In decades past, individuals primarily visited Bangalore for the brief horse racing season. Once the races concluded, the city became deserted, offering little in the way of other attractions. Now, the racecourse is no longer within the city limits. A former chief minister had envisioned constructing a 100-story commercial tower, similar to those in Singapore, on the site, but this plan was halted due to public disapproval.
Bangalore now pulsates with activity throughout the year, regardless of the season. The roads are heavily congested with traffic, and hotels are consistently occupied. The city's origins lie in its establishment as a cantonment by the British, who sought to monitor the neighboring princely city of Mysore. Bangalore possessed a European character, featuring broad roads, bungalows with pillared porticoes, and churches with spires where English was the prevalent language. Adjacent to it was its “native twin,” Bengaluru, a crowded and subdued area where Kannada, a South Indian language, was widely spoken.
In 1956, India's administrative map was reorganized along linguistic lines, with each of its approximately 20 languages defining a distinct state. Consequently, Bangalore became the capital of the recently formed Kannada state, subjected to political and economic influences for which it was ill-prepared. The initial wave of newcomers comprised bureaucrats who required offices, residences, and roads to govern the new state. Their ranks expanded due to the adoption of a socialist economic model, resulting in the establishment of government-sponsored industries, such as the telephone and aeronautical sectors. Subsequently, auxiliary businesses emerged, prompting an influx of migrant workers.