The word Karnataka has been derived from two words i.e. karu and nadu meaning elevated land. Evidences from the pre-historic ages indicate that the culture of Karnataka had much in common with the civilization of Africa and is quite distinct from the pre-historic culture of North India.

The Ashoka's rock edicts found at some places in the state have revealed that major parts of Northern Karnataka were under the Mauryas. Chandragupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor abdicated the throne and embraced Jainism at Shravanabelagola, a site in present Karnataka.

The Chalukyas had built some of the very early Hindu temples in India. Aihole turned up as an experimental base for the dynamic creations of architects. The Hoysala's who ruled the land between 11th and 13th century built more than 150 temples; each one is a master piece in its own way.

Karnataka’s art and culture were given new dimensions by spiritual leaders of the land and many great dynasties who rued the state for over centuries. The most prominent among them were the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. A recognized peak in the Hindu kingships came with the success of the Vijayanagar Empire, which was at its prime in the 1550s.

In the modern history, the great Tipu Sultan of Mysore evokes the feelings of patriotism in every human soul. The state of Karnataka, constituted as Mysore under the Sates Reorganization Act, 1956, brought together the Kannada-speaking community distributed in five states and consisted of the territories of the old states of Mysore and Coorg, the Bijapur Kanara district and Kollegal taluk of the Coimbatore district in Madras. Earlier known as Mysore; the state was renamed as Karnataka on November 1, 1973.