec1 = 1.09 [[male|♂]]/[[female|♀]] | blank4_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] Constituency | blank4_info_sec1 = [[Udupi Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency|Udupi Chikmagalur]] | blank5_name_sec1 = [[Karnataka Legislative Assembly|Vidhan Sabha]] Constituency | blank5_info_sec1 = [[Kundapura Assembly constituency|Kundapura]] }} '''Kundapra''', officially '''Kundapura''', is a town in the [[Udupi district]] of [[Karnataka]] state in India. This town was known as '''Coondapoor''' when it was part of the erstwhile [[South Canara]] district (1862–1947) of the [[Madras Presidency]] of [[British India]]. Present-day Kundapur is administered by the Kundapur Town Municipal Council and serves as the headquarters of eponymous Kundapur taluk in Udupi district.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kundapur town municipal council about |url=http://www.kundapurtown.mrc.gov.in/en/about-tmc}}</ref>
== Etymology == The name Kundapura can be traced to the Kundeshwara Temple built by Kundavarma of the [[Alupa dynasty]] who ruled the region in the 10th - 11th century, in the vicinity of the [[Panchagangavalli River]].<ref name="DH">{{cite news |last= V.R.|first= Kushal|date=7 October 2013|title=Where nature, beauty and history mingle|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/361696/where-nature-beauty-history-mingle.html|newspaper=Deccan Herald| access-date= 20 October 2022}}</ref> In Kundagannada language, the word "Kunda" also refers to the flower Jasmine. Where the Majority people of Kundapura grow flower Jasmine in this region which came to be called as kundapura (Land of Jasmine).<ref name=":0" /> <!--History of Kundapur is linked to Basruru, the port town {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. Basuru was a trading centre which had sea route contacts with the Middle East. Merchant ships from Muscat and other places used to come here during 14–16th century to collect pepper, good quality rice. Bigger ships used to travel up to Basruru, in those days, and now the river has filled up with silt. Basrur was a well-planned town with major amenities available in those days. Several streets named after weavers, business, music etc. are still available in Basruru, which is reduced to a small village during the 20th century. It was the principal port of the Rajas of Baindoor who came to prominence after the decline of the [[Vijayanagara]] power. The Portuguese and German missionaries settled here in the 16th century and built a [[fort]]. Later Kundapur, which is nearer to shore also started drawing attention. A well-built redoubt constructed by [[Hyder Ali]] commands the entrance to the river. After the fall of [[Tipu Sultan]] in 1799, the town was taken over by the British. During British Raj, people of Kundapur also participated in the call for independence given by Gandhiji and other leaders.-->
== History ==
The history of Kundapur is defined by its strategic position as a maritime gateway and its transition through several major South Indian dynasties.
=== Ancient and Medieval Periods === During the 10th and 11th centuries, Kundapur flourished under the [[Alupa dynasty]]. King Kundavarma of the Alupas is credited with the construction of the Kundeshwara Temple, which became a central landmark for the settlement. The region was later integrated into the [[Vijayanagara Empire]]. During this era, Kundapur served as a vital administrative and commercial hub, facilitating trade between the interior [[Malnad]] regions and overseas markets.<ref name="Deccan_Herald_History">{{cite news |title=Where nature, beauty and history mingle |work=Deccan Herald |date=2013-10-07 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/361696/where-nature-beauty-history-mingle.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Jaideep Shenoy |title=Karnataka: Vijayanagara period inscription found in Kundapur |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/karnataka-vijayanagara-period-inscription-found-in-kundapura-taluk/articleshow/74564881.cms |date=Mar 10, 2020}}</ref>
=== Portuguese era === Following the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565, the [[Portuguese East India Company]] capitalized on its weakening control over the West Coast. In 1567, they established a presence at [[Mangalore]], constructing the St. Sebastiao fort along with a church. They further expanded by building a fort at [[Honnavar]] (Onor) in 1569 and another at Kundapur in 1570, while also setting up trading factories at [[Basrur]] (Barcelore) and [[Gangolli]] (Cambolim).<ref name="JETIR_Portuguese">{{cite journal |last=Nayak |first=S. |title=The Portuguese in Karnataka |journal=Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research |volume=7 |issue=5 |year=2020 |url=https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2005189.pdf}}</ref>
=== Keladi rule === Under the leadership of Shivappa Nayaka (r. 1645–1660) of the [[Keladi Nayaka]] dynasty, the Keladi forces waged a series of campaigns to dismantle Portuguese influence. By 1652, the Keladi army successfully captured the Portuguese fort at Kundapur and destroyed the Portuguese fleet at Gangolli, forcing them to abandon the region entirely by 1654.<ref name="JETIR_Portuguese"/>
=== Mysore and British Rule === In the 18th century, the Kingdom of Mysore under [[Hyder Ali]] defeated Queen Virammaji, the last rule of Keladi and seized control of the region and the town, constructing a redoubt (fortification) to command the river entrance. In 1799, following the death of [[Tipu Sultan]] in the [[Third Anglo-Mysore War]], the [[East India Company|British]] annexed the region. It was incorporated into the [[South Canara]] district of the [[Madras Presidency]], where it remained until the reorganization of Indian states.<ref name="NextIAS_History">{{cite web |title=Anglo-Mysore War in India (1767-99) |url=https://www.nextias.com/blog/anglo-mysore-war/ |publisher=Next IAS |access-date=2026-03-23}}</ref>
