History of Karnataka, Check Important Topics for Karnataka Govt Exams

History of Karnataka

Karnataka is located in South India. Many dynasties have ruled Karnataka, and the state became rich with different cultures and values due to the rule of the different dynasties. In this blog, we will explore the history of Karnataka and help candidates understand the important topics they need to cover for the different Karnataka Government Exams.   

History of Karnataka Pre History 

The state s culture was unique as compared to the other parts of India in the prehistory era. This civilization was identical to Africa’s prehistoric culture. The people of Karnataka were aware of the utilization of iron. 

History of Karnataka Early History

The state was ruled by the Mauryans and the Nandas in their early history. The dynasty which replaced the Mauryans in Karnataka after their fall was the Satavahana’s that ruled for close to 300 years. They had control of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Northern Karnataka.

The Telugu and KannadaKannada and Telugu languages were brought up under their rule. Kanchi’s Pallavas came to power after their reign of 300 years. Pallavas’ rule was ended by the Banavasi’s Kadambas and Kolar’s Gangas. It was the Western Ganga Dynasty and the Kadamba Dynasty which led to the political independence of the state.

History of Karnataka: Mediaeval History

Many kingdoms and empires have come and gone in Karnataka’s history

Kadamba Dynasty (Ruled from AD 325 to AD 540)

• The first Royal Dynasty of the state was the Kadamba Dynasty brought into existence by Mayurasharma.
•  They ruled over Konkan and North Karnataka.
• Kannada as the official language was developed by them. 
• They had a major contribution to the architectural history of Karnataka as they developed gold coins.
• They ruled for over 200 years.

Western Ganga Dynasty (AD 325 to AD 999)

• The Ganga Dynasty governed from Kolar at first but eventually relocated to Talakad.
• Southern Karnataka, sections of Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu were all under their control.
•  This dynasty is known as the Western Ganga to distinguish itself from the Eastern Ganga dynasty, which ruled Kalinga in later years known as the present-day Odisha.
• The Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola is the world’s tallest monolith and is regarded as the most famous Ganga architecture. 
• The Ganga dynasty ruled for around 700 years.
•  They ruled till the end of the 10th century under the Badami Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.

Badami Chalukyas Dynasty (Ruled From 500 AD Until 757 AD)

• Pulakeshin established the Chalukya dynasty.
• They were known as the Badami Chalukyas, and they ruled from Vatapi.
• They made significant contributions to the worlds of art and architecture.
• They transformed South India’s political landscape from smaller kingdoms to great empires.
• Most of Maharashtra and Karnataka, as well as sections of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, were governed by them.

Rastrakuta Dynasty (Ruled From 757 AD Until 973 AD)

• Dantidurga II or Dantivarman started the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
• During their reign, the clan overthrew Chalukya Kirtivarman II and established an empire in the Gulbarga region of modern-day Karnataka.
• This dynasty reigned over the whole states of Karnataka and Maharashtra and substantial portions of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• The Rastrakutas was considered one of the four major empires of the globe, according to an Arabic text called Silsilat al-Tawarikh.
• Later on, this dynasty was given the name The Rashtrakutas of Manyakheta.
• The Rastrakutas erected the world-famous Kailash Temple at Ellora.
• The “Age of Imperial Karnataka” is defined as the period of the Badami Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.

Kalyana Chalukya (Ruled From 973 AD Until 1198 AD)

• After defeating the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas of Kalyana rose to dominance.
• The Kalyana Chalukya dynasty is also known as the Western Chalukya dynasty.
• Someshwara I, their ruler, established his capital at Kalyana, known as the Basavakalyana, in Bidar district today. 
• This dynasty governed the whole state of Karnataka and Maharashtra, as well as parts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• The Chalukyas were lovers of art and architecture, and literature flourished in Karnataka under their reign.
•  The Mahadeva temple in Itagi (now the Raichur district) is regarded as the best Chalukyan structure.

Sevuna Dynasty (Ruled From 1198 AD Until 1312 AD)

• The Sevuna dynasty rose to dominance when the Kalyana Chalukya dynasty’s strength diminished.
• Because they held their capital at Devagiri, this dynasty is also known as the Seuna or Yadavas of Devagiri called Daulatabad in Maharashtra today.
•  Dridhaprahara was the founder of the Sevuna dynasty.
• Northern Karnataka, sections of Andhra Pradesh, and much of Maharashtra were under their control.
• The outstanding mathematician Baskarasharya, the famed philosopher Hemadri, and the great music writer Sharngadeva all contributed to the dynasty’s fame in history.
• The dynasty was finally overthrown by Allah-ud-din Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, and his general Mallikaffar.

Hoysala Dynasty (Ruled From 1000AD Until 1346 AD)

• Sala founded the Hoysala Empire.
• The Hoysalas’ capital was originally in Belur, but it was eventually moved to Halebidu.
• Southern Karnataka, sections of Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu were all governed by this dynasty.
• In South India, the Hoysala era saw tremendous advancements in art, architecture, and religion. Their temple building made them famous.
• The world-famous Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura all are built by this dynasty.
• They also encouraged Kannada and Sanskrit literature to flourish.
•  Rudrabhatta, Raghavanka, Harihara, and Janna were among the outstanding Kannada poets of the time.

