The freedom fighter Mailara Mahadevappa, who resisted British rule, is from Motebennur in Haveri District. Another freedom fighter Gudleppa Hallikere a native of Hosaritti is also from this district. He started a residential school Gandhi Grameen Gurukul in Hosaritti. Haveri district along with Gadag district was earlier part of undivided Dharwad district. Owing to the demands of the people Haveri district was carved out of old Dharwad district and was formed on 24.08.1997.
History of Haveri district dates to pre-historic period. Evidences are available on existence of pre-historic civilizations on the Tungabhadra and Varada river basins. Stone carvings depicting Stone Age civilizations are found in many parts of the district. About 1300 stone writings of different rulers like Chalukyas, Rastrakutas are found in the district. Though none of the major kingdoms of Karnataka had their headquarters in Haveri, many Mandaliks ruled in this district. Bankapura Challaketaru, Guttavula Guttaru, Kadamba of Hanagal and Nurumbad are some of the well known Samanta Rulers. Devendramunigalu the teacher of Kannada Adikavi Pampa and Ajitasenacharya the teacher of Ranna Chavundaray lived in Bankapura. This was also the second capital of Hoysala Vishnuvardhana. Guttaru ruled during latter part of 12th century and up to end of 13th century from Guttavol (Guttal) village as Mandaliks of Chalukya, independently for some time and as Mandaliks of Sevuns of Devagiri. Shasanas found in Choudapur, a village near Guttal, reveal that Mallideva was Mandalika of 6th Vikramaditya of Chalukyas. Jatacholina, under the leadership of Mallideva built the Mukteshwar temple at Choudapur. Kadambas of Nurumbad during the period of Kalyana Chalukyas ruled about 100 villages with Rattihalli as their capital. Kadambeshwar temple at Rattihalli is a beautiful Chalukya style temple.

All these Samantas who ruled from different parts of the district have left their permanent evidences in the history of the district. Many beautiful temples like Tarakeshwar at Hanagal, Kadambeshwar at Rattihalli, Someshwar at Haralahalli, Nagareshwar at Bankapur, Mukteshwar at Choudapur, Siddheshwar at Haveri, Eeshwar at Galaganath, Jain Basadi at Yalavatti depict the rich culture and history of the district.

Haveri, popularly known for Byadgi chilli variety and its market in South East Asia, is almost in the center of Karnataka. Geographically the district is situated between north latitude 140 28 to140 39’ and east longitude 750 07’ to 750 38’. Haveri is one of the newly formed districts of Karnataka, a decade ago, on 15th August 1997. The district is located in northern semi rain fed and semi malnadu zone. The district is bounded, on the north by Dharwad and Gadag district, on the east by Bellary district, on the west by Uttar Kannada district and on the South by Davangere and Shimoga districts. Dharma, Kumadwati, Varada and Tunga- Bhadra are the four rivers flowing in the district.

Haveri district has historical importance. The birthplace of sarvagna, Abalur is in Haveri district. The district is also proud to be associated with many holy and tourisum places like Kaginele, Abalur, Mailara, Kadarmandalgi, Shishuvinal and Ukkadgathri, etc., National Highway No 4 linking Pune and Bangalore passes through the center of the district providing one of the essential infrastructure for industrial development. Like wise Haveri is well connected through rail network connecting major places like Bangalore, Bombay, New Delhi etc.

Total population of the district is 14,39,116, which constitutes 2.72 % of the total population of the state . Seventy nine percent of the population lives in rural areas as against the state average of 69 %. The density of the population per sqare kilometer was 296, which is more than the state average of 275. The male to female ratio is 943. The SC population is 12.18% and ST population is 8.84% of the total population, while OBC and General is 78.98% of the total population. The agricultural workers are 11.19% (male) and 2.96% (female), while the non-agricultural workers are over 43.49% (male) and 27.75% (female). Literacy percentage of the district is 68.09%. The district has 19 hoblies and 208 gram panchayaths.. The Haveri district comprises 7 talukas, viz., Haveri, Byadgi, Hanagal, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Savanur and Shiggaon.