About Karnatak Arts College

The prestigious Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad was established in June 1917 through the vision and tireless efforts of Diwan Bahadur Rodda Srinivasaray and Rao Bahadur R. C. Artal Rudragoudar. Their objective was to establish an institution of higher learning in North Karnataka, enabling students of the region to pursue quality education without having to travel to Bombay or Pune.

The foundation stone of the College was laid on 20 June 1917 by the then Governor of the Bombay Presidency. Sir Siddappa Kambli, the Minister for Education in the Government of Bombay, played a pivotal role in ensuring the establishment and sustained growth of the institution, thereby strengthening the foundations of higher education in the region. Originally affiliated with the University of Bombay, the College began with programmes in Arts and Science and gradually expanded to include a wide range of disciplines in response to the educational needs of society. For administrative purposes, it was later bifurcated into Karnatak Arts College and Karnatak Science College, while continuing to function from the same historic campus and sharing common facilities. Widely regarded as the mother institution of Karnatak University, Dharwad, the College played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of higher education in the region. Since becoming a constituent college of Karnatak University, it has continued to uphold its rich academic legacy while contributing significantly to teaching, research, and community engagement.

Today, Karnatak Arts College offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the humanities, social sciences, commerce, management, tourism, and allied disciplines. With its distinguished faculty, vibrant academic environment, and a network of accomplished alumni spread across India and abroad, the College continues to nurture generations of learners committed to knowledge, leadership, and social responsibility. For over a century, Karnatak Arts College has remained true to the vision of its founders—providing accessible, inclusive, and quality higher education while shaping the intellectual and cultural landscape of North Karnataka.