Shimoga has a natural history of about 2000 years. People lied here even before the pre-historic period. This fact is evident from the occurrence of the Neolithic (c.1700-800BC) and from the Iron Age Megalithic (c.900BC, 1st century AD) as well as the Early Historical (c.3rd century BC-2nd century AD) cultural remains traced in 1996 in Guddemaradi, about 2 kms. from Shimoga City.

The earliest reference to the name of this town, i.e., Shimoga is found in an inscription of 1079 AD from a nearby village Tattekere. In an inscription town of 1121 AD, Mandli, a part of Shimoga town is described as a beautiful town of 4th century AD.

Jainism flourished here from 10th to 13th century AD. Later the city was under the Hoysalas (1000 to 1346 AD) and Keladi Nayakas (1500 to 1763 AD) till it was included in the old Mysore State.

According too "Thungabhadra Mahatmyam" Maharshi Durvasa performed penance here. The name of the city Shimoga (now Shivamogga) is derived from the Kamandalu (i.e. moga in ernacular Kannada) of this Rishi, containing the sweet liquid obtained by squeezing the tender green grass i.e. Shimoga as exclaimed by cowherds who tasted it.

Shimoga is a colorful district with attractive landscape, waterfalls, Green Forests, River Valleys and beautiful fields. The district is situated in the center of karnataka. The Rivers, Waterfalls and Hill stations in the district are famous in the Country. Tunga, Bhadra, Sharavathi, Varada and Kumadvathi rivers have made this district a rice bowl in the state. There are many places of architectural splendor in the district. Kadambas, Gangas, Chalukyas, Rastrakutas and Vijayanagar Kings ruled over this region. The Keladi Nayakas was the most important rule among the ruling families, which held high the roach of Hindu culture. Shimoga made the name in all over the world, because of having a falls called Jog Falls having a world record height of 900feet and one more attraction is of Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Shimoga, it is the second tallest church in India, having a height of 180feet. The district has several places of Tourist, Good in Education System, Arts and Culture.

The region has a long and colorful history dating back to the 3rd century A.D when it was controlled by the Satavahana dynasty. In the 6th century it was a part of the empire of the Chalukyas of Badami. In the 7th century it was under the rule of a Jaina chieftain, Santara Deva. From the Rashtrakutas who ruled in the next century, the region passed into the hands of the Hoysalas in the 11th century and then became part of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. Around the beginning of the 16th century, the Keladi Nayakas took over the area and remained in control till 1763 when Hyder Ali defeated them and their kingdom was annexed to Mysore. Hyder Ali, who had been a General in the Royal Army of the Wodeyars, began to regard the defeated kingdom as his own and spoke of it as the foundation of his subsequent glory. It was only in 1799, after the battle of Srirangapatna when the British defeated Hyder Ali’s son Tipu Sultan, that the rule of the Wodeyars was re-established. The history of the district then shares the history of the Rest of India in its struggle against British rule.