=== Post Indian independence === After India's independdence, Kundapur remained part of the Madras Presidency until 1 November 1956 when during the [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|Reorganisation of States]], the South Canara district (which included Kundapur) was detached from the Madras State and merged into the Mysore State. On 1 November 1973, Mysore State was renamed to Karnataka state.<ref name="Sharma_Democracy">{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=B. N. |title=History of the Democratic Movement in Karnataka |year=1995 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-8174880598 |page=164 |comment=Detailed account of the integration of the Canara districts into the unified Kannada-speaking state.}}</ref>
== Geography == Kundapura town is surrounded by water from three sides. To the north lies the [[Panchagangavalli River]]. To the east lies the Kalaghar river. To the west lie the [[Kodi, India|Kodi]] [[Backwater (river)|backwaters]] sea walk and the [[Arabian Sea]], leaving the south side as the main connecting land mass. All connecting roads to Kundapura enter the city from the southern direction. North side of the town is vast backwaters of Panchagangavali river and a bridge has been constructed across it. {{citation needed|date=April 2022}} Kundapur Taluk is bounded on the west by the Arabian Sea, on the south by [[Brahmavara]] Taluk, on the north by [[Byndoor Taluk]], and the east by the [[Western Ghats]]. ===Rivers=== Kundapur taluk has several rivers and experiences heavy rainfall. The main rivers are the<ref name=river/> Chakra, Souparnika, Varahi, Kubja, and Kheta. In fact, there are seven rivers or rivulets between Kundapur and Byndoor, a short distance of 36 km. They are Halady River, Kollur River, Chakra River, Rajadi, Nujadi, Yadamavina Hole and Uppunda Hole.<ref name="river">River Disputes in India: Kerala Rivers Under Siege By S. N. Sadasivan, Mittal Publications.(2003) Page:80.{{ISBN|8170999138}}, 9788170999133 [https://books.google.com/books?id=hhrRboi5kOcC&dq=Halady+kundapur&pg=PA80]</ref> == Demographics == {{As of|2011|alt=As of the 2011}} India [[census]],<ref name="censusindia">{{cite web |title=Population Finder 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/population-finder |accessdate=2022-10-19 |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}</ref> * Kundapur Town has a population of 30,444. * Kundapur Taluk has a population of 398,471 * Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. * Literate population was 25,191, with a [[Literacy|Literacy rate]] of 82%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. {{Pie chart | thumb = right | caption = Languages of Kundapur Town (2011)<ref name="language">{{Cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Karnataka (Urban)|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255/download/13367/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2900.XLSX|website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> |label1 = [[Kannada]] |value1 = 63.4 |color1 = darkslateblue |label2 = [[Konkani language|Konkani]] |value2 = 22.9 |color2 = salmon |label3 = [[Urdu]] |value3 = 4.3 |color3 = green |label4 = [[Malayalam]] |value4 = 1.7 |color4 = blue |label5 = [[Tulu language|Tulu]] |value5 = 1.2|color5 = red |label6 = Others |value6 = 6.5 |color6 = grey }}
== Transport == {{unreferenced section|date=March 2019}} Kundapur is connected to other parts of the country by [[National Highway 66 (India)|NH66]]. SH52 is a [[State highway|State Highway]] that connects to Shimoga District. This Highway connects cities and towns of different states. Kundapur is also connected to the [[Konkan Railway]], which runs from [[Mumbai]] to [[Mangaluru]]. The railway station is about {{convert|4|km|mi}} from the town. The nearest airport is [[Mangaluru International Airport]], at [[Bajpe]] around {{convert|87|km|mi}} from Kundapur.
[[Kundapura railway station]], along the [[Konkan Railway]], is used by [[Kerala]] pilgrims who visit [[Mookambika Temple, Kollur|Kolluru Mookambika Temple]].
Kundapur is located at a distance of {{cvt|38|km}} from [[Udupi]], {{cvt|40|km}} from [[Manipal]], {{cvt|30|km}} from [[Byndoor]], {{cvt|54|km}} [[Bhatkal]], {{cvt|91|km}} from [[Mangaluru]] and {{cvt|181|km}} from [[Karwar]], which are the other major cities/towns in Coastal Karnataka.
There are private local buses, and some out-of-town destinations are serviced by government owned buses. Buses can be found for Udupi and Mangaluru, and there are multiple bus stands. The main bus stand where the buses to Udupi and Mangaluru are available is called "New bus stand", and is near the police station. Another frequently used mode of transportation is auto rickshaw.
== Notable people == <!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---> {{Div col|colwidth=15em}} * [[Guru Dutt]] * [[Ravi Basrur]] * [[Siddharth Basrur]] * [[K. Shivaram Karanth]] * [[Kota Srinivas Poojary]] * [[Rishab Shetty]] * [[Kashinath (actor)]] * [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] * [[Mogeri Gopalakrishna Adiga]] * [[Vaidehi (Kannada writer)|Vaidehi]] * [[Sanchita Padukone]] * [[Satish Acharya]] {{Div col end}} <!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> <!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by the LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
== References == {{Commons category|Kundapura}} {{Reflist}}
{{Udupi District}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Cities and towns in Udupi district]]