Bellary, India

Capital City

Life in Bellary is a steel-tinted grind. The city is home to one of Asia's largest steel plants, JSW Vijayanagar, and over 260 denim garment factories employing nearly 3,000 families. While the urban population stands at 410,445, a staggering 52,413 are under 7 years old. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city only recently transitioning from a municipal council to a full-fledged corporation in 2004. And with a hot semi-arid climate influenced by the rain shadow effect of the Western Ghats, Bellary is not for the faint of heart. This industrial powerhouse is best suited for those seeking opportunity in India's manufacturing heartland, rather than a laidback lifestyle.