Bengaluru is widely known today as India’s technology hub. But the city has a much longer and more fascinating history, shaped by centuries of kingdoms, trade, migration, conflict and cultural change.

In his upcoming book, Bengaluru, journalist and author Ramjee Chandran explores how a city emerged in a region that initially appeared to offer little reason for a major settlement. The book will be published under Penguin Random House India’s Viking imprint in December 2026.

Going beyond Bengaluru’s contemporary identity, Chandran traces its journey from prehistoric settlements and ancient trade routes to the rise and fall of powerful South Indian kingdoms. The narrative explores the legacies of the Western Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara rulers, followed by the emergence of Kempe Gowda’s market town.

The book also examines the successive political and military contests involving the Marathas, Mughals, Wadiyars, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The arrival of the British brought another city into existence alongside the original settlement, laying the foundations of modern Bengaluru.

Moving beyond the familiar accounts of kings and battles, Chandran brings attention to the roads, forts, markets, tanks and temples that shaped the city. He also highlights the contributions of merchants, soldiers, farmers and migrants whose lives and livelihoods helped Bengaluru evolve.

The book offers a glimpse into a city that had already undergone several transformations long before it became India’s technology and business hub, and whose history stretches well beyond Independence.

About the author

Ramjee Chandran has decades of experience in publishing. His debut novel, For No Reason at All, was published in January 2025. Bengaluru is his second book and draws on years of research into the history of the city he calls home. He also hosts the podcast The History of Bangalore and The Literary City, featuring conversations with internationally acclaimed authors.