Kempegowda: Architect of Bengaluru City

On 27^th June, 2022, Karnataka celebrated the 513th birth anniversary of Kempegowda, the architect of Bengaluru city.

• On this occasion, Chief Minister presented the Kempegowda International Award to the former Karnataka Chief Minister S. M. Krishna, Infosys founder and IT industry veteran N. R. Narayana Murthy, and former badminton player Prakash Padukone.

About Nadaprabhu Hiriya Kempe Gowda: He was the son of Kempananje Gowda had ruled Yelhankanadu for over 70 years.

• He was a chieftain under the Vijayanagara Empire.
• He laid the foundation for the current city of Bengaluru.
• It was fortified by Kempe Gowda in 1537.

Social Reforms: He prohibited the practice of removing the last two fingers of the left hand of unmarried women during "Bandi Devaru". It was an important custom of Morasu Vokkaligas.