Jobs Arts Videos
DESIblitz.com DESIblitz.com
Shop Advertise Contact Us
DESIblitz
  • Arts & Culture
  • Brit-Asian
  • Fashion
  • Film & TV
  • Food
  • Health & Beauty
  • Music & Dance
  • Sport
  • Taboo
  • Trends
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Arts
  • About DESIblitz
  • DESIblitz Team
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Arts
  • Culture
  • Books & Theatre
‘Born Fighter’_ A Review of Ruqsana Begum’s Memoir - f-2

‘Born Fighter’: A Review of Ruqsana Begum’s Memoir

John Huddles talks 'Asha of the Air' & South Asian Culture

John Huddles talks ‘Asha of the Air’ & South Asian Culture

A Review of '4 Brown Girls Who Write'

‘4 Brown Girls Who Write’: A Review & In-Depth Look

Lilly Singh talks Life, Books, Sexuality & Culture

Lilly Singh talks Life, Books, Sexuality & Culture

10 Best South Indian Authors to Explore

10 Best South Indian Authors to Explore

more
arts and
culture
  • Life
  • Business & Employment
  • UK & World
Family of Murdered Anand Parmar pay Tribute f

Family of Murdered Anand Parmar pay Tribute

HSBC Worker stole £900k from Customer Accounts f

HSBC Worker stole £900k from Customer Accounts

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister - F-2

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister

Sadiq Khan links Racism Rise to Donald Trump's Presidency f

Sadiq Khan links Racism Rise to Donald Trump’s Presidency

Gang smuggled Afghan Migrants inside 'Coffin-like Hides' f

Gang smuggled Afghan Migrants inside ‘Coffin-like Hides’

more
brit
asian
  • Bollywood
  • Television
  • Film
Bharti Singh accused of hurting Religious Sentiments - f

Bharti Singh accused of hurting Religious Sentiments

Anoushey Ashraf lashes on Pakistani men after Turkey incident - f

Anoushey Ashraf lashes on Pakistani men after Turkey incident

TV actress Helly Shah to make Cannes Debut f

TV actress Helly Shah to make Cannes Debut

Kangana Ranaut opens up about Childhood Sexual Assault f

Kangana blames Star Kids for Bollywood’s Decline

Shehnaaz Gill's 1st 'Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali' look Leaks f

Shehnaaz Gill’s 1st ‘Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali’ look Leaks

more
film & tv
  • Style & Glamour
  • Showcase
Janhvi Kapoor displays Hourglass Figure in Shimmering Gown f

Janhvi Kapoor displays Hourglass Figure in Shimmering Gown

Ranveer Singh reacts to being Trolled for his Fashion Sense - f

Ranveer Singh reacts to being Trolled for his Fashion Sense

Deepika Padukone becomes Louis Vuitton's first Indian Ambassador - f

Deepika Padukone becomes Louis Vuitton’s first Indian Ambassador

Urfi Javed turns heads in Seashell Bikini Top & Sheer Sarong f

Urfi Javed turns heads in Seashell Bikini Top & Sheer Sarong

Beginners Guide to Wearing an Indian Saree - f

Beginners Guide to Wearing an Indian Saree

more
fashion
  • Food & Drink
  • Recipes

10 Best Indian Restaurants in Liverpool

10 Best Indian Restaurants in Sheffield to Visit

Samosa Shop in Switzerland guarantees Orgasm for customers - f

Samosa Shop in Switzerland guarantees Orgasm for customers

London Man starts Restaurant over lack of Pakistani Cuisine f

London Man starts Restaurant over lack of Pakistani Cuisine

Steven Gerrard enjoys Prawn Curry at Asha's in Birmingham f

Steven Gerrard enjoys Prawn Curry at Asha’s in Birmingham

more
food
  • Health & Fitness
  • Beauty & Grooming
  • Relationships & Sex
Sonakshi Sinha launches her Press-On Nail Brand ’SOEZI’ - f

Sonakshi Sinha launches her Press-On Nail Brand ’SOEZI’

Transgender LGBTQ Flag

20 Gender Identity & LGBTQ+ Terms You Need to Know

Arjun Kapoor shares his Before & After Body Transformation Pics - f

Arjun Kapoor shares his Before & After Body Transformation Pics

Hira Mani shares her Weight Loss Secrets - f

Hira Mani shares her Weight Loss Secrets

10 Most Expensive Bollywood Celebrity Weddings - f

8 Most Expensive Bollywood Celebrity Weddings

more
health &
beauty
  • Music
  • Dance
How did Falguni Pathak become a Queer Icon? - f

How did Falguni Pathak become a Queer Icon?

Santoor Maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passes away at 84 f

Santoor Maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma passes away at 84

‘Pasoori’ hits Major Milestone with 100m Views on YouTube - f

‘Pasoori’ hits Major Milestone with 100m Views on YouTube

Jaz Dhami to perform at Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations - f

Jaz Dhami to perform at Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Diljit Dosanjh announces UK Dates for 2022 Tour - f

Diljit Dosanjh announces UK Dates for 2022 Tour

more
music &
dance
  • South Asian
  • UK & World
Amir Khan breaks silence since announcing Retirement f

Amir Khan breaks silence since announcing Retirement

Amir Khan retires from Boxing aged 35 f

Amir Khan retires from Boxing aged 35

Who are the Stars of the IPLSOCCER Tournament f

Who are the Stars of the IPLSOCCER Tournament?

Who is Ex-Cricketer Arun Lal's new Wife Bulbul Saha f

Who is Ex-Cricketer Arun Lal’s new Wife Bulbul Saha?

7 World Snooker Titles: Why Ronnie O'Sullivan is a Genius - F

7 World Snooker Titles: Why Ronnie O’Sullivan is a Genius

more
sports
  • Sexual
  • Cultural
How my Desi Girlfriend turned into in an Alcoholic Wife

How my Desi Girlfriend turned into my Alcoholic Wife

1st openly Gay Indian Prince fighting to end Conversion Therapy f

1st openly Gay Indian Prince fighting to end Conversion Therapy

Nina Aouilk - DESIblitz f

Nina Aouilk: Raped by Her Father, Forced to Marry & Abused in Marriage

How I Came out as a Lesbian to my South Asian Parents

How I Came out as a Lesbian to my South Asian Parents

Why is There a Rise in British Asians on OnlyFans?

Why is There a Rise in British Asians on OnlyFans?

more
taboo
  • Technology & Gaming
  • Lifestyle
10 Top Lamborghinis to Check Out f

10 Top Lamborghini Cars to Check Out

Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage - f

Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage

10 Best First Cars for New Drivers

10 Top Destinations for Female Solo Travellers

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India f

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India

more
trends
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Jobs
  • Arts
  • About DESIblitz
  • DESIblitz Team
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
Close

Filter your search

Search

More Results
Close

Trends > Lifestyle


How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India

Once the capital of old Mysore and now Karnataka, Bengaluru has evolved to become a technological hub and the Silicon Valley of India.

Updated  October 27, 2019
How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India f

By


TwitterFacebookPinterestRedditWhatsApp

When the gold mines were set up, it provided huge opportunities

Bengaluru is India’s third most populated city with over 12 million people. More importantly, it is known for being the Silicon Valley of India.

Known as Bangalore, in 2005, a proposal was accepted by the Government of Karnataka to rename Bangalore to Bengaluru.

But how did the capital city of Karnataka state become South Asia’s technology hub and the Silicon Valley of India?

The city’s origin dates back to 1537 when the Indian ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire Kempe Gowda settled there.

Over the centuries, the city became multi-ethnic with a cultural diversity all of its own.

The British East India Company found the city’s central location to be one of the best places for trading. As a result, money poured in.

In terms of technology, a number of events spanning decades led to Bengaluru becoming the IT centre of India.

Unlike its famous counterpart in California, which was mostly built with investor funds, the Silicon Valley of India has purely risen from those who had moved there.

With so many successful technology startups, we look at how Bengaluru grew to be the high-tech centre it is known for today.

Persecution & Immigration – Fleeing from War

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - old

Related Reads

  • Sid Singh talks Comedy, Silicon Valley & Edinburgh Festival Fringe
  • Kumail Nanjiani unhappy Appearance was Mocked in Silicon Valley
  • India's Bengaluru gets its First 'Robot Restaurant'

The city was populated by people who fled there in an attempt to get away from any wars that they were involved in.

That is why there are so many different languages spoken there today.

The Tamils were the first community which moved to Bengaluru in their masses. Many of them moved there in the 12th century.

