Kittur or Kitturu, historically known as Kittoor, is a town and a taluk in the Belagavi district of the Indian state of Karnataka.

It is a place of historical importance because of the armed rebellion of Kittur Chennamma (1778–1829), Rani of the State of Kittur against the British East India Company, during which a British Commissioner, St John Thackeray was killed.

[3] In connection with a disputed succession to this chiefship in 1824, St John Thackeray, Commissioner of Dharwad, was killed in a battle when approaching the Kittur fort.

[4] Later another unit stormed Kittur and captured Queen Chennamma, who was imprisoned in Bailhongal Jail where she died.

[2] Her death was followed by subsequent revolts by her general Sangolli Rayanna, who also waged several campaigns against the British East India Company.