Belgaum is the fourth largest city of Karnataka state and also serves as head quarter of the district of the same name. The city of Belgaum is largely built during 12th century under the Ratta dynasty which was based at nearby place of Saundatti. The fort of Belgaum was built in 1204 by the Ratta dynasty. It also served as the capital place of the dynasty from 1210 to 1250. The region witnessed the rule of many kingdoms. It was once in under the rule of  Yadava dynasty of Devgiri.  Then the region came under the rule of Kilhji during 14th century. In 1474 the region was captured by Bahamani Sultanate.   In the year 1518 the Bahamati Sultanate was divided into small five states and Belgaum became the part of Adilshahi Sultanate of Bijapur. Many existing historical building and structures in Belgaum belong to the era after the year 1519. The region was taken by Mughal dynasty under Aurangazeb the Mughal emperor. Belgaum was then captured by the Peshawa during the Maratha rule. They continued to rule the region until the British brought it under their rule.  

British continued to rule Belgaum until Aug-1947 when India got the independence. During the British rule Belgaum was actively involved in the freedom struggle of India.  In Dec-1921 Belgaum was the venue for the 39th session of Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. After the independence of India Belgaum remained the part of Bombay Presidency until 1956 when States Reorganization Act made Belgaum a part of Mysore state which was further renamed as Karnataka in 1972. In 1956 State Reorganization Committee was set up to demark the borders of states of India on linguistic line. But the committed decided to make the region of Belgaum a part of Karnataka state ignoring the fact that the region houses a large number of Marathi people (about three fourth of the total population). The state of Maharashtra continues to claim the region and at present the matter is under the Supreme Court of India.