Vijayanagara Empire (Ruled From 1336 AD Until 1565 AD)

• Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty founded the Vijayanagara Empire.
• The Vijayanagara Empire’s capital was Hampi. 
• They ruled most of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, as well as all of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 
• This empire was known for its wealth and power.
• The emperors of this kingdom allowed Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu fine arts and literature to achieve new heights.
•  Carnatic music developed during this era. 
• The Stone Chariot in Hampi is an outstanding example of Vijayanagara architecture.
• The Group of Monuments at Hampi, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO, contains some of the most well-known examples of the Vijayanagara Empire’s architectural brilliance.

Bahmani Empire (Ruled From AD 1347 Until AD 1527)

• The Bahmani Empire (also known as the Bahmanid Empire or the Bahmani Sultanate) was South India’s first sovereign Islamic kingdom.
• It was regarded as one of India’s great medieval kingdoms.
• Ala-ud-Din Hassan Bahman Shah, a Turkic or Brahmin convert, founded the Bahmani Empire. 
• Northern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were under the empire’s control.
• After Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire conquered the last vestige of the Bahmani Sultanate, the empire crumbled.

Bijapur Sultanate (Ruled From AD 1490 Until AD 1686)

• The Adilshahi was a Shia Muslim dynasty founded by Yusuf Adil Shah.
• Bijapur was a famous learning center during the time.
• Islamic architecture flourished in the region during the reign of the Bijapur Sultanate.
• The most renowned monument created during their reign is the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur.
• Emperor Aurangzeb invaded the Bijapur Sultanate and integrated it into the Mughal Empire.

History of Karnataka Modern History

The Wodeyars of Mysore and Hyder Ali emerged as prominent political forces in Karnataka’s contemporary history. Before the country got independence, Karnataka was ruled by the British.

Nayakas of Keladi (Ruled From 1500 AD Until 1763 AD)

• The Nayakas of Keladi, also called the Nayakas of Bednore, and the Kings of Ikkeri was a tributary state of the Vijayanagar Empire. After the empire fell apart, they declared independence.
•  Coastal and central Karnataka and areas of northern Kerala, Malabar, and the central plains along the Tungabhadra River were under their control.
•  Hyder Ali overcame them, and they were annexed into the Kingdom of Mysore.

Wodeyars of Mysore (Ruled From 1399 AD Until 1761 AD)

• The Vijayanagara Empire made the Kingdom of Mysore a vassal state at first.
• The kingdom obtained independence after the Vijayanagara Empire fell apart.
• Their capital was moved from Mysore to Srirangapattana.
• The kingdom had nearly all of south India under its control.
•  The Wodeyars paid three lakh rupees to the Mughals for the city of Bangalore.
•  Hyder Ali had conquered the Wodeyar Kingdom.

Sultanate of Srirangapattana (Ruled From 1761 AD Until 1799 AD)

• From Srirangapattana, Hyder Ali ruled over the Kingdom of Mysore. Tipu Sultan, his son, ascended to the throne after him.
• During the second half of the 18th century, the de facto ruler Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan led the Kingdom of Mysore to its pinnacle of military power and dominion.
• Srirangapattana Sultanate ruled over much of Karnataka and sections of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerela.
• The British invasion of Tipu Sultan was repeatedly defeated by Tipu Sultan. Finally, because of the combined efforts of the British, Maratha, and Hyderabad Nijamas, he was defeated and killed on the battlefield.
• Tipu Sultan has been famous for the title of the Tiger of Mysore.

Mysore Wodeyars (Ruled From AD 1800 Until AD 1831)

• After Tipu Sultan’s death, the British conquered large areas of the Mysore Kingdom, transforming Mysore into a princely state.
•  The Wodeyars were reinstated as the princely state’s rulers, and they governed until the British retook control of the empire.

British Rule (Ruled From 1831 AD Until 1881 AD)

• The British appointed commissioners to rule on their behalf after getting  control of the Mysore Empire  
• They separated the state into three provinces: Bombay, Madras, Hyderabad Nijamas, and Mysore.

Mysore Wodeyars (Ruled From 1881 AD Until 1950 AD)

• Under the leadership of Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, Mysore was returned to the Wodeyars who ruled India until it gained freedom.
• Mysore became part of the Indian union after independence. As a result, Mysore gained independence and became one of India’s most modern and urbanized provinces,
• They were big supporters of fine arts, architecture, music, etc.

Karnataka Unification in 1956

After the independence of India, the states were reorganized depending upon the cultures, language, and other criteria. The people who spoke Kannada came together to form Mysore, which was governed by the Maharaja of Mysore as the Governor. This state was later renamed Karnataka in 1956

History of Karnataka – Conclusion 

We hope the article has given you the relevant information about Karnataka History. For any queries, contact us at Oliveboard.

History of Karnataka – FAQ