Traditionally, it was an important trading port with ties with the Persian Gulf states dating back to the 14th century. With its strategic location, it was occupied by a number of dynasties and colonial rulers - namely the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. In the 18th century its control was contested by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan on one hand and the British on the other. Under the Mysore sultans (1763) it became a strategic ship building base, which was ceded to the British in 1799 after numerous sieges.

Mangalore is becoming more cosmopolitan and you will find many languages are spoken here. Any person coming to Mangalore won't have any difficulty speaking a number of languages because of the mixed culture. Here you can find all types of people from across India. There are many people from North India who speak Gujarathi, Marwadi, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Bihari, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Bengali etc. In addition, there are many students from East India (Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland etc.). Many people from Mangalore are working abroad. Mangaloreans are famous for their generosity.

Mangalore is one of the fastest developing cities in India. Many multi-national corporations and domestic corporations are opening their branches in Mangalore. Many reputed builders bring their huge development projects. There is very good growth in the retail sector, and many new shopping malls are being built.

Mangalore is a blend of new and old! With the increasing influx of students from various states of India and different parts of the world, Mangalore has virtually become a 'melting pot' of cultures, given the various communities that make up the social framework of Mangalore - the Tuluvas (Bunts, Billawas, Brahmins,Jains, Mogaveeras), the Brahmins, the Konkani Catholics, the Bearys, the Goud-Saraswath Brahmins (Konkanas), etc.