Other communities including the Maharashtrians soon called Bengaluru home.

Many had been escaping wars as well as persecution. This part of India was considered to be safe because of the diversified culture.

Living alongside each other and sharing the same burdens, their lives turned to creating a thriving region.

Gold & the British Raj – The Gold Mine Opens

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - gold mine

Moving to Bengaluru in order to escape persecution changed in the 19th century. An influx of people moved there due to the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF).

When the gold mines were set up, it provided huge opportunities for the people of Kolar as well as those living in Bengaluru 60 miles away.

With the growth of the mines and the resulting demand for labour, people from different areas moved there. Indians, as well as Europeans, settled there.

The centre consisted of British and Indian engineers, geologists and mine supervisors who lived lavish lifestyles.

A further influx of English soldiers post-World War II transformed Bengaluru into Little England.

KGF was renowned for gold mining for more than a century, however, the mines closed on February 28, 2001, due to low gold production levels.

Old Money – The British bring their War Pensions

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - old money

As Bengaluru was popular because of its climate, the British married into the culture and grew old there rather than return to their homeland.

Many of these ex-pats survived purely on their British army pensions without the need to work at all.

A lot of British war veterans enjoyed the mild climate and greenery in the city that was nicknamed ‘The Garden City’.

However, as the economy’s wealth continued to grow, major companies started to pay attention.

The likes of HMT Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited and Indian Telephone Industries Limited set their headquarters up in Bengaluru during the 1950s.

American companies like Texas Instruments also set up offices in India. In 1985, it was the first multinational technology company to set up an R&D centre in India.

By the 1970s, Bengaluru was being populated by scientific research companies, engineers and academics. But one of the biggest contributors in transforming Bengaluru into the Silicon Valley of India was the TATA Group.

TATA – Education for the Future

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - tata

Even though TATA Group headquarters are located in Mumbai, it’s co-founder Jamsetji Tata has an association with Bengaluru.

He had established Bengaluru’s Indian Institute of Science in 1909. It is an accredited university for research and higher education in science and engineering.

Tata knew that education was the way forward and helped establish an institution which would develop technology experts for years to come.

The university has been ranked the number one university in India for three consecutive years.

Like the gold rush in the 19th century, the university provided opportunities for people in Bengaluru and across the world during the 20th century.

The level of education is so advanced in the city that it is an attractive prospect for those wanting to get into the technology industry.

Though Tata helped establish an education centre which would develop technology experts, the creation of the Indian Silicon Valley falls to RK Baliga, the first Chairman and Managing Director of Keonics, Karnataka Electronic.

Baliga dreamt of turning Bengaluru into the “Silicon Valley of India” when he came up with the concept of Electronic City.

It was met with scepticism but the then Chief Minister of Karnataka D Devaraj Urs supported him. Electronic City was established on just 332 acres.

It gained a lot of momentum during the 1990s and is now one of India’s largest Information Technology (IT) hubs, spread over 800 acres.

Today, Electronic City houses more than 100 IT and electronics companies who employ over 60,000 people.

The Population Explosion – Millions look for Work

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - millions

With Bengaluru becoming the technology centre in India, the population increased significantly.

The 1990s pushed the population to over 4 million, and by the year 2000, it was more than 5.5 million people.

Unfortunately, during these two decades, the area turned Bengaluru from the Garden City into the Concrete City.

A side effect was that quiet areas like Whitefield expanded during the technological boom. Not so much for technology, but for real estate.

More people meant more housing, so this attracted plumbers, electricians, cabinet makers and builders looking to capitalise on the increase in work for them.

Different professions benefitted from the continuous increase in population.

As with any boomtown, Bengaluru continues to attract the rural poor whose agricultural lands are annually decimated by monsoon floods.

It has become the land of plenty. With over 12 million inhabitants Bengaluru is now synonymous with affluence.

The Ideal Location – India’s Geographical Centre

How Bengaluru became the Silicon Valley of India - centre

Technology now dominates the Bengaluru lifestyle so it was no surprise when it was chosen as a central hub because of its geographical location.

Centred in the middle of the financial and industrial centres of Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin and Tuticorin, Bengaluru is perfectly situated.

It is easy to connect with these major centres but if there is a problem, Bengaluru can still connect with other parts of the world.

