Bavutagudde set to rise with tallest Tricolour

Mangaluru

Perched atop the scenic rise of Bavutagudde along Lighthouse Hill-Mulki Sundaram Shetty Road, a new landmark is steadily taking shape at Tagore Park, one that aims to rise above the city not just in height, but in spirit. A towering 90 metre tall flagpost, set to be the tallest in Dakshina Kannada district, is currently under fabrication under the Mangaluru Smart City project. Estimated at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh, the structure is expected to be ready by the end of May. Once completed, it will lend a striking visual and patriotic identity to the hillock, long regarded as a place of deep historical and emotional significance. Bavutagudde, literally meaning ‘flag hill’, carries a legacy that stretches far beyond its present-day calm.

Local accounts trace its importance to early resistance movements against British rule. It is closely associated with freedom fighter Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda, who led a peasant uprising in 1837 against colonial policies, including oppressive taxes and restrictions on commodities like salt and tobacco. Ramaiah Gowda mobilised local farmers and community leaders, forming a resistance force that briefly challenged British authority. Historical accounts note that after gaining ground, his supporters symbolically brought down the British Union flag and hoisted their own flag at Bavutagudde on April 5, 1837, an act seen as an early assertion of independence in the region.

Though the rebellion, often referred to as the Amara Sullia uprising, was short-lived and eventually suppressed within days, it left behind a powerful imprint. Several leaders were captured, executed or exiled and the movement remains a significant, though lesser-known, chapter in coastal Karnataka’s freedom struggle. While the physical landscape around Bavutagudde has evolved, the memory of these events continues to linger. The installation of the towering flagpost seeks to reconnect the site with that legacy, transforming it into a visible symbol of resistance, sacrifice and national pride.

Once erected, the 90-metre flagpost will stand prominently against Mangaluru’s skyline, visible from multiple vantage points across the city. The project is being envisioned as more than infrastructure, a monument that blends civic development with historical remembrance. Speaking to News Trail, Mangaluru Smart City Limited Managing Director (Technical) Arun Prabha said fabrication work is progressing as planned. “The structure is being designed with a strong focus on safety, durability and engineering precision.

We are working towards completing it by the end of May,” he said. He added, “This is not merely about putting up a tall flagpost. It is about creating a landmark that resonates with people and reflects a shared sense of history and identity.” The choice of Bavutagudde is both practical and symbolic. Its natural elevation ensures high visibility, while its association with early resistance movements strengthens the narrative. The presence of a statue of Kedambadi Ramaiah Gowda further anchors its historical importance. Meanwhile, the war tank memorial near the Kadri War Memorial is also in its final stages and is set for inauguration soon.