Those who transformed the city into what it is today had immense wealth and those maintaining it are even richer.

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in 2006: “Bengaluru is a brand the world identifies India with.”

It is the single biggest reason why India has become such a hot investment destination.

Today, the new space program in India dictates scientific companies will continue to thrive and build on their expertise.

Both technology and the space programs mean more robotics, likely the next phase of the global electronic connection.

Local laws and smart entrepreneurs assist one another and help to maintain the region’s economy.

Bengaluru is one of the top cities for technology and the fastest growing communication hub in the world.

It is a dynamic megacity with over 12 million people and that population continues to increase.

It would not have been possible without those who migrated to the city but it has led towards transforming India into a major centre for technology.

Silicon Valley in California builds economic benefits to the state and the country. It is the same with Bengaluru.

Will it eventually become the richest city in the world? Who knows but India is betting on it especially since it continues to grow.


TwitterFacebookPinterestRedditWhatsApp
Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell
Possessing a wicked sense of humour Tim has travelled the world indulging in every culture and enjoys life to the fullest. His motto is "Carpe Dium" or "Seize the day"!
5 Houses you Could Buy in India for £200,000
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in India of 2019

Related Reads

  • Related Reads

    • Sid Singh talks Comedy, Silicon Valley & Edinburgh Festival Fringe
      Sid Singh talks Comedy, Silicon Valley & Edinburgh Festival Fringe
    • Kumail Nanjiani unhappy Appearance was Mocked in Silicon Valley
      Kumail Nanjiani unhappy Appearance was Mocked in Silicon Valley
    • India's Bengaluru gets its First 'Robot Restaurant'
      India's Bengaluru gets its First 'Robot Restaurant'
    • Indian Woman who committed 'Suicide' found in Bengaluru
      Indian Woman who committed 'Suicide' found in Bengaluru
    • Bengaluru Cafe serves new Green Chilli Chai
      Bengaluru Cafe serves new Green Chilli Chai
    • How Aishwarya Rai Bachchan became the Global Beauty of India
      How Aishwarya Rai Bachchan became the Global Beauty of India


  • UKAFF 2022 click for tickets
  • DESIblitz.com winner of Asian Media Award 2021, 2017, 2015 & 2013
  • What's New

    • 10 Top Lamborghinis to Check Out f

      10 Top Lamborghini Cars to Check Out

    • Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage - f

      Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage

    • 10 Best First Cars for New Drivers

    • 10 Top Destinations for Female Solo Travellers

    • Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India f

      Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India

    MORE

    Popular

    • Trends

      10 Expensive Rare Supercars you Must See

    • Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India f
      Trends

      Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge launches in India

    • Trends

      10 Top Destinations for Female Solo Travellers

    • Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage - f
      Trends

      Badshah adds Audi Q8 worth Rs 1.38 Crore to his Garage

    • Trends

      10 Best First Cars for New Drivers

    • 10 Top Lamborghinis to Check Out f
      Trends

      10 Top Lamborghini Cars to Check Out

  • Trending

  • "Quoted"

    • SRK reveals He Why Can't Buy Underwear online f
      "I am still not comfortable in shopping underwear online"

      SRK reveals Why He Can’t Buy Underwear Online

  • Polls

    Will you watch Fifty Shades of Grey?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...
    • Polls Archive
  • Top Middle Bottom
    What's New Popular Trending
    Close
    Scroll To

    RECENTLY

    • ‘Born Fighter’: A Review of Ruqsana Begum’s Memoir
    • Bharti Singh accused of hurting Religious Sentiments
    • Janhvi Kapoor displays Hourglass Figure in Shimmering Gown
    • Anoushey Ashraf lashes on Pakistani men after Turkey incident
    • TV actress Helly Shah to make Cannes Debut

    Socialise with us

    FOR OUR LATEST NEWS, GOSSIP & GUPSHUP

    About Us

    • Contact Us
    • DESIblitz Shop
    • Advertise with Us
    • About DESIblitz
    • DESIblitz Team
    • Terms of Service
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2008-2022 DESIblitz. DESIblitz is a ® registered trade mark | Email:info@desiblitz.com DMCA.com Protection Status

    en English
    bn Bengalien Englishgu Gujaratihi Hindiit Italianmr Marathipa Punjabisw Swahilita Tamilur